What to Pack for Jackson Hole in the Summer
And my picks from Amazon Prime Day.
I’ve been visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for several years now, and I’ve written about it for Town & Country, Condé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure (several times over). If I’m counting correctly, I’ve been about 15 times—all seasons, trip lengths ranging from two days to two weeks. So if there’s one packing list I’ve nailed down, it’s this.
Of course, the contents of my suitcase change based on the season. Winter is focused on bulky ski gear, so, in comparison, summer packing is simple. Denim, basic tank tops, and always, always one pair of cowboy boots. Last week, I was in town for a new hotel opening—story coming to T+L soon—and it only took me about 15 minutes to pack my entire suitcase.
While your TikTok or Instagram feed might make you think you need to invest in a whole new wardrobe to fit in in this Western town, I’d disagree. Yes, the aforementioned cowboy boots are a nice touch, especially if you’re heading to the infamous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for a night out, but you’ll look more like a local—or less like a complete tourist—if you pack a few basics and pair them with a couple of simple Western accessories.
Here’s what I’d recommend packing.
Tops
Summer temperatures in Jackson Hole run the gamut. Cooler in the morning, blazing hot during the day, cool again at night. I find that breezy button-downs work for all occasions—so I always pack one denim and one white (this is the perfect alternative to the sold-out Ralph Lauren version I repeatedly mention in packing lists). I also bring a couple of tank tops—one black, one white—and one or two plain T-shirts. I’ve already worn this Aritzia halter tank (so many colors!) and this Madewell T-shirt many times this summer. That’s it. The below accessories will do the work in adding to outfit diversity.
Sponsored: The above Aritzia halter is just the right amount of supportive, but I still wear it with my Cakes—usually the Grippy Cakes Circles, which I can honestly say are still grippy after one year of consistent use. You can also use my code, CAKES-JUSTPACKED, for 21% off your purchase.
Bottoms
Jackson Hole is not fancy. It’s not Aspen (yet). “Dressing up” is still basically just nice jeans and a pair of boots. I typically bring a lighter wash “daytime” pair of jeans and a darker wash wide-leg pair for dinners. To change things up, I’ll also pack this black maxi skirt (my MVP of last summer) and this white skort (my MVP of this summer). A couple of pairs of my favorite Amazon workout shorts also make it in my suitcase—just be sure to size up.
Shoes
As much as I wish I could pack all 10 pairs of my cowboy boots, I always stick to just one (and wear them as my travel-day shoes). I’ll either alternate between a vintage pair I found at Womenfolk—one of the best stores in Jackson—or a classic pair of Tecovas. Preferably in brown or black. Sneakers and sandals round out my footwear choices.
Outerwear
In the summer, I usually bring a vintage fringed suede jacket, one I picked up on a previous Wyoming trip, to Jackson. Similar ones I found online—here, here, and here—are all pretty expensive, so if you don’t find one in your price point, I’d recommend checking out the selection at two stores in Jackson: Womenfolk and Perennial West. I also usually bring a sweatshirt for chillier walks. After accidentally leaving my favorite Anine Bing sweatshirt in a Jackson Hole fishing guide’s truck last summer, I was on the hunt for a new boxy, comfy option. This one from a new-to-me brand, Finisterre, has officially taken its place.
Western-inspired accessories
I wouldn’t recommend landing in Jackson and booking it to Kemo Sabe, where you’ll inevitably spend upward of $1,000 on a hat you’ll wear one time. Instead, to give you that classic Jackson look you’re likely after, pack a Western-inspired belt, a bandana, and some sort of suede purse (this was my big investment a few years ago, and I bring it on every Jackson Hole trip).
10 Amazon Prime Day Picks
Prime Day is actually a good time to stock up on travel gear—including my go-to carry-on suitcase and headphones—so I’m sharing a few of the best deals below.
My favorite travel wrap is 37% off
