John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is located between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
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John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway
The Rockefeller Memorial Parkway is small in comparison to its neighbors Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and is a park that I had driven through several times before taking the time to stop and get familiar with it.
I was curious why it was just not part of one of the other two parks and to see what made this place special.
History
The Flagg Ranch is located just south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It was originally started as a United States Cavalry outpost in 1872.
The U.S. Army was the first people assigned to protect the resources of Yellowstone, America's first National Park which was created on March 1, 1872.
This would have made the Calvary part of the original thought of today's Park Ranger identity as they were assigned to protect the valuable herds and the valuable resources.
The Army continued to use this outpost until 1906 when the land was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Outpost was easily identifiable by the flags outside from the days of the Calvary and soon became a stopover for people traveling between Jackson, Wyoming, and Yellowstone.
Edward Sheffield established the Flagg Ranch in 1910 and named it after the Army Posts flags. The Original Log Ranch was destroyed by the 1981 fire but then rebuilt in 1995 and is the beautiful building that you see today.
How did it become a National Park Site?
John D. Rockefeller Jr. took after his incredible father and dedicated himself to a life of philanthropy. He was also a great conservationist.
He purchased thousands of acres of land then donated them to the National Parks! Land that he purchased went to Acadia, Shenandoah, and Grand Teton National Parks.
He donated 5 million dollars alone to buy lands in the Great Smoky Mountains "in the beautiful spirit of my mother".
His drive continued on to help with Yosemite, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Parks leaving a tremendous legacy for the National Parks System.
For these reasons, Congress decided to dedicate 24,000 acres of land between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as the John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.
The road from the South Boundary of Grand Teton to the West Thumb of Yellowstone was also in honor of this great man.
Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch
Visit the Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch! I had a fantastic lunch at Sheffield's. The restaurant looks like an old game lodge with animal mounts and an inviting fireplace to keep you warm.
There is nothing like a cup of coffee and a bowl of Teddy Roosevelt's Western Chili made with braised Elk & Bison to warm you up on a cool day.
The Brinner Burger is one that I will not soon forget with its signature Huckleberry Jam. After a great meal, you can tour the gift shop, small grocery, or perhaps sit outside on a rocking chair.
There is also a trail near Flagg Ranch that is perfect for getting out and working off the Brinner Burger you just enjoyed.
Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch
This campground also has cabins and larger lodge rooms available between June to late September and makes for a great location for those wanting to explore both parks and have a little quiet time too.
Reservations can be made online or by calling (307)543-2861.
Old Stagecoach Road
You can still drive the old stagecoach road between Flagg Ranch and Ashton Idaho. Ashton was the nearest Union Pacific Railroad stop and the road is basically a 50-mile dirt road also referred to as Grassy Lake Road.
The road can be treacherous and heavily rutted but then again you may not see many people all day which is refreshing after fighting the crowds at the neighboring parks.
You will also find the Glade Creek Trailhead along this road and makes for a good stop along the way to get out and stretch your legs.
Remember me saying that I finally took the time to stop and to see what made this place so special? Well, I am sure that I got a lot more than I had bargained for!
I personally got caught up in the whole Rockefeller story of both John Rockefeller and his Son and their giving spirits.
They have left a tremendous legacy for everyone including future generations. I will think twice before passing another National Park site without stopping in first!
Additional Grand Teton National Park Information & Resources
National Park Lodges Available in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park has several National Park lodges, including Signal Mountain Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, Headwaters at Flagg Ranch, Triangle X Dude Ranch, and Colter Bay Village Cabins.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Signal Mountain Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
- Open early May through mid-October only, so reservations go fast and advance booking is strongly recommended!
One of only two lodges sitting directly on the shores of Jackson Lake inside Grand Teton National Park, and the only one where many rooms and cabins face the lake with unobstructed views of the Teton Mountain Range! Book a Lakefront Retreat and step onto your private balcony to watch the sunrise paint the jagged Teton peaks gold while Jackson Lake shimmers in the foreground. It is one of the most breathtaking views in all of America, and it is yours with your morning cup of coffee. The lodge offers a variety of accommodations including country rooms, lakefront retreat suites with kitchenettes, and cozy log cabins, some with gas fireplaces. . Free WiFi throughout the property.
⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Jenny Lake Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
- Open early June through early October, book up to a year in advance!
The most luxurious place to stay inside Grand Teton National Park, a AAA Four-Diamond resort tucked beneath towering spruces at the foot of the Teton Range! The 37 historic log cabins blend Old West charm with modern comfort, and the Signature Stay package includes gourmet breakfast, a nightly five-course prix fixe dinner, horseback riding, cruiser bicycles, and daily complimentary activities. The Dining Room at Jenny Lake is housed in a 1930s-era log cabin and offers a culinary experience unlike any other found inside a national park. Jenny Lake, its famous hiking trails, and three glacial lakes are steps from your door.
⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Jackson Lake Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
- Open mid-May through early October, book up to 12 months in advance!
Step inside the main lobby and be stopped in your tracks by the iconic 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows framing a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Teton Range! This full-service historic resort perched on a bluff above Jackson Lake offers 385 rooms, suites, and cottages, with pet-friendly options available. Amenities include four on-site dining options ranging from the famous Mural Room to the Poolside Cantina, a heated outdoor pool with summer BBQ nights and live music, free WiFi, three gift shops, plus a Native American artifacts and Western art exhibit in the lobby.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Headwaters at Flagg Ranch - Click here for Rates and Availability.
- Open early June through late September!
The ultimate two-park basecamp, sitting just 2 miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone and minutes from the north border of Grand Teton, all on the banks of the Snake River! Cozy log cabins sleep up to 5 guests, with some positioned right on the river, and premium cabins feature a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. On-site amenities include Sheffield's Restaurant and Saloon for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a gift shop, convenience store, gas station, free WiFi, and complimentary campfire s'mores and nature talks.
⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - Colter Bay Village Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
- Open late May through late September
The most affordable way to sleep inside Grand Teton National Park, with charming historic log cabins sitting right on the northern shores of Jackson Lake! Colteb Bay village features two restaurants, a coffee bar, pizza cafe, grocery store, gift shops, full-service marina, laundry facilities, and a gas station. Free WiFi available at the lodge and cabins.
Lodging near Grand Teton National Park
⭐️ 4.7 of 5 Stars - Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond ski-in/ski-out luxury resort sitting at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort with direct access to 13 lifts and jaw-dropping Teton views! Rooms and suites feature gas fireplaces, private balconies, and dark wood and natural stone finishes, while the full-service alpine spa offers 16 treatment rooms, a heated outdoor pool, and three hot-spring style outdoor whirlpools. Dining includes the acclaimed Westbank Grill and The Handle Bar slopeside pub from the Michael Mina team. Additional amenities include free WiFi, valet parking, ski concierge, ski rentals, fitness center, Kids Club, game room, complimentary shuttle to Jackson, and over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art throughout the property. Open year-round.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Fireside Resort - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Jackson Hole's most unique lodging, a collection of LEED-certified modern rustic cabins tucked in the Teton wilderness just off Moose-Wilson Road, only 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park! All 20 cabins feature a fireplace, full kitchen, separate bedroom and living room, private furnished deck with grill, flat-screen TV, and free WiFi. The resort also offers a communal hot tub, laundry facilities, free parking, and on-site Jeep Grand Cherokee rentals for exploring the parks in style. Pet friendly with doggie beds provided by the fire. Open year-round!
Click on this link or the map below to see additional vacation rentals and lodging options near the park.
Grand Teton National Park Guided Tours
Tetons and Snake River Scenic Float Trip in Jackson Hole
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
This would be, without a doubt, the tour I would choose! Take a relaxing rafting trip from Jackson Hole, drift down a scenic section of Wyoming's wildlife-laden Snake River, where moose, deer, river otters, and eagles can be seen from your raft. Be sure to bring your camera to photograph any wildlife that appears on the banks, and also capture the stunning landscape extending out from the Tetons.
Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in an enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Join a local naturalist and guide for a ride in an open-air safari vehicle (seasonal) on dirt roads and on paved highways within Grand Teton National Park, where you scour the landscape at dawn or dusk for wolves, moose and elk. Look for eagles soaring overhead or deer walking through the woods, and there's even a chance that you can spot a bear roaming near the road. The guides also discusses the areas ecology, history, geology, and culture, and also stops so that you can take photos.
Grand Teton Half-Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Explore the highlights of Grand Teton National Park from either Jackson or Teton Village. Travel along the Gros Ventre River to the Mormon Row Historic District, Moose Junction, and other places where wildlife roam. Use the provided spotting scope and field glasses to get a close look at the animals like moose, elk, and eagles.
Grand Teton National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Grand Teton NP Resources
Grand Teton Lodging Guide - including Jackson Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, and more.
Check out all of the great National Parks in Wyoming along with neighboring Colorado National Parks, Idaho National Parks, National Parks in Utah, Nevada National Parks, Arizona National Parks, and New Mexico National Parks.
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