Denver to Jackson Hole.

[kiwi]

This year I had a very successful Wyoming bow hunt and I'm hoping to return next year to try for elk and deer.

Currently I'm looking at flying into Denver CO early September and driving to Jackson Hole WY via the Sierra Madre mountains and Snowy Range. I would like some recommendations on interesting areas to visit along the way. For example a nice camp ground to stay at, good spots to see wildlife or any national parks worth a visit. Would love to get some local info so I make the most of the drive.

I am also thinking of applying for a Region W or D deer tag so I can break my trip up with a bow hunt along the way. Any suggestions / info would be greatly appreciated.

As always please message me if you want New Zealand hunting info.

 

[tim]

just throwing this out there. you could fly into Idaho falls, Idaho and head over to Yellowstone for awhile. Much closer drive to Jackson from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Or Check out flying into Salt Lake City, Utah, a major hub and close to Jackson, Wyoming.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Never made that drive, but have spent a little time in Denver and quite a bit of time in and around Jackson. Red Rocks is a natural amphitheater just west of Denver. I thought it was a pretty interesting stop. At Jackson, the National Elk Refuge is a must. If you like Rodeo, Jackson Hole Rodeo puts on a great show 3-4 days a week. If you can make it to Cody, a great museum there too. Yellowstone Nat park, a bit north of Jackson is spectactular. Just depends on how much time you have.

Siince you are in NZ, these may not be as much of an attraction. If you like to hike, just to the west of Jackson near Victor, ID, up Darby Creek, is a trail to some ice and wind caves. Then you have all the Teton views. Have to be Bear aware on those hikes, are some Grizzlies around.

 

[kiwi]

Thanks tim, I should have said in my post but I have been to both Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City. Both awesome places. I haven't been to CO so looking at flying into Denver.

Tim McCoy, thanks for those suggestions. The Rodeo sounds great! I'll add Darby Creek as a place to check out too.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Make that Darby Canyon Road. Takes you to the trail head for the caves. If you decide to try going to the Rodeo, pm me and I'll give you an introduction to one of the owners, who happens to be a Bull rider and hunting outfitter.

 

[kiwi]

"Make that Darby Canyon Road. Takes you to the trail head for the caves. If you decide to try going to the Rodeo, pm me and I'll give you an introduction to one of the owners, who happens to be a Bull rider and hunting outfitter"

Thanks Tim.

 

[libidilatimmy]

There are flights to/from Jackson that connect to several major airports. You could save yourself some travel time if you wanted to either land or take off in Jackson. I think they fly 737's in and out of there so these flights aren't on tin can planes either.

 

[Againstthewind]

I agree with the above. The Jackson Airport is a pretty well used with jet service and everything. There is Rocky Mountain National Park not too far from Denver. You could probably get that elk smell in your nose there. Then isn't too bad I think from Fort Collins to Laramie, from there it is a pretty scenic drive over the Snowies. In the summer there are some pretty good gravel roads from Rob Roy Reservoir to Encampment and Saratoga where there is excellent fishing I think. Hilltop and libidilatimmy are the locals or ex-locals I think, so they might give better directions. No more National Parks until Teton at Jackson, but Thermopolis is also a neat town with good fishing also. They have hot springs and dinosaur stuff which is kindof interesting to me I guess. From Saratoga you can go North by Seminoe and Pathfinder reservoirs to Casper on gravel and over to Thermop.. Then you can go through Dubois to Jackson or go North through Meeteetsee and Cody and go through the Yellowstone loop roads back down to Jackson. If you had the time that would be a pretty neat trip going through Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs, but its the long way. There is probably where you will see the most animals I would say. Antelope you will probably see the whole route pretty much. The rodeo at Cody is pretty good like above. There are good campgrounds in all of those towns I think. Encampment there are some improved camp grounds in the National Forest. Might need a map study to figure out the best route, and you don't have to stay on pavement to get a lot of places. There is a gravel road from Casper that goes east west pretty much parallel to the highway where there are a lot of animals to be seen.

 

[2rocky]

Definately hit RMNP. Elk will be active and visible. Stay in Estes Park.

If you travel West on 80 you can hit some historical sites related to the Westward movement and Settlement

Fort Bridger Established by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in 1843 as an emigrant supply stop along the Oregon Trail. It was obtained by the Mormons in the early 1850s, and then became a military outpost in 1858. In 1933, the property was dedicated as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum.

There are several restored historical buildings from the military time period, a reconstructed of the trading post operated by Jim Bridger, and an interpretive archaeological site containing the base of the cobble rock wall built by the Mormons during their occupation of the fort. All of these locations are signed in Braille. In addition, a museum containing artifacts from the various different historical time periods is housed in the 1888 stone barracks building. There are gift shops in both the museum and the reconstructed trading post. There is no camping available at Fort Bridger.

South Pass City - Gold mining ghost town and where the wagon trains crossed the Rockies.

Museum of the Mountain Man - Pinedale

On your return loop you could drive through Yellowstone and come out near Cody

Buffalo Bill Museum/ Cody firearms museum

Then Work your way down to Casper.
It is full of attractions

Then you are a short day to Denver to fly back out.

 

[kiwi]

Looks like I hit the jackpot with these comments, excellent info! I'll get my map out, and Tripadvisor, and spend time planning my trip. Thanks again for the comments. I'll keep you updated on my plans.

 

[Hilltop]

Kiwi, You got some great advice above. There is a ton to see along the way- can't really go wrong. As far as the archery deer hunt to break up the trip I would recommend not getting a region D tag. From my limited recent observations and all the reports from my friends who hunted up there this year, the deer herd is still pretty low. Decent bucks are very hard to come by- especially archery. I can't give you any advice on region W. There is some great fishing in the Laramie area that would be worth spending a day or two doing. Day permits are reasonably cheap. Let me know if you want some ideas on waters to try.

 

[hoshour]

I hunted 78 this year in October as a 2nd choice hunt. It was very warm, in the 70s in mid-October, obviously no snow, and saw plenty of small bucks and does but nothing worth shooting. Genetetically, they have a lot of 3x4 bucks. The best deer I saw had a rack well outside his ears but he was almost a 2x4 with just OK forks on his good side.

There's a lot of black timber and in the BLM land to the west of the timber, even the last week of the season there were hunters everywhere. I can't imagine what it was like as a general area. 300 tags is way too many still because everyone goes to the BLM.

 

[kiwi]

Thanks for the comments hilltop and hoshour. Looks like I will give region d a miss. Will look at other deer options.

 

[packmule]

There are flights to/from Jackson that connect to several major airports. You could save yourself some travel time if you wanted to either land or take off in Jackson. I think they fly 737's in and out of there so these flights aren't on tin can planes either.

They do and Denver is usually the layover for United. Flown back and forth from out there quite a bit at all times of year...and its uneasy landing & taking off when you can't see the Tetons yet you have to go over them. There's lot to do, I personally prefer to stay out of Yellowstone to avoid people.