With so much alpine foliage to explore in fall, Wyoming's Red Hills might not be the first place you think of when planning a late-season outing. But after all that gorgeous color starts to fade, this lesser-known region offers a brilliant palette of red rock and rolling desert vistas that pop beautifully against the clear blue skies and soft golds of autumn long after the last leaf has fallen. The Red Hills are tucked away in the Jackson Hole Valley, right up against the Gros Ventre Range near the small town of Kelly, marked by spectacular, iron-rich formations and sandstone mesas that just beg for exploration. They're gorgeous in every season! But there's no denying that these rust-colored hills and buttes take on a different kind of magic in fall that makes them a perfect last-minute destination for hiking, off-roading, and exploring Wyoming’s wild, wide-open spaces on a gorgeous autumn road trip.

Even at an elevation of around 6,000 feet and just a short drive from Jackson, unlike the alpine settings Wyoming is known for, the Red Hills landscape is a mix of rolling, red-rock bluffs and sagebrush flats. The area's unique red hue comes from its rich iron content, which over millennia has oxidized to create photogenic, rust-colored formations that contrast beautifully with the forested mountains in the distance.

Even from a distance, the Red Hills introduce you to Wyoming’s high desert ecology, which includes unique flora and fauna suited to the harsher, dryer landscape. Rabbitbrush and a scattering of gold-leafed trees dominate the hillsides, while the last vestiges of wildflowers, like Indian paintbrush, add bright red accents that match the rusty rocks.

Like many of Wyoming's grandiose rock formations, the Red Hills’ geology is as intriguing as the scenery. The hills' saturated layers are part of the massive Gros Ventre Formation, which dates all the way back to the Paleozoic era. They're part of an exposed sandstone deposit leftover from when most of the region was underwater roughly 50 million years ago.

While every season here is beautiful, autumn is extra special as the desert foliage polka dots the hills with warm pops of color. But what makes this spot even better is that you don't have to worry if you miss peak fall colors — the hills themselves have all the fiery seasonal colors you could hope for, especially for those who dare to venture beyond the main road.

Even better? You don't have to head off-trail to enjoy the autumn scenery. Gros Ventre Road is engineered in such a way that immediately after coming around a small bend in the road, a dramatic view of the hills overwhelms you with a sense of natural beauty and wonder. A pullout is conveniently located at that exact location so that you can fully appreciate the view. You'll see golden treetops dotting the nooks and crannies of the hills in some of the most picture-perfect desert scenes you could hope for. Along the way, the gorgeous drive leads you past quiet lakes and expansive ranches, all boasting vibrant autumn hues.

Though much of the Red Hills remains unmarked, for those who love a little route-finding adventure, the area offers a unique, trail-less approach to hiking. One popular spot to start your hike is the access point off Gros Ventre Road, where gravel tracks lead into the hills. From here, it’s easy to wander through small canyons, open sagebrush flats, and up the rolling terrain to get a better view of the valley below.

The area is steeped in recent history as well, from the Native American tribes who traversed the sagebrush terrain to the homesteaders who established Jackson Hole’s earliest settlements. Just a few miles away, the small town of Kelly offers a sobering reminder of the area’s natural power. In 1925, the Gros Ventre Slide — a massive landslide from the nearby mountains — dammed the Gros Ventre River, creating Lower Slide Lake. The slide buried much of the valley, and when the dam broke in 1927, a devastating flood swept through the area, impacting Kelly and altering the landscape forever.

Today, visitors can see the scars of the slide in the form of massive boulders and debris scattered around the valley and near Slide Lake. The hills near Lower Slide Lake feature a fantastic mix of red rock and hardy sagebrush, creating some of the most photogenic spots in the area. You can also explore Crystal Creek and some of the trails that weave through this part of the Gros Ventre Wilderness, where the elevation and views change subtly as you move deeper into the hills and into the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Other trails in the Red Hills include the aptly named Red Hills Trail and the family-friendly Shadow Mountain Trail, along with more challenging treks like Grizzly and Blue Miner Lakes.

Beyond hiking and off-roading, there are plenty of other activities to make the most of your fall adventure in the Red Hills. Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture the stunning landscapes, from sunrise over the hills to the play of light and shadow on the rock formations. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the occasional migratory waterfowl. Look out for the mule deer, pronghorn, and small critters like sagebrush lizards and rabbits that make this desert habitat their home.

Now, at this point, if you feel like you've explored similar red buttes elsewhere in Wyoming, you're absolutely right! While from a different formation, the Red Hills near Dubois are comprised of similarly aged and hued features, and the area around Rock Springs offers even more vibrant natural wonders like Boars Tusk, Flaming Gorge, and one of our state's many Chimney Rock formations (seriously, how are there so many?).

But the Red Hills on the outskirts of the Tetons have that perfect blend of alpine and low-country scenery that is simply breathtaking, with no shortage of Wind River mountain peaks dotting the horizon.

When it comes to fall foliage hotspots in Wyoming, the Red Hills in western Wyoming don't often make the list, but they should! There’s something invigorating about being surrounded by these natural colors and contours, a quiet side of the Tetons with few, if any other, visitors around. It's an unexpectedly magical experience that feels miles away from Jackson’s crowds and the iconic views of the Tetons. Here, the landscape has its own quiet beauty, with stark colors and unique formations that stand out under the fall light. If you’re looking for a quiet place to experience Wyoming’s wild late-season autumn beauty away from the crowds, the Red Hills offers a rugged, real taste of the state’s high desert that’s all your own!