Four Hours from Twin Falls Wildlife is Under One Roof

Under one roof, and now so crowded that some of the exhibits are outdoors.  I’ve visited a lot of museums in the Mountain West, and while picking a favorite isn’t easy, this one near Jackson, Wyoming captures a relaxed mood and offers a collection of incredible paintings, sculptures, and taxidermy.  I didn’t even know it existed until a desk clerk at my hotel mentioned it.  I had already passed it once driving back from Grand Teton National Park.  The next morning I drove straight to the museum.

Bill Colley

The Official Site of American Wildlife

Properly known as the National Museum of Wildlife Art.  The building itself blends in well with the flat open plain, which then rises into the mountains.   Unlike a lot of museums I’ve visited, you can take pictures of the exhibits, but flash cameras aren’t allowed.  Repeated flashes of light can damage paintings.

An even bigger art show is planned at the museum beginning on September 17^th.  All the details, including tickets, museum hours, and rules, are included at the website, which is quite a treat in itself.

You Could do a Tour of Western Museums

There are similar museums across the multi-state region, including one a few miles south of Bend, Oregon, which I’ve visited.  I find these places are great getaways in early autumn, before the serious snow flies, and you can walk in a light jacket and not break a sweat.  If you’re looking to stay in Idaho, I would recommend the museum at the Cataldo Mission, but pictures there aren’t allowed.