Jackson Hole Recreation

With Plenty To Do, There's Never A Dull Moment For Jackson Hole Real Estate Owners

Recreation is synonymous with Jackson Hole. Love of the outdoors typically brings people to the town of Jackson Hole and it’s not uncommon to fit two or three activities into a single day, especially a long summer day. Locals celebrate the landscape by engaging in it. There’s always a new trail to find. The Jackson Hole area is also popular among recreation enthusiasts who live in the valley part-time – during their favorite seasons – to enjoy the national parks, the Jackson Hole Ski Resort, or peaceful fall style of life.

The Sierra Club, Teton Science School, and Hole Hiking Experience are a few organizations that give social, educational or technical twists to a day in the Jackson Hole wilderness. Most locals also have guidebooks to pre-scout the perfect outing. The fact that 97% of the Jackson Hole valley is protected as open space, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, means that trail networks and quiet backcountry exploration are right out the back door for much of Jackson Hole's real estate. The Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, and Caribou National Forests unite for approximately a hundred mile radius of undeveloped and superlative recreation. Hike, bike, ski, fish, slow-boat down the Snake River, or find a cup of still life in the panoramic splendor. Locals know how to appreciate their Jackson Hole real estate.

Jackson Hole Skiing
Jackson Hole skiing is world-famous for good reason. When day breaks with reports of powder locals often drop everything and head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to ski the “freshies". Steeps, glades, and wide open bowls with a sustained vertical drop of 4,139 feet and an average 459 inches of snow year, the best of Jackson Hole skiing is often just 13 miles from town at the Jackson Hole ski resort, the kind of place people choose to ski over and over again.

Jackson Hole skiing also has options. Snow King Resort is just blocks from town square and offers Jackson Hole skiing's only night-time skiing. Drive into Idaho to Grand Targhee Resort where lift-skiing takes on the west side of the Tetons with lauded days of “heavenly powder.” Downhill skiing combines with miles upon miles of groomed trails for skate, cross country and snowshoe. The backcountry of Jackson Hole awaits for those who will “earn their turns” by hiking or skinning to untouched powder. Those lucky enough to own Jackson Hole real estate along the mountains' bases can also literally ski into their own backyard – one of the many perks of Jackson Hole real estate and skiing. Ready for some endless vertical? Helicopter skiing also drops into superior terrain.

For additional information on skiing in Jackson Hole, read Locale's article on Jackson Hole skiing.

Jackson Hole Boating
High mountain lakes and snowmelt feed the Snake River, giving Jackson Hole's water aficionados both scenic and fast-paced outlets. The Snake takes on various characters on its 28-mile long stretch between Yellowstone National Park south to Snake River Canyon. Sun reflects on lazy currents as it meanders through Grand Teton National Park paralleling the Tetons. The five mile slow paddle – perfect for a canoe – from Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek takes in the scenic Oxbow Bend with various waterfowl including osprey and eagles in Grand Teton National Park. The Park also runs an idyllic ferry across Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls.

On its course toward the Pacific Ocean the Snake picks up its pace as it funnels into Snake River Canyon just south of Jackson Hole. Here whitewater guides and kayakers find challenging features and big hydraulics especially at the rapid “Lunch Counter”. Boats take out just north of Alpine, south of Jackson Hole.

For additional information on boating opportunities in Jackson Hole, read Locale's article on Jackson Hole boating.

Jackson Hole Golf
Golf is part of the Jackson Hole landscape. Teton Pines Resort and Country Club’s long-established Arnold Palmer course is Audubon Certified and recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as “One of the Top 100 Golf Resorts in North America and the Caribbean”. Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis has recently made multi-million dollar improvements to their golf course, which was already lauded by Golf Digest Magazine as Wyoming’s best. A new clubhouse complex, views of the Tetons, and the fact that the resort is 100% wind powered through renewable energy credits gives Jackson Hole golfers a unique 18-hole experience. Snake River Sporting Club is the newest Jackson Hole golf course and is touted for its quiet, still undiscovered, greens. Course designer Tom Weiskopf says he believes it to be his “finest golf course design in the US, to-date.”

The Links in Tetonia and Teton Springs Resort’s Byron Nelson designed golf course are on the Idaho side of the Tetons – approximately 20 and 30 minutes from Jackson Hole on Highway 33. In 2007 a Hale Irwin designed reversible course at Teton Reserve will open. Also in Teton Valley, Idaho two other courses are slated as the focal points for high-end golf communities – Huntsman Springs and River Rim Ranch – by 2010.

Jackson Hole Biking
Jackson Hole locals take to the streets on their bikes, many forgoing cars entirely for the summer months. Appeasing an active demographic, 28 miles of paved bike paths offer options for a joy ride or a commute between major hubs – south from Game Creek, north through Jackson Hole and along Flat Creek, and another extending west to take in the route to Teton Village and Wilson. Jackson Hole Community Pathways works with Friends of Pathways to secure funding and implement more and more appropriate routes. Proposed paths in Grand Teton National Park will begin to open approximately 40 more miles of paved paths. In Idaho pathways connect Victor and Driggs with more still planned. The ultimate goal, although still very long-term, is to acquire the funding to connect Wilson on the Wyoming side to Victor on the Idaho side and Jackson Hole all the way to Grand Teton National Park.

Jackson Hole road bikers push the limits of endurance, pedaling mountain passes and plying the network of highways in the Jackson Hole area. By mountain bike, backcountry trails seem to have no limits either. Cache Creek and Snow King connect as trails crisscross along the hillside just blocks from the town center. Further west along the southeastern base of the Tetons is a corridor with excellent trails. On the Idaho side, the Big Holes and Teton Canyon Trailhead make popular spots to kick off a ride.

Jackson Hole Hiking
Walking through the wilderness may be the best way to take in the sights, smells and sounds of the mountain environs. The Gros Ventre Range on the east side of the Jackson Hole valley rises in many treeless exposures including Sleeping Indian mountain and the red and purple clays of the Badlands. At the base of the Teton Range, on the west side of the valley, a myriad of canyons climb to summits along the peaks offering ridgeline views, dense evergreen forests, and the chance to catch vistas from above 12,000 feet. Via Death Canyon one can hike all the way to the Idaho side of the pass where trails are also abundant.

Paved pathways, as mentioned in the biking section, are largely used for casual walking. One would be hard pressed to find Jackson Hole real estate in the area without some kind of nature path nearby. Shorter hikes in Grand Teton National Park also reap stunning valley views or lakeside settings – Amphitheater, Phelps, Taggart, Bradley, String, Leigh, Emma Matilda, Two Ocean, and many other lakes. South of Jackson Hole the Wind River Range and Green River Lakes region make a great spot for a day hiking or camping trips where countless streams and lakes hide among the craggy granite mountains.

The wildflower bloom peaks, based on elevation, from bottom to top from June through August. Hiking too follows the snowmelt with trails opening in the valley in May. By early July most trails are completely accessible. Big game move up to graze in the high country during the summer. Spotting deer, elk, moose, buffalo, bear, fox, coyote, and especially marmots is a typical part of any excursion. The Lamar Valley in Yellowstone is well known for prime wildlife territory, including the elusive wolf. Early morning is the best time to get a glimpse of most animals. When hiking, it’s best to be prepared for quick changes in weather by bringing layers of clothing, plenty of water, and sunscreen. Take precautions such as bear bell and bear spray in case one of these big mammals is on the trail.

Horseback Riding In Jackson Hole
Dude ranches played an active role in Jackson Hole history. While many of these ranches still exist, horse communities also abound, especially on the Idaho side of the Tetons near Tetonia. In Jackson Hole, Puzzleface Ranch and Flying W Stables have larger boarding operations while the latter is the only indoor area facility of its kind. Horse properties with private arenas dot the landscape south of town and occupy much of Jackson Hole real estate, especially along the western side of town on Fish Creek and Fall Creek Roads near Wilson. The public arena at the Teton County Fair Grounds sees plenty of riders and events during the summer, including the hip-hollering rodeo.

For trail riding, it’s simply a matter of pulling out a map and exploring the Jackson Hole area. Trails extend through Grand Teton National Park including the Gros Ventre Range. The Salt, Wind River, Snake River and Wyoming Ranges are just south of Jackson Hole. The Greys River region and Star Valley are popular for trail riding and equestrian real estate. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort in Idaho and Grand Teton National Park have guided operations with half and full-day trips. Private outfitters take riders just about anywhere in their respective regions. Experienced riders are able to rent horses and even trailers without a guide from places such as Western Wyoming Horseman in Alpine.

Jackson Hole Hunting
With plenty to hunt, Jackson Hole's hunting season is the prime time to be a Wyoming resident – no need for an outfitter or a local with a special permit. Take advantage of acclaimed hunting territory – from Pinedale and the Green River Valley, up through Jackson Hole and northeast over Togwotee Pass into Dubois.

Antelope rule the prairie landscapes south of Jackson Hole – from Merna to Pinedale and all the way south to Rock Springs. Mule deer fit the bill for sustenance hunting, filling the freezer better than a white tail. Mule deer are also more bountiful in these parts but both mammals are well hunted. Mules feed in the high country and white tail at lower elevations along the river bottoms. Big Horn Sheep season is in September and October. Dubois, just northeast of Jackson Hole, has the largest concentration of Rocky Mountain big horn sheep in the world and makes for the perfect hunt. Jackson Hole and the surrounding area also have a thriving black bear population and an open season in both spring and fall. Bear baiting is permitted and regulated.

Elk, the “king of wild game” is literally everywhere with plenty of trophy finds, recently near the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Limited elk permits are issued in Grand Teton National Park. These play a role in maintaining a healthy herd size for the approximately 5,000 elk that migrate to winter on the 25,000 acre National Elk Refuge on the northeast side of Jackson Hole. Herd size is currently on the rise.

Outfitters keep to their designated areas with years of experience on their patch of wild country. Knowledgeable Jackson Hole residents have the option of renting horses without the outfitting services, as most of the area’s hunting is accomplished on horseback.

Jackson Hole Fishing
The Snake River is home to the revered native Snake River spotted cutthroat trout, and the motivation for thousands of fly-fishing fanatics to flock to the Jackson Hole valley each spring, summer and fall. Other legendary fishing hotspots in the area include the Henry’s Fork of the Snake on the Idaho side near Island Park, Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge, the South Fork just off Palisades Reservoir in Idaho, and the lakes and streams of Grand Teton National Park. In the Green River region near Pinedale, live water is their cherished resource. Including a number of well-stocked lakes, the angler will find land-locked salmon and Kokanee, grayling, and golden trout. Jackson Hole has become the hub for world-class guides, serious anglers and beginners who want to do it right the first time.

For additional information on fishing in Jackson Hole, read Locale's article on Jackson Hole fishing. //