Day Trips from Jackson Hole: 8 Best Escapes Within 2.5 Hours

Jackson Hole has the unusual distinction of being surrounded by two national parks — Grand Teton to the north, Yellowstone to the northeast — plus a national elk refuge, a national forest, and a designated wilderness area. The surrounding landscape is so spectacular that the “day trips” from Jackson are essentially the same reasons most people come to Wyoming in the first place. Here’s how to make the most of them.

Yellowstone National Park — 1.5 hours north

Yellowstone is the world’s first national park and the largest concentration of geothermal features on Earth. Old Faithful erupts approximately every 90 minutes (check the NPS prediction board on arrival — forecasted times are within 10 minutes of accuracy). The Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin is even more photogenic from the Fairy Falls overlook trail above.

Entry: Approximately $35 per vehicle as of 2026, valid 7 days (covers both Yellowstone and Grand Teton). South Entrance to Old Faithful is about 80 miles from Jackson, 1.5 hours.

Full day plan: South Entrance → Yellowstone Lake (first overlook in 15 miles) → West Thumb Geyser Basin (30 minutes) → Old Faithful (eruption + visitor center, 2 hours) → Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic overlook (1.5 hours) → return south. This is doable in a summer day but requires an early start.

Best season: May through October for road access. July and August are the busiest months — arrive before 8am to find parking at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. Late May and September have thinner crowds with full access.

Grand Teton National Park — 15 minutes north

The Tetons rise immediately north of Jackson — the 40-mile park entrance is essentially a continuation of Jackson’s main road (US-26/89/191). The range is geologically young and lacks the foothills that buffer most mountain ranges, giving it an abrupt, dramatic profile.

Entry: Approximately $35 per vehicle as of 2026, valid 7 days (covers both Grand Teton and Yellowstone). Jenny Lake is the most popular destination — the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive (6-mile one-way loop road) connects multiple trailheads. A ferry across Jenny Lake (approximately $18 round-trip as of 2026) cuts 2 miles off the approach to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.

Best day hike: Cascade Canyon from the Jenny Lake ferry landing — 3.5 miles each way into a glacier-carved valley with close views of the Grand Teton. Moderate, some elevation gain.

Drive: US-89 north, about 15 miles, 20 minutes to the park entrance.

Cody and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West — 2.5 hours east

Cody was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896 and still runs a nightly rodeo from June through August (entry approximately $25 for adults as of 2026 — check the Cody Stampede website for current schedule). The Buffalo Bill Center of the West (720 Sheridan Ave, entry approximately $25 for adults as of 2026, open daily 8am–6pm in summer) is actually five museums in one complex and is significantly better than its Western-kitschy-sounding name suggests.

Drive: US-26/287 east over Togwotee Pass to DuBois, then US-26 to Cody, about 175 miles, 2.5 hours.

Best season: June through August for the rodeo. The road over Togwotee Pass is paved but can be snowy April–May.

Snake River Canyon — 30 minutes south

The Snake River narrows into a canyon just south of Jackson with excellent whitewater. Multiple outfitters run half-day and full-day floats from Jackson. Browse Snake River rafting tours from Jackson Hole — Barker-Ewing, Mad River Boat Trips, and Dave Hansen Whitewater are among the most established operators. Half-day raft trips start from approximately $65 per adult as of 2026.

The calmer section through Grand Teton National Park (scenic wildlife float trips, approximately $75 for adults as of 2026) is better for wildlife watching — moose, bald eagles, and osprey are commonly seen from the water.

Drive to put-in: US-89 south about 13 miles to the canyon section, or north into Grand Teton for the scenic float.

Alpine and Palisades Reservoir — 1 hour southwest

Alpine Junction sits at the confluence of the Snake River and Greys River, and Palisades Reservoir stretches 16 miles along the Wyoming-Idaho border. Boating, fishing (trout), and swimming make it a popular summer escape from Jackson.

The Star Valley Swiss Cheese Company in nearby Thayne (free to visit, samples available) is a good stop heading south on US-89. Lunch Tree Hill Trail at Alpine (2-mile round-trip, free) gives views over the reservoir and surrounding mountains.

Drive: US-89 south, about 45 miles, 1 hour.

Best season: June through September.

Teton Pass and Victor, Idaho — 45 minutes west

Wyoming Highway 22 over Teton Pass (8,431 feet) drops into the Teton Valley on the Idaho side — a quieter, less expensive alternative to Jackson’s main valley. Victor and Driggs are small towns with coffee shops, good craft breweries, and direct views of the Teton Range from the west.

Targhee National Forest has excellent mountain biking above Driggs — Teton Valley Trails and Pathways maintains a network of free trails. In winter, Grand Targhee Resort operates on the west slope of the Tetons; lift tickets are typically 20–30% cheaper than Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Drive: WY-22 west over Teton Pass to Victor, about 25 miles, 45 minutes.

Gros Ventre Wilderness and Kelly Warm Spring — 40 minutes northeast

Kelly is a small ranching community in the Gros Ventre valley, and the warm spring near the town is a free natural soaking spot — water temperature approximately 80–85°F — rarely crowded even in peak season. Picnic area on-site; no fee.

Slide Lake, formed by a 1925 landslide, is 6 miles further up the valley (Gros Ventre Road, passable in a standard car in summer) with free picnic areas and good trout fishing.

Drive: US-89 north to Gros Ventre Road, about 18 miles from Jackson, 35 minutes.

Pinedale and Wind River Range — 2 hours southeast

Pinedale is the gateway to the Wind River Range — Wyoming’s finest backcountry area, though most of it requires backpacking to appreciate fully. For a day trip, Fremont Lake (2 miles outside Pinedale, free day use) is the second-largest natural lake in Wyoming and has boat rentals.

The Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale (entry approximately $10 as of 2026, open daily in summer) covers the Rocky Mountain fur trade era with good artifact collections.

Drive: US-191 southeast, about 90 miles, 2 hours.

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For more on what Jackson Hole itself offers, see our guides to things to do in Jackson Hole, where to stay in Jackson Hole, and where to eat in Jackson Hole.