Unforgettable 3 Days in Jackson Hole Itinerary

Jackson Hole is a beautiful mountain town near Grand Teton National Park and is home to beautiful lakes, scenic drives, fun hiking trails, and a lot of wildlife. If you visit Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole will be your home base.

Although you could spend a week exploring everything the area offers, you can see the must-see attractions by spending 3 days in Jackson Hole. This guide has everything you need to know to plan the perfect Jackson Hole itinerary, including fun things to do in its downtown area and Grand Teton National Park!

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Tips for Planning a Jackson Hole Itinerary

Fly into Jackson Hole Airport or Salt Lake City International Airport. Jackson Hole Airport is inside Grand Teton National Park and is the best airport to fly into because it is the closest. Flights may be more expensive because it is a small airport, but if you do not want to drive a few hours to the park, Jackson Hole Airport is your best option. If you do not mind driving for a few hours, you can fly to Salt Lake City International Airport. The drive is about five hours and passes through many rural areas.

Buy your park pass ahead of time. To save time at the Grand Teton National Park entrance, I recommend purchasing your park pass ahead of time. You can purchase your Grand Teton National Park pass online and print it for your trip. If you plan on visiting other national parks during the year, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass. The pass gets you into all the national parks and federal recreation sites for a year.
Start your day early. Grand Teton National Park has over three million visitors each year, so the park and Jackson Hole are crowded. I recommend starting your days early to get into the park before most people and avoid being in a long line at the park entrance. I also recommend watching the sunrise in the park!
Be prepared with the appropriate layers and hiking gear. The weather in Grand Teton National Park can change quickly, even in the summer, so it is crucial to pack layers. If you are hiking, I recommend packing the appropriate hiking gear to support your hike and layers to keep you warm and protected.
Pack or rent bear spray. Jackson Hole is known for its black bears and grizzly bears, so it is crucial to have bear spray, especially if you are hiking. Local stores in Jackson Hole rent bear spray if you do not have any.
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is a cute mountain town near Grand Teton National Park and has everything you need for your trip, including accommodations for all budget levels, but most are on the more expensive side.

Best Hotels in Jackson Hole

Best Campgrounds Near Jackson Hole

What to Pack for 3 Days in Jackson Hole

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best 3 Days in Jackson Hole Itinerary

Although you could spend a week exploring everything the area offers, you can see the must-see attractions by spending 3 days in Jackson Hole. I recommend starting your day early to enjoy stunning sunrises and to give yourself enough time to explore Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park! Jackson Hole is home to many beautiful attractions and fun hiking trails, and this 3-day itinerary has it all! You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful mountain town and Grand Teton National Park.

Day 1 in Jackson Hole

The Chapel of Transfiguration is the perfect sunrise location on the first day of your Jackson Hole itinerary. Many people visit Mormon Row during sunrise, so this is a great alternative and is just as stunning. The beautiful and small log chapel was built in 1925 and is one of the most picturesque buildings in the park, offering panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range inside and outside the chapel.
Taggart Lake is a stunning lake near Avalanche Canyon, with gorgeous views of the mountains. The 4-mile loop is relatively easy with minimal elevation gain, making it a fun hike for all hiking levels! If you do not want to hike the entire loop, you can hike the right half of the loop to Taggart Lake and then take the same way back.
- If you want to add another beautiful lake to the hike, you can hike to Bradley Lake. Bradley Lake is a slightly smaller lake but is just as beautiful, with blue-green water. The trail to Bradley Lake and Taggart Lake is 5 miles and is worth the extra mileage if you have time!
Jenny Lake is one of the most iconic lakes near Jackson Hole in Grand Teton National Park. The overlook is a short walk from the parking lot and offers views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount St. John and Teewinot Mountain. The best part about Jenny Lake is there are many trails to explore, but you can also enjoy a scenic drive on Jenny Lake Road if you do not want to hike. The most popular trail near Jenny Lake travels to Hidden Falls, a 100-foot waterfall, and Inspiration Point. The hike is 2.5 miles from the shuttle boat or 6 miles round trip from the parking lot. If you want to avoid the extra mileage, you can buy a ticket to ride the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake.
Signal Mountain is the last stop of the first day in your Jackson Hole itinerary and is where you can watch the sunset. The best part of Signal Mountain is you can drive to the top! Along the drive, I recommend stopping at Jackson Lake Overlook, which offers stunning views of Jackson Lake and the Teton Mountain Range.

Day 2 in Jackson Hole

Mormon Row is the iconic sunrise location near Jackson Hole, and I am sure you have seen the iconic photo of the Moulton Barn with the Teton Mountain Range in the back. There are two Moulton Barns in Mormon Row that are stunning sunrise locations, especially if you are a photographer. I recommend exploring both since they are near each other.
Antelope Flats Road runs through Mormon Row and is one of the best places to see wildlife near Jackson Hole, especially in the early morning. Once you finish watching the sunrise, you can drive along Antelope Flats Road to look for elk, pronghorn, and bison. The road also offers stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range.
As you drive north on U.S. Hwy 26, I recommend stopping at every overlook and spending extra time at Schwabacher Landing and Snake River Overlook. These overlooks are the most unique, in my opinion, because they offer views of the Teton Mountain Range and Snake River. Schwabacher Landing also has a 1.8-mile flat trail you can enjoy, but the best mountain views are at the overlook near the parking lot.
Willow Flats Overlook and Oxbow Bend are two of the best areas to see wildlife near Jackson Hole. The overlooks are a short walk from the parking lot, where you can see elk, grizzly bears, moose, otters, and many birds.
Colter Bay is a hidden gem near Jackson Hole because many visitors overlook it. Colter Bay sits on the western shores of Jackson Lake, the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park, and has a beautiful scenic trail. The Colter Bay Lakeshore Trail is a flat 2.5-mile loop that offers breathtaking mountain and lake views.
Jackson Lake Dam is along the shores of Jackson Lake, offering stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range and an easy trail along the lake. Jackson Lake overlook is also a great place to see wildlife near Jackson Hole!
Blacktail Ponds Overlook will be your final destination during your second day in Jackson Hole to watch the sunset. It is one of the most beautiful overlooks, offering panoramic views of the Teton Mountain Range. It is also a great place to see wildlife, especially in the evening around sunset!

the best 2-day itinerary in Grand Teton National Park

Day 3 in Jackson Hole

The final day of your 3 days in Jackson Hole consists of driving the scenic Moose Wilson Road. Moose Wilson Road is one of the best places to see wildlife near Jackson Hole, especially during sunrise, offering stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range. Along the road, you can see almost every type of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, and bears.
If you want to spend the rest of your day hiking, there are a few trails you can choose.
- If you want to hike a shorter and easier trail, you can hike to Leigh Lake and String Lake. These two stunning lakes are next to each other and offer beautiful views. The shortest hike is 3 miles and is flat, making it easy to enjoy String Lake and Leigh Lake. If you want to explore further along the shores of Leigh Lake, you can hike a relatively flat 7-mile round-trip trail along the western shores. If you want to explore more of String Lake, you can hike a 4.4-mile loop around the lake.
- If you want to enjoy a long and strenuous trail, I recommend hiking to Delta Lake. Delta Lake is a small lake fed by Teton Glacier and has a beautiful turquoise color, making it one of the most picturesque lakes near Jackson Hole. The 7.4-mile round trip trail starts at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead and climbs steadily up over 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Although the trail has some switchbacks, it is strenuous, and you should only hike if you have the proper hiking gear and experience.
- If you want to hike to one of the most beautiful trails near Jackson Hole, Cascade Canyon is perfect. I recommend taking the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake to save yourself four extra miles of hiking (making the trail over 13 miles round trip). The hike to Cascade Canyon is a strenuous 9 miles with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain and travels past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. If you are up for a strenuous and long hike, you will not be disappointed with Cascade Canyon!
If you want to spend the rest of your day exploring downtown Jackson, there are many fun things to do and see!
- The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram is one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole and gives you beautiful mountain views. The aerial tram brings you over 4,100 feet high in about 12 minutes, where you can take in the views of the Teton Mountain Range. The Top of the World has fun hiking trails and delicious waffles.
- Snow King Mountain offers year-round fun for everyone! In the winter, you can ski, enjoy a scenic gondola ride, or go tubing, and in the summer, you can zip line, ride a mountain coaster, hike, or enjoy a scenic gondola ride. You can enjoy year-round fun while taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains!
- The Jackson Town Square is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon if you do not want to do more adventurous activities in your Jackson Hole itinerary. The town square has shopping, restaurants, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, and the iconic Elk Antler Arch. You can spend the day enjoying a walk through the cute downtown and enjoying delicious food.

best things to do in jackson hole in winter

If you want to spend 3 days in Jackson Hole, this itinerary is perfect for you! This guide has everything you need to know to create the best Jackson Hole itinerary, including the best things to do in downtown Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.