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If you’re dreaming of fresh mountain air, wildlife spotting, and epic outdoor adventures, Jackson Hole is the perfect summer escape.
Nestled in the heart of the Tetons, this Wyoming gem offers a rare mix of rugged wilderness and rustic charm that turns every day into a postcard moment.
Our 6-day Jackson Hole itinerary is jam packed with the most iconic and unforgettable things to do in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park — and includes a day trip to the geysers and grandeur of Yellowstone National Park.
Whether you’re an avid adventurer or a laid-back traveler, our Jackson Hole summer itinerary delivers experiences that will stick with you long after the last mountain sunset.
Disclaimer: This trip was not hosted, comped, or sponsored. Each and every opinion I share is my own and nothing has been created using AI. I only share my own itineraries (that are tested and true) and will never share a vacation guide created by bots.
Jackson Hole At A Glance
When to Go: The best time to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for:
- Summer (June to September; my top pick!) – Best for outdoor adventures like hiking, wildlife viewing, fly fishing, rafting, and exploring Grand Teton & Yellowstone
- Winter (December to March) – Best for skiing and snow sports
- Fall (September to October) – Best for fewer crowds, fall colors, and active wildlife, especially during elk season
- Spring (April to May) – Best for quiet beauty, early wildlife sightings, and wildflowers starting to bloom. Some roads/trails may still be closed
Where to Stay: During our summer vacation to Jackson Hole, we stayed at The Lodge at Jackson Hole. We loved its central location; indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub; & free, gourmet hot, buffet breakfast each morning. Other great places to stay in Jackson Hole include Rustic Inn Creekside and the Virginian Lodge.
How to Get Around: For full flexibility and scenic driving access, I recommend that you have your own vehicle or get a rental car. Local shuttles and transportation via guided tour companies are also available.
Top Highlights: Grand Teton National Park, day trip to Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Town Square, Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, & the Jackson Hole Rodeo
Before you Go: Summer days in Jackson Hole are long, but mornings are when the magic happens. You’ll beat the crowds, catch wildlife when they’re most active, and enjoy cooler temperatures on the trails. Plus, popular spots like Jenny Lake, Schwabacher Landing, and the Aerial Tram fill up fast—arriving early ensures you actually get a parking spot.
Bonus: Always carry layers, bear spray, and plenty of water.
6-Day Jackson Hole Itinerary for Summer
Jackson Hole in the summer is a paradise of possibilities involving epic hikes, scenic drives, wildlife safaris, river adventures, cowboy cookouts, and national park day trips.
Having a well-thought-out itinerary is essential however, as popular attractions fill up fast and can have extremely long lines, as well as distances here can be deceiving.
While Jackson looks compact, traveling through and finding parking in Jackson, the Tetons, and Yellowstone can take longer than expected, especially during peak season, summer traffic.
Without further ado, here are the details of our 6-day Jackson Hole itinerary perfect for summer!
All of these restaurants, events, and activities are ordered in the way that we experienced them.
Jackson Hole Itinerary: Day 1
- Ride the alpine coaster at Snow King Mountain Resort
- Explore Jackson Town Square
- Have lunch at Jackson Drug
- Watch the Jackson Hole Shootout
- Have dinner at Local Restaurant & Bar
- Have a drink at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Day 1: Jackson Hole Itinerary
After flying or driving into Jackson Hole, you’ll probably want to go straight to your hotel to check in.
In our case, this was at The Lodge at Jackson Hole.
We chose to stay here for its central location, rustic decor, amazing indoor/outdoor pool area and outdoor hot tub, as well as the gourmet hot breakfast included with our stay.
With an active family of 5, an included ‘hot’ breakfast is always a huge perk – and boy is it yummy!
Snow King Mountain Resort
Start off your first day in Jackson Hole by visiting Snow King Mountain Resort!
Not only will you get your first glimpse of the stellar mountain views you’ve been waiting for, but you’ll get to pick from a huge variety of activities unique to mountain resorts.
Choose from mini-golf, gondola rides, guided hikes, zip lining, the tree top adventure course, alpine slides, and our favorite, the Cowboy Coaster!
Do as many, or as few activities, as your pocket book allows – and don’t forget to check the Snow King website for package deals and to make a reservation.
Jackson Town Square
Jackson Town Square—officially George Washington Memorial Park—is the heart and social center of Jackson Hole!
Framed by its iconic elk‐antler arches on each corner, its wooden boardwalks are lined with western boutiques, art galleries, outdoor gear shops, and fun restaurants.
Our top recommendations and list of ‘must do’ activities in Jackson Town Square include:
- Snap a family photo under the elk antler arches
- Get a pastry at The Bunnery
- Go to Yippy I-O Candy Company (a Jackson Hole tradition!)
- Have lunch at the iconic Jackson Drug
- Check out the farmer’s market (summer Saturdays from 8 AM – Noon)
- Get Pig Candy at Cafe Genevieve (cooked in-house daily!)
- Design a custom hat at Kemo Sabe
- Get ice cream from Moo’s (try the famous wild huckleberry ice cream!)
- Have pizza at Pinky G’s, or our favorite, Hand Fire Pizza
- Watch the Jackson Town Square Shootout (Free, family-friendly, 20-minute show held at 6 PM Monday through Saturday, from May 31st to Labor Day – arrive by 5:30 to get a good spot!)
- Enjoy a cocktail while sitting in a saddle stool at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Local Restaurant & Bar
End your day in Jackson Town Square with a delicious sit-down dinner at Local Restaurant & Bar – located right in Town Square itself.
Often voted as one of the best restaurants in Jackson Hole, Local is a modern steakhouse featuring dry-aged steak, house-made sausages, and an abundance of locally sourced products.
We love the casual yet elegant ambiance here, as well as contemporary Western decor and its location overlooking town square.
Jackson Hole Itinerary: Day 2
- Have a chuckwagon breakfast at Dornans
- Start exploring Grand Teton National Park
- Have dinner at Snake River Grill (or Snake River Brewing for a more casual experience)
Day 2: Jackson Hole Itinerary
It’s time to start exploring Grand Teton National Park!
From Jackson Hole, the most common entrance to use for Grand Teton National Park is the south entrance, called Moose Entrance. Moose Entrance is located only 5 miles from downtown Jackson Hole.
This is the entrance and starting point for today’s itinerary.
Dornans
Dornans is a beloved, family-owned landmark located just inside the southern entrance of Grand Teton National Park, at Moose Junction, along the banks of the Snake River.
Stop here for a classic chuckwagon breakfast (served from 8 – 11 AM, June-Sept.). They have gas, outdoor gear rentals, and a gift shop here too.
If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, Dornans also serves a chuckwagon lunch and dinner from 12 – 8 PM. They also have an amazing deli-sandwich counter if you’d like to have a picnic – as well as a pizza and pasta restaurant with a patio overlooking the Tetons.
Grand Teton National Park
Being that you have 6-days in Jackson Hole, I recommend taking your time while exploring Grand Teton National Park, as well as breaking it up and visiting the park on multiple days.
For instance, we visited the park on 2 separate days, with 2 separate, realistic itineraries.
You’ll find the first half below, and the second half on Day 6.
Itinerary for 1 of 2-Days in Grand Teton National Park
- Enter via Moose Entrance
- Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center (watch the 24-minute free film)
- Chapel of Transfiguration
- Taggart Lake (4-mile easy hike; 1 hr. 30 min, do counterclockwise)
- Jenny Lake (take the ferry and combine a hike to Hidden Falls, then Inspiration Point)
- Stop at Signal Mountain Lodge that overlooks Jackson Lake (order the Nachos and Blackberry Margarita!)
Jackson Hole Itinerary: Day 3
- Take a 1/2 day white water rafting trip, scenic river float, or wildlife safari
- Have dinner at Gun Barrel Steak and Game House (or Sidewinders for a more casual experience)
- Go to the Jackson Hole Rodeo
Day 3: Jackson Hole Itinerary
Yay! It’s day 3!
There are so many amazing tour guide companies in the Jackson Hole area, that today, I recommend that you participate in activity that is unique to your interests.
Then…have a unique Jackson Hole dinner experience and hit up the rodeo!
Guided Tours & Excursions
Some of the amazing experiences available in Jackson Hole include white water rafting, scenic river floats, guided wildlife safaris, fishing & fly fishing, and horseback riding.
To learn more, check out some of our favorites:
- Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris
- Dave Hansen Whitewater and Scenic River Trips
- Mill Iron Ranch horseback rides
- Jackson Hole Anglers
Gun Barrel Steak and Game House
Gun Barrel Steak & Game House is a legendary Western dining destination set in a former wildlife museum, that is completely unique to Jackson Hole.
Gun Barrel Steak and Game offers a rustic, frontier-style ambiance complete with log-beam architecture, as well as taxidermy trophies and Western artifacts covering the walls.
The menu here is a carnivore’s dream, showcasing expertly mesquite-grilled steaks along with local game such as buffalo, elk, venison, and even bison ribs.
The “Rest of the West” portion of the menu includes chicken, burgers, ravioli, and sea bass.
Be sure to check their online menu and pricing ahead of time, as this restaurant is a bit spendy.
Jackson Hole Rodeo
After dinner, head to the legendary Jackson Hole Rodeo held at the Teton County Fairgrounds.
Performances take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8 pm, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with additional shows Fridays in July and August — get tickets early as the rodeos sell out quickly!
Gates open at 6:30 pm and the evening wraps up around 9:30–10 pm, so arriving by 7:15 pm is ideal.
You’ll see bull riding, barrel racing, team and tie-down roping, and even mini-bull riding for younger contestants.
Kids are encouraged to join in crowd-favorite activities like the Sheep Scramble, where they chase a sheep across the arena for laughs and cheers.
The atmosphere is festive and family-oriented, with concession stands serving burgers, hot dogs, sausages, cold beer, and seltzers.
Jackson Hole Itinerary: Day 4
- Spend the entire day exploring Yellowstone National Park
- Have dinner at Hand Fire Pizza
Day 4: Jackson Hole Itinerary
If you’re not sure if and when you’re going to be back in this area, I highly recommend that you take a day trip to Yellowstone National Park during your Jackson Hole vacation.
After all, it’s only 60 miles (1.5 hours) from Jackson Hole, WY to the South Entrance of Yellowstone.
Seeing the best of Yellowstone was extremely important to us, so we splurged on purchasing a private,1-day tour.
We booked the “Best of Yellowstone Private Safari” through Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris (highly recommend!) and had an absolutely fantastic time.
We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel; rode in a private vehicle; had a tour guide who provided educational commentary; were given both breakfast and lunch, and literally saw THE BEST of Yellowstone — without having to drive, find parking, or map out the stops on our own.
Due to the private and high-quality nature of this tour, it is quite expensive.
If you’d rather explore Yellowstone on your own, I recommend finding a reliable blog post on how to see the best of Yellowstone in 1-day from Jackson Hole.
Hand Fire Pizza
You’ll be thoroughly joy-filled and exhausted after spending the day in Yellowstone!
For this reason, we recommend having dinner at the casual, yet wildly delicious Hand Fire Pizza.
Hand Fire Pizza is located in century‑old Teton Theater in downtown Jackson and in our opinion, is a ‘must-visit’ restaurant when visiting Jackson.
The ambiance is casual yet vibrant—perfect for families, friends, or anyone craving a relaxed evening with great food .
We loved the Whole Burrata Love and Hummus Platter starters, as well as the Truffle Shuffle (ricotta, spinach, kalamata olives, garlic, truffle oil) and Chew‑Baca (ricotta, bacon, caramelized onion, arugula, honey drizzle) wood-fired pizzas that we tried!
You don’t want to miss this place!
Jackson Hole Itinerary: Day 5
- Drive Moose Wilson Road
- Explore Teton Village
- Ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
- Have lunch at Mangy Moose
- Go biking or relax at your hotel pool
- Have dinner at Merry Piglets
Day 5: Jackson Hole Itinerary
During day 5 of your Jackson Hole itinerary, make your way to the unforgettable Teton Village!
The road trip from downtown Jackson Hole to Teton Village is just as delightful, as you’ll be traveling along the popular Moose Wilson Road.
Always be on the lookout for wildlife when driving this scenic highway!
Teton Village
Teton Village is a charming alpine resort community located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, about 12 miles northwest of downtown Jackson, Wyoming.
The village features a mix of upscale hotels, cozy lodges, restaurants, cafes, spas, and boutique shops—all in a walkable setting.
In the warmer months, Teton Village comes alive with scenic gondola rides, live music, mountain biking trails, and family-friendly activities.
Upon your arrival, start by taking a scenic ride on the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, which climbs over 4,000 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain.
At the top, take in sweeping views of the Tetons, Snake River Valley, and even distant Yellowstone. You can enjoy short hikes, snap photos, or treat yourself to a famous waffle at Corbet’s Cabin.
After your ride back down, head to the lively and iconic Mangy Moose Restaurant & Saloon for lunch.
It’s known for hearty burgers, fresh salads, and a fun, rustic atmosphere filled with quirky decor and mountain-town charm.
Next, spend a relaxing afternoon at your hotel pool, or go road biking on some of the over 56-miles of bike trails in Jackson Hole.
Merry Piglets
End your day with a casual dinner at Merry Piglets, located in downtown Jackson Hole. Another one of our personal faves!
Merry Piglets is a festive, family-friendly Tex-Mex restaurant that has a welcoming vibe, and cheerful, colorful décor.
Start your meal with their famous house-fried tortilla chips alongside zesty guacamole or the signature Twisted Cowgirl Queso—rich, cheesy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
For mains, try the sizzling fajitas, carne asada burritos, and fresh street tacos — along with one of their famous Spicy Huckleberry Margaritas!
Day 6: Jackson Hole Itinerary
Let’s see the rest of the park!
Spend Day 6 visiting the rest of Grand Teton National Park, as well as re-visit any stops that you previously fell in love with.
Here’s what we did during our second day in the park!
Itinerary for 1 of 2-Days in Grand Teton National Park
- Antelope Flats Road
- Mormon Row Historic District (take photos of the Moulton barns)
- Schwabacher Landing (1.8-mile easy hike or .5-mile easy hike)
- Snake River Overlook (The Snake River Overlook view was made famous by Ansel Adams’s iconic 1942 photograph, “The Tetons and the Snake River”)
- Oxbow Bend (one of the most photographed places in the park where the Tetons are reflected in the Snake River)
- Rent a canoe, kayak, or motorboat at Colter Bay Marina
Jackson Hole Itinerary Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our fabulous 6-Day Jackson Hole Itinerary including a day trip to Yellowstone National Park!
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Happy travels my friends!