A retro-chic 1960s motor lodge in Jackson, Wyoming, featuring updated rooms, an on-site saloon, and the town's only central RV park.
The Virginian Lodge, affectionately known by locals as "The Virg," has anchored the west side of Jackson since it was built in 1965 by developer Glenn Napierskie. Napierskie, an avid sportsman from San Diego, purchased a parcel of hay pasture from the Wort brothers to build a roadside motel that would welcome families traveling to Yellowstone National Park. He named the lodge as an homage to Owen Wister's classic 1902 Western novel, a nod that doubled as a tribute to his wife, Virginia. Originally designed with just over one hundred rooms arranged in a horseshoe shape around the first swimming pool in Jackson, the property has since grown to span 13 acres along Flat Creek. Today, under the stewardship of Outbound Hotels, the property has undergone a comprehensive, multi-million dollar redesign led by the New York City interior design firm Goodrich. The renovation successfully preserved the retro-chic motor lodge architecture while introducing mid-century modern sensibility and curated comfort.
The lodge features 165 guest rooms and suites alongside a 103-stall RV park, which remains the only full-hookup campground located directly within the town of Jackson. Guest rooms are styled with warm wood paneling, custom mid-century furnishings, and vintage-inspired Western accents. For larger groups, the property offers spacious one- and two-bedroom suites equipped with kitchenettes and separate living areas. At the heart of the property is the expansive central courtyard, home to Jackson's largest all-season outdoor swimming pool, two oversized hot tubs, and seven custom fire pits surrounded by Adirondack chairs. This central hub serves as a social gathering space where guests swap stories of trail miles and powder days. The main lobby welcomes arrivals with a restored retro check-in counter, wagon-wheel chandeliers, and the Virginian Mercantile, while the 4,185-square-foot Wister Hall provides an expansive indoor venue for gatherings and events.
Dining at the lodge is anchored by three distinct venues that celebrate local flavor and history. The legendary Virginian Saloon, which opened in the early 1970s, is a beloved local institution that once transitioned into a glittering disco during the late 1970s. During the 2020 renovations, workers uncovered a hidden attic room containing 175 vintage vinyl records from that era, a discovery that still inspires the saloon's retro-themed events and vinyl DJ sets. Next door, Billy's Burgers, a reborn Jackson classic, serves giant burgers in a space outfitted with leather banquettes and a roaring stone fireplace. For those heading out on early morning excursions, Ginny's Bottle Shop offers craft cocktail kits, curated wines, and the valley's famous drive-through "sloshies" (frozen alcoholic drinks). This combination of mid-century nostalgia, modern comfort, and deep local roots makes the lodge a singular basecamp for exploring the high country.
Grab a local huckleberry sloshie at Ginny's Bottle Shop's drive-through window before soaking in one of the oversized courtyard hot tubs, then head to the legendary Virginian Saloon for a local draft beer and live music.
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