With vast swathes of wilderness on the doorstep and two national parks nearby, Jackson Hole is ideally placed for summertime outdoor adventures including horse riding, kayaking and cycling. Bathed in warm sunshine by day, the valley becomes a hiker’s paradise, with trails winding through mountain, field and forest, while the Snake River beckons for fly fishing and rafting.
Jackson serves as a great base for short excursions or all day adventures to Grand Teton National Park. Visit scenic Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake for amazing views and great hiking. At least one full day should be spent in Yellowstone, the word's first national park. Sprawling across volcanic plateaus in the northwest corner of Wyoming, Yellowstone contains more than two million acres of crystalline lakes, thundering waterfalls, panoramic vistas and steaming geysers including Old Faithful.
Surrounded by pristine wilderness, Amangani is the perfect base from which to enjoy wildlife safaris. Take to the flatlands, the wetlands, the valleys and the forests with your own personal guide in a luxury SUV and enjoy nature up close and personal. Sightings of moose, bears, coyotes, elk and deer – even wolves and mountain lions – are possible. Also, keep an eye out for the 300 species of birds found in Jackson Hole, including bald eagles, mountain bluebirds, trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes.
Jackson Hole is home to some of the world's best trout fishing. The lakes and streams below the Tetons feature one of the remaining populations of wild cutthroat trout as well as many other game fish. Meanwhile, the power exerted by Snake River creates the opportunity for exciting whitewater rafting as it winds its way through Snake River Canyon. Thrill-seekers will enjoy the summer sun and refreshing waters of the river as a guide takes you on this adventure.
Start your morning with a hot-air ballooning experience 1,000 feet above the valley floor in total silence, enjoying 360 degree views of the Gros Ventre, Teton, Absaroka and Snake River mountain ranges from the comfort and safety of your group or private balloon basket.
Travellers seeking thrilling adventure can ride the Bridger Gondola at Teton Village before launching in a tandem paraglide from the heights of the mountains with a certified pilot. Soar like a bird in flight and gaze downward upon granite cliffs, meadows of wildflowers, evergreen forests and rushing streams.
The photogenic landscape may have done half the work already, but to do proper justice to the extraordinary natural beauty of the setting, it pays to upgrade your camera skills. Learn the importance of light, composition, angle, and texture with photographer and Jackson gallerist David Brookover. Workshops are held throughout the summer.