Wyoming

Things to do in Jackson Hole, WY with Kids in Summer

Things to do in Jackson Hole, WY with Kids in Summer

Last updated: October 27, 2026. This update distinguishes past family outings and remembered prices from current access, transport, and reservation details for Jackson Hole and Grand Teton. Date information added October 28, 2026.

First published October 1, 2021. Family memories below are shared as originally described; routes, access, prices, and seasonal activities can change, so check current official information when planning.

Everyone should take a family vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole isn’t just great for winter fun!  In fact, we would argue that the best time to visit Jackson Hole is during the summer months.  We visited in the twilight of summer, and it was intensely magical.

Not only does the town of Jackson boasts tons of activities for families with kids, but the areas surrounding Jackson are also replete with gems to be discovered.  Within driving distance, you will find The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, and several beautiful places throughout Idaho!

How To Get To Jackson Hole 

We drove to Jackson Hole from Utah. If you are flying, use Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) when checking current routes and flight schedules. This original flight-search link is an archived search prefilled with a different airport code (JAN) and June 2022 dates; it needs a corrected destination and dates before use.

At the time of our visit last year, we were living in Utah, so driving was our easiest option.  We drove through Boise to Jackson Hole and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Idaho along the way!  You should be cautious if you visit in the winter, as roads can be quite tricky, but we had no problems in the summer.

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Where To Stay When Visiting Jackson Hole with Kids

While there are tons of gorgeous hotels in Jackson Hole WY, we opted to stay in an Airbnb instead.  We love Airbnbs for our big family and hotels in Jackson Hole can be pricy.  If you do opt for a hotel, you can compare prices here.

We stayed about 45 minutes away in Driggs, Idaho. We fell in love with Driggs! We found lodging more affordable for our family there, and there were so many fun activities to do as a family.

Best Activities In Jackson Hole With Kids

Downtown Jackson Hole holds the most entertainment options.  Some activities we enjoyed as a family included:

• Jackson Hole Square:  Take a classic photo at the antler arch, play in the park, and soak up the fun town.  You can even take a stagecoach ride, but confirm current departure times with the operator.

• Jackson Hole Toy Store. Prep your wallet, but this toy store was fun to visit. Before Covid, it had a shooting game for kids; that is a historical note, so check with the store for current offerings. This was also the bathroom stop we used whenever we were downtown.

• Old Time Photos: (Thanks to my friend Heather for suggesting this)  It was one of the highlights of our trip!  We used Jackson’s Old Time Photos and loved it.  Another option is Judge Roy Bean’s Old Time Photos.

Our original family video from Jackson Hole.

• Downtown Shootout: When this article was first published, the event had been canceled during the Covid period and we had heard good things about it. For the next trip, use the Chamber’s current Town Square Shootout page to check the season and schedule. The original article’s older Town Square Shootout information link is retained here as a reference.

• Jackson Hole Rodeo: We enjoyed the small-town feel of this rodeo. We could only get tickets for a night near the end of our stay; check current dates and availability before planning around a show. Check the rodeo’s current schedule and tickets.

• Shopping and eating.  These are two of our favorite activities anywhere we go! Jackson Hole has some serious yumminess to offer!  There are tons of cute shops and stores downtown where you can window shop or buy loads of fun souvenirs. 
  As for the best food in Jackson Hole, we loved:
  • Breakfast at Persephone Bakery.  Eat outside and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere!
  • Merry Piglets– yummy Mexican food.
  • Order take-out pizza from Pinky G’s. We ate ours in the town square.
  • Candy shopping at Yippy I-O Candy Shop.  They have some really fun, retro candy.
    Other recommendations I’ve heard but haven’t tried:
  • Calico’s for a nice family dinner out.
  • Liberty Burger
  • Breakfast at D.O.G (great breakfast burritos)
  • If you’d like a bar, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar looks really fun and is right downtown!

Other Outdoor Activities in Jackson Hole with Kids

• Activities at Snow King Mountain. Snow King offers seasonal activities. The activities page lists current offerings; check opening dates and availability before you go. We chose the maze and chairlift on our visit. It was beautiful, and the kids had a blast.

• Playgrounds.  We enjoyed the Phil Baux Park near Snow King Mountain after doing some fun activities there.

• White-Water Rafting.  My husband took the older kids on a rafting trip and loved it!!  There are lots of options around, but we used Dave Hansen. They had a great time.

• Hiking.  This area offers some of the best hiking around.  I like using AllTrails to find the best hikes and read recent reviews.

• Camping in Jackson Hole.  While we aren’t big campers, this area is famous for it.  If you enjoy camping, be sure to reserve your campground early and enjoy.

Best Day Trips From Jackson Hole

One of the best parts about Jackson Hole is the convenient location and the many amazing things to see close by!  Day trips from Jackson Hole are a great option. Be sure to add the following to your list:

• Yellowstone National Park. Our family made a day trip there from our stay in Driggs. We only spent one day there, but it was full of fun! We spotted moose right inside the park, loved the Grand Prismatic, and caught the last showing of Old Faithful. We ate at the café at Old Faithful afterward. It was a day full of excitement and fun. The drive depends on your starting point, route, traffic, and park conditions, so check current maps and Yellowstone road, service, and wildlife guidance before planning a day trip. Keep the park’s required distances from wildlife, even when animals appear calm. For a longer visit, check the linked two-day tour listing for current dates and details: this tour.

• Teton Village.  Check current seasonal activity listings before planning gondola rides or children’s play areas.
• Granite Hot Springs. This hot spring is south of Jackson in Wyoming, not Idaho. Check the U.S. Forest Service page for current access and status before you go.
• Grand Teton National Park. With one day in the park, we chose Jenny Lake. We took the boat across the lake; our family paid about $50 round trip at the time. The original post also linked to a small-bus guided tour; check the listing for current availability and details. From the west dock, we hiked to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls. NPS lists Hidden Falls as about 1 mile round trip from the west boat dock and Inspiration Point as about 2 miles round trip from that dock; routes starting at the visitor center are longer. The boat is seasonal and fee-based; check the Jenny Lake plan and current boat schedule before choosing a route. Our family enjoyed the day outdoors; trail difficulty depends on the route, conditions, and your group.

Enjoy your summer travels, and let me know your favorite things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

xoxo,
Leslie

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