Jackson Hole is not a budget destination. That's the honest starting point. But knowing exactly what things cost before you go makes the difference between an organized trip and a series of unpleasant surprises at the ticket window. Here's the full breakdown.
Free Activities in Jackson Hole
These cost nothing. Build your days around them and the paid activities feel more justifiable.
- Jackson Town Square — Free to walk through. The four elk antler arches are iconic. Budget $40–80 if you factor in ice cream and boardwalk shops.
- National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center — Free. Wildlife displays, maps, and staff who'll tell you where to find the good stuff right now.
- R Park — Free. Land Trust property along the Snake River. Trails, wildlife, binoculars-worthy bird watching.
- Emily Stevens Park — Free. Mountain views, open fields, trails. A genuinely scenic park.
- Miller Park — Free. Jackson's central neighborhood playground. Bring a picnic.
- Munger View Park — Free neighborhood park, south side of Jackson.
- May Park — Free neighborhood park, east side of Jackson.
- Powderhorn Park — Free neighborhood park, west Jackson.
- Phil Baux Park — Free park at the base of Snow King Mountain.
- Teton Boulder Park — Free outdoor bouldering. Bring shoes.
National Elk Refuge drive-through viewing is also free year-round. The sleigh rides are paid, but just driving past the herd in winter is striking.
Budget Picks (Under $50 for a Family of 4)
Teton Raptor Center — $40–70 for a family of 4. A nonprofit raptor rescue where kids get within feet of hawks, owls, and falcons. Your admission funds their work. One of the best-value paid experiences in the valley.
Jackson Hole Children's Museum — $40–60 for a family of 4 (under 1 typically free). The only indoor option in Jackson specifically designed for the under-8 crowd. Membership pays off if you're staying 3+ days.
History Jackson Hole — $30–50 for a family of 4. Modest admission, strong exhibits on Native American culture and frontier life. Small museum — pair it with the Town Square.
GG's Playland — $40–70. Indoor playground in Green River, Wyoming. Check for multi-visit punch cards.
Fun Zone — $40–70. Afton, Wyoming. Call ahead to confirm hours.
Jackson Hole Indoor — $40–80 depending on membership status. Sports complex — good for a rest day from outdoor activities.
Mid-Range Activities ($50–$100 for a Family of 4)
Grand Teton National Park — $35 vehicle pass covers 7 days for your whole family. Add $50–150/day for food and in-park activities. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers all national parks for a year — buy it if you're doing multiple parks on this trip.
National Elk Refuge sleigh rides — $60–100 (about $25/adult, $15/child). In winter. Horse-drawn through 7,000–11,000 elk.
Lava Island — $60–100 for a family of 4. Indoor playground and entertainment. Go on a weekday morning to avoid weekend crowds.
Flight Zone — $60–100. Laser tag, arcade, pizza combo. Combo packages are better value than individual tickets.
Snow King Observatory & Planetarium — $60–100 for a family of 4, gondola included. Combine with the gondola for better value.
Astoria Hot Springs and Park — $60–100 (about $15–25/person). Bring your own towels and food — nothing sold on site. Go early on weekends.
Fun Zone Amusement — $60–100. Check for birthday party packages.
Gravity Factory — $60–100. Weekday visits are less crowded.
Frontier Trampoline Park — $60–100 for a family of 4. Book timed sessions online.
Jump Craze Trampoline Park — $60–100. Ask about toddler jump sessions.
Alpine Slide at Snow King Mountain — $60–100 (about $15–20/ride). Buy multi-ride packages.
Splurge-Worthy Experiences (Over $100)
Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides — $160–220 for a family of 4 (tram ~$35–40/adult, $20–25/child 6–13, under 6 free). Worth every dollar. This is the view of Jackson Hole from 10,450 feet — there's no substitute.
Treetop Adventure Park at Snow King Mountain — $160–260 (~$45–65/person depending on course level). Multiple rope courses at different heights. Buy tickets online at snowkingmountain.com.
Snow King Mountain — $150–250 for a full family activity day (gondola ~$25–30/person, alpine slide $20/ride, treetop adventure $45–65/person). Buy bundles.
King Tubes Snow Tubing at Snow King Mountain — $100–140 (~$25–35/person per session). Pure winter fun. Weekdays have better availability and shorter waits.
Jackson Hole Whitewater — $240–340 for a family of 4 (scenic float ~$60–85/person). One of the best value-to-experience ratios on this list. Choose the scenic float for families with kids under 10.
Jackson Hole Playhouse — $180–280 for a family of 4 (adults ~$35–50, children ~$20–30, dinner included). Book early — this sells out.
BrushBuck Wildlife Tours — $300–600 for a family of 4. 4.9-star rating, 537 reviews. Shared tours cost significantly less than private.
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures — $350–600+ for a family of 4. Perfect 5.0 rating. Book shared, not private, to reduce cost.
Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools — $300–700+ depending on tour length. Multi-day programs are exceptional value per learning hour.
Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours — $300–500+ for a family of 4. Winter only. A real Iditarod musher, real sled dogs, real silence in a snow-covered forest. Exceptional.
Grizzly Country Wildlife Adventures — $400–700+ for a family of 4 (private guiding is premium-priced). Book during shoulder season (June or September) for potentially more flexible pricing.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole — $1,500–3,000+/night. Non-guest dining starts at $40–80/person. The pinnacle of Jackson Hole family luxury. Best value in shoulder season (May or October).
Money-Saving Tips in Jackson Hole
- The $35 Grand Teton vehicle pass is the best deal in the valley. Valid 7 days, covers all family members. The $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers all national parks for a year.
- Book wildlife tours as shared, not private. Per-person cost drops significantly when you're not paying for an exclusive van.
- Go to Snow King online. Activity bundles purchased at snowkingmountain.com are cheaper than buying at the gate or per-ride.
- Book tram tickets online. Saves money and skips the line — both matter in peak season.
- Shoulder season (June or September) for premium tours. Wildlife is still excellent, crowds are thinner, and some outfitters have more pricing flexibility.
- Astoria Hot Springs: BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything). No food or towels sold on-site. Pack a cooler and towels and your $60–100 family admission goes a lot further.
- Combine Snow King activities into one day. Gondola + treetop adventure + alpine slide on one visit beats three separate trips.
- Children's Museum membership. If you're staying 3+ days and have kids under 8, the membership pays off. Check reciprocal museum programs from your home museum.
What a Typical Family Spends
One-day estimate (outdoor focus): - Grand Teton vehicle pass: $35 - Packed lunch: $20 - Teton Raptor Center: $55 - Jackson Town Square ice cream: $25 - Total: ~$135
One-day estimate (Snow King focus): - Gondola + Alpine Slide + Treetop Adventure bundle: $200 - Lunch near Snow King: $60 - Total: ~$260
Two-day estimate (mix of activities): - Day 1: Grand Teton ($35 pass + $80 food/activities) = $115 - Day 2: Wildlife tour (shared, $300–400) + Town Square ($30 snacks) = $330–430 - Two-day total: $445–545
Bottom line: A realistic two-day budget for a family of 4 in Jackson Hole is $400–600 if you're strategic — free parks, one paid tour, one mountain activity, and the national park. It climbs fast if you book private tours and eat every meal out. The wildlife experiences are where your money goes furthest. The trampoline parks and amusement centers are the same as anywhere else.