Wise Guide Picks: 8 Things To Do In Jackson Hole This Summer
Jackson Hole is an outdoor adventurer’s playground. From hiking and biking to floating and fishing, there is no end to the activities that Jackson Hole and the surrounding areas provide during the warm summer months.
So this summer, try something new or pursue an old passion and make unforgettable memories in an unmatched destination.
The Best Things To Do In Jackson Hole This Summer
Hit The Trails
With countless hiking trails, breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife, hiking in Jackson Hole is a must-do. Breathe in the fresh mountain air while exploring the wide variety of trails. You’ll find something for every interest level from leisurely walks to boulder scrambles to unbelievable panoramic mountain views.
Near Downtown Jackson:
Cache Creek Trails and Goodwin Lake
Grand Teton National Park:
Bradley and Taggart Lake – pleasant loops around mountain lakes
Phelps Lake overlook and Death Canyon offer impressive views
Break Out The Bike
Jackson Hole is a world-class biking destination. An abundance of great trails & bike shops makes it easy for bikers of all abilities to enjoy the scenery.
Jackson’s Hole Pathways: paved bike trails that run between Jackson, Wilson & Teton Village, as well as into Grand Teton National Park. Check out a map of the pathways here.
Snow King Mountain: cross-country bike trails wind through aspen groves as you crisscross the ski hill over to nearby Cache Creek.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort & Grand Targhee: lift-accessed mountain biking available during the summer.
Cache Creek Trail System: the Cache Creek area encompasses miles and miles of trails for visitors to access minutes from their doorstep year-round. This area includes Game Creek Trailhead as well as Curtis Canyon and Flat Creek.
Channel Your Western Side
Jackson Hole isn’t known for being the “last of the Old West,” for nothing. With real-life rodeos, horseback trail rides, chuck wagon dinners and plenty of western shops, you can indulge your inner cowboy while you take in the history of the region.
Jackson Hole Rodeo
The rodeo has been a part of Jackson Hole’s cowboy culture since the first settlers arrived over 100 years ago. Your trip wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the legendary Jackson Hole Rodeo which is held several times each week in downtown Jackson, WY. Events include bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, breakaway roping and team roping.
Horseback Trail Rides
Few activities offer both thrill and serenity like horseback riding. Stables are located throughout the valley, and each offer rides to accommodate any schedule, from an hour to a full day. These full-service ranches also offer guides, camping equipment and provisions for multi-day pack trips.
Chuckwagons
Chuck wagon dinners proffer up solid grub and a dose of Western entertainment: What could more more perfect than eating a dinner with a cowboy or two? Chuck wagon dinners are great fun for the whole family and a must-see for those who’ve never experienced the Old West firsthand.
Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventures
Western Shops
Step out our front door and you’ll find endless opportunities to pick up a perfect piece of the west. Just a five-minute walk to Town Square from our front door will put you among some of the best boutiques in town.
Get Out On The Water
From whitewater rafting to paddleboarding, scenic floats trips to kayaking, Jackson Hole and the surrounding area combines beauty with the ultimate in water adventure.
Boating on Jackson Lake
Enjoy majestic views of the Tetons as you take a leisurely spin on Jackson Lake. Colter Bay Marina and Signal Mountain Lodge offer boat rentals by the hour or day.
Paddleboarding
Get your balance on while you take in the surrounding beauty. Fast becoming a popular way to get out on the water, there are several paddle board outfitters in town and lots of great locations for a memorable day.
Rentals:
Locations:
String Lake
Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek Boat Ramp
Slide Lake
Kayaking/Canoeing
Enjoy the quiet serenity and unbelievable surroundings via kayak or canoe on one of the many lakes and waterways that grace the region. Pack a picnic lunch and plenty of water and sunscreen and plan for a leisurely and unforgettable day on the water!
Rentals:
Locations:
Snake River
String Lake to Leigh Lake
Slide Lake
Gros Ventre River
Whitewater Rafting & Scenic Float Trips on the Snake River
Whether you crave the thrill of a lifetime and pure adrenaline, or a leisurely float with plenty of wildlife viewing, the Snake River provides. Check out more info on rafting and floats here.
Take a Swim
Take the plunge! Hop in the various lakes, streams and rivers that dot the valley, and the swimming pond at Rendezvous Park (R Park) in Wilson.
Granite Hot Springs – just 30 minutes south of town ($6 adults; $4 children)
Astoria Hot Springs – $18 adults; $14 children)
Go Fly Fishing
The renowned Snake River and its tributaries are known for world-class fly fishing with the incredible Teton Range as your backdrop. Whether you choose to fish the Gros Ventre River, the Snake River as it winds through Grand Teton National Park, or the Salt River section, you’ll find a wide variety of trout that are ready to bite.
There are several reputable outfitters and guides in the area that will ensure an unforgettable fly fishing experience. Whether you choose to hop aboard a boat or wade in the banks, the experience of fly fishing in Jackson Hole is one you’ll want to write home about.
Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School
View The Local Wildlife
Jackson Hole is teeming with Western wildlife – bears, wolves, moose, bison, elk and numerous others call this area home. Aside from the fact that you can encounter any of this wildlife throughout the Jackson Hole area, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone offer the opportunity to view these incredible species in their natural habitat.
Roughly 22 million (yes, million) acres make up the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, enabling visitors to get a glimpse of the many species that are renowned in the West around just about every corner.
- One of the largest elk herds in North America
- Largest free-roaming, wild herd of bison in United States
- One of few grizzly populations in contiguous United States
- Rare sightings of wolverine and lynx
Local guide services lead hiking and driving excursions throughout Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone—just don’t forget to bring your camera!
Take the Scenic Route
It’s not hard to “take the scenic route” in Jackson Hole! Try not to say “wow” as you take a leisurely drive along long stretches of road that open up to truly awe-inspiring views. Here are a few routes where you should let the rubber meet the road:
Jenny Lake Scenic Loop: This 3-mile, one-way road skirts the east shore of Jenny Lake offering incredible views of the Tetons.
Kelly Loop: This 16-mile loop starts and ends at Gros Ventre Junction, and offers one of the best bets for seeing a herd of bison in the entire valley. Bonus sights include Kelly’s yurt park, the Gros Ventre Slide, Shadow Mountain, historic Mormon Row, and the iconic Moulton Barn.
Inner Park Loop Road: Enjoy 20 mesmerizing miles that wind through Grand Teton National Park at the base of the majestic Tetons.
Get High
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Take an Aerial Tram ride on “Big Red” and climb 4,139 vertical feet from the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain. From there, check out the hiking and running trails, or grab a renowned waffle at Corbet’s cabin.
Enjoy Happy Hour with a view. Hop on the Bridger Gondola starting at 4:30 p.m. every day and enjoy Happy Hour and stunning views at The Deck.
Snow King Mountain Resort
Grab a seat on the scenic, 15-minute Scenic Gondola ride to the top of Snow King Mountain and catch unbeatable views of the Tetons as you overlook the town of Jackson.
Try your hands at a ropes course with the Treetop Adventure. Aerial challenges include riding zip lines suspended bridges, swinging logs, nets and more.
What are your favorite summer activities in Jackson Hole? We’d love to hear them!
