Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole Wyoming

Jackson is a beautiful town in Wyoming and a great place to stay when you want to explore both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Often referred to as Jackson Hole, rather than Jackson, the town is a popular tourist location in Wyoming.

With a population of around 10,000 this small town is located at the south end of Jackson Hole Valley which is 55 miles long with an average elevation over 6,500 feet.

No matter what season you visit Jackson Hole you’ll find plenty of fun things to do and see in this part of Wyoming.

The warm summer months from June through August are peak season in Jackson and winter is popular for ski season, with three ski resorts in the area. Spring and fall are the best time to visit Jackson to avoid the crowds and enjoy pleasant weather. When I visited Jackson in May the weather was warm and comfortable for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Here’s my list of the best things to do in Jackson Hole Wyoming.

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Whitewater Rafting

One of the most exciting things to do in Jackson Hole is whitewater rafting.

This outdoor activity allows you to explore the wild Snake River in the valley and go for scenic floating trips.

Ge the adrenaline pumping with a rafting excursion through Class 3 rapids on the Snake River. You can sign up for this Jackson rafting tour that also includes continental breakfast and transportation from downtown.

There are also scenic boat trips that are focused on wildlife viewing like this 3-hour scenic wildlife float tour.

Yellowstone National Park

An absolute must visit place near Jackson Hole is Yellowstone National Park.

This scenic wonder, established in March 1872, includes over 2 million acres (almost 3,500 square miles) of incredible landscape from geysers and hot springs to thundering waterfalls and dramatic canyons.

Yellowstone is most famous for Old Faithful geyser but there are more than 10,000 thermal features in the park.

In addition there is abundant wildlife at Yellowstone including antelope, bears, bison, elk, and wolves. Taking a wildlife tour is one of the most thrilling things to do at Yellowstone.

Read my guide to Yellowstone National Park to prepare for your next adventure.

Grand Prismatic Spring Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the top attractions at Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Of course, if you’re anywhere near Jackson Hole you’ll want to make some time to visit Grand Teton National Park.

Known for its jagged peaks and picturesque landscapes the Grand Tetons park also offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities.

Whether it’s camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, or mountaineering, Grand Teton park offers many things to do for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hop on a half-day guided tour of Grand Teton with a knowledgeable tour guide. Private tours are also available.

A road trip to the Grand Teton National Park is one of the best scenic drives in Wyoming

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Jackson Hole, that includes breathtaking views over the picturesque valley, is the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondolas.

This Jackson Hole Mountain ski resort includes an aerial tram and exciting gondola rides that lift you to about 10,000 feet elevation.

Here you’ll have three restaurants, and various hiking trails (and skiing in the winter) to enjoy along with spectacular panoramic views of the Tetons.

Mormon Row Historic District

Take a scenic road trip and explore the rustic architecture of Mormon Row historic district of Teton County in Grand Teton National Park.

This is where you’ll find a couple of the most photographed barns in the United States, the T.A. Moulton Barn and the John Moulton barn.

Take a scenic driving route to the grand old barns in Grand Teton National Park

National Elk Refuge

One of the best free things to do in Jackson Hole is visit the National Elk Refuge.

Besides being the home of one of the world’s largest elk herds, the National Elk Refuge also provides the opportunity to see other animals like bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, and wolves.

In summer months you can stop and take a tour of Miller Cabin while visiting the elk refuge.

Jackson Town Square

When it comes to fun things to do in Jackson Wyoming, another location that is a must-see is the Jackson Town Square.

This park, also known as George Washington Memorial Park, is situated in the heart of Jackson.

The park opened in 1934 and is notable for the next item on my list which includes elk-antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge.

Elk Antler Arch

Elk Antler Arch is a historical landmark at each corner of Jackson Town Square.

What makes this landmark so famous is the fact that it is made from hundreds of elk antlers all combined together.

Every year bull elk shed their antlers starting around mid-winter through March. Then they begin to grow a new set of antlers.

With so many elk in Jackson Hole there are a lot of antlers shed every year.

There are a total of four elk antler arches at Jackson Town Square, all of which guard the corners of the memorial park and make for perfect photo ops too.

One of four elk antler arches at Jackson Town Square in Jackson Wyoming

National Museum of Wildlife Art

If you’re a fan of art and wildlife, then the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson is the place for you.

This museum was founded in May 1987, and it’s known for preserving and exhibiting wildlife art making it one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole for art and nature lovers.

Visited by thousands of visitors annually, the art museum holds more than 5,000 art works that represent animals from all over the globe.

Center for the Arts

Another destination designed for the artists and art lovers in Jackson Hole is the Center for the Arts.

This hub/community center was established in 1991 and it not only provides art experiences for people of all ages but also supports and provides creative opportunities for the local artists.

Wildlife Tours

Both the Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks are perfect for wildlife tours in the Jackson Hole area.

This 5-hour sunset tour of Grand Teton National Park offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities with a seasoned guide, plus dinner and park entrance fee is included so it’s a good value for money tour.

If you’re more of a morning person you won’t want to miss this sunrise tour from Jackson to Grand Teton.

If you want to experience Yellowstone then this full day tour will show you wildlife and take you to top attractions in Yellowstone such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful.

Bison walking on a paved road at Lamar Valley Yellowstone National Park.

Traffic jams and Bison jams are common at Yellowstone park

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is another fun outdoor activity to add to your list of cool stuff to do in Jackson Hole.

You can book this horseback riding tour to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Bridger-Teton National Forest on a guided trail ride.

Hiking

If you are an adventurer or backpacker, then Jackson is a great home base to explore the areas hiking trails.

Surrounded by spectacular views and ringed by jagged peaks, there are hikes ranging from easy to challenging in this part of Wyoming.

For a pretty good chance of seeing moose check out the rather short and easy Moose Ponds Trail. The trailhead is at Jenny Lake (Grand Teton) so you can combine Moose Ponds with a hike around Jenny Lake to make it a more challenging hiking adventure.

Top of the World is a very short and easy hike but you need to take the tram from Teton Village up to Rendezvous Mountain first.

Rock Springs Loop is rated moderate. Take the tram up the mountain to hike this 4.3 mile loop trail for amazing views. Then replenish your energy with an order of gourmet waffles at Corbet’s Cabin before heading back down.

Snow King Summit is for those wanting a strenuous hike up to Snow King mountain. You do have the option to take the gondola back down if your legs are jelly by the time you reach the top.

Remember to always bring the ten essentials on every hike and since you’re in bear country you need to keep bear spray handy and know how to use it.

You can hike around Jenny Lake and there is also a campground

Fly Fishing

Fishing aficionados will be happy to know that fly fishing is excellent around Jackson Hole.

Some of the best places for flyfishing near Jackson include Green River, Snake River, Jackson Lake, and Yellowstone Lake.

In Wyoming, there are many species of fish, with the cutthroat trout being the state’s official fish.

Other types of trout that can be found are rainbow, golden, brown, brook, and lake. Kokanee salmon and mountain whitefish can also be seen here.

Be sure to get your fishing license beforehand. New to this sport? You can sign up for a fly fishing class at Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School.

Yellowstone River

Canoeing and Kayaking

How about getting out on the water in Jackson Hole? Spend an afternoon or a full day kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding on the scenic lakes in Jackson Hole.

Here are some of the best locations for paddling near Jackson:

Snake River
Jackson Lake
Jenny Lake
String Lake
Lower Slide Lake

Camping

I always think the best places to go camping will have lakes or mountain landscapes nearby. This is because all my early camping experiences were in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta near Calgary, where I grew up.

Campgrounds in the Jackson Hole region feature some idyllic locations with spectacular views. While I didn’t get to camp around Jackson yet I did check out a few of the campgrounds for future reference.

Jenny Lake Campground in Grand Teton National Park is a small campground where you can wake up and meander over to Jenny Lake, how cool is that?!

Granite Creek Campground in Bridger Teton National Forest and it’s an excellent spot if you plan to do some fishing. Soak your cares away in the nearby Granite Creek Hot Springs.

Curtis Canyon Campground is close to the National Elk Refuge with views of the Grand Tetons.

Snake River Cabins and RV Village offers tent camping, rustic cabins, and RV sites next to the Snake River a few miles south of town.

Campgrounds sign at Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton National Park has several campgrounds to choose from

ATV Tours

If you are an adventurer that wants to explore trails but not necessarily on foot, then going on an ATV tour in Jackson Hole is the best option for you.

There are several ATV rental shops in Jackson so you can enjoy sightseeing on four wheels in rugged terrain.

JH Off Road Rentals, Jackson Hole Backcountry Rentals, and Jackson Hole Adventure Rentals are three of the most highly rated places offering ATV tours in the area.

Old West Dinner Cookout

A unique thing about Wyoming is that it also offers dinner cookouts that you ride to on a horse or on a horse-drawn wagon.

What makes this show a must-see is that it’s only available during the summer. One of the places to go for dinner cookout shows is Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Also consider Bar T 5, a western restaurant that is considered the original chuck wagon dinner joint in Jackson Hole.

The thing about this restaurant is that it offers so many things, with the covered wagon cookout and show being the most special.

If you want to try delicious meals (baked beans, BBQ chicken, beef, etc.) cooked by cowboys or witness horse-drawn covered wagons, this is the right place.

Golfing

For those that love to spend their days outdoors, golfing is another outdoor activity that is very popular in Wyoming.

When you are on vacation in Jackson Hole, if you wish to relax or challenge yourself in the morning or afternoon, then you should try golfing.

The area has a variety of golf courses and golf resorts including Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, The Club at 3 Creek, and for those of us looking for a less serious game there’s Mini Golf at Snow King Mountain.

Spas

Talking about relaxation, Jackson Hole also offers a wide variety of resorts and hotels that include massage and spa services.

If you are interested in taking a break, trying a deep tissue massage, or a full range of luxurious treatments.

Pamper yourself at one of the resorts in the area such as The Spa at Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Rustin Inn Creekside Resort, or Grace Spa.

Shopping

Wyoming is also a hot destination for a variety of art galleries and clothing shops such as KUHL, Teton Mountaineering, and specialty gear shops like Black Diamond Equipment.

Additionally, there are many boutique, gift, and specialty shops like MADE Gift Shop and Pendleton that offer stunning souvenirs.

Spend some time strolling downtown Jackson for one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries. Even if you don’t buy anything it’s fun to check out the shops and unique gift items.

Winter Fun at Jackson Hole

It’s a known fact that the winters in Wyoming are long and cold but this is actually one of the best times to explore the Cowboy state because there is enough snow to make things fun.

The number of outdoor activities and adventures that you can do during the winter days is extraordinary.

Winter fun at Jackson Hole includes cross country skiing, dog sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, and snow tubing.

Sign up for this snowshoeing and wildlife viewing day trip to Teton national park to spend a day outdoors with an experienced guide.

Plus you can take a day trip to the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks on a snowmobile or snowcoach.

Just be sure to dress in layers and remember to bring water and snacks too.

Cowboy Coaster Snow King Mountain

Last but certainly not least is the Cowboy Coaster, which can be found in the Snow King Mountain.

The amusement park is located in the heart of Jackson and it’s just a few minutes away from all of the other major tourist attractions nearby.

It offers nearly a mile of curves, drops, and loops all through the stunning wildflower meadows of Snow King.

Final Thought on Things to Do in Jackson Wyoming

As you can see there is no shortage of fun and adventurous things to do in Jackson Wyoming. Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the Grand Tetons and Bridger Teton National Forest and the many thermal features at Yellowstone National Park. Jackson WY provides a perfect home base whether you’re exploring on your own or traveling with family to Jackson Hole.

There’s something for everyone whether you’re looking to relax and chill at the spa or get the adrenaline pumping with challenging hikes or whitewater rafting trips in summer or skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling in the winter. While late summer and early fall offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities you can enjoy an abundance of wildlife in Jackson Hole during all four seasons.