Star Valley (Afton)

Fertile western Wyoming valley of small towns, clean mountain air, and snow-rimmed ranges.

Star Valley is a long, fertile valley in western Wyoming, flanked by the Salt River Range to the east and the Wyoming Range to the west. A string of small towns runs down its length — Thayne, Auburn, Grover, Afton, Smoot — with Afton serving as the valley's commercial hub and largest town. The valley floor sits at around 1,900 metres and is ringed by peaks that hold snow into June, keeping the air clean and the summers short.

The valley's most unusual attraction is the Periodic Spring near Afton — one of only three known cold-water intermittent springs in the world. Fed by an underground siphon in the limestone of the Salt River Range, it pulses water every 18 minutes or so during late summer and early autumn, gushing forcefully for several minutes before stopping dead. The effect is genuinely strange, and the short hike up Swift Creek Canyon to reach it passes through scenery that would justify the trip on its own.

Afton itself is a small, tidy Mormon town anchored by a prominent LDS temple and famous for the archway spanning Washington Street, built from thousands of interlocking elk antlers. The arch has been a local landmark since 1958 and appears on virtually every postcard of the valley. The town's most celebrated son is Rulon Gardner, who grew up on a farm here and went on to shock the sports world by defeating the previously unbeaten Russian wrestler Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Visitors come to Star Valley for the outdoor life: fishing on the Salt River, elk and deer hunting in autumn, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter, and hiking into the Wyoming and Salt River ranges in summer. The valley has genuine Western character without the crowds or the prices of Jackson Hole, 90 km to the north.

Guide

Getting There

Star Valley is in the far western tip of Wyoming, roughly 90 km south of Jackson Hole on US-89. The valley is accessible year-round by road, though mountain passes can be challenging in winter.

By road is the primary way to arrive. US-89 runs the full length of Star Valley from north to south. From Jackson Hole, take US-89 south through the canyon of the Snake River and into the valley — about 90 minutes. From Salt Lake City (Utah), head north on I-15 then east on US-89 through Montpelier, Idaho — roughly 3.5 hours. The route from Salt Lake passes through dramatic canyon country entering Wyoming from the south.

By air, Afton Municipal Airport (IATA: AFO) sits just southwest of Afton and handles small general aviation aircraft. The nearest commercial airport with reliable scheduled service is Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), about 90 km to the north — served by several US airlines with connections through Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, and other hubs. A car is essential once at either airport; there is no public transit in the valley.

From Jackson Hole, the drive south on US-89 passes through some spectacular country — the road follows the Snake River through a deep canyon before dropping into Star Valley. The journey is scenic in both directions and takes about 90 minutes.

Guide

Things to Do

Star Valley's main draws are natural and unhurried. The Periodic Spring in Swift Creek Canyon is the headline attraction — genuinely odd and worth the short hike to reach it. Afton town centre has a walkable main street and the famous elk antler arch. The surrounding mountains offer fishing, hiking, and in winter, snowmobiling on hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails.

Guide

When to Go

Star Valley has a classic mountain climate: warm, short summers and long, cold winters with reliable snow. The valley sits at 1,900 metres, which means summer temperatures are pleasant rather than hot — daytime highs in July typically reach the mid-20s Celsius, with cool evenings. Winters are serious, with heavy snowfall from November through March and temperatures frequently dropping well below freezing.

Summer (June–August) is the obvious peak. Wildflowers in the surrounding hills, good fishing, hiking in the Salt River and Wyoming ranges, and the Periodic Spring at its most dramatic intermittent behaviour (late July through September is ideal). July and August can see afternoon thunderstorms — common across the mountain west and usually brief.

Autumn (September–October) is arguably the best time to visit if you're not hunting. The aspen groves on the valley slopes turn gold and orange, temperatures are crisp and clear, and the hunting crowds add a festive energy to the valley's small towns. The Periodic Spring is still performing into September. Elk rut in September produces memorable bugling in the hills.

Winter (November–March) brings Star Valley's most devoted visitors: snowmobilers. The region has hundreds of kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails, and Afton is a hub for sled rentals and guided trips. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible in Swift Creek Canyon and on forest roads. Temperatures can be brutal — pack for serious cold.

Spring (April–May) is the shoulder season: snow receding, roads wet and sometimes muddy, the Periodic Spring running continuously (not intermittently) due to high snowmelt. The valley greens up quickly in May, and bird activity is high along the Salt River.