My husband and I are taking our first trip to Wyoming the end of August, using Jackson Hole as our base. Have booked a wildlife safari tour for one day, plan to tour Teton and Yellowstone Nat'l Parks and boat trip on Jenny Lake. Any other 'musts'?
Appreciate 'fodorite' input.
Thanks in advance.
elaine

Oh my God, you could spend 8 days in Yellowstone all by itself, though it is a long drive from Jackson Hole. If you're real adventurous, try a raft trip on the Snake River. See previous posts this year on whitewater rafting (use the search engine).

It is a long drive from Jackson up to the geyser basins in Yellowstone, but doable. I think you will need 3 days to see the wonders of Yellowstone. The Tetons, unless you take some walks and float trips, is about a 1 day wonder.
But if you visit the museum at Colter Bay, take the Jenny Lake trip and walk to Hidden Falls, and take another long walk on one of the flatter trails, you can use up 3 days or even 4 quite nicely.

How I envy you the trip. You'll love it. If the wildlife safari is one of the trips with the Great Plains Wildlife Institute in Jackson Hole, you'll love. We took one five years ago.
Adding to what the previous posters have suggested, if you're not adventurous enough for whitewater rafting, you can also take a leisurely float trip down the Snake River. Also, I'd consider the Tetons more than a one-day wonder no matter what you do. The scenery is magnificent. The leaves should be starting to turn by the end of August to add to the beauty. And, the hiking is great in the Jenny Lake area.
Bring lots of film. And, enjoy!

Thank you all for suggestions, etc. To Howard, yes, we are taking a full day with Great Plains Wildlife Institute. We are doing this our 2nd day, as it was suggested to take this tour early in the trip to help us 'spot' wildlife when on our own. It has also been suggested that Teton Nat'l Park to be very beautiful, and it is only 10 minutes from where we will stay. If anyone has add'l input, please post!
Thanks to everyone who has!
elaine

PS -- forgot to mention we plan on a float trip down Snake River...will pass on raft trip!

We also enjoyed the cable car ride to the top of Rendevouz Mountain, the view was spectacular.

I would suggest 3 days at Jackson/Tetons and the rest at Yellowstone. It is a LONG drive to Yellowstone and there is so much to see there!

I would suggest 3 days at Jackson/Tetons and the rest at Yellowstone. It is a LONG drive to Yellowstone and there is so much to see there!

Get up before sunrise and choose a great location to take photos of the pink lighting from the sunrise on the Teton Mts.
If you can get reservations at Mammouth Springs in Ystone, I would highly recommend it.....my favorite!

Hi -

I have family that live there and have visited a few times.

Jenny Lake & Hidden Falls is a must. Especially Hidden Falls. It's beautiful.

The rafting idea is great, I did that with my mom. It was a blast. However, if that's a little too much the float should be nice.

Agree with spending at least 2 days at Yellowstone. When I went, we spent the night at Old Faithful Inn. Yellowstone is so big. It wouldn't be hard to do 3 days there. Watch for the buffalo. We had one walk right in front of the car! He was walking really slow... We had to wait for a good 5 minutes until he was across the street.

The town square is very charming with a central square and antler arches on every corner entrance. Good picture-taking.

I'm not an expert on the food there, but, have a cheeseburger (if you eat meat) at the diner connected to the restaurant. There's only one on the main square. The name escapes me and it's too early to call my sister! The cheeseburgers are huge and very juicy! You sit on stools around a bar like in the 50's.

Have fun.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. This trip was planned early Spring. Staying in the parks was out of the question. We are committed to staying at our Inn, due to cancellation policy. Thanks to Sandra for Rendevouz Mtn. cable ride tip...and to cedar suggesting taking photos of sunrise on the Teton Mts., and thanks Lynn for the Hidden Falls mention. Will have to search that, as it is not on my list. And we do eat red meat and will try to find the diner! We don't leave until 8/27 and would like to thank all for their assistance.
elaine

Couple other bits of advice:
1. Get up early for your best chances to seeing the wildlife in both Yellowstone and the Tetons. And, as previously mentioned, it's also a great time for picture-taking. (Don't get too friendly with or close to the buffalo; they can be dangerous! I speak from experience--I was nearly gored by one, after get too close to take a picture!)
2. The early-morning hours can be cool. We took an early-morning float trip the first week of September and I wore gloves! Later the same day, I was in shorts! Dress in layers.
Anyway, enjoy, you're in for a great time!

Want to get away from the summer crowds? Go to the Idaho side of the Tetons - Driggs, ID. The Grand Targhee Ski resort is there. You can go up the mt on a small ski lift. We were nearly the only people on the mt. The view is tremendous. Hiking trails from there connect to Cascade Canyon trails (Hidden Falls). If you go to Hidden Falls, go beyond the falls to Cascade Canyon. You’ll have a higher view of Jenny Lake and we’ve seen moose and bear on that trail. Go to Signal Mt Road at sunset or sunrise to photograph the "pink colors". Hit the larger geyser basins early in the morning or later in the evening to beat the summer crowds. Stop in the primitive campground called Pebble Creek. It’s on the road from the Tetons to Yellowstone, just inside Yellowstone. No one was there, so we sat and ate our lunch very quietly. Before we knew it deer where coming down out of the mts. We of course, hoped for a bear since they have bear boxes at every campsite!

Lynne,
Thanks for such good tips...after reading your post, I found a good website listing many of your suggestions. Without your info., I wouldn't have known where to search. Think Idaho a good idea...but we only have 8 days!