STATE
Wyoming
COUNTRY
United States of America
CONTINENT
North America
LANGUAGE
English
CURRENCY
US Dollar
BEST TIME TO VISIT
May to September
NEAREST AIRPORT
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER
911
INTERNET ACCESS
Travelers will have few problems staying connected in tech-savvy USA. Most hotels, guesthouses, hostels and motels have wi-fi (usually free, though luxury hotels are more likely to charge for access); ask when reserving. Across the US, most cafes offer free wi-fi. Some cities have wi-fi-connected parks and plazas. If you’re not packing a laptop or other web-accessible device, try the public library – most have public terminals (though they have time limits) in addition to wi-fi. Occasionally out-of-state residents are charged a small fee. If you’re not from the US, remember that you will need an AC adapter for your laptop, plus a plug adapter for US sockets; both are available at larger electronics shops, such as Best Buy.
VISA
If you have a non-US passport, you must complete an arrival/departure record (form I-94) before you reach the immigration desk. It’s usually handed out on the plane, along with the customs declaration. On arrival most visitors will have their photo taken and electronic fingerprints made of each index finger; the process takes less than a minute.
No matter what your visa says, US immigration officers have absolute authority to refuse admission to the country or impose conditions on admission. They will ask about your plans and perhaps whether you have sufficient funds. It’s a good idea to be able to list an itinerary, produce an onward or round-trip ticket and have at least one major credit card.
If connecting on a domestic flight, you will pick up your bag, go through customs and then place your bag back on a baggage belt before continuing to your domestic gate.
Visas
Visitors from Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore can enter the US for up to 90 days on a visa waiver program (VWP).
Visa Waiver Program
To qualify for the visa waiver program, your passport must meet one of the following conditions:
It was issued before October 26, 2005, but is ‘machine readable’.
It was issued on or after October 26, 2005, and includes a digital photo as well as being machine readable.
It was issued on or after October 26, 2006, and contains a digital photo and ‘biometric data,’ such as digital iris scans and fingerprints.
Citizens of the 27 countries in the VWP need to register with the government online Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA; http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) before their visit. The registration is valid for two years and costs $14.
HOTEL
Grand Teton National Park and the adventure-town of Jackson offer numerous great places to spend the night. Spread throughout the town and surrounding Jackson Hole valley, accommodations range from the definition of decadence to dollar-savings digs.
LUXURY
For the finest stay in the vicinity of Grand Teton, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, located in Teton Village near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, provides babysitting services, spacious rooms, and a mountain landscape to admire from every window. On the north side of town, the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa is a small luxury hotel that comes through with spa services, a connected restaurant, and relaxing surroundings. Not far from the Rusty Parrot, The Wort Hotel is another reputable luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Jackson, within a historic building. It strives to deliver strict attention to detail when it comes to comfort, style, and class.
MID-RANGE
For the most amenities at the best price, it’s recommended to check out the Cowboy Village Resort on the west end of town, featuring spacious rooms and a well-maintained facility, as well as a rustic appeal that adds an extra layer of comfort. Further west, the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole provides big windows with every room and a Grand Western Lobby that encourages comfort throughout your stay. Near the north end of town, the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa at Jackson Hole not only comes with a competitive price, but also features spa services, decadently furnished rooms, and quick access to the national park.
BUDGET
To save your vacation dollars for daily attractions, there are a handful of budget accommodations that won’t have you sacrificing on a quality stay. The Super 8 Driggs in Idaho comes at an affordable rate, with clean rooms and quick access to the western slopes of Grand Teton National Park. Within Jackson, both the Parkway Inn and Ranch Inn provide affordable overnight rates and complimentary breakfasts, plus spacious rooms and comfortable beds to grab a good night’s sleep.
COST OF LIVING
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than $150
Campgrounds: $15–30 per carload, RVs $48–70
Budget hotel outside the park: $120
Backcountry permit: $3 per person per night in Yellowstone
Midrange: $150–250
Rooms in Yellowstone: $177–400, cabins from $96
Restaurant meal: $20–30
Rafting/Wild West cookout for a family of four: $220
Top end: More than $250
Splurge in Jackson and Jenny Lake Lodges
Guided fly-fishing trip per day in a group of two: $250
Winter tour in Yellowstone: per person per day from $300
