John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is located between Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway
The Rockefeller Memorial Parkway is small in comparison to its neighbors Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and is a park that I had driven through several times before taking the time to stop and get familiar with it.
I was curious why it was just not part of one of the other two parks and to see what made this place special.
History
The Flagg Ranch is located just south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It was originally started as a United States Cavalry outpost in 1872.
The U.S. Army was the first people assigned to protect the resources of Yellowstone, America's first National Park which was created on March 1, 1872.
This would have made the Calvary part of the original thought of today's Park Ranger identity as they were assigned to protect the valuable herds and the valuable resources.
The Army continued to use this outpost until 1906 when the land was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Outpost was easily identifiable by the flags outside from the days of the Calvary and soon became a stopover for people traveling between Jackson, Wyoming, and Yellowstone.
Edward Sheffield established the Flagg Ranch in 1910 and named it after the Army Posts flags. The Original Log Ranch was destroyed by the 1981 fire but then rebuilt in 1995 and is the beautiful building that you see today.
How did it become a National Park Site?
John D. Rockefeller Jr. took after his incredible father and dedicated himself to a life of philanthropy. He was also a great conservationist.
He purchased thousands of acres of land then donated them to the National Parks! Land that he purchased went to Acadia, Shenandoah, and Grand Teton National Parks.
He donated 5 million dollars alone to buy lands in the Great Smoky Mountains "in the beautiful spirit of my mother".
His drive continued on to help with Yosemite, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Parks leaving a tremendous legacy for the National Parks System.
For these reasons, Congress decided to dedicate 24,000 acres of land between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as the John D Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.
The road from the South Boundary of Grand Teton to the West Thumb of Yellowstone was also in honor of this great man.
Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch
Visit the Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch! I had a fantastic lunch at Sheffield's. The restaurant looks like an old game lodge with animal mounts and an inviting fireplace to keep you warm.
There is nothing like a cup of coffee and a bowl of Teddy Roosevelt's Western Chili made with braised Elk & Bison to warm you up on a cool day.
The Brinner Burger is one that I will not soon forget with its signature Huckleberry Jam. After a great meal, you can tour the gift shop, small grocery, or perhaps sit outside on a rocking chair.
There is also a trail near Flagg Ranch that is perfect for getting out and working off the Brinner Burger you just enjoyed.
Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch
This campground also has cabins and larger lodge rooms available between June to late September and makes for a great location for those wanting to explore both parks and have a little quiet time too.
Reservations can be made online or by calling (307)543-2861.
Old Stagecoach Road
You can still drive the old stagecoach road between Flagg Ranch and Ashton Idaho. Ashton was the nearest Union Pacific Railroad stop and the road is basically a 50-mile dirt road also referred to as Grassy Lake Road.
The road can be treacherous and heavily rutted but then again you may not see many people all day which is refreshing after fighting the crowds at the neighboring parks.
You will also find the Glade Creek Trailhead along this road and makes for a good stop along the way to get out and stretch your legs.
Remember me saying that I finally took the time to stop and to see what made this place so special? Well, I am sure that I got a lot more than I had bargained for!
I personally got caught up in the whole Rockefeller story of both John Rockefeller and his Son and their giving spirits.
They have left a tremendous legacy for everyone including future generations. I will think twice before passing another National Park site without stopping in first!
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Resources
One of the best parts of John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway is how close it is to Yellowstone and Grand Teton!
Fun Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities
4-Hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch- Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour.
After a kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. You will paddle for approximately two miles along the West Thumb Geyser Basin as you look for elk and bear along the lakeshore and marvel at the steaming geysers in this incredible area of the park!
Click here to book your tour for the 4-hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch!
Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch - the lush riverside plains of the Lamar Valley are a wildlife watching hotspot within Yellowstone National Park. With this guided hike, you get to explore the natural landscapes as you venture off-road and seek out little-known spots, increasing your chances of seeing wildlife. Look out for buffalo, wolves, eagles, and other animals along the way and watch them from a safe distance in their natural habitat. Tour includes lunch, bear spray, binoculars, trekking pole, backpack(if necessary), coffee and/or tea.
Click here to book your tour for the Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch.
Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour - Book your private tour with Yellowstone Exposures to ensure a truly unforgettable day with a local expert. Have your day designed and mapped for you by a local professional so that you can utilize it to the fullest.
With snacks, High-quality spotting scopes and binos. Your guide will take photos and video throughout the day. Included a full picnic lunch, snacks, and refreshments.
Click here to book your tour for the Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour.
Check out all of the great National Parks in Wyoming along with neighboring Colorado National Parks, Idaho National Parks, National Parks in Utah, Nevada National Parks, Arizona National Parks, and New Mexico National Parks.
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