If you’ve seen Yellowstone National Park, you realize why it’s special: gurgling mud pots, erupting geysers and wildlife you might only see there in the wild.

You also likely know that visiting Yellowstone in the summer means navigating hoards of visitors jostling for space on boardwalks, RVs, motorcycles and cars choking the roads and bison and bear jams so long you can’t actually see the animal, but instead are forced to sit in traffic as though in rush hour in a big city.

Winter in Yellowstone is a totally different experience. If you’ve planned your Jackson Hole vacation for winter, you should include a stop in Yellowstone National Park.

The park is accessible only by snowmobile, snowcoach, or on foot or skis in the winter.

Photo courtesy NPS

Snowmobiles and snowcoach tours can take you to some of the park’s most famous spots like Old Faithful, where you’ll admire the wonders of Yellowstone with only a handful of other intrepid visitors.

Winter transforms the landscape. Ice hugs the edges of thermal features and waterfalls. Snow-covered bison crunch through the snow. Boiling pools steam in the cold air. Yellowstone morphs into an almost brand new park and experience.

While most facilities in the park don’t open until mid-December, trips fill fast and you’ll want to book in advance, especially if you want to stay inside the park at one of the winter lodging options like the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

You can drive yourself to a gateway community like West Yellowstone, Montana, or book a Jackson Hole wildlife tour, which can make arrangements to get you to the park, as well as show you the winter wonderland.

Be sure to bring your cross-country skis or snowshoes when you visit the park in winter. If you are staying inside Yellowstone, you’ll want to further explore on foot to immerse yourself in this quiet landscape. You can also start a winter outing on foot or ski from the park’s gateway communities and venture in as far as you feel able. Just don’t forget to dress in layers and appropriate clothing and carry gear like water, snacks, a headlamp and other emergency supplies. The weather can change quickly and Yellowstone in the winter isn’t a place you want to find yourself unexpectedly stranded.

There’s no bad time to plan your Jackson Hole vacation, but in October the crowds thin and the colors change. Aspen trees and ground foliage in bright yellows and oranges are striking set against the granite of the Tetons. And while snow might dust across the top of the peaks, there are plenty of lower elevation fall hikes where you can have the trails and scenery to yourself.

Here are a few fall hikes you should consider.

Cascade Canyon

Cascade Canyon is teeming with people in the summer. A boat shuttle shortens the hike, but visitors are also drawn to the canyon’s beauty. The canyon clears out in the fall. The Jenny Lake boat shuttle closes before October so you’ll have to hike around the lake. This mellow trail along the shoreline is a great outing in itself. But if you have the energy, at the other side of the lake continue the short climb to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, some of the most popular spots in the park during the summer. If you want something longer continue up the canyon. It won’t be hard to understand why this is one of the park’s most popular hiking areas in the summer.

Granite Canyon to Teton Village

This mild trek starts through stands of aspen trees and opens to view of Jackson Hole. Start at the Granite Canyon trailhead, walk to the Valley Trail Junction, about 1 mile from the start. Then head south for about 2.5 miles coming out at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

To keep the hike short, leave a car at the village before you going to the trailhead.

Expect vibrant colors and even some wildlife.

Bradley-Taggart Lakes

Another hike that attracts the masses in the summer, it’s easy to see why when the crowds clear. You’ll get some short climbs, Teton views, fall foliage and two mountain lakes in just more than 5 miles. Often done as a lollipop loop, you also get new scenery most of the route.

Really there isn’t a bad hike in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll just want to watch the snow line when planning your outing.

Jackson Hole weather can change quickly this time of year. A warm day where you hike in a t-shirt might be followed by a day of snow and jacket-weather. Come prepared. Pack a variety of clothing options in your suitcase, but also your backpack. Don’t forget layers on the trail, food, water and a headlamp—just in case. It starts to get dark earlier this time of year. Don’t forget your bear spray and remember that even low-elevation hikes in Jackson start at more than 6,000-feet. It can make even an “easy” fall hike strenuous if you aren’t acclimated.

What you need to know about recreating in Jackson Hole

The scenery isn’t the only thing that will leave you breathless on your Jackson Hole vacation. Jackson is situated at 6,237 feet and if you aren’t used to that kind of elevation, chances are your body will let you know. Here are a few things to remember that will help you enjoy all the Jackson Hole summer activities, no matter where you call home.

Acclimate.

Give your body a day to adjust to the higher altitude before heading high into the Tetons. You might find you don’t hike quite as fast, or you feel a little weaker if you aren’t used to exercising at high altitudes. When you haven’t adjusted, altitude can bring on headaches and nausea, especially if you try to get after it on the rivers or trails before your body has acclimated. Give yourself time to adjust. Listen to your body. Let it rest when tired and …

Hydrate.

Jackson is a dry climate, but just because you aren’t soaked with sweat standing on the Town Square, doesn’t mean you should stop pushing the water. In fact, the higher up you are, the more water you need to drink. Staying hydrated helps prevent those headaches and nausea some people experience when at a higher altitude than they are accustomed. Drink more than you think you need.

Wear sunscreen.

Whether you are on a family white water trip, or scrambling up a peak in Grand Teton National Park, don’t forget the sunscreen. The higher altitude increases your risk of sunburn. Even when the weather in Jackson Hole seems mild, lather up.

Don’t let sunburns, dehydration or altitude sickness ruin your Jackson Hole vacation. Remember whatever you are doing, you are doing it at high elevation, and don’t forget to keep drinking water.

What month is best to raft the Snake’s rapids? That depends on you.

Rafting the Snake River in Jackson Hole offers plenty of fun and thrills all summer long, but the character of the river changes with the seasons. Deciding when to book your next river excursion depends on what kind of whitewater you’re looking for.

Adventurers seeking the Snake’s wildest rides might opt for a guided rafting trip with Barker-Ewing Whitewater down the Snake River Canyon during peak runoff.

Every year, sometime between late May and mid-June, the warm western sun sends snowmelt pouring down the slopes of the Tetons into the creeks of the Snake River Basin. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation engineers at the Jackson Lake Dam look at the past winter’s snowfall totals and make careful calculations to ensure that Jackson Lake will be full, but not overflowing. When the time is right, they begin closing the spillway gates, dropping water flows from the reservoir.

Until then, the Snake offers its most extreme conditions. Year-to-year, peak water flows can range from less than 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to more than 25,000 cfs. Regardless, hiring an experienced guide who knows the river’s moods and tricks is essential.

Several rapids in the Snake River Canyon change dramatically depending on the water level. Three Oar Deal, a hole 2.7 miles downstream from the West Table put-in, doesn’t exist during the late summer when the water is low. But, when the river flow exceeds 12,000 cfs, Three Oar Deal is a Class V whitewater feature with a small margin for error.

Another Snake River Canyon rapid, Big Kahuna, rapid offers a standing wave that’s best for surfing below 6,000 cfs. But Lunch Counter, a rapid 5.2 miles from the put-in, is a favorite for surfers when water flows range from 13,000 to 6,500 cfs.

But if your summer vacation falls later in the summer, never fear, rapids in Snake River Canyon still get the adrenaline pumping well into the late summer/early fall. Check our next blog post for scenic float recommendations.

While the deep powder and steep terrain of our local ski resorts offer some best winter recreation in the nation, for many it’s the dog days of summer that truly make us smile. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is truly one the nation’s premier summer vacation hot spots. Here you’ll find a plethora of activities for any age or interest wrapped up in one of the world’s most beautiful locales.

Below we’ve listed the top 5 reasons to visit Jackson Hole this summer.

1) The Parks—Of course, Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks offer unlimited adventures for those who treasure the outdoors. Each park features its own brand of stunning scenery, educational opportunities and recreation activities. It would take two lifetimes to experience it all.

2) The Wildlife—Hand-in-hand with the parks is Greater Yellowstone’s spectacular wildlife. The region is one of the last in the 48 states where you can still see all the animals that lived here when the first Europeans arrived. From predators such as wolves and grizzly bears to ungulates such as bison and elk, it’s one of the best reasons to make the trip to Jackson Hole.

3) Whitewater Rafting—Our favorite activity in Jackson Hole, of course! The Snake River Canyon offers world class whitewater rafting experiences. Experience features such as Three-oar- deal, Big Kahuna and Lunch Counter for a family friendly thrill. Book a trip with Barker-Ewing Whitewater for the best river trip Jackson has to offer.

4) Fly Fishing—The Snake River and its tributaries offer some of the best fly fishing in the nation. Cast your line for the prized Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat Trout, a local favorite. Whether wade fishing or floating in a drift boat, Jackson Hole’s flying fishing experience is second to none. Check out our combination rafting and fly fishing trip for the best of both worlds!

5) The Tetons—Whether you’re built for multi-day backpacking trips or a leisurely 2 mile hike, the magnificent Teton Range is reason enough for a visit to Jackson Hole. Try a boat ride out to Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park, or explore the wilderness from Teton Canyon on the west slope of the Tetons in Alta.