Hiking

Walk on the wild side.

The only hike you’ll regret here is the one not taken.

There are more miles of hiking trails in, around, and through Jackson Hole than there are hours of sunlight in the summer, and August alone gets an average of 340 hours of sun. Jackson Hole hikes range from day-long epics that get you high in the Tetons — maybe even onto a Teton summit — to mellow walks along the Snake River. In between there are hikes in the Gros Ventre Mountains with spectacular Teton views (a secret: the best views of the Tetons aren’t from the Tetons) and walks along routes used by Native Americans for hundreds of years. On any of these, expect to encounter something wild, whether an animal, flower, or local athlete trying for a speed or distance record.

Local hikers are split on what season is best for hiking. June and July bring wildflowers and a higher probability of encountering snow on trails, especially the earlier and higher you go. If you’re dreaming about a high-alpine hike like the Teton Crest Trail, mountain summits, or anything from the top of the tram, mid-July to mid-September is the window for these trails being snow-free (although we’ve seen snow every month of the year here, so no guarantees). The later you go in this window, the fewer crowds and bugs you’ll encounter; also decreasing are the temperatures and hours of daylight you’ll have. In May, June, October or November, set your sights on low- and mid-elevation trails. Hiking from December through March is either on groomed trails or snowshoes.

How to have a great hiking experience in Jackson Hole

Plan Ahead

Apps like AllTrails, Gaia, or Trail Forks are great digital mapping tools to help you plan your hike. If you want to use them during your hike, make sure to download the relevant maps for offline use since mountains are good at interfering with cell service. For added safety that doubles as a functional souvenir, paper maps are available at local outdoor shops and visitor centers. Don’t be shy about asking gear shop employees and visitor center staff about trail conditions and wildlife activity.

Always tell someone where you’re going and when you think you’ll return. Equally important is remembering to check in with this person when you’ve finished and returned to your car.

Check the weather, both the daily and hourly forecast. An oft-repeated mountain joke is “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” This is funny until you’re stuck on a ridge in shorts and a T-shirt in a sudden thunder- or snowstorm.

Pack Appropriately

Carry extra layers, bear spray, snacks, water, sunscreen, a headlamp or flashlight, and a basic first aid kit with you. These are the minimum items you should have in your pack. If you’re out for more than a couple of hours, consider bringing a way to sterilize water.

Local Tip

Lightweight hiking poles are a savior on long mountain hikes and are used by most mountain guides in the area who know that saving their knees is key to a lifetime of enjoying the mountains.

Trail Running in Grand Teton National Park.

We acknowledge that we live and recreate on the ancestral homeland of the Mountain Shoshone people, and wish to recognize the lands of the over 27 bands of Indigenous people who were the earliest occupants and stewards of what is now referred to as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

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Live by the wild rules

Expect the unexpected on your adventure. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and what time you expect to return, keep an eye on local weather reports (as mountain weather can often change on a dime), and carry a map and emergency essentials with you. Locals know to always have a warm layer, rain jacket and headlamp in their pack, along with means to stay hydrated and fueled beyond what you expect you’ll need.

Backcountry Prep Guide

Always view wildlife from a distance. Give bears, other large carnivores, and large nesting birds at least 100 yards of space. Give all other animals, including bison, elk, and moose, at least 25 yards of space. Limit disturbance to wildlife and avoid surprise encounters. Never scare or chase wildlife. Be patient, find alternate routes, or turn around in order to give wildlife space.

Questions about Hiking in Jackson Hole

Fall can be the best time for hiking in Jackson Hole. Trails are much quieter than in July and August, but the days are shorter and snow can close down high-elevation treks. If you have your sights set on a high-elevation hike in the Tetons or the Gros Ventres — anything above 10,000 feet — make sure to check the weather forecast.

During our favorite autumns, it’s possible to hike anywhere in the Tetons into and even throughout October. Even if there’s snow in the high mountains, lower-elevation hikes — below 8,000 feet — are very rarely snow-covered until mid-October at the earliest.

When hiking in the fall in the national forests in and around Jackson Hole, be aware that it’s hunting season; wear blaze orange (and put something blaze orange on your dog) to alert hunters that you’re not a wild animal. It’s also important to remember wildlife activity is high in the fall as animals prepare for the upcoming winter, so keeping your distance and carrying bear spray is mandatory.

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We welcome your furry friends here in the Tetons, and there are a wide variety of pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and trails. But to protect our wildlife they aren’t welcome everywhere, so it’s important to do your homework so everyone has a great time.

In the national parks, a good rule of thumb is anywhere a car can go, a dog on a leash can go too, like campgrounds and visitor centers but not the trails. We’re surrounded by national forests and other public lands where well-behaved pets are welcome to roam free, but they must be on a leash in the parking areas. Make sure to have a leash in preparation for possible encounters with wildlife, people or other dogs, pick up your pup’s poop, and bring extra water and food.

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While navigation apps are incredibly useful, even the most savvy locals always carry a paper map.

Before venturing into the backcountry, you can pick up a map with the level of detail appropriate for your planned activities and off-road vehicle travel in the forest. These are available at most outdoor stores in Jackson or you can get them in advance at the following links:

National Forest maps

National Park maps

We take great pride in sharing our favorite and most beautiful spaces with every visitor. If you love something, share it. We want to share the gifts the land has given us with everyone because we know they are not ours to keep. If you are worried about the crowds that summer in Jackson attracts, remember that you are visiting for the same exact reasons as everyone else, and everyone deserves to experience the magic of this place.

Learning to find the quiet places during summer is part art and part science. Here’s the science: If you’re going to a popular trailhead or lake, get there early. The art comes from looking beyond social media and online guides for places to go and things to do here. More than 1,000 miles of trails wind through the five mountain ranges that surround Jackson Hole. And remember to appreciate beauty with or without crowds.

Yes. In general the sun’s intensity increases at a rate of 6% for every 1,000 feet above sea level at the same latitude. The absolute lowest point in Jackson Hole (near Hoback Junction) is 5,975 feet in elevation, and the sun is 36% stronger than at sea level. At the top of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort tram — 10,450 feet — the sun is 60% stronger than sea-level sun. In winter, when the sun comes at you not only from above but also from below (the snow reflects it upward), we even recommend putting sunscreen inside your nostrils. Sunburnt nostrils are no joke.

At all elevations, the air you breathe is about 21% oxygen. But the higher you are in elevation, the further oxygen molecules are spread apart, lowering the oxygen content of every breath you take and decreasing your blood oxygen levels. This means you might feel lightheaded, fatigued, and weak, but only temporarily.

Your body will adjust, or acclimatize, to our thinner air, usually within 1 to 3 days of being here. There are things you can do to help your body during this time: take it easy on your first day in the valley, drink a lot of water (adults should aim for about 4 liters a day, and even more after acclimatizing and engaging in physical activity), and avoid alcohol.

Jackson native, Freeride World Tour champion, and founder of Wright Training Gym Crystal Wright says, “Once you’re here, try to start with shorter hikes or bike rides and work up to the tougher stuff. Also, good nutrition helps keep you energized and prevents headaches.”

Walk on the wild side.

How to have a great hiking experience in Jackson Hole

Plan Ahead

Pack Appropriately

Local Tip

Live by the wild rules

Questions about Hiking in Jackson Hole

Take your pick from any number of Jackson's top-notch outfitters.

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Adventure starts here.

#VisitJacksonHole

Discover the Mountain of Youth

Live by the wild rules.

Where the West lives on.

How to have a great hiking experience in Jackson Hole

Plan Ahead

Pack Appropriately

Local Tip

Live by the wild rules

Know Before You Go

Give Wildlife Space

Questions about Hiking in Jackson Hole

Can I go hiking in the fall?

Is Jackson dog friendly?

What local paper maps should I carry?

How can I visit Jackson Hole in the summer but avoid the crowds?

Sunscreen: Do I need it?

What’s “acclimatization” and how do I do it?

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Tips for the Trail

There’s No Space For Waste

Take your pick from any number of Jackson's top-notch outfitters.

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Adventure starts here.

#VisitJacksonHole

Discover the
Mountain
of Youth

Live by the
wild rules.

Where the
West lives on.