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5-Day Summer Itinerary for Families With Teens & Young Adults Visiting Teton Valley & Jackson Hole

Planning a summer trip with older kids or young adults can feel overwhelming, especially when everyone has different interests. The good news? Teton Valley offers the perfect blend of adventure, scenery, wildlife, relaxation, and small-town charm — all at a pace that works beautifully for families.

This 5-day itinerary is crafted specifically for families with teens and twenty-somethings. It includes adrenaline-filled outings, mellow afternoons, and classic Teton experiences that create unforgettable memories. Each day is designed to balance adventure with downtime so everyone stays happy.

🌄 Day 1 – Paddleboarding + Exploring Driggs & Victor

Morning: Stand-Up Paddleboarding on the Teton River

Start your trip with one of the most iconic summer experiences on the Idaho side of the Tetons — SUP on the Teton River.

The calm, slow-moving water makes it ideal for beginners, and advanced paddlers will love the wide-open scenery.

What teens love:

  • Warm, sunny summer mornings
  • Moose, otters, eagles & cranes
  • Easy, social, Instagram-worthy fun

Suggested launch spots:

  • Bates Bridge
  • South Bates

Afternoon: Victor Emporium Milkshakes + Explore Driggs

After a morning on the water, head into town for world-famous huckleberry shakes at Victor Emporium.

Wander Driggs afterward — local shops, gear stores, bakeries, and a relaxed small-town vibe.

Evening: Relax at the Cabin/Home

After a big first day, settle into your rental, enjoy the mountain air, maybe soak in a hot tub, and rest up for the adventures ahead.

🏔 Day 2 – Grand Teton National Park Highlights

This is your classic "Teton postcard day" — waterfalls, lake views, wildlife, and towering granite peaks.

Morning: Jenny Lake Shuttle → Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point

Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.

This trail is extremely popular — arrive early for parking.

Why teens love it:

  • Stunning lookout points
  • Short but rewarding hike
  • Lots of photo opportunities

Midday: Picnic & Swimming at String Lake

One of the best summer picnic locations in the entire U.S.

Warm water, sandy edges, and views that never get old.

Bring:

  • Sandwiches or charcuterie
  • Sunscreen
  • Inflatables or paddleboards

Evening: Wildlife Drive

As the sun sets, animals start moving. Drive toward:

  • Oxbow Bend
  • Mormon Row
  • Moose-Wilson Road
  • Snake River Overlook

It's common to spot moose, elk, bison, bears (from a distance), foxes, and sandhill cranes.

🎢 Day 3 – Snow King Adventure Day in Jackson

Snow King is an underrated summer gem — absolutely perfect for teens.

Morning: Cowboy Coaster

Ride Jackson's mountain roller coaster. It winds through the trees with amazing views.

Midday: Alpine Slide & Zipline

These two activities are big hits with older kids:

  • The alpine slide is fast, smooth, and scenic.
  • The zipline is thrilling and totally safe — great for adventure-loving teens.

Afternoon: Gondola Ride to the Top

Ride to the summit for panoramic views of Jackson, the Tetons, and the Snake River Valley.

Evening: Dinner in Jackson

Great restaurants for families:

  • Hand Fire Pizza
  • Liberty Burger
  • Roadhouse Pub & Eatery
  • Merry Piglets (Tex-Mex)

Optional:

  • Walk around Town Square
  • Grab ice cream at Moo's
  • Get photos under the elk antler arches

🛻 Day 4 – ATV/UTV Adventure + Hot Springs

This is often the favorite day for families with older kids.

Morning: UTV Rentals

Choose from:

  • Teton Canyon
  • Horseshoe Canyon
  • Big Hole Mountains
  • St. Anthony Sand Dunes (huge teen favorite)

This is high-energy, scenic, and ridiculously fun.

Afternoon: Hot Springs Soak

After dusty trails, a soak feels amazing.

Top picks:

  • Heise Hot Springs – fun vibe, pizza, diving boards
  • Astoria Hot Springs – beautiful modern facility outside Jackson

Perfect for sore legs or just unwinding after a big day.

🚡 Day 5 – Grand Targhee Resort

A perfect finale: relaxing mountain lifts, wildflowers, and mellow adventures.

Morning: Scenic Chairlift Ride

Ride to the top of Fred's Mountain for:

  • Wildflowers (July–Aug)
  • Teton views from the Idaho side
  • Easy ridge walks & great photos

Afternoon Options:

  • Downhill mountain biking — one of the best bike parks in the Rockies
  • Hiking — nature trails for all skill levels
  • Disc golf
  • Live music (sometimes available on weekends)

Evening: Dinner in Victor

Great options:

  • Big Hole BBQ
  • The Knotty Pine (locals' favorite)

Grab one more huckleberry shake if you didn't get enough earlier in the week!

✨ Why This Itinerary Works So Well

This 5-day plan creates the perfect pace for families with teens because it:

✔ Mixes high adventure days with mellow ones

✔ Includes must-see national park highlights

✔ Blends Idaho and Wyoming experiences

✔ Caters to different interests (hiking, shopping, relaxing, thrills)

✔ Leaves room for downtime so no one gets burned out

It's the ideal snapshot of everything that makes a summer mountain vacation unforgettable.