Jackson Hole Vacations – Jackson Hole is one of the most visited spots, not just in Wyoming, but in all of North America.

Why you ask? Because Jackson Hole has lots of great vacation options in the summer or winter for all ages.

A Jackson Hole Vacation can include: Camping under the stars in the Grand Teton National Park, rafting down the Snake River, Skiing or Snowboarding , a sleigh ride in fields full of elk, hiking the back trails, ice skating, snowmobiling, fishing, horseback riding, visiting art galleries, spa services, fine dining, shopping or watching the most beautiful sunset in North America. There are many activities in the winter and the summer for all ages.

Jackson Hole Vacation: Grand Teton National Park

The most popular camping and hiking place to go in the vicinity of Jackson Hole is the Grand Teton National Park. With six different summits topping 12,000 feet, offering some of the finest climbing and hiking in Wyoming. The Grand Tetons are a paradise for lovers of the outdoors.

A Jackson Hole vacation including the Grand Teton National Park is an easy day drives too see most of the road assessable park. The real attractions are the mountains and the view one gets from Jackson Hole.

If you want to include camping and hiking in your Jackson Hole vacation the Grand Teton National Park has five campgrounds. The fastest to fill in the summer and most scenic is Jenny Lake Campground and the biggest and last to fill is Gros Ventre Campground.

You want to make advance reservations at any Jackson Hole campground as they fill in the peak summer months by mid day.

If you visit the Grand Tetons in the fall you will be pleasantly surprised by the fabulous fall colors. Horseback riding on your Jackson Hole vacation is easy and most of The Grand Teton hotels also have stables and operate trail rides for their guests.

Jackson Hole Vacation: Skiing, Snowboarding, sledding

When you think of a Jackson Hole vacation if the first thing that comes to mind is skiing or snowboarding you’re absolutely correct! Jackson Hole is one of America’s premier winter sports destinations. Wyoming’s (3) largest ski resorts are all located in Jackson Hole; Jackson Hole Mountain, Grand Targehee, and Snow King.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is Wyoming’s best known ski resort. The resorts (2) mountains include 2,500 acres of inbound ski able terrain, 300 additional acres of gate accessed back country and 4,139 feet of vertical drop. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has the biggest vertical drop at any ski resort in the United States. In addition to skiing and snowboarding the resort offers a wide range of activities including dog sledding, ice-skating, heli skiing, snow cat skiing and snowmobiling.

For children, Jackson Hole Resort offers a kids ranch for ages 3-17 and daycare for ages 6 months to 2 years. In the summer the Jackson Hole resort offers sightseeing from its aerial tram way, hiking and mountain biking.

Grand Targhee Ski Resort offers 2000 acres of downhill terrain for great skiing. Plus 1000 acres groomed by snow cats. Grand Targhee is known to get 500 inches of powder each year. The resort also offers cross country skiing on 15K groomed and tracked trails.

Additional activities at the Grand Targhee Ski Resort include: dog sledding, snow shoeing, sleigh rides, free ice skating rink, snow tubing and a ski school. For children daycare for 2 months to 5 years and ski lessons for ages 4 -14years.

In the summer the Grand Targhee Ski Resort offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and Frisbee golf.

Snow King Resort is especially attractive to families now that in addition to skiing it offers a snowboarding slope, ski school and a separate area for a snow tubing run for adults and kids 5 years and older.

Snow King is Jackson Holes oldest ski resort opening in 1939 but also the closest to town square. Snow King has a 1,571 foot vertical drop. 400 acres of ski able terrain and the very popular 300 foot half pipe and terrain park for snowboarders. It is the only local resort with lights for nighttime skiing.

Snow King really caters to kids and families in the summer. In the summer this resort operates an alpine slide, scenic chair lift rides, miniature golf, hiking, horseback riding. The lodge also has a year round indoor skating rink.

Ice Skating is available at all (3) Jackson Hole Ski resorts. Public skating is also allowed at the outdoor hockey rinks at Snow King and in Wilson as well as at the smaller ice rink at the Jackson elementary school.

Jackson Hole Vacation: Sleigh rides on the National Elk Reserve

Just north of Jackson is the national Elk Refuge. Each year 7,500 elk make this area near Jackson their seasonal home. Sleigh rides depart from the National Wildlife museum 3 to 4 times per hour from 10am to 4 pm mid Dec. to mid April. Bundle up for this exciting 1 hour ride in a horse drawn sleigh right into the thick of the hundreds to thousands of elk that winter here each year. National Elk Reserve

The Snake River

The Snake River offers something for everyone, from fishing to scenic floats to class III and IV rapids. For rafting and kayaking these waters you are best to hire an experienced guide or a rafting trip service. Even the smooth/flat areas of this river can be tricky to navigate!

Rather your rafting or fishing trips takes you to the smooth water north of Jackson or white water in the canyon the trip is not so much about the wild water as it is about the wildlife you are likely to see along the way! Moose, Bald eagles, and osprey have all been seen by rafters at the waters edge.

Fly fishing Anglers will love having Flat head creek all to themselves. Flat Head Creek is currently Wyoming’s sole fly fishing only stream.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling like cross country skiing is very popular in the Jackson Hole region and the possibilities are virtually endless. Wyotrails.state.wy provides rules, rental agencies, trails and more. If you are a novice you should hire a guide or take a snowmobile tour with an expert.

Jackson Hole has much more to offer than just skiing and the abundance of outdoor recreation activities. The town also features an elegant town square with art galleries, massage and spa services, fine dining, museums, shopping, and lots of special events held throughout the year.