World's Largest Jackalope
104 1st St W, Douglas, WY
Douglas, WY
A towering statue of the antlered jackrabbit that never was, in the Wyoming town that proudly claims the tall tale as its own.
The World's Largest Jackalope is a giant statue of Wyoming's most beloved tall-tale creature, the jackalope, a jackrabbit sporting the antlers of a deer or antelope. It stands proudly in downtown Douglas, the town that claims to be the very birthplace of the myth and celebrates it at every turn.
The jackalope is pure American folklore, a fireside joke that grew into a legend, and Douglas has made it a point of civic pride, complete with statues, souvenirs, and even mock hunting licenses. The oversized statue is a cheerful, quintessential roadside attraction, the kind of quirky landmark that makes a road trip memorable.
What Guests Love
- A giant, gloriously silly statue of the antlered jackrabbit
- The tall-tale history of how the jackalope was born in Douglas
- A classic, cheerful roadside photo stop on a Wyoming road trip
- Pairing the fun with the town's genuine pioneer museum nearby
Worth Knowing
- It is a quick, free roadside stop, perfect for stretching your legs and a photo
- Douglas leans into the theme, so look for jackalopes all over town
- The town issues tongue-in-cheek jackalope hunting licenses as a keepsake
- Pair it with the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum for a fuller Douglas stop
Details
Douglas, WY
Learn about World's Largest Jackalope
The birth of a tall tale
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, home of the jackalope
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.
A classic roadside stop
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.
More to Douglas than the legend
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.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Douglas
Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum
About 1 mile east
A rich collection of frontier, Native, and pioneer artifacts at the state fairgrounds.
Ayres Natural Bridge
About 15 miles west
A rare natural rock bridge over a creek in a green canyon park, a beloved local spot.
Fort Fetterman State Historic Site
About 11 miles northwest
A frontier army post above the North Platte, a base during the Plains conflicts.