Granite Hot Springs, Wyoming
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
If you’re renting an RV in Wyoming then there are plenty of places that you need to visit. One of the spots that should be at the top of your list is Granite Hot Springs. Located south of Grand Teton National park and southeast of Jackson, Granite Hot Springs is in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
It’s a developed, concrete hot spring pool situated alongside Granite Creek among the beautiful trees of the forest. It can be accessed year-round and is a wonderful place to come and relax and experience one of the many wonders of the state. This can be one of the many stops you make in your rented RV in this area of Wyoming.
Obviously, the main draw of the Granite Hot Springs is the pool. This pool is a man-made pool that’s naturally heated. The pool can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer months, and in the winter months, temperatures hover around 90 degrees, making it essentially a large natural hot tub.
There is a small fee for access to the pool for both adults and children, but it’s only a few dollars and is well worth it.
Two popular activities near the hot springs are hiking and biking. The Bridger Teton National Forest is full of trails, and there are plenty of them right around the Granite Hot Springs. You can take a nice long hike or bike ride, and then take a soak in the pool.
It’s important to note that the hiking trails in this area will have a moderate difficulty. This means if you need an easy trail or are hiking with small children, it might be smart to look for hiking opportunities elsewhere.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest, which the Granite Hot Springs are a part of is full of unique and, in some cases, awe-inspiring wildlife. While hiking, biking, or driving, make sure to keep an eye out for animals of all sorts.
Wildlife found in the forest includes beaver, bighorn sheep, black bear, deer, eagles, elk, moose, pika, and more. Binoculars are usually a good idea to keep around, and having a camera is never a bad idea, either.
As was previously mentioned, the drive up to the Granite Hot Springs is one of the most scenic drives you can take in the area. It provides you with beautiful views of the countryside, and you’re bound to see some wildlife while you travel up the road towards the springs.
There are also other routes in the area the provide similar views. Pretty much anywhere you drive around Granite Hot Springs will be beautiful and photo-worthy. Anywhere it is safe to stop and take some pictures, we encourage you to do so.
The pool at the Granite Hot Springs will only take up a portion of your day, so we highly recommend bringing some food along and picnicking while you’re here. The grounds around the pool are beautiful and very amenable to picnicking.
The U.S. Forest Service has placed several picnic tables around the area, so you and the whole family can take your time and have a nice lunch after a soak in the springs.
The Granite Creek Campground is operated on a first-come-first-serve basis. It’s a fairly primitive campground without full hookups, though there are bathroom facilities and a trash service on-site. This is the campsite that is the closest to the hot springs.
You will have to pay a small fee to camp here during the season that the amenities are in service. Outside of the season, you can still camp here, but there will be no trash service and the water at the bathroom facilities will be turned off. RVs and trailers are welcome.
Another good option that’s the next closest is Kozy Campground. It is about 27 to 30 minutes from the Granite Hot Springs because you’ll need to drive slowly up the road to the hot springs.
This first-come-first-serve campground features very few amenities, including a single water pump (hand pump) and vault toilets. RVs and trailers are welcome, though most sites are limited to under 24 feet in length. There is a 30-foot campsite, though. Superb hiking and fishing can be found right at the campground.
Up the road a bit from Kozy Campground, you’ll find Hoback Campground. Located right on the beautiful Hoback River, this campground is only about a 30-minute drive to Granite Hot Springs. It also provides walkable access to some of the best fishing in all of Wyoming.
The campground is first-come-first-serve and offers few amenities. There is potable water on-site, and there are also vault toilets for campers to use. RVs under 28 feet in length are welcome to camp here.
If you need something with a few more amenities that’s not too awfully far from the Granite Hot Springs to make the drive, then you should check out Jackson Hole / Snake River KOA. You’re looking at a 40-minute drive to the Hot Springs, but if you want amenities and would like to be closer to Jackson, then this is a great option.
The campground offers full hookups, a snack bar, Wi-Fi, a fishing area, propane, firewood, and a tour shuttle for an additional fee. The campground is open seasonally, and it can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length.
Located in Wilson, Wyoming, just outside of Jackson, this campground is a great option for anyone who wants a luxury-level campground right in the Jackson Hole area. If you plan on hitting Granite Springs you’re looking at around an hour drive, but you’re also close to other destinations in the area, including Grand Teton National Park.
This makes Jackson Hole Campground a good home base for your exploring. The campground features full hookup campsites and a long list of amenities. They include bath and shower house, laundry facilities, campground store, dump station, and much more.
There are no restaurants at Granite Hot Springs. Nor are there any restaurants within a very short hike or drive. You need to bring along food for a picnic if you want to enjoy some food during your trip. We would suggest packing a cooler. As mentioned above, there are plenty of picnic tables and picnic areas here that you and your family can take advantage of. However, no other real options exist.
With all of Jackson about an hour away, you might be wondering if there’s much in terms of restaurants between Jackson and the hot springs. To the south on US-191, there are a couple of restaurants.
However, you would be better off taking US-191 the other direction towards Jackson. There are some restaurants along the highway, and as you get closer to Jackson there will be far more options. Still, you’re probably looking at a 30-minute drive or so before you find a good place to eat.
If you drive to Jackson, you should have no issue finding just about any kind of restaurant or bar. The city has plenty to offer hungry travelers, and it’s a pretty RV-friendly town, too.
Granite Hot Springs can be a bit difficult to get to, but it provides an unforgettable experience. That means if you can work out the logistics, then you should have a trip that you and your family will talk about for years to come.