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HAVING FUN IN JACKSON HOLE
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How to Spend Your Free Time in Jackson Hole
There is no shortage of fun to be had in Jackson Hole. In fact, we guarantee that there's no way a single summer is enough to see and do it all!
For outdoor adventure, there is the Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger Teton National Forest, including several wilderness areas, and nearby Yellowstone National Park. Employees seeking out the fabled Jackson Hole nightlife enjoy trips to the towns of Jackson, Wilson, and Teton Village, to enjoy live music and a variety of shopping, galleries, museums, and dining.
For employees without a car, there is plenty to do and see within a mile or so of Dornan’s. Dornans is within Grand Teton National Park, and while entrance through the main gates of the park requires a pass, the area of the park outside the gates remains free. Please remember to observe the rules of the park- no collecting (flowers, plants, interesting objects) or harassing wildlife, and fishing and boating require valid permits.
Moose area trails are mostly on old roads to homesteads that no longer exist. Sometime you may find evidence of these old homesteads, but do not disturb or collect any of the interesting objects you find—these are considered archeological sites and are protected by federal law. When the trail is not clear, hiking is still easy, but be considerate of native vegetation and wildflowers.
Links to outside sites are for information only; they do not necesssarily constitute an endorsement of the sites or the services provided.
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Get on a bike at Adventure Sports
...and get going on down the road! | | 
The Moose bar is always fun, too! |
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Hiking
Short Day Hikes
Hikers can walk right out their front door to Blacktail Butte (~1 mile to the trailhead parking lot) A trail goes up along a seasonal spring to the summit of the butte, to the site of an old Forest Service lookout tower. Blacktail Butte also has a small but fun sports climbing area.
Other Moose area trails run up and down the river. Hike a mile north to get to Ditch Creek, at its confluence with the Snake River. This hike is great for viewing wildlife, particularly birds of prey who nest in the tall trees along the river. Hike south along the old road for a secluded river experience. Boaters tend to get off just north of the bridge, so south of the bridge is quiet, great for fishing in the channel, or viewing wildlife such as moose.
Longer Day Hikes
An endless assortment of hikes is available within a 20-minute drive, both in Grand Teton National Park and in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Popular nearby destinations include Taggart Lake, Death Canyon, and Shadow Mountain.
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click to download PDF map and hiking guide for popular day hikes in Grand Teton National Park
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History-Museums-Culture
Discover the history of dude ranching in Jackson Hole by visiting historic sites in Moose. A short nature trail from the bar takes you down to the east landing, past the historic boathouse. The rest of the Menor’s ferry historic area, across the river, contains a replica of the ferry boat, Maud Noble’s cabin, where area citizens decided to make the area a national park, a shed filled with all kinds of historic vehicles, and the Chapel of the Transfiguration (services during the summer). Ellen and Jack Dornan were the first couple to marry in the Chapel.
If you drive, you will have to pass through the entrance gates and double back, but you can take a more direct route walking or biking. Admission is free on Sunday if you are attending church services in the Chapel.
The Craig Thomas Visitor Center has free admission, fascinating exhibits, helpful rangers, and an excellent bookstore. A paved bike trail will connect the Visitor Center and Dornan's by the end of 2009, but it is a quick walk, drive, or bike ride regardless.
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Menor's Ferry back in the day
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Fishing
The Snake River is famed for its excellent fly-fishing opportunities. Stop by Will Dornan’s Snake River Angler fly shop (next to Moosley Seconds) to get tips, fishing licenses, lessons, custom flies, equipment for rent and for sale, and fishing items.
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Wildlife Watching
Watching wildlife in Moose merely requires you to keep your eyes open. Never approach a wild animal or harass them in any way.
The river is a powerful draw for all kinds of animals, from moose to falcons. Many birds of prey nest along the river, including bald eagles and osprey. Many more migrate along the river in the spring and fall, including sandhill cranes, brown pelicans, and countless ducks and geese.
Moose are often spotted grazing along the river in the early morning and at twilight. Take a quick visit over to the Sawmill Ponds Overlook across the river to see a favorite moose feeding ground.
Bison mostly congregate out on Antelope Flats Road, where they can be something of a nuisance. If they are blocking the road, wait patiently for the herd to pass, and enjoy the scenery. Do not use your car to push them out of the way.
The National Elk Refuge in Jackson is home to massive herds of Rocky Mountain elk during the winter, but is a great wildlife viewing area year around, as well as a good place to go to learn about area wildlife. Other wildlife commonly seen in and around Moose include coyote, black bear, porcupine, elk, mule deer, and antelope.
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Bald Eagle flying down the Snake River
Our friendly neighborhood bison herd, on Antelope Flats |
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Mountain Biking
When you get on a bike, your options are pretty much limitless in all directions!! Ride into Jackson (13 miles), or zip into the park, or pedal over to the Kelly warm springs for a swim, whatever suits you best. Dornan’s offers some bikes free of use for employees, and you can also rent or buy equipment at Adventure Sports. Ask Fred for advice on where to go and what to see- he knows the routes!
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Mountain biking in Moose, in the shadow of the Tetons
When in doubt, ask Fred! |
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Kayaking & canoeing
Kayaks and canoes are available from Adventure Sports for little or no charge. Canoes are only for paddling on lakes within Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park. Boating on the Snake River is dangerous for those who don’t know what they’re doing. Again, ask Fred for advice.
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Paddling a canoe through Grand Teton National Park
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Float Trips
Both Will Dornan and Barker Ewing float trips offer scenic trips along the Snake River, a wonderful way to see wildlife, and enjoy the river without any work. Barker-Ewing offers free float trips to Dornan’s employees, depending on availability.
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Climbing
A popular sports climbing area is a mile walk from Dornan’s, at the north end of Blacktail Butte. More advanced climbing, of course, can be found on the rocky peaks of Grand Teton National Park. Moosely Seconds is a great source for buying climbing equipment. Mountain guide services offer lessons from the basic level on up, and guided trips up the Tetons. The Dornans have a long affiliation with the Exum Guide Service, and both David and Rod Dornan were Exum Guides for several years. David pioneered several climbing routes in the Tetons.
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Swimming & Soaking
Swimming in the Snake River is dangerous and not recommended. Popular nearby swimming areas include the Kelly Warm Springs (free) and String Lake (inside the park, requires an entrance fee). While there are countless area lakes in Jackson Hole, please be advised that the water in most of them is extremely cold and not very pleasant for swimming.
Other hot springs within an hour’s drive from Moose include Granite Hot Springs, south of Jackson, in the Bridger Teton National Forest. This hot springs offers a developed area for families, or a hike and river crossing to the Granite Creek Falls Hot Springs, which also features a hot waterfall. Two other natural hot springs, Huckleberry Hot Springs and Polecat Hot Springs, are both accessible from Flagg Ranch, 2 miles south of the Yellowstone National Park border.
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String Lake in Grand Teton National Park
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Volleyball
There is a volleyball court behind the main building. Equipment is supplied.
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Employee-led activities
Employees are encouraged to plan activities and outings together with the support of the Dornan’s management. Employees can host dinners for each other, or use the Dornan’s van for outings to the park, to Jackson, or to other area destinations.
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Website copyright ©2005-2008, Moose Enterprises, Inc. Moose, Wyoming, USA. All Rights Reserved.
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