Moran, WY – Where the Views are Grand and the Wildlife Roam

Moran, Wyoming 83013: where the views are always Grand and the wildlife roam. Also known as Moran Junction, this small community plays a large role in Jackson Hole although it tends to fall outside of the tourist spotlight. Coincidentally, the town of Moran is Jackson Hole’s first true tourist town, according to Samantha Ford’s, Director of Historical Research and Outreach, article on the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum website. What was once a homesteaded hunting lodge back in the early 1900s is now known as a midway point between the Town of Jackson and the South entrance of Yellowstone National Park – the first National Park in the United States America created by an Act of Congress signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.

Maria (left) and Charles (right) Allen homesteaded the area in 1896 and are credited for naming the town Moran.

The unincorporated community of Moran operates as one of the cornerstone fee collection entrances to Grand Teton National Park. If you search ‘Grand Teton National Park’ or ‘Tetons’ on Google Images, the first few photos you will be directed to are the Teton Mountain Range snapped from Moran, arguably one of the most photographed areas in the United States. Oxbow Bend, Emma Matilda Lake, Two Ocean Lake are three of the most picturesque and conveniently located areas in Moran that have a plethora of hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and cross-country ski trails.

Two Ocean Lake

All of this ideally situated in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, home to resident wildlife ranging from moose, elk, sand-hill cranes, eagles, bison, and many more. The locals residing in Moran and Buffalo Valley do so to be removed from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Jackson and emerge themselves in a lifestyle surrounded by endless recreation and frequent wildlife interactions.

Elk (Cervus canadensis), Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Keep in mind, just because these locals are living in a more rural and wild area doesn’t mean they are totally removed from civilization. Fiber optic cable lines have been installed in the area providing high speed internet and enhanced cell phone service.

Fiber Optic Cable installation: Moran, WY

There is also a Post Office (83013) as well as Moran Elementary School for grades K-5. Don’t be intimidated by the remoteness of Moran; this small community is enriched with beauty around every bend and Aspen tree. Live the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed in one of the most spectacular places on Earth.