Driving from Jackson Hole to Yellowstone: What to See Along the Way

The drive from Jackson, WY to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park is a two hour drive north on John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway. It’s a beautiful scenic highway, with lots of picture-worthy stops and wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. Here are a few must-see stops that you won’t want to miss.

Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center

Just 2 minutes north of Jackson is the Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. Here you can get Yellowstone park passes, browse the gift shop for guidebooks and souvenirs, view wildlife films, and enjoy the outside deck overlooking the National Elk Refuge.

Hours & Location

Open year-round from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

532 N. Cache Street, Jackson, WY 83001

National Museum of Wildlife Art

Just a short 6-minute drive from Jackson is the National Museum of Wildlife Art. This museum offers visitors a wide range of preserved wildlife art from local and worldwide artists. The building itself was inspired by historical Scottish ruins and is built iconically into a Jackson Hole hillside.

Sculpture Trail

The museum’s Sculpture Trail is a three-quarter-mile-long walking trail that extends to the north and south of the museum. Lifesize sculptures along the trail include elk, moose, buffalo, bear, and more. Stop and take time to sit along the path and enjoy the view!

Art Museum

The art museum holds over 5,000 artworks representing wildlife from around the world. Exhibits include paintings and artwork from a variety of mediums including oil, bronze, and stone. The museum also hosts permanent and traveling art displays year-round, so be sure to take a look online at their exhibits for a sneak peek of what you will enjoy.

Mormon Row Historic District

A short drive farther up US Highway 191, just 21 minutes from Jackson, is the turnoff to Antelope Flats Road for some of the area’s most photographed structures; the iconic barns of Mormon Row. Officially a part of Grand Teton National Park, you can visit this area without a park pass!

With the majestic Tetons as a backdrop, you can take your own professional pictures of this beautiful area. Just remember that this road is closed from November through May.

Scenic Turnouts

We’re sure you’ve seen those signs along a road that say “Scenic View Ahead “. As you get back on the highway, you definitely want to stop at every roadside turnout on your way to Yellowstone.

Here’s just a few where you can snap some breathtaking views of the Tetons:

Jackson Lake Overlook

As you drive up the highway, you’ll have glimpses of the Snake River. It eventually connects to Jackson Lake, just a few miles from the Yellowstone entrance. We highly recommend stopping and taking in the stunning scenery of the area.

Jackson Lake is a gem as it’s one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the United States. At an elevation of 6,772 ft above sea level, 15 miles long and 7 miles wide, it boasts a beautiful reflection of the Grand Tetons as a backdrop.

Stop in to Colter Bay Village and grab some snacks & a coffee while you stretch your legs with a short stroll along the lakeshore. Or, grab some delicious pizza at Leeks Pizzeria, located at Leeks Marina, on Highway 89 about 7 miles north of Jackson Lake Junction and about 16 miles south of the South Entrance of Yellowstone. They are open daily from 12pm – 9pm for the summer season beginning on May 27th.

Enjoy the Drive

While your destination is Yellowstone, the drive there is breathtaking too. Take time to stop along the way and experience the beautiful Jackson Hole area! Be sure and have your camera at the ready for that idyllic shot of the Tetons or even a glimpse of a moose, bison, bear or other local wildlife.

Looking for more things to do while in Jackson Hole?

Read our post about the best things to do in summer!