What To Book in Advance for Jackson Hole

As locals, we’re here to help you, and the times they are a-changing, with surging visitation to Jackson Hole due to the popularity of our Western ways.

 

You used to be able to saddle up to any old saloon or hotel you wanted, but now, we’re here to tell you that your trip will flow much smoother if you book certain things in advance for your trip to Jackson Hole.

 

Traveler Tidbit: Two specific times of year see a huge influx of visitors to Jackson Hole — Fourth of July and Christmas. If you plan to visit either of those weeks, be sure to book your lodging and guided experiences three to six months in advance, as hotel rooms and activities like wildlife tours, river rafting trips, sleigh rides, and lift tickets will certainly sell out. If you can, it doesn’t hurt to make your restaurant reservations before those weeks, too.

 

Here’s what we recommend booking at least three to six months in advance.

 

FIRST THINGS FIRST: RESERVE YOUR LODGING
We joke around here that visitors should book any lodging before their plane ticket, but it’s true — especially if your heart is set on staying in Grand Teton National Park. Park-centered hotels and campsites get gobbled up fast. And those extra-special places to hang your hat—such as historic guest ranches—must be booked at least six months in advance.

 

We suggest starting your search at least half a year in advance. Where you’ll hang your hat is one of the most important decisions you’ll make to optimize breathtaking views, Western culture and comfort that keeps you exploring day after day.

 

Curious to explore lodging options in Grand Teton National Park? Check out our lodging guide for Grand Teton National Park.

 

If you’re looking to camp, look on the park’s website as the park service rolls out permitting at different dates depending on the campground.

 

Traveler Tip: Get your National Park Pass in advance and quicken your time at the booth by pre-paying your fee.

 

Guest Ranches
If you can stay at a guest ranch in Jackson Hole, there’s no better way to experience our majestic valley. For a longer and more immersive experience, “dudeing” at one of our authentic and historic guest ranches like Darwin Ranch, (pictured below), Goosewing Guest Ranch, Flat Creek Ranch or Triangle X Ranch will make you feel like a very pampered cowboy or cowgirl.

 

 

Due to space (97% of the land in our county is actually owned by the state or federal government) and other constraints, only a handful of dude ranches are still welcoming guests. So if your heart is set on living, breathing and sleeping wrapped up in the manner of the Old West, book this unique lodging far in advance and rest easy.

 

Glamping
One does not simply walk up and book glamping on the spot. If you’re looking to camp with certain upscale amenities like sleeping in a safari-style tent complete with memory foam beds, solar lighting, and a wood-burning stove to keep you warm on cool mountain nights, others are looking for the same. We found that reservations for Glamping of Jackson Hole’s June 2025 stays were disappearing by January!

 

Traveler Tidbit: Unlike traditional camping, when staying with Glamping of Jackson Hole (pictured below), there’s no need to plan meals, shop, buy ice, or pack coolers. It’s all covered.

 

Multi-Day Excursions, Pack Trips and More

Imagine traveling on horseback, camping in style in safari-style tents, eating delicious meals prepared by your camp cook, fishing, hiking, and photographing wildlife in their most natural habitat. Jackson Hole Pack Trips offers two- to five-day excursions camping and fishing far from civilization in Wyoming’s vast wilderness.

 

Teton Wagon Train is an unforgettable four-day and three-night trip. Their 2025 year filled up before January even rolled around! However, it never hurts to reach out and see if there’s a cancellation or put yourself on a waitlist.

 

Traveler Tidbit: If you’ve got a multi-day excursion in mind — whether it’s a pack trip on horseback, or in a covered wagon with Teton Wagon Train — reserve your spot at least six to eight months in advance.

 

Jackson Hole offers some incredibly unique and signature experiences like multi-day wagon rides, wildlife tours, private dining evenings, paragliding, and even a world-renowned planetarium (more on that below), so again we suggest getting reservations for these activities so that you can maximize your adventure without the stress.

 

Several companies also offer multi-day wildlife tours in Yellowstone National Park, or park photography tours spanning several days. As visitation to the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone balloons, we’re seeing these once-in-a-lifetime experiences book up long before summer rolls around. It’s likely you can get a photo tour on the fly in the summer months because most die-hard photographers visit in the spring and winter, which are the best times to snap breathtaking shots since wildlife are more active!

 

We suggest following a few of these local photographers on Instagram, not only for inspiration, but some even offer private photography tours!

• (2024 Visitor Guide cover artist) Steve Mattheis
• (2023 Visitor Guide cover artist ) Isaac Spotts
• (2019 Visitor Guide cover artists) Gary Crandall
• (2018 Visitor Guide cover artist ) Henry Holdsworth 
• (2017 Visitor Guide cover artist ) Thomas Mangelsen is a legendary local photographer with not only several books under his belt but an international following after being featured in a PBS documentary about local icon Grizzly 399. His gallery off Town Square is a must-visit for wildlife lovers!

 

The Rodeo

This one might come as a surprise to folks but in the summer months, the Jackson Hole Rodeo sells out often so book your seat online in advance. With a variety of daredevil events such as bareback bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing it’s a must-see show for all ages.

 

Traveler Tip: Want some free support in planning and booking your stay? Bridget Brennan is the powerhouse owner at Jackson Hole Concierge. Vibrant and truly infectious about sharing all Jackson has to offer, Bridget offers fully personalized adventure planning, completely free!

High-flying adventures

For the stout of heart who want to fly amongst the Tetons in a hot air balloon or take a leap of faith with Jackson Hole Paragliding, we suggest booking three months in advance, as there are limited spots available. After all, Jackson Hole tends to be a destination for adrenaline junkies seeking the same heart-pounding experiences.

 

For early risers who want a soaring start to the morning with a breathtaking view of the Tetons from a hot air balloon, check out Wyoming Balloon Company.

 

Time to climb

Speaking of high-octane adventures, rock climbing in the Tetons isn’t just for the experts or die-hard athletes. Consider spending a morning or an afternoon rock climbing around Jenny Lake with friends or family alongside the expert locals at Exum Mountain Guides.

 

Exum offers rock climbing instruction for kids, teens and adults of all abilities. Programs range from fun family days on the rocks to serious alpine adventures that typically require advance notice. The experts at Exum can walk you through what will work best for you and your skill level if you call ahead. Call today — climb tomorrow!

 

Private dining? Another Reserve Early Suggestion

Celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or any other milestone in Jackson Hole? Consider private dining, and book at least three months ahead of your visit. For any special event where you’re expecting 15 to 30 guests, we suggest calling before your planned arrival in Jackson Hole to reserve intimate dining as restaurants are inundated in the busy summer and winter months. Showing up with a large party and expecting to be seated may not work out.

 

Venues like Dusk at Ringholz Studios (pictured above),  The Bistro , Gather, Glorietta, The Kitchen, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Steakhouse, and Palate offer you and your guests your own private room (along with some other perks). Want to learn more? Check out our definitive guide to the best private dining options in Jackson Hole.

 

The Jackson Hole Food & Wine Festival

We’re known for our majestic peaks here but Jackson Hole is also cooking up quite the lively food scene. Many visitors don’t know that twice a year since 2017, Jackson Hole has hosted a Food & Wine Festival to showcase local delicacies and unique beverages. Tickets for the summer festival, presented in June, go on sale in March and tend to sell out. The Winter Festival is hosted annually in March.

 

Traveler Tidbit: Proceeds from the festival support local nonprofits, such as Jackson Hole Food Rescue which helps reduce food waste and food insecurity in Jackson.

 

“Voluntourist” with Being Wild
Speaking of benefitting the Jackson Hole community, one of our partners, Being Wild Jackson Hole, encourages visitors during their stay to participate in one of many volunteer opportunities hosted by local nonprofit and government organizations. Reach out to Being Wild a few months in advance of your trip to learn about volunteer opportunities like collecting data on Moose Day. You can also hike through Grand Teton National Park compiling native seeds or counting wildflowers.

 

Other Activities To Consider

For a fun, safe and educational gun shooting experience for the whole family, book a day at the Jackson Hole Shooting Experience in advance.

 

Snow King Observatory
For those who love marveling at the heavenly skies, be sure to visit the new Snow King Observatory and Planetarium — the only observatory on a North American ski area! — accessed by a scenic gondola ride. Seats are limited inside the theater and auditorium and during busy months, tickets for clear nights disappear fast.

 

Make the most of sunset from the summit by making a reservation at the fine brand-new dining restaurant, Aurora, located steps from the Planetarium. Enjoy spectacular food, drink and views of Jackson Hole and the Tetons from the deck of Aurora. Book in advance on Resy.com to craft a one-of-a-kind dinner, drinks and stargazing experience.

 

Vintage sleigh ride
Nothing quite brings home the winter magic in Jackson Hole like a vintage sleigh ride with Jackson Hole Vintage Adventures or Spring Creek Ranch. Last year, these rides sold out, so call to book a space at least a few weeks before you hope to go on this special adventure. Sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge can be easier to book, with more sleigh rides per day, plus you’ll be surrounded by thousands of elk!

 

The Jackson Hole Playhouse
Located in a historic building, the Jackson Hole Playhouse offers lively dinner musical theatre (and still houses its age-old saloon) but it’s only open certain months, namely May 31st through September, with smaller windows for certain holidays, such as an October Halloween show and an early spring performance. Be sure to know before you go. There’s no better place to see “Cat Ballou” this summer.

 

We hope we lit a fire underneath you purely to optimize the unforgettable memories that can await you in our truly magical home where adventure lurks around every corner for those who seek it. If you’re interested in more unique things to do in Jackson Hole, we rounded up 13 unique things to experience here that you can’t experience anywhere else.