Are you planning to visit Jackson Hole for the first time? And still not sure where to start. Then this article will help you to plan your trip. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a paradise for travelers who love natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities.
If you are a nature enthusiast, a culture seeker, and looking for a peaceful environment in the heart of mountains, Jackson Hole has something special for everyone.
Jackson Hole covers itself with an eye-dazzling view of mountainous slopes of greenery with a cold and stress-removing fresh climate that will recharge your mind and refresh your soul. There you will find a whole lot of stuff to entertain yourself and your family, like skiing, ranching, fishing, mountain trailing, boating, camping, and much more.
In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide, so you can plan your summer vacation in Jackson Hole and make your memories exceptional.
What Is Jackson Hole, and Where Is It Located?
Jackson Hole is a valley encompassing many towns, including the one which it is named after, Jackson. Some other names include Wilson, Teton Village, Moose, and Moran. It is located in the Northwest of Wyoming state, near the border with Idaho. As a mountainous region, the climate here is no easy deal to predict. You’ll see temperature changes of 23 to 27 degrees Celsius every day. It comes out with cold mornings and evenings, with clear, shiny days. So you must be packed in the layers so you can remove or add them throughout the whole day.
Accommodations and Food
Accommodation
As Jackson is a tourist attraction and being in Wyoming, it is very expensive to get accommodation and food here. You may encounter long queues for food and will have to wait as much as an hour to get to a table for dinner. But there are other small towns across the valley to pay a visit with low prices and more neighboring the mountainous nature.
You can choose cabins, house rentals, or ranches according to your requirement. But for those looking for a luxurious stay, then luxury rental villas in Jackson Hole will fulfill your needs. These properties are full of stylish furniture and other amenities. Luxury villas are made to provide an exclusive experience and are also perfect for special occasions. However, getting a vacation rental is quite challenging in Jackson Hole due to its year-round popularity.
The solution to this is to pre book your desired accommodation before planning your trip. You can book cabins and rooms by searching online or by simply getting in touch with hotels on call.
Local Food
Here are two main different foods you’ll get to taste aside from your routine. Elk meat and Bison. Both animals are the locals here, and people there are used to hunting them. You will find Elk steaks in the hotels and Bison’s ground beef instead of beef commonly. Both of these are nutritiously superior, with less fat and very small calories compared to beef.
Exploring the Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole Valley holds vast and diversified places and activities for those who are willing to unveil. Being in Wyoming, the cowboy lifestyle isn’t very much, as you will see here. This valley is a home of mountains and hosts many activities such as skiing, fishing, rafting, ranching, national parks, and wildlife with a clear and astonishing view of the night sky, distant from the light pollution we are used to in big cities. Here are the necessary things that you need to know:
Skiing
There are several skiing locations to pay a visit to in Jackson Hole. The most popular are three ski areas, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort. If you are interested in skiing, you can go to one of these skiing places. But never overestimate yourself because skiing here will not be like what you are used to doing anywhere else. Because of steep terrain and a vertical drop of over 4100 feet is one of the highest in North America.
National Parks and Museum
Jackson Hole is the neighbor of two national parks, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and these two parks have the most iconic places there to visit. These two national parks have their own beautiful mountains and a waterfall that make the visit worth every penny. Jackson Hole also is the home of the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
If you are visiting here with your family and there are small children with you, you must make a visit to the National Wildlife Museum on the way to Teton National Park.
Ranching
Those who love adventures and ride over the area to explore nature can get themselves involved in skiing. You can also get off-road vehicles to get into the ranches. The most beautiful and vast ranch here is Snake River Ranch which also owns the title to be one of the oldest here.
While driving here, you must focus on the roads as wild animals can wander around any time they get to the road, especially when visiting the national parks here.
Fishing
You can also enjoy fishing here as there are some very nice places to do so, some of which are Greys River, Jackson Lake Dam, Soda Lake, Fall Creek, and Teton River. These locations are also famous for the abundant fish population and provide a pleasant fishing experience.
Night Out
Residing in a cabin here will be the most iconic thing as you will hear nature more clearly. While in the cabin, you can have a spectacular view of the clear and magnificent night sky. In Jackson Hole, except downtown, there are no proper street lights installed, but this reduces light pollution and makes the sky more visible.
One thing to be kept in mind is you must always carry a flashlight with you, especially when you are out at night, and it gets more important if you are spending your night out in the wild or you have a cabin to enjoy mountainous beauty.
Conclusion
Jackson Hole provides a memorable summer vacation for nature lovers. However, planning a vacation to Jackson Hole requires considerable and careful planning. The attractions are vast and diverse here whether you are planning outdoor or indoor activities during your stay here. And for choosing your preferred location, it is recommended to pre-book your location otherwise, you may face unavailability. So proper planning, pre booking, and considering local offerings will make your trip memorable.