Chasing Gold in Jackson Hole
September in the Tetons: Fall Colors, Scenic Rivers, Crisp Mountain Days & the Fall Arts Festival

There’s something special about September in Jackson Hole. Summer’s busy rhythm begins to soften, mornings turn crisp, and hints of gold start appearing across the valley. Before long, entire stands of aspen glow against evergreen forests and blue Wyoming skies.
September invites you to slow down a little. Take the scenic route. Float quietly down the Snake River. Spend an afternoon casting a fly. Pack the camera and follow the color south of town. And this year, don’t miss Jackson Hole’s signature cultural event — the 42nd annual Fall Arts Festival — running September 9– 20.
This month we’re celebrating Jackson Hole’s golden season and a few of our favorite ways to experience it.
A Quieter Side of Jackson Hole


September is a wonderful shift for the valley. Warm summer days give way to cooler mornings and evenings, while the first autumn colors begin transforming the landscape. For guests, that means plenty of outdoor exploration — with an entirely different atmosphere than peak summer.
Elk Refuge Inn is 1.5 miles north of downtown Jackson — a quick few-minute drive into town for the Fall Arts Festival, restaurants, and galleries — while the
National Elk Refuge stretches directly across the road with the
Sleeping Indian framing every sunrise. Head out for a day of leaf-peeping, fishing, or exploring the river, then come home to a quiet room and beautiful views as the evening settles.
| Local tip: Mountain weather can change quickly this time of year. Bring layers and keep a jacket nearby, especially for early mornings and evenings. Book directly at elkrefugeinn.net.
The 42nd Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival
The Fall Arts Festival is one of the oldest and most beloved celebrations of Western and wildlife art in the country — a 12-day event with more than 50
happenings across the valley. This year’s featured artist is contemporary Western painter Ben Steele, and here are the dates worth building a trip around:
▪ Wednesday, Sept 9 · 5–7 p.m. — Grizzly 399 Sculpture Unveiling at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, right up the road from us.
▪ Friday, Sept 11 · 5–8 p.m. — Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk through downtown Jackson, with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and artist meet-and-greets at participating galleries.
▪ Saturday, Sept 12 — Western Visions® Exhibit opens at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
▪ Sunday, Sept 13 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m. — Arts on the Green at the Center for the Arts lawn, with 50+ local artists.
▪ Saturday, Sept 19 · 8 a.m.–1 p.m. — Jackson Hole QuickDraw & Auction on Town Square — 30 artists create original works in 90 minutes, followed by a live auction of the finished pieces.
| Our tip: If you can only pick one evening, make it Palates & Palettes on Sept 11. Pair it with a stop next door at Wilcox Gallery — just steps from us on Hwy 89 — before heading downtown.
See Fall from the Snake River

Not every river adventure needs whitewater. A scenic float along the Snake River lets you settle in and watch the mountain views, changing foliage, and
wildlife drift by. Jackson Hole Whitewater offers scenic floats with private Snake River Ranch access, a quieter river experience away from busy public launches.
| Local tip: Bring an extra layer — mornings on the river feel chilly even when afternoons are warm. And keep the camera close.
Chase the Color, Cast a Line, Listen for the Elk
Take the Scenic Route: Palisades & Snake River Canyon
For a beautiful fall drive beyond the busiest park routes, head south from Jackson toward Hoback Junction and continue through the Snake River Canyon
toward Alpine. The route follows the Snake between forested mountainsides with plenty of changing foliage and classic Wyoming scenery. Take your time; watch for safe pullouts. Color often peaks from mid toward the end of September, but Mother Nature keeps her own schedule — ask our team about current
conditions before heading out.
Fly Fishing in the Golden Season
For anglers, September is prime dry-fly season on rivers throughout Jackson Hole and one of the best months for guided trips on the Snake River. Beginners
welcome — guided experiences are available at every skill level. There’s something wonderfully peaceful about standing beside (or floating down) a Wyoming river on a crisp September day. Reserve ahead; September books up fast.

Listen for the Bugling Elk
September kicks off the elk rut, and if you’re lucky you’ll hear the haunting bugle of a bull elk echo across the valley at dawn or dusk. Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding meadows are the best places to listen — one of the signature sounds of fall in Jackson Hole.
The Great Jackson Hole Burger Stop
After a scenic drive, morning on the river, or afternoon at the Fall Arts Festival, September calls for something simple and satisfying: a really good burger. Jackson has plenty of contenders.
Billy’s Burgers
A Jackson favorite with a long local history. Billy’s serves its famous half-pound burgers alongside waffle fries, barbecue, sandwiches, shakes, and other casual
favorites — now located at the Virginian Lodge, keeping the nostalgic spirit of the original alive.
Liberty Burger
Just north of Town Square, Liberty Burger puts creative spins on the classic American burger — from straightforward favorites to adventurous combinations. An easy downtown stop after an afternoon exploring the shops.
Jackson Drug & Original Soda Fountain
For a burger with a side of Jackson Hole history, head to Jackson Drug. The original opened in 1919, and today the restored soda fountain continues the
tradition just off Town Square — classic American favorites with locally sourced ingredients, including beef from the family’s Jackson Hole Hereford Ranch. Save room for a house-made milkshake.
| Local tip: Turn lunch into a mini downtown adventure — grab a burger, stroll Town Square, browse the shops, and enjoy Jackson at a slower September pace.
Come Home to the View


September days are made for exploring, but the evenings might be our favorite part. After chasing fall colors, floating the Snake, or spending the afternoon
downtown at Palates & Palettes, return to Elk Refuge Inn and watch the light change across the National Elk Refuge. Open the window to crisp mountain air.
Make something warm to drink. Watch the last light settle over the Sleeping Indian.
Summer may be slipping away, but Jackson Hole isn’t finished putting on a show. Sometimes the quieter season leaves the biggest impression.
A Preview of October
October brings the last call for many Grand Teton and Yellowstone services, the first dusting of snow on the peaks, a little Halloween magic on Town Square, and the beginning of the elk herds’ annual migration back to the National Elk Refuge — right across the road from us. Full picture in next month’s edition.
Share Your Golden Moments
Did you find the perfect patch of golden aspens? Float the Snake?
Catch your first trout? Pick up a piece at Palates & Palettes?
We’d love to see the moments that made your September in Jackson Hole memorable.
Follow along and tag us:
Facebook: facebook.com/ElkRefugeInn
Instagram: @instaerijh



















