Kick Off Summer In Jackson Hole With The Wise Guides
Our Wise Guides are pretty stoked that summer is here, and all the glory that comes with it – warmer temps, loads of events and a whole slew of summer activities and adventures. Here are their recommendations for kicking off summer in Jackson Hole the right way.
Guided Tours Through Yellowstone & Grand Teton NP
Spring is one of the best times to take advantage of a guided tour into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This is a great time to spot baby animals, and tour companies tend to have the inside scoop on the best places to view new life in the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
A sampling of The Wise Guides’ favorite guided tours:
- Scenic Safaris
- Grand Teton: On this half day trip our guide will take you to areas where wildlife is most likely to be seen during the morning hours. Explore the Antelope Flats and Mormon Row areas, looking for moose, antelope, eagles, bison, and more. We’ll have you back in Jackson mid-day in case you have other activities planned.
- Yellowstone: This full day option will give you the opportunity to cover all that can be seen in one day in Yellowstone. You’ll cover a lot of miles, hitting up the major points of interest, like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This is the trip for you if you want to view wildlife in a natural habitat, geothermic wonders and vast forests all in one place.
- Eco Tour Adventures
- Grand Teton: An entire day of exploring and learning about Grand Teton National Park and the greater Jackson Hole area. Get off the beaten path to view and photograph wildlife in their natural habitats and join your guide on a short naturalist hike for an up close encounter with nature. Enjoy a delicious lunch provided at a park lodge.
- Yellowstone: Spend an entire day in the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, where we’ll seek out and learn about wildlife in the morning light and visit popular and unique park attractions like Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Join your guide for a few easy boardwalk strolls and a tasty lunch at a park lodge.
Prefer to take your own tour? Book our Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks Package and receive a 7-day pass to both parks and explore them on your own terms!
National Museum of Wildlife Art
The National Museum of Wildlife Art is also a very cool experience, located on the outskirts of town. It features over 5,000 breathtaking artworks representing wild animals from around the world. Built into a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the Museum received the designation “National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States” by order of Congress in 2008. There’s no excuse to not check out the museum, since it’s only two-and-a-half miles north of Jackson Town Square, and two miles from the gateway of Grand Teton National Park.
May Events
Elk Fest
If you’ve never been, then you’re missing a quintessential Jackson experience. Elk Fest celebrates the awareness and preservation of the National Elk Refuge through several events over the weekend. Elk naturally shed their antlers each spring, and the Boy Scouts of America assist in collecting these antlers which are then auctioned off during the fest. It’s a great time to be in Jackson Hole, whether you’re interested in buying some antlers or not. 75% of the money raised is returned to the National Elk Refuge for habitat enhancement and interpretive programs.
What: 50th Anniversary Jackson District Boy Scouts of America Annual Elk Antler Auction
When: Saturday, May 19 at 10am
Old West Days
Jackson Hole is often considered “The Last of the Old West” and the 37th Annual Old West Days Celebration honors this designation. View the schedule for Old West Days, celebrating Western culture with a parade, family activities, rodeo, live music, local beer, and more!
What: Old West Days
When: May 24th – 28th, 2018
What are your favorite things to do in the Jackson Hole area in summer? We’d love to hear!