Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway
This NPS-managed parkway is a 7.5-mile corridor linking Yellowstone and Grand Teton
National Parks. Congress recognized Rockefeller's contribution to the creation of Grand
Teton National Park by designating this 24,000-acre parkway in his honor in 1972. Here,
the Tetons taper to a gentle slope, and rocks from volcanic flows in Yellowstone line the
Snake River. A transitional zone between the two national parks, the area combines charac-
teristics of both, though it's less spectacular than either. Activities focus around historic
Flagg Ranch, which was established as a US Cavalry post in 1872.
North-south US 89/191/287 is the main road through the parkway. The turnoff to Flagg
Ranch Rd is 2 miles south of Yellowstone's South Entrance Station and 15 miles north of
Colter Bay Village. The turnoff to Grassy Lake Rd, which leads west to Ashton, Idaho, is
just north of Flagg Ranch.
The
Flagg Ranch Information Station
( 307-543-2401; 9am-6pm Jun-Sep)
is
near the Grassy Lake Rd turnoff. Flagg Ranch Resort (
Click here
)
offers parkway accom-
modations, dining, gas and activities. Once a popular winter launch pad into Yellowstone
National Park, the resort now closes in winter since stricter snowmobiling regulations have
been put in place. Winter trails can still be accessed here.
GRASSY LAKE ROAD
The 52-mile, east-west Grassy Lake Rd links US 89/191/287 to US 20 at Ashton, Idaho,
offering an infrequently used 'back way' into the national parks. This bumpy gravel road,
also a good mountain-biking route, follows an old Native American trade and hunting
route. The road is open until snow conditions warrant its closure in late fall, when snowmo-
biles take over.
Heading west from US 89, Flagg Ranch is the first landmark on the road. Shortly after
crossing the Polecat Creek Bridge, the pavement ends and the graded gravel road parallels
the north bank of the Snake River. Camping is restricted to designated sites, and is popular
with anglers, hunters and folks headed west along the rough Reclamation Rd (USFS Rd
261) to the Cascade Corner in Yellowstone's lush Bechler region.
Sandwiched between the Winegar Hole and Jedediah Smith Wildernesses, this region is
peppered with lakes with great fishing options. The most accessible are the roadside
Indian
