The best times to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming, through the year

18.11.2024 - 12:37 / lonelyplanet.com / Jackson Hole

Nov 16, 2024 • 6 min read

Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Tetons and the Gros Ventre Range, Jackson Hole is a true mountain destination. As such, the weather and the activities vary greatly from season to season.

Winter means feet of fluffy white powder that’s ideal for skiing and snowboarding, while summers are mild, sunny and perfect for hiking and mountain-biking. Come autumn, Jackson Hole is ablaze with dancing yellow aspens. Spring is a shoulder season, meaning you can score budget deals on lodging and have more of Jackson Hole to yourself.

Plan your visit Jackson Hole with this seasonal guide.

Summer is peak season in Jackson Hole. As the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, the valley welcomes lots of outdoorsy families while the kids are out of school. While the weather is near-perfect, you’ll also likely encounter traffic jams, full parking lots, crowded hiking trails and pricey accommodations.

The weather is sunny, breezy and mild, without the stifling humidity you find in destinations at lower elevations. Jackson Hole sees daytime temperatures in the 70°Fs and 80°Fs, then cools off considerably once the sun dips behind the Tetons. (Bring a jacket, because evenings can dip into the low 40°Fs.) It’s common for thunderstorms to roll in over the mountains in the afternoons, showering the valley with a quick burst of refreshing rain.

As the snow melts away in the high country, colorful wildflowers begin to emerge. Enjoy them while hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, birding, camping and more. All of that snowmelt trickles into the Snake River, creating class II-IV rapids in the process. Book a white water rafting or scenic float trip with a local outfitter, like Dave Hansen Whitewater or Teton Whitewater.

If the timing of your trip lines up, you can also attend fun festivals and events, many of which shine the spotlight on Jackson Hole’s Wild West roots. The Jackson Hole Rodeo runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while the Teton County Fair spans nine days in late July. In Jackson’s famous antler-adorned Town Sq, you can catch nightly “shootouts” (performed by actors from the Jackson Hole Playhouse) every evening except Sundays. Both Snow King Mountain Resort and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort host outdoor concerts throughout the summer.

The summer crowds start to thin out in September, just as temperatures drop into the 60°Fs and 50°Fs. Meanwhile, Jackson Hole’s aspen trees begin to turn gold in mid- to late September, though the exact timing varies from year to year. You can usually still catch a glimpse of the region’s bright yellow fall foliage into early October.

Fall is also mating season for Jackson Hole’s elk, a period known as the “elk rut.” If you listen