(307-732-2628)
AJ Derosa has been offering custom river trips in handcrafted wooden boats since 1978. It’s a wonderful way to check out beautiful scenery and wildlife in the valley. Try one of the fly-fishing trips and combine it with a dinner float. www.woodboattours.com

(307- 733-5200)
Ride up the chairlift, and then slide down (at a relaxing or exhilarating pace: your choice!) Snow King Mountain amid trees and wildflowers. You control the speed of your slide; children love this activity!

Motorboats (10 horsepower maximum) are permitted on Jenny and Jackson Lakes. Human-powered vessels are permitted on Jackson, Jenny, Phelps, Emma Matilda, Two Ocean, Taggart, Bradley, Bearpaw, Leigh and String Lakes. Sailboats, water skiing, and windsurfers are allowed only on Jackson Lake.

Snow King (800-552-5464)
Rendezvous Mountain (307-733-2292)
Snow King and Rendezvous Mountain, at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, offer great ways to check out the scenery at higher elevations, by means of chair lifts, gondolas, and the tram. At the summits of Snow King and Rendezvous Mountain, the huge, sweeping mountain vistas will have you thinking about next year's family Christmas card photo! Make sure to bring a camera and a fleece/coat as the summits are often windy and temperatures are noticeably cooler.

(307-543-2811)
The marina, north of Moran, in Grand Teton National Park, offers canoes and boats for rent. Paddle around Jackson Lake at the base of Mount Moran. Be sure to phone in advance.

(307-733-2292)
Jackson Hole has a great disc golf course in Teton Village. The FREE 9-hole course starts uphill from the bottom of the Gondola. It winds its way up Eagle’s Rest Cutoff and over to the top of Eagle’s Rest Lift, then descends back to the bottom of Lower Werner. The holes total 3,285 feet, but the walk is a bit longer. Picnic tables are available along the course for a rest. Discs are available to purchase at Nick Wilson’s in the Tram Building. Additionally, Nick Wilson’s offers plenty of tasty food and beverages for your après-golf enjoyment.

(307-733-2415; in Moose Village, 7 miles north of Jackson)
Dornan’s rents canoes, and all you need for a day's outing—paddles, life preservers, a park permit, and pads and ropes for carrying the canoe on your car. The canoes may be used only on lakes, and there are fabulous options! We recommend String, Leigh, or Jenny Lakes, all at the foot of the oh-so-grand Tetons in the park. Advance reservations recommended. Pick up picnic supplies at the market. Fly-fishing guides and river rafting arrangements can be made there, too! www.dornans.com

(307-733-4626; 145 West Gill Avenue)
These portable guides are for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The GPS-enabled tour guide sits on your vehicle’s dashboard. As the GPS unit identifies where you are, it points out interesting facts, local history and stories of the legends of the national parks. So instead of trying to read a guidebook as you make your way through the parks, this device will act as your personal tour guide. www.gaperguide.com

(307-733-3300)
Granite is a privately maintained “good old western hot spring” that is great for soaking bones weary from a long hike or horseback ride. Enjoy fantastic mountain views from the hot spring pool, built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The water comes out of the ground at about 112° degrees and cold water is added so that the controlled pool temperature is about 95° degrees in the summer and 105° degrees in the winter. (Directions: Take Highway 89 south to Hoback Junction, veer east on Highway 189, follow the highway to the Granite Hot Springs sign, about ten miles past the Hoback Junction, and then turn north on a forest service road for another ten miles.)

The Slide is an interesting geologic site on the east side of the valley, in the Gros Ventre Mountains. The slide occurred in 1925 and naturally dammed the Gros Ventre River, creating Upper and Lower Slide Lakes in the process. You can see the slide from many points in the valley. The Forest Service has placed excellent markers in the area describing what happened, and they have established a good nature trail. (Directions: Take 191/89 north to Gros Ventre Junction and turn east to Kelly, drive one mile beyond Kelly, turn right past Kelly Warm Springs and drive up the valley to the slide.)

(On the Town Square in Jackson)
The Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday from 8:30–11:00 am on the town square during the summer months. It runs from the Saturday following July 4th, through the third week in September. A different, featured chef at the market gives out free food samples, and live music is performed each week. This is a fun, friendly gathering of vendors and local, Wyoming and Idaho farmers. You’ll find fresh, organic fruits and veggies, and beef... homemade pies, and pastries too!

(307-690-8726; located in Teton Village)
Come to paragliding paradise and enjoy alpine flying at its absolute best. Ten sites in a ten-mile radius include the Bridger Gondola. Jackson Hole Paragliding offers scenic tandem flights, beginner through advanced instruction, guide service, mountain thermal clinics, maneuvers training and aerobatics demonstrations. www.jhparagliding.com

(307-733-6994; Theater 145 West Deloney, Saloon Restaurant 135 West Deloney)
The Playhouse and Saloon offers excellent lunch, dinner and theater. The original playhouse building, built in 1916, still stands and is one of Jackson’s oldest landmarks. Choose from lunch, an Old West shootout, dinner with pre-show entertainment, and the featured performance. The dinner is a classic ranch-style cuisine and the play will entertain and enchant all ages. Reservations for dinner and the play are suggested. Bring your own beer/alcohol. www.jhplayhouse.com

(307-733-4005; located at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in the Cody House)
Summertime adventures focus on the nature, history and science of Jackson Hole. Your kids will have fun hiking from the Bridger Gondola, playing outdoor sports, engaging in science projects, arts and crafts, and water play. Check out the Kid’s Ranch special events throughout the summer. E-mail kidsranch@jacksonhole.com

(307-739-9582)
Llamaneering is a novel and comfortable mode of backcountry travel. Not only are the Jackson Hole llamas great companions in camp and on the trail, they will carry all the necessary gear and amenities to provide you with a deluxe backcountry experience. With only a small daypack, you will be able to enjoy wilderness hiking like never before. www.jhllamas.com

The refuge is where 7,500 elk make their home in the winter months; and while you probably won’t see elk in the summer, it’s a lovely spot for a quiet evening walk and a wonderful view of the Tetons. Drive out as far as you want, then park and walk. Keep an eye out for deer and many birds, including ducks, trumpeter swans, geese and sandhill cranes. Look for bighorn sheep on top of the butte on the west side of the road. Visit Curtis Canyon Overlook, just east of the refuge in Bridger-Teton National Forest, for stunning views of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range. (Directions: follow Broadway east of the Town Square to its end at the entrance to the refuge)

(Pick-ups at the Stage Stop on the south side of the Town Square)
These stagecoach rides are a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Circle the historic Town Square in Old West style! Hours are 9:00 am to dusk.

(307-733-2577; located at the Teton County Fairgrounds, 305 West Snow King Avenue)
A favorite event for locals and tourists alike, the annual Teton County Fair (held towards the end of July) is everything you have at a fair and more! From the pig-wrestling competition and demolition derby, to the 4H show and sale, concerts and colorful variety of rides, the fair delivers a big dose of good ol’ fashioned family fun.

What better way to experience the West than to go to a true western shoot out! Watch a lively reenactment of frontier justice on the Jackson Town Square, in what is the longest, continuously running shootout in the country! The Jackson Hole Shootout takes place Monday through Saturday at 6:00 pm on the Town Square, Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is free to the public. No reservations necessary but arrive a couple of minutes early to get a front-row spot to watch all the action!

(307-739-0900)
With 40 years of flying experience, professional pilots fly these gentle giants for an exhilarating and peaceful journey providing a full, overall perspective of Teton Valley. Rides last about an hour, or so, and depart in the early morning. www.wyomingballoon.com

(307-733-7210)
Having been around since 1974, High Country Flies offers an excellent staff that is dedicated to serving fishermen. Their team of veteran guides can tailor fishing trips to suit your needs or those of your family. www.flyfishingjacksonhole.com

(307-733-3270; 50 East Broadway)
Jack Dennis Sports offers guided fly-fishing trips that include lunch, instruction, and equipment. They typically know the “hot spots” to fish on a given day, and provide a quality experience whether or not the fish are biting. www.jackdennis.com

The Clear Creek Group maintains “close ties” with first-class fishing guides in the area. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a novice fisherman, The Clear Creek Group will gladly set up a personalized fishing experience. 307-732-3400

(307-543-2000; 24505 Buffalo Valley Road, Moran, Wyoming)
The Buffalo Fork River’s crystal-clear waters run alongside the ranch. Incredible, native, cutthroat trout are within walking distance, and for the more determined, the Bridger-Teton Wilderness Area starts just one mile from the ranch. Customize a backcountry fly-pack trip if you are going to be in the area a while!

(307-733-6483; 3670 Highway 390, the “Teton Village Road”)
Westbank Anglers is Jackson's preeminent fly-fishing outfitter, and provides professional guide services for full or half days. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you won’t be let down by the guide, the scenery, nor hopefully the fish.

In Jackson and the surrounding area there are a multitude of places to climb, hike or just stroll, so many that we cannot suggest (or even know) them all within the pages of this guide. We can, however, tickle your interest and point you in the right direction.

The distance and elevation information mentioned in this section came from Rebecca Woods’ book, Jackson Hole Hikes, in which you will find a mountain of information about trails and trials. Another guide we find worthy of mentioning is Bill Schneider’s Best Easy Day Hikes, Yellowstone. One map we are particularly fond of is a National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated map for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. All three of these guides, along with many other wonderful periodicals, some more technical, and some more focused on the wild flowers and animals, can be found at most of the local outdoor shops or at our favorite bookstore, Valley Bookstore, located just off the town square in Gaslight Alley.

If you are not comfortable with going it on your own, included in the following paragraphs, we will suggest several guide services that can do
anything from taking you on a family picnic and flower walk to an overnight, guided trek up The Grand Teton.

Peruse the following, let your imagination go and do not hesitate to contact your Clear Creek Group concierge 307-732-3400 for personalized and private services.

Before we get started …


Some General Summer Hiking Wildlife Information

Grand Teton National Park is the home to moose, elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, eagle, osprey and a wide range of cute, furry, little animals. Please walk with caution, sing your favorite camp songs and never approach the wildlife … that means no peanuts for the marmots and don’t try to pet the moose!

Please stop by the wonderful visitor center at the Moose entrance to Grand Teton National Park and take a moment to talk with the rangers about the wildlife, trails and trail maps.

Always, take several layers with you and be sure to include rain gear. Summer storms come up in just minutes changing warm, summer sunshine into blowing, cold rains… wait five minutes and it will be back to sunshine, probably with a rainbow!

(4.8 miles one-way, 2960 ft. elevation gain) Here’s a trail that can get you in and out of the high mountains in a day, presuming you’re in good shape and acclimated to the altitude – it’s a 3,000-ft climb. You will cross the glacial moraines and meadows quilted with flowers, and enter forests of fir and pine (including whitebark pine, a delicacy for bears—be alert!). A wonderful reward awaits you: the magical blue water of the high alpine Amphitheatre Lake.

(9.7 miles one-way, 800 ft. elevation gain) Hike along Cache Creek, a local’s favorite, you’ll discover a wide main trail and a network of narrower trails. You’ll likely see mountain bikers who are making their way along the Putt-Putt and Hagen trails, both OK for hiking, but perhaps best to stay away from those two trails unless you want to keep a constant eye out for speeding bicycles. Dogs are welcome! If you would like to walk from Cache Creek to Game Creek, we suggest you park shuttle a car to the Game Creek trailhead. Please contact your Clear Creek Group concierge for directions to this trailhead or assistance with a car shuttle. (Directions: Drive east on Broadway, turn right on Redmond, then left on Cache Creek Drive to the trailhead.)

(Goodwin Lake: 6.0 miles round trip to the lake and back, 800-foot elevation gain) (Jackson Peak: 9.0 miles round trip, 2380-foot elevation gain) You will note Jackson Peak as you drive along the airport road, to the east. This is a wonderful hike and your dogs are welcome! You will have a steady uphill until Goodwin Lake and then, get ready for the challenge to Jackson Peak … or stop, have a picnic, fish and enjoy being in such a beautiful spot! (Directions: The road runs right out of town and thru the elk refuge. Drive to the end of East Broadway past the hospital, and then turn left onto the National Elk Refuge. Follow the dirt road, pass the Curtis Canyon Campground turnoff, and go to Sheep Creek Road junction, which is 9.2 miles. Bear right here and drive another 2.7 miles to the trailhead parking lot.)

Ahhh, Granite Canyon! Open vistas at the beginning of the hike treat you with huge mountain views, sagebrush tangled with pink sticky geranium and yellow western dandelions. Make this one as long or as short as you like. It is a wonderful family hike with streams to cross (there are bridges) and play in, and only slight elevation changes in the first few miles. This trail winds up to the top of the ski mountain, if you are truly looking for a hard work out! (Directions: From the Moose- Wilson Road, southern ranger station entrance, located 1 mile north of the Village, Granite Canyon is your first trailhead on the left.)

(307-690-4453)
Jackson Hole’s premier hiking tour company has been offering tours in this region since 1989. Experienced guides will take you off the beaten path to explore the more peaceful corners of the valley and beyond. Their knowledgeable naturalist guides will educate you on the local flora and fauna, geology and the history of The Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Hiking tours are offered for all ages and abilities, with wonderful lunches if you would like! www.holehike.com

(0.9 miles one way, 420-foot elevation gain) This is a wonderful trail for a sunny day as the deep wooded forest and lush green floor protects from the sun's intensity. This trail has many streams that nourish the wildlife and cause the wildflowers to grow in thick abundance. The “overlook” takes in Phelps Lake 600 feet below and southern views of the Snake River corridor. Vistas open to the west thru the Death Canyon, to which this trail leads. We suggest a trip to the jumping rock down at the lake, a picnic and, of course, a daring leap off the rock into the lake! (Directions: Enter Grand Teton National Park at either end of the nine mile Moose-Wilson Road [also known as the Village Road]. Follow the signs to the Death Canyon Trailhead. You will feel like you are there when you begin to see the parked cars, but keep going all the way up to the trailhead. Parking is usually not a problem there. While you are driving, you’ll notice that the dirt road narrows and is rutted … keep going! It’s worth the slow, bumpy ride in—we promise!

(307-739-3399)
Located four miles south of Moose on the Moose-Wilson Road. Access via the Southern Park Entrance on the Moose- Wilson (Village) Road is easy as well. Tour the Center and follow with a ranger or guide yourself to Phelps Lake. This mostly shaded walk to Phelps Lake is easy with little or no elevation change.

There is a perfectly flat, meandering path along the Snake River. You may see moose, osprey, eagle or herons, and you will surely see lots of locals walking their dogs! You really cannot beat a sunny stroll along the Snake River. This is also a great place to bring your fly rod and practice your cast. And, after a run or walk, consider cooling off, like the locals do, by taking a dip in the refreshing waters of the Snake River. (Directions: park off of Highway 22 between Jackson and Wilson on the southwest or northeast side of the river at the Snake River Bridge.)

(1.8 miles from the base to the top of the lift) A ski lift takes you to the top of the steep—1,600 vertical feet—Snow King Mountain. The hike is strenuous and pretty, offering superb views including the peaks of the Tetons, town, and the valley. Though the switchbacks are grueling, you’ll love the panoramic view from the top! You can choose to ride the chairlift down from the summit for $1 in order to save your knees—or, of course, you can give them a good workout! (Directions: park at corner of Cache and Snow King adjacent to the ski lift.)

(5.1 miles round trip, 500-foot elevation gain) This is a delightful hike with a combination of wide-open views and shaded trails. Waterfalls, lakes and wide mountain vistas will be your rewards for sure. A fire consumed a large part of this trail system in 1985. The results are abundant flowers, bluebirds, owls and woodpeckers. (Directions: Enter Grand Teton National Park at the north Moose entrance. From this entrance, it is three miles to the trailhead parking.)

If you would like to try mountaineering or rock climbing, we highly recommend both Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (307-733-4979) and Exum Guide School of Mountaineering (307-733-2297). Both offer basic, intermediate and advanced instruction as well as guiding on various Teton routes, including the impressive and ultra-classic Grand Teton.

This trail system, we feel, is the most diverse trail system in the Park. It will have something for everyone in your group. With our visiting families, we love to spend the day on and around this trail system. Some runners will go one way, waterfall lovers another and others will bask in the sun lakeside. A much understated overview: the trail system links together three lakes, the southern most is Jenny Lake, the middle is String Lake, and the northern most is Leigh Lake. Combine a boat ride across Jenny Lake with a hike up to the waterfalls, loop Jenny Lake and finish at String Lake for a dinner picnic with The Grand reflecting in the cool waters. (This is our favorite swimming rock!) Here are the facts:

Moose Ponds: 3 miles round trip, elevation gain/loss approximately 160 feet
Hidden Falls Loop: 4.9 miles round trip, elevation gain/loss approximately 400 feet
Hidden Falls–Inspiration Point via boat: 0.9 miles, one way, elevation gain 417 feet
Jenny Lake Loop: 6.6 miles round trip, level
String Lake Loop: 3.6 miles round trip, elevation gain 309 feet
Leigh Lake: 7.4 miles, round trip, elevation gain slight.

(Directions: Enter Grand Teton National Park at Moose Ranger Station. Pass the Chapel of the Transfiguration, Bradley and
Taggart Lake trailheads. You may park either at Jenny Lake or String Lake both of which are well-signed and approximately
10 plus miles north of the ranger station entrance.)

(Float Trips in the Grand Teton National Park, 307-733-1800) (Float Trips from Wilson, 307-733-1000)
A family-owned and operated river outfitter, Barker-Ewing has been guiding trips down the Snake River in Jackson Hole since 1963. Their scenic float trips offer a calm water, relaxing experience, giving you the opportunity to take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Tetons and providing good bird and wildlife sightings. In contrast, their whitewater adventures offer an exciting, fun-filled trip for all ages through the Grand Canyon of the Snake River. Barker Ewing offers a South Park Scenic Float Trip with dinner cookout. The late afternoon departure features a Dutch oven dinner at a private riverside camp. This float extends into the evening dusk hours, providing a unique alternative for floating the Snake.
www.barker-ewing.com

(307-733-4410)
Celebrating their fifth decade in 2008, Sands is one of the many seasoned rafting companies here in Jackson Hole. Sands is the only Snake River rafting company still actively owned and operated by one of the original Sultans of the Snake, the pioneers of Snake River whitewater rafting. As one of the largest rafting companies in Jackson, they have taken tens of thousands of people down the Snake River, including the President of the United States! www.sandswhitewater.com

(307-733-2183; 2 Triangle X Ranch Road, Moose, Wyoming)
Beginning in 1964, Triangle X was one of the first companies in Jackson to float the Snake River. Their river guides are all personable, and most important, experienced! www.trianglex.com

(307-543-2000; 24505 Buffalo Valley Road, Moran, Wyoming)
At Turpin Meadows, you’ll discover a magical and beautiful environment. Whitewater rafting is one of the many activities they have to offer. www.turpinmeadowranch.com

(307-732-2628)
Wooden Boat River Tours has been offering custom river trips in hand crafted wooden boats since 1978. They are Jackson Hole’s private river tour expert with a wonderful menu of custom tours including: breakfast with the eagles, full-day custom river tours (just float or cast a line!), photography, wildlife and bird watching, guide skills lessons and drift boat rowing lessons. Whatever adventures AJ arranges for you, we suggest you try their wonderful sunset dinner cocktail float!

Whether you enjoy paddling serene lake waters, or adrenaline-pumping river rapids, Jackson Hole has a waterway for you. The valley abounds with opportunities to head out on your own and explore its waters. Please contact your concierge (307- 732-3400), and we will gladly guide you towards the rental companies who can outfit you with everything you need for your adventure. The local guides will point you in the right direction for paddling the Hoback River or Snake River. Other ideas: canoe the peaceful waters of Jenny Lake, kayak solo or tandem in Leigh and String Lake, or rent a pontoon boat or ski boat for a memorable day on Jenny Lake.

(307-690-6106)
Ana Rode specializes in small private tours that are educational, entertaining and memorable. Great for families that want to learn and have fun too. www.anasgrandexcursions.com

(307-690-4453)
Combine auto-based drives into Grand Teton and Yellowstone to view wildlife with short educational walks with topics like: why wildfires are needed in order for a seed to germinate, or why the elk and aspen depend on each other. In other words, their guided tours give people the opportunity to connect with the landscape and participate with nature. Both fun and engaging, you will begin to see nature in a different way—in a more connected way. Anyone can hike but if you want to explore and utilize your senses, we highly recommend this group of professionals. Book a wildlife trip to the park and a second day, with your same guide, to another beautiful part of the valley. Learn the names of the flowers, glaciers, trees and animals that live and thrive in our area, then, when you are ready to hit the trails on your own, you will understand our geology and the plant and animal life that grows here.

(307-733-2623; 45 West Broadway)
Wildlife Expeditions has a well-earned reputation of locating all kinds of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Geo-ecosystem and providing fascinating educational experiences in a fun and relaxed environment. Animals that may be observed during their expeditions include elk, moose, bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, wolves and bears. Professional wildlife biologist guides teach about local fauna, their interactions with each other and their relationship to other wildlife in various habitats. On these half-day, full-day and multi-day tours, guests are encouraged to take time to observe, reflect and gain appreciation for wildlife and nature wherever travel may take them. Wildlife Expedition is an educational outreach program of Teton Science Schools, a nonprofit environmental education organization. The tour company has been featured in USA Today and t he CBS Early Show, and Travelocity rates Wildlife Expeditions as a top eco-travel destination. www.wildlifeexpeditions.org

(307-690-4453)
With a mission to inspire and connect people to their spirits, their bodies and to nature. When we lose touch with nature, with the wilderness, with our spirit, we have lost touch with ourselves. These retreats and classes allow the time, space and support needed to foster and nurture your inner spirit. Once you learn the tools, your spirit will flow like a river and you will travel with the current. A combination of leadership skills, experience and talent make up Connect Retreats. Learn how to connect and grow and with this newfound energy in order to lead a more centered and blissful life. www.connectretreats.com

Summertime is a wonderful time to combine health, fitness and wellbeing in Jackson Hole. We can organize a custom retreat at special locations in the area or in the quiet setting of your vacation home. Contact your Clear Creek Group concierge and we will customize a yoga retreat with personal chef and trainers for you in the wilderness or next to the lake. 307-732-3400