Fall

Most of our forests are coniferous rather than deciduous, meaning that trees keep their green needles year-round. However, our aspen groves put on a show in autumn as their quaking leaves transform from green to yellow and finally fall to the ground. We usually see the first aspens changing color in late August. The colors are at their peak around mid- to late September and into early October.

The average nightly low temperature in Jackson Hole in September is about 33 F. By October, the average nighttime temperature is about 25 F. Most developed campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest are open through September. By mid-October, all the campgrounds in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park are closed. There’s no established season for dispersed camping in Bridger-Teton; it’s snow that eventually closes these areas down, and that can happen anytime from mid-September to mid-October.

Fall activities in Jackson Hole are very similar to summer activities, although whitewater rafting down the Snake River and getting soaked is a little less fun when it’s 60 F. Most whitewater outfitters close for the season in mid- to late September.

Scenic floats can be done into October, and some of the best views of changing leaves are from the Snake River. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are also great in the fall. Rock climbing is also available, although if you want to climb the Grand Tetons, guide services usually stop during the first week of September; all it takes is one dusting of snow or freezing rain to turn an otherwise moderately challenging climb into a very dangerous one. Multi-pitch routes and crags below 10,000 feet are usually climbable through September.

Fall Activities

Fall can be the best time for hiking in Jackson Hole. Trails are much quieter than in July and August, but the days are shorter and snow can close down high-elevation treks. If you have your sights set on a high-elevation hike in the Tetons or the Gros Ventres — anything above 10,000 feet — make sure to check the weather forecast.

During our favorite autumns, it’s possible to hike anywhere in the Tetons into and even throughout October. Even if there’s snow in the high mountains, lower-elevation hikes — below 8,000 feet — are very rarely snow-covered until mid-October at the earliest.

When hiking in the fall in the national forests in and around Jackson Hole, be aware that it’s hunting season; wear blaze orange (and put something blaze orange on your dog) to alert hunters that you’re not a wild animal. It’s also important to remember wildlife activity is high in the fall as animals prepare for the upcoming winter, so keeping your distance and carrying bear spray is mandatory.

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Fall in Jackson Hole usually starts in early September. Daytime highs drop to the low 60s and night temperatures begin to flirt with freezing. If we’re lucky enough to get an extended fall — aka the second summer — there won’t be much precipitation and daytime highs in the 50s and 60s can last into October. If it’s a year when snow comes early and doesn’t melt, fall can be the shortest of our seasons, lasting only for the month of September.