6 Family Friendly Rainy Day Activities in Jackson Hole

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You’ve just traveled hundreds of miles to the nation’s premier outdoor recreation hot spot, and now sky has gone dark and sheets of water pour down your hotel room window. 

Summertime in Jackson Hole usually means lots of sunshine, but when it does rain, there’s still plenty to do. Below, we’ve gathered six fun rainy day activities in Jackson Hole to keep you and your family entertained through worst weather the Tetons can manage. The rain never lasts long during summers here, though, so be sure to book a family rafting trip for your vacation, too!

Jackson Hole Children’s Museum — For the kiddos in your crew, the Jackson Hole Children’s Museum offers hands-on opportunities to explore science, art, and play. Ongoing exhibits include the Wild Wind Machine, the Magnet Wall, and Creativity Studio. Check the website for ongoing programs.

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Swimming — Water lovers will enjoy a full length lap pool, a hot tub, a water slide, and a splash pool complete with waterfalls at the Teton County Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Center. Land lovers can shoot hoops or take an exercise class in the rec center gym. Be sure to check the pool schedule before you pack the car.

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center — Located at Moose Junction, this ultramodern visitor center boasts 22,000 square feet of interpretive exhibits on the history, geology and wildlife of Grand Teton National Park. Look for ranger-led hikes to the historic Murie Ranch.

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Hole Bowl — Set ‘em up and knock ‘em down. Jackson Hole’s only public bowling ally,  Hole Bowl is set to open in 2016 with 10 lanes, a dining room, a children’s play area, foosball and pool tables.

Jackson Hole Cinemas — Jackson Hole Cinemas operates three theater locations in the Jackson Hole area. Offerings include everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to film festivals.

National Museum of Wildlife Art — The National Museum of Wildlife Art hosts the Nation’s premier collection of wildlife paintings and sculptures. Visitors enjoy more than 5,000 pieces of art from more than 550 artists dating from 2500 B.C. to present. The museum also features a restaurant and kids play area.

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5 Summer Activities in Jackson Hole

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Dating back to the first European explorers to climb the Grand Teton, Jackson Hole has a long and distinguished reputation as an outdoor sports Mecca. Now, with its world class rafting, skiing, mountain biking and climbing, there’s little doubt that Jackson Hole is North America’s premier destination location for adrenaline junkies and casual adventurers alike.

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After you’ve shot the Lunch Counter and the Big Kahuna rapids on a rafting trip with Barker-Ewing Whitewater, be sure to check out some of our other favorite summer activities in Jackson Hole:

1. Climbing — With Exum Mountain Guides, mountain climbers benefit from the oldest and most experienced guide service in the United States. Their expert staff has trained and guided people on trips up the Grand Teton for more than 80 years. Exum offers climbing adventures for people from ages 8 to 80 for everything from a fun day bouldering with the family to epic alpine adventures. 

2. Horseback riding — Owned and operated by Dustin and Laura Child, Horse Creek Ranch offers horseback riding, trail riding, pack trips, backcountry fishing and big game wilderness hunting for a true western adventure. For a shorter trip, contact Teton Village Trail Rides.

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3. Cycling — In the last 10 years, the Bridger-Teton National Forest has spearheaded a concerted trail-building effort on Teton Pass and the Greater Snow King area. Couple that with a pathway system that will soon reach from Teton Village, through Jackson, south to Hoback Junction and north to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson Hole into one of the nation’s premier cycling destinations. Contact Teton Mountain Bike Tours for great cycling trips.

Hoback Sports also has bike rentals and maps.

4. Tram ride/Paragliding — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort operates its iconic aerial tram in the summertime too. Take a trip to the top of Rendezvous Mountain for a spectacular view of the Tetons. The more adventurous can sign up for a paraglide ride down 4,000 vertical feet to the valley floor.

5. Fly Fishing — If your rafting trip with Barker-Ewing Whitewater leaves you thirsting for more, consider a combination rafting-fly fishing package with Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School. Other fly fishing pros include the guides at Mangis Fishing Guide Service for trips on the Snake, Salt, Green or New Fork rivers. Beginners are welcome and trout are guaranteed!

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