Pinnacle Buttes view from Brooks Lake Lodge

Brooks Lake Lodge and Spa is a secluded hideaway near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, The Continental Divide, and Jackson, Wyoming. If you find yourself searching for a luxury or all-inclusive lodging option in this territory, it is likely to show up. A unique combination of resort and ranch, it has upscale service and amenities in a wide open, scenic setting, with well-arranged activities to fulfill your every outdoor desire.

Dining is western gourmet to the fullest. Dinner features daily choices of entrees, like venison, walleye, or a bison tenderloin with horseradish glaze and roasted asparagus. There are locally inspired dishes, like a trout pâté salad, and always out of the ordinary sides, such as a gouda risotto. Afternoon tea, a meal in itself, offers a selection of cheeses, fruits, and warm, fresh-baked cookies. The Cowboy Bar is a popular gathering spot in the evening for lively conversation and libations. The wine list is brief but solid, with many of the wine (Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, Clos Du Bois for the house wine) and beverage names featured to match the rustic theme of the lodge. The wines, along with a selection of local beers and a full bar, are available for purchase, the only food or drink not included in the initial price.

The staff is loaded with passionate and completely-equipped personnel. Our fishing guide had a degree in wildlife management and concentration in fisheries. The wrangler that led our horse rides had a nursing degree and plans to pursue work in horse pharmaceuticals. The massage therapist is renowned in the area. The general manager is full of knowledge, and energy! He talked in depth about the history of the lodge, the land and ecology, and the variety of wildlife inhabiting the area. All this when he wasn't teaching a guest to shoot a bow and arrow, or leading a hike to the summit of the nearby Pinnacle Buttes. All the staff members were well-informed and prompt to assist with any request, regardless of their particular responsibilities. It is an extremely smooth-running operation.

Accommodations, from rooms and suites in the main lodge, to the numerous private log cabins, are modern rustic in style. All rooms are updated and fresh, with lodgepole pine furnishings, cozy wood burning stoves, and private porches or balconies to take in the beautiful views of the horizon. The spa is surprising, with a full-range of spa services, sauna, workout facility, and a gigantic, outdoor hot tub with another panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

For an active luxury experience in the still somewhat wild west, give Brooks Lake Lodge a try!

Brooks Lake Lodge and Spa - 458 Brooks Lake Road, Dubois, WY 82513

Brooks Lake Lodge, Wild West Luxury