Rooted in Hospitality, Built on Adventure

In 1873, Captain Jones of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended building a road over what is now known as Togwotee Pass. The pass was named in honor of the Shoshone Indian guide who led Captain Jones through the rugged terrain. The name Togwotee comes from a traditional lance-throwing game, meaning either “lance thrower” or “exactly there.” Another enduring translation—“from here you can go anywhere”—beautifully reflects the spirit of exploration the lodge embraces to this day.

Nearly fifty years after Captain Jones’ expedition, the long-awaited road crew finally reached the area. Among them were Al and Bertha Angle, a hardworking couple with a knack for hospitality. Spotting an opportunity, Bertha began selling homemade sandwiches and hearty meals to the crew and passing travelers. 

When the road over the pass officially opened in 1921, the Angles seized the moment—securing a 99-year Forest Service lease and building Angle’s Camp, offering comfortable lodging and home-cooked fare. They also obtained an outfitting permit, leading guided fishing and hunting trips deep into the Teton Wilderness. Known for stocking lakes and training many of Jackson Hole’s outfitters, the Angles left an enduring mark on the region.

Al often joked, “A guide wasn’t a tough mountain man till he’d been exposed to schooling at Angle’s Camp.” But the same deep snow that drew adventurers—more than 600 inches a year—also made operating the camp a challenge. After three decades of braving long, harsh winters, the Angles sold their beloved business to Harry Moll in search of an easier life.

After Harry Moll’s tenure, the lodge passed to the Weideman family, who built the current Togwotee Mountain Lodge—completed in 1965. The original Angle’s Camp building was renovated in 1982 and moved to its present location, now serving as the convenience store. In 1995, 54 modern log cabins were added beneath the main lodge, tucked into the pines. 

Over the years, seven different owners cared for the property before it was purchased by Aramark in 2008. The long, snowy winters that once challenged the Angles are now the lodge’s greatest draw, attracting snowmobilers and cross-country skiers from around the world—thanks to year-round maintenance of the Togwotee Pass road. 

Today, Togwotee Mountain Lodge remains true to the vision set in 1923: offering hearty meals, cozy lodging, genuine western hospitality, and unforgettable four-season adventures. Guests can experience everything from breathtaking snowmobiling in winter to horseback riding, fishing, and hiking in summer, all in one remarkable mountain destination.