Every year, thousands of visitors arrive in Jackson Hole ready for mountain adventures, wildlife sightings, and national park road trips. And then, much to their dismay, some of them also discover they packed for an entirely different vacation. (Oof.) The good news, however, is that most packing mistakes are easy to avoid. Here are a few we see most often—and how to correct them…
Assuming Sun Means Warmth
Summer days can be beautiful, but mornings and evenings often catch people off guard. Visitors sometimes arrive with plenty of T-shirts and shorts, only to find themselves wishing they had packed an extra layer for those cool hours before breakfast or after the sun slides behind the horizon. Jackson Hole isn’t necessarily cold in the summer. It’s just not exactly a tropical destination. Pack a light jacket, fleece, or hoodie—you’ll thank us later.
Relying on the Forecast
On a similar note, mountain weather has a sense of humor. A forecast that calls for sunshine can still include wind, rain, or sudden temperature changes. Or there’s that one persistent cloud that hangs out right in front of the sun in an otherwise blue sky all day. Conditions vary throughout the region, especially if you’re spending time in the parks or at higher elevations. Packing a lightweight rain jacket is one of the simplest ways to stay comfortable, even if it spends most of the trip sitting in your bag.
Forgetting the Right Shoes
This one happens all the time. People plan to spend their trip exploring Grand Teton National Park, exploring downtown Jackson, and stopping at scenic overlooks, then arrive with footwear suited more for the runway than the boardwalk. You don’t need heavy hiking boots or fancy new athletic shoes for most activities, but comfortable walking shoes are worth their weight in rhinestone belt buckles. Even casual sightseeing often involves more walking than visitors expect, and blisters make terrible souvenirs.
Ignoring the Sun
Fun fact: you don’t need to be on a beach to suffer a sunburn, and dehydration isn’t just for deserts. Every year, guests discover that a cool mountain day can still leave the backs of their necks raw and their throats parched. Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and a reusable water bottle are small items that can make a big impact on your vacation.
Not Packing Binoculars
We get it—we all hope to see moose, elk, bison, bears, or eagles during our visits. What people don’t always realize is how much better those experiences become with binoculars. Wildlife should always be viewed from a safe distance, and binoculars make it easier to appreciate the details without violating a bison’s valuable—and volatile—personal space. Binoculars are one of those items people rarely think about until they’re standing in a turnout pretending to ooh and ahh over a distant fleck of brown.
The Real Secret
The biggest packing mistake people make? Trying to pack perfectly. Just follow a few simple principles and you’ll be fine. Bring layers, wear comfortable shoes, pack sunscreen, and leave a little room for the unexpected. Jackson Hole, like most wild places, has a way of rewarding flexibility, and some of the best vacation memories come from moments that were never on the itinerary in the first place.
Besides, if you forget something, you’ll be in good company. It happens every season. You thought you might go an entire blog post without a shameless plug for our services, but Flat Creek Inn’s C-store is the perfect place to grab many of the supplies you forgot: food, water, fishing licenses, hygiene items, and more. See you soon!
