Things to do in  Jackson Hole

Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the country’s first national park Famous for its wildlife and geothermal activity, the park covers almost 3,500 square miles (9,000 square kilometers) and stretches over parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It’s a true place of superlatives, boasting one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America and the longest undammed river in the contiguous US—it even has its own Grand Canyon. If you’re looking for adventure or just pure, untouched wilderness, move Yellowstone to the very top of your list.

Grand Teton National Park protects the jagged, snowcapped peaks of Wyoming's Teton Range along with glacial lakes, dense forests, 250 miles (400 kilometers) of hiking trails, and a stretch of the Snake River. A must-see for adventure travelers and outdoors enthusiasts, the park also provides excellent opportunities to spot resident elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bald eagles, gray wolves, and moose.

Part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Elk Refuge protects a 24,700-acre (10,000-hectare) winter habitat for the Jackson Elk Herd and several other endangered species of mammals, birds, and fish. With Grand Teton National Park as a backdrop, visitors can spot 47 species of mammals and nearly 175 species of birds.

If you’ve seen a photo of Grand Teton National Park, you’ve likely seen Oxbow Bend. Without a doubt, this curved section of the Snake River is the park’s most photographed site, with the river meandering in the foreground reflecting the rugged peaks of Mount Moran. It’s a beautiful setting, and a great place to spot wildlife.

A highlight of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, the Jenny Lake area is characterized by thundering waterfalls, canyons, mountain vistas, and the crystalline expanse of Jenny Lake itself. The lake trail runs 7.1 miles (11.4 kilometers) around the water’s edge and passes by Hidden Falls, Cascade Canyon, and Inspiration Point.

Stretching 1,080 miles (1,735 kilometers) from Yellowstone National Park to the Oregon border, the Snake River is one of North America's longest rivers. It serves an important role in the ecosystem as a home for tons of wildlife, including wild salmon. It's also a top location for water recreation like rafting, fishing, and kayaking.

The log-cabin-style Chapel of the Transfiguration sits against the backdrop of the jagged Teton Range near the southern entrance of Grand Tetons National Park. The rustic church was built in 1925 with a window above the alter framing the majestic mountains. Today it still offers services and its scenic setting makes it a popular spot for weddings, sightseeing, and photography.

Situated just outside the entrance to Grand Teton National Park, the National Museum of Wildlife Art features a huge collection of paintings, photography, and sculptures of wild animals from artists around the world. The highlight is the museum’s Sculpture Trail, a paved path dotted with life-size sculptures of elk, buffalo, bighorn sheep, and more, winding up the hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge.

Since 1966, the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram has been whisking guests and locals of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 4,139 vertical feet (1,262 meters) in 15 minutes to an altitude of 10,450 feet (3,185 meters) at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. A ride up for the views or a bite to eat at Corbet’s Cabin has become a quintessential Jackson Hole experience.

Even though the Jackson Hole Rodeo is only alive and booming from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, visitors who come to the Cowboy State flock to this Wyoming wild-west staple. With bucking bronco riding, roping events, barrel racing, and other Western culture competitions, getting a little dirt on your boots is easy, even as a spectator.

Bordered by four giant elk antler arches, Jackson’s Town Square is the picture-perfect centerpiece for this wild western town. The majority of Jackson’s restaurants, boutiques, and outdoor gear shops are centered around Town Square, and the park itself has a monument dedicated to John Colter, one of the region’s most famous mountain explorers. It also features a nightly “shootout” during the summer months.

Note: The museum is reopening in June 2024. Explore Jackson's fascinating Wild West history with a visit to the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. Exhibits feature stories from Jackson’s early homesteading and ranching days to the development of tourism and mountaineering in Grand Teton National Park. The museum also displays a large collection of Indigenous American artifacts and moose, elk, and deer mounts.

You’d be forgiven if you saw a photo of Grand Targhee Ski Resort—“the Ghee”—and thought you were looking at the Alps. Set in Wyoming’s jagged Teton Range, this is one of the most beloved ski resorts in the U.S. And, of course, where there’s a world-class ski resort, there are world-class views, restaurants, bars, spas, and hiking and biking trails, too.

Best known for its steep slopes and gorgeous views, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boasts one of the largest vertical drops in US skiing. Notorious for its extreme ungroomed terrain, the mountain also features fantastic beginner and intermediate runs. During the summer months, the resort turns into an outdoor adventurer’s playground, with mountain bike trails, scenic tram rides, and an exhilarating via ferrata course.