Jackson Hole
Jackson was named after David E. Jackson. He spent a winter as a fur trapper on Jackson Lake and became a partner in Rocky Mountain Fur Company. The area is known as Jackson "Hole" because geological features of the valley accentuate the Grand Tetons and Gros Ventres, which tower over the town and valley. Today many visit from all over to admire and experience the wonders of Jackson Hole, WY. more info
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The Tetons
© Vertical Media
Jackson's history is interesting because nobody settled here until relatively recently. The winters are harsh, and as ranching and farming were the ways of the Wild West the climate made it difficult to survive. The Shoshoni, Blackfeet, Gros Ventre, and Flathead Native American Indians came to the valley every year from spring to fall to hunt elk, buffalo, and mule deer. This was about 200 years ago and in 1808 John Colter came through the area as an explorer. In the 1820s beaver skins became a hot commodity and fur trappers quickly made Jackson Hole a business stop. By 1890 only 64 people inhabited Jackson Hole, who learned first hand what the winters brought in terms of food, shelter, and warmth. These first settlers ate wild game, grew oats and hay, and raised cattle. The harsh winters eventually became the reason visitors came to the area to ski.
Downtown Jackson
© Vertical Media
Tourism in Jackson, WY started as its reputation grew for fantastic opportunities to hunt and fish. But many more travelers were lured to the valley because of its beautiful and unique surroundings. Grand Teton National Park creates the vast western border to Jackson, as well as the southern border to Yellowstone National Park. Bridger-Teton National Forest is another wilderness area worth venturing into, or camping in, and is the largest forest in the lower 48. The National Elk Refuge sits on the north east side of Jackson. It is the largest elk preserve in North America and is home to about 9,000 elk every winter. Both locals and visitors love to use Jackson as a home base to raft and kayak the Snake River, fish cutthroat and mackinaw lake trout, hike, mountain bike, paraglide, and horseback ride in the summers and to hunt, downhill, cross-country, and skate ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, heli-ski, and ride on dog sleds or sleighs in the winters. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has some of the steepest downhill ski adventures you'll find. And on a powder day, after it's been snowing all night, businesses in town may open a little late because their owners and workers are all at the ski hill.
When driving into Jackson from the north, cars constantly seem to be on the side of the roads as there is always something to gaze at. And once one car stops all others seem to feel the need to follow. Wildlife like elk, moose, deer, antelope, black and grizzly bear, bison, and coyotes call the valley of Jackson Hole home. Trumpeter swans, osprey, bald and golden eagles, and blue herons spend their time on lake sides and in tall trees along the rivers edge. Consider yourself lucky if you see many of these.
As tourism grew in Jackson, WY, so did many attractions within the town. Town Square hosts the Wild West Shoot-Out at 6:15 pm Monday to Saturday from Memorial to Labor Day. Get a feel for the good ol' days in this action packed skit that seems to be straight out of an old Wild West movie. The Rodeo is a Wednesday night event where you can enjoy watching a competition between barrel racers, bull riders and all the kids in the stands chasing after a pink bow on a goat's tail. Jackson, WY is a quickly growing tourist town. Visitors will find themselves busy daily whether dining out and engaging in town activities or exploring the never-ending wilderness areas that surround Jackson. Upon arrival it is quickly clear to many visitors why so many people come to spend a summer or winter and never leave.
To reach Jackson, WY from Cody, WY you will most likely be traveling through Yellowstone National Park. Follow US 14 west to Yellowstone and from the south entrance, US 191/US 89 will guide you right to Jackson Hole.
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Jackson Hole Wyoming Travel & Lodging
Visit beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming!
