Alpine / Bridger-Teton National Forest KOA Holiday Blog
Closest KOA to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park- CLOSED FOR SEASON
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Turn off Highway 89, 2 miles North of Etna, WY (heading north) or 7 miles south of Alpine, WY (heading south) and continue behind the Airstream of Wyoming dealership. Follow the road in front of the Airstream dealership to our KOA. We have a new address and the best way GPS system to use is Google Maps.
Get Google Directions
A Wyoming vacation doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, some of the best things to do in Star Valley, Wyoming, don't cost anything at all.
Stretching between the Salt River Range and Wyoming's western mountains, Star Valley is filled with scenic drives, mountain views, wildlife, rivers, small towns, and wide-open skies. It's an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience Wyoming's outdoors without spending their entire vacation budget on attractions and activities.
If you're staying near Alpine, Wyoming, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the valley and enjoy some of its most memorable experiences for free.
Here are 10 of our favorite free things to do in Star Valley, Wyoming.
1. Take a Scenic Drive Through Star Valley
Sometimes the best way to explore Wyoming is simply to get in the car and enjoy the drive.
Highway 89 runs through much of Star Valley, connecting communities including Alpine, Etna, Thayne, and Afton. Along the way, you'll see ranches, farmland, rivers, mountain ranges, and wide-open Wyoming scenery.
Don't be in a hurry. Pull over at safe locations, take photographs, and enjoy the views.
The landscape changes dramatically with the seasons. Summer brings green fields and wildflowers, fall brings golden foliage, and winter transforms the valley into a snow-covered mountain landscape.
Don't forget your camera. You never know when you'll come around a corner and find the perfect Wyoming view.
2. See the World's Largest Elkhorn Arch in Afton
If you're exploring Star Valley, make time for a stop in Afton.
One of the town's most recognizable landmarks is its famous elkhorn arch, made from thousands of naturally shed elk antlers. It's one of those quirky Wyoming attractions that makes a great photo and a fun stop during a road trip.
Best of all, you don't need a ticket to see it.
After visiting the arch, take some time to explore Afton's historic downtown area and discover some of the local businesses, restaurants, and attractions nearby.
3. Hike to the Periodic Spring
Located near Afton in the Salt River Range, the Periodic Spring is one of Star Valley's most unusual natural features.
The spring gets its name because its water flow naturally starts and stops. Water travels through an underground system until the spring fills and releases water, creating a fascinating natural cycle.
Getting there involves a hike through beautiful mountain scenery, making the journey part of the adventure.
The Periodic Spring is particularly impressive when water is flowing, but conditions can vary throughout the year. Check current conditions before heading out.
4. Look for Wyoming Wildlife
You don't need to purchase an expensive wildlife tour to see animals in Star Valley.
Wildlife can often be spotted throughout the valley and surrounding mountains. Keep your eyes open while driving, hiking, walking near waterways, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Depending on the season and location, you might see:
Early morning and evening are often excellent times for wildlife viewing.
Remember: Wildlife is wild. Keep a safe distance, never feed animals, and use binoculars or a zoom lens rather than approaching them.
5. Enjoy the Salt River
The Salt River is one of the defining features of Star Valley.
Find a safe public access point and spend some time enjoying the river. You can photograph the scenery, watch birds, listen to the water, or simply relax beside the river.
The landscape changes throughout the year, making the Salt River worth visiting more than once.
If you want to fish, be sure to check current Wyoming fishing regulations and licensing requirements. But enjoying the scenery doesn't cost anything.
6. Take in the Mountain Views
You don't have to pay for a guided tour to enjoy some of Wyoming's most spectacular scenery.
The Salt River Range rises dramatically around Star Valley, creating an incredible backdrop for almost any outdoor activity.
Find a scenic spot, take a short walk, have a picnic, or simply sit and enjoy the view.
For families traveling with children, this can be an especially easy way to experience Wyoming. You don't need to plan an all-day hike to enjoy the mountains.
Sometimes, a short walk and a beautiful view are enough.
7. Have a Picnic With a Mountain View
One of the easiest ways to save money while traveling is to turn lunch into part of the adventure.
Pick up groceries in town, pack a cooler, and find a scenic place to enjoy your meal.
A picnic beside a river or beneath the mountains can be more memorable than an expensive restaurant—and it's especially convenient for families traveling with children.
Pack:
Then find your favorite view and enjoy lunch, Wyoming style.
8. Explore the Small Towns of Star Valley
Star Valley isn't one large tourist town. It's a collection of small Wyoming communities, each with its own character.
Take a drive through places such as Alpine, Etna, Thayne, Afton, Grover, Bedford, Smoot, and Auburn.
Look for historic buildings, public spaces, local landmarks, murals, and interesting architecture. Stop for photographs and take your time exploring.
You may find that some of your favorite vacation memories come from the places you didn't originally plan to visit.
9. Watch a Wyoming Sunset
Few things are better after a day of exploring than finding a quiet place to watch the sunset.
Star Valley's mountains and expansive skies create beautiful evening views. Find a safe location with an unobstructed view of the sky and watch as the setting sun changes the colors of the landscape.
Bring a camp chair, blanket, or warm drink and stay awhile.
And if you're camping nearby, you don't have to rush back to a hotel after sunset. You can end the evening right at your campsite.
10. Go Stargazing
When the sun disappears, look up.
Star Valley's dark skies offer wonderful opportunities for stargazing. On a clear night, turn off the lights, let your eyes adjust, and see how many stars you can find.
You may be able to spot familiar constellations, planets, shooting stars, and, under especially dark conditions, the Milky Way.
For the best experience, choose a clear night with little moonlight and move away from unnecessary artificial light.
You don't need an expensive telescope. Sometimes all you need is a blanket, a comfortable chair, and a few minutes to look up.
How to Enjoy Star Valley on a Budget
One of the best things about visiting Star Valley is that you can build an entire vacation around inexpensive outdoor experiences.
Spend the morning exploring a small town. Have a picnic beside the river. Take a scenic drive through the valley. Watch for wildlife along the way. Finish the day with a sunset and an evening under the stars.
And if you're staying at a campground, many of these adventures are just a short drive from your campsite.
Use Star Valley as Your Wyoming Home Base
Staying in Star Valley can also make it easier to explore some of western Wyoming's most popular destinations while returning to a quieter place at the end of the day.
Alpine/Bridger-Teton KOA Holiday offers a convenient home base for exploring Star Valley, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, and the surrounding mountains.
Spend your days exploring and your evenings relaxing at camp.
Start Planning Your Star Valley Adventure
You don't need a large vacation budget to experience Wyoming.
Some of the most memorable moments are completely free: watching a moose near the river, seeing the mountains turn golden at sunset, discovering a small Wyoming town, hiking to a natural spring, or lying beneath a sky filled with stars.
So the next time you're planning a Wyoming getaway, don't just look for expensive attractions.
Get outside. Explore the valley. Slow down. And discover how much Star Valley has to offer for free.
Plan your stay at Alpine/Bridger-Teton KOA Holiday and start exploring Star Valley.
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
