The Bridger-Teton National Forest encompasses a significant portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the contiguous United States. The Forest is home to scenic views and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, moose, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, beavers, mink, and elk … lots of elk. The Forest also provides habitat for 355 species of birds, including bald eagles, golden eagles, sandhill cranes, and trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl in North America.
Three wilderness areas lie within the Forest. Designated in 1964, the 428,087-acre Bridger Wilderness Area extends along 80 miles of the Continental Divide in the Wind River Range and includes 13,810-foot Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming. Bridger Wilderness also contains the headwaters of the Green River and more than 600 miles of trails.
Also designated in 1964, the 585,238-acre Teton Wilderness lies to the south of Yellowstone National Park. Wyoming’s second largest wilderness area provides critical undisturbed wildlife habitat. Four hundred and fifty miles of trails provide access to hunting and fishing opportunities on mountain meadows, timbered slopes, and alpine plateaus. Two Ocean Creek splits along the Continental Divide in Teton Wilderness, sending water to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Designated in 1984, the Gros Ventre Wilderness Area encircles 317,784 acres of wildlands north and east of the town of Jackson. Numerous geological features characterize the Gros Ventre Wilderness Area, including one of the world’s largest concentrations of landslides. In June 23, 1925, the mile-wide Gros Ventre Slide rushed down Sheep Mountain at 50 mph. Within three minutes, the landslide blocked the Gros Ventre River, forming 5-mile-long Lower Slide Lake. In addition to its unique geology and abundant wildlife, the Gros Ventre Wilderness serves as headwaters for three Wild and Scenic rivers.
Other notable features on the Bridger-Teton include Periodic Spring and Snake River Canyon. Periodic Spring discharges about 285 gallons of clear, cold water per second, gushing for several minutes before stopping abruptly then beginning a new cycle. Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, hosts over 200,000 whitewater enthusiasts from June to August each year.
Winter sports like Nordic skiing and snowmobiling are popular on the Forest, and Jackson Hole and Snow King Mountain resorts offer world-class downhill skiing opportunities.
