Intermittent Spring | ¾ mile | Easy

Located in Swift Creek Canyon east of Afton, Wyoming

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 and turn left on 2nd Avenue. Continue on County Road #138 to the Forest boundary. Road name changes to Swift Creek Road #10211. Follow to road end. Park in the east parking lot. The trail leads up the north side of the creek out of the east end of the parking lot.

This trail is moderately level until you reach the springs. There are two bridge crossings along the trail. In early Spring, water sometimes overflows onto the trail. Late Summer through winter the springs release water intermittently every 12 to 18 minutes. Views include beautiful cliffs, pines, and trickling waterfalls. December 1st to April 30th the trail is closed. There are picnic tables along the trail and various pools to get wet in.

Positive Review: “If you like to hike, this is a ¾ mile rocky trail with a slow incline that is breathtaking along a creek. The spring only intemitts in the late fall depending on the water levels. A four to five mile drive on a narrow dirt road to get to it. Have good tires or a jack and an extra tire in the trunk. Not to be missed, especially in the fall.” (Christy, tripadvisor.com)

Cedar Basin Trail | 7.5 miles | Difficult

Located near Thayne, Wyoming in Bridger-Teton National Park

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 for approximately 15 miles, then turn right onto Co Rd 122/Dana St. Continue for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Muddy String Rd 117. Continue for 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Perkins Rd. Continue for 1.2 miles, then turn left on East St. Continue for 0.2 miles, then turn right onto Butte Dr. Continue 0.2 miles, then turn left onto Hardman Rd. Continue 0.4 miles, then turn left onto Middle Branch Dr. Continue 0.5 miles, then turn right onto Cedar Creek Dr. Follow Cedar Creek Dr for approximately 0.1 miles (drive down to the end of the golf course and you should spot the trail).

Best from June until September. The trail surface is unpaved, steep and end is unclear. The path goes through beautiful mountain ranges and has lots of shade. Views include a creek, beautiful mountain basin and forests. Perfect for nature seeing. Hiking the trail between June and October is recommended due to snow. Note, bears and mountain lions have been spotted on this trail.

Positive Review: “I really enjoyed that hike. Heavy vegetation for the first couple miles, but once you get up near the top, it becomes very rocky, a little colder, and feels other worldly. This is your perfect day and/or date hike. I would agree with another reviewer who said this trail is more like a difficult moderate, because I've been on trails around here that were much more difficult.” (Rick, alltrails.com)

Swift Creek Trail | 4.7 miles | Moderate

Located east of Afton, Wyoming in Bridger-Teton National Park

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 and turn left on 2nd Avenue. Continue on County Road #138 to the Forest boundary. Road name changes to Swift Creek Road #10211. Follow to road end. Park in the east parking lot. The trail leads up the north side of the creek out of the east end of the parking lot.

Primarily used for hiking but is also popular for nature trips and bird watching. Best from June through October. Take careful when bringing children. There are steep slopes near the sides of the canyon and areas with loose rocks. Trail takes you alongside Swift Creek through forest mountain ranges. The main trail splits into two breakoff trails. One leads to Rock Lake Peak and the other to waterfalls from Swift Creek Lake. This is a great trail for birdwatching, fishing, backpacking, and camping.

Positive Review: “Beautiful area. I've come up here a few times and gone further and further each time. The flowers are stunning especially in July and August. You can turn left about 3 miles in and go to Rock Lake Peak or turn right and go to Swift Creek Lake or further. Just a great spot.” (Preston, alltrails.com)

Valley View Trail Loop | 1.8 miles | Easy

Located near Thayne, Wyoming

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 for approximately 18.2 miles, then turn right on Cedar Creek Rd. Continue for 2 miles, then turn on Muddy String Co Rd 117. Continue for 0.7 miles, then turn onto Vista Dr. Continue for 0.9 miles, then turn left onto Star Peaks Way. Continue for 0.1 miles then turn right onto Green Canyon Dr. Continue for 0.2 miles to the trail head.

Perfect trail for families and most beautiful fall colors. The hike includes a combination of trails that make a loop. Navigation signs are on the trail and there are several viewpoints with benches. Views include beautiful mountain scenery, wildflowers, and views of the valley. Great place for running, hiking, and birdwatching.

Positive Review: “Amazing trail! I would highly recommend. The views are amazing and the elevation is worth it. The trail is extremely well-kept and well marked.” (Erika, alltrails.com)

Bailey Lake Trail | 9 miles | Easy

Near Alpine, Wyoming in Bridger-Teton National Park

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 for approximately 32.5 miles, then turn right onto Forest Rd 10138/Grey's River Rd. Continue for approximately 8.3 miles, then turn left onto Forest Rd 10124. Continue for approximately 14 miles, then slight right to stay on Forest road 10124. The trail head is just prior to Waterdog Lake where the road ends.

Best from June through October. Great for families and young children. The trail surface is unpaved but not steep. The path gradually descends to Bailey lake. Views include beautiful forests and mountain ranges as well as a trickling creek. Be prepared for muddy patches on the trail. Recommended to hike from June until October. Things to do nearby include horseback riding, fishing, swimming and nature seeing.

Positive Review: “We went the weekend of the 24th of July. Great hike. Pretty good shade cover for the majority. The lake was a very good temperature and we even were able to play in it until after dark and we didn't get cold.” (Hannah, alltrails.com)

Crystal Lake Trail | Less than 1 mile | Easy

South of Smoot, Wyoming in Bridger-Teton National Park

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming, head north on US Highway 89 for approximately 32.5 miles, then turn right onto Forest Rd 10138/Grey's River Rd. Continue for approximately 8.3 miles, then turn left onto Forest Rd 10124. Continue for approximately 14 miles, then slight right to stay on Forest road 10124. The trail head is just prior to Waterdog Lake where the road ends.

Best from June through October. The trail head is slightly hidden by a patch of trees and descends steeply off the side of the main road. The trail is short (less than a mile) and involves one narrow bridge crossing. The start of the hike goes through some beautiful trees and across a stream. The rest of the path has little shade. Crystal Lake itself is a clear spring that is fed by multiple small waterfalls that gush out of the side of the mountain. Recommended to hike from June until October. If the weather is good you could swim, but the water is cold.

Star Landmark Trail | Less than 1 mile | Moderate

East of Afton, Wyoming

Directions: From Afton, Wyoming head north on US Highway 89 for about 0.3 miles, then turn right onto East 2nd Avenue. Continue for about 0.9 miles. The road will change to Forest Road 10211/Swift Creek Rd. Continue for about 0.3 miles. Trail head will be on the left (north side of the road).

Best from June through October. Hike is not recommended for young children. The trail is short and very steep, with areas of loose rock. The path splits in several areas and my be confusing to follow. At the end hikers will find Afton's Star Landmark. Views include a beautiful viewpoint of Afton as well as wildflowers along the trail. Best time to hike is between May and October. Activities to take advantage nearby include sightseeing, and camping.

Photo credit: Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash