Summer and winter get all the love in Jackson Hole, with river rafting, hiking, horseback riding, and of course, skiing. But as locals, there’s a lot to love about springtime in Jackson Hole, which for us means much more than just an unpredictable weather window spanning April through June.
Spring is off-season, meaning fewer tourists and crowds. Springtime may bring snow in May, however, so be sure you’re ready to go with the flow!
If you’re up for an adventure, here are 10 reasons to visit Jackson Hole this spring.
1. LESS CROWDS
The locals (that includes the wildlife) breathe a collective sigh of relief once the end of April rolls around because the influx of tourists quiets down for a month. This is especially fruitful for those looking to venture into our national parks with more elbow room and, dare we say it, less tailgating.
Traveler Tidbit: We call spring the “mud season” around here because trails are still muddy, so there’s no hiking yet. The little details — such as more abundant parking in town, less stress about making reservations, and finding more solitude in Jackson Hole’s wilderness — add up to a uniquely special experience.
2. BUDGET-FRIENDLY
During April into early May, many restaurants in Town Square, Teton Village and other locations around Jackson Hole offer discounts like two-for-one dining specials and bottle deals. If there’s one eatery you have your heart set on, however, we recommend calling in advance as some businesses do close up for weeks at a time.
Local outfitters also may have deals on guided trips and hotels often offer discounts on lodging. You can also save on a car rental at the Jackson Hole Airport as the START Bus has a shuttle to town through April 13th. The fares are reasonable: adults: $10/children 12 and under and seniors and individuals with disabilities: $5/ kids age 8 and under ride free.
In essence, spring is a great time to reel in deals.
Traveler Tip: Check out our story on Free Things To Do in Jackson Hole in Spring
3. INTIMATE NATIONAL PARK EXPERIENCES
If you know what to expect — that accessibility is limited in the spring, with trails covered in snow or mud — spring can be a special time to explore our national parks. Take a scenic drive, bike ride or snowshoe in solitude amidst the Tetons.
Roads open back up in Grand Teton National Park on May 1st. Starting April 16th, you can access Yellowstone through the West entrance to Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs. In mid-May, crowds begin to pick back up when the highway south into Yellowstone National Park is re-opened.
Traveler Tip: Download a curated audio tour app from GaperGuide.com. The app will tell you everything you need to know about the park in real-time as you drive. The app is free; individual self-guided tours cost $12.99.
4. WILDLIFE WATCHING
There is no better season to see wildlife than during springtime when critters emerge from winter hungry, roaming for food, and often with little ones in tow. Yellowstone's bison are particularly active in the spring. Be sure to carry bear spray, too, as bears will be emerging, ravenous, from hibernation to forage among the valley’s forests for sustenance.
Eagles, elk and moose also become more active in the spring as the snow thaws. For bird enthusiasts, April is a great time to visit as a Grand Teton National Park ranger leads a “Grouse Strut” program, unveiling how the remarkable birds attract a mate. Call 307-739-3399 for more information and to make reservations.
Traveler Tip: We strongly suggest taking a half-day sunrise or sunset wildlife tour while you’re here, with Buffalo Roam Tours, Eco Tour Adventures, Teton Science School Wildlife Expeditions, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, or Hole Hiking Experience to deepen your knowledge courtesy of a local expert.
While Wyoming Stargazing and its partner Earth and Sky Safaris offer wildlife tours day or night, its signature private sunset safari and night sky tour is exclusive to Jackson Hole. You can experience the best of both worlds as a knowledgeable wildlife guide and professional astronomer bring you the wildlife and natural history of the park while you watch the day fade into a dazzling and inspiring night sky for stargazing. Visit wyomingstargazing.org for more.
5. SPRING SKIING AND TOURING
Now for the top question on everyone’s mind: Yes, you can still ski! The ski resorts may close in early April, but take a page out of a local’s book and hike for your turns in the backcountry or by walking up Snow King Mountain with your skis in tow. You’re not likely to forget it, and neither will your quads.
Cross-country skiers also can take their gear to Grand Teton National Park for fast crust skating or expeditions in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Heli-skiing, split board and Alpine touring guide services take powder-hungry clients into the mountains through May. Don't forget snowshoe touring can be a memorable endeavor.
6. FREE MUSIC
Every year, locals anxiously await a special end-of-ski-season celebration: Jackson Hole Rendezvous Festival. It’s a free two-evening concert series with the first night of music set amongst the antler arches in the heart of Town Square and the second night spent jamming out at the base of the Tetons at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This typically takes place in early April and past performers have included Mt. Joy, Elle King, and the Revivalists. The Avett Brothers headline this year from April 4th through 5th.
Traveler Tidbit: Want more music? The "Battle of the Bands" series is a free spring concert event held under the tram at 3 p.m. every Saturday in March.
7. SNOWMOBILE HILL CLIMB
Spring can also get a little quirky here, in the best way. One annual spring event at Snow King Mountain Resort — the World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb — is a high-octane snowmobile race to be held this year from March 20th to the 23rd, the last weekend that Snow King is open for skiing.
In essence, snowmobilers race their snowmobiles to the top of one of North America's steepest ski slopes. Riders don't always reach the top, which means tumbles and falls down the steep mountain. The Hill Climb is likely to get your blood pumping, your eyes bulging, and bring new meaning to “Wild, Wild West.”
8. ELKFEST
Every spring, antler enthusiasts flock to Jackson Hole for ElkFest, an auction where hundreds of locally harvested antlers are sold off to benefit the National Elk Refuge. Some antlers become furniture, decorations or jewelry. This annual event — to be held on May 17th — supports the nearly 25,000-acre refuge with a large portion of auction proceeds benefiting habitat enhancement projects.
Traveler Tidbit: The Boy Scouts assist the National Elk Refuge with harvesting the shed antlers, scouring the refuge in the early morning hours to find what elk have left behind. Many scouts say that antler collecting amidst the Tetons is the highlight of their year.
9. NATIVE VOICES EVENT
Another celebration that locals look forward to every year is the vibrant spotlight on Native American culture in Jackson Hole and beyond. It's a special, five-day-long event — from April 29th through May 3rd — featuring traditional dance, food vendors and handmade wares.
The event is presented outside by Central Wyoming College and Native American Jump Start at TBA. Cost is $15 per vehicle; Native Americans get in free.
Traveler Tidbit: Jackson Hole is ancestral land to many Native nations, including the Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, Nez Perce, Bannock, Shoshone-Bannock, and Crow, among others. As a testament to the enduring spirit of Indigenous resilience and the transformative power of education, the Teton Pow Wow serves as a reminder of the significance of these ancestral lands and their rightful stewards.
10. SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS
Thaw out with a soak in Astoria Hot Springs roughly 11 miles south of town. Five pools overlook the Snake River, often with bald eagles and osprey hunting overhead. Whether you're bathing in sunshine, or stormy weather, it's a relaxing place to spend any spring day.
Traveler Tip: The hot springs is open daily by appointment, so this is one spring destination that requires a reservation.
THE LAST WORD
Spring can be an unpredictable time, but for us Wyomingites, that’s how we like it. Come visit and we promise you’ll catch an enviable case of spring fever.