The Ultimate Travel Guide to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Written By Liz Tillery

I fell in love with the little town of Jackson, Wyoming about 4 years ago when I first moved out west. I had always dreamed of living in a mountain town, and this seemed like the perfect place to spend a summer after college, eager to travel. Little did I know that Jackson Hole would become the place I now call home.

This town is dear to my heart, as it becomes for nearly everyone who visits. Jackson Hole is the perfect vacation destination because, no matter the season, there are endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks lie just north of town, offering even more possibilities for activities.

In this post, I will help you plan your ultimate trip to Jackson Hole. Each season has its pros and cons, and knowing what to expect can help ensure you have the best experience possible. I truly hope this helps you as you plan to visit my favorite mountain town in the west!

This post may contain affiliate links where I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend brands and products I love and trust.

 

IS IT JACKSON OR JACKSON HOLE?

This is one of the most popular questions visitors ask when they arrive so I wanted to address it. Jackson Hole is the entire valley that includes the towns of Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, Moran, and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. Since these towns sit in a caldera, Jackson Hole includes all the areas inside of that. The town of Jackson is the small town located south of Grand Teton National Park’s main entrance. This is where the iconic antler arches and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar can be found.

 

BUDGETING

Jackson Hole is expensive and due to high cost of living, you will spend quite a bit to visit. To put it in perspective, the billionaires are now buying out the millionaires and Teton County is now home to the widest income divide in America. Hotels charge hundreds to thousands per night in peak periods of the year, so choosing the right time to visit is very important.

If you have a large budget, you will be able to eat out more, stay in nicer places and do more activities than someone on a budget. I do not come from a wealthy background but I do have some recommendations on how to try and make it a more affordable vacation. It will definitely take some planning but hopefully, this list below helps!

For those visiting on a budget, I would recommend:

  • Driving instead of flying to Jackson Hole

  • Flying into Idaho Falls instead of Jackson Hole Airport

  • Renting a car instead of using taxis or Uber

  • Making food rather than dining out

  • Traveling with friends and splitting the costs

  • Camping

  • Visiting during non-peak visitation times

  • Joining public tours instead of private tours

  • Taking the public bus instead of taxis

 

WHEN TO VISIT

The most important factor in planning your trip comes down to when you want to visit. The summer and winter are the two most popular times to visit because the national parks and activities are open. I can’t tell you about how important it is to do your research beforehand so you aren’t visiting during the ‘off season’ or ‘mud season,’ when many things are closed. It is always sad breaking news to visitors that they are here during times when the activities they wanted have closed.

In the section below, you will find a detailed list broken up by exact dates of everything you need to know to plan your trip.

So, when is the best time to visit?

  • May 15th - September 15th: Peak summer season when all activities are operating and Grand Teton and Yellowstone are fully open.

  • September 16th - October 15th: The end of September is still a great time to visit but many activities start ending for the summer including river trips, the Jackson Hole Rodeo, Chuckwagon Dinners, and boat tours. This is when the leaves start changing though which is spectacular every year.

  • October 16th - November 24th: I do not recommend visiting during this time as it is the off season and many shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars will be closed. Yellowstone will close fully for the season and Grand Teton’s Teton Park Road closure will begin November 1st.

  • November 25th - December 14th: You can visit during this time but it will be early season and snow conditions will not be in their prime. Many activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowcoach tours, and the Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides will remain closed until mid December. Yellowstone will be closed and Grand Teton will have the internal Teton Park Road closed.

  • December 15th - March 15th: This is the peak winter season when all activities are operating. Yellowstone is closed to vehicle traffic but you will be able to access the park via snowmobile or snowcoach. Grand Teton’s internal park road will be closed to vehicle traffic as well from the Taggart Lake Trailhead up to Signal Mountain Lodge. This road is open however for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

  • March 16th - April 14th: Activities will be extremely dependent on snow. If the snow starts melting early, this will end many activities like dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and snowcoach tours. Skiing is set to end this year on the 14th of April, but this date can shift each year due to weather.

  • April 15th - April 30th: Ski resorts will be closed and the mud season begins. April 15th is when everything closes including hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops.

  • May 1st - May 14th: This is the beginning of summer where Grand Teton will be back open on the 1st but Yellowstone can be delayed about a week or two after that (opened on the 9th this year). I love early summer but many activities will not begin until mid-May so if you can push your trip to after this time frame, you will have a better experience. This is also a great time to see bears!

 

HOW LONG TO STAY

The length of your stay in Jackson Hole depends on your budget, the season, and what your goals are of the trip. It is common to stay for longer periods of time in the summer season since the parks are fully open and there are many activities to do. Winter visitors primarily come out for skiing or snowboarding at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort located in Teton Village. Since the terrain is very difficult comparative to other resorts, you really only need to ski a few days, a day or two to rest, and a day or two for activities if you wanted to venture outside of the resort.

The average number of dates to stay in each season are:

  • Summer: 5-8 days

  • Winter: 3-6 days

 

HOW TO GET TO JACKSON

The Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is where you will want to fly into and it is the only airport located within a national park boundary. When you fly in on a clear day, you are greeted by the youngest mountain range in North America; the same range that makes up Grand Teton National Park. Once you land, you will walk off the plane on the tarmac before entering into the airport under a beautiful antler arch. This is my personal favorite airport I’ve ever visited and it will soon be yours, too!

There are only three airlines fly in and out of Jackson Hole:

  • American Airlines

  • Delta Airlines

  • United Airlines

If you choose to road trip to Jackson Hole, prepare for a long drive since Wyoming only has about 4 major highways in the entire state. It is the United States least populated state and getting up to Jackson involves going through some very small towns and remote areas. I recommend being overly prepared since weather can move in quickly, especially in winter. Always have a plan in case you run into road closures since this is extremely common in Wyoming.

 

WHERE TO STAY

The most common locations to stay are in the town of Jackson, Teton Village, in Grand Teton National Park and in Yellowstone National Park. Again, this will depend on the season you are visiting so you can review the best options based on the season below.

 

SUMMER:

I would recommend making the town of Jackson your “home base,” as it offers a central location that’s ideal for exploring everything you want to see and do. Teton Village is another excellent option as it is just one mile from Grand Teton National Park, with easy access via Moose-Wilson Road. From here, you can ride the Aerial Tram more than 4,000 vertical feet for panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Recommended hotels:
All hotels listed below are located in the town of Jackson unless otherwise noted.

 

Grand Teton National Park offers several camping and lodging options during the summer months if you’d like to stay within the park boundaries. The most popular accommodations include Jenny Lake Lodge, Signal Mountain Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Colter Bay Village.

Yellowstone National Park, the largest park in the United States, offers a wide variety of lodging options. My personal favorite is the Old Faithful Inn. It is located along the southern loop of the park, where you can view the Old Faithful Geyser from your hotel room window. West Yellowstone, just outside of the park’s west entrance, provides numerous amenities, tour operators, and is often considered the best home base for exploring the park.

In the northern loop, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins is an ideal place to stay before heading into Montana. Just beyond the park’s boundary, the small town of Gardiner offers more lodging and dining options than anywhere inside the northern section of the park.

 

WINTER

Where you decide to stay ultimately depends on your plans during your visit. If you’ll be skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the best place to stay is Teton Village, as it is located at the base of the resort. However, resorts in this area can be quite expensive. If that’s outside your budget, I recommend staying in the town of Jackson.

Jackson has a convenient public bus system called the START Bus, which runs between the town of Jackson and the resort for just $3 per person each way. You can also ski at Snow King Mountain Resort, which is located right in Jackson! It’s a smaller, less crowded mountain that offers great terrain and scenic views of the distant Teton Range.

Recommended hotels:
All hotels listed below are located at the base of the ski resort in Teton Village, unless otherwise noted.

 

GETTING AROUND

Having your own vehicle is the easiest and most cost-effective option, as it eliminates the need to pay for Uber, Lyft, or taxis. Taxi fares in the area start at a base rate of $55-$65, regardless of the distance. It adds up quickly and only increases from there. For example, if you’re staying in Teton Village and need a ride from the airport, expect to pay at least $100 each way.

While Uber and Lyft are available, they can be unreliable due to a shortage of drivers in Jackson Hole. If you find yourself in need of a ride and can’t get through on those apps, here are a few local companies I personally trust and recommend in my work as a concierge in the valley:

Another cost-effective option is to take the public START Bus. It’s a reliable choice for getting to and from the airport, as well as travelling between Jackson and Teton Village. The fare is just $3 per person each way, and the buses run most of the day and into the evening. To access the bus schedules, you can click on the highlighted text above.

 

WHERE TO EAT

Jackson Hole offers a variety of wonderful restaurants to enjoy. Many of them require a credit card at the time of booking and may charge a fee for no-shows or late cancellations, so be sure to review each restaurant’s policy in advance. Most dining options are located in the town of Jackson. Below are some of my personal favorites:

 

WHERE TO DRINK

I wanted to create a separate list of the best places to grab a drink in Jackson Hole. This list includes dive bars, local favorites, and iconic spots you won’t want to miss:

  • Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - An iconic western bar, open most days from 11am to 1am.

  • Eleanor’s - Tucked behind a liquor store, this place is great to watch sporting events.

  • The Bird - A local’s favorite just south of the town of Jackson, featuring a large summer balcony with great views.

  • Roadhouse Brewery - A local brewery located on the Town Square near the famous antler arches.

  • Snake River Brewery - A Jackson brewery with a spacious outdoor area perfect for yard games while sipping local beers.

  • StillWest Brewery & Grill - A mountainside brewery with a tap room on the ground level.

  • The Mangy Moose - A legendary apres-ski bar in Teton Village, open year-round.

  • Jackson Hole Winery - A local winery with beautiful views.

  • Stagecoach Bar - Located in Wilson, this bar has a great outdoor seating area at the base of Teton Pass

 

NIGHTLIFE

Nightlife in Jackson is quite different from what you might expect. Many visitors assume there’s a vibrant late-night scene - especially when traveling from large cities - but that’s not the case. There are only a handful of bars, and only a few stay open until 1 or 2am. You can check out some of the local late-night spots below:

  • Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - Every night except Sunday, enjoy live bands and swing dancing starting at 8:30pm.

  • Silver Dollar Bar - Known for the silver dollars lining its two bars. Occasionally features live bands and a dance floor for swing dancing!

  • The Rose - A late-night cocktail bar with DJs on weekends.

  • Stagecoach - On winter Thursdays, don’t miss Disco Night. Be sure to dress up!

 

ACTIVITIES

Jackson offers endless activity options, making it the perfect destination no matter what your interests are. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, relaxation, or something in-between, there’s definitely something for everyone here.

I’ve listed some of the most popular activities below, organized by location for easy reference.

If you would like to get more detailed information, I’ve also written Summer Activity and Winter Activity Guides that go in-depth on everything you can enjoy during each season.

 

JACKSON

As I mentioned earlier, the town of Jackson makes the perfect home base. It’s located about 20 minutes from the main entrance of Grand Teton National Park, 2 hours from Yellowstone National Park, and just minutes from excellent shopping, bars and restaurants. Many tour operators are actually based in town, making it a convenient meeting point for excursions.

Some of the most popular things to do in Jackson are:

  • Exploring Town Square

  • Seeing the iconic Antler Arches

  • Visiting art galleries and museums

  • Spending time at Snow King Mountain Resort

  • Grabbing a drink at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

 

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

Grand Teton National Park is home to what I believe is the most majestic mountain range in the world. With no foothills at the base, the peaks appear to rise dramatically straight from the valley floor, creating a truly powerful and awe-inspiring sight. Although the park is relatively small, it offers a wide variety of activities within its boundaries.

Some of the top things to do in Grand Teton National Park include:

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Kayaking, canoeing, or floating on the lakes

  • Taking a scenic float trip down the Snake River

  • Stargazing

  • Wildlife watching

 

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone is the United States first and largest national park, and it’s truly spectacular to experience in person. The park is divided into two main loops: the northern loop and the southern loop. Jackson is located about two hours south Yellowstone’s southern entrance, making it possible to take a day trip and explore the entire southern loop before returning to Jackson in the evening.

Along the southern loop, you can visit iconic sights like:

  • Old Faithful

  • Grand Prismatic Spring

  • Artist Point

  • Lower and Upper Falls

  • Yellowstone Lake

The northern loop can also be explored, but I recommend spending the night near Old Faithful, West Yellowstone or Mammoth Hot Springs (at the northernmost point of the park) to reduce the amount of time spent driving, as Yellowstone is vast.

Highlights of the northern rout include:

  • Mammoth Hot Springs

  • Gardiner, Montana

  • Roosevelt Arch

  • Petrified Tree

  • Lamar Valley (ideal for wildlife viewing)

 

I hope this helps in your trip planning to Jackson Hole, Wyoming! It’s a special place, and I hope you get the chance to visit and experience it for yourself.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing this post. I appreciate every single one of you!

Liz Tillery
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