Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole / Town of Jackson

A Wild West-style town at the foot of the Grand Tetons, with its elk antler arches, cowboy bars and gondolas up the snowy peaks. It is the base for lodging and supplies on a Yellowstone–Grand Teton trip.

Jackson Hole refers to the roughly 88-kilometer-long valley on the east side of the Teton Range. “Hole” was the name early fur trappers gave to valleys enclosed by mountains. At the southern end of the valley, the Town of Jackson, with a population of about 10,000, is a resort favored by the wealthy and outdoor enthusiasts. Four arches made of tens of thousands of naturally shed elk antlers stand at the corners of George Washington Memorial Park (Town Square) in the town center, and they are a must-photograph landmark. Around them, the wooden boardwalk blocks are lined with Western-style galleries, cowboy outfitters and restaurants. The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar uses saddles as bar stools, and on summer evenings there is a free gunfight show in the square. About 20 minutes west, Teton Village is home to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, famous in winter for its steep runs. In summer, you can ride the Aerial Tram (about $60) up to Rendezvous Mountain at 3,185 meters to take in the Teton peaks and the valley. North of town, the National Elk Refuge gathers thousands of elk in winter, and you can view them up close on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. The National Museum of Wildlife Art sits on a hillside overlooking the refuge. The Snake River offers rafting in summer. Hotels and restaurants in town are expensive, and summer peak season bookings should be made several months ahead. From Jackson Hole Airport, it is about a 15-minute taxi ride. The town is roughly 90 kilometers from the South Entrance of Yellowstone.

Jackson Hole

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Places to eat nearby