Jackson Hole

Wyoming

United States

North America

Destinations

Jackson Hole sits peacefully between two mountain ranges in Wyoming. Enjoy just about any outdoor activity you can think of in this beautiful area.

Jackson Hole is a valley that sits peacefully between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges in Wyoming. It’s near two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, that equip it with endless mountain vistas and an array of wildlife.

Jackson Hole provides access to just about any type of outdoor activity you can think of. With daytime temperatures staying between 70 and 80 degrees, this beautiful and historical locale is the perfect place to spend your summer getaway.
<h2>1. Mountain climbing adventures</h2>
Summers in Jackson Hole provide endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. With hours of sunny daylight, you’ll have plenty of time to wander the mountainous surroundings. Climbers can book a guide and head out on a multi-day journey or overnight trip into the Grand Tetons.

For those seeking to learn new skills, professional mountaineers teach classes to less-experienced adventurers of all ages in a variety of scenic locations.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNYYgNJh-LM/" alt="woman mountain climbing" caption="wesleygooch" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/wesleygooch/" /]


<h2>2. Camp out under a starlit sky</h2>
Few places on the planet provide spectacular, star-filled skies like those you’ll find in Jackson Hole, and there’s no better way to enjoy them than camping out. An abundance of campsite options in the Grand Tetons with lots of nearby places to rent equipment make it easy to experience Wyoming’s landscapes up close and personal.

Spruce and fir trees surround you, along with dazzling lakeside or river views, perfect for tents, RVs, campers, and travel trailers.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFArNw3jj7H/" alt="Camping under stars" caption="visitjacksonhole" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/visitjacksonhole/" /]


<h2>3. Enjoy all the hiking treks</h2>
No matter what kind of hiking you’re into, you’ll find it in Jackson Hole. From boulder scrambles to river walks to all-day walkabouts, there are miles and miles of hiking trails to discover here.

Choose a guided walk or head out on your own. Travelers who seek out eco-conscious experiences will love the atmosphere in Jackson Hole. The locals and their chamber of commerce place a strong focus on sustainable outdoor exploration and tourism. They urge visitors to stick to marked trails and leave no trace of their trek behind.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRPgWjrhjeE/" alt="group hiking mountain" caption="visitjacksonhole" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/visitjacksonhole/" /]


<h2>4. Water activities and fun galore</h2>
Whether you crave opportunities to get into the water or you prefer paddling on top of it, you’ll discover all the ways to enjoy the waterways in the Jackson Hole area. From tranquil lakes to gentle, winding streams and churning rivers, you’ll find just what you’re looking for.

Whitewater rafting, scenic float trips, canoeing, swimming, and fishing are just a few of the possibilities.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NQdihFD79/" alt="man fishing" caption="visitjacksonhole" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/visitjacksonhole/" /]


<h2>5. Wildlife beyond your imagination</h2>
Animals lovers can spend their entire trip trying to spot all the critters that reside near Jackson Hole. All kinds of wildlife, including buffalo, bears, moose, elk, wolves, and pronghorn antelope, call this 20-million acre area home. Hire a guide to increase your chance of seeing the many different species thriving in their natural habitat.

[caption id="attachment_51623" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51623" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2022/02/GettyImages-1326781437.jpg" alt="Elk Herd in the Meadow, Jackson Hole, Wyoming" width="2119" height="1415" /> Kirk Sewell / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Get your art on</h2>
For lovers of art, Jackson Hole has become a major destination, on par with Santa Fe, Scottsdale, and San Francisco. Around 30 galleries feature works by famed artists like Charles Russell and Frederic Remington, as well as creations by internationally known painters, national favorites, and local artisans. The area hosts an array of outdoor art festivals between mid-June and early August.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/COnwD0oh9EE/" alt="art gallery" caption="timmcmeansart" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/timmcmeansart/" /]


<h2>7. Explore the area on horseback</h2>
Viewing jaw-dropping vistas and wide-open landscapes on horseback is one of the best ways to experience Jackson Hole. You’ll connect with the Old West vibes here, seeing the area in the same way early travelers did. Immerse yourself in the valley’s culture and lore by booking a full day of riding or a multi-day pack trip. You can even experience a chuckwagon dinner or jump aboard a stagecoach ride.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1uDDqcBL64/" alt="group of people horseback riding" caption="goosewingranchwyo" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/goosewingranchwyo/" /]


<h2>8. Take in a Rodeo</h2>
If you’ve never witnessed true cowhands showing off their skills and competing against each other for money and glory, don’t miss out on the Jackson Hole Rodeo while you’re here. This 100-year tradition features everything you’d expect to see and more.

This isn’t the watered-down modernize version of a rodeo. These are working cowboys and cowgirls battling it out for top honors. You can even book a behind-the-scenes tour to meet the contestants as they get ready for their events.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWEQGgbF-ha/" alt="rodeo cowboy riding" caption="zohlphotografi" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/zohlphotografi/" /]


<h2>9. Chill directly with nature</h2>
There comes a time when you’ve had enough of those day-to-day stresses and you need to get away from it all for some much-deserved downtime. This is the place to do it. It’s not hard to find a serene, secluded spot in Jackson Hole where you can chill out, meditate, or just be alone with your thoughts, surrounded by Mother Nature at her finest.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsm351phug/" alt="woman relaxing in hammock" caption="visitjacksonhole" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/visitjacksonhole/" /]
<h2>10. Take in spectacular sunrises and sunsets</h2>
Early risers willing to get up by 5 a.m. will enjoy some of Jackson Hole's greatest views. The most beautiful summer sunrises you’ll ever see happen here, and popular spots like Snake River Overlook and Moulton Barn in Grand Teton National Park deliver the best bang for your buck.

Head for the Jenny Lake Overlook in the park for an awe-inspiring sunset. About 30 minutes before it disappears behind the Tetons, the fading light bathes the valley in a reddish glow.

[caption id="attachment_51625" align="alignnone" width="2118"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51625" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2022/02/GettyImages-483913193.jpg" alt="Summer Sunset at Snake River Overlook" width="2118" height="1415" /> Dean_Fikar / Getty Images[/caption]

Spend the Summer in Jackson Hole Valley

Wyoming has a proud history tied to the railroad and pioneers. It's also full of natural wonders—mountainous views, crystal clear lakes, and breathtaking land features across the state. If you're an outdoor lover, a visit to Wyoming is a must.

Wyoming has a proud history tied to the railroad and pioneers. It's also full of natural wonders—mountainous views, crystal clear lakes, and breathtaking land features across the state. If you're an outdoor lover, a visit to Wyoming is a must. With so many opportunities for climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, biking, and exploring, the hardest part is choosing a place to get started.
<h2>1. Yellowstone National Park</h2>
Yellowstone is the oldest national park in the United States. Though there are a lot of awesome things about this 2.2 million acre park, some of the most popular attractions include Old Faithful Geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs. Hike the established trails or explore the backcountry for rivers, waterfalls, ravines, lakes, and rivers. There's plenty of wildlife to spot, including wild bison, bears, wolves, elk, antelope, and bald eagles.

[caption id="attachment_26333" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26333" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-1149661477.jpg" alt="Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming" width="2121" height="1414" /> Don White / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area</h2>
Along the Wyoming-Montana border is the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, where the curves of the Bighorn River are surrounded by red cliffs rising more than 1,000 feet in the air. The overlook has an amazing view and offers more than 27 miles of trails to explore over valleys, prairies, canyons, and mountains. Bighorn Lake is home to a world-class trout fishery and a great place for boating, fishing, and other water sports.

[caption id="attachment_26334" align="alignnone" width="2124"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26334" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-664148208.jpg" alt="Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Wyoming, USA" width="2124" height="1412" /> rozdemir01 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area</h2>
There are a lot of gorgeous natural areas in Wyoming but the Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area is one of the most breathtaking. The red canyon walls and green forests on either side of the Green River provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Popular watersports include boating, kayaking, fishing, and rafting. Higher in the canyon are desert and forest hiking trails from where you can admire the landscape below.

[caption id="attachment_26336" align="alignnone" width="2124"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26336" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-499248587.jpg" alt="Green River at Flaming Gorge, Wyoming " width="2124" height="1412" /> JodiJacobson / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Cody</h2>
Cody is a small city located in the northwest part of Wyoming. It dates all the way back to 1896 when it was founded by "Buffalo Bill" Cody. With nightly rodeos and gunfight reenactments, you'll get a taste of the "wild west" experience. The downtown area has upscale lodging, restaurants, and galleries, but there's plenty to do outdoors here, too. Try out rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and river rafting.

[caption id="attachment_26337" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26337" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-610773304.jpg" alt="Old West Town village in Cody Wyoming." width="2000" height="1500" /> Debraansky / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Grand Teton National Park</h2>
Yellowstone isn't the only national park in Wyoming that's a must-see. In the northwest corner of the state is the Teton Mountain Range, home of Grand Teton National Park. The park is named after the highest peak in the range Grand Teton at 13,770 feet about sea level. This park is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. There's so much to do, including mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing, horseback riding, and more than 60 animal species to spot. This is a great winter destination, too, as there are abundant opportunities for snowshoeing, skiing, and more.

[caption id="attachment_26341" align="alignnone" width="2040"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26341" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-157603393.jpg" alt="Dawn At Grand Teton National Park" width="2040" height="1469" /> Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Devil's Tower National Monument</h2>
Another striking natural feature of Wyoming's topography is Devil's Tower National Monument. This flat-topped tower of volcanic rock rises more than 1,200 feet into the air. It attracts mountain climbers from all over the world and makes for a stunning photo op, particularly in spring and summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. If rock climbing isn't your thing, you can also explore the nature trails, including a 1.3-mile paved trail circling the tower that can be enjoyed by hikers of all skill levels.

[caption id="attachment_26347" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26347" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-170036450.jpg" alt="Devil's Tower Nat'l Monument, WY Sunrise " width="2121" height="1414" /> Terryfic3D / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Cheyenne</h2>
Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming and its largest city, home to about 60,000 people. It began in 1867 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad and still displays proud artifacts from its ties to the railroad, including the Big Boy locomotive, one of the largest steam engines ever made. There are plenty of outdoor activities to get into Cheyenne, such as climbing, biking, and camping. The city also hosts a lot of great festivals throughout the year, including the Wyoming Brewers Festival, a Greek Festival, Frontier Days, and an Oktoberfest celebration.

[caption id="attachment_26360" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26360" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-175490303.jpg" alt="Wyoming State Capitol " width="2121" height="1414" /> DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Wind River Range</h2>
The Wind River Range isn't as well known as the Tetons, so it's one of the most isolated hiking and backpacking experiences in all of Wyoming. This mountain range features granite peaks and spires carved by glaciers millions of years ago. As you explore the region, you'll find meadows and mountain lakes ideal for camping. Experienced backpackers should try the 23-mile Cirque of the Towers Loop, a three-day journey, to really get a feel for the Winds.

[caption id="attachment_26361" align="alignnone" width="2154"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26361" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-493335104.jpg" alt="Wind River Range" width="2154" height="1391" /> zrfphoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Oregon Trail Ruts</h2>
Wyoming was crucial for pioneers settling in the west, as it was one of the last places to get supplies along the way. Just outside of Guernsey, you can get a little glimpse at just how important this area was. Follow a short trail up the stony hills where you can see large four-feet deep gouges, carved in the stone from the thousands of wagon wheels that passed through here on their way to the west coast.

[caption id="attachment_26362" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26362" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-181088353.jpg" alt="Oregon Trail wagon ruts Wyoming " width="2121" height="1414" /> milehightraveler / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Hot Springs State Park</h2>
Hot Springs State Park is home to the world's largest mineral hot spring and a popular destination for visitors year-round. If you visit in the warmer months, take advantage of the park's extensive trail system and explore the rock formations that created the hot springs. You'll also spot bison, gorgeous flower gardens, waterfalls, and petroglyphs throughout the trails.

[caption id="attachment_26363" align="alignnone" width="3504"]<img class="size-full wp-image-26363" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/11/GettyImages-139406370.jpg" alt="mineral terraces at hot springs state park in thermopolis, wyoming" width="3504" height="2336" /> alptraum / Getty Images[/caption]

Wyoming

United States

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Spend the Summer in Jackson Hole Valley

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