Jackson Hole shifts into a distinctly autumn rhythm each year. As temperatures cool and daylight shortens, the landscapes around the Tetons show significant change. You’ll notice groves of aspen and cottonwood turning golden, marsh grasses fading to muted tones, and expansive panoramic views opening as summer foliage draws down. For those interested in scenic experiences, the timing of these shifts makes the valley an ideal location for fall visits.
This guide outlines the best spots and activities associated with Jackson Hole fall foliage tours, especially trail hikes, scenic drives, guided tours, and photo stops.
Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park
Oxbow Bend is one of Jackson Hole’s most photographed fall scenery spots. The access point lies on Highway 89/191, where the Snake River curves gently with a view of Mount Moran in the background. In autumn, the nearby cottonwoods and willows shift in color, and the still water often mirrors the trees and mountains.
Visitors can park in the pull-out, walk a short loop along the riverbank, and pause at the bench just north of the main overlook. The combination of easy access, substantial color change, and dramatic mountain backdrop makes this location ideal for your leaf-peeping outing.
Moose Wilson Road Scenic Drive
The stretch of Moose Wilson Road, between the entrance of Grand Teton and Wilson, is another reliable route for autumn color. The road traverses forested hillsides, stream corridors, and open meadows. The cottonwoods, quaking aspens, and willows in the riparian zones turn bright yellow and gold, contrasting with the dark evergreens.
Because the road remains open until early November (depending on the weather), you’ll find less traffic than in peak summer. Look for pull-outs, short trailheads, and streams where leaves collect in eddies, offering calm vistas and good photo prospects. The drive embodies the mix of accessibility and natural change that defines many Jackson Hole fall foliage tours.
Jenny Lake Loop & Lakeshore Trail
Near the valley's center, the trails at Jenny Lake offer mixed forest and lake-edge access with strong autumn display potential. The Lakeshore Trail is roughly a 2.2-mile walk, lightly graded, and runs along the edge of Jenny Lake. It offers views of the Teton Range and tree combinations of aspen, spruce, and fir. The mix of deciduous turning leaves and conifer greens gives the trail a layered texture in color.
Another option is the slightly more demanding Taggart Lake / Bradley Lake loop (about 5.6 miles round trip), which gains elevation and delivers views above the tree line. These trails show how Jackson Hole fall foliage tours often combine lake-mirror vistas and forest canopy shifts. Early morning access yields the best light when the color is at its peak.
Signal Mountain Summit
Signal Mountain Summit offers an elevated perspective on the valley, rising roughly 800 vertical feet to a viewpoint above Jackson Lake and the valley floor. Though the drive is narrow, the vantage point reveals sweeping fall patterns: groves of aspen turning gold, meadow areas warming in tone, and the Tetons forming a backdrop.
At the summit overlook pull-out, you can stretch your legs, take in full-valley views, and observe how the season’s color moves across elevations. This site is frequently cited in Jackson Hole fall foliage tours as a “bird’s-eye” option for visualizing the whole landscape at once.
Scenic Float or Raft on the Snake River
Descending the Snake River on a float or gentle raft trip adds a water-based dimension to your fall outing. As you drift along slow stretches of the river, you’ll find the banks lined with color-changing cottonwood and willow groves, with the wooded slopes rising nearby showing early aspen gold. The water reflects the trees and adds another layer of visual interest.
Guided float trips are available into early autumn before river conditions change. This experience complements the terrestrial views of Jackson Hole fall foliage tours, moving your vantage from trail or road into the river corridor and letting you observe the color transition from the water’s edge.
Town of Jackson & Town Square Walk
The town center of Jackson offers a less remote, more accessible option for fall scenery. The streets of Town Square, framed by mature trees, shift color in September. Sidewalks, storefronts, and public sculpture interact with the changing leaves, giving a built-environment contrast to the natural settings.
A short stroll through the historic town, with its western-style boardwalks and art galleries, provides glimpses of amber and gold among deciduous trees. Mechanics of Jackson Hole fall foliage tours don’t always require wilderness access; this town option demonstrates how you can experience seasonal change without leaving town.
Fall Wildlife Tours in Tandem with Leaf-Viewing
In autumn, the wildlife in the Jackson Hole region becomes highly active, especially elk in rut, moose feeding in willow stands, and birds beginning migration. Guided tour companies specifically catalog these behaviors and include foliage stops. These tours may be half-day or full-day, and can integrate hikes, drives, and river views.
Guided tours include the half-day “Best of Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari” offered by Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. This tour covers key habitat zones in Grand Teton and adjacent valley terrain, with expert naturalist guides pointing out bull elk bugling, moose feeding near willows, and bison moving through meadows bordered by golden cottonwoods.
Autumn Trail Rides & Bike Outings
Beyond hiking or floating, you can explore fall in Jackson Hole by trail riding or road cycling in the fall-colored terrain. Single-track mountain bike trails near the valley give access through aspen groves and meadows. Road bike routes along Fall Creek Road or other byways follow tree-lined roads where leaves turn yellow and orange.
For riders who prefer self-guided outings, popular routes include the Snake River Loop or Moose-Wilson Road corridor, where bicyclists can traverse quiet roads surrounded by cottonwoods and quaking aspens in peak color. The mix of paved pathways and forested singletrack gives you options depending on your preference and comfort.
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