Visit Jackson Hole In Summer: Ultimate Guide Of Over 17+ Fun Things To Do In Summer!

Do you have Jackson Hole on your list this Summer? Summer is a great time to make a road trip to the great state of Wyoming! Surrounded by the beautiful, majestic Grand Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Whether you’re looking to relax in the cool mountain air or you’re looking for a big adventure, put Jackson Hole at the top of your list for Summer fun!

There’s plenty of things to do this Summer in Jackson Hole, read on for our list!

1. Explore the Tetons In Grand Teton National Park

These mountains are the most beautiful I’ve seen and are literally surround the town of Jackson.

There’s no way you can go to Jackson Hole and NOT go to Grand Teton National Park to see these beauties up close!

There are so many ways to see the Tetons! We loved the park so much that we spent the majority of our time here when we were in Jackson Hole. The beauty is unmatched!

2. Photos at Oxbow Bend

I’m a camera bug. I love, love, love to take pictures, especially of landscapes. Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park is a photographer’s dream. Go at sunrise or sunset for even more spectacular shots!

3. Camp at Colter Bay Near Jackson Lake

When you’re visiting such beautiful country as Jackson Hole, why not get a big dose of nature and camp.  Camping is so chill you’ll feel super relaxed and recharged after spending a few nights in the wild. Plus it’s a great way to save money, which is never a bad thing.

Just bring your tent and other essential road trip gear. 

Great places to camp in Grand Teton National Park include Colter Bay, Jenny Lake, and Signal Mountain. Other spots around Jackson Hole include Bridger Teton National Forest and of course, there may be no better place to experience camping than the beautiful Yellowstone National Park, which is only about an hour and a half away.

4. Hike To Jenny Lake

Explore nature on foot!  I love to get up early and hear the birds sing as I hike around the mountains. 

We spent the better part of a day hiking Jenny Lake. There are numerous trails around the eastern side of Jenny Lake.

We did a 2.5-mile hike over to the west side of the lake and checked out Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point on the way.

We were happy we picked up our boat ticket for the boat ride back! The hiking wasn’t too tough and we did see wildlife. I didn’t want to surprise any bears, so I made a lot of noise as we walked. Somehow we still lucked out and saw a mamma and baby moose!

5. Check out the Iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Ok you know we have to hit the bars because who doesn’t want to belly up to an old western bar, hear some great country music and dance?!  The place to go in Jackson Hole is The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.  You’re welcome!  

6.Bike Ride In The Mountains

Another fun, inexpensive thing to do in Jackson Hole in Summer is mountain biking.  There are a ton of trails to be explored in the Tetons.  If you’re road-tripping, you may have brought your own bike like we’ve done before. 

If not, you can rent bikes in the area. Ebikes are super cool and my fav way to bike ride.

7. Embrace The Western Lifestyle

That is embrace the Old West feel of Jackson Hole.  Known as the last of the Old West, Jackson in the Summer delivers on fun, western-themed things to do: Book a Chuckwagon dinner or if you visit in May you can explore Old West Days Festival and take in the chili cookoff and sip & see.

8. Drive Iconic Mountain Roads and Passes

There are quite a few beautiful drives around Jackson Hole.  A favorite is the Moose-Wilson road where you can see – you guessed it- moose from your car and oftentimes bears meandering about. This road goes between Moose, WY and Wilson, WY and past Teton Village.

Tip:  The road is closed to motor vehicles from approximately Nov – May, so be sure to check its status before planning your trip.  

Another favorite is the Grand Teton Inner Park Loop Road. We drove this quite a bit and there was always something to see.

9. Take In the Art Scene

Did you know that Jackson is a super artsy town?  With over two dozen art galleries, you’ll find everything from fine art to fabulous nature photography. 

Jackson is known as a mecca for artists and hosts the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival every September.  The festival is held over ten days and is known as one of the premier cultural events in the Rocky Mountain West region. 

If you are an art enthusiast, it’s not to be missed! 

10. Paddleboard the Lakes in Grand Teton National Park

Stand-up paddleboarding is one of my favorite activities.  It’s so fun to get out on the water and put your balance to the test. 

What could be better than paddle boarding in Jackson Hole in Summer – surrounded by the magnificent Grand Tetons?!  If you’re a paddleboarder, there are several great spots for paddleboarding in Grand Teton National Park: Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, Leigh Lake, and Colter Bay are all popular spots.

11. Shop For Souvenirs

In Jackson, there are two main areas to shop:  Jackson Town Square where there are a lot of local boutiques; and Teton Village where there is more upscale shopping.  We enjoyed knocking around Jackson Square and checking out the shops there.

12. Head to Downtown for Dinner

If you know me, then you know one of my favorite things to do on vacation is eat!  I love, love, love to explore funky, local diners & cafes.  Jackson is home to plenty of good, local food. You’ll find restaurants within all price points, but finding less expensive choices can be tricky.

That said, you’ll find good food and good value at many local spots. 

Try Pinky G’s for pizza that Guy Fieri raved about.  Other favorites are Jackson Drug for lunch with a side of nostalgia and the Virginian for huge and tasty breakfast choices.

14. GiddyUp at the Rodeo

If you’re in a town that has a motto of  “where the west is still wild” and they have a rodeo, I think it’s a good bet to check it out!

Jackson is one such town.  They’ve had a rodeo in Jackson for over 100 years. The Jackson Rodeo is held almost every Wed & Saturday from Memorial Day – Labor Day. 

15. Whitewater Rafting On the Snake River

A popular place for whitewater rafting in Jackson is the wild and scenic Snake River. 

On the Snake, you’ll get to experience Class II and Class III Rapids!

16. Go Wildlife Viewing

You’re probably into nature and wildlife if you’re heading to Jackson Hole in the Summer.  And, you are in for quite a treat!  Wildlife abounds in the area near Jackson.  Our trip in May was epic because of all the wildlife we saw. May is prime time for baby wildlife spotting! All the new babies are born and coming out to explore! (Be on alert for nervous mammas).

There are so many options to take in the area wildlife. For a splurge, you could book a wildlife viewing tour and have a pro show you where all the animals are.  

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone are epic and teeming with wildlife, and you’ll do just fine on your own.  Keep your eyes peeled for moose, black bears, grizzly bears,  big horn sheep, bald eagles, bison and wolves.

17. Enjoy Incredible Photo Ops

When you’re in a place as beautiful as Jackson, you’ll find fantastic photo opportunities everywhere.  That said, you can take your photo ops to a whole new level if you shoot at some prime locations.  Don’t miss the Antler Arch, the Cowboy Bar neon, Rondezvous Mountain, and pretty much anywhere in Grand Teton National Park.