Your Key To Wyoming – Abounding with Adventure

We jokingly say at our concierge desk that the only thing you can’t do in Jackson Hole is scuba dive, as we have almost every activity imaginable here. Although we are a world-class ski area, summertime is actually the busiest time of year in Jackson Hole, with about 3 million visitors passing through each summer. The big draw for visitors is Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872 as America’s first National Park, and it truly is like no other place on earth. It is massive in size (2,221,766 acres or 899,116 hectares) and sits atop an active volcano.  This supervolcano is what creates over 10,000 hydrothermal features in the park. Yellowstone is also home to more than half the world’s geysers, including the famous “Old Faithful” geyser, named because of its regularity of eruptions.  Although a long day, Yellowstone is a must-see when visiting the area.

Wildlife abounds in Yellowstone, as well, which is why the park is often referred to as the “Serengeti of the Americas.”  Bison, bear, elk and wolves are some of the 67 species of mammals that live in Yellowstone and roam freely within the park’s borders.  It’s not unusual when driving to be caught in a “bison jam” when a herd is crossing the road.

Grand Teton National Park is home to much of the same wildlife as in Yellowstone, and is popular for early morning or late evening wildlife safaris.  The mountains’ rugged appearance and varied terrain help to make it a hiker’s paradise.  Over 200 miles of hiking trails exist in the park.  Novice hikers will enjoy relatively little elevation gain around some of Grand Teton’s alpine lakes.  Phelps, Taggart and Jenny lakes are some of the more popular hikes for families visiting the area.  Experienced hikers and climbers can spend multiple days in the backcountry—hiking, camping or summiting many of the peaks in the Teton Range. At the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Via Ferratta is an assisted climbing activity that takes adventure seekers along granite walls and across bridges suspended over the valley below.

The Snake River cuts through Grand Teton National Park and is the waterway for scenic floating, kayaking, paddleboarding and fly fishing. Views of the majestic Teton Range are in full view on this section of the river.  Further south on the Snake River, the waters are conducive to whitewater rafting, one of the most popular family activities.  Experienced surfers bring out their boards to surf the Lunch Counter wave as rafters float by in awe. This is an unusual sight, as Wyoming is a land-locked state and 900 miles from the nearest ocean.

National Forest trails are a playground for many types of adventure. A scenic horseback ride in the forest can really connect the rider with nature.  Mountain bikers enjoy many miles of single- track trails throughout the Jackson Hole valley.  If more speed is what’s in order, ATVs are the best way to maximize mileage to get to locations you wouldn’t be able to get to via car.

For those guests looking to take in the beauty of the Jackson Hole valley from the sky, there are several options. Early morning hot air balloons rise up and float above the Snake River Ranch.

For the more adventurous, a tandem paragliding flight off the top of Rendezvous Mountain is sure to get the heart racing. Scenic airplane tours take you high above the lakes and rivers, giving a birds-eye view of Jackson Hole.

No matter the adventure you’re seeking, you’re sure to find it in Jackson Hole.