World's Largest Jackalope

The story goes that in the 1930s, two brothers in Douglas who practiced taxidermy mounted a pair of small antlers on a jackrabbit as a joke, creating the first jackalope. The whimsical creature caught on, and soon the antlered rabbit was a fixture of Western tall tales and tourist shops.

From that prank grew a full-blown legend, with playful stories of a shy, fast, and elusive animal that can mimic human voices and is nearly impossible to catch. The jackalope became a symbol of the tall-tale spirit of the West, and Douglas has claimed it as its own ever since.

Douglas embraces its legend wholeheartedly, styling itself the home of the jackalope. The giant statue is the centerpiece, but jackalopes appear all over town, and the community issues tongue-in-cheek jackalope hunting licenses, valid only for a single day and only under absurd conditions, as souvenirs.

The town even holds jackalope-themed celebrations, turning a taxidermy joke into a genuine part of local identity. For visitors, it is a lighthearted glimpse of how a place can take a bit of nonsense and build lasting fun and community pride around it.

The oversized jackalope is a perfect example of the great American roadside attraction, the kind of oddball landmark that draws travelers off the highway for a photo and a laugh. It costs nothing, takes only a few minutes, and leaves everyone smiling.

Standing beside the giant antlered rabbit for a picture is a rite of passage on a Wyoming road trip. In a state full of grand mountains and serious history, the jackalope offers a welcome dose of pure, silly delight.

Douglas is a real ranching and railroad town on the North Platte River, with genuine history beyond the jackalope. The Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum in town holds a rich collection of frontier, Native, and pioneer artifacts, and the Wyoming State Fair is held here each year.

The surrounding country offers trail history, the North Platte, and access to the Laramie Peak country to the south. So while the jackalope draws the smiles, Douglas rewards a longer look, pairing its famous tall tale with real Western heritage.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The World's Largest Jackalope is a giant statue of the mythical jackalope, a legendary creature imagined as a jackrabbit with antelope antlers, in the town of Douglas in eastern Wyoming, which proudly calls itself the Jackalope Capital of the World. The jackalope legend, a beloved piece of Western tall-tale folklore, is said to have been popularized in Douglas, and the town celebrates it with the oversized statue that delights travelers looking for a fun, quirky photo stop. A lighthearted icon of Wyoming roadside Americana, the World's Largest Jackalope offers a charming and memorable stop in Douglas, Wyoming.

A jackalope is a mythical creature of American folklore, imagined as a jackrabbit sporting the antlers of an antelope or deer, a playful tall tale rather than a real animal. The legend is often traced to Douglas, Wyoming, where in the early twentieth century local taxidermists are said to have mounted rabbit heads with small antlers, sparking the enduring myth. The jackalope has since become a beloved symbol of Western humor and roadside Americana, appearing on postcards, mounts, and souvenirs. Douglas celebrates its role as the home of the legend, which is why the World's Largest Jackalope stands proudly in the town.

You can pose for fun photographs with the giant jackalope statue, enjoy a lighthearted taste of Western folklore and roadside Americana, and learn about Douglas's claim as the Jackalope Capital of the World, sometimes picking up jackalope souvenirs or a novelty jackalope hunting license around town. It is a quick, family-friendly, and whimsical stop that breaks up a road trip with a smile. The quirky statue is the highlight. With its playful spirit and photo-worthy charm, the World's Largest Jackalope offers a fun and memorable roadside stop in Douglas, Wyoming.

As an outdoor roadside statue, the World's Largest Jackalope can be visited and photographed year-round in any season, making it an easy stop any time you pass through Douglas, though the warmer months from late spring through fall offer the most comfortable weather for lingering and exploring the town, and Douglas hosts events like the Wyoming State Fair in summer. Winter visits are fine but can be cold and snowy. For the most pleasant weather, aim for the warmer months, though the whimsical jackalope makes a fun stop any time of year in Douglas, Wyoming.

The World's Largest Jackalope is in the town of Douglas in eastern Wyoming, near the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum, Ayres Natural Bridge to the west, the North Platte River country, Thunder Basin National Grassland to the north, and within reach of Casper. That makes the World's Largest Jackalope a fun stop to combine with the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum, Ayres Natural Bridge, and the other attractions of eastern Wyoming on a visit to the state.