One of America’s most sparsely populated states, and home to some of its greatest national parks, Wyoming is where you’ll find solitude and emptiness, as well as skiing and hiking opportunities aplenty, and an authentic slice of Western life.
In addition to the tallest and most spectacular mountain peaks in the area, and stunning glacier-carved valleys, Wyoming is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The population of pronghorn antelope almost outnumber people here, and you should also be able to spot wolves, elks, grizzly bears, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Photo credit: _MG_2934 by Robert Engberg via Flickr Creative Commons license
At opposite ends of the Shoshone National Forest in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, the towns of Jackson and Cody offer all the modern amenities you need whilst at the same time being just a stone’s throw from the peace and tranquility of the region’s mountains, forests, and national parks.
Jackson
Offering easy access to the craggy mountain vistas of the Grand Teton National Park and the simmering geothermal landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, Jackson is also close to Snow King, Wyoming’s oldest ski resort, and the much larger Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which offers a whopping 2500 acres of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America.
Photo credit: Hot Spring by Aleksander Milivojevic via Flickr Creative Commons license
The town itself is a mecca for mountain-lovers, hikers, climbers and skiers, with a young vibe (the average age here is 32), a lively cultural scene, and countless eating and drinking options available.
![The-playhouse-Jackson-hole Wyoming]()
Photo credit: The Playhouse-Jackson Hole-Wyoming by Karen Bullock via Flickr Creative Commons license
There is also a good choice of accommodation options, ranging from quaint inns and bed and breakfasts to luxurious slope side lodgings. Both The White Buffalo Club and The Lexington at Jackson Hole Hotel & Suites are walking distance from historic downtown Jackson and its main town square.
At The White Buffalo Club you can choose between mountain charm or city chic, and their on-site fitness centre and boutique spa will ensure that you manage to make time for a little bit of luxury and relaxation.
At the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole you can enjoy the comfort of a large open fire and plush leather furnishings, whilst the moose antler chandeliers and wall to wall wildlife photographs remind you of the natural beauty of the world outside.
Cody
If you’re after a true taste of the Wild West, come to Cody. The town is even named after legendary showman William ‘Buffalo Bill’ Cody, who founded it in 1896. In Cody you can ride horses, rope cattle, sit around a camp fire and stay in a genuine guest ranch. It’s also just 52 miles from the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Photo credit: Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces by Bill Gracey via Flickr Creative Commons license
The Cody Hotel is one of the newest accommodation options in town and is just blocks from the Cody Nite Rodeo Arena – the longest running rodeo in the world.
Photo credit: IMG_3165 by M. Ezzeddine via Flickr Creative Commons license
The hotel is also just minutes from Old Trail Town, a living museum of Cody’s old west, voted ‘Best Tourist Attraction and Historical Site’ by True West Magazine.
Whether you choose to stay in Jackson or Cody, Wyoming’s selection of boutique hotels will provide you with a comfortable, relaxing base from which to explore everything that this spectacular region has to offer.
**I am a writer for Hipmunk and this researched-based post is part of the #BoutiqueHotels Campaign**
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