Jackson Hole in 5 days

Teton peaks, world-class skiing and gateway to America's best wildlife park. Best time to visit: December-March (ski) & June-September (summer). Average daily budget: $250 to $600 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Jackson Town Square, Antler arches, galleries, saloons and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Morning: Grand Teton National Park. Jenny Lake boat and Hidden Falls, Schwabacher Landing sunrise and the Teton Park Road loop.

Afternoon: Explore Jackson Town Square, Antler arches, galleries, saloons and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

Evening: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Ride the tram to Rendezvous Bowl in winter, or hike and bike from the top in summer.

Eat: Bison burger and local beer at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Teton Village, Ski-in ski-out base area at the foot of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Morning: Wildlife safari at dawn. Moose, elk, bears and bison in the sage flats, best with a naturalist guide.

Afternoon: Explore Teton Village, Ski-in ski-out base area at the foot of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Evening: Snake River scenic float. Drift beneath the Tetons watching for eagles, otters and moose on the banks.

Eat: Breakfast at Persephone Bakery before a park day

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Wilson, West-bank village near the pass with local restaurants and cabins.

Morning: Sunrise at Mormon Row's weathered barns with the Tetons behind. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Wilson, West-bank village near the pass with local restaurants and cabins.

Evening: Granite Hot Springs, a 1930s pool in the forest reached by snowmobile in winter. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sushi and sake at King Sushi, a log cabin institution

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Moose, Tiny park gateway with the Craig Thomas Discovery Center and wildlife flats.

Morning: The National Museum of Wildlife Art overlooking the elk refuge. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Moose, Tiny park gateway with the Craig Thomas Discovery Center and wildlife flats.

Evening: String Lake's shallow, warm-ish swimming in July and August. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Après nachos and a Mangy Moose margarita in Teton Village

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Kelly & the Gros Ventre, Sleepy riverside hamlet with hot springs access and big-sky silence.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Kelly & the Gros Ventre, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Kelly & the Gros Ventre, Sleepy riverside hamlet with hot springs access and big-sky silence.

Evening: Dinner at Bison burger and local beer at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Kelly & the Gros Ventre.

Eat: Bison burger and local beer at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Hidden gems

Sunrise at Mormon Row's weathered barns with the Tetons behind
Granite Hot Springs, a 1930s pool in the forest reached by snowmobile in winter
The National Museum of Wildlife Art overlooking the elk refuge
String Lake's shallow, warm-ish swimming in July and August

Getting around

Fly into Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport inside a US national park, 15 minutes from town. A rental car is essential for the parks; winter driving requires confidence in snow. START Bus connects Jackson, Teton Village and the airport cheaply. Downtown Jackson is walkable, and summer traffic into the parks builds by 9am.

Safety

This is bear and moose country: carry bear spray on every trail, make noise, and never approach wildlife, moose injure more people than bears. Afternoon thunderstorms hit the high peaks daily in summer, so be below treeline by noon. Altitude (1,900m town, 3,185m tram top) dehydrates fast. Winter brings avalanche terrain and -25°C cold snaps.

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