While modern day Jackson Hole, Wyoming always offers travelers a scenic place to escape the hustle of life and focus on fun in the great outdoors, it’s also a place where you can just as easily treat yourself to an experience in stepping back in time. This is never more true than it is for those who head this way during the annual Old West Days in Jackson Hole, and take time to experience the spirit of the American West for themselves! This one-of-a-kind and highly anticipated annual event is a showcase of family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and cowboy culture at is very best.
A Spring Experience You Won’t Soon Forget
The Old West Days in Jackson Hole, Wyoming are typically hosted for 11 days in May and are set up as a high-energy and endlessly fun celebration of Old West culture and heritage. Many consider this gathering more than a festival, but a full journey through Western history that brings the past seamlessly into the present for attendees year after year. During the Old West Days, all of Jackson Hole becomes a stage for this time traveling transformation, and Teton Village is included in the lineup for festival venues too. The gorgeous natural backdrop of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in the area only works to further enhance the appeal of the event for locals and visitors alike. Old West Days is a suitable experience for guests of all ages thanks to the many hands-on arts and crafts available for little ones to enjoy on-site. During the Old West Days, everyone who attends is considered a vital part of the community, making this an event that many come back annually to attend in good company.
Swap Up Modern Transportation for a New Way to Get Around During Old West Days
When you attend Old West Days in Jackson Hole, you’ll have a unique opportunity to leave all thoughts of modern vehicles behind and enjoy a new way to get around instead. Don’t miss out on the chance during this one-of-a-kind festival to take a stagecoach ride through town. It’s a fascinating way to get a feel for eras gone by and promises to be a thrill for everyone in your traveling crew.
Attend the Festival Parade with Family and Friends
A highlight of Old West Days in Jackson Hole for many who attend this beloved event each year is the Best of the West Parade that’s hosted as an important part of the lineup. The parade is crafted to bring Old West Life front and center for spectators with a route that includes performers dressed in their Western best as well as cowboys and horse-drawn wagons to admire.
One-of-a-Kind Demonstrations
The Old West was a time when survival meant pushing physical and mental abilities to the limits, and the Mountain Man Rendezvous portion of the Old West Days in Jackson Hole pays tribute to exactly that. This lively competition and replica settlement is hosted at the Teton County Fairgrounds during festival time and is a chance to peek into the lives of fur traders and mountain men who lived during this unique period of history. As you make your way from one campsite to the next, there are opportunities to learn about various tools used in daily life, what skills would have been needed for survival, and to watch demonstrations where competitors put their skills to work against one another too.
Check Out ElkFest When You’re Here
ElkFest is built into the greater Old West Days itinerary each year and is a unique event that includes an elk antler auction at Town Square. Elk antlers that have been collected from the nearby refuge as they’re naturally shed by the herd each season go up for auction to earn money for local conservation efforts in the area.
Fantastic Food and Tunes for All at the Jackson Hole Old West Days
Throughout the Old West Days in Jackson Hole, attendees are treated to delicious food options, refreshing beverage selections, and great entertainment as well. The High Noon Chili Cook-Off is typically a fan-favorite moment of the festival on the food front and includes tantalizing chili recipes served up by local competitors and chefs alike. The Million Dollar Music Fest portion of the Old West Days brings incredible Country Western artists to the stage for audiences looking to move, groove, and sing their way to fun.
Book Your Old West Days Stay in Style
If you find yourself traveling to Jackson Hole in May during Old West Days, make sure to treat yourself to stunning accommodations for the duration by booking your rental through Abode Jackson Hole. Our collection of area rentals is vast and varied, providing you with the space and style you deserve to enjoy when you’re not making the most of Old West Days fun! Reach out today to learn more about our inviting rental collection available during Old West Days as well as other times of the year when you’re enjoying the beauty of a Jackson Hole journey.
