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Indoor rock climbing in Jackson Hole at the Enclosure climbing gym provides an excellent activity for a rainy day or if you or your kids need to burn off some extra energy while in Jackson. Located just south of town, the Enclosure is bursting with 12,000 square feet of climbing wall and over 200 climbing routes, which are always changing.

If it is your first time rock climbing, the staff at the Enclosure will help you with your gear rentals and becoming belay certified. A day rate at the Enclosure is sixteen dollars for adults, eleven for children and if you do not have your own gear, a rental package (shoes, harness &chalkbag) runs eight dollars. Before you toss your loved one up on the rope you must become belay certified to learn the techniques of rock climbing. Any staff member can certify you and it only takes about ten minutes.

Feeling like a kid on a jungle gym, I quickly picked an easy route denoted by a rating system ranging from 5.6-5.8 as beginners and going up to expert routes rated as 5.11-5.15. An easier route has more large holds and is a less technical climb. Each rock climbing route is marked by the same color tape all the way up to the top and the goal is to stay with your color and not use a hold from another route. When climbing if you do get tired you can relax back on your rope and wait for you arms to stop shaking before you begin again. If you are an advanced climber the Enclosure does offer many routes that are lead climbing.

If heights are not your thing, give bouldering a shot. Bouldering is unropped rock climbing which is done at lower heights with heavy pads underneath. Enclosure has 3,500 square foot bouldering area with many different routes. The rating system with bouldering is different with beginners climbing V0-V2 and advancing as the rating numbers increase. Once you fall on to the big cushy mat, you will become more confident as the day continues. Kids love this area due to their fearless nature and agile build; they often  end up racing up the rock wall all day long.

If the weather is not cooperating with your plans or you want to try a fun sport, head over to Enclosure. Even though your arms will be burning after, your kids will be glowing and it will be a great addition to your vacation stories.

Grand Teton National Park Scenic Drives allow visitors to enjoy the diverse beauty and natural surroundings from the comfort of their car and explore the national parks in the region. Anytime during the summer these drives are enjoyable; however, in the fall months when the aspen trees turn a rainbow of colors is truly the best time. Also, keep in mind that even though there might be a beautiful lake to your right alluring your attention, you are still driving- so trust me- heed caution.

Jenny Lake Loop:

This scenic drive is located in The Grand Teton National Park and can be popular in the summer months. Enter the park in Moose, WY and head about twelve miles on Teton Park Road. Make a left when you arrive at the North Jenny Lake Junction and in a few miles you will soon be on a one-way road. On your left, you will pass the historic Jenny Lake Lodge, which during the season is a great place to stop for lunch or breakfast; however, reservations are highly recommended because the space is limited. Continuing on the one-way Jenny Lake Road, you will meander through a dense forest. Keep your eyes open to catch glimpses of any animals hanging around the lake. As you come over a hill you will see the lake in front of you where there is an excellent pull-off. I suggest to pull-off and hop out and snap some amazing photos of Jenny Lake and the reflection of the Tetons glistening in the glacier water. Continue on as you enjoy views of the lake to your right and soon you will arrive back at Teton Park Road. If you loved the loop, you can make a left and do it all over again!

Two Ocean Lake:

If you enter the park at Moose, this drive is in the north section of The Grand Teton National Park. Take the Teton Park road north passing Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain. Soon you will arrive at the Jackson Lake Junction and you should hang a right on to 191 also known as John D. Rockefeller Road. In a few miles you will pass a turn off on your right called Oxbow Bend, a favorite spot for photographers to snap shot of the Tetons at sunset. Continue down the road and make a left at Pacific Creek Road. About four miles down the road, make another left on to an easy-going dirt road. You will meander on this road for a few miles passing beautiful Aspen trees and conifers. The road ends at a parking lot, where you can jump out and walk for just a minute and you will end up at Two Ocean Lake. The reds, yellows and orange of the Aspen trees radiates off the water in the fall making for excellent photos. If you are feeling ambitious, a relaxing hike around the lake takes about three hours and covers 6.4 miles. Two Ocean Lake is off the beaten path amongst many tourists so you should be able to find plenty of solitude here.

Moose-Wilson Road:

This road is normally known as the other way to get to Teton Village; however, it is scenic as well as functional. Moose-Wilson Road is a two way street, so you can enter it two ways, either enter from Teton Village Road or Moose. The road curls around fantastic scenery of lush forests and marshy areas providing an excellent backdrop for many animals. Animal viewing on Moose-Wilson is best around sunset when the moose head here to get a cool drink and the elk retreat down the hills to lower ground for the evening. Just a heads up, the road is really twisty dirt road, so in the fall and spring the road can be bumpy due to recent rain. Just ask at a park entrance or the visitor’s center about the current road quality.

These scenic drives will add some amazing hidden views to your tour of Jackson. I always like to pack a picnic and stop at one of the locations and really take it all in. Whether you enjoy one of these drives or all of them, a scenic drive is a truly relaxing way to see what Jackson has to offer.

The Jackson Hole Hootenanny gives you a reason to pack your harmonica, guitar, and singing voice when planning your trip to Jackson Hole. Even if your talent is lacking, you can always grab a seat and enjoy the Hoot!

The Jackson Hole Hootenanny goes back 50 years when Bill Briggs held “Teton Tea Parties” under a bridge in Grand Teton National Park, where artists gathered and sang together. In the 90’s the Hoot (as most people call it) moved to Dornan’s Bar in Moose and on December 8^th the Hootenanny will celebrate its’ 700^th show. Every Monday night, the Hoot begins at 7pm with artists signing in at 6:15pm. Any and all artists are welcomed to play and some guests throughout the years have included Tom Rush and the late John Denver. Nearly every Monday you can catch the local regular Hootenanny performers jamming out to a two-song set and collaborating amongst each other.

I suggest arriving at Dornan’s around 6:30pm and picking a good seat. I personally love to sit at the bar because you get both a great view of the stage and a great view of the Tetons through large glass windows that frame the bar. After you have your seat situated, either grab a local beer on tap or scoot into the wine store connected to the bar. The wine store has an excellent variety of wine and they will be happy to open the bottle for you to enjoy during the Hoot. Dornan’s is a great location to get an excellent pizza (try ‘The Peak’) or my personal favorite, their meatball sub. By the time your food arrives, the Hoot should be kicking off!

The Jackson Hole Hootenanny is truly a hidden gem of Jackson and a great way to catch up on all your favorite cowboy songs. A favorite song was one by Lynn Castle when she did her version of “Crazy” by Patsy Cline; however, not every song is country and some artists mix it up with versions of popular songs such as “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones.

Even if you don’t muster up the courage to sign up and sing a two-song set, the Hoot always seems to end with a song everyone sings along too. Slap your knee, clap your hand and sing along- I mean, the saying goes, “When in Jackson…” Right?

Jackson Hole Paragliding offers a way to boost your vacation to a new level and the guides at Jackson Hole Paragliding will help you take flight. A relaxing gondola ride almost to the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort followed by a short jaunt to the launch site and you are ready to go.  Experience is not necessary for a tandem flight and your guide will basically do all the work.  Once you are all set to launch with your guide just lean forward, walk and then slightly jog and before you know it you are flying! Paragliding is a great way to see the valley and also enjoy a comfortable seat in the sky. Scott Harris and the guides at Jackson Hole Paragliding are expertly trained and will make you feel relaxed as you are soaring above the valley floor. Depending on your comfort level, guides sometimes will twirl you around in acrobatic twists and maneuvers called aerials. Be sure to wear pants, a jacket or sweatshirt, and sturdy shoes. Sunglasses help too. Paragliding heavily relies on wind conditions, so schedule a window of days to get the best conditions. Contact Jackson Hole Paragliding for a view of the valley and Tetons like none other!