vacations - Goosewing Ranch

Jackson Hole Must See Spots

June 30, 2019/0 Comments/in Jackson Hole /by [email protected]

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is filled with many must see spots. Use our list of the best destinations in Jackson Hole and make sure not to miss the most memorable and most photographed spots.

Jackson Hole Must See Spots

Grand Tetons
Mormon Row
Teton Village
Antler Arches

When you hear Jackson Hole, what is the first thing to come to mind? Maybe the Grand Tetons, Mormon Row, the Teton Village, or Antler Arches. Hands down, these are just a few of the most popular features in the valley.

1. Grand Tetons

No visit to Jackson Hole is complete without a trek to see the Grand Tetons.

Named by French trappers, the three peaks are now known as the South, Middle, and Grand Teton. They called the mountains “Les Trois Tetons,” or “The Three Breasts.” It is the youngest mountain range in the Rockies. Spanning 40 miles long and 8 miles wide, the highest peak measures in at 13,770 feet (Grand Teton) and it has 8 peaks that are over 12,000 feet!

Fact: Grand Teton National Park was approved by President Calvin Coolidge on February 26, 1929. This act protected the Teton Range and six glacial lakes but not nearby Jackson Hole.

Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park

2. Mormon Row

Mormon Row was an early homesteading settlement in Jackson Hole before the Grand Teton National Park was formed. Mormons from Salt Lake Valley set out to establish new communities, and they clustered their farms to share labor. Their community was known as Mormon Row.

The famous Moulton Barn is probably the most photographed barn in Wyoming, if not the world. Pretty logical considering its location directly in front of the Grand Tetons!

3. Teton Village

Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Swiss-styled Teton Village offers restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

In the wintertime, this location bustles with skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Even non-skiing types will love activities like the sleigh ride dinners and dog sled rides.

During the summer, activities in Teton Village include scenic tram rides to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, horseback riding, tandem paragliding flights, hiking and mountain biking trails, and a disc golf course. Learn more about the Tram, called “Big Red”in our post Jackson Hole Aerial Tram.

4. Antler Arches

Step off, McDonald’s! The Antler Arches put the golden arches to shame. The Antler Arches in Jackson’s Town Square are one of the most iconic spots in all of Jackson Hole. As Jackson transformed from a mountain man town into a dude ranch town, the Antler Arches grew in popularity with family travelers and locals alike.

There are four antler arches, one marking each corner of the town square. Though there isn’t an exact date of when the first arch was built and placed on the town square, most sources cite 1960 as the year the first antler arch was added to the town square. In 2007, they began to replace the arches, and auctioned off the old weathered ones.

Each arch contains about 10,000 pounds of elk antlers. Don’t worry: not one elk was harmed in the making of the arches. Elk grow antlers that they shed annually. Unlike horns that must be cut off and are hollow inside, antlers, fall off naturally and are solid.

Starting May 1, locals, tourist, and the local Boy Scout club hit the National Forests and Elk Refuge in search of the all the antler sheds. Each year at the Old West Days, the Boy Scouts put on an auction where they sell their antlers. Others sell them to jewelers, furniture makers, private deals, dealers from overseas, or just keep them to enjoy in their own homes.

Did you know? See Jackson Hole hosts live webcams all around Jackson, including Town Square. Get your Jackson Hole fix by checking out the happenings around town and in Jackson Hole.

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What to Expect on a Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari

Snake River: What You Should Know

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

June 2, 2019/0 Comments/in Wyoming /by [email protected]

Are you searching for new travel destinations? Checking new states off the bucket list? Then Wyoming should be way up there on the priority list. From Jackson Hole’s attractions to the nearby national parks and Goosewing Ranch dude ranch, this is the trifecta of reasons to try a Wyoming vacation.

Wyoming tends to fly low on the radar when it comes to vacations. However, there are several gems that make this state stand out. In the northwestern corner lie Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park, which attract tourists in the summer and avid skiers and snowboarders in the winter. As a result of these famous spots, Jackson Hole has flourished.

Wyoming: Just the Facts

Capital: Cheyenne

Nickname: Cowboy State, Equality State

Motto: Equal Rights

Admitted to Union: July 10, 1890 – 44th State

Size: 97,914 square miles, 9th largest state

State Sport: Rodeo

Highest Point: Gannett Peak, 13,804 feet

Lowest Point: Belle Fourche River, 3,100 feet

Average Annual Precipitation: 14.5 inches

Population (2010 Census): 563,626

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

1. National Parks

The national parks draw a big crowd to Jackson and the Greater Yellowstone area. Yellowstone alone entices about 4 million people per year; the heaviest concentration falls between May and September.

Wyoming is home to two national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone, as well as national monuments, historic sites and trails.

Did you know? 96 percent of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming!

With 563,000 residents among 62+ million acres, there’s one resident per every 111 acres.

Learn more about Yellowstone National Park:

Visiting Yellowstone National Park: Tips for What You Should Know

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton links:

Grand Teton National Park Things to Do

What to Expect on a Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari

2. Jackson Hole

You may have heard about this region named Jackson Hole. Did you know it is just a popular nickname for the entire Wyoming valley and not an official location on a map? Back in the late 1800s, Davey Jackson was a famous tracker, and people referred to a valley surrounded by tall mountains as a HOLE. So that’s how Jackson Hole’s name came to be.

The town of Jackson is a historic Western town. Its Town Square and its famous antler arches are the hub of the town, along with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Learn more about the area at Wyoming Office of Tourism and read more about what sets Jackson Hole apart from other destinations.

3. Goosewing Ranch

Aside from being close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, our ranch sits on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and is the perfect entry point into the Gros Ventre Wilderness. (True to its name, the wilderness has remained untouched by all motorized vehicles – accessible only by foot, horseback, or UTV.)

So if you ask us why you should pick Wyoming, or why you should pick Jackson Hole as your vacation destination, just take a look at this piece of country that is still truly wild. Not many people get to experience our isolated paradise.

Learn more about Goosewing Ranch:

8 Reasons to Take a Dude Ranch Vacation

Jackson Hole Glamping

Why Jackson Hole: Yellowstone, Tetons, and Ranches

Winter is one of the best times to make plans for a vacation destination. Whether a young couple, mature couple, large family or small, the Jackson Hole area has something offer each diverse traveler. Make this year’s vacation an adventure filled with new experiences while exploring this educational and historic area. Here’s why Jackson Hole (hint: Yellowstone and Grand Teton might have something to do with it).

Why Jackson Hole

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming is home to our nation’s first National Park, Yellowstone National Park, founded in 1872. However, Yellowstone is not the only park that neighbors Jackson Hole-there is also Grand Teton National Park. Jackson not only has two historic and magnificent parks in its backyard, but is also home to many guest ranches and summer attractions.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has much to offer as well. This is a great area to enjoy the water or spend the day hiking. Grand Teton has hiking trails suitable for those looking for an easy family picnic and hike to the more adventurous climber and backpacker. Grand Teton has many great opportunities to view wildlife and is a photographer’s dream.

Dude Ranch as Home Base for the Parks

Guest Ranches such as Goosewing Ranch are a great way to visit the area with the ease of an all-inclusive package. While staying at a ranch you can enjoy many different activities from hiking, horseback riding, line dancing, spa treatments, rodeos, cookouts, off-roading, and more. But, make sure you save some time to visit Jackson Hole for some shopping, rodeo, rafting and a quick history lesson, and then head into Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

There are many outfitters that will guide you through the parks in all fashions, but if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person here are a few tips. I would suggest leaving your accommodations early in the morning and hitting the trail. You should allow for a full day or more in each park, 12+ hours.

If you only have one day I suggest driving the Lower Loop of Yellowstone. You will see such features as Old Faithful, boiling paint pots, hot springs and swimming holes, waterfalls, grand canyons, and hopefully some wildlife. There are many different boardwalks taking you safely around various features of the park, and you may find park rangers on site to answer questions.

Remember obey all warning and safety postings and keep a vast distance between yourself and ALL wildlife. Yellowstone might have park behind its name but that doesn’t mean it is safe to play or recreate anywhere.

Between Jackson, the national parks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the Jackson Hole area has a lot to offer a diverse group of travelers. With a history, adventure, and science rich environment, you will return home with more than a vacation. You will return home having had an experience. When visiting Jackson Hole, expect to experience the Wild West!

Romance on a Dude Ranch: Weddings, Anniversaries and Honeymoons

February 12, 2013/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch News /by [email protected]

With it being Valentine’s Day and all we thought it was a good time to talk about Romance on a Dude Ranch. Yes, a Guest Ranch in Jackson Hole Wyoming can be very romantic in many ways. Goosewing Ranch has been host to just a couple of very special weddings, but have embraced many honeymooners and couples looking to escape and enjoy each others company in a very beautiful place. We aren’t talking about the mushy stuff here, we are talking about experiencing new adventures together, horseback riding, wine tasting and relaxing by the pool and spa, treating yourselves to couples massage, dancing, photography and more.

Romance on a Dude Ranch

While at the ranch we encourage couples to get out and explore the area. Whether on one of the Polaris rangers for a picnic lunch in the National Forest, or to either Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks. No matter where you explore there are endless options when it come to photography. This is a great way to make those special moments last, we can also arrange for some spectacular couples photos with a natural backdrop that you must see to believe.

What could be more relaxing and romantic than spending a long weekend filled with exciting days and warm evenings cuddled up with your sweetie, and a glass of wine by the fire. That is what you get with a romantic weekend at a Jackson Hole dude ranch. BUT Goosewing Ranch is more than just a great place for couples, it is also a great place to celebrate your true love with the entire family. This is a great way to make lasting memories that all your loved ones will cherish for years to come. With lots of daily and evening activities, everyone is bound to be fully entertained. This is a great way to get the family together to celebrate and anniversary or reunion. We will even prepare your favorite cake for all to enjoy.

Try something different this year; do something that your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers will be jealous of. Embrace your love in a beautiful area, filled with natural beauty and adventure. We can provide all your meals, lodging, ranch adventures, and a romantic setting for any occasion. Let us help make your dreams come true at Goosewing Ranch.

Goosewing Ranch Gone Green..

April 15, 2012/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch News /by [email protected]

Guest Ranches aren’t about a bunch of rough cowboys trying to find a way to make a living. It is about an honest, hardworking group of people that love the outdoors, and want to share a piece of their world with others. Modern Guest or Dude Ranches come in lots of sizes, shapes, and with varying accommodations. In today’s world a destination vacation needs to offer more than what meets the eye; they need to be able to prove to their clients the businesses sustainability. Goosewing Ranch is no different, and we would like to tell you a little bit about what we are doing to improve our guests experience at the ranch.
I like to think of the experience a guest receives at Goosewing Ranch as mixing leather and lace. You get the rough, tough western experience, all while enjoying cozy accommodations and modern amenities. Goosewing Ranch is doing its part to help maintain a healthy environment by using natural or “Green” cleaning products, bio degradable laundry detergents, and eco-friendly spa and bathing products. We offer Eco-sential brand shampoos, conditioners, hand, and body wash. These products break down and won’t pollute the ground water. We also offer locally grown organic oils in our spa. Get in touch with Wyoming’s nature while being pampered.
It is important to reduce, reuse, and recycle at any location, but being located in the Gros Ventre Wilderness and Bridger-Teton National Forest it is essential. Recycling not only reduces the amount of waste we have to pay to dispose of, but it also provides our employees and guests a sense stewardship to the environment. We provide all of our guests with a reusable water bottle at check-in and encourage everyone to fill it with our natural spring water that is available from every tap on the ranch. This water is excellent…not only is it from our very own spring, but it flows at a refreshing 42 degrees! We also try to limit and reduce the amount of energy, water, and detergents we use by asking our guests to reuse their bath towels. A hanging towel means you will reuse it and a towel on the floor means you need it replaced with a clean one. The ranch produces it own power through clean burning propane generators. The oil from these generators is recycled to a local business to be reused as a heating source.
Jackson Hole might have started as a hide-away for outlaws, but it has grown into a global attraction. With Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks neighboring both Gooewing and Jackson there is no wonder way we want to limit our footprint on this beautiful country. Our goal is to provide you, our guests, with the best vacation, while helping you experience all western Wyoming has to offer. This is an area full of history, adventure, change, mystery, and beauty…We want you and your grandchildren to enjoy the same majestic views and wildlife encounters those generations before enjoyed. Experience Goosewing Ranch the way Mother Nature intended. Check out our sustainability page on our website for more information.

All-inclusive and National Park vacations..Jackson Hole has it all!

April 5, 2012/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch News /by [email protected]

Planning a family vacation or personal getaway can be a very overwhelming… Just deciding a region to visit is difficult. What will everyone enjoy, what is our budget, where should we go, what do we want to do, what does the area have to offer; these are just a few of the questions that help narrow the search. Then the more people and different age groups you throw into the mix only seems complicates things. When choosing a vacation for a family reunion, or just a private getaway, western Wyoming has a lot to offer…This year escape to Wyoming, where there is something for everyone!
The United States has 58 National Parks, and Wyoming is home of the Nation’s first, Yellowstone National Park. Bordering Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park, with breath-taking mountain views, and abundant wildlife. Touring the country’s National Parks is a great way to get in touch with nature, have an educational experience, and see some of the most spectacular parts of our country. Another great option while visiting Yellowstone or Grand Teton is to visit guest or dude ranch. Ranches are typically all-inclusive vacations, including everything from taxes and gratuities to lodging, meals, and activities. Some of the basic activities one might experience on a guest ranch are horseback riding, tubing or rafting the rivers, roping, line dancing, target shooting, hiking, mountain bike riding and much more. Guest Ranches that are members of the Dude Ranchers Association are held to many high standards of service and operation. By choosing a ranch from the DRA you are practically guaranteed to have a wonderful vacation. At Goosewing Ranch we provide our guests with abundant, savory meals prepared by our in house chefs, authentic western hospitality with modern amenities, activities to keep everyone entertained, and a spa for those who wish to relax or relive sore muscles after a day of exhilarating experiences. Also, enjoy viewing wildlife in the Gros Ventre valley, or exploring the Bridger-Teton National forest on one of the Polaris Rangers. Guest ranches aren’t just horses, and barbed wire, it’s more of leather and lace, a rustic setting with resort amenities.
It is important to remember that there are many different types of vacations available out there. Why limit yourself to the same beach vacation, when you can have an all-inclusive guest ranch vacation and visit a historic National Park? Don’t think “City Slickers”, think of a true family vacation with experiences that will keep you smiling for years to come.

Ranch Activities for all Buckaroos’

March 22, 2012/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch Activities /by [email protected]

The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and it is time to get excited about summer time in Jackson Hole! Guest ranches have been around for generations, and are a great way to enjoy time with your family. With families comes kids, and with kids comes the fun! Goosewing Ranch has a great children’s program with lots of educational and entertaining activities.
We want the lil’ buckaroos on the ranch to have fun, and make lasting memories and friendships while experiencing ranching, western, and outdoor activities. We have different programs and activities for different age groups. Our kids program is designed for children ages 6 and up. We want to make sure everyone gets to try something new and experience life in western Wyoming style. All the activities are led by trained instructors.
A typical day in the Gros Ventre might consist first of the kids helping the wranglers groom and care for the horses, all while learning about horsemanship, saddling, and proper care. After tacking the horses, everyone will head out on the trail with picnic lunches in tow for a day of fun out in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, or Gros Ventre wilderness. Wranglers will lead different groups depending on ages and riding abilities. While out the groups will search for wildlife and make imprints of their tracks, learn about the local flora and fauna, and enjoy time playing trail games on the horses. Upon returning from their rides the kids can enjoy a swim in our outdoor heated pool and hot tub. After swimming there will be another scheduled activity. In true Wyoming spirit we have activities such as rifle shooting, archery, western arts and crafts, horse shoe tosses, water balloon tosses, and much more… After dinner and dessert kids can participate in a kickball game, line dancing, scavenger hunt, star gazing, fire building and roasting s’mores, or enjoy story telling about the local history, Yellowstone National Park, or mountain men, Native Americans, and cowboys. Each day there will be different rides and activities to choose from that will even keep teenagers entertained! Throughout their stay at the ranch the kids will enjoy lots of interaction with the horses and other ranch animals (steers, lambs, goats, chickens and a miniature donkey). Towards the end of the week there will be a day of wrangler and arena games where the kids can show off their roping, and riding skills in a mini rodeo. Certificates will be awarded to the cowboys and girls.
The goal of our kids program is to allow parents peace of mind knowing that their children of all ages are having fun in a safe and educational environment. We also want to provide experiences to the kids that they might not be able to get anywhere else. Hiking, horseback riding, swimming, making dream catchers, and learning different ways of having fun outdoors is just a small part of what we hope the buckaroos of all ages will enjoy. All activities are designed for family participation. Come and experience Goosewing Ranches western hospitality, and enjoy a vacation the whole family will love. Oh yeah…Mom and Dad, we have great activities for you as well… from fly fishing to relaxing at our spa, no one will be left out!

Posts

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is filled with many must see spots. Use our list of the best destinations in Jackson Hole and make sure not to miss the most memorable and most photographed spots.

Jackson Hole Must See Spots

Grand Tetons

Mormon Row

Teton Village

Antler Arches

When you hear Jackson Hole, what is the first thing to come to mind? Maybe the Grand Tetons, Mormon Row, the Teton Village, or Antler Arches. Hands down, these are just a few of the most popular features in the valley.

1. Grand Tetons

No visit to Jackson Hole is complete without a trek to see the Grand Tetons.

Fact: Grand Teton National Park was approved by President Calvin Coolidge on February 26, 1929. This act protected the Teton Range and six glacial lakes but not nearby Jackson Hole.

2. Mormon Row

Mormon Row was an early homesteading settlement in Jackson Hole before the Grand Teton National Park was formed. Mormons from Salt Lake Valley set out to establish new communities, and they clustered their farms to share labor. Their community was known as Mormon Row.

The famous Moulton Barn is probably the most photographed barn in Wyoming, if not the world. Pretty logical considering its location directly in front of the Grand Tetons!

3. Teton Village

Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Swiss-styled Teton Village offers restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

In the wintertime, this location bustles with skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Even non-skiing types will love activities like the sleigh ride dinners and dog sled rides.

During the summer, activities in Teton Village include scenic tram rides to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, horseback riding, tandem paragliding flights, hiking and mountain biking trails, and a disc golf course. Learn more about the Tram, called “Big Red”in our post Jackson Hole Aerial Tram.

4. Antler Arches

Each arch contains about 10,000 pounds of elk antlers. Don’t worry: not one elk was harmed in the making of the arches. Elk grow antlers that they shed annually. Unlike horns that must be cut off and are hollow inside, antlers, fall off naturally and are solid.

Did you know? See Jackson Hole hosts live webcams all around Jackson, including Town Square. Get your Jackson Hole fix by checking out the happenings around town and in Jackson Hole.

You Might Also Like:

Wyoming: Just the Facts

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

1. National Parks

2. Jackson Hole

3. Goosewing Ranch

Why Jackson Hole

Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Dude Ranch as Home Base for the Parks

Romance on a Dude Ranch

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