April Events
Ongoing throughout the month:
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on clear Thursdays of each month (when the temperature is above zero degrees Fahrenheit!) just after sunset in the northwest corner of the Stilson parking lot off Hwy. 390 and 22, behind the bus hut where there are no lights. There is $25/person recommended donation. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please. In the event of inclement weather, visit Wyoming Stargazing offices at 1135 Maple Way, unit 1, for a sci-fi movie screening. Popcorn, apple cider and hot cocoa are provided.
• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has been bringing locals and visitors together for 15 years, year-round, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m.
• The Jackson Hole Hootenanny is every Monday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tumbleweed Creative Arts in the Pink Garter Plaza. Admission is $5 in advance or at the door. BYO alcohol; snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
• An open mic night is held at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at Cowboy Coffee on Town Square
• Live music at the Stagecoach with Pete Muldoon & the Pilgrims every Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m.
5-6: Annual Jackson Hole Rendezvous Fest - The Jackson Hole Rendezvous is a 2-day lifestyle and music festival at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and on Town Square. Read our story: Jackson Hole Rendezvous Festival - jacksonhole.com
9: Yellowstone National Park opens north and west entrances - nps.gov/yell
13-14: Closing Weekend Concerts at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
14: Closing day at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
21: Closing day at Grand Targhee Resort
20&21: Greater Sage Grouse Tour - Grand Teton National Park naturalists will be offering the opportunity to view sage grouse during their spring courting ritual. This pre-dawn ranger-led program is free, however, reservations are required. Call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 307-739-3399 for details.
Opening weekend for Yellowstone Bear World Park
27&28: Greater Sage Grouse Tour - Grand Teton National Park naturalists will be offering the opportunity to view sage grouse during their spring courting ritual. This pre-dawn ranger-led program is free, however, reservations are required. Call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 307-739-3399 for details.
28: Jackson Hole Community Band Spring Concert - At the Center for the Arts Theater; 4 p.m.
May Events
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on Thursdays in the northwest corner of the Stilson parking lot off Hwy. 390 and 22, behind the bus hut where there are no lights. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please.
• The Virginian Saloon offers "Live From The Virg" every Thursday acoustic sessions featuring Americana, Western and folk from 9-11 p.m.; no cover. On Fridays from 9-midnight listen to live music; Saturday nights feature rotating bands and DJs.
• Bluegrass Tuesdays in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the historic Wort Hotel has been bringing locals and visitors together for 15 years, year-round, through the music of One Ton Pig; 7-10:30 p.m.
• Honky Tonk Wednesdays at the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson - Pete Muldoon & The Pilgrims; 5-8 p.m.; floor show and dancing - stagecoachbar.net
1: Grand Teton National Park - All roads open to vehicle traffic, snow conditions permitting -nps.gov/grte
1: Grand Teton National Park's Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center opens - The center, located in Moose, will be open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; see exhibits, speak with park rangers.
4-5: Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir Spring Music Fest - The free concert includes the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra; Center for the Arts; 4 p.m.
11: EcoFair - Held at Center for the Arts lawn; family-friendly, community-oriented event showcasing sustainability, eco-wares; food, beverages, music
18-28: Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row - Teton County Fairgrounds
17-27: Elkfest and Old West Days - The festivities, including the world-famous Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction, kick off and continue through Memorial Day weekend. The spirit of the true West lives on in Jackson and is celebrated every year during Elkfest and Old West Days, where we have one of the only remaining horse-drawn parades in America! - jacksonholechamber.com
18: Elkfest - Auction takes place in Town Square from Noon-2 p.m.
18: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram opens for the summer season - jacksonhole.com
18: Teton PowWow - At the Center for the Arts; free educational presentations around American Indian culture; all day
19: High Noon Chili Cookoff - Town Square; noon
24: Snow King opens for the summer season
24: Jackson Hole Shootout Opening Day - The longest-running shootout in the country; Town Square at 6 p.m.
25: 41st Annual Best of the West Parade - One of the last horse-drawn parades in the West; 10 a.m.
25: Jackson Hole Rodeo opens for the season - jhrodeo.com
25: Old West Family Activities - Teton County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
25: Old West Brew Fest - Teton County Fairgrounds; 11 a.m. -4 p.m.
25: Granite Hot Springs Pool opens for summer - adults $12/children $7; 307-690-6323; maximum of 25 people in the pool at one time and soaks are limited to one hour - click here for more information
26: Million Dollar Music Fest - Held on Town Square from 6 to 9 p.m. for free, sponsored by the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar; held rain or shine. This year's headliner is Nashville recording artist Ashley Wineland. - cowboybarjh.com.
27: Yellowstone National Park opens south entrance - Snow conditions permitting - nps.gov/yell
27: American Legion Memorial Day Service - Town Square flagpole at 10 a.m.
Other Spring Things To Do
TAKE A GUIDED WILDLIFE TOUR
Wildlife is in abundance during the springtime in the Tetons. Animals such as bears are coming out of hibernation—many with their cubs—bison become more active after a winter of hunkering down, large herds of elk and moose begin to march northward from the National Elk Refuge up into the hills, and eagles prowl the skies for signs of rodent or fish life below. Spring also means that it’s time for the ungulates (deer, elk and moose) to begin calving.
Take a sunrise or sunset wildlife tour in and around Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest with trained and knowledgeable naturalists. Try Buffalo Roam Tours, Wildlife Expeditions, Eco Tour Adventures, or Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris.
Click here for our story on wildlife spotting in Grand Teton National Park.
GO FISHIN'
Spring fly fishing in Jackson Hole is a terrific activity. In April, as the days get warmer but before the snow melts, river fishing is prime, especially on the Snake River. Good fishing is also found during May in the alpine lakes as they stay clear and are largely unaffected by runoff.
We highly recommend anglers go with a guide, such as Grand Teton Fly Fishing or Fish the Fly.
TAKE A FAT BIKE TOUR
Fat bikes are all the rage here in Jackson Hole, no matter what the weather. The bike's 4- to 5-inch tires allow for durable traction on and off the beaten path.
With the majority of the roads in Grand Teton National Park closed to vehicular traffic until May 1st, bike riding through this gem of a park is especially pleasurable in spring. Rent a bike and take a self-guided tour, or sign up with Teton Mountain Bike Tours for a half or full day fat bike tour with awesome views of the Teton Mountain Range.