Title Photo Attire: Long underwear & Columbia fleece from ski jacket. (Shop Long Underwear & Base Layers | Shop Columbia Fleece Jackets) )
Solo travel can be a blast…or a real drag, and a lot depends on where you choose to visit. I just spent 4 days in the Tetons in Wyoming and it was the perfect solo outdoorsy travel destination. It was so perfect that even after five days, I was sad to leave (but I had to get somewhere so couldn’t extend my trip).
Here are a few of the reasons the Tetons/Jackson, Wyoming is one of the best solo travel destinations for outdoor lovers:
SAFE.
As a solo-female traveler, I find that I think more about safety than my male counterparts, particularly when it comes to outdoorsy trips where I’ll be hiking and camping alone. Of course, there are no guarantees but the Tetons and Jackson, Wyoming have a reputation as being safe and I felt completely safe as a female solo traveler there.
LOTS OF CAMPING.
Camping (which for me, is often camping in my CRV “Conversion”) is not a cheap way to travel, convenient because it cuts drive time to hikes down, and let’s you see a destination in a different way. There are few things more magical than waking up to the soft-morning light at a campsite.
My Morning View from One of the Campsites I stayed at in Bridger-Teton National Forest
Evening view post-storm from a different free campsite in Bridger-Teton National Forest.
There are countless camping options in the Teton mountain area, ranging from paid camping at Grand Teton National Park and nearby Yellowstone National Parkand free campsites and dispersed camping in Bridger-Teton National Forest which is adjacent to Grand Teton National Park. I stayed at free sites in Briger-Teton and it was magical.
EASY TOWN ACCESS.
Jackson, Wyoming, often referred to as “Jackson Hole,” because of its ski resort by that name, is a relatively quick (15 – 30 minute) drive from the Tetons. It’s an adorable mountain town with all the “city” things you need – good coffee, good food, breweries, and….phone service! There are also two smaller town-like areas nearby: Moose, Wyoming and Teton Village, Wyoming.
Non-campers can find lodging in Jackson and Teton Village (warning: it’s not cheap!). Check availability and rates:
Jackson, Wyoming Hotels (Trip Advisor)
Teton Village Hotels (Hotels.com)
“The Hostel,” Teton Village Wyoming (Hotels.com)
When booking lodging, check the map to ensure you are in the location you want as Teton Village and Jackson are often treated synonymously.
HIKES FOR WEEKS.
There are easy to find hikes for all levels in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Heck, you can even do a hike while in town in Jackson (check out: Trails & Ales: Jackson Hole Edition).
The national park visitor centers, park websites, AllTrails, and just Google are great places to get hike ideas. Here are a few resources t get your started:
AllTrails: Best Trails in Grand Teton National Forest
NPS: Grand Teton, Day Hike and Lakeshore Map
Tetonhikingtrails.com: The Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Forest
AllTrails: Best Trails in Bridger-Teton National Forest
Bridger-Teton National Forest – Hiking: Day Hiking Areas
If you do one of the busier hikes like Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls and others that launch from Jenny Lake, start early to avoid parking issues and trail traffic. I did a quick 6-miler from Jenny Lake. I started a little before 9AM. The viewpoints themselves were busy, but I had space to jog most of the other parts of the trail. However, by the time I left the parking lot was completely full.
On hike to Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls in Grand Teton National Forest.
VIEWS EVERYWHERE.
You don’t even have to hike to get great views, even the driving in the Tetons was beautiful. There are ample pull-outs and historic sites that you can check out without going out of your way.
Jenny Lake, Teton National Forest. No hiking required.
(I jumped in to “shower” one evening)
You know, just a morning rainbow from the side of the road in Teton National Park.
GOOD VIBES.
The Tetons and Jackson had that good, friendly traveler vibe that can really take a trip from good to great. It was easy to talk to other travelers and locals at campsites, restaurants, and bars. I even got some good advice for Colorado, USA, the next big leg of my travels.
Gear Check!
In addition to the usual hiking essentials, make sure to bring, or buy while you’re there:
A weather resistant hiking jacket for evening outdoor time and bigger hikes where you can easily have twenty degree+ differences in temperature from where you started to where you finish you should.
Bear spray because this is bear country. During my months of summer hikes and travel, Tetons & Yellowstone were the only places I saw bears. (Luckily, from the car and across a lake).
