With October comes the fall season, one of the best times of the year to visit the Grand Teton National. If you decide to visit, you can witness the leaves change and display a fascinating spectrum of colors, listen to the bugling of the elks as they fight to establish dominance over one another and win the right to mate, and watch elks, bison, and pronghorns hordes migrate in preparation for the coming winter. Fortunately, these are only some of the many things to do in Jackson Hole in October and you can choose from a wide variety of recreational activities open to tourists in the fall.
If you’re worried about the weather in the Grand Teton National Park in October, rest assured that you will enjoy sunny, cool days and chilly nights. As long as you come equipped with a warm jacket and rain gear, you can brave the worst that the park has to offer. In my opinion, this time of the year is actually perfect for visiting since you can escape the unbearable heat of the summer months and avoid the frigid temperatures of the winter period. So, if you’re wondering what to do in Jackson Hole in the fall, read on ahead!
- Camping
Perfect for those who love being outdoors and gazing up at the stars with a roaring campfire warming them up, camping is one of the most immersive activities available at the Grand Teton National Park. You will have to reserve a spot in the campgrounds in advance, but you will be provided with all the necessary equipment you need, such as comfort stations, potable water, metal fire grates, and even picnic tables! Just imagine perching a tent next to Jenny Lake, with the magnificent Tetons behind you, and nothing but nature around you. Camping is open even before October, making it one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in September if you enjoy warmer temperatures.
- Hiking
For those who are looking for a more strenuous activity, you might be interested in hiking up the magnificent Tetons. The trails will be even more scenic this time of the year, with the vibrant fall colours on full display and cooler temperatures making for a far more enjoyable experience. You might even get to see some of the exquisite wildlife of the park foraging around, making hiking one of the most immersive things to do in Jackson Hole in October.
- Biking
If you’re a biking enthusiast, there is no better place in the world to bike than the paved roads of the Grand Teton National Park. Since biking is generally not allowed between the months of November and May in the park due to extreme weather conditions, October is the last time of the year you can experience the exhilaration of biking through the park with the chilly mountain air in your hair and exploring pathways that were designed specifically to provide you with a breath-taking view of the mountains. It’s no wonder that biking has become one of the most popular things to do here in Jackson Hole in October!
- Horseback riding
For fans of equine animals, horseback riding is just one of the many things you can do in Jackson Hole in October. Tours are offered starting from Jackson Lake Lodge and Colter Bay Village, both extremely scenic and perfect as the starting points of a luxurious canter through the Grand Teton Park. The journey will take you through meadows brimming with wildflowers as you gaze into pristine, crystal-clear lakes and listen to the guide as they explain the details of the park’s flora and fauna.
- Scenic Rafting Trip
If you love being out on the water, you should consider taking a scenic rafting trip on Snake River, which is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the park. This river offers an unparalleled view of the Tetons and taking a raft out to gaze upon them is an entirely different experience! These rafting trips do not run in the winter months due to adverse weather conditions, so fall is the best time of the year to take one! Just make sure to take a light jacket with you since it can get a bit chilly on the water, but this is definitely one of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in September and October!
- Wildlife Tour
There are a ton of wildlife tours available in the Grand Teton National Park for those who enjoy observing wildlife in its natural habitat! In fact, there are so many tours available from different providers that you are bound to find the perfect one for you. From all-day luxury tours to more affordable options, safaris to private tours, you will have no shortage of options to choose from. This is one of the favourite things tourists like to do in Jackson Hole in October because of the variety of wildlife the Tetons have to offer.
- Fly Fishing
There are two major advantages of fishing in the Grand Teton National Park: gazing up at the awe-inspiring Tetons as you cast your fishing net into the water and the catch itself. The fish found in the lakes of the park never fail to disappoint and will leave every fisherman feeling proud of himself. Plus, the park boasts a ton of places for tourists to sit and fish as they gaze upon the beautiful scenery, with the beautiful Snake River and Jenny Lake being one of the few.
- Visit National Wildlife Museum
If you’re a fan of art and history, you might want to check out the National Museum of Wildlife Art located right here in the Tetons! This is definitely one of the unmissable things to do in Jackson Hole in September since the museum offers a collection that documents a significant proportion of the history of wildlife in art, from 2500 B.C. to the present! The museum contains more than 5,000 artworks and features prominent artists, such as Carl Rungius, Andy Warhol, Robert Kuhn, Georgia O’Keeffe, and John James Audubon. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this!
- 42 Mile Scenic Loop Drive
This one is a bit on-the-nose but trust me when I say that taking a drive through the Grand Teton National Park will be the most scenic and unforgettable drive you will ever take. You can roll down your windows to get a full, unobstructed view of the magnificent mountains, the exotic flora and fauna, and the chilly mountain air whipping your hair as you cruise on. Although this might not be the most engaging activity on this list, it is a fast and easy way to get a tour of the park, making it one of the most enjoyable things tourists like to do in Jackson Hole in October.
- Drinks at Jackson Lake Lodge
After doing all the strenuous activities on this list, you might want to kick your feet up and relax a bit before waking up the next morning to have another go at it. The best way to take a breather is to head to the Jackson Lake Lodge, which offers one of the best views of sunset in the Tetons and take a drink to power you through the rest of the day. Tourists can even sit out on the deck to watch the breath-taking sunset as they sip on their drinks and revel in the feeling of a day well spent.
