Jackson Hole Summer Guide to Wildlife Spotting & Scenic Drives

There's a version of Jackson Hole that only summer visitors get to know. Snake River runs full and fast, the trails are alive with the sounds of rushing water and birdsong, and the wildlife is everywhere: calves and cubs born just weeks earlier, moose wading through willows, and black bears grazing the hillsides in the long golden light of a Wyoming evening.

Jackson Hole in summer is, for many visitors, the trip of a lifetime. And if you’re one of the lucky ones planning a trip here between June and September, this guide covers everything you need to know. From the best hikes in Jackson Hole to the most exhilarating water sports, the most rewarding scenic drives, and the best spots to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

Faraway Jackson Hole in Teton Village puts you at the core of it all. We’re one mile from Grand Teton National Park, steps from the Aerial Tram, and ten minutes from Snake River. Here's how to make the most of summer in one of America's most extraordinary places.

Why Summer Is the Best Time to Visit Jackson Hole

Ask a local when Jackson Hole peaks, and many will tell you it's summer. You won’t want to miss the stretch between the Fourth of July and Labor Day, when the valley is at its greenest, warmest, and most alive. 

July and August are peak times for hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Jackson Hole comes alive with outdoor events throughout the summer. Grand Teton National Park is fully open, every trailhead is accessible, and the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort runs daily for sightseeing and high-alpine hiking.

Whatever month brings you here, the experience is unforgettable. Here's how you can make the most of it.

Scenic Drives in Jackson Hole: The Best Summer Routes

Some of the most spectacular scenery in Jackson Hole is best experienced from the road. These drives are free, accessible to everyone, and genuinely breathtaking, especially in the long, clear light of a summer day.

Teton Park Road

The park's primary scenic corridor runs from Moose Junction to Jackson Lake Junction, threading through meadows, forests, and glacial moraine with constant views of the Teton Range. Pull-offs are frequent and well-marked. This is the ideal drive for first-timers. Do it at sunrise or sunset for the best light on the peaks.

Antelope Flats Road & Mormon Row

Turn east off Highway 191 onto Antelope Flats Road for one of Wyoming's most photographed landscapes. The Moulton Barn at Mormon Row Historic District, with the Grand Teton rising directly behind it, is arguably the most iconic image in the American West. Summer brings bison from the local Kelly herd wandering the flats, wildflowers lining the roadside, and a warm, prairie-wide light that photographers plan trips around.

Signal Mountain Summit Road

A short 5-mile paved detour off the main park road climbs to the summit of Signal Mountain, with two overlook pullouts offering bird's-eye views of Jackson Lake, the Oxbow Bend, and the full Teton Range. It's a 20-minute round trip that pays enormous dividends.

Gros Ventre Road

The quieter, eastern route through the valley runs along the Gros Ventre River through sage flats and cottonwood groves. Less-traveled than the main park road, this stretch rewards patient drivers with frequent sightings of elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and an occasional black bear. The road also passes the Gros Ventre Slide, one of the largest recorded landslides in North American history, now a glassy lake framed by the scar on the hillside above.

The Moose-Wilson Road

A narrow, unpaved stretch of road connecting Teton Village to the main park at Moose, Moose-Wilson Road is one of the most productive wildlife corridors in the entire park. It's closed to RVs and trailers, which keeps the crowds manageable. Drive slowly, windows down, and don't be surprised if a moose stops traffic.

Where to See Wildlife in Jackson Hole in Summer

Summer in Jackson Hole delivers wildlife viewing on a scale that genuinely surprises most visitors. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (one of the last intact temperate ecosystems on Earth) surrounds the valley, and the animals that call it home are abundant, visible, and utterly wild.

Oxbow Bend

Arguably the single best wildlife viewing spot in Grand Teton National Park. The calm oxbow of the Snake River reflects the Tetons on its surface, and the surrounding wetlands are a magnet for moose, great blue herons, white pelicans, ospreys, and river otters. Arrive at sunrise for the full effect.

Willow Flats

Located near Colter Bay on Jackson Lake, Willow Flats is one of the most reliable spots in the park for moose sightings. The dense willow thickets provide perfect habitat, and in summer, cows with calves are frequently spotted feeding in the shallows.

Antelope Flats & Kelly Area

The open sage flats east of the main park road are home to a resident bison herd year-round, and summer brings new calves into the mix: bright orange and distinctly smaller than the massive adults. Pronghorns are also common here, the fastest land animal in North America and a frequent sight on the open flats.

Moose-Wilson Road

Already mentioned as a scenic drive, Moose-Wilson Road doubles as one of the best wildlife corridors for bear sightings. Black bears are spotted regularly here, and the dense vegetation on either side of the road provides cover for everything from red foxes to moose to the occasional grizzly that wanders down from the northern reaches of the park.

Guided Wildlife Safaris

For the highest-probability encounters with grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, and other less-visible species, a guided wildlife safari is the most reliable option. Professional guides track animal movements in real time and carry powerful spotting scopes that transform a distant brown dot on a hillside into a grizzly bear digging for ground squirrels. Several outfitters offer combination tours pairing an early-morning wildlife safari with a Snake River scenic float. Both are conducted within Grand Teton National Park.

Best times for wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk are when large mammals are most active. The hour after sunrise and the two hours before sunset consistently produce the best sightings. Midday is when animals retreat into shade and cover.

More Things to Do in Jackson Hole This Summer

Hiking, rafting, wildlife, and scenic drives are the four pillars of a Jackson Hole summer, but the valley offers plenty more for visitors who have extra days to fill.

Mountain Biking: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has built one of the best mountain bike destinations in the Tetons, with options for every level from novice trails to advanced jump tracks. The Bike Park is accessible via the Teewinot Chairlift and Sweetwater Gondola, making it easy to shuttle back to the top for repeat runs.

Rock Climbing & Via Ferrata: The Via Ferrata at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort offers a high-alpine journey above the valley floor, across suspended bridges and along granite walls, with routes for beginning to professional explorers alike. It's one of the most thrilling non-technical climbing experiences in Wyoming.

Horseback Riding: A guided trail ride through the sage and forest surrounding Jackson Hole is a classic Western experience. Half-day, full-day, and hour-long rides are available from late spring through September.

Jackson Hole Rodeo: The Jackson Hole Rodeo runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day with events every Wednesday and Saturday in June, and every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through July and August. It's a genuine Western tradition and a beloved summer evening activity for families and first-time visitors alike.

Grand Teton Music Festival: The Grand Teton Music Festival runs from late June through mid-August, with world-class orchestral performances held in the valley. It's an unexpected cultural highlight and a wonderful way to cap an evening in the mountains.

Sunset Watching: When the sun sets in the Tetons, it's a take-your-breath-away experience. The Curtis Canyon Overlook and Mormon Row are among the finest spots for watching the sun sink beneath the horizon behind the dramatic Teton Range.

Your Summer Base Camp: Faraway Jackson Hole

Faraway Jackson Hole is perfectly positioned for a summer adventure of any pace. Grand Teton National Park is one mile away. The Aerial Tram,  your gateway to the best high-alpine hiking in the region, is 300 feet from the front door. The Snake River is ten minutes away. And after the day is done, Sure Hand Restaurant and Bar is right on the property for a well-earned dinner and craft cocktail with no car required.

Whether you're planning a week of hard hiking, a lazy float trip, a wildlife safari, or simply a few days of mountain air and spectacular scenery, summer in Jackson Hole rewards every kind of traveler. There is no bad way to spend it.

Ready to plan your summer escape? Visit farawayjacksonhole.com or call (307) 732-6000 to book.