5 Days · Couples · Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Find Your Footing in Jackson Hole

An easy arrival day — but Jackson Hole makes even easy days beautiful. Walk the square, drive past the towering eastern cliffs of the Refuge, and eat somewhere that reminds you why you came here.

Check In & Acclimatize

2:00 PM 

You're at 6,200 feet. Drink water, not wine — at least for the first two hours. Check into The Wyoming Inn, take the slower gear-dump option, and let your body adjust before tackling anything strenuous tomorrow.

National Elk Refuge Scenic Drive

3:30 PM

Late afternoon on Refuge Road is as good as wildlife watching gets outside a national park. While the elk herd migrates to higher mountain elevations for the summer, the eastern cliffs of the Refuge come alive with Big Horn Sheep, while pronghorn, raptors, and moose roam the willow flats below. Binoculars essential.

Jackson Town Square Walk

5:30 PM

Stroll the historic square, framed by the famous antler arches. Browse the Western galleries, pick up a bottle from Wyoming Whiskey, and get a feel for the town before diving into the backcountry tomorrow.

Dinner at Snake River Grill

7:30 PM

One of the finest dining experiences in Wyoming — full stop. Rotating seasonal menu built around local game, trout, and fresh regional produce. Book a week ahead in peak summer.

Cascade Canyon & the Cathedral Group

The ultimate peak-summer backcountry experience in Grand Teton — an alpine hike beneath soaring granite faces, past crystal-clear glacial lakes, through roaring waterfall canyons, and across valleys carpeted in vibrant summer wildflowers. This is what you came for.

Early Breakfast & Trailhead Departure

6:30 AM

Beat the afternoon heat and summer thunderstorms by starting at dawn. Pack a proper trail lunch, 3L of water each, high-SPF sunscreen, and bear spray — mandatory in the park.

Jenny Lake Ferry & Cascade Canyon

7:30 AM

Board the early morning ferry across sunny Jenny Lake and begin the climb into Cascade Canyon — a sheer-walled canyon framed by towering granite peaks. The trail is well-maintained and steadily gains elevation through lush pine forests. Keep going past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point to the upper canyon for the real summer wilderness experience.

Lake Solitude

11:00 AM

Strong hikers who start early should push to Lake Solitude at 9,024 ft — a alpine lake set below the Grand Teton's north face, surrounded by blooming wildflowers. The views from here are some of the most dramatic in the park. Watch for black bears, moose, and marmots along the sunny talus slopes.

Trailside Lunch & Turnaround

1:30 PM

Find a boulder in the meadow and eat with the Grand Teton directly in front of you. Turn back by 2:00 PM at the latest to clear the open canyon before peak afternoon sun and storm build-ups.

Return & Recovery

6:00 PM

Back at The Wyoming Inn, stretch, refresh, and get ready for a satisfying high-protein dinner. Enjoy a meal right on-site at Whistling Grizzly or grab a casual bite in town. Rest up — tomorrow starts bright and early on the water!

Whitewater, Still Water, and the Snake River

A full day on the Snake River — morning whitewater through the canyon, afternoon flatwater kayaking through Grand Teton National Park, with osprey and bald eagles overhead in the summer sun.

Snake River Canyon Whitewater Rafting

8:00 AM

The Snake River Canyon south of Jackson runs Class III–IV rapids through a spectacular 1,000-foot basalt canyon. A half-day guided run covers the best summer stretches — Big Kahuna, Lunch Counter, and Rope-A-Dope — without requiring any prior experience. You will get soaked. Bring a dry change of clothes for after.

Post-Raft Lunch at Nora's Fish Creek Inn

12:00 PM

A Wilson, Wyoming institution since 1992. Famous for enormous lunches — the fish and chips and the burgers are both legendary. Exactly the right meal after a morning getting thrown around by whitewater.

Flatwater Kayak Through Grand Teton National Park

2:30 PM

Rent sit-on-top kayaks and paddle the calm braided channels of the upper Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. The Tetons rise directly above you, the river moves gently, and bald eagles are almost guaranteed in peak summer. The contrast with this morning's chaos makes it even better.

Dinner at The Handle Bar, Four Seasons Teton Village

7:00 PM

Elevated pub food with a world-class wine and whiskey list. The patio overlooking the mountain is the best seat, and the atmosphere — Teton Village after a warm summer day — is genuinely wonderful.

Yellowstone National Park Adventure

Spend the day exploring the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, from the iconic eruption of Old Faithful to the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring. Along the way, keep an eye out for bison, elk, and other wildlife before returning to Jackson for dinner with breathtaking Teton views.

Depart for Yellowstone National Park

7:00 AM

Start your day early and head north through Grand Teton National Park toward Yellowstone's South Entrance. The scenic drive offers incredible opportunities to spot wildlife while taking in the beauty of Jackson Lake, the Snake River, and the towering Teton Range.

Old Faithful

10:00 AM

Arrive at Yellowstone's most famous geothermal attraction and watch Old Faithful erupt. Afterward, stroll the surrounding boardwalks to discover bubbling hot springs, fumaroles, and other fascinating geothermal features.

Grand Prismatic Spring

1:00 PM

Continue to Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. Walk the boardwalk for an up-close view or hike to the overlook for one of Yellowstone's most iconic panoramic vistas.

Dinner at Dornan's

6:30 PM

On your return to Jackson, stop at Dornan's in Moose, Wyoming, for a relaxed dinner overlooking the Tetons. It's the perfect way to end a memorable day of exploring Yellowstone before heading back to the Wyoming Inn.

Golden Hour Wildlife & the Perfect Farewell

Your last morning in the valley deserves to be earned. A sunrise wildlife safari through the National Elk Refuge and Gros Ventre River Road — then a slow last afternoon and a dinner you'll be telling people about for years.

Sunrise Wildlife Safari — Gros Ventre Road

5:30 AM

The single best wildlife drive in the Jackson Hole valley. The Gros Ventre River Road at first light is prime grizzly bear habitat in summer — in addition to moose wading the river, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and enormous mule deer bucks in velvet. Drive slowly, windows down, binoculars ready. Professional wildlife guide available through our concierge.

Breakfast at Persephone Bakery

8:30 AM

The best bakery in Wyoming, and genuinely one of the best in the Mountain West. The croissants and the house-milled sourdough are the move. Arrive early — the line forms and the best items sell out before 9am.

National Museum of Wildlife Art

10:30 AM

Set into a butte above the National Elk Refuge, this is one of the finest art museums between Denver and Seattle — 5,000 works dedicated entirely to wildlife art. Even non-museum-goers find themselves spending 90 minutes here without noticing. The views from the terrace across the refuge are extraordinary.

Last Afternoon in Town

1:00 PM

A slow walk through the galleries on Center Street, a locally brewed beer at Snake River Brewing, and the kind of unhurried afternoon that only happens at the end of a memorable trip. Pick up huckleberry jam, Wyoming Whiskey, and something to wear that says you were here.

Farewell Dinner at Bistro on the Square

7:30 PM

A long, unhurried dinner in the heart of Town Square. Order the whole menu, drink well, and look out the window at the antler arches one last time. The Tetons are just out of sight — but you know exactly where they are.

Departure — Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

Next Morning

JAC is the only commercial airport entirely inside a national park. Your departure gate looks directly at the Tetons. Even the goodbye is beautiful here. Allow 30 minutes from downtown Jackson.