The Ultimate Travel Guide to Jackson, Wyoming
By Lindsay Cohn · October 23, 2026
Mormon Row in the winter. Photo: Scott Smith/Getty Images
Jackson Hole’s appeal reaches well beyond its ski runs. The Tetons and the Snake River draw wildlife watchers, anglers, hikers, artists and anyone who wants a landscape that changes with the season. Winter brings fresh powder; warmer months open the way to fly fishing, wildlife safaris and fall hikes. Ansel Adams found inspiration along the Snake River, and bison—often called buffalo—still roam the region.
The arrival makes the case before you’ve even left the plane. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) sits inside a national park, the only commercial airport in the United States with that distinction. From the window, the Tetons rise above the winding river and broad valley. On the ground, the view resolves into ranches, sagebrush plains and elk herds.
There’s a local joke that captures the tension around Jackson’s popularity: “Jackson sucks, tell your friends.” You might see it on a T-shirt while riding the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram or having a beer at the Mangy Moose. The slogan is tongue-in-cheek, but the concern behind it is real. Tourism operators are promoting responsible travel and conservation as visitor numbers grow; whether those efforts can keep pace with the region’s appeal remains an open question.
Jackson town offers a different kind of day between mountain outings: galleries, leather cowboy boots and whiskey, with a growing range of places to stay. New arrivals include Hoback Club and Faraway Jackson, alongside updated favorites such as Hotel Jackson.
If you’re planning a trip, the season will shape the experience, but Jackson isn’t a one-season destination. This guide brings together reliable local staples and newer openings for summer, ski season, and the quieter months of spring and fall.
Where to Stay
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Jackson Hole makes a persuasive case as a slopeside base, especially for families. Guests get ski-in/ski-out access, a heated outdoor pool open year-round, spa treatments that include massages and oxygen therapy, and room to spread out in suites or multi-bedroom residences. Babysitting, full kitchens and fireplaces add practical value; the resort is also close to Teton Village’s disc-golf course.
Couples have their own reasons to stay put: cocktails at speakeasy 80 Proof, dinner at Steadfire, and an evening of stargazing with wine and charcuterie. It’s a full-service resort, and the main trade-off is simple: you’re choosing a polished mountain base over a more independent stay in town.
Hotel Jackson
Jackson’s hotels lean into distinct versions of the West
Hotel Jackson makes its downtown location part of the pitch: the 55-room property pairs Western-inspired decor with a small library for cocktails and books about the American West. Its concierge can arrange trips to nearby national parks. A newer addition, The Retreat at Hotel Jackson, opened in May 2026 with nine suites designed by TruexCullins, a spa offering aromatherapy massages and hydrofacials, a sauna, a fire-warmed lounge, a fitness center, and Juliette, a rooftop restaurant overlooking Snow King Mountain and the town square. The mix of town access and resort-style amenities is the draw here. [Hotel Jackson](https://hoteljackson.com/) · [Book on Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/jackson-jackson.html) · [Book on Expedia](https://www.expedia.com/Jackson-Hole-Hotels-Hotel-Jackson.h9343270.Hotel-Information)A private-club feel at the mountain
At the base of Jackson Hole Mountain, Caldera House is deliberately small: its accommodations are a handful of two- to four-bedroom suites, styled with Ansel Adams photographs, Lindsey Adelman lighting, Scandinavian restraint, and Western materials. The après-ski lounge has fire pits, a plunge pool, and a locker room, but access is limited to hotel guests and club members. That exclusivity is part of the proposition. So is the celebrity clientele: [Gigi Hadid](https://www.vogue.com/article/gigi-hadid-jackson-hole-ski-vacation) and [the Kardashians](https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/the-kardashian-sisters-stayed-at-this-impeccably-designed-hotel-in-jackson-hole) have both stayed here. [Caldera House](https://calderahouse.com/) · [Book on Expedia](https://www.expedia.com/Teton-Village-Hotels-Caldera-House-Jackson-Hole.h30232938.Hotel-Information)
Faraway brings its East Coast style west
After opening properties in Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Sag Harbor, Faraway added a Jackson Hole hotel in July. Its 90 rooms and suites and 48 residences put a maximalist spin on the ranch-house look: dark wood, horse-embroidered pillows, antler details, and stone. There’s also an indoor pool, a warm lobby lounge, and a restaurant drawing on Mountain West cooking. The location is unusually convenient for skiers, with the aerial tram and lifts just steps away. [Faraway Jackson Hole](https://www.farawayjacksonhole.com/) · [Book on Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/snake-river-lodge-spa.html) · [Book on Expedia](https://www.expedia.com/Teton-Village-Hotels-Faraway-Jackson-Hole.h804982.Hotel-Information)
Another Teton Village option
The fragment also points to Hoback Club. [Hoback Club](https://hobackclub.com/)