Jackson, Wyoming
Moose Head Ranch
About the ranch
Moose Head Ranch is unique. Unlike other guest ranches Moose Head Ranch is privately owned, family operated and completely surrounded by Grand Teton National Park, providing our guests with a panoramic vista of the Teton Range.
Imagine riding with your family and seeing elk, bison, mule deer and antelope up close. Picture meadows of alpine flowers such as lupine and fireweed as you gaze down at the legendary Snake River.
At the end of each ride relax on your cabin porch or the Lodge deck with the ever-changing vista of the majestic Tetons in the distance, with no blaring horns or city noises, just the sound of the babbling brook and the laughter of your children as they play with new-found friends.
Point out the Milky Way and track the numerous shooting stars seen crossing the evening sky.
Bond with your children without the interfering sports schedules, meetings and social activities that crowd your family life back home. When was the last time you played cards or checkers with your kids?
All of that and more is here for you at the ranch.
Affiliations
Dude Rancher’s Association, Wyoming Dude Rancher’s Association
Also offers
Guest capacity
44
Best for
People of all ages
Months open
Jun-Aug
History & hosts
Moose Head Ranch today hardly resembles the ranch originally homesteaded by Eva Topping in 1925.
The road down the hill from the office was the original highway from Yellowstone National Park to Jackson.
Back then, the ranch consisted of buildings and cabins in the area near and above the corral and barn.
A gas station sat where the office is now; the laundry room overlooked the corral and the original lodge still exists, much as it did then, between the large spruce trees across from the office.
Inside, along with the usual ranch rooms, there was even a post office, as Moose Head was the town of Elk, Wyoming.
Eva Topping was the true pioneer woman: postmistress, school teacher as well as ranch owner and manager.
As she grew older, Eva shouldered other burdens as well, most specifically the declining health of her husband, Fred. Eva put Moose Head on the market in the late summer of 1967.
The Mettler family was indeed fortunate that John Mettler saw the ranch the day it came on the market.
After a year of living with the ranch in its original state, John and Eleo began to design and build the lodge and family cabins. Cabins were staked out with views from picture windows in mind.
A branch of Spread Creek that runs through the ranch was used to fill trout ponds that John created. Most of the lodge was constructed during the winter of 1968-1969, often in temperatures of 40 below zero.
The lodge was completed in time for the arrival of the first Mettler guests in June of 1969.
Ranch founded
1968
Guest ranch since
1969
Owners
Chris and Lindsay Davenport
Managers
Chris and Lindsay Davenport
Accommodation types
Ranch rustic
Gene Kilgore's notes
When to go
Our season begins end of May and ends mid-August
Why we love it
- The ranch is completely surrounded by Grand Teton National Park, providing guests with a panoramic vista of the stunning Teton Range
- It's perfect if you want family bonding time as children and adults are not separated
- If you choose to have your wedding here, you'll have a completely unspoilt backdrop of the Teton mountains for your pictures
- They serve gourmet food that has been recognized by 'Gourmet Magazine'
What to consider
- If you're looking for activities such as golf, white-water rafting, tennis, you will need to hire a car to go off-ranch
