Cattlemans Bridge

Cattlemans Bridge is a modest Snake River stop at the site of a former cattle crossing in Grand Teton National Park. The wooden bridge is gone: after it partly collapsed, it was removed in 2001. Today the draw is a quiet river view, a historical marker and a chance to watch the water and birds. It makes sense as a short detour if you’re interested in the river or the area’s ranching history; skip it if you’re expecting a standing bridge or a developed visitor attraction. For a picture, place the marker off to one side with the river behind it, so the history and the present-day setting share the frame.

When the park expanded in 1950, nearby ranchers kept lifetime grazing rights. Moving cattle over Jackson Lake Dam became difficult as visitor traffic grew, so ranchers and park managers agreed on a crossing here. They built a long, narrow wooden bridge in the mid-1950s. Cattle used it only briefly before grazing in the Potholes ended; hikers and anglers used it afterward. It even appeared in a scene of the 1962 film Spencer’s Mountain. The bridge was removed in 2001 after partly collapsing.

From US 89/191/287, the site is about a mile down a dirt road, with parking by the river. You can put a hand-powered boat in here, but Pacific Creek Landing and Jackson Lake Dam Launch are easier, safer places to launch. There are no restrooms at the bridge site; the nearby launches have them. Visitors report mosquitoes by the water, so bring repellent if you plan to linger in summer.