What to Pack for a Family Vacation to Jackson Hole in the warmest months.

Are you headed to Jackson Hole? Are you bringing your kids? Are you a lot excited but a little unsure about how to prepare for this wonderful mountain town? Well, hopefully, we can answer all of your questions.

The warm season in Jackson is unlike most other places. Short and sweet, with on average 80 degree sunny days and 35-40 degree nights, you definitely have to plan a layering system to accommodate the drastic change from hot to cold.

6 AM-9 AM Long sleeve shirt with an insulating layer such as a light jacket, pants, close-toed shoes or comfy walking sandals if you’re feeling risky. Abandon what you know about your big city fashion sense, the sandal-sock trend is happening and we are here for it.

9 AM-11 AM If you’re in the sunshine, plan on taking off your jacket and starting to think about switching into sandals.

11 AM-6 PM Plan for the day to reach its peak heat. You’ll probably want shorts and a tank or tee on. A nice light dress and cardigan is my go-to. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen around now. Rarely, we will get brief late afternoon rain/hail storms so a raincoat or a plan to be close to an establishment is never a bad idea.

6 PM-8 PM The sun isn’t setting yet (usually does around 9 pm) but when it does, plan for a rather rapid drop in temperature. You’ll want a coat on hand for sure. Especially if you plan to attend one of the many free outdoor events the Town of Jackson hosts.

8 PM-6 AM If you’re camping, plan on being bundled up in fleece pants, wool socks, and a down jacket. The nights outside are chilly and sometimes even dip below freezing. Do not be fooled by the blistering heat of the day. I’m all about the zero-degree sleeping bags for Jackson nights. It might be overkill, but it’s so much easier to cool down than warm up. If you head into GTNP or Yellowstone, you’ll definitely want a rain jacket on hand in case the weather turns.

Honorable Mentions

Bathing Suit, Sun Protection, Camera, Small Waterproof Bag, Daypack, Water Bottle, Hat, Stroller, Diapers and Waste Bags, Sling or Baby Backpack, Spare Clothes for kids in case they get wet, Whistles.

Heading into the Wild?

Heading off into Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, the Gros Ventres, or another more remote natural area will call for a bit more preparation. The town of Jackson may be rife with people but as you drive further into the parks, you may find that you see fewer people, and have access to fewer resources. (If you’re lucky that is). Although the warm months often offer us nothing but perfect days, the weather in a mountain town can change fast. Before leaving for the day, always make sure you’re properly dressed and prepared.

Proper footwear:

Athletic Sneakers or Hiking Boots (if you have a history of weak ankles and are headed out to a more challenging hike). I always like to wear ankle-high thin wool socks while I hike. Whether in sneakers or hiking boots, well-fitted wool socks will dry faster than cotton if they get wet, and keep your feet warmer if it gets chilly. They also help keep dirt, rocks and sticks off of your ankles which can prevent being unnecessarily uncomfortable. Make sure they fit snug to avoid any rubbing that may cause a blister. For the same reason, do NOT break in your hiking boots in Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone. You will get blisters. You will not be happy. If you don’t have another choice, opt for a thin liner sock under the regular sock and bring moleskin to alleviate any pain and rubbing. Children should be fine with regular athletic sneakers for hikes.

Base Layers:

Depending on the weather forecast for the day, your base layers can be pants/shorts or tank/long sleeves but opt for synthetic materials. They will dry faster than a cotton t-shirt in the event that you get wet from rain, river crossings, or swimming. Long sleeves and pants will help keep the sun and bugs off of you which is an added plus. Check and see how exposed your hike will be beforehand to determine what to wear. The hikes covered by trees are often significantly cooler and buggier than the ones exposed to the sunshine. Let that help influence your decision.

Outer Layers:

I almost always opt to bring either a rain jacket or lightweight jacket/windbreaker on my hikes in the warm months. There are so many opportunities to cool down, but not a whole lot to warm up. Some hikes end with swimming in frigid mountain lakes, or at a higher elevation where the temperature is far lower. Brief afternoon hail and rainstorms can surprise you as well in July/August. Prepare for this. There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor preparation!

Essentials:

Sunglasses/Hat: The sun out here is incredibly powerful so make sure you protect your eyes and your kiddos eyes with either a hat or polarized sunglasses.

Bear Spray: If you don’t have it, buy it. It can be found at most outdoor stores and grocery stores in town. Especially if you’re hiking with children, bear spray is mandatory. With bear spray comes great responsibility. Read the directions and familiarize yourself with the proper way to use it. Do not spray it on your children. It is not a repellent, it is high power pepper spray. This is a real thing that happened.

Sun Protection: The sun in Jackson is aggressive. Apply and reapply sunscreen, or cover-up. Make sure you pay attention to your children’s skin, even the tiniest exposed areas are at risk. Be diligent!

Water: Plan to carry ½ liter of water for every hour for each person. Children can probably get away with a little less, but remember, elevation dehydrates people a lot quicker, so drink up.

Food: There is rarely an issue food and water can’t at least temporarily fix. Bring high-calorie snacks to keep everyone’s hunger satiated. Trail mixes and deli sandwiches from Creekside are often loaded with calories and protein that will keep you full as you work hard on your hike. Eat a healthy breakfast, pack a hearty lunch, and load up on some snacks. Tip: The world’s greatest moral booster on a hike is a snickers bar at the end of your trail.

Camera: You will certainly not want to miss out on any of the surreal photo opportunities.

Things to Consider: First Aid Kit, Bug Spray, Water Shoes, Electrolytes, Bathing Suits, Map, Hiking Poles, Towel, Wag Bag Toiletry Kit.

Tips

Being able to expose your children to the majesty of the Wyoming wilderness is truly a blessing. Make sure you keep a few things in mind before/during/and after you set out for your adventure.

• Bring a spare set of clothes for your child in case they find themselves overly wet, muddy, and uncomfortable.

• Give them fun colored water bottles and a little backpack so they feel more inclined to drink water and have more of a sense of ownership over their hiking experience. Allow them to carry a few things in their bag or collect little treasures along the way.

• Give your older kids a whistle in case they find themselves lost and need to let you know where they are.

• Figure out whether a sling or baby backpack is right for you and your child before you head out on your trip. Expect to have to carry your child for the entire duration of the hike. Let this help determine how far you will travel and what system will work best for you. Better to be safe than sorry.

• Have some trail games in your back packet such as I Spy, a scavenger hunt, or silly brain games.

• Everyone will be better off with more water and snack breaks. Monitor for lethargy and signs of dehydration.

If you have any other tips or suggestions you think would be helpful please feel free to share them with us at team@happyactivefamily.com. Happy vacation everyone!