What to Pack For a Family Trip to Jackson Hole

Traveling is one of my favorite things. Traveling with toddlers, though, is another story. After recent trips with my kids to Japan, Mexico, and Canada, I was left feeling overwhelmed and ready to let their passports collect some dust. And I know I’m not alone. At a recent kids’ birthday party, one dad told me he’d canceled three upcoming trips. A mom confided that she’s scared her daughter will grow up, ask why they never left Los Angeles, and she’ll have to admit it’s because traveling with kids is worse than giving birth.

Heading into our trip to Jackson Hole, WY, I was anxious about two things: packing the right stuff and whether my kids would enjoy it. Despite all the research and planning, you never really know how a trip will go until you’re there. Even then, it’s an evolving situation depending on kids’ moods. Will one of the kids be angry I didn’t pack their orange shirt? Will they hate every activity? Will someone get norovirus on the plane? (Tragically, this has happened.)

That’s why I’m still shocked to say that this trip was successful, both in terms of what we packed and how much fun we had. Keep reading to see what I brought and how traveling to Jackson Hole with my two-under-four crew made me fall back in love with family travel.

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole With Children

The Four Seasons Jackson Hole made everything feel easy — and “easy” might be the highest compliment a mom of young children can give. I’m talking 10 out of 5 stars. When we entered the room, they had a canvas playhouse set up with stuffed toys. It immediately grabbed my kids’ attention, which gave my husband and me a moment to unpack and set up our SlumberPod ($200), a tent that goes over the crib to block 95 percent of light. Since my children and I go to bed at different times, it lets us keep the lights on without disturbing them. It’s expensive but has been a game-changer for travel. We’re still using it with our almost-4-year-old, so it’s one of those rare baby items that lasts well beyond the infant phase.

The location of the Four Seasons is unbeatable. It’s nestled at the base of Teton Village, just steps away from the gondola to the Tetons, nearby parks, and a splash pad. The views are unreal. “Somehow, tantrums feel calm in a place like this,” is what I can imagine Nicole Kidman saying in an AMC-style ad for the hotel. While most of my trips with kids have felt like barely controlled chaos, something about the beautiful surroundings calmed my nervous system. Calm mom, calm kids.

What to Do in Jackson Hole With Children

Adding to the luxuriously chill experience: during our four days in Jackson Hole, we needed a car only once — to visit Grand Teton National Park. There, we spotted a moose and bison, walked around the iconic Jenny Lake, and strolled through a bloom of wildflowers.

The rest of our trip was filled with hotel-organized activities that made the days fly by. My kids loved the aerial tram ride, which lifts you over 4,000 vertical feet for sweeping views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole Valley. We also took a scenic gondola to a magical park in the mountains, where we played and ate a picnic lunch. Other highlights included horseback riding, hiking, and watching the older kids scale The Climbing Wall and aerial ropes course.

We ended most days with a visit to the hotel pool, where my kids burned off their last bits of energy in floaties while I took in the mountain views from the deck.

I also want to note that I aspire to be outdoorsy but am not exactly rugged. Jackson Hole was approachable for me. I got to relish the beauty of nature while still enjoying the creature comforts of the hotel. From the incredibly comfortable bed to a spa morning to reset with a steam and cold-plunge combo and an Intraceuticals facial to combat the dry terrain, it was the perfect combination of adventure and restoration.

Where to Eat in Jackson Hole

When it came to dining, we loved The Handle Bar, the restaurant located inside the Four Seasons. There’s a grassy area out front so my kids could play, which made all the difference. Meals are usually very intense with my kids, but having the option for them to take breaks to run outside made it manageable. Another family-friendly restaurant was Osteria in Teton Village. It’s right next to the park and splash pad, which meant another easy meal where the kids could play between bites.

Keep scrolling for everything I packed for Jackson Hole with my two kids under four. It’s not exactly a concise list, but every single item truly contributed to the success of the trip. I’m inspired by parents who pack light — but I’m just not in that phase yet.