(Last Updated On: August 2, 2023)

mineral deposit by hot spring in a state park near jackson hole wyomingWyoming’s natural beauty lies in its abundance of undeveloped land, but it’s spread out expansively.

Wyoming’s state parks are the epitome of a natural environment, with pristine, protected, and treasured natural lands far away from the worries of day-to-day life.

While there are no parks within 150 miles of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you do not need to worry about traffic when driving farther out to get to the best state parks.

Discover Wyoming’s most popular state parks near Jackson Hole and start a new adventure.

Map of State Parks Near Jackson Hole WY

Here is a map of the Wyoming state parks covered in this post:

List of State Parks Near Jackson Hole

Here are each of those state parks with distance from Jackson Hole and what is special about each.

1. Sinks Canyon State Park

Location: 3079 Sinks Canyon Rd, Lander, WY 82520

Sinks Canyon State Park is named after a river that vanished, making it a unique destination about 157 miles east of Jackson Hole. The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie flows underground into the Sinks, a massive limestone cavern, before rising to a tranquil pool a quarter-mile downstream at the Rise.

Lander is home to Sinks Canyon State Park. Because of its geological phenomenon, this park is quite unique and offers multi-level caves with tours or open exploring.

The visitor’s center at the Sinks provides an overview of the canyon’s natural history and animals. You can feed gigantic brown trout swimming in the pool below at the Rise.

The park also offers excellent areas for hiking, trail running, climbing, picnics, and the potential to view animals like black bears, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and moose. Try out some of the best camping in the world on sandstone, granite, and limestone routes.

Only a few minutes from town, you can get away from civilization. You can hear the river roar from where your tent is set up, then watch the sunset and enjoy an expansive sky of stars.

Sinks Canyon contains four yurts that can hold six to ten people with bathrooms and water nearby. If you prefer to use your camping tent, that’s definitely an option too. No other park in Wyoming offers as unique an adventure.

2. Boysen State Park

Location: 120 Boysen Dr, Shoshoni, WY 82649

Boysen Lake State Park is built around a lake near the mouth of the Wind River Canyon just shy of 200 miles from Jackson Hole and offers a range of water activities. It’s the largest park in the state featuring a reservoir supplied by the north-flowing Wind River from the Owl Creek Mountains.

The park is a wonderful area to spend a few hours or days in soothing tranquility and breathtaking mountain vistas.

Add in some intriguing geological formations for an epic oasis for outdoor lovers. Boaters, swimmers, hikers, hunters, anglers, picnickers, and campers. Boysen is the best place to cool off in the summer, with intriguing desert scenes and acres of deep blue water.

Enjoy the wildlife with a chance to see deer, antelope, waterfowl, small game animals, reptiles, and bighorn sheep. Stop in at the concession stand for anything you might need.

Find several campgrounds inside the park, some overlooking the water and other unique geological scenery. A protected bay provides a sandy beach, picnic spots, and a place to tie up a boat.

The Tough Creek campground is on a peninsula with access to the lake. In the fall and winter, you can go fishing for walleye, sauger, perch, carp, largemouth bass, and many other species making this an angler’s dream.

3. Bear River State Park

Location: 601 Bear River Dr, Evanston, WY 82930

Bear River State Park sits about 200 miles south of Jackson Hole with tons of day-use options for activities. While the park does not offer camping, it’s open all year to see bison, elk, and beautiful surroundings, along with options for children.

The hiking trails can also be used as skiing and snowshoeing trails in the winter. Bear River State Park is a great day-trip option for the whole family if you’re traveling with kids.

The park provides almost 300 acres of land perfect for picnicking, hiking, group activities, bicycling, skiing, rollerblading, playing with remote control vehicles, and a variety of other activities. A few miles of hiking paths within the park’s boundaries include a paved trail and an arched footbridge spanning Bear River, perfect for gorgeous views.

In addition, the park’s foot pathways double as cross-country ski trails in the winter, with more options for skiers and snowshoers.

No matter what season you visit, you can find a quiet place to relax or try out outdoor activities perfect for the whole family right by the river.

Educational displays help to view the numerous animals in the area, including elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bison, golden eagles, great-horned owls, a raccoon, river otter, badgers, Alaskan wolf, grizzly bear, black bears, red fox, Cooper’s hawks, swans, and much more.

Add in Native American artifacts and outdoor murals to turn a visit into a learning adventure and a haven from daily life.

4. Hot Springs State Park

Location: 220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443

Hot Springs State Park may be a drive but offers so much to travelers looking for a break from life. Mineral hot springs at the park in Thermopolis, about two hundred miles east of Jackson Hole.

Enjoy the park properly with hiking routes, fishing, boating, and bison viewing for a unique daily adventure. While you cannot camp at the park, you can find plenty of options nearby to take full advantage of the area.

The hot springs maintain a temperature of 104 to 128 degrees Fahrenheit, ready to take all of your cares and pain away. The park’s Bath House is the world’s largest mineral hot spring, offers therapeutic bathing to soothe your worries away.

Keep in mind the park has limited hours as it closes at 5:30 pm all week and it’s closed for many holidays along with the winter.

“The Swinging Bridge” is the name given to the suspension footbridge that spans the Bighorn River. The Bighorn River and mineral terrace may be seen from the bridge, which provides a unique vantage point.

Summer flower beds have long been a feature of Hot Springs State Park. Bring your camera with you and capture the vibrant splashes of color throughout the summer.

5. Edness K. Wilkens State Park

Location: 8700 East US Hwy 20, 26, Evansville, WY 82636

The Edness Kimball Wilkins Park is only six miles from the town of Casper, but it’s almost 300 miles from Jackson Hole. The North Platte River is a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, as well as a popular place for fishing, canoeing, and rafting destination.

In addition, it’s well-known for being a great place to have a picnic, with over forty spots a short distance from the park’s swimming pond shaded by cottonwood trees.

Picnickers can enjoy other activities such as playing games in horseshoe pits and volleyball nets. A 2.8-mile walk runs along the historic North Platte River provides an excellent opportunity to take in the beauty.

Edness Kimball Wilkins Park is also an important birding spot and a beautiful place to explore floral scenery with a camera. A playground is available for children, as well as grills, tables, and shelters for the whole family.

While overnight camping is not permitted at the park, it is an excellent area to spend a full day or a relaxing afternoon.

This park has a launching ramp for rafts and canoes, as well as a one-of-a-kind fishing pier if you prefer boating over bathing. Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park is well-known for providing good opportunities for animal viewing, including deer, antelope, and other small animals.

While a bit of a drive from Jackson Hole, it provides a wonderful trip into nature, and you can always find campgrounds and hotels nearby.