Inspiration Point is a terrain feature located in Moose, Wyoming at Grand Teton National Park. The vantage point, at its 7,200 foot elevation, allows for a panoramic view of the Grand Tetons, Jenny Lake, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone River. Geologically, Inspiration Point and the surrounding terrain possess evidence of glacial presence. Glaciers moved massive boulders from the Beartooth Mountains into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone roughly 80,000 years ago. Today, the trail leading up to Inspiration Point is part of the Cascade Canyon Trail, a popular hiking destination for modern tourists.

Inspiration Point juts out into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Early observers initially named it Promontory Point in 1879. The observation point gained its current name around 1884 due to the canyon’s vivid colors. Scouting parties in the second half of the nineteenth century, such as the Folsom, Washburn, and Hayden expeditions, explored the area due to an interest in the natural wonders and became overwhelmed with the beauty surrounding Inspiration Point. From these other expeditions, U.S. representatives and visitors to the west gained accounts of the area from Native Americans and decided to take the necessary steps to establish a national park at Yellowstone. This decision ignored the Indian presence and demonstrates the U.S. assumption that frontier land belonged to the nation.

Researched, written, and narrated by University of West Florida Public History Student Jonathan Harwood.