If you’re looking for adventure this summer, then look no further than Jackson, Wyoming, also commonly known as Jackson Hole. This small town in Western Wyoming is known as an enclave for the rich, but in reality, it is so much more.
Situated next to the Snake River and at the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park, there are nearly unlimited recreation opportunities around Jackson Hole. From hiking at Jenny Lake to floating the Snake River to fishing in the Gros Vente River to camping in the backcountry, Jackson has a wealth of options.
Once you’ve gotten your fill out in the wild, then head back to town, where you’ll find exquisite dining, art, and culture options to choose from.
So grab your cowboy boots because we’re headed to the Wild West town of Jackson.
Stunning Scenery
Jackson, Wyoming, sits at the doorstep of the majestic Grand Tetons. A mountain range that rises violently from the valley floor into jagged peaks that pierce the sky. Funny enough, from the town of Jackson itself, the view of the Tetons is totally blocked by nearby East Gros Ventre Butte. So unless you have a couple million dollars lying around to buy one of the houses on the butte, you’ll have to drive a couple of miles out of town to take in the best views.
The drive north from Jackson into the park is one of the prettiest anywhere in the country as you parallel the mountain range and have a good chance at spotting the resident herds of bison that call the area flats home.
Outdoor Adventures
The Jackson Hole area is an absolute playground for hikers, bikers, backpackers, photographers, and fly fishermen. With miles of trails that will take you deep in the Grand Tetons, the famous Snake River slowly winding through the valley, and all the wildlife you could ever want just waiting to be photographed, you can easily spend all day, every day outside and never run out of things to do.
One of our favorite mellow activities is to park a car near the town of Moose and ride our bikes on the paths that parallel Teton Park Rd. This is a great way to experience the park at a slower pace as everyone else drives from pullout to pullout.
Wildlife Encounters
Did we mention the wildlife encounters yet? The lands around Jackson Hole are home to many of the largest land mammals in the country with bears, both black and brown, moose, elk, and even the mighty bison. As soon as you drive out of town to the north, you’ll pass by the National Elk Refuge, which serves as the winter grounds for many of the area elk.
During the summer months, though, the animals spread out and head to higher ground in search of food. This doesn’t mean there still aren’t plenty of animals to spot from the roads, though, as bears, bison, and moose all meander their way through the river bottoms and flats during the summer.
Hot Springs Relaxation
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the national park and Jackson itself, then head south to the remote Granite Hot Springs. This geothermal feature bubbles up at the base of a small waterfall and is piped into a nearby developed pool that is accessible by road during the summer months. Adventurous visitors can even make the trek during the winter, but doing so requires a snowmobile, dogsled, or cross-country skis!
There is a fee to use the pool, but we feel the combination of scenery and solitude makes it well worth it.
Thrilling Whitewater Rafting
While much of the Snake River north of Jackson Hole is a relatively slow-moving, tranquil river south of town, the river narrows as it passes through the mountains and turns into a whitewater rafting paradise. Numerous tour companies offer whitewater rafting trips through this class III stretch of river, which offers up just enough fun to keep everyone on their toes but not so much that there is significant risk involved.
Plan on most tours taking around 4 – 5 hours to run this 8-mile stretch of river.
Scenic Float Trips
If whitewater rafting is a bit beyond your comfort level, but you still want to get out on the river, then consider a float trip on the stretch of Snake River north of town. These trips range from dedicated fly fishing tours, wildlife spotting floats, or just a general float where you can enjoy being off the road and seeing some of the backcountry within this busy stretch of the valley floor.
Most of the floats take you along the base of the majestic Grand Tetons, so bring your camera, as you won’t want to miss these sights!
Epic Camping Spots
It is no secret that there are a bunch of amazing campgrounds around Jackson Hole, both within and outside of the National Park. The Gros Ventre Campground is only 20 minutes outside of town and has tons of campsites that range from tent sites all the way up to huge pull-through sites for RVs. Best of all, the campground is right along the Gros Ventre River, where you can often see moose wandering by.
Those seeking a wilder and cheaper camping experience are in luck, as there are tons of amazing boondocking sites around the valley as well. These take a little more research to find, but you’d be hard-pressed to find sites this good nearly anywhere else in the country!
World-Class Fishing
As mentioned earlier, the Snake River meanders its way through the valley floor and is fed by numerous other rivers and lakes in the area. These all make for exceptional fly fishing opportunities that fishermen travel the world to reach. Whether you take a guided trip on foot, paddle the river by canoe, or hop on a float trip, you’re guaranteed to find some river solitude with the most amazing scenery around.
Rodeo Fun
The Jackson Hole Rodeo is a tradition for locals and visitors alike that captures the spirit of this mountain west town. Running every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the summer, the rodeo offers a chance for the town to come together and watch cowboys compete in events like bronco riding and barrel racing. If you’re downtown on any of these evenings during the summer, there’s a good chance you’ll hear the cheer echoing across town as these rodeos sell out virtually every day.
Vibrant Art Scene
In a town with as much money as there is in Jackson Hole, it is no surprise that there is a thriving art scene catering to the higher income brackets. While this means much of the art is out of reach for the everyday window shopper, it is still a fun experience to walk through the galleries in downtown Jackson to see the type of art being produced by locals.
Much of it is Western and animal-themed, with incredible photography of the area’s scenery and animals, intricate bronze castings of horses and bulls, and paintings inspired by the natural surroundings.
Be sure not to miss the National Museum of Wildlife Art which sits just outside of town!
Delicious Dining
After a day out in the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone, it is nice to be able to come back to town and sit down for a nice meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick burger or a first-class dining experience, Jackson Hole has you covered.
Every time we visit, we always try to get out to a nicer restaurant at least once, as the chefs here are experts at preparing dishes like bison steaks or elk tenderloin.
Shopping Spree
Even though Jackson tends to lean on the side of catering to spenders in the upper tax brackets, there are still plenty of options for the everyday tourist to grab a souvenir to remember their trip by. We actually find many of the tourist shops in Jackson to be right in the sweet spot of being relatively affordable and good quality and not overly kitschy like you’ll find in many other touristy locations. There are also a number of western outfitter-type shops that are always fun to walk through to see if you can pull off the cowboy look.
Horseback Riding
In this land of open ranges, there is really no better way to get out and experience the wild west country than on horseback. Guided horseback trips through the area’s hills and valleys will give you a taste of what life was like for cowboys who used to run cattle through these lands. Some guides will even offer up an authentic cowboy dinner to cap off the end of a perfect day.
Star Gazing
In an area surrounded by mountains and national parks, it is no surprise that the night skies here are incredibly dark. This makes it a wonderful area for star gazing and astrophotography, with the mountains serving as the perfect backdrop to the Milky Way as it arcs across the night sky.
Just be on the lookout driving home as the park’s animals often make their way up to the roads at night, and the last thing you want is to end up on the wrong side of a bison!
