The Hole Hiking Experience
The Hole Hiking Experience
5
Ski & Snow ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Explore the peaceful corners of Jackson Hole on a stunning guided hike, or view majestic wildlife on a sunrise or sunset tour in Grand Teton National Park. Our naturalist guides offer hiking tours and backpacking, year-round wildlife tours, snowshoe and cross-country ski tours in the winter. No matter which Jackson Hole tour you choose, our knowledgeable guides will educate you on the flora, fauna, geology and history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Hole Hiking Experience is Jackson Hole’s original nature tour company – since 1989.
Jackson, Wyoming
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
422 reviews
Excellent
404
Very good
11
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Susan A
2 contributions
May 2021
If you’re new to the Jackson area, I would totally recommend doing this hike! My family of 5 made the mistake of hiking Jenny Lake first, and were so overwhelmed with the crazy crowds. The trails were so crowded they were actually dangerous at times. Before doing another hike on our own, we booked a guided hike, and were lucky enough to be given Chelse as our trusted guide. She took us to a remote and gorgeous area, and other than a few mountain bikers, we had the entire mountain to enjoy ourselves! It was refreshing, breathtakingly beautiful, rejuvenating, very informative, and truly enjoyable. Not only was Chelse extremely knowledgeable about the area, plants, and wildlife, but she was a wealth of knowledge in many other areas as well. She gave us great suggestions for other hikes and activities to try during our stay, and was just a very personable, accommodating, well-rounded and wonderful person to get to know. We would never have found this place on our own, and I’m so glad we did this. I highly recommend it, as well as Chelse as your guide!
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marts03
Poughkeepsie, NY95 contributions
Aug 2020
Completed 2 hikes with Hole Hiking in August 2020. Booking process was easy and they were able to accommodate my last minute booking requests.
First was an 8-mile hike up to Lake Goodwin with Heather on the Eastern side of the valley. And then later in the week a 10-mile hike up to Philips Pass with Beverly on the Western side of the valley. Both are moderate hikes w/ no rock scrambles, although the elevation gains of 2000+ feet at altitudes up to 9000 feet make them more challenging. In addition to the hike itself, I had some wildlife sightings including 2 moose, several pika, and a number of the more common birds, butterflies, and chipmunks.
Both hikes come with lunch (sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies) as well as granola and water. If you prefer any special equipment like a Camel Pak or hiking poles, bring your own. Guides carry first aid kit and bear spray, which is a smart insurance policy to have in the region.
I enjoyed both hikes and they were at comfortable pace and setting.. Both Heather and Beverly provided good information about the region, wildlife, flowers – but not too much detail so as to become a classroom.
I highly recommend and look forward to hiking with Hole Hiking again in the future!
First was an 8-mile hike up to Lake Goodwin with Heather on the Eastern side of the valley. And then later in the week a 10-mile hike up to Philips Pass with Beverly on the Western side of the valley. Both are moderate hikes w/ no rock scrambles, although the elevation gains of 2000+ feet at altitudes up to 9000 feet make them more challenging. In addition to the hike itself, I had some wildlife sightings including 2 moose, several pika, and a number of the more common birds, butterflies, and chipmunks.
Both hikes come with lunch (sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies) as well as granola and water. If you prefer any special equipment like a Camel Pak or hiking poles, bring your own. Guides carry first aid kit and bear spray, which is a smart insurance policy to have in the region.
I enjoyed both hikes and they were at comfortable pace and setting.. Both Heather and Beverly provided good information about the region, wildlife, flowers – but not too much detail so as to become a classroom.
I highly recommend and look forward to hiking with Hole Hiking again in the future!
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dawn b
Half Moon Bay, CA8 contributions
Jan 2020
My husband were thrilled that the trip went ahead as scheduled even though it was just the two of us signed up. Our guide, Benji, was brilliant. We had already done their normal "moderate" route earlier in the week so they came up with a new route for us that took us to the Phelps Lake overlook - it was pretty challenging as its pretty steep and the weather was warm, so the snow was wet and hard work. But Benji was super encouraging and we had the best afternoon!!!!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for joining us for two tours! Lots of wonderful places to share in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so we have endless options. Being Jackson's original nature company allows us to share many beautiful parts of Jackson Hole. Hope to see you next time!
Written February 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kayla O
5 contributions
Aug 2020
My rating is a 5 for the tour guide, a 3 for the hike itself and a 0 for the company customer service. My daughter and I booked the "Trekker" hike (6 hours) via our hotel concierge. The hotel did not book the tour properly, but HHE was unwilling to work with us to resolve this issue, and was rude and condescending when approached to correct the mistake. I take responsibility for not reviewing the itinerary sent to me from the hotel until the day before (lesson learned), but when I attempted to make the change, it was met with a stern "not my problem" and "it's the hotel's fault". The confirmation from HHE has very little information, including the meeting location (apparently, that was a "fine print" item on an some obscure email from the hotel), so we drove 1/2 an hour to the HHE office, only to find out we were supposed to meet at the hotel. The hike itself was beautiful, but could have easily been done for free on our own. In fact, we passed many hikers doing the trail without a guide. Our guide was lovely and very nice, just not needed. Lastly (there is more, but I will spare the super long review), the financial commitment is no where near the value of the experience. Spend your money on rafting, ziplining, horseback riding, etc., all of which are reasonably priced by other companies and hike on your own. This hike was $650 (with tip) for two people (which is not what I asked the hotel to book because I thought that price was outrageous).
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We strive for a high level of customer service and truly apologize for your experience. Even when tours are booked through a hotel, our staff should never treat you with "not my problem." If you would like to reach me directly, I would gladly look into this situation.
With Covid_19, we are currently in a private tour status since our small valley has a moderate level of risk and we have thousands of visitors each day. We made the decision for only private tours to keep guest and staff as safe as possible. It is unfortunate and not our choice that we cannot safely mix groups and offer a mixed group rate with the current level of risk with Covid_19. info@holehike.com/ Cathy Shill
Written August 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cc007
New York City, NY12 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Make sure the trip you sign up for is what you think it is. I signed up for ‘Nature & Snowshoeing’ - and in the end it ended up being a car ride observing wildlife (when it can be seen - not so much in winter as animals hibernate) and then a snow shoe trek which was barely a 1/2 mile - a quarter mile in the woods and then a quarter mile back to the car. For 4 hours & $650 plus $39 fees I truly believed I would be getting more snow showing. Then they email you and ask why you haven’t tipped the guide even more.
That said, on my second day out, from the get go, I told the new guide I wanted to ‘snow shoe’ and she immediately changed up the plans, eliminating Dornans restaurant. We picked up sandwiches and then spent the next four hours snow shoeing about 4.5 to 5 miles on my iPhone tracker. We also got to see nature and animals tracks as well. She was terrific. So make your wishes known up front.
That said, on my second day out, from the get go, I told the new guide I wanted to ‘snow shoe’ and she immediately changed up the plans, eliminating Dornans restaurant. We picked up sandwiches and then spent the next four hours snow shoeing about 4.5 to 5 miles on my iPhone tracker. We also got to see nature and animals tracks as well. She was terrific. So make your wishes known up front.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctescape
Stamford, CT4 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Our family with three kids (12,10,8) did their Granite Hot Springs hike. It was amazing. Our guide (Benji) was knowledgeable and really took the time to teach our kids about the environment we were hiking in.
We saw tons of butterflies many that we caught and identified with a field book. Benji pointed out all the wild flowers and plants and all the interesting facts about them. Were they edible or poison, did Native Americans use them, etc
We saw a buck mule deer bedded down not far off the trail. Then Benji saw and caught a garden snake. My kids got to hold and learn how to safely return it to its environment.
Kathy who helped set up the trip was great in being very communicative about what to expect and where to meet and with any new COVID restriction.
Highly recommend!
We saw tons of butterflies many that we caught and identified with a field book. Benji pointed out all the wild flowers and plants and all the interesting facts about them. Were they edible or poison, did Native Americans use them, etc
We saw a buck mule deer bedded down not far off the trail. Then Benji saw and caught a garden snake. My kids got to hold and learn how to safely return it to its environment.
Kathy who helped set up the trip was great in being very communicative about what to expect and where to meet and with any new COVID restriction.
Highly recommend!
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tennislefty
Bethlehem, PA156 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We scheduled a private family tour with 5 adults. Benj, our guide met up with us at a convenient parking location to drive us to a trail outside of Teton park off the highway about 6 miles from Idaho border.
The trail was gorgeous, following a stream through a canyon. Benj was extremely knowledgeable, pointing out foliage’s, trees, animals, trail marks. A real scientist !! He was engaging, funny and had we had a grand time! We saw a Moose too! At the end of the trail we came across a group of hobbled horses grazing in the meadow. Unfortunately they followed us down the trail, benj called 911, reporting the horses for fear they would complete the trail and end up on the highway, he was able to lead us around the trail, coming in front of the pack and steered them back up the trail. I guess prospective elk hunters do this to seek out the elk. Had we been hiking without Benj, we would never have been able to help these horses much less understand so much about wildlife, foliage and life in the Tetons.Highly recommend this company and using a guide. “Hole hiking experience “is really “whole hiking experience”!
The trail was gorgeous, following a stream through a canyon. Benj was extremely knowledgeable, pointing out foliage’s, trees, animals, trail marks. A real scientist !! He was engaging, funny and had we had a grand time! We saw a Moose too! At the end of the trail we came across a group of hobbled horses grazing in the meadow. Unfortunately they followed us down the trail, benj called 911, reporting the horses for fear they would complete the trail and end up on the highway, he was able to lead us around the trail, coming in front of the pack and steered them back up the trail. I guess prospective elk hunters do this to seek out the elk. Had we been hiking without Benj, we would never have been able to help these horses much less understand so much about wildlife, foliage and life in the Tetons.Highly recommend this company and using a guide. “Hole hiking experience “is really “whole hiking experience”!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy S.
Wellfleet, MA3 contributions
Jan 2022
Our half-day ski tour with Chelsea in Grand Teton National Park was wonderful. It was exactly what we were looking for as athletic but inexperienced skiers, and first-time visitors to Jackson. Chelsea is so knowledgeable about the area and we were able to cover a lot of ground and get up close to the mountains on a beautiful day, and it definitely boosted our XC ski skills and confidence. We highly recommend Hole Hiking as a great experience and value! Thank you.
Written January 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth H
Austin, TX2 contributions
Jul 2020
The Hole Hiking Experience is just awesome. I first hiked with them in 2012, and did again recently over the 4th of July weekend. My husband and I did a sunrise wildlife tour with some walking, and Benj was our guide. Benj is fantastic! He really knows his stuff....so much so that we learned things we wish we knew the first couple of days in Jackson Hole. If I were to do it again, I'd take one of these tours on our first day as we learned so much about the area, where to go, the wildlife, etc. Our morning with Benj did not disappoint - not only did we learn a ton, we saw a moose, lots of bison, elk, prong horn, and a grizzly! The Hole Hiking Experience is probably the best in the JH area - the guides are experienced, safe, professional, and truly knowledgable. Thanks for a great experience!!
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdsaly
Seattle, WA54 contributions
Aug 2020
Neither my wife nor I are regular or vigorous hikers, but Heather pitched it just right for us. We spent a most delightful afternoon hiking along Trail Creek close to the Wyoming/Idaho state line. Although Jackson was fairly crowded, Heather picked a hike which she correctly suspected would be uncrowded (we encountered very few others). It was strenuous enough that we felt suitably challenged but was nevertheless well within our comfort zone. Not a whole lot of wild life, but plenty of plants, trees and flowers which Heather expertly pointed out and explained
Highly recommended but ask for Heather!!
Highly recommended but ask for Heather!!
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
W have a 1/2 day snowshoeing trip (as part of a 4-day stay in the area) but I have just been told by my podiatrist that he doesn't recommend that I go snowshoeing because of a problem with my foot. My husband will still do it so any recommendations on what I might do for the afternoon? Got a full day snowmobile trip one day and dog sledding the next - the snowshoeing is on our last day there.
Written January 27, 2016
If you are looking for something to do outside I would suggest taking the tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. It has amazing views! You can get there by taking the public bus (I believe it's $3) At the top there is a little cabin that sells wonderful Waffles! You HAVE to try them. If you want to stay in town the downtown area has several wonderful art stores and coffee shops. Hope that helps!
Written January 28, 2016
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