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Visitor Centers • Evanston • Green River • Jackson • Pinedale • Rock Springs • Star Valley State Parks • Bear River State Park Welcoming small towns brimming with local flavor and stretches of unscathed wilderness make the Salt to Stone region a colorful adventureland waiting to be discovered by road trippers. Trace the footsteps of mountain men and women, discover dreamy mountain vistas by foot, bike or car — and tour museums and attractions that showcase Western culture at its finest. STARTING POINT ROUTE A: EVANSTON DOWNTOWN VISITOR CENTER | ROUTE B: FLAMING GORGE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA ROUTE A (FROM EVANSTON) A. Roundhouse & Rail Yards Evanston Evanston is home to the only remaining complete roundhouse on the old Union Pacific line between Omaha and Sacramento. This historic building — used by railroads to store and service locomotives — has turntables and bays that are still operational. B. Fort Bridger State Historic Site Fort Bridger Several restored buildings highlight the history of this 19th-century fur-trading post, a vital supply stop for wagon trains traversing the Oregon, California and Mormon trails. Tour the reconstructed trading post and interpretive archaeological site. C. Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer Colorful geologic formations rise about 1,000 feet above Twin Creek Valley and possess some of the world’s best-preserved fossils, including those of fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds and mammals. D. Fossil Country Frontier Museum Kemmerer A sampling of annual exhibits at this hidden gem include the JCPenney mother store (the company was established in Kemmerer in 1902), a replica coal mine, and bootlegging stills and wine presses. E. Star Valley Scenic Byway This picturesque 80-mile stretch of Highway 89 starts at the Idaho-Wyoming border, climbs up Salt Canyon and Salt River Pass and descends into sprawling and verdant Star Valley. Then the route continues through the quaint communities of Smoot, Afton, Grover, Thayne and Etna before reaching Alpine and ending at the Lincoln County line in Snake River Canyon. F. Intermittent Spring Afton Known as the “spring that breathes,” the Intermittent Spring near Afton is one of only three periodic springs in the world that flows on predictable intervals. To get there, head east on Second Avenue in Afton and hike the short trail along Swift Creek. G. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram Teton Village Ride the tram in Teton Village up 4,139 feet to unparalleled wraparound views of Bridger-Teton National Forest and Grand Teton National Park. ROUTE B (FROM GREEN RIVER) H. Flaming gorge National Recreation Area near Green River Named for the landscape’s natural kaleidoscopic hues, 201,000-acre Flaming Gorge is a land of living color. The reservoir is perfect for boating, fishing and kayaking, and the whimsical rock formations that frame the water change colors and perspective with varying sunlight. I. Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge Green River More than 220 bird species inhabit Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, which protects 27,230 acres of riparian, wetland and upland shrub habitats along the Green River. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, trumpeter swans, moose and mule deer, or guarantee yourself wildlife spectacles within the refuge’s family-friendly welcome center. J. Western Wyoming Community College’s Natural History Museum Rock Springs Check out life-size replicas of the dinosaurs that once roamed Wyoming, pottery made by early inhabitants, fossils of fish and reptiles, and other prehistoric artifacts. Then, wander over to the Weidner Wildlife Museum to see nearly 125 taxidermy specimens from around the world. K. Farson Mercantile & Ice Cream Shop Farson Whether your flavor of choice is butter pecan or mint chocolate chip, a stop at Farson Mercantile — home of the “Big Cone” — for a scoop (or three) is a must. The crowd-pleasing pit stop also serves pizza, coffee and sandwiches. L. The Museum of the Mountain Man Pinedale The fur-trade era comes alive through period artifacts and authentic reproductions. Exhibits include an exact replica of an 1800s Sioux teepee and a life-size grizzly-bear-attack diorama — featuring frontiersman Hugh Glass and inspired by the 2015 movie “The Revenant.” M. Green River Lakes & Squaretop Mountain near Pinedale A pair of sparkling green-blue lakes in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Green River Lakes boast awe-inspiring vistas of the Wind River Range’s photogenic 11,695-foot Squaretop Mountain. N. The National Museum of Wildlife Art Jackson The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson has more than 5,000 works of art representing animals from around the world, including pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and John James Audubon. An additional bonus: It also has incredible views of the National Elk Refuge. END POINT: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK SOUTH ENTRANCE More Incredible Stops • Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site Evanston • Star Valley Scenic Byway near Afton • Expedition Island Green River • Killpecker Sand Dunes and Boar’s Tusk near Rock Springs • Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop Tour between Rock Springs and Green River • Fremont Lake near Pinedale • Wind River Brewing Company Pinedale • Grand Teton National Park near Jackson • Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Jackson • Snake River Brewing Jackson • Wort Hotel Jackson • Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway near Jackson and Teton Village • Jackson Hole Aerial Tram Teton Village 2019 Salt to Stone Events • Pedigree Stage Stop JAN. 25–FEB. 2, 2019 Jackson to Evanston • World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb MARCH 21–24, 2019 Jackson • Ceili at the Roundhouse Celtic Festival MARCH 22–23, 2019 Evanston • Elk Fest MAY 18–19, 2019 Jackson • Flaming Gorge Days JUNE 27–29, 2019 Green River • Fossil Fest JUNE 28–29, 2019 Kemmerer • Green River Rendezvous JULY 11–14, 2019 Pinedale • National High School Rodeo Finals JULY 14–20, 2019 Rock Springs • Oyster Ridge Music Festival JULY 26–29, 2019 Kemmerer • Wyoming’s Big Show JULY 30–AUg. 3, 2019 Rock Springs PLAN YOUR TRIP: Browse lodging and activity listings for the Salt to Stone region starting on p. 91. Find more Salt to Stone road-trip itineraries at TravelWyoming.com/itineraries/salt-to-stone.
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