We drove further up the road and met up with Jones. I’ve always found Jones to be an interesting man, what I would call a policy shaker of sorts, and his job, is to protect the antiquities that no longer have a voice of their own. He was raised by a National Park Ranger in places like Dinosaur National Monument, California’s Sequoia National Park, and Mount Rainier. He spent over 20 years strumming his mandolin in a bluegrass band called the Lab Dogs.

But about 100 million years ago, this part of Utah looked very different. A shallow sea covered the region, creating coastal environments where oysters thrived. Today, their fossilized shells reveal a fascinating chapter in Utah’s ancient history.

Just outside the park, beyond the Dairy Queen and the Elf Refuge, rests the iconic Jackson Hole, home to the Cowboy Bar. The first glimpse of the Grand Tetons is unforgettable, a jagged skyline rising sharply from the valley floor, mirrored in serene lakes and framed by the endless sky. There’s a kind of magic here that feels both wild anWid intimate, where every bend in the road or trail reveals a new perspective on these iconic mountains.

Discover Utah’s Mighty Five—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Tips, trails, and adventures await in these iconic parks.

The Redwoods remind us that we are small, and that’s a gift. They invite us to pause, breathe, and rediscover wonder.