11 Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole — Including National Parks, Hot Springs, and Cowboy Bars According To Reddit
Jackson Hole isn't a town — it's a 48-mile-long valley in northwest Wyoming, surrounded by two mountain ranges and bookended by two of America's greatest national parks. Reddit's travel communities — r/Wyoming, r/travel, r/NationalParks — debate many things, but not this: Jackson Hole consistently over-delivers. Here are the 11 experiences Reddit ranks as unmissable.
1. Hike Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park
The Jenny Lake loop is 7.9 miles of glacial-blue water and Cathedral Group views — Teewinot, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen reflected perfectly on the surface. Hike it counter-clockwise to reach Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point early. Start before 7 a.m. in summer to beat the crowds. The shuttle boat across the lake is worth every dollar.
Reddit verdict: "Jenny Lake is the single best day hike in the lower 48. Do it first, do it early."
2. Soak at Astoria Hot Springs
Twenty minutes south of Jackson, Astoria Hot Springs sits on the bank of the Snake River — Reddit's top hot springs pick, consistently. The mineral-rich pools are managed by a conservancy, so your entry fee supports preservation of the site. The combination of steaming water, river sounds, and mountain views makes this one of the most genuinely restorative stops in Wyoming. Reservations are recommended in peak season.
Reddit verdict: "Astoria is the perfect end to a long hiking day. The setting on the Snake River is spectacular."
3. Take a Saddle Stool at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Downtown Jackson's Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has saddle bar stools, walls lined with silver dollars and trophy mounts, and live country music every night of the week. Reddit is honest: yes, it's touristy. No, that doesn't matter. The atmosphere is irreplaceable, the whiskey is cold, and free swing dance lessons on Thursdays pull a crowd that's half locals, half visitors — all genuinely having a good time.
Reddit verdict: "Go for the saddle bar stool photo. Stay for the live music."
4. Catch the Stagecoach Bar on a Sunday in Wilson
Five miles west of Jackson, the Stagecoach Bar has operated since 1942. Every Sunday since 1969, the Stagecoach Band has played a live set at 4 p.m. sharp — one of the great unbroken traditions in American bar culture. The crowd is local, the beer is affordable, and Thursday Disco nights have their own devoted following. This is where Jackson Hole actually unwinds.
Reddit verdict: "The Stagecoach on a Sunday is the best bar experience in Wyoming. Real locals, cheap drinks, and a band that has never missed a Sunday."
5. Float the Snake River at Dawn
Scenic float trips through Grand Teton National Park work best at first light, when moose, bald eagles, and bears are active along the cottonwood-lined banks. Guided morning floats run 10 miles through the park at walking pace — an hour and a half of genuine wilderness with a knowledgeable guide narrating the ecology. Reddit recommends this for families, wildlife photographers, and anyone who finds steep hiking too demanding.
Reddit verdict: "We saw three moose, two eagles, and a bear in a single morning float. Nothing else comes close for wildlife."
6. Visit the National Elk Refuge
From mid-December through early April, horse-drawn sleigh rides carry visitors directly into the National Elk Refuge — threading through herds of up to 11,000 elk at close range. Bison, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles frequently appear alongside the elk. Tickets are sold at the Jackson Hole/Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Reddit's winter travel community treats this as the single best reason to visit Jackson Hole in the cold months.
Reddit verdict: "Being in a horse-drawn sleigh surrounded by 10,000 elk is one of the most extraordinary things I've ever done."
7. Ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram
The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram climbs 4,139 vertical feet to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain — views spanning four mountain ranges extending into Idaho and Montana. Reddit's tip: arrive at opening, grab breakfast at the summit cafe, and walk the ridge before the gondola crowds arrive. In summer it opens alpine hiking trails; in winter it's the gateway to Jackson Hole's legendary expert ski terrain.
Reddit verdict: "The tram is worth it in every season. Nothing prepares you for the summit view."
8. Drive the Mormon Row Historic District
The T.A. Moulton Barn at Mormon Row appears in more Wyoming travel photographs than almost any other site in the state — and for good reason. The old homestead barns set against the full Teton Range at sunrise or alpenglow are spectacular. Bison regularly graze between the historic 1890s structures, and pronghorn are common in the surrounding sagebrush flats. This is a free, 20-minute drive that Reddit photographers return to trip after trip.
Reddit verdict: "Mormon Row at sunrise is the most beautiful 30 minutes of photography I've ever had."
9. Day Trip to Yellowstone — But Plan It Right
Yellowstone's south entrance is 57 miles from Jackson. A focused day trip — Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Lamar Valley for wildlife — is entirely worthwhile if you plan it right. Leave Jackson by 6 a.m., hit Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful before 10 a.m., and spend the afternoon in Lamar Valley watching wolves, bison, and grizzlies. Reddit is clear: an early start is non-negotiable, or the crowds defeat the purpose.
Reddit verdict: "Leave at 6 a.m., three stops maximum, Lamar Valley in the afternoon. It's spectacular when done right."
10. Live Music at the Silver Dollar Showroom (Wort Hotel)
Inside the historic Wort Hotel, the Silver Dollar Showroom runs Bluegrass Tuesdays with One Ton Pig — voted Best Band in the 2025 Best of Jackson Hole contest — plus the Jackson Hole Hootenanny every Monday. The bar is inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated silver dollars. It's the more sophisticated alternative to the Cowboy Bar, consistently recommended by repeat visitors who've discovered it on their second or third trip.
Reddit verdict: "The Wort Hotel on a Tuesday with One Ton Pig is a perfect Jackson Hole evening."
11. Attend the Jackson Hole Rodeo
From late May through August, the Jackson Hole Rodeo runs Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and bronc riding performed by working rodeo athletes — with the Tetons visible from the grandstands. The crowd is roughly half local, half visitor. Tickets are affordable and family-friendly. Reddit frequently recommends the rodeo as the cultural anchor of any Jackson Hole trip: the one experience that makes everything else about the valley click into place.
Reddit verdict: "The rodeo is everything you imagined Wyoming would be — and it actually delivers."
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Jackson Hole?
June through September for hiking, wildlife, and the full outdoor schedule. December through March for skiing and the National Elk Refuge sleigh rides. May and October offer fewer crowds and lower prices but variable weather.
How far is Jackson Hole from Yellowstone?
Yellowstone's south entrance is approximately 57 miles from Jackson — around 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. A well-planned day trip is feasible; an overnight stay inside the park is better if time allows.
Is Jackson Hole worth visiting outside of ski season?
Absolutely. Summer and fall offer world-class hiking, wildlife viewing, hot springs, river rafting, and rodeos. Reddit specifically recommends non-ski months for a more affordable, less crowded version of one of America's great travel destinations.