Spring Creek Ranch is offering the best off-season specials around. As a local, I’ve always loved the Granary Restaurant up at Spring Creek Ranch because of the wonderful food that is presented with an absolutely stunning view. Recently I’ve had fun nights at the Granary Lounge listening to the live jazz music that happens on Friday and Saturday nights. Pam and Keith Phillips present world-class jazz in our tiny town and not enough people know about this great opportunity. I’ve never had a reason to enjoy the hotel though because I already live in Jackson. Well, no more excuses.

Spring Creek has a Spring Fling special that offers a night in one of their deluxe hotel rooms with a wood-burning fireplace for $170. Plus, dinner and breakfast for two at the Granary is included in the price. Why go out to dinner and a movie when you could have dinner, a night in one of Spring Creek’s luxurious hotel rooms, and breakfast overlooking the Tetons?

The hotel is situated around 1,000 feet above the valley floor, providing one of the best views of the Tetons available. You want to make sure to get to dinner at the Granary before dark to enjoy the magnificent view. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows and you will want to be there for sunset for sure. The Granary offers what Bon Appetit called “upscale mountain-man cooking.” You can enjoy the amenities including the pool and hot tub. Also, to add some extra relaxation to the mini-vacation, you can book a spa appointment.

Here’s my master plan for my Spring Fling. Check in at 4pm. Settle into the hotel room, soaking up the view. Then make my way over to the hot tub to fully relax into vacation mode before dinner. I will be using this as one of the rare opportunities to dress up in Jackson, so give me an hour or so to get ready. Then, make the easy walk over to the Granary around 7pm for dinner and sunset. After dinner, move up to the lounge to enjoy jazz and after dinner drinks. Then, no designated driver is needed for the short walk back to the hotel room. A night spent in a luxurious hotel bed is always a good night. Wake early to enjoy the included breakfast. One more dip in the hot tub before check out at 11am. You get all of this for roughly the price of a typical dinner and a movie for two in Jackson Hole. This is why I’m calling Spring Creeks Spring Fling special the best off-season deal around.

We live in one of the top travel destinations in the world. Why not enjoy it like a tourist for a night or two? I know a stay at Spring Creek for their Spring Fling is at the top of my to-do list. The special is only available until May 12th, Thursdays-Saturdays. Don’t miss this opportunity to have a luxury vacation, only 20 minutes from your home.

Click here to learn more about Spring Creek Ranch’s Spring Fling Vacation Special

Description: Our Paddles and Saddles program offers a combined horseback ride, rafting trip and lunch at the Granary for a full day of excitement.

Includes: Guided horseback ride atop the East Gros Ventre Butte
- Your choice of classic whitewater, 8-man adventure whitewater or scenic float trip
- Lunch at the Granary
- View full details and book trips here.

Restrictions: All ages welcomed for the horseback ride, must be 6 and over for the whitewater and 3 and over for the scenic float.

Visitors to Jackson Hole have the opportunity to see bear, moose, elk and much more. Watching a moose eat lunch or seeing a grizzly bear lead her cub down a path is truly thrilling. Unfortunately, many visitors to Jackson are unaware of the habits and schedules of the animals they most want to see and can spend days on a futile search for wildlife. Hiring a guide or taking a wildlife safari can greatly increase your chances of animal sightings but, if seeing a specific animal is important to you, it’s best to plan your trip during the time of year when the animal is most likely to be spotted. The three most sought after wildlife sightings are bears, moose and elk.

Bears

Bears are the most sought after sighting in Jackson Hole and a special treat that not everyone is lucky enough to receive. The two main bears found in Jackson are black and grizzlies. Both types of bears are most likely to be seen in the spring, April through June, when the snow has started to melt at lower elevations. By the time summer rolls around the bears make their way back to higher elevations, which is now clear of snow. In the summer, July and August, they become a rarer sighting, but on high elevation hikes are still a common run-in. Black bears, unlike grizzlies, often return to lower elevations in the fall as they forage bushes for berries. There are a few celebrity bears in the park, notably #399 and her cubs, which stay in lower elevations and frequently can be found in the few miles surrounding Jackson Lake Lodge.

Moose

Moose seem to be every tourist’s second most desired animal sighting. Unfortunately, they are the hardest to find during Jackson’s main tourist season, from May to August. Moose love snow and colder climates, so during the winter, fall and spring, their dark bodies are often easily spotted loping through the white terrain. In the warmer months, you will most likely find them at higher, cooler elevations. As fall approaches, so does mating season, and your likelihood of finding moose out and about looking for a mate is at its height.

Elk

Elk are a yearlong attraction in Jackson. The winter months keep thousand of elk contained on the elk refuge where they are fed. You can take a sleigh ride out into the herd and get a close up view. Spring and fall are the migration time for elk and they can often be spotted along roads and trails as they make their way to and from the refuge. The summer is the most challenging time for spotting elk, but still not a rarity. You are most likely to find them on a hike in the woods where it is shady and cool. For a special thrill, elk enthusiast should visit in the fall. During mating season, the still dusk air is filled with the eerie and magical sounds of elk mating calls. Elk bugling back and forth across the valley is an experience that is not to be missed.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see some of nature’s most amazing animals. By timing your trip to Jackson Hole properly, you can greatly increase your chances of seeing the big, beautiful wildlife Jackson offers. While you’re at it you might just run into a bald eagle, bison or big horned sheep that also inhabit the area.

Click here to learn more about the Wildlife Safaris offered by Spring Creek Ranch

Visitors of all ages will appreciate Spring Creek Ranch’s expanded offering of winter wildlife safaris in both neighboring national parks. Whether you travel through Yellowstone on a snow coach or explore the Tetons on snowshoes or cross country skis, adventure-filled days and a host of native wildlife awaits. And while you’re here, don’t forget to leave a few days to explore the endless terrain at legendary Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Powder hounds need look no further as the winter is off to a tremendous start with the famous cowboy powder stacking up. Spring Creek’s Ski Free package will leave you grinning from ear to ear and will quickly turn your visit to Jackson Hole into an annual trip.

Snow is the basis for participating in the many, fun winter activities that locals and visitors enjoy at this magical time of the year. Whether you’re planning on skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing, sleigh riding or wildlife watching, snow and weather has an impact on all these activities.

Jackson Hole locals are already turning into amateur meteorologists and monitoring weather sites and radar watching for signs of winter, like our recent winter storm, and snow in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

And we’re starting to see good signs for more snow and a lot of it in high places. Here are some resources to help you monitor the weather and snow and plan for your trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Spring Creek Ranch stay.

Mountain Weather

Get the Jackson Hole Forecast from local meteorologist Jim Woodmencey. “Woody,” as he is known by locals, collects the weather and reports it on his website (by 7:00 a.m.) and on a local radio station KMTN. As a former ski and mountaineering guide, Woody’s forecasts include a decidedly outdoors-person focus with an experienced perspective.

National Weather Service & NOAA Weather Alerts

Serious weather alerts or winter storm warnings are the bane of existence to most people around the country, but a boon (usually) for people in Jackson Hole. Seeing the flashing red weather alert and “SEVERE STORM WARNING” in all caps while potentially dangerous can have beneficial effects such as copious amounts of snow! It’s a good idea to know what to prepare for and how to dress before you head out for your next adventure.

Spring Creek Ranch Weather Cam

Check the weather cam in the sidebar of the Spring Creek Ranch homepage to get a real-time visual of what’s happening and arguably the best view in the Jackson Hole valley, unless, of course, there’s a winter storm blocking the view.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Just miles away from Spring Creek Ranch, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort reports often, if not daily, on the state of the resort’s conditions. Here’s some recent chatter that shows how early winter weather events are helping to lay a good foundation for a long winter of skiing and snowboarding.

“We received almost two feet of this heavy snow this weekend, with well over two inches of moisture. Although this type of snow is not what we think of when we think of Jackson Hole powder, it is the perfect type of snow to set up a great base for the season. We have received 97 inched of snow, so far this season and we now have a four-foot base at the upper elevations. All this heavy snow, combined with plenty of wind has helped cover the mountain very well and the upper mountain is looking fantastic.”

Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center

Whether you’re heading out into the Jackson Hole backcountry, or not, the BTNFAC is a good place to check out conditions.

Find a Spring Creek Ranch winter special that’s perfect for your winter trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and keep an eye on the weater! Call today to learn more about winter activities and packages and specials (800) 443-6139.

NEVADA COWBOY BRIAN MORRIS, 1970, WILLIAM ALBERT ALLARD, National Geographic Stock.

To this day, the iconic magazine brings us photos from far-reaching places captured by many of the best photographers in the world, including Jackson-area local, Jimmy Chin.

Starting this weekend, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is bringing the best of the best American West photos from those piles of cherished, yellow magazines to life as an exhibit, National Geographic Greatest Photos of the American West, that will be at the Jackcson Hole ‘museum on the hill’ through the end of April.

If you’re a guest of Spring Creek Ranch, we’ll take you over to the museum that you probably passed on the way from the airport or Grand Teton National Park for a day of wild west culture. You’ll have the Rising Sage Café to look forward to if you’re there during lunchtime and you’re hungry from all the artsy browsing.

About the Exhibit

AMERICAN INDIAN BEAUTY PAGEANT WINNER, Oregon, 1997, WILLIAM ALBERT ALLARD, National Geographic Stock.

“National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West, a collection of iconic Western images gathered by National Geographic over a span of some 125 years, will open in 10 museums across the U.S. on October 27, 2012.

National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West represents the first time a photography exhibition of this magnitude has opened at so many U.S. venues simultaneously. The exhibition presents a powerful and nuanced portrait of the West over more than a century, and it’s exciting that the medium of photography allows multiple openings across the country for greater impact in sharing the combined vision of such an important group of photographers.” –National Museum of Wildlife Art

Take in the Beauty in Beautiful Jackson Hole

RODEO, Nebraska, 1998, JOEL SARTORE, National Geographic Stock.

It’s a place where you can see a real-life cowboy washing his rope at the local laundromat and where rodeos really happen on a regular basis (in several locations on several nights). It’s a place that inspires and to be inspired.

Need more of the American West?

Haven’t had your fill and still have energy after perusing photographs and lunching at the museum and café? Head across the street, or highway, for more inspiring visions at the National Elk Refuge to take your own pictures.

November through April are the perfect months for spotting, as you might expect by the name, elk, but other wonderful wildlife, as well. Birds, swans, moose, deer, antelope, big horn sheep, and even wolves have been seen here. Read more about wildlife viewing on the Elk Refuge here.

Shop in Jackson Hole - Click to enlarge map

Need some souvenirs or simply some shopping therapy while on your stay? Despite its reputation as a cowboy town, there are some top-tier places to shop in Jackson Hole. Here are a handful of suggested boutiques and shops located on or near the famous town square. More guides and maps are available at the concierge desk.

Spring Creek has regularly scheduled shuttles into town, so make your reservations with the front desk. You’ll be able to “shop ’til you drop” and then head back to Spring Creek Ranch for some spa therapy, perhaps?

MADE

MADE in Jackson Hole offers unique gifts, jewelry and home furnishings that are homemade, re-purposed, found, etc.

Founded by local artist John Freschette, this store with a location in Gaslight Alley near the town square and in Hotel Terra in the Teton Village and has a modern interpretation of Jackson souvenirs. MADE has been featured in nationally-known magazines like Elle Decor, Vogue and Town and Country Ski Guide and always has something new, including the artist/owner’s own glass belt buckles and other artwork.

Skinny Skis

You don’t have to be a cross country skier to step into Skinny Skis. Opened 38 years ago and named for the nickname for nordic skis, which they specialize in, Skinny has grown into an outdoor gear store almost half a block long with stellar service to match its size.

Pick up a “Ski Like a Girl” bumper sticker, or two, for an inexpensive, but one-of-a-kind gift for girls or ladies at home. They also have an extensive selection of local guide books for outdoor sports like climbing, hiking, skiing, etc. in the region.

Altitude

Altitude is a little boutique with some big fashion attitude. Fashion hounds will revel in the nationally-regarded brands like Chan Luu, Emu, Free People, J-Brand, Michael Starts and more, offered in this small-town boutique. But, don’t pass up a chance to see local designers For Love and Lemons threads. They make a great antler tee that would be a great gift for any women.

Altitude also stocks eco-friendly cosmetics and gifts as well as home decor with a rustic, yet modern feel.

Gifts of the Earth

Gifts of the Earth has been the go-to place for unique cards, candles, gifts and Jackson Hole souvenirs for over 37 years. Located above the Bootlegger on the town square, save some time on your shopping excursion to browse its vast selection of cards and more. If you brought the kids along, they’ll love the stickers section and the fun and unique toys.

Terra

Located just east of the town square is a boutique that could go toe to toe with the best of ‘em on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. Terra JH allows locals and visitors to find fashionable frocks and more from world-renowned designers like Trina Turk, Milly, Tibi, Souchi, Nanette Lepore, Ever, James Perse, Genetic Denim, Citizens of Humanity, AG Adriano Goldschmied and more.

Is your baby or kid a clothes horse, too? Terra Tots, located within the Terra JH boutique, has got him or her covered. Adorable onesies and outfits keep the smallest of people fashionable.

Jackson Bootlegger

Wanna take to the town square’s boardwalks with some Lucchese cowboy boots, maybe? Look no further than the Jackson Bootlegger for cowboy and other popular Jackson Holesque boots, shoes and accessories.

Don’t forget to check the bargain closet located in the back of the store. You might just score a pair of Dansko clogs for 50% off or more!

Teton Mountaineering

Locals call it “T.M.” and depend on it to get outdoor gear and clothing. Head upstairs for its shoes and sale section and be treated to historic pictures of famous mountaineers and ascents in the Tetons while you’re climbing the staircase.

The “Jackson uniform” often consists of at least one piece of outdoor clothing such as a down jacket, fleece hoodie, or some midweight layering piece, no matter the season. Teton Mountaineering boasts quite a selection of these items from top brands like Patagonia, Prana, Lolé , Marmot and more.

“…the watercolors of Thomas Moran helped persuade Congress to declare Yellowstone a national park, the start of the unique and vast U.S. national park system.” –Meisler

Road Trip Directions

Drive north on Spring Gulch Road (turning right at the bottom of the Spring Creek Hill). It’s a twisty, turny road with some unpaved, washboard sections, but it’s a scenic short cut, which will circumvent any in-town traffic.

Follow it over the Gros Ventre river and past some homes and resorts, and turn right on Sagebrush/Golf Course Road to get to highway 89/191/26. Turn left and drive north until you reach the Grand Teton National Park north entrance and turn left on highway 89/191/287 continuing onto the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway.

Note: if you want to drive through more of the Grand Teton National Park, turn left off of highway 89/191/26 at Moose Junction onto the Teton Park Road. This drive will most likely take a bit longer, but the views of the glorious Tetons are worth it!

Old Faithful Geyser

Follow the signs for Upper Geyser Basin. Park the car and head toward Old Faithful Geyser, which goes off every 60 minutes to 2 hours, or so. A park ranger will know when it will go off again.

During an Old Faithful eruption, the water temperature at the vent has been measured at 204°F. The steam temperature has been measured above 350°F!

Tip: walk west to the historical Old Faithful Inn, go upstairs to the mezzanine, get a cold coffee or beer, and watch the Old Faithful Geyser on a bench on the porch! You’ll have a great seat and an even better view.

Grand Prismatic

A short drive from Old Faithful, the largest hot spring in Yellowstone, the 370-foot (110 m) wide and 121-foot (37 m) deep Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. It’s the third largest in the world and has a great presence, which is not to be missed.

The brilliant colors in the spring come from pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water.

“Thermophiles (heat-loving microorganisms such as bacteria) usually form the ribbons of color like you see here. The green, brown, and orange colors are mostly cyanobacteria, which can live in waters as hot as 167°F (75°C). At this temperature they are usually yellow-green. As water cools, different varieties of cyanobacteria appear in shades of orange, rust, or brown. Color may also change with the seasons and sunlight levels.”

Tip: If you’re wearing a hat, hold onto it! It’s often windy in Yellowstone and many, many hats get blown off and stuck in the features. Not only will you lose your hat, but it’s harming to the delicate thermophiles here.

Fountain Paint Pots

Located in the Lower Geyser Basin, the Fountain Paint Pots trail showcases all four types of thermal features springs, pools, geysers, a fumarole in a half-mile walk and is home to the largest Mudpot.

It’s an easy .6 mile trail and showcases utterly, other-worldly sites.

Fountain Paint Pots are mud pots, or a hot spring that contains boiling mud instead of water. The mud is produced by a higher acidity in the water which enables the spring to dissolve surrounding minerals to create an opaque, usually grey, mud.

Tip: The parking lot for the Fountain Paint Posts has a “rustic” restroom. Take advantage of it, because the drive to the Grand Canyon is a bit long.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The most stunning and most often missed place in Yellowstone is Lower Yellowstone Falls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this is a true highlight and could be the penultimate feature of your Yellowstone tour. To get there, turn left off of the Grand Loop Road and head to one or more of the viewing points like Grand View or Inspiration Point.

Once you’ve had enough of the absolute awe of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, you’ll have to loop around back through Canyon Village before heading south.

Tip: The junction here is often a great place for spotting big game like bison and elk right off the side of the road. If there’s a traffic jam, this is most likely the case!

“There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children’s children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Mud Volcano Area

Make one more stop at the Mud Volcano Area, where you’ll find the Dragon’s Mouth Spring geothermal feature and what remains of the Mud Volcano.

“An unknown park visitor named this feature around 1912, perhaps due to the water that frequently surges from the cave like the lashing of a dragon’s tongue. Until 1994, this dramatic wave-like action often splashed water as far as the boardwalk. The rumbling sounds are caused by steam and other gasses exploding through the water, causing it to crash against the walls of the hidden caverns.”

A short, 2/3 mile loop hike (on boardwalks) will take you around to several more firey and steamy landmarks such as Grizzly Fumarole, Sour Lake, Black Dragon’s Caldron, Churning Caldron, Sizzling Basin, and Cooking Hillside.

Wonderful Wildlife, Oh My!

With all its wonderful and warm features and open spaces, it’s no wonder that a plethora of wildlife call it home. Birds, reptiles, an numerous mammal species including bears, bison, coyotes, deer, elk, marmots, moose, wolves and more thrive in this picturesque and resource-rich setting.

Early morning and evening hours are when animals tend to be feeding and thus are more easily seen.

Don’t try to pet any of the wildlife, even a sleepy-looking bison! More people are hurt by bison than by bears each year in Yellowstone.

Tip: Park regulations state that visitors must stay at least 25 yards away from bison or elk and 100 yards away from bears.

Don’t Want to Drive? Take a Spring Creek Wildlife Safari!

Want to ensure that you find all the secret spots to see all the animals that you had hope to see? Take The Best Of Yellowstone Wildlife Safari or take a private trip with Spring Creek’s resident naturalist Kurt Johnson. A photographer and a naturalist, he has a wealth of knowledge about and experience in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and he’ll help you find and capture some spectacular sites for sure.

Call today to learn more about wildlife & photo safaris and packages and specials (800) 443-6139.

Yellowstone Lower Loop Image Gallery

Check out some of the notable features from a recent road trip on the Yellowstone Lower Loop. Note: There was a nearby fire this day, so some pictures are smoky, but the beauty of the park still shone through! Click image to make it larger.