Attractions Nearby Jackson Hole, Day Trips and Excursions

(Jackson Hole, Wyoming - WY, USA)

Close to a number of truly exceptional attractions, visitors to Jackson Hole really should make time for at least one or two day trips and longer excursions. To the north of Jackson and the Grand Teton National Park, the world-famous Yellowstone National Park really is a wondrous attraction and well known for its simply breathtaking scenery, expansive Alpine lakes, photogenic waterfalls and very high concentration of wildlife.

On the western side of the Yellowstone National Park, the town of West Yellowstone may be a fair distance away but is a good base for exploring the park and does come with its own cinema and theater. Also near to Jackson Hole is the Caribou Targhee National Forest, where adventure attractions include white-water rafting on the Snake River, a must for thrill seekers arriving here during the summer months.

Caribou Targhee National Forest / Palisades Reservoir

The Caribou Targhee National Forest is within reach of the Jackson Hole area and filled with interest. Located within both northwestern Wyoming and also in southeastern Idaho, the Caribou Targhee National Forest covers a staggering 1.6 million acres / 647,500 hectares, and offers some really breathtaking vistas. Whilst some visitors may find that the forest is a little 'tame' when compared to the neighboring attractions of the Grand Teton National Park and the Yellowstone National Park, this is plenty to see and far too much for just a day trip. The Mike Harris-Mail Cabin Trail is amongst the most popular hiking trails and stretches for around 8 miles / 13 km, while the gigantic man-made Palisades Reservoir offers a number of surrounding camping sites, superb fishing opportunities, and even water-skiing.

West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone lies around 126 miles / 203 km to the north of Jackson and can be reached in approximately three hours. Whilst many visitors from Jackson Hole simply regard West Yellowstone as being the well-placed gateway to the Yellowstone National Park, this town does boast a number of its very own attractions, which are worth searching out. This include the interesting exhibits at the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum (YHC), and also the large collection of rescued bear and wolves, found within the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center on South Canyon Street.

Yellowstone National Park

Each day along, up to 30,000 visitors arrive at the Yellowstone National Park, to enjoy its geothermal phenomena, around the Mammoth Hot Springs and also the Norris Geyser Basin, and to marvel at the sight of the erupting Old Faithful geyser, which often spurts water almost 125 meters / 200 feet into the air, ever one and a half hours or thereabouts. The Yellowstone National Park is also home to in excess of 80 different trailheads, and 1,200 miles / 1,930 feet of hiking trails.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: charge, applicable for vehicles or individuals, valid for 7 days, children under 16 years old are free