Northern Wyoming is Stunning

If ever there was a late-summer road trip worth taking, it’s to Wyoming’s resplendent north. Anchored by extraordinary Yellowstone National Park, the region is a full-immersion experience into the wonders of Mother Nature — and a tantalizingly opportunity to play some truly remarkable golf courses.

Two destinations make this trip an all-in payoff: Sheridan, located just south of Montana about six hours north of Denver; and Jackson, sited near the Idaho border about eight hours from the Mile High City. Tying the towns together is one of America’s original east-west motorways, historic U.S. 14, a seven-hour, 323-mile asphalt ribbon that traverses the Shoshone National Forest, Bighorn Basin, Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest.

A great start to this trip is an overnight or two at The Powder Horn Golf Community in Sheridan. Although strictly private, the property tempts travelers and potential real estate investors with an attractive stay-and-play package that includes on-site accommodations and privileged club access to swimming, tennis, fitness center and 27 holes of Dick Bailey designed, Troon Privé-managed golf.

Sheridan (and nearby Big Horn) is equally celebrated for its non-golf attractions, including the Flying H and Big Horn polo clubs, lauded Brinton Museum, Weston Winery, the long-running Sheridan WYO Rodeo, and a National Register of Historic Places downtown that includes the 93-year-old WYO Theater, Sheridan County Courthouse and the Trail End State Historic Site.

More excitement awaits in Jackson. Perhaps best known for its world-class skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the vacation hotspot is equally popular for warm-weather recreation that includes fly fishing and rafting on the Teton and Snake rivers, mountain biking and climbing, wildlife tours, unsurpassed Grand Tetons landscapes, and a nearby southern gateway to Yellowstone Park.

Golfers are further pampered with four immediate-area courses, including the heralded and highly exclusive Snake River Sporting Club (crafted by Tom Weiskopf), Teton Reserve (Hale Irwin), Teton Pines CC (Arnold Palmer/Ed Seay) and Headwaters Golf Club at Teton Springs Resort (Gary Stephenson, Steve Jones and Byron Nelson). And if you have connections, make your way to nearby Driggs, Idaho, and experience private Huntsman Springs (David McLay Kidd).

For Jackson lodging, we highly recommend Spring Creek Ranch. The rustic but upscale resort offers cabin-style accommodations, casual dining, spa, swimming, and on-staff naturalists that take guests on customized wildlife safaris to enjoy waterfalls, wild bison, antelope, Old Faithful, Mormon Row Homestead, National Elk Refuge and other historic sites.

MORE WYOMING PHOTOS & VIDEO:

 

 

 

 

RELATED LINKS

Wyoming Wow: The Powder Horn

Jackson Hole is More Than Iconic Skiing

Goin’ to Jackson Hole

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer. Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.