US 89 Wyoming Route

The US 89 Route in Wyoming takes the highway through some of its most spectacular roadside scenery.

After US 89 finally crosses into Wyoming, the first order of business is climbing 1,500 feet to the to of Salt River Pass.  This is the headwaters of the Salt River which flows north through Star Valley located beyond the crest of the pass.  Afton is the main community in Star Valley.  Be sure to check out the famous antler arch in Afton.

After leaving Afton, US 89 continues north through the remainder of Star Valley, arriving at a junction with US 20 in Alpine.  Here the route turns northeasterly  and travels through the Snake River Canyon.  Today's highway crosses the Snake at Hoback and turns north toward Jackson.

The map above shows the old route prior to construction of the Hoback bridge.  We think this route to Moose is still easily passable in the summer season.

Once at Wilson, Wyoming, US 89 turned to go to Jackson, the commercial and resort center of  Far Western Wyoming. Tourist services have been abundant here for over 100 years.  US 89 makes one of its patented 90 degree turns north at the Jackson Town Square and proceeds into Grand Teton National Park.

The modern US 89 stays far to the east of the Grand Teton Range, although still providing perhaps the most spectacular view on the entire highway from Mexico to Canada. The old US 89 crossed the Snake River at Moose and then followed what's now considered the "old Jenny Lake Road."  It's difficult to drive this road without backtracking because of one-way traffic controls.  Don't worry.  The difficulty is well worth the effort.  We will be writing a short separate guide about how to get maximum mileage out of old US 89 in this portion of Grand Teton National Park.

After cross the Snake River once again below Jackson Lake Dam, US 89 arrives back at the main road near Moran.  Old and current US 89 proceed north to the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway and thence to the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park near historic Flagg Ranch.

Once inside Yellowstone National Park, US 89 stops being US 89 (wink, wink) and is simply a National Park Service road with directional signage to the next nearest  destinations and attraction sites.  Proceed to West thumb and follow the signs to Old Faithful.  Old Faithful would have been (and continues to be) one of the major single site destinations on the entire highway from Mexico to Canada.  While many other National Parks and Monuments beckon travelers along US 89's route, Old Faithful has been packin' 'em in by the millions over many generations.

After leaving Old Faithful, follow the signs to Mammoth.  The Mammoth Hot Springs spawned building of numerous commercial, administrative and tourist facilities since Yellowstone was created in 1872.  There's must to see and do there.  After leaving, follow the signs to Gardiner, Montana. Just before reaching Gardiner, the road exits Wyoming and enters Montana. As soon as you cross the Yellowstone NPS boundary, POOF, you're back on US 89!  While in Gardiner be sure to check out the Roosevelt Arch.  Old US 89 once went right through this fabulous , historic arch.  US 89 is now in the fifth and final state of its vertical route across America.

We will soon be adding additional resources to this page.