Things to Do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a wide variety of activities available in each season.
In the winter, the area is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, while the spring brings opportunities for hiking and fishing. The summer is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and white water rafting, and the fall is known for its stunning foliage and hunting season. No matter the time of year, there is always something to do and see in Jackson Hole.
Winter Activities
Winter in Jackson Hole is cold, with average temperatures ranging from 20-30°F (-6 to -1°C). The area gets a lot of snow, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding. The ski season typically runs from November to April. On average, the area ski resorts receive around 450 inches (11 m) of snow per year.
World-Class Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiing in Jackson, Wyoming is excellent, with a long ski season and a variety of ski resorts in the area. The ski season here typically runs from November to April, depending on the snow conditions. The area receives an average of around 450 inches (1143 cm) of snow per year, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is the most popular ski resort in the area. The resort is located just outside of the town of Jackson and offers over 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of skiable terrain, with a vertical drop of over 4,000 feet (1,219 meters). The resort has a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, as well as terrain parks and backcountry access. Other ski resorts in the area include Snow King Ski Resort and Grand Targhee Resort.
Jackson Hole Snowmobile Tours
Snowmobile tours typically take place in the winter months around Jackson Hole, when the snow is deep enough to support the vehicles. The tours can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the company and the specific tour. Prices for snowmobile tours in Jackson Hole can vary, but you can expect to pay around $150-300 per person for a half-day tour, and around $300-500 per person for a full-day one.
Here are some of the companies that offer snowmobile tours around Jackson Hole:
- Jackson Hole Snowmobile
- Grand Teton Snowmobile
- Hoback Sports
- Teton Backcountry Rentals
Summer Activities
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the summer months are typically June, July, and August. During these months, the weather is warm, with average temperatures ranging from 60-80°F (15 to 27°C). These months are a popular time to visit the area for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and white water rafting.
Alpine Slides in Jackson Hole
An alpine slide is a long, steep slide that is typically made of concrete or fiberglass and is located at a ski resort. Riders sit in a sled-like cart and control their own speed as they slide down the track.
The only alpine slide in Jackson Hole is the one at Snow King. This exhilarating slide zooms, dips, and curves you around Snow King Mountain with incredible views of the Tetons and the town of Jackson! The half-mile track has a vertical drop of 350 feet and reaches speeds up to 25 mph. You can purchase tickets for the slide here.
Zip Lines in Jackson Hole
The Snow King Ski Resort in Jackson Hole offers a zip line park as well. For the uninitiated, zip lining involves riding on a cable suspended high above the ground, going from platform to platform. The fantastic views around Jackson Hole will look a whole lot different from up there, too! Snow King Mountain’s ZipTour is an extreme activity that involves heights of over 100 feet off the ground and speeds over 30 mph.
Jackson Hole Whitewater Rafting
The Snake River, which runs through the Jackson Hole valley, offers a variety of whitewater rafting opportunities. The river has Class II-IV rapids, making it suitable for both novice and experienced rafters. Class II rapids are for the novice rafter, which include straightforward rapids with some small waves and rocks. Class IV rapids are for the advanced rafter, and include long, difficult rapids with high, irregular waves and large rocks.
There are a couple of companies in Jackson Hole that offer guided whitewater rafting tours down the Snake River. These tours typically operate from May to September, depending on the water levels and weather conditions. Here are some of the companies in Jackson Hole that provide whitewater rafting excursions:
Fishing in Jackson Hole
Fishing is allowed in the Snake River and its tributaries in Jackson Hole. The Snake River is known for its excellent fishing, with a variety of fish species including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish.
Fishing season in Jackson Hole typically runs from May to September, depending on the specific waterway and species of fish. A Wyoming fishing license is required to fish in the state, and can be purchased online or at a local sporting goods store.
Guided fishing trips are also available for those that would prefer the help.
Jackson Hole Golfing
There are five golf courses in and around Jackson, WY. However, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club is the most popular golf course in the area, and located just a few miles outside of Jackson. The public course is an 18-hole, par 70 layout that winds through the beautiful Teton mountain range. The course is open to the public and offers a pro shop, driving range, and practice facilities.
Ride the Arial Tram or Gondola in Jackson Hole
There are a few ways to see the Grand Tetons from the sky in Jackson Hole. All are at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and all have restaurants at the top.
The Aerial Tram glides skyward 4,139 vertical feet to the mountain top. The summit offers staggering 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole valley, and surrounding mountain ranges. The prices for the tram range from $20-$35, and you can score a discount by ordering online ahead of time.
The Bridger Gondola gives riders a 12-minute ride in a safe and private gondola cabin that whisks you more than 2,700 vertical feet above the valley floor. The Sweetwater Gondola is slightly smaller, and it ascends 1,276 feet above the valley floor.
Horseback Riding in Jackson Hole
Horseback riding is a popular activity in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with several companies offering guided tours of the surrounding area.
The horseback riding tours typically take place in the summer and fall months, when the weather is mild and the trails are open. The tours can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the company and the specific tour. Prices for horseback riding tours in Jackson Hole can vary, but you can expect to pay around $100-200 per person for a half-day tour, and around $200-300 per person for a full-day tour. Prices may be higher or lower depending on the length and difficulty of the tour, as well as the time of year.
Some of the companies that offer horseback riding tours in Jackson Hole include:
Year-Round Activities
People visit Jackson Hole year-round. The area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and there are a wide variety of activities available in each season, as well as those activities that are available all year. There is always something to do and see in Jackson Hole, no matter the time of year.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Best Months: September, August, June & July
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, year round
Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
In Grant Teton National Park, sharp mountain ranges jut up from the landscape to dwarf everything surrounding it. This mountain range is the youngest in the Rockies, lending to the sharpness of the peaks.
The Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center in the middle of the park is only 20 miles or 30 minutes north of Jackson Hole.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Best Months: May, October & September
Hours: Open 24 hours in May-September. Many roads are closed in Winter
Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Yellowstone was America’s first National Park. Rumblings of a super-volcano below the earth’s crust creates a unique landscape that millions of visitors flock to from around the world. Steam rolls from vividly colored pools, muddy cauldrons burp smelly gasses, and spouts of hot water shoot hundreds of feet into the air. This amazing park has half of the world’s geothermic features.
The entrance to South Yellowstone is about an hour to 1.5 hours north of Jackson Hole. To see the famous Old Faithful Geyser, it is another hour further into the park. Winter closures are frequent due to heavy snowfalls, and in the summer traffic congestion begins by 8-9am.
Jackson Hole Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge is a protected area located in the Jackson Hole valley of Wyoming. It is adjacent to the town of Jackson and the Jackson Hole National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was established in 1912 to provide a winter habitat for the area’s elk population, which can grow to over 7,000 animals during the winter months. The refuge covers approximately 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) and is home to a variety of other wildlife, including bison, moose, pronghorn, and a variety of birds.
Jackson Hole Rodeo
The Jackson Hole Rodeo features a variety of rodeo events, such as bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. The rodeo is held at the Teton County Fairgrounds and is organized by the Jackson Hole Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. In addition to the rodeo events, the event also includes live music, food, and other activities.
The rodeo operates Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day excluding fair week (July 24-30). There are additional rodeos every Friday in July and August, with the season ending early September.
