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Anybody been to Swan Valley, Idaho? (Hour outside Jackson Hole)
Posted on 8/23/21 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 8/23/21 at 10:01 pm
Follow up to a thread from last week, but I think this is where we are going to take our extended family summer vacation next summer
Thinking day trip to Jackson Hole
Horseback riding day
Yellowstone day
Fishing day
Hike day
White water raft day
Anyone with experience in this area?
Thinking day trip to Jackson Hole
Horseback riding day
Yellowstone day
Fishing day
Hike day
White water raft day
Anyone with experience in this area?
3
Posted on 8/23/21 at 10:23 pm to lsupride87
Not specifically but I can't see how that location wouldn't be awesome.
Posted on 8/23/21 at 10:44 pm to lsupride87
We rented a cabin in Alpine in 2019. Had a great trip. There is a nice little brew pub in Alpine. Nice beer. Good food.
Your only issue will be the driving to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole eating up time.
Your only issue will be the driving to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole eating up time.
Posted on 8/24/21 at 7:05 am to lsupride87
Are you looking at Swan Valley as a base to do all of these things?
1 day for Yellowstone would be a wasted day. It's a long drive to get there, and driving inside the park on a summer day won't get you very much. You would basically spend the whole day inside the car just to say you "went to Yellowstone."
We did Jackson/Teton/Yellowstone this summer for the first time. I underestimated the length of time it takes to get from JH to Yellowstone. It's easily a 2 hour drive to the South Gate, then another hour inside the park until you get to any attractions (Old Faithful). You can't just look at the miles on Google Maps. The roads are 2 lanes with lots of scenery to see along the way. You won't be zooming along at 70 like you are driving from BR to Biloxi.
1 day for Yellowstone would be a wasted day. It's a long drive to get there, and driving inside the park on a summer day won't get you very much. You would basically spend the whole day inside the car just to say you "went to Yellowstone."
We did Jackson/Teton/Yellowstone this summer for the first time. I underestimated the length of time it takes to get from JH to Yellowstone. It's easily a 2 hour drive to the South Gate, then another hour inside the park until you get to any attractions (Old Faithful). You can't just look at the miles on Google Maps. The roads are 2 lanes with lots of scenery to see along the way. You won't be zooming along at 70 like you are driving from BR to Biloxi.
This post was edited on 8/24/21 at 7:10 am
Posted on 8/24/21 at 7:44 am to slinger1317
quote:Thats the plan
Are you looking at Swan Valley as a base to do all of these things?
For dude ranch day, rafting, and fly fishing that is all right around the corner
For the one day we would spend on JH it says 1 hour even on waze. So that isnt a big deal for one day
I figured we would do Yellowstone since we are out there but if its packed we would easily do some more scenic hikes around Idaho to beat the crowds
Posted on 8/24/21 at 7:52 am to lsupride87
quote:
For the one day we would spend on JH it says 1 hour even on waze. So that isnt a big deal for one day
I figured we would do Yellowstone since we are out there but if its packed we would easily do some more scenic hikes around Idaho to beat the crowds
I think JH would be easily doable and definitely worth it.
Yellowstone may be a stretch if you are planning on driving back to Swan Valley for the night. You could drive a little north of Jackson to see the Tetons- that would be a great photo op and not far out of the way. There is a pullout at the Grand Teton entrance sign that provides a great view.
Google Maps - 10 mins north of Jackson Hole
Posted on 8/24/21 at 8:18 am to ChEgrad
quote:Tell me more about Alpine?
We rented a cabin in Alpine in 2019
There are some places available there as well. Seems slightly more affordable than Swan Valley. A reason for that?
Posted on 8/24/21 at 9:27 am to lsupride87
Have you been to the area before? Not saying you wouldn't have a great time as there are years worth of stuff do out that way, but JH is busy for a reason. There's so much to do there, yes its more expensive but you can go there and basically only pay for lodging if you want.
If you have never been I can't recommend staying in JH enough.
A huge percentage of the residents that work in JH live in Victor, Idaho due to price. Yes you can commute, but driving out west gets old IMO as everything is spread out and eats a lot more time then you think.
I'm sure Swan Valley is amazing, I just would recommend going to JH first if you have never been and day tripping to Swan Valley one day to check it out for a return trip.
And yeah Swan Valley to Yellowstone would be really too far for a day trip IMO. Doable, but very long day and drive.
If you have never been I can't recommend staying in JH enough.
A huge percentage of the residents that work in JH live in Victor, Idaho due to price. Yes you can commute, but driving out west gets old IMO as everything is spread out and eats a lot more time then you think.
I'm sure Swan Valley is amazing, I just would recommend going to JH first if you have never been and day tripping to Swan Valley one day to check it out for a return trip.
And yeah Swan Valley to Yellowstone would be really too far for a day trip IMO. Doable, but very long day and drive.
Posted on 8/24/21 at 9:42 am to baldona
quote:We are going to have 7 kids ranging from 3 months to 13 years old, so one day in actual town is plenty
Have you been to the area before? Not saying you wouldn't have a great time as there are years worth of stuff do out that way, but JH is busy for a reason. There's so much to do there, yes its more expensive but you can go there and basically only pay for lodging if you want.
If you have never been I can't recommend staying in JH enough.
A huge percentage of the residents that work in JH live in Victor, Idaho due to price. Yes you can commute, but driving out west gets old IMO as everything is spread out and eats a lot more time then you think.
I'm sure Swan Valley is amazing, I just would recommend going to JH first if you have never been and day tripping to Swan Valley one day to check it out for a return trip.
And yeah Swan Valley to Yellowstone would be really too far for a day trip IMO. Doable, but very long day and drive.
Staying in a house in the wide open spaces where we can play yard games, run around, take in the views, is more our pace at this time I think
Posted on 8/24/21 at 9:49 am to lsupride87
the actual town of Jackson WY is not worth spending any time in, to me. It’s really expensive and really uptight
unless there’s some compelling reason you need to see it, skip it.
there are of course some great places to eat and drink but I’m guessing nightlife isn’t on your to-do list
you will be in one of the most beautiful places on earth, go see it
unless there’s some compelling reason you need to see it, skip it.
there are of course some great places to eat and drink but I’m guessing nightlife isn’t on your to-do list
you will be in one of the most beautiful places on earth, go see it
Posted on 8/24/21 at 9:55 am to cgrand
quote:All the women want to go to take pictures/be seen/be a bougie cowboy for a day yada yada
the actual town of Jackson WY is not worth spending any time in, to me. It’s really expensive and really uptight
unless there’s some compelling reason you need to see it, skip it.
there are of course some great places to eat and drink but I’m guessing nightlife isn’t on your to-do list
Im trying to narrow it down to Alpine and Swan Valley now
Any strong feelings either way from people?
This post was edited on 8/24/21 at 9:57 am
Posted on 8/24/21 at 11:03 am to lsupride87
The closer you are to JH the closer you are to the Tetons. We stayed at Snow King Resort in JH but spent most of our time during the day in GTNP. We came back to JH to eat and sleep before we moved on the Yellowstone.
Snow King Off Season Rentals
Snow King Off Season Rentals
This post was edited on 8/24/21 at 11:05 am
Posted on 8/24/21 at 11:22 am to cgrand
quote:
the actual town of Jackson WY is not worth spending any time in, to me. It’s really expensive and really uptight
unless there’s some compelling reason you need to see it, skip it.
there are of course some great places to eat and drink but I’m guessing nightlife isn’t on your to-do list
you will be in one of the most beautiful places on earth, go see it
Kinda. But that's also where everything is. The rest of that area is extremely spaced out. For example, that's where most of the rafting tours meet. That's where the grocery store is, that's where the ski lift with the alpine slide and activities are located.
While someone that travels the west a lot may think the town is over rated, someone that hasn't I would completely disagree. Its not touristy like Destin, but it is the heart of most of the businesses for that area. Whether within the downtown area or just the general area as in the town of Wilson etc. If you stay 60 minutes from there you are 60 minutes from a lot of those items.
Posted on 8/24/21 at 11:27 am to lsupride87
quote:
We are going to have 7 kids ranging from 3 months to 13 years old, so one day in actual town is plenty
Staying in a house in the wide open spaces where we can play yard games, run around, take in the views, is more our pace at this time I think
So you've never been there. Its not really a town like most think of a town. For example, there's numerous really good kids parks there. Everyone that lives there loves the outdoors, there's tons of stuff for kids or families to do. Its the most "touristy" destination around there but 2 blocks from town and its not touristy at all. For example, there's a huge awesome rock wall in the kids park there.
That area changed their rules on vacation rentals a couple years ago. Your idea of renting a vacation rental with "space" is very normal. You used to be able to rent houses all through the valley and I don't think that's the case anymore, there are more restrictions. So a true "home" with a yard is more limited in Jackson Hole now, I will agree with that.
My father in law owned a ski in/ ski out Townhome in Teton Village. If we went for a week, we were almost guaranteed to see a moose and mule deer in their backyard. Tons of space and plenty within walking distance.
I think you are picturing that area like southern vacation destinations, maybe like Gatlinburg. That wouldn't be fair.
There's plenty of great areas to stay so I'm sure you'll have a great vacation no matter what. Its just not a place I'd recommend "staying further away" to get away from people. Even areas "with people" have space a walking distance away.
Its one of the more unique places in the world where you can be in the modern world one hour and in the backcountry with a grizzly and no one within miles the next.
The further west/ south from Jackson, the further from GTNP you will be and likely Yellowstone. GTNP and Jackson Hole is a fantastic area for kids that age. Tons of stuff to do, more than I can list. I'll hang up now and I'm sorry for the rant, that area is just fantastic for a reason and straying from there without every going would be a mistake IMO.
This post was edited on 8/24/21 at 11:43 am
Posted on 8/24/21 at 12:58 pm to lsupride87
Do not skip Jackson. If you've never been to that area you have to go. Like Baldona said, it is the epicenter of everything within 100 miles.
I didn't find it bad at all. Yes there are too many Tshirt/souvenir shops, but plenty of other things to see and do. Right on the square are several awesome restaurants ranging from pizza slices to 4 star menus.
I didn't find it bad at all. Yes there are too many Tshirt/souvenir shops, but plenty of other things to see and do. Right on the square are several awesome restaurants ranging from pizza slices to 4 star menus.
Posted on 8/25/21 at 12:18 am to lsupride87
quote:
Tell me more about Alpine? There are some places available there as well. Seems slightly more affordable than Swan Valley. A reason for that?
There didn’t seem to be much in Alpine, but we stayed there because my wife found a nice cabin for us there. We drove to Jackson and the Grand Teton NP each day. I think it was about a 35 minute drive or so. Did some hiking, white water rafting, etc. We went to the brewery once to eat/drink and enjoyed it. If you want excitement close by, it probably isn’t the place.
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