Outdoor Activities in Jackson Hole

Mountain Biking in the Bridger-Teton National Forest

The Cache Creek trail system starts at the eastern edge of Jackson, roughly a 5-minute ride from the town square. You can piece together 30+ kilometers of singletrack through sagebrush meadows and aspen groves without needing a shuttle. The Putt-Putt trail offers a mellow warm-up loop, while Game Creek delivers steeper, more technical terrain with loose rock sections. Bikes are prohibited inside Grand Teton National Park, so the national forest land east and south of town absorbs most of the local riding. Teton Mountain Bike Tours on North Cache Street rents full-suspension rigs starting around $75/day.

Difficulty

Easy to Advanced depending on route choice

Duration

2-5 hours

Best season

Late June through September, once snowmelt clears the upper trails

Rock Climbing in Death Canyon and Cascade Canyon

The Tetons draw climbers for the alpine granite, and the approaches are shorter than you might expect. Guides Canyon, at the southern end of the range near the Death Canyon Trailhead, has a selection of moderate single-pitch sport and trad routes accessible in a half-day from the valley. The bigger objectives, including the Grand Teton itself at 4,199 meters, typically require 2 days and a guide service. Exum Mountain Guides, operating in the park since 1931, runs the standard guided ascent for around $1,100-$1,200 per person. You will need a backcountry permit for any overnight climbing trip in the park.

Difficulty

Moderate to Expert

Duration

Half-day crag sessions to multi-day alpine routes

Best season

July through mid-September, when the high routes are snow-free

Paragliding from Rendezvous Mountain

The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort aerial tram lifts you to 3,185 meters at the top of Rendezvous Mountain. From there, tandem paragliding flights descend over the valley with views of the full Teton Range to the west. Jackson Hole Paragliding runs tandem flights that last 15-25 minutes and cost around $350-$400 per person. Wind conditions tend to be most favorable in the morning hours. No experience needed for the tandem option.

Difficulty

None for tandem passengers

Duration

15-25 minutes in the air, plus tram ride

Best season

June through September

Cross-Country Skiing at Trail Creek

Winter turns the valley into Nordic terrain. The Trail Creek Nordic Center, operated by the Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance, maintains about 17 kilometers of groomed classic and skate lanes southeast of Wilson. A day pass runs around $20. The flat valley floor and consistent December-through-March snow coverage make this a reliable option when the Teton backcountry is locked down by avalanche risk. You might hear coyotes at dusk along the quieter loops near the Snake River corridor.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Duration

1-3 hours

Best season

December through March

Wildlife Safari by Vehicle in Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Dawn drives along the Moose-Wilson Road and Antelope Flats Road regularly produce moose, bison, pronghorn, and occasionally black bears. The stretch between Moose Junction and Moran Junction, roughly 30 kilometers of highway, passes through prime habitat where elk herds gather from September onward. Guided wildlife tours run early morning and evening departures, typically $200-$275 per person for a 4-hour circuit. Bring binoculars with at least 8x magnification, and keep 90 meters from bears and wolves per park regulations.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

3-5 hours for a full circuit

Best season

May through October for variety, September for elk rut

Backcountry Skiing in Teton Pass

Teton Pass, at 2,565 meters on Highway 22 between Jackson and Victor, Idaho, is the local backcountry skiing hub. The Glory Bowl and Mt. Glory access points sit right off the highway, with 600+ meters of vertical in steep, avalanche-prone terrain. This is expert-level touring that demands avalanche training, a beacon, probe, and shovel. The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center posts daily advisories from November through April. A Level 1 avalanche course through the American Avalanche Institute in Jackson costs around $350.

Difficulty

Advanced to Expert

Duration

3-6 hours per lap

Best season

December through April, conditions dependent

Cascade Canyon Trail

This is the signature Teton day hike. Take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle ($20 round trip) to cut 3 kilometers off each direction, then hike west into the canyon. The trail follows Cascade Creek through a narrow glacial valley with granite walls rising on both sides. At about 5.5 kilometers from the west boat dock, you reach the Cascade Canyon fork. The south fork leads toward Hurricane Pass, the north toward Lake Solitude. Turning around at the fork makes a manageable day. The trail is well-maintained, with moderate elevation gain of around 340 meters to the fork. Grizzly bears frequent this drainage, so carry bear spray and make noise on blind corners.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

4-6 hours round trip with the boat shuttle

Best season

Late June through September

Delta Lake

A steep, unofficial climber's trail branches off the Lupine Meadows path and gains roughly 700 meters over about 4.5 kilometers to reach Delta Lake, a turquoise glacial tarn sitting in a cirque below the Grand Teton's east face. The route is not signed. It follows a rocky gully that requires some scrambling over boulders and can be hard to follow in early season when snow patches obscure the bootpath. The lake water hovers around 5-7°C even in August. Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.

Difficulty

Strenuous

Duration

5-7 hours round trip

Best season

July through September

Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop

A gentler option that still delivers close Teton views. The trailhead sits along the Teton Park Road, and the loop connecting both lakes covers about 9 kilometers with roughly 200 meters of elevation gain. Taggart Lake fills a moraine-dammed basin, while Bradley Lake sits slightly higher and tends to be quieter. The trail passes through a 2010 burn zone where fireweed and young aspens have filled in. The mid-morning light on the Teton peaks reflected in Bradley Lake is the visual highlight. The parking lot fills by 9:00 a.m. in July and August.

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Duration

3-4 hours

Best season

June through October

Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes

From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, this route climbs roughly 900 meters over about 8 kilometers one way. It is relentless. The switchbacks feel endless through the Douglas fir, but the reward is two alpine lakes perched high above the valley floor with direct views across to the Gros Ventre Range. Amphitheater Lake, a few minutes past Surprise, sits at about 2,926 meters. Snow lingers on the upper trail well into July some years. Carry extra water, as there are no reliable sources after the first kilometer.

Difficulty

Strenuous

Duration

6-8 hours round trip

Best season

Mid-July through September

Phelps Lake via Death Canyon Trailhead

The trail drops from the trailhead to the Phelps Lake overlook in about 1.5 kilometers, then continues down to the lakeshore. The loop option circles the lake and returns via the Valley Trail, covering roughly 12 kilometers with moderate elevation changes. Phelps Lake sits at the mouth of Death Canyon, and the water is clear enough to see the cobble bottom from the shore. The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve visitor center near the trailhead limits parking to about 50 vehicles, so arrive before 8:30 a.m. in peak season or walk in from the Granite Canyon Trailhead.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

4-5 hours for the full loop

Best season

June through October

Snow King Summit Trail

The closest hike to downtown Jackson starts at the base of Snow King Mountain, about 6 blocks south of the town square. The trail gains approximately 460 meters over 2.5 kilometers, switchbacking up the steep west face. It is short but honest. The summit gives a full valley view with the Tetons lined up across the west. Locals use this as a before-work fitness climb. You can ride the scenic chairlift down for $20 if your knees protest the steep descent.

Difficulty

Moderate to Strenuous

Duration

1.5-2.5 hours round trip

Best season

May through October

Float Trip on the Snake River

The Snake River runs through the center of Jackson Hole valley, and the 8-kilometer scenic stretch between Deadman's Bar and Moose Landing is the classic float. Commercial outfitters run large rubber rafts that hold 10-15 passengers, typically $80-$95 per adult for a 3-hour trip. The current moves at a walking pace through braided channels lined with cottonwoods, and it is common to spot bald eagles, osprey, and moose along the banks. The water temperature stays around 10-13°C through summer. Mind you, this is not whitewater. It is a mellow drift.

Difficulty

Easy, suitable for children 6+

Duration

3 hours on the water

Best season

Late May through September

Whitewater Rafting in Snake River Canyon

South of Jackson, the Snake River enters a canyon with Class III rapids like Big Kahuna and Lunch Counter. The 13-kilometer stretch between West Table and Sheep Gulch delivers consistent wave trains and a few legitimate drops during peak runoff in June. By August, the water level drops and the rapids mellow to Class II. Half-day trips through outfitters such as Dave Hansen Whitewater run $85-$110 per adult. Wetsuits or splash jackets are provided, which you will want. The canyon water runs colder than the scenic section upstream.

Difficulty

Moderate, Class II-III depending on water levels

Duration

3-4 hours including shuttle

Best season

Late May through August, peak rapids in June

Kayaking and Canoeing on String Lake

String Lake, in Grand Teton National Park, is the warmest swimmable lake in the area. It is shallow enough that surface temperatures reach 18-20°C by late July. The lake is about 1.5 kilometers long, narrow, and sheltered from wind by the surrounding forest. You can rent kayaks and canoes at the String Lake launch area for around $25/hour through the park concessioner. Paddling the full length and back takes about 90 minutes at a relaxed pace. The Teton peaks fill the western skyline from the water. The parking lot at the String Lake trailhead is notoriously competitive. Arrive by 8:00 a.m. or try late afternoon after 4:00 p.m.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

1-3 hours

Best season

July through early September

Kayaking on Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is the big water in the valley, covering about 10,400 hectares with a maximum depth of 134 meters. It is a serious lake, not a pond, and afternoon winds can build 0.5-meter waves with little warning. Paddle in the morning when conditions tend to be calmer. Colter Bay and Signal Mountain Lodge both rent kayaks, starting around $30/hour. The paddle from Colter Bay to the small islands offshore is a popular half-day route. Water temperature rarely exceeds 15°C, so a dry suit or proper layering matters for safety. Motorboats share the lake, so stay aware of wakes near the marinas.

Difficulty

Moderate, due to wind exposure and cold water

Duration

2-5 hours depending on route

Best season

July through September

Fly Fishing on the Snake River and Flat Creek

The Snake River's fine-spotted cutthroat trout are a genetically distinct subspecies found only in this drainage. The river fishes well from July through October, with terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants productive through August and September. A Wyoming fishing license costs $14/day for nonresidents. Flat Creek, running through the elk refuge north of town, has a restricted catch-and-release section open August 1 through October 31 with fly-only regulations. Half-day guided wade trips on the Snake run $350-$450 for 1-2 anglers through local shops like Westbank Anglers or Snake River Angler.

Difficulty

Moderate, wading in current requires some fitness

Duration

Half-day to full-day

Best season

July through October

This small park sits in the center of Jackson, adjacent to the town square. It functions as the civic green, with mature cottonwood trees providing shade in summer and a flat lawn where locals stretch out during the Wednesday farmer's market. The four elk-antler arches at the corners of the adjacent square were built from naturally shed antlers collected by the Boy Scouts, and the park connects to the square's walking paths.

Highlights: Elk-antler arches framing the town square, shaded picnic areas, summer farmer's market proximity

Founded in 1950, this federal facility sits about 2 kilometers north of downtown Jackson on Fish Hatchery Road. It raises native Snake River cutthroat trout, and the outdoor raceways where you can watch thousands of fish at various growth stages feel more like a nature walk than a government operation. The surrounding grounds include a short interpretive trail along Flat Creek, where wild trout hold in the current beside the hatchery outflow. Families with kids tend to spend about an hour here.

Highlights: Outdoor trout raceways, Flat Creek interpretive trail, free admission year-round

The refuge covers roughly 10,000 hectares of valley floor immediately north and east of town. In winter, 5,000-7,000 elk gather on the flats, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service runs horse-drawn sleigh rides through the herd from mid-December through early April, at around $30 per adult. In summer the elk disperse to higher elevations, but the refuge road still offers good birding, with trumpeter swans on the ponds and Brewer's blackbirds in the sagebrush. The Miller Butte trail on the refuge's east side gives a short, steep climb with a valley panorama.

Highlights: Winter sleigh rides among elk herds, Miller Butte trail, trumpeter swan nesting habitat along Flat Creek

The museum, founded in 1987, sits on a hillside overlooking the elk refuge about 4 kilometers north of Jackson. Even if you skip the galleries, the outdoor sculpture trail winds through native sagebrush plantings with bronze wildlife pieces set against the Teton backdrop. The building itself, designed to echo the cliff dwellings of the American Southwest, blends into the hillside in a way that rewards a walk around the exterior. Museum admission runs about $16 for adults, but the sculpture trail and grounds are open without a ticket.

Highlights: Outdoor sculpture trail in native landscaping, elk refuge overlook, architect-designed integration with the hillside