Forum Discussion

djgodden's avatar
djgodden
Explorer
May 01, 2017

Going to Gros Ventres From the South

I'll be headed north and intent to depart I15 and take I80 to Evanston and then head N using 150, 16, and 89 through Jackson to Gros Ventres. What's the drive like? Google street view looks ok but that's not driving it. Services available?
  • I intend to take the 89 up the Wyoming/Utah state line to Geneva. Google street view makes it look pretty drivable. Steep grades don't worry me much. I live very close to the Cajon Pass and when I engage the engine brake I can descend the steepest grade at 35mph and never touch the brake.
  • You don't want to go to Bear Lake/Garden City - very steep.

    From Evanston take 89/16 to 30 north to Montpelier then 89 to Thayne (good big rig fuel) Alpine (more fuel) and to Jackson. This is all good road for big rigs and is very scenic.

    We love Gros Ventre!!
  • There is also a Maverick Fuel station just past Smiths that Cloud Dancer mentioned. You can go out behind the Maverick to the side street to use the traffic light to go north and avoid having to cross traffic. In Wyoming, if purchasing beer or liquor it is not in the grocery store, have to go next door to there "package" store. You might not, but I talk to myself going thru downtown past the tourist traps.
  • We haven't done the first part of your route because we have always stayed on I15 to get onto route 89 at Brigham City, which is north of Salt Lake City. We like the drive through the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway between Logan and Garden City, which is on Bear Lake. There is a downgrade of about 6% for a mile or two on 89 just before Garden City, if that is a concern for you. Once past Garden City route 89 is an easy drive all the way to Jackson, with a few ups and downs but nothing exciting. We have stopped in Afton for fuel and there is a Smiths supermarket with a gas station on the left just after you pass the Welcome to Jackson sign. About 1/2 mile further on there is an Albertsons supermarket on the right. About a mile or so after that the Shell station on the right has propane.

    Maybe not what you were looking for, but best I can do.

    Gros Ventre campground is our favorite for Grand Teton NP.