Kayaking Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park
2 Days: Sundays and Fridays mid-June through mid-September, plus: June 15, 29; July 13; August 3, 24, 31; September 14
1 Day/ 1 Night:
$265 adult / $215 youth
2 Days/ 2 Nights:
$422 adult / $340 youth
Deposit $125
Additional Costs:
Sleep Kit/Tent: $25/Included
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| 4 Yrs |
- Legend
- Directions
Enter your starting city
| Destination River | Meeting Parking | Rapid | Point of Interest | Camp | Put-in | Take-out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Content |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Enhanced Content |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jackson Hole & Jackson Lake Kayaking in Grand Teton National Park - Overview
Thanks to a unique O.A.R.S. itinerary, first-time kayakers and families can adventure and overnight on Jackson Lake, in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, the shimmering soul of the Tetons.
With an idyllic island camp, O.A.R.S. guests are the only outfitted paddlers authorized to spend nights on Jackson Lake lying just west of Signal Mountain in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. Paddle beneath a cowboy country moon and the same starry skies that lured the gaze of ancient tribes and settlers. During the day, Jackson Lake's calm waters are perfect for paddlers to learn their first sea kayaking stroke. Hikes, waterfalls, fishing and ultra-photographic landscapes surround you. And just beyond the Grand Tetons’ peaks, less than an hour away, lie the geo-thermal wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. What could be more fun?
Jackson Hole & Jackson Lake - Itinerary at a Glance
- Our Jackson Hole adventure begins at Signal Mountain where you’ll learn kayak basics
- Boat supported kayaking to Grassy Island -- O.A.R.S. special Jackson Lake camp
- Hike to Moran Cave, fish for cutthroat trout, read a book, paint a sunset
- Hike up a rushing creek to spectacular waterfalls and overlook of the lake
- Sleep under the stars of the wide Wyoming sky, evening campfires
- Kayak countless inlets and miles of shoreline that beg to be explored
- Encounter a moose drinking from the shallows, an eagle perched in a nearby fir
- Spend the afternoon hiking trails or taking a swim before returning to Signal Mountain for the conclusion of our Jackson Lake adventure
Learn more about Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.
O.A.R.S. West Inc. is an authorized concessioner of Grand Teton National Park and a licensed commercial permit holder in Yellowstone National Park.
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
“Eleven of us took an overnight kayak trip on Jackson Lake. This was a family reunion organized to celebrate Grandma's birthday (unfortunately Grandma had a little trouble with the altitude and was unable to sleep out overnight, but she participated in everything else from a seat on the pontoon boat). We had a WONDERFUL time and I want to compliment you on the quality of your employees. They could not have been nicer or more willing to accomodate the various needs of our party (ranging in age from eight to eighty). Thank you, and should we do another trip of this type we will certainly contact O.A.R.S.”
Barbara Hayward ~ Lancaster, PA
“Beautiful scenery, fresh air, good food, tireless and enthusiastic guides, good companionship....”
Kurt Chankaya ~ Keller, TX
“The guides were excellent: encouraging and very friendly. They took a personal interest in our family.”
Kim Wittkugel ~ Cincinnati, OH
“I enjoyed the experience of learning a new activity (kayaking) and the scenery. Meeting new people, talking with the guides. The meals were excellent.”
Kristen Carlson McCarthy ~ Des Moines, IA
“Enjoyed being out of doors, enjoying spectacular scenery and not having to ‘rough it’.”
Jim Bret-Hart ~ Tucson, AZ
“The campsite, equipment and food were all very good. My family felt comfortable and safe. We had a wonderful time.”
Dennis Dion ~ N Attleboro, MA
“The area was beautiful. Guides were great, well-trained, enthusiastic, nice and well-informed.”
Lisa Evans ~ Marblehead, MA
“The most enjoyable aspect of the trip was seeing part of the park that we would never have had access to otherwise-the good quality kayaks, the food was good/the hike to hidden waterfalls/ the isolation and your 2 guides were delightful and very helpful and terrific cooks-”
Vicki Leonard ~ Stafford, VA
“Besides the great views of the mountains, I thought the guides were great - very patient and accommodating.”
Jennifer Walker ~ New York, NY
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | |||
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation |
| June | 68° | 36° | 1.64” |
| July | 78° | 39° | 1.13” |
| August | 76° | 38° | 1.26” |
| September | 67° | 31° | 1.50” |
| Water Temperatures | |||
| Rarely Above 50° | |||
Current Conditions
What to bring on the Kayaking Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Duffel bag
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, sheet and small pillow – (early and late season trips require a synthetic-fill bag rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Backpack/Daypack for day hikes. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring & fall trips (750 – 2000 cu. in)
- Water bottles: 2 heavy-duty and minimum 1-liter capacity each with a carabiner to attach it to the boat. For day hikes, hydration systems like a CamelBak® are great, but you will still want 1 water bottle while in the kayak
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Plastic bags: large trash bags and zip-loc bags to separate clean and dry clothes from wet and dirty
- Camera and accessories
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick-drying and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof & SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with deet)*
- Personal first aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
*During certain months, mosquitoes can be a bothersome problem. Please make sure you bring an adequate supply of insect repellent.
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 1-2 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection (No jeans while in the kayak)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandana
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists and ankles to prevent water from seeping in
- Swimsuits: 2 (two piece suits recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option
- Underwear: quick-drying
- Shorts: 2 pair lightweight, and quick-drying
- Hiking shorts: 1 pair
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 2-3
- River sandals: 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes (such as Teva)
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 2-3 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for Fall:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top & bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Sarong: also useful as a cover-up from the sun, when bathing or to discreetly change clothes
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whisk broom: small (no long handle). To sweep wet sand off of tent and ground cloth
- Paddling gloves
- Splash jacket and pants
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
Download our travel planner here:
Jackson_Lake_Kayaking_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
