Mountain valley gateway to the Tetons and Yellowstone
Jackson Hole is a high mountain valley in northwest Wyoming beneath the jagged Teton Range, covering the town of Jackson, Teton Village and the surrounding parkland. It is the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and the southern entrance of Yellowstone, with world-class wildlife watching in summer and steep skiing in winter. The town mixes Western wooden boardwalks with upscale galleries and restaurants. It suits outdoor lovers, photographers and skiers.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A park of sharp granite peaks rising straight from the valley, with lakes, rivers and abundant wildlife. Scenic drives, hikes and boat trips cover the main sights.
Private vehicle 35 USD in 2026 (valid 7 days); non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra 100 USD per person, per the NPS fees page.
A clear mountain lake at the foot of the Tetons, with a shuttle boat across to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. It is the park's most popular area.
Covered by the park entrance pass; the shuttle boat is extra.
A small park framed by four elk antler arches, surrounded by boardwalks, galleries and Western saloons. A summer shootout reenactment draws crowds.
Free to visit.
A cable car climbing about 1200 m to the top of Rendezvous Mountain in a few minutes, with huge views. Waffles at the summit hut are a tradition.
Sightseeing tickets listed at 55 USD per person on the official site in 2026.
Scenic floats through the park offer views of the Tetons, eagles and moose, while whitewater trips run in the canyon south of town. Both are summer favorites.
Guided trips are paid; check outfitters.
A striking stone museum on a hill above the Elk Refuge, holding wildlife paintings and sculpture from around the world. A sculpture trail is outside.
Check the official site for current prices.
A refuge next to town where thousands of elk spend the winter. Sleigh rides among the herd run in winter.
No fee to visit the refuge, per the US Fish and Wildlife Service; sleigh rides are paid.
Old homestead barns with the Tetons behind them, one of the most photographed scenes in the West. Bison often graze nearby.
Covered by the park entrance pass.
The town's own ski hill, with a gondola to a summit viewpoint, an alpine coaster and hiking trails in summer. It overlooks downtown.
Check the official site for current prices.
The first national park in the world, famous for Old Faithful, hot springs and wildlife. The south entrance is about an hour north of Grand Teton.
Private vehicle 35 USD in 2026 (valid 7 days); non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra 100 USD per person, per the NPS fees page.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one in Grand Teton, day two up the aerial tram and around town, day three on a Snake River float or wildlife tour.
Steep mountain views and a small-town feel.
25 mi · Car over the pass, about 45 minutes
A natural hot springs pool in the forest.
34 mi · Car on a gravel road, about 1 hour
Quieter lakes and mountains.
78 mi · Car, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Ski resort with summer hiking in Wyoming's western side.
40 mi · Drive via Teton Pass, about 1 hour 15 minutes
Lake with scenic drives.
56 mi · Drive about 1 hour 30 minutes
Larger city with river parks and a temple.
90 mi · Drive about 2 hours
Best: June to September for parks, January to March for skiing. Summer opens all park roads and trails, while winter brings deep snow.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
No season note for this month.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
September (September 8 to 19 in 2027)
Gallery events, art auctions and food events across Jackson.
Typically fall
Running event listed by the Chamber; confirm dates.
Winter
Food and wine events listed by the Chamber.
Summer
Old West gunfight show and rodeo events through the season.
Based on UK FCDO travel advice for the USA (there is no US advisory for domestic travel): violent crime rarely affects tourists, so normal city precautions apply; here the real risks are wildlife such as bears and moose, mountain weather and winter driving.
Downtown Jackson is very walkable, but the parks need a car or tour.
START buses link Jackson and Teton Village year-round, but they do not go into the national parks.
Sources disagree on: population.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, foodies
Walk to Town Square, galleries and restaurants.
Best for: skiers, hikers
Ski-in, ski-out lodging at the base of the aerial tram.
Best for: quiet stays, couples
Small community between town and the Teton Pass road.
Best for: nature lovers, photographers
Park lodges and cabins put you at the trailheads at dawn.
Best for: nature lovers
Stay in the park for sunrise and wildlife.
Best for: quiet seekers, couples
Quieter than town; close to Teton Pass.
| Main airport | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), 8 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi, hotel shuttle or rental car into town; the airport sits inside Grand Teton National Park. |
| Around town | Rent a car to explore the parks; use START buses between Jackson and Teton Village in ski season. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
Lean bison meat is on most menus.
Elk steak or sausage appears on Western menus.
Ice cream, pie and jam from the wild berry.
Often pan-fried at lodge restaurants.
Wyoming game meats.
Local river trout.
Many local breweries.
Steaks and chuckwagon dinners.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a few dollars per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and tours. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors. |
| Etiquette | Dress is casual and outdoorsy. Give wildlife plenty of room: at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. |
Shoshone, Crow, Blackfeet and other tribes hunted in the valley seasonally for centuries. Fur trappers in the 1800s called mountain valleys holes, and named this one after trapper David Jackson. Homesteaders ranched here from the 1880s, and John D. Rockefeller Jr. quietly bought land that later became part of Grand Teton National Park in 1950. Skiing and tourism took over from ranching in the late 20th century.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.