If you’re staying in downtown, you don’t necessarily need a car rental in Jackson Hole to explore the city. Town Square, restaurants, galleries, shops, and much of downtown are easy to reach on foot, and you can arrange transportation for the days you want to venture farther out.
The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa is about a five-minute walk from Town Square, making it easy to come and go without planning your day around a car. You can spend the morning exploring downtown, return to the lodge when you’d like, and head back out for dinner or an evening in Jackson without worrying about driving or parking.
Where your transportation needs change is when you venture beyond town. Grand Teton, Yellowstone, trailheads, and many outdoor experiences require more planning, but that still doesn’t mean you need a rental car every day of your trip. Depending on your itinerary, you may be better off combining walkable days in Jackson with guided outings, arranged transportation, or a rental car only when you actually need one.
When You Do Not Need a Rental Car in Jackson
If most of your plans center on downtown Jackson, a rental car can easily spend more time parked than driven. Town Square sits at the heart of a compact downtown, with restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, boutiques, and other local shops within walking distance.
The Rusty Parrot is about five minutes from Town Square on foot, so you can head downtown for a meal, browse the shops and galleries, or simply wander without having to think about where to park. That can be particularly nice in the evening when you’d rather walk back to the lodge than get in the car again.
When you want to cover a little more ground, The Rusty Parrot also offers guest bikes and e-bikes, subject to availability and seasonal conditions. They provide another way to explore nearby areas while still leaving the car behind.
For a trip focused primarily on downtown dining, shopping, and relaxing at the lodge, there may be very little reason to rent a vehicle at all.
How Do You Get From Jackson Hole Airport to Downtown?
Jackson Hole Airport is about 10 miles north of downtown Jackson, inside Grand Teton National Park. The drive into town typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes, although traffic, weather, and road conditions can affect travel time.
If you don’t plan to rent a car when you arrive, you can arrange a transfer into town instead. Rusty Parrot guests can book airport transportation through United Car Service for a direct ride to the lodge, without adding a rental-car pickup to your arrival day. Arranging transportation in advance can be especially helpful after a long flight or during the winter months.
Of course, picking up a rental car at the airport may make sense if you plan to start exploring beyond Jackson right away. Travelers heading independently into Grand Teton or Yellowstone, carrying substantial outdoor gear, or planning several days of self-guided adventures may appreciate having their own vehicle from the beginning.
Otherwise, there is little reason to rent a car at the airport simply to reach downtown. You can always decide when and for how long you actually need one based on the rest of your itinerary.
When You Will Want a Car or a Booked Tour
Downtown Jackson may be easy to explore without a car, but many of the places that bring travelers to Jackson Hole are spread across the surrounding region. Once your plans take you beyond town, you’ll generally need either your own vehicle or an experience that includes transportation.
Visiting Grand Teton National Park
A rental car gives you the most flexibility for exploring Grand Teton independently. Scenic overlooks, trailheads, lakes, and wildlife-viewing areas are spread throughout the park, and having your own vehicle makes it easier to start early, stop when something catches your attention, or change plans as the day unfolds.
A guided outing is another option if you’d rather leave the driving and logistics to someone else. This can be particularly useful for wildlife-focused days, when local knowledge and familiarity with current conditions can help shape where you spend your time.
Taking a Yellowstone Day Trip
Yellowstone is a much longer outing from Jackson and deserves a full day. If you’re visiting independently, you’ll want a rental car and a realistic plan for which part of the park you hope to explore rather than trying to cover everything at once.
You can also book a guided Yellowstone excursion and transportation from Jackson. For travelers who would rather enjoy the scenery than navigate a long day of driving, this can make the experience considerably easier.
Reaching Trailheads and Other Outdoor Experiences
Transportation needs vary for hiking, horseback riding, river trips, and other outdoor activities around Jackson Hole. Some guided experiences include transportation or offer designated pickup points, while others require you to reach the starting location yourself.
Before renting a car solely for an activity, check what transportation is already included. You may find that you only need your own vehicle for one or two days… or maybe not at all.
How to Get Around Jackson Without a Rental Car
Going without a car rental in Jackson Hole doesn’t mean staying in one place. Depending on where you’re headed, you can combine walking, biking, guided outings, and arranged transportation throughout your stay. Here’s what this may look like:
- Walk around downtown. For Town Square, restaurants, galleries, shopping, and other downtown stops, walking is often the simplest solution. Staying centrally also means you don’t have to think about parking every time you head out.
- Take a bike or e-bike. Rusty Parrot guests can use bikes and e-bikes to venture a little farther when weather and seasonal conditions allow. Ask about current availability and riding recommendations before setting out.
- Choose guided experiences with transportation. If you’re planning a wildlife safari, national park excursion, or another guided activity, check whether transportation is included before renting a vehicle specifically for that day.
- Arrange a private transfer. A prearranged ride can handle point-to-point trips such as airport transportation or certain activity drop-offs, particularly when you’re traveling with luggage or equipment.
The key is to plan transportation around the experiences that require it. You may find that several days of your Jackson stay can remain completely car-free.
Winter Transportation in Jackson
Winter is one of the times when staying downtown without a rental car can be particularly appealing. Snow, icy roads, reduced visibility, and parking logistics can make driving less attractive, especially if you’re unfamiliar with winter conditions in the mountains.
Take the Ski Shuttle to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
If skiing is the focus of your trip, you don’t necessarily need a car to get from downtown Jackson to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Rusty Parrot guests can take the complimentary winter ski shuttle to and from the resort, allowing you to spend the day on the mountain without driving or finding parking at the base.
Shuttle schedules can change from season to season, so confirm current departure and return times before your trip.
Know the Winter Parking Rules
If you do rent a car, keep Jackson’s seasonal parking rules in mind. Overnight street parking is prohibited from November 1 through April 15, regardless of weather conditions.
The Rusty Parrot offers year-round, climate-controlled garage parking, so guests with a vehicle have a place to leave it when they’re not using it. Still, if your winter itinerary mainly consists of downtown Jackson and ski days with shuttle transportation, you may find that renting a car adds more logistics than convenience.
For independent winter trips beyond town, consider your comfort level with snow and mountain-road conditions before deciding to drive yourself.
Should You Rent a Car for Your Entire Stay or Only Part of It?
You don’t have to make an all-or-nothing decision about renting a car in Jackson. For many travelers, renting a vehicle for only part of the trip offers the best balance between convenience and flexibility.
If you’re spending most of your time downtown, taking guided excursions, or using the ski shuttle in winter, you may be perfectly comfortable without a car. On the other hand, renting for your entire stay makes more sense if you have several independent park days planned, need to reach multiple trailheads, are traveling with a significant amount of gear, or simply prefer the freedom to change plans whenever you’d like.
There’s also a middle ground. Spend the first few days exploring Jackson with transportation included, then rent a vehicle for the days you want to explore independently.
Hertz can deliver a rental car directly to the Rusty Parrot with advance arrangements, so you don’t necessarily have to return to the airport or another rental location when you’re ready for one. Availability, timing, vehicle type, and any applicable fees should be confirmed when making your reservation.
This approach can be especially useful when you only have one or two days that truly require a car. Rather than planning the entire trip around a vehicle, you can plan the vehicle around your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rental Cars in Jackson
Do You Need a Rental Car If You Stay in Downtown Jackson?
Not necessarily. Downtown Jackson is compact and walkable, so you can reach Town Square, restaurants, shops, galleries, and other nearby destinations without a car. For trips beyond town, you can rent a vehicle, arrange transportation, or choose guided experiences that include it.
How Far Is Jackson Hole Airport From Downtown Jackson?
Jackson Hole Airport is about 10 miles north of downtown Jackson, and the drive typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Travel time can vary with traffic, weather, and road conditions.
Which Hotels Are Within Walking Distance of Town Square?
Downtown hotels are the most convenient choice if you want to explore Town Square on foot. The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa is about a five-minute walk away, putting dining, shopping, galleries, and other downtown stops within easy reach.
Can I Visit Grand Teton National Park Without a Rental Car?
Yes, but you’ll need another form of transportation. A guided tour that includes transportation is one option for visiting Grand Teton without renting a vehicle, particularly if you’re interested in wildlife viewing or would rather leave the driving to someone else.
Do I Need a Rental Car for Yellowstone?
You’ll need transportation to visit Yellowstone from Jackson, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a rental car. Renting gives you the flexibility to explore independently, while a guided excursion can handle the route planning and driving for you.
Can I Rent a Car After Arriving in Jackson?
Yes. Hertz can deliver a rental car to the Rusty Parrot with advance arrangements, subject to availability. Confirm the vehicle, delivery timing, fees, and other details when making your reservation.
Stay in Downtown Jackson with The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
A Jackson Hole trip doesn’t have to begin with picking up a rental car. By staying downtown, you can walk to many of the places you’ll want to visit, arrange transportation for experiences farther afield, and rent a vehicle only when your plans call for one.
At The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa, Town Square is just a short walk away, while guest bikes and e-bikes, airport transfer options, winter ski transportation, and car rental delivery make it easier to plan each day around what you want to do rather than how you’ll get there.
Book your stay at The Rusty Parrot and enjoy a downtown Jackson home base that gives you flexibility to explore Jackson Hole your way.
