Snowmobile Adventures in Jackson Hole: Explore Frozen Landscapes and Hidden Gems

Snowmobiles are the most efficient means of oversnow travel in Jackson Hole. This throttle-powered transportation affords visitors the opportunity to cover miles of frozen landscapes, with the potential to experience wildlife encounters and historical destinations along the way. While local trail networks extend from Jackson Hole in all directions, some routes make sure the ride is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

BROOKS LAKE LODGE
Located north of Jackson, Togwotee Pass rises to 9,659 feet and marks the nearest location of the Continental Divide. Criss-crossed by an extensive snowmobile trail system, the area is recognized as one of the premier snowmobile destinations in North America. Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, positioned against the staggering rock faces of the Pinnacle Buttes, is a great place to land. You can take a step back in time at this all-inclusive luxury resort; the main lodge, built in 1922, was originally intended as a stopover point for those en route to Yellowstone National Park. The lodge welcomes day-trippers for lunch, providing snowmobilers with a picturesque destination to warm up and refuel their energy stores.

GRANITE HOT SPRINGS
Tucked away in the Gros Ventre Mountain Range, Granite Hot Springs is accessible in the winter only by snowmobile, dog sled, fat bike, or cross-country skis. The trek into the Wyoming wilderness is worth the effort, as the rejuvenating thermal waters — which can warm to 112 F, depending on outdoor temperatures and spring runoff — are surrounded by scenic snow-covered landscapes. Once at the trailhead (located 30 miles southeast of Jackson), the snowmobile route is 20 miles round-trip via a groomed trail that winds along the frozen Granite Creek beneath towering snow-capped peaks. Thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps, which enhanced the soaking pool in 1935, adding a bathhouse and a deck, and the U.S. Forest Service, which maintains the facilities, the pristine waters can be enjoyed by several groups of visitors at once.

OLD FAITHFUL
America’s first national park is also one of the most visited. Still, winter in Yellowstone promises a peaceful and secluded experience, interrupted only by the hum of the occasional snow machine. Most of the park’s roadways are open solely to over-snow travel in the winter months — via snow coach or snowmobile. Either means of transportation can take winter visitors to view Yellowstone’s geothermal features and winter wildlife. Guided snowmobile tours, led by various outfitters, average about 65 miles roundtrip, and include a stop at Old Faithful, as well as lunch and transportation to and from the park’s entrance. Bison and elk live here year-round, offering opportunities for a sighting, and lodging is available at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins (originally built in 1952 and then rebuilt in 1999), should you want to extend your adventure.

Explore More in Jackson Hole

This blog is an excerpt from the 2024 Jackson Hole Explorer Magazine. To dive deeper into the wonders of Jackson Hole and uncover more hidden gems, get your copy of the Explorer. It’s filled with insider tips, detailed guides, and stories to enhance your visit and make your experience unforgettable.

Want to speak with one of our expert locals? Give us a call at (307) 733-3316