Summer at the ranch means the flowers are blooming throughout the area’s valleys and peaks. Majestic views from the cabins and the neighboring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are brushed with shades of red, yellow and blue splendor.

An abundance of wildflowers can be found along our streams, in mountain meadows and from the trails. The growing season, however, is short with only about 60 continuous frost-free days a year. Nature makes up for this brevity with a proliferation of flora.

Flowers bloom between May and September, with June and July providing the best of the floral displays. Dominant blooming flowers change quickly from week to week. The peak wildflower period typically occurs from early to mid-July. In high mountain elevations the peak blooms occur in August.

Here are some of the flowers you can expect to see during your summer visit and where you’re likely to find them.

Indian Paintbrush

The state flower of Wyoming grows on rocky slopes, amidst sagebrush and in open areas throughout Wyoming. This red or crimson flower grows low to the ground and can be found throughout summer. Our area also boasts white, yellow and scarlet colored Rocky Mountain Paintbrush and, if you’re lucky, you just may find a few along the trails and cool canyons in July.

Fireweed

The flower is often abundant in open fields, pastures and in recent burn areas. This conical flower is red or pink and can grow 3 to 4 feet high. Fireweed gets its name from its habit of quickly growing on forest fire burn sites.

Arrow-leaf Balsam Root

These bright, yellow flowers rise from plants with arrow-shaped leaves and grow in mountain fields, pine forests and throughout the sage flats. At the right time of summer, entire hillsides will appear painted in yellow with this friendly flower in peak bloom.

Aster

The pattern of this beautiful blue to purple flower’s petals resembles a daisy, but the only similarity in color is found in its yellow center. These showy blue flowers can be found in forests, small tree stands and amongst other wildflowers in bloom on hillsides throughout Wyoming’s mountain landscape.

Monkshood

Growing in moist grounds of mountain meadows and hillsides, often near streams or wet meadows, these tall blue flowers are also called Wolf’s Bane or Blue Rocket.

Lupine

Growing in the sage flats, pine stands or on a hillside, these blue flowers can grow to about 2 feet high. They are most often blue but can be close to purple and are vertical, pea pod in structure. While lupine can be seen in June, the most plentiful displays are found in mid-July.

Sticky Geranium

These pink or rose-colored flowers are found at the top of plants that are 18 to 36 inches tall. They grow in the pine forests and mountainsides down to the valley floor.

Columbine

These famous, delicate flowers can be found in areas that offer shade or partial shade. Along a stream, underneath a lone tree or a moist area of the pine forest floor, you will find these beauties in white, yellow and shades of blue.

Harebell

Most often found on cliff faces, rocky outcroppings and open, dry areas, this tall blue bell-like flower can be found in late June to August.

Where Are They?

Whether you extend your stay to spend a day or two in Grand Teton National Park or have just enough time for a leisurely drive between the ranch and the Jackson Airport, you can see as many wildflowers as you want.

• • If you only have time for a leisurely drive try these areas for a quick and glorious scenic drive:
  • Highways 26 and 191, between Turpin Meadows Road and Jackson. View wildflowers in the sage flats from the car or by stopping at any of the numerous pullouts.
  • Moran Junction to Jackson Lake Lodge. Wildflowers are aplenty in the meadows along the Snake River. Oxbow Bend provides majestic views and beautiful flowers.
  • Teton Park Road between Jackson Lake Lodge and Moose Junction. We highly recommend this inner park drive for amazing views, wildlife and trail access.

If you’ve got time for a day hike in Grand Teton National Park we think these trails are great wildflower hikes. These trails all start from Teton Park Road:

• Jenny Lake Trail (Easy)
• String Lake Loop (Easy)
• Cascade Canyon (Moderate)

We hope that your summer stay at the ranch gives you every chance to enjoy the beautiful flowers of our mountain landscape. We’re always here to answer any questions and help you plan your perfect summer getaway.

More Wildflowers found in the Grand Teton National Park

With a backyard of 2.5 million acres of wilderness, the ranch is located between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, making it one of the most stunning preserved natural landscapes in the world. We have been named one of 15 Hotels Where Mammals Rule the Grounds, an indication of what to expect if you’re interested in seeing animals in the wild. Situated on the banks of the Buffalo Fork River, the ranch offers endless views of the Teton Range, as well as wildlife viewing in and around the property. Here are a few of the more common sightings.

Bison

Herds of bison have been known to meander across ranch property, occasionally causing fascinating traffic jams nearby. American bison (or bison), also commonly known as the American buffalo (or simply buffalo), once roamed the grasslands in massive herds. Although they were nearly driven extinct, they’ve made a resurgence due to protected areas such as those around Turpin Meadow Ranch.

Great Grey Owls

Although they may be seen anywhere in the area, a large population of Great Grey Owls live around the Turpin Meadow Ranch property. Here are a few audio recordings of Great Grey Owls… keep an eye (and ear) out for them when exploring the grounds, particularly at dawn and dusk when they tend to be most active. Unlike some owl species, Great Gray Owls tend to be fairly tolerant of humans, occasionally landing within a few feet of a stationary photographer or observer, so your chances of a close encounter are good.

Bears

Yes, there are a lot of bears in the area. This grizzly mama and her cubs were frequently seen near the highway during the summer of 2016. Another grizzly was spotted off the road by ranch staff last summer. Black bears also live in the area. Be aware of your surroundings in our wilderness. When out hiking, look for evidence bears have been nearby, including tracks, scat or overturned logs. Please research bear safety (or ask our staff) before heading out. We hope if you cross paths you can have a safe and enjoyable sighting of one of these magnificent creatures.

Moose

The plural of moose is also “moose,” however, a debated usage has been “meese.” As a word borrowed from a Northeastern Algonquian language, the general consensus is meese should not be pluralized the same way as the similar sounding Germanic word “goose.” Any way you say it, we do love our meeses to pieces. Since they stand over six feet tall, they will be easy to spot so you can love them too. They can be dangerous though, especially when with their young; like other wildlife, do not approach them. Although moose population have been on the decline worldwide, there are still quite a few in the area. You might run into them on nearby trails, but you’re most likely to spot moose along the road while driving.

Osprey

The western osprey, also called river hawk, is a fish-eating bird of prey, so naturally, they feel at home along the Buffalo Fork River, which is full of some of the best trout and other fishing in the U.S. Your wildlife fishing companion is a large raptor, reaching more than 24 inches (60 cm) in length and a 71-inch (180 cm) wingspan. In recent years, the ranch has enjoyed a nearby mated pair, who have made a nest atop a power line pole. You may catch glimpse of them or other nearby osprey taking advantage of fresh fish in the mountain lakes and streams.

Other wildlife that has been spotted near the ranch include wolves, coyotes, eagles, cranes, elk, foxes, and mule deer. A little patience and a watchful eye could really pay off while out and about at the ranch. When you’re here, be sure to bring your binoculars, camera, sketch pad, or anything else you prefer to capture wildlife in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Keep in mind it is prohibited to approach wolves and bears within 100 yards and 25 yards of other wildlife like birds, bison, and elk. We also rent binoculars and provide tours with guides who are familiar with wildlife areas and how to spot them. Just another great reason for a luxury adventure at Turpin Meadow Ranch.

The ranch is uniquely positioned within close proximity to two of the world’s most beautiful, and well-known, national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Yet there’s one, lesser-known natural resource that is literally in our backyard—Bridger-Teton National Forest. With its immense landscapes and abundant wildlife, the Bridger-Teton National Forest makes up a large part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, which is the largest intact ecosystem in the 48 contiguous United States.

Top picture: Brooks Lake and Bridger Teton Rockies

The Bridger-Teton National Forest has 3.4 million acres, borders Grand Teton National Park and encircles the National Elk Refuge. It contains three nationally-dedicated wilderness areas, including the Bridger Wilderness, the Gros Venture Wilderness, and the Teton Wilderness.

All of this makes for some of the most splendid hiking, biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing anywhere. (Not to mention winter activities in winter.) Here are some of the activities and features you can take advantage of in the Bridger-Teton National Forest during your stay at the ranch.

Wildlife

Bridger-Teton contains a diverse amount of wildlife during summer, including bald eagles, coyotes, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, and of course, elk.  During winter, wildlife may also include moose, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Although it’s most known for mammalian wildlife, Bridger-Teton provides refuge for more than 355 species of birds.

View the best wildlife viewing sites here.

Hiking

Bridger-Teton has 34 designated trailheads with more than 2,200 miles of trails that vary in difficulty from family day-hikers to hard core wilderness enthusiasts.

View list of Forest Service hiking trails in Bridger-Teton here.

Biking

Of the trails in Bridger-Teton, many are multiple use, meaning they allow hiking, biking, and horseback riding. On multiple use trails, the National Forest Service rule is “wheels yield to heels.” Use our bikes, rent some nearby, or bring your own.

View the list of bike trails here.

Horseback Riding

As a ranch, we have a large selection of horses for riding in the many beautiful surrounding areas, and they are available for solo or guided adventures in blocks of two hours or a half day. We also provide lessons, for those of you who have always wanted to ride, but never had the chance to get started!

View our horseback riding rates here.

View the list of horseback trails in Bridger-Teton National Forest here.

Picnicking

Designated picnic areas may provide tables, fire pits, water supply, and/or restrooms. Remember the food storage order is in effect between March 1 – Dec. 1 each year, which includes preventative measures to keep bears from finding and eating food, as well as protecting the safety of forest visitors. We’re happy to provide a lunch you can take along, just let us know in advance, and whether you need to meet food storage requirements (depending on your path and destination).

View the list of picnic sites (which include their individual amenities) here.
It is also encouraged to review food storage guidelines, which can be found here.

Climbing

Wyoming boasts rock, alpine, and ice climbing, and many great climbing sites can be found within or adjacent to Bridger-Teton, including a large number of routes adjacent to the Bridger Wilderness Area.

Use this map to search and see details about routes.

Fishing

Three types of fishing are available from dozens of locations within Bridger-Teton. There are over two dozen river and stream fishing spots recommended by the Forest Service, for the fly enthusiasts we typically host. For those who bring or rent a marine craft, there is boat or lake fishing, which can be accessed from a network of docks within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. In the winter season, ice fishing is also available. Remember that fishing requires a permit.

This Forest Service site provides lists of all recommended fishing sites with their amenities here.

Swimming

There are a variety of beaches and swimming areas within Bridger-Teton suitable for the hottest months. here is also one developed, concrete hot springs pool, the Granite Hot Springs Pool, situated along the Granite Creek among the huge spruce, fir, and pine forest. It is available during summer (usually May 20 – Oct 31) or winter (Dec 6th – Apr 3rd) seasons for a small fee (although access during winter months is limited to visitors on snowmobile, skis, or fat bikes). Call ahead to verify area status.

View swimming areas, including amenities, fees, and hours of operation, here.

Boating

With 34 non-motorized and 17 motorized boating areas, Bridger-Teton is a water wilderness paradise. The Snake River Canyon alone is highly sought after for kayaking, rafting, and fishing due to its crystal clear waters, unique geology, beautiful scenery, world-class fishing, and for the adventurous, the experience of shooting some wild water rapids. However, there are many other waterways to explore in Bridger-Teton.

View non-motorized boating and launch sites here.
View motorized boating and launch sites here.

Forest Product Gathering

In addition to recreation, there are many types of forest products (aside from fishing) that can be gathered in Bridger-Teton. Everything from firewood, pine cones, mushrooms, live transplants of shrubs, grasses, moss and lichens, herbs, foliage, and more can be gathered for a small fee and with a permit.

For permits, fees, and other permit questions, visit the Forest Product Permit Information page here.
There are many other activities available in Bridger-Teton National Forest. You can view many of them on the Forest Service website, but one neat way to explore Bridger-Teton (and other National Forests) is through their interactive map, which makes it easy to locate activities and amenities based on the geographic location you want to explore.

When you are at the ranch for your next great western adventure, we’ll be here to help you in comfort and style. Our cabins and chalets have been recently renovated to provide luxury accommodations while embracing a working ranch experience. Guests enjoy breakfast, but whether or not you chose to stay with us overnight, you are also welcome to join us for our Prairie to Plate gourmet lunch and dinner. (Reservations requested for dinner.) Let your stay with us become the vacation you’ll never forget.

One of the best activities available at the ranch, we think, is the fishing. Just steps from your door, you can enjoy fly-fishing for cutthroat and blue-ribbon trout, and we also provide full-day fishing adventures in the more than 1,000 streams and 100 lakes of Yellowstone National Park.

But don’t take our word for it. Rodale’s Organic Life recently published a story about the surprising health benefits of fly fishing, saying, “turns out the second most popular outdoor activity in America is also really good for you.” Here are some of the arguments.

It’s exercise

Reeling and casting exercises the arms and shoulders without straining the wrists, and also activates core muscles, which are needed to help keep you steady, especially in the water. It’s low-impact, so it can be taken on by all fitness levels, and ramped up by hiking, kayaking, or canoeing to select fishing spots.

It also aids balance and coordination, not only from the casting motion itself, but also in negotiating the uneven and sometimes slippery terrain of riverbanks and creek beds, which activates smaller muscles on the abdominal walls and back.

It boosts brain health

Outdoor activity restores attention, combating the fatigue of routine and stress that burns out your mental capacity. Specifically, the neural circuits controlling focused attention and rapid reaction time will likely strengthen, and the thrill of catching a fish will elevate mood through the dopamine brain boosts.

Tying and inventing new flies can also provide an added boost to the creative and intellectual process. The best fly tyers become familiar with entomology to learn how to replicate the bugs and insects fish of an area crave.

It’s relaxing and mood-lifting

Some refer to it as “Zen,” because the graceful casting surrounded by the soothing sounds of water and nature provides both a peaceful, calming feeling, as well as a mood boost. It requires patience and improves when you let it all go and relax into the dance. The sun, the fresh air, the wind, and even the rain can be a very invigorating activity.

Plus, it’s usually a forced break from screens and other stressful and mind-busying demands of everyday life. It’s so healing, national organizations have formed to promote fishing as a rehabilitative therapy for disabled and traumatized veterans, breast cancer and other illness and trauma survivors.

It’s a great team activity

Although it can be a soothing recipe for solitude, spending time with friends and family is the second reason people say they go fishing. With couples, even if both partners aren’t equally participating, the process promotes “prosocial tendencies,” which include increased helpfulness, altruism, and cooperation. Plus, spending time together in nature is one of the eight habits of happy couples.

Whether you fish for your health or simply for enjoyment, there are many compelling reasons for fishing as a hobby. Bring your own gear, or rent ours, but let this sport benefit you on your next visit to the ranch.