Alpine, WY

Tucked at the southern entrance to the Snake River Canyon, Alpine sits right where the Snake, Greys, and Salt rivers flow into the Palisades Reservoir. With a population of around 1,200 residents, it has become a popular mountain basecamp for people who love the outdoors or commute roughly 40 minutes north to Jackson. The junction of Highways 26 and 89 in town makes it easy to travel toward Jackson Hole, Star Valley, or eastern Idaho, all while keeping a quiet, small-town atmosphere surrounded by rugged peaks.

ATTRPaul Hermans / CC BY-SA 3.0

For daily life, Alpine covers the essentials with neighborhood markets, local eateries, a community library, and schools served by Lincoln County School District No. 2. When you need major hospitals, airport access, or big-box stores, Jackson and Idaho Falls are both within reasonable driving distance. The town's rhythm naturally shifts with the seasons, moving from summer boating, camping, and fly-fishing to winter snowmobiling, skiing, and watching thousands of elk winter at the nearby state feedground.