Things to Do in Jackson Hole

Choose from 4 Fun Things to Do in Jackson Hole

National Elk Refuge

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.

The Basics

The National Elk Refuge represents one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities from Jackson Hole. Visitors can choose to explore independently by driving along Refuge Road or join a guided tour of the land. Sleigh rides are popular in winter, while walking and biking tours occur in the summer.

The Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, located in the southwest corner of the refuge, offers information on the history and habitats of the surrounding landscapes. History buffs should stop at historic Miller Ranch to learn about the first homesteaders to settle in the area. A visit to the refuge can also be combined with a tour of Grand Teton National Park.

Things to Know Before You Go

The National Elk Refuge is a must-visit for families and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Jackson Hole.
Visit the refuge on a half-day tour, or combine it with Grand Teton National Park for a full day of wildlife viewing.
Keep a safe distance from wildlife, for both your safety and the animals’.
Dress in layers with sturdy shoes, and don’t forget to bring sun protection, even in winter.

How to Get There

The entrance to the National Elk Refuge is just a mile from Jackson Hole. Most visitors drive there independently, though it’s also possible to join a wildlife watching tour with included round-trip transportation from Jackson Hole hotels.

When to Get There

It’s possible to spot wildlife at the refuge year-round, but the best time for elk sightings is near dawn or dusk during the winter months, when some 5,000 elk come to the refuge to overwinter. If you visit during summer, ask at the visitor’s center for suggestions on where to spot elk.

ElkFest

Each weekend before Memorial Day, the Jackson Hole community gathers in Town Square to celebrate ElkFest. Among the main events is an antler auction, where thousands of pounds of elk antlers collected by the National Elk Refuge staff are sold to benefit the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Jackson District Boy Scouts.

USA

From $ 145

Snake River

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, and is also a top location for water recreation like rafting, fishing, and kayaking.

The Basics

Snake River activities are all about the water and one of the most popular ways to enjoy the rushing white water is rafting through Snake River Canyon. Join a guide to safely navigate Class III rapids from Jackson Hole in Wyoming, or head out on trip from Grand Teton National Park for amazing mountain views. Floating trips offer a calm alternative with chances to see animals like moose, deer, and river otters in their natural habitat, while jet boat tours cover the most miles in the least amount of time. Or, make a full day out of exploring Grand Teton National Park from Jackson Hole to combine a Snake River white-water rafting trip with hiking and sightseeing.

Things to Know Before You Go

Dress for the weather, as this is an outdoor activity.
Find a tour that matches your comfort level, from easy floats to fast rapids.
Consider bringing a waterproof camera and binoculars.

How to Get There

Though the largest portion of the Snake River is in Idaho, the river also runs through Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington, where it joins the Columbia River. It is most readily accessed from a number of US parks, including Yellowstone National Park and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area—roughly six hours from Portland. Other popular put-ins include Clarkston, Washington; Lewiston, Idaho; and Astoria, Oregon.

When to Get There

Visit during the summertime for the most pleasant weather and best chance of joining a guided tour, as many are only offered seasonally from May through September.

Snake River Origins

The Snake River was created by a volcanic hot spot that today sits under Yellowstone. Once known as the Lewis River, the name Snake River actually comes from a mix-up: Early pioneers misunderstood the Shoshone peoples’ hand signal for fish and thought they were signifying snakes.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

From $ 77

National Museum of Wildlife Art

Nestled into the cliffs as if it simply grew there, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is 51,000 square feet of space dedicated to wildlife art. With works dating from 2500 BC to the present, the collection chronicles the history of wildlife through art. As photography is a relatively new invention, this art collection allows us to get a glimpse of wildlife—and life—in a bygone era. Though there is a definite focus on American and European art, the collection includes pieces from around the world, including New Zealand and Africa.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art by the numbers:

• 14 galleries

• 5,000 items of art in various mediums including oil, bronze, stone, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pastel, pencil, lithography, photography and charcoal

• Works by more than 550 artists ranging from early American Tribes to contemporary masters

• A new .75 mile (1.2 km) sculpture trail by artist Walter Hood

• More than 80,000 visitors per year

Practical Info:

The museum is located about 2.5 miles (about 4 km) north of Jackson on Highway 89 overlooking the National Elk Refuge. While you can drive, the START Bus provides shuttle service around the town of Jackson and to the museum for free; you’ll also get $1 off of your admission price if you tell the ticket seller that you took the bus. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and is free for children under five years of age. Prices for tickets range from $6 for children aged 5-18 to $12 for adults; there is a special $10 rate for seniors.

2820 Rungius Road, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83001, USA

Daily: 9 am - 5 pm

Adults: $12, Seniors: $10, Kids (5-15): $6

From $ 199

Yellowstone National Park

The vast Yellowstone National Park, stretching over portions of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, was the first U.S. National Park when it was established in 1872. Famous for its scenery, wildlife, and geothermal activity—most notably, the geyser known as Old Faithful—Yellowstone covers almost 3,500 square miles (9,000 square kilometers) of mountainous countryside. The park boasts one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America (Yellowstone Lake), the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States (Yellowstone River), and even its own Grand Canyon.

The Basics

Yellowstone covers a whopping 2.2 million acres (890,000 hectares) of wilderness, so guided tours are the best way to fully appreciate this massive park. There are a number of Yellowstone National Park tours suitable for any age and interest, including full-day visits of the park highlights; lower-loop tours from Jackson, Wyoming.; guided trail hikes; rafting or kayaking excursions; scenic river floats perfect for young kids or the elderly; and wildlife viewing.

Things to Know Before You Go

Yellowstone is home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, bison, wolves, and elk. Be sure to keep a safe and respectful distance from all wildlife.
The National Park Service charges visitors to the park an entry fee, which includes a seven-day entry permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
The lion's share of your visit to the park will be spent outdoors, so be sure to bring attire for warm and cool weather as temps can fluctuate with altitude, and pack a hat and sunblock.
Yellowstone is an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, perfect for a multi-generational family trip.

How to Get to Yellowstone

Yellowstone has five entrances with visitor centers to the northwest, northeast, south, east, and west. The nearest airports are the Yellowstone Airport near the town of West Yellowstone in Montana, and the Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming.

When to Get There

Yellowstone can be visited year-round, though most roads close from early November to mid-April, when only travel by snowmobile and snowcoach is permitted. The park is most crowded in July and August, so plan a spring or fall trip for good weather and fewer visitors.

Yellowstone’s Hot Springs and Geysers

There are more geysers in Yellowstone than any other place in the world. To visit the park's geysers, enter through the West Entrance and continue to Madison, the jumping off point for geyser basins to the north and south. The Lower Geyser Basin, which includes Fountain Paint Pot, and the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful, are both to the south. The Mammoth Hot Springs and Steamboat geysers are in the Norris Geyser Basin to the north.

Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 82190, USA

Car: $30, Motorcycle: $25, Bike/Foot: $15

From $ 65