Summer is in full swing in Jackson Hole. The valley is green, lush, and beautiful. It has been a dry spring; fire danger is already high. That and high daily temperatures are expected to continue throughout the summer.
The valley is full of visitors and I think we are all a little more prepared for the increase in tourism this year. Having said that, it is busy, and planning ahead is more important than ever before. Here are some tips that we hope will make your vacation and trip planning a little easier:
Reservations:
If you want to go out to dinner, make reservations now. It took us 2 and a half weeks to get a reservation for 8. If you have a more mellow schedule, or fewer people there are potential opportunities for walk-ins or eating at the bar. Be prepared for a wait if you don’t have a reservation. Brie and I had a nice time wandering the square the other night and stopping in a couple restaurants for a drink and an app. If you are willing and able to sit at the bar, you might luck out like we did. Restaurants away from the Square are quieter, but only slightly. We find eating on the deck on the property is so relaxing, and a little cooler than town. The kitchens are fully equipped so eating at home is a breeze!
Rental Cars:
A number of guests have reported a limited amount of rental cars available in the area, and very high prices. I was quoted $315 per day. A number of valley residents, including my daughter, have listed their cars on Turo. If you are in need of a rental car you can contact Brie directly by emailing mcreynolds.brianna@gmail.com.
Activities:
Everything from horseback riding, to fishing and rafting, are booking up fast. If you are wanting to do those activities, book early and check their cancellation policies. Many places are booked out weeks in advance, call now! Check out our recommendations page for suggestions.
We have about 8 bikes on property you are welcome to borrow. Check out if one could fit you! The bike path in the park is fabulous!
Hiking and sightseeing:
Trailhead parking is at a premium, so go before 9 if you want to get a spot, or after 3.
There is traffic in the parks, we encourage you to depart early and pack your own food and drink and expect to make it a whole day experience. We have coolers and camp chairs on property that we are happy to lend you!
Traffic:
Traffic in Jackson and Grand Teton is no longer only when wildlife is in the road. We have found there is a surge of people who are driving into Jackson around 3 p.m., it is worth avoiding that time to drive to town. Around 9 a.m. the surge heads towards the parks. We suggest using Spring Gulch road, only a mile of dirt, the rest is paved, to get to and from town. It is a beautiful road with a little less traffic.
COVID-19:
Most of the COVID restrictions have been lifted in the valley, though there are some places that will still ask you to wear a mask. If you are interested in testing for COVID-19 after you arrive there are tests you can have sent ahead from Vault Health that you can administer yourself (over Zoom) and return for results in 3 days. I believe it is free if you make an account and send it to a Teton County address. A company called Curative also offers PCR tests at two different kiosks around town; they provide results within 24 hours.
Groceries and supplies:
We have 3 main grocery stores: Smiths, Albertsons and Whole Foods (previously Whole Grocer). Each has a liquor store attached to them. Smiths is a Kroger owned company and Albertson’s is a Safeway company, if you have discount numbers with either of those larger companies you can use them at our stores as well. In addition we have a farmers market on Saturday morning on the square, and another one on Wednesday’s 4-6 p.m. by the Center for the Arts. They sell produce, local meat, cheese, and assorted other items. Local to Moose is Dornan’s which has two restaurants and a small grocery for basics or to replenish. It is a lovely place to take a bike ride to for a bottle of wine and an onion (or whatever it may be that you need!).
We are looking forward to seeing you all this summer. Happy to say that the whole family (boyfriends included) are on property! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, we are happy to help.
Amy, Lyle, Brianna, Lexi, Kyle and Wren (the boyfriends)
Hi! From Whiskey and Kona