Come visit Afton!
Afton is nestled in Star Valley, Wyoming. Located 6,297 feet above sea level and just a short jot from Jackson Hole, Afton boasts beautiful scenery, world-famous attractions, suberp winter activities and great fishing. The largest town in Star Valley at a population of 1,818, Afton offers great accomodations for your vacation. Just look at a few of the things Afton has to offer:
- Nation’s Best Water- Afton was awarded best water in the Nation in 2005.
- Historical Tabernacle- The Tabernacle was constructed in 1904, by Mormon settlers.
- Call Air Museum- Take a step back in time and feel the adrenaline as you experience the history of early aviation in western Wyoming.
- Aviat Aircraft- Come take a tour and see the world famous Husky and Pitts Special being constructed.
World's Largest Elkhorn Arch
Elkhorn arches can be seen in other Wyoming towns, such as Jackson Hole. However, none of them stack up to the world's largest arch in Afton. Built in 1957, the massive 15-ton arch spans 75 feet across four lanes of traffic on Main Street (US Highway 89) and is made up of 3,011 antlers.
Periodic Springs
What Is It? The Periodic Spring is North America’s only cold water geyser and is the largest of the three known fluctuation springs in the world. Its name is descriptive of the periodic flow, which during the fall and winter, turns on and shuts off every 12-20 minutes. These periodic flows are less noticeable during high water months in spring and summer. From Science Frontiers magazine:
"Near the base of a limestone cliff in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest, spring water gushes from an opening for several minutes, stops abruptly, then begins a new cycle a short time later. This is Periodic Spring, whose intermittent flow is a rare geologic phenomenon. The water is cold and clear, an indication that this is not a geyser like Old Faithful; such geysers, of volcanic origin, send forth hot water. Through the years various observers have timed the flows at anywhere from four to twentyfive minutes, with similarly varying dry spells. The intermittent flow is especially regular in late summer and autumn. During stormy periods or when there is heavy snow melt-off, the flow fluctuates but does not stop entirely."
The water at Periodic Spring has given life to the land, the wildlife, and the people of Star Valley. Historically, Native Americans traveled great distances to cure their ills by bathing in “the spring that breathes.” Since 1958, the spring’s water has been piped to the City of Afton for its municipal water supply, and is used for drinking, irrigation, and generating electricity.
The theory behind the spring is that underground streams carry melting snow and rain water to a lake deep in the Salt River Mountains. When the lake level gets high enough, a natural siphon draws the water from the lake to the surface like a faucet being turned on and off. The water then gushes out of a sheer ledge and cascades down a wild, moss-covered ravine to join Swift Creek. The flow continues until the water level in the lake drops below the siphon’s intake level, allowing air to enter the siphon from the lake cavern. The flow stops until the lake rises again and the cycle repeats.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
The Bridger-Teton National Forest is 3.4 million acres and is adjacent to both Grand-Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge. The Bridger-Teton has three nationally dedicated wilderness areas, which include the Bridger Wilderness, the Gros Ventre Wilderness and the Teton Wilderness.
Wildlife on the Bridger-Teton is diverse. Many of Bridger-Teton's visitors wish to view wildlife. The Forest provides habitat for an abundance of species. Summer visitors are likely to see trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, coyotes, bald eagles, and elk. Other wildlife less visible during the summer become easier to see in winter as they move to lower elevations. Examples of wildlife more visible in winter include moose, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. Although widely known for its large mammals, including grizzly bears, Bridger-Teton also supports over 355 species of birds.
The Gros Ventre Slide is another natural landmark that visitors to the forest love to see. On June 23, 1925 a one mile wide section of mountain collapsed, damming the Gros Ventre River. Lower Slide Lake formed behind the dam; two years later the dam gave way, flooding the town of Kelly. This unique geologic site is located 18 miles northeast of Jackson. An interpretive trail winds through the area enabling visitors to learn the history and ecology of this massive landslide.