With so much alpine foliage to explore in fall, Wyoming’s Red Hills may not be the first place you think of when planning a late-season outing. But after all those gorgeous colors begin to fade, this lesser-known region offers a brilliant palette of red rocks and rolling desert views that stand out beautifully against the clear blue skies and soft golds of fall long after fall of the last sheet. The Red Hills are nestled in the Jackson Hole Valley right up against the Gros Ventre Range near the small town of Kelly, marked by spectacular iron-rich formations and sandstone mesas just waiting to be explored. They are beautiful in any season! But there’s no denying that these rust-colored hills and buttes take on a different kind of magic in the fall, making them an ideal last-minute destination for hiking, off-roading, and exploring the great outdoors of the Wyoming. wonderful autumn road trip.

Even at an elevation of about 6,000 feet and a short drive from Jackson, unlike the alpine scenery Wyoming is known for, the Red Hills landscape is a mix of rolling red rock cliffs and sagebrush plains . The region’s unique red hue comes from its rich iron content, which, over millennia, has oxidized to create photogenic rust-colored formations that contrast beautifully with the forested mountains in the distance.

Even from a distance, the Red Hills introduce you to Wyoming’s high desert ecology, which includes unique flora and fauna adapted to the harsher, drier landscape. Brush and a few gold-leafed trees dominate the hillsides, while the last remnants of wildflowers, like Indian paintbrush, add bright red accents that match the rusty rocks.

Like many of Wyoming’s grandiose rock formations, the geology of the Red Hills is as intriguing as the landscape. The saturated layers of the hills are part of the massive Gros Ventre Formation, which dates back to the Paleozoic era. They are part of an exposed sandstone deposit, a remnant of when most of the region was underwater, around 50 million years ago.

Although every season here is beautiful, fall is extra special as the polka dots of desert foliage dot the hillsides with splashes of warm color. But what makes this place even better is that you don’t have to worry if you miss the fall colors: the hills themselves have all the fiery seasonal colors you could hope for, especially for those who dare to venture beyond the main road.

Even better? You don’t need to go off the beaten path to enjoy the fall scenery. Gros Ventre Road is designed in such a way that immediately after rounding a small bend, a spectacular view of the hills overwhelms you with a sense of natural beauty and wonder. A drawer is conveniently located in this exact spot so you can fully appreciate the view. You’ll see golden treetops dotting the nooks and crannies of the hills in some of the most picture-perfect desert scenes you could hope for. Along the way, the beautiful drive takes you past tranquil lakes and expansive ranches, all in vibrant fall colors.

Although much of the Red Hills remains unmarked, for those who enjoy a little route-finding adventure, the area offers a unique, trail-free approach to hiking. A popular place to start your hike is the Gros Ventre Road access point, where gravel trails lead into the hills. From here, it’s easy to wander through the small canyons, open sagebrush plains, and rolling terrain to get a better view of the valley below.

The area is also steeped in recent history, from the Native American tribes who passed through the sagebrush terrain to the settlers who established the first settlements in Jackson Hole. Just a few miles away, the small town of Kelly offers a sobering reminder of the region’s natural power. In 1925, the Gros Ventre slide — a massive landslide from the nearby mountains – built a dam on the Gros Ventre River, creating Lower Slide Lake. The slide buried much of the valley and when the dam failed in 1927, a devastating flood swept through the area, affecting Kelly and forever changing the landscape.

Today, visitors can see the scars of the slide in the form of huge boulders and debris scattered in and around the valley. Slide Lake. The hills near Lower Slide Lake feature a fantastic mix of red rock and hardy sagebrush, creating some of the most scenic photogenic spots in the region. You can also explore Crystal Creek and some of the trails that crisscross this part of the Gros Ventre Wilderness, where the elevation and views change subtly as you go deeper into the hills and into the Bridger National Forest. Teton.

Other trails in the Red Hills include the aptly named Red Hills Trail and the family-friendly Shadow Mountain Trail, as well as more challenging hikes like Grizzly Lake and Blue Miner Lake.

Beyond hiking and off-roading, there are plenty of other activities to make the most of your fall adventure in the Red Hills. Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, from sunrise over the hills to the play of light and shadow on the rock formations. Bird watchers can spot a variety of species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons and, occasionally, migratory waterfowl. Look for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and small creatures like sagebrush lizards and rabbits that inhabit this desert habitat.

Now, at this point, if you feel like you’ve explored similar red buttes elsewhere in Wyoming, you’re absolutely right! Although they come from a different formation, the Red Hills near Dubois are composed of features of similar age and hue, and the area around Rock Springs offers even more vibrant natural wonders like Boars Tusk, Flaming Gorge and one of our state’s many Chimney Rock formations (seriously). , how are there so many?).

But the Red Hills on the outskirts of the Tetons offer that perfect blend of alpine and lowland scenery that is simply breathtaking, with no shortage of Wind River mountain peaks dotting the horizon.

When it comes to Fall Foliage Hotspots in Wyomingthe Red Hills in western Wyoming don’t make the list often, but they should! There is something invigorating about being surrounded by these natural colors and contours, a quiet side of the Tetons with few or no other visitors around. It’s a surprisingly magical experience that feels miles away from the crowds of Jackson and the iconic views of the Tetons. The landscape here has its own quiet beauty, with vibrant colors and unique formations that stand out in the autumn light. If you’re looking for a quiet place to experience the wild beauty of Wyoming’s late fall season, away from the crowds, the Red Hills offer a true taste of the state’s high desert wilderness that’s yours to call home!