Overview

Star Valley reaches 10 miles across and 40 miles north to south. Irrigation ditches follow the road, barbed wire stretches between old lodge pole posts and dairy cows graze in the lush green farm fields. Spacious old ranches, built to house the large Mormon families who first settled here, alternate with more modern ranch-style homes.

Notable towns in Star Valley include Afton, Alpine, Auburn, Bedford, Etna, Fairview, Freedom, Grover, Osmond, Smoot, Thayne and Turnerville.

Alpine is the gateway into scenic Snake River Canyon. Although these towns are quite small, all have their fair share of dining, lodging and attractions.

Location

Afton is centrally located in Star Valley at the mouth of Swift Creek Canyon. The entire valley runs from Alpine to the northern end of the Valley, forty miles south past Smoot. The entire valley lies along US Highway 89.

Lodging and Services

The primary settlement in Star Valley is Afton. With a population of 1,800, this typical small American town is full of tourist attractions with many people traveling from Jackson Hole.

Although lodging and eating opportunities can be found all up and down the Star Valley corridor, lining the streets of Afton are numerous motels, inns, bed-and-breakfasts and lodges for your resting pleasure. Just outside of town are clusters of cabins and three campgrounds that operate from late May to mid-Sept.

Activities

Star Valley is bordered on the east by two impressive mountain ranges, the Salt River and Wyoming, with the Greys River flowing between them.

Alongside the Greys runs an awesome scenic 80-mile-long gravel road known as the Greys River Loop Road. Used by a small number of vacationers, hikers, anglers and hunters, the loop makes for a great escape from the busy Jackson Hole scene in the summer.

You’ll enjoy top-notch fishing for cutthroat, rainbow, brown and brook trout in the Greys River, and ample opportunities to view deer and moose along the way.

Kayakers often paddle the lower sections of the river as well.

A side road off the loop road leads to a two-mile trail that ascends 11,363-foot Wyoming Peak-the tallest in the range.

Check the Forest Service office in Afton for maps and recreation information.

Attractions

• Intermittent Spring - The world’s largest, of only three, cold-water geysers.
• World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch- Built in 1957, it spans over Main Street with over 3000 antlers.
• Nation’s Best Water- Afton was awarded best water in the Nation in 2005.
• Historical Tabernacle - The Tabernacle was constructed in 1904, by Mormon settlers.
• Pioneer and Lander Trail Museums - Come relive the pioneer past as you tour the Lander and Pioneer museums.
• Call Air Museum- Take a step back in time and feel the adrenaline as you experience the history of early aviation in western Wyoming.

Getting Here

Afton lies 70 miles south of Jackson. It is a scenic drive with views of ranches dotting the valley floor that is rimmed with high mountain peaks.

Simply follow US Highway 89 north to the Alpine Junction. At this junction head east and travel through the Snake River Canyon to Jackson.

As you travel through the canyon during the summer, it is possible to see white water rafters enjoying the rapids. The road is winding and can be covered with ice and snow during the winter months.