Fourth of July Activities in Jackson Hole
Thinking about visiting Jackson Hole for the Fourth of July? It is a great time of year to visit. Early July is considered the beginning of summer by most locals. By the fourth of July, temperatures have warmed up consistently and the landscape is awash with blooming wildflowers and rustling aspen leaves.. There are plenty of fun activities to check out when you come to celebrate your Jackson Hole Fourth of July, here are a few of our suggestions!
Wildlife and National Park Tours
Join the experienced Naturalists at Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures on a guided tour of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks! We offer half and full-day tours into Grand Teton National Park and full-day tours of the lower loop of Yellowstone, all of which can be enjoyed during your Fourth of July vacation. With chances to observe baby elk, pronghorn, moose, or bison calves, and even bear cubs or wolf pups, this time of year is one of our favorites for wildlife watching in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Visitation to the Parks this year remains low compared to other years, meaning we have more opportunities to enjoy them without crowding. Give us a call at 307-690-9533, email info@jhecotouradventures.com, or check out our website for live tour availability and information!
Tune in to our weekly Wildlife Wednesday Video Roundup’s each week at 5:30pm MST on Facebook to learn more about what we’re seeing on tours of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks!
We recommend touring with us early in your vacation. This allows you to get a “lay of the land” and know which spots to revisit during your time here, should you want to continue looking for wildlife in the parks. Our guides enjoy sharing their insights on where you can continue your explorations of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Where to Watch Fireworks in Jackson Hole
The Fourth of July wouldn’t be complete without fireworks. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village has confirmed they will be hosting their annual fireworks shows on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th. These events take place after sunset, starting around 10:00pm. They are encouraging folks to view from their vehicles, places of lodging, or other locations that allow for social distancing. Plenty of local restaurants are offering take out options for dining (read on for our suggestions), so grab dinner to-go from your favorite spot and picnic while you wait for the show to start!
Snow King Mountain has also confirmed they will be putting on their annual fireworks show on Saturday, July 4th, in town at the base of the Snow King Ski Area. This show usually starts around 9:00pm.
Snowking Mountain is just minutes from downtown Jackson and offers a spectacular fireworks display. Image courtesy VisitJacksonHole
Experience the Jackson Hole Rodeo
A quintessential Jackson Hole Fourth of July experience is the Jackson Hole Rodeo. This real-deal rodeo includes competitors of all ages participating in bronco and bull riding, calf roping, and barrel racing. The rodeo will be held each evening at 8:00pm on July 1st, July 3rd, and July 4th. If you’ve never experienced a rodeo before, it is non-stop excitement! Watching a young girl or boy race a horse through a barrel course is quite an impressive sight.
Explore the National Museum of Wildlife Art
If you’re looking to escape the heat of the day, the National Museum of Wildlife Art located just north of downtown Jackson is a great choice. With the largest collection of wildlife-themed art in the country, they have a wide variety of beautiful art mediums to offer including sculpture, photography, painting and more. The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm this summer season.
Fly Fishing in Jackson Hole
Fly fishing is a favorite pastime for locals and Jackson Hole visitors alike. A guided experience allows for instruction and improvement in your skills. Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School offers a variety of tour options for the beginner to advanced fisherman, with plenty of introductory experiences. Westbank Anglers offers outings for beginners to advanced anglers, as well, venturing to rivers and lakes in the surrounding areas, if you wish.
Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone feeding on an adult salmonfly. Photo by guide @joshmettenphoto
Take a Scenic or Whitewater Float on the Snake River
If being on the water says “Fourth of July” to you, then a float trip through Grand Teton National Park is a great activity. National Park Float Trips with Triangle X Dude Ranch take on you a leisurely scenic float down the Snake River through Grand Teton. Breathtaking scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities abound while you make your way through the park by boat.
For those interested in more splashes, the Snake River canyon offers 9 miles of class III whitewater fun for the whole family. We recommend Dave Hansen Whitewater.
Where to Eat in Jackson Hole
Looking for a western-style dinner while in the area? The Chuckwagon is a great option. Chuckwagon dinners are traditionally prepared outside in cast iron dutch ovens and on grills. The impressive dinner spread is hosted outside, often accompanied by western-themed entertainment. Shows include everything from a solo cowboy playing guitar to a full western show or barn dance. There are a few options for a chuckwagon or western-style dinner Mill Iron Ranch, located about a 20 minute drive south of Jackson, Bar T-5, located in the town of Jackson, Bar J, located about a 15 minute drive from Jackson.
A great quick breakfast stop on your way to the national parks is Pearl Street Bagels. With locations in the town of Jackson and Wilson open 6:30am-6:00pm daily, you can grab a delicious bagel and coffee, no matter where you are staying.
If you are looking for lunch or dinner while adventuring in Grand Teton National Park, Dornan’s Pizza & Pasta Co. is a delicious option. They have a variety of tasty pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes to choose from. The scenery while dining is second to none, with panoramic views of the Teton range laying before you.
The Poke Bowl from the Phoenix and Dragon is not to be missed.
A fantastic take-out option for dinner in Jackson is the Phoenix and the Dragon. They offer an amazing selection of organic, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian asian dishes that are delicious whether these are dietary considerations of your’s or not.
A long-time Jackson favorite is the Blue Lion. Situated in a quaint converted home, they offer classic dishes like (the best) rack of lamb and an elk tenderloin, with outdoor seating as an option. Reservations are recommended.
Enjoy the 4th of July in Jackson Hole this year
There are a wide variety of activities to enjoy during your Jackson Hole Fourth of July vacation, we hope our suggestions help you plan your trip. Please let us know if the guides at EcoTour Adventures can help maximize your time in Jackson Hole by contacting us at 307-690-9533 or info@jhecotouradventures.com . We would love to tour with you and be a part of your trip to the area!
*Events are subject to change. Please contact individual event organizers or outfitters for complete information.
