Transportation
Rental cars, shuttles, and driving directions
The Ranch is at the end of a long gravel road off the Union Pass Road, which crosses the mountains between Dubois and Pinedale. Our closest airport is Jackson Hole, but rental car and air ticket rates can be less expensive when flying into Salt Lake City. The drive from the Salt Lake airport is about 285 miles and takes 4.5 hours; from Jackson, it’s about 100 miles and 3 hours.
*When booking your return flight, please note that the Jackson Hole Regional Airport asks that travelers arrive two hours prior to flight time.
RENTAL CARS: In dry weather, Kinky Creek Rd. is navigable by 2WD passenger car, however we recommend a 4WD vehicle for the additional clearance. Driving directions included below; the gate at the Kinky Creek Road parking lot may be closed, but is not locked. additional clearance.
SHUTTLE: The Great Outdoors Transportation Company, GOTCO, operates a professional shuttle service out of Pinedale, offering rides between Salt Lake City or Jackson Hole (town or the airport) and the Darwin. They have sturdy 4WD vehicles, and are both reliable and service-oriented. They charge a flat fee for the vehicle, and the capacity varies from 4-7 people; they will meet you at baggage claim and make a stop in town if needed, and pick you up the following Saturday with ample time to make your return flight, but please book an afternoon flight!
Please contact Brandon or Shaleen Turner directly, on their website: gotcoshuttles.com; by phone: 307-360-3660; or by email gotcoshuttles@gmail.com. If you would like to share the ride with other guests, please let Michele know and she will try to consolidate the trips.
Darwin Ranch Driving Directions
Consider saving this info to your phone before losing cell service
No need to call ahead for the gate combination, it will be open or unlocked on your arrival day.
Ranch Phone: 307.203.3040
Google Maps Link to The Darwin Ranch. These directions send you to the trailhead, and then you’ll continue through the gate and down the hill to the ranch. Make sure you load the directions before you lose service!
Forest Service link to Kinky Creek Trailhead
We recommend a high clearance vehicle; 2WD is adequate.
Cell coverage is intermittent north of the town of Cora, and ends at the dirt road.
If approaching from the Dubois side of the Union Pass Rd, please call to confirm that the road is open. You can call us, or the Forest Service: 307.455.2466 (M-F, 8:30-4:30)
Inputting Darwin Ranch, 1 Kinky Creek Rd, Jackson, WY in Apple or Google maps works well; please do so with adequate cell service.
Directions from Jackson Hole:
Follow Route 189/191 South out of town toward Hoback Junction. At the Hoback traffic circle, continue to follow 189/191 East toward Pinedale.
Continue for 45.6 miles, past the Green River (Warren) Bridge, and turn left onto Forty Rod Rd., marked by a group of mailboxes.
Go 5 miles until the T-junction at Route 352. Turn left.
Continue for 18 miles to the Forest Boundary parking lot.
Zero your trip meter.
Once on the gravel road, continue 2.9 miles, past Whiskey Grove, to the left turn onto the Union Pass Rd.
Travel 3.9 miles, across a steel bridge, and turn left just after to continue on Union Pass Rd.
In 2.5 miles there is a fork; stay right.
In 1.9 miles, take a sharp turn to the left, noting the sign in the trees that points you away from Union Pass and toward Kinky Creek.
Carry on, always following the more used roadway (please ignore Google if it sends you off the main road), for about 8 miles, across the highlands and into the pine woods. You will arrive at the Kinky Creek Trailhead.
Our gate is on the far side of the lot.
Please leave the gate as you find it.
Continue down the switchbacks, through our smaller gate, to the cabins. Welcome!
Directions from Salt Lake City:
Take US 189 North through Daniel.
At US 191, turn right toward Pinedale.
In 5 miles, turn left onto WY 352 toward Cora.
Follow 352 for 25 miles until you arrive at the Forest Boundary.