April Events
• Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on (clear) 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.
May Events
• The iconic Jackson Hole Hootenanny takes place every Monday night at 6 p.m. in the Silver Dollar Showroom at the Wort Hotel.
• 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.
• Bluegrass Tuesday's 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.
• See the National Museum of Wildlife Art's exhibit "Scenes of Transcendent Beauty," celebrating Yellowstone National Park's 50th anniversary. The exhibit explores the impact of Yellowstone on Thomas Moran and of Moran on Yellowstone, a relationship that proved vital in the creation of the world's first national park. Runs from May 14-August 23.
1: "May Hooray" at Astoria Hot Springs Park - On the riverside lawn from 2 to 6 p.m.; food trucks, local music and beer from local breweries, plus information tables.
1: Grand Teton National Park - All roads open to vehicle traffic, snow conditions permitting - nps.gov/grte
1: Jackson Hole Community Band Spring Concert - At the Center for the Arts Theater; 4:30 p.m.
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.
6: Yellowstone National Park Lodges: "150 Years of Inspiration" - Yellowstone National Park Lodges will host a public event that coincides with the summer season opening of the Old Faithful Inn. Enjoy free historic Yellow Bus tours of the Old Faithful area.
13: Yellowstone National Park opens south entrance - Snow conditions permitting - nps.gov/yell
14: EcoFair - Held at Center for the Arts lawn; family-friendly, community-oriented event showcasing sustainability, eco-wares; food, beverages, music
15: Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir Spring Music Fest - The free concert includes the Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra; The Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole; 4 p.m.
20-30: Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row - Teton County Fairgrounds
21-30: 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
21: Elkfest - Auction takes place in Town Square from Noon-2 p.m.
21: Teton Powwow: Celebration of American Indian Culture - Snow King Sports & Event Center; free entry. Powwow starts at noon.
22: High Noon Chili Cookoff - Town Square; noon
22: Cowboy Church - Free country music and Bluegrass concert with dancing in the streets; Noon-4 p.m.
21: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens for the summer season - jacksonhole.com
27: Snow King opens for the summer season - snowkingmountain.com
27: Cultural Education Fair - 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Snow King Sports & Events Center
27: Teton Powwow - Noon - 9 p.m.; Snow King Sports & Events Center
27: Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum Walking Tours - 10:30 a.m. Meet at the History Museum just off Town Square for this fun and an educational one-hour tour of historic downtown Jackson on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Cost: $10 adults; $6 adults over age 60, students, retired military; free ages 5 and under. Please book in advance at jacksonholehistory.org
27: Jackson Hole Shootout - The longest-running shootout in the country; Town Square at 6 p.m.
28: 40th Annual Old West Days Parade - One of the last horse-drawn parades in the West; 10 a.m. - jacksonholechamber.com
28: Jackson Hole Rodeo opens for the season - jhrodeo.com
28: Granite Hot Springs Pool opens for summer - adults $8/children $5; 307-690-6323; maximum of 25 people in the pool at one time and soaks are limited to one hour
28: Old Town Entertainment - Town Square; Noon-5 p.m.
28: Old West Brew Fest - Town Square; Noon-5 p.m. - jacksonholechamber.com
28: Jackson Hole Playhouse's summer musical opens for the season - "Paint Your Wagon" - jacksonholeplayhouse.com
29: Cowboy Church - Free country music and Bluegrass concert on Town Square with dancing in the streets; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
29: Million Dollar Music Fest - Held on Town Square for free, sponsored by the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, and headlined by country music and Grammy-winning superstar, Travis Tritt. For VIP tickets visit cowboybarjh.com.
30: 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.