Gros Ventre Slide Road
Natural disaster site with Teton Range backdrop.
This backcountry road follows the Gros Ventre River to the site of Wyoming’s most famous natural disaster – the massive 1925 landslide that dammed the river and created Slide Lake. The route passes through classic Wyoming ranch country before climbing into the Gros Ventre Mountains, with the slide scar still clearly visible across the valley. The abandoned town of Kelly sits along the route, testament to the flood that followed when the natural dam burst in 1927.
Easy to moderate difficulty on mostly gravel roads, though the final approach to the slide gets rougher. Any high-clearance vehicle can make it, 4WD helpful but not required in dry conditions. Best accessed May through October, with spectacular fall colors in September. The road connects to extensive Forest Service trails deeper into the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Great day trip from Jackson with incredible Teton views and a piece of Wyoming geological history you can actually touch.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Jackson, Wyoming |
| Land manager | US Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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