Get Out and Go!
Mountain bikers aren’t the only two wheeled speedsters zooming around Jackson Hole these days. Drive around the Hole in any direction and you’ll see cyclists and pedestrians enjoying an excursion just beside the road on specially designed concrete paths. In fact, USA Today once designated Jackson Hole as one of the 10 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in the country.
These are Jackson Hole’s “Pathways:” safe, user-specific trails that crisscross the landscape of Teton County. Unlike the bumps, rocky jolts and loose dirt that characterize the trails favored by mountain bikers, these Pathways are smoothly poured ribbons of concrete that stretch for miles and miles in every direction.
The Pathway system owes its status as a local treasure to the Tetons' unique geography. Here in Jackson Hole, some of the nation's craggiest mountains rise over 4,000 feet from a valley floor that is, with some exceptions, flat as a pool table. This landscape lets bikers and joggers cruise along at their own pace—whether they're training for the Tour de France or casually working off the morning's cinnamon rolls—all while soaking up the Tetons’ ever-present drama.
In addition, some of the Pathways are groomed and plowed for winter use: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, you name it! This makes them a truly all-season mode of transportation.
Find Your Way: Maps and Layout
The nearly 70 miles of Pathways in Teton County include the wildly scenic 15-mile stretch of multi-use trail that rests within the borders of Grand Teton National Park. Click to review maps.
On the West Bank of the Snake River, the Pathways stretch from Teton Village down to Wilson where they link up with the "Old Pass Road" to take cyclists and joggers to the top of Teton Pass.
The system's other main artery starts south of Jackson, before heading north through the town and into Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park is the Most Bike-Friendly!
Grand Teton not only boasts the most paved trails out of any national park, but it can also claim to have the best. The section of path that begins at Moose Junction and culminates on the shores of Jenny Lake promises neck-craning views of the peaks, jagged glacial canyons, and pristine alpine forests that characterize the Grand Teton National Park's ecosystem. Review this link for more information on biking in Grand Teton park . Note that pets are not permitted on the park Pathways.
Park passes for cyclists and walkers are $20, and bike rentals are available at Moose Junction and in the town of Jackson. So, get your ride set up and pack lunches for a picnic beside Jenny Lake—there's no better way to explore Jackson Hole with the whole family than from the comfort of your bicycle seat!
Renting Bikes!
If you don't have bikes but would like some for a day or during your stay here, there are plenty of locations to rent:
- In Jackson:
- Hoback Sports. 520 West Broadway; 307-733-5335
- Snow King Mountain Sports, Snow King Mountain; 307-201-KING
- Teton Mountain Bike Tours. 545 North Cache St; 307-733-0712
- In Wilson: Wilson Backcountry Sports. 1230 Ida Drive; 307-733-5228.
- In Teton Village: Jackson Hole Sports, in the Bridger Center at the base of the Gondola; 307-739-2687. Teton Village Sports. 3285 West McCollister Drive; 307-733-2181
- In Moose: Adventure Sports. 10 Moose Lane; 307-733-3307
- START Bike community bike share program servicing the town of Jackson. With more than 50 bikes and 16 + conveniently located stations, getting a bike is easy. Download the BCycle app to get started today! The START Bike, bike share.
Traveler Tip: If you plan to bike in the national parks or other spots that you will want to drive to first (not that you can't bike there from town!) ask the rental shops to attach a bike rack to your car.
Suggested Itineraries
Here are some fun ways to spend a day biking in Jackson Hole. Each of the following itineraries starts from a nearby bike rental shop:
JACKSON TO CACHE CREEK TRAILS
3.8 MILES ROUND TRIP. TOTAL BIKE TIME: APPROX. 20 MINUTES TO AND FROM TRAILHEAD. TOTAL TRIP TIME: 2-3 HOURS, DEPENDING ON THE CHOSEN TRAIL.
Start at Snow King Mountain Sports and head to Cache Creek trailhead to access endless biking terrain near town. Get on to the sunny side of Cache via The Sidewalk Trail, or cruise up on the gravel road. You can also get to Ferrin’s or Game Creek if you’re really up for an adventure.
Rent your bike: Snow King Mountain Sports
TOWN OF JACKSON TO MOOSE
29 MILES ROUND TRIP. TOTAL BIKE TIME: APPROX. 3 HOURS. TOTAL TRIP TIME: 5 TO 7 HOURS.
Start at Teton Mountain Bikes and head north on the pathway. Stop into the National Museum of Wildlife Art and check out its newest exhibit, then continue up to Moose. Visit the Craig Thomas Discovery Center and tour the Menor’s Ferry Historic District. Then head over to Dornan’s for lunch on the deck. Work off the meal on your return to town.
Rent your bike: Teton Mountain Bikes
MOOSE TO JENNY LAKE
23 MILES ROUND TRIP. TOTAL TRIP TIME: 4 TO 6 HOURS.
Head out on the pathway from Adventure Sports to the Grand Teton National Park entrance. Bike along the base of the Tetons up to Jenny Lake. Take the scenic boat cruise around Jenny Lake and have brunch at Jenny Lake Lodge before returning to Moose.
Rent your bike: Adventure Sports
WILSON TO TETON VILLAGE
17 MILES ROUND TRIP. TOTAL BIKE TIME: APPROX. 1.5 HOURS. TOTAL TRIP TIME: 3 TO 5 HOURS.
From Wilson Backcountry Sports, follow the Wilson Centennial Pathway to the Moose-Wilson Pathway. Bike north to Teton Village, pausing along the way at the Aspen’s Market for coffee or a snack. Take the Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, then have lunch at one of the Village restaurants before cycling back to Wilson. Side trip: On your way home, take the tunnel under Moose-Wilson Road (near the Stilson Ranch parking lot) to cool off your feet in the R Park swimming pond.
Rent your bike: Wilson Backcountry Sports
TETON VILLAGE TO WILSON
18 MILES ROUND TRIP. TOTAL BIKE TIME: APPROX. 1.5 HOURS. TOTAL TRIP TIME: 3 TO 5 HOURS.
Head south from Jackson Hole Sports on the Moose-Wilson Pathway and grab a snack or coffee at the Aspen’s Market. When you reach the Stilson Ranch parking lot, take the tunnel under Moose-Wilson Road. Cross the pedestrian/bike bridge to Emily’s Pond for a great view of the Snake River. Then head back to Stilson Ranch and hop on the Wilson Centennial Pathway. Enjoy lunch at Nora’s Fish Creek Inn or Pearl Street Bagels.
Want to extend your ride a little further? Continue east on the WY 22 Pathway from Emily’s Pond to the Indian Springs Pathway. Take that to the Russ Garaman Pathway, which ends in downtown Jackson. If you don’t feel like making the trip home, Teton Village Sports, Jackson Hole Sports and Hoback Sports all accept bike rental drop-offs from each other’s shops. Total one-way distance: 14 miles
Rent your bike: Jackson Hole Sports
