Jackson Hole Travelers Recommend

The Jackson Hole valley boasts some of the best outdoor attractions in the West. With three days to visit, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Grand Teton National Park, explore the sights in the town of Jackson, and even have time for a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Here are a few suggestions for how to spend your three days in Jackson Hole. 

Day 1: Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park can enjoy endless outdoor recreation activities, including hiking, climbing, boating, rafting, wildlife viewing, and photography. The winter months bring snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and other cold-weather activities. Grand Teton National Park is massive, so book a guided excursion to ensure you see as much as you can in a short timeframe. You can also opt for a combined Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park multi-day tour. 

While at the park, visit Mormon Row, an historic homesteading settlement that includes the T.A. Moulton Barn, one of the most photographed barns in America. Enjoy views of the Tetons from Oxbow Bend and Signal Mountain, and catch the sunset at the Snake River Overlook—a plaque marks the spot where Ansel Adams took his famous photograph of the area. Alternatively, if you visit in winter, enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge.  

Day 2: The Snake River and In-Town Sightseeing

The Snake River, which winds through Grand Teton National Park, is home to a vast array of wildlife and also offers numerous recreation possibilities. Visitors can enjoy a scenic float trip through the park, a whitewater adventure through Snake River Canyon, or a guided fly fishing excursion. To round out the day, book a tour that includes a traditional Western-style meal cooked in a cast iron pot. 

Alternatively, spend a second day enjoying other activities in the park, and go on a hike, a wildlife safari, or a guided fishing excursion. You can also cycle along the 56 miles (90 kilometers) of paved trails that link Jackson to Grand Teton National Park and Teton Village. In winter, head to  Snow King or the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for downhill skiing, or enjoy the groomed cross-country trails in Cache Creek. In the evening, head to downtown Jackson to browse in local shops and enjoy some Western dancing at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. 

Day 3: Yellowstone and Beyond

The south entrance to Yellowstone National Park is just 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Jackson, and many of the park’s highlights can be visited in a day. Book a full-day tour that includes transportation from Jackshon to get the most out of this long trip, and visit the lower-loop of Yellowstone, which includes Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots, the Firehole River, and a variety of other sights. 

During the winter months, the south entrance to Yellowstone is closed, but you can visit the park on a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour. With fewer visitors, frequent wildlife sightings, and the beauty of the geysers surrounded by snow, winter is a truly magical time to visit Yellowstone National Park, and a trip to enjoy the park’s famed landscapes is a great way to end your trip to the region.

With its alpine scenery, abundant wildlife, and miles of unspoiled rivers and streams, Jackson Hole is a nature lover’s dream. With only one day, it's best to take advantage of guided park tours and wildlife safaris to see as much as possible. Here are some ideas on how to make the most out of your day in Jackson Hole. 

Morning: Exploring Teton National Park

Head to Grand Teton National Park first thing in the morning when wildlife is most active. You have the best chance of spotting elk, moose, bears, eagles, and more before the park gets too crowded. Join a guided tour of the park to see all the highlights, or explore on your own hitting up Jenny Lake and Oxbow Bend for some of the best views in the park. A scenic drive to Antelope Flats for a viewing of the Mormon Row historic homes is a must. In winter, the Teton Park Road is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

Afternoon: Wildlife Viewing in Jackson Hole

Book a wildlife safari tour for your best chance of seeing wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, and other animals in the park. In winter, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through National Elk Refuge to get up close and personal with hundreds of elk. In warmer weather, spend the afternoon floating down the Snake River or tackling the rapids in Snake River Canyon. Other options include fly-fishing lessons, horseback rides, or an ATV ride through the mountains.  

Night: Cowboy Bars and Local Eats

Jackson Hole has an abundance of restaurants and a thriving farm-to-table food scene. Look for regional specialties such as bison, trout, and elk, but there's also a variety of Mexican restaurants, pizza spots, and pubs. Since you only have one night, consider booking a food tour to explore a variety of Jackson Hole’s best restaurants, or choose a river trip or wildlife tour that includes a traditional western cast-iron dinner. You won’t want to miss a late-night visit to the Cowboy Bar, where saddles serve as the bar stools and cowboys dominate the dance floor.

With two full days in Jackson Hole, you can set aside an entire day for exploring the natural wonders of Grand Teton National Park and still have time to enjoy the mountain town sights in Jackson. Here’s what you need to know to make the most out of your two days in Jackson Hole. 

Day 1: Grand Teton National Park Highlights

**Morning:**Seeing the entire park in one day is just not reasonable given its size. To make the most of your time, book a half-day or full-day tour of park highlights. If you explore on your own, don't miss the views of the Teton Range from Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, Oxbow Bend, and Snake River Overlook. 

**Afternoon:**Wildlife like moose, bighorn sheep, elk, and bears are abundant in Grand Teton National Park. For your best chances of viewing wildlife, take a guided safari tour with an experienced naturalist who knows where to look. Tour options range from sunrise or sunset tours to full- and multi-day excursions. 

**Night:**For a memorable experience, catch the sunset at Mormon Row, an early homesteading settlement outside of Jackson and home to the most photographed barn in America, the T.A. Moulton Barn. In winter, consider finishing your day with a horse-drawn sleigh ride through National Elk Refuge. 

Day 2: Jackson Hole and the Snake River

**Morning:**If visiting in winter, you can easily spend the day downhill skiing at Snow King or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or exploring the cross-country ski trails around town. Alternatively, head back into Grand Teton National Park for a hike, bike, or ski.

**Afternoon:**The Snake River carves its way through Grand Teton National Park right in front of the soaring peaks of Teton Range. Visitors have several options for exploring the river including scenic float trips through the park, guided fishing tours, and exhilarating rides through the rapids in the Snake River Canyon. 

**Night:**Spend your final evening browsing the galleries, outdoor shops, and jewelers in downtown Jackson. Take a photo under one of the four gigantic antler arches that frame the town square. After dinner, head into the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar where the barstools have been replaced with saddles, and cowboys fill the dance floor.

For those who enjoy fishing, Jackson Hole is a natural destination. Nearby streams abound with native cutthroat trout, and fly fishers flock to the area’s serene mountain lakes. These are some of the best spots to get your fishing fix in the Jackson Hole area.

Snake River

The Snake River ranks as one of the most popular fishing spots in Jackson Hole, and for good reason. Conditions are excellent for dry fly fishing, with the peaks of the Grand Teton Range as a backdrop. Newbies can pick up some river fishing skills while catching fine-spotted cutthroat trout during a guided half-day fishing float. Guided tours generally include all necessary equipment.

Salt River

On a fly fishing float down the small Salt River, it’s possible to catch good–sized brown and cutthroat trout. Since the fish tend to hide under banks and debris, fishing here offers a chance to improve technical skills.

Green River

Both brown and rainbow trout are common in the Green River, another low-volume river perfect for float trips. By late June, the dry fly fishing ranks among the best in the area. Polish up on your skills with a private full-day fishing float, complete with an angler guide who can maximize your time.

Lewis Lake

The clear waters of Lewis Lake within Yellowstone National Park provide excellent conditions for fly fishing for brown and lake trout throughout summer and autumn. Depending on the conditions, it’s possible to fish with sinking lines or throw dry flies. 

Firehole River

Those who want a bit of everything in a single day trip—fly fishing, wildlife watching, and local scenery—can take a wading fishing trip to Yellowstone’s Firehole River. Varied conditions make it a great place for beginners to learn the basics of casting a fly.