he last of the Old West. Jackson or Jackson Hole? It is both. Jackson refers to the town and Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley, which is 60 miles long. The town of Jackson sits on the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley. Surrounded by mountains, the valley is forty-eight miles long and eight to fifteen miles wide, and the valley floor slopes from 6,779 feet above sea level in the north to about 6,069 feet at the southern end.
Yonder is Jackson Hole, the last of the Old West
History
Originally populated by indigenous tribes including Bannock, Blackfoot, Crow, Gros Ventre, and Shoshoni, the Native Americans came to hunt buffalo and other large game. Before 1800, Native Americans were the only people who traveled into Jackson Hole. They spent the summer months hunting the wildlife in the valley and surrounding areas.
During the winter of 1807-1808, after returning from the journey with the Lewis and Clark expedition, John Colter entered Jackson Hole. The area became a prime spot for trappers, and many famous mountain men traveled through the area in the early 1800s. Many names in the valley came from these mountain men. The Hayden Survey of 1871, 1872, and 1878 officially named many important landmarks. Names including Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and Sublette. David “Davey” Jackson gave his name to the valley after he spent a winter on the shores of Jackson Lake. They named Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake in honor of the guide for the 1872 expedition, Richard “Beaver Dick” Leigh. Beaver Dick was one of the last of the mountain man trappers who lived in the valley. Jenny Lake was named for his wife, a Shoshoni woman, and Leigh Lake was named for Beaver Dick himself.
Grand Teton National Park occupies the northwestern part of the valley, encompassing the iconic, jagged peaks of the Teton Range and the Snake River threads through the entire valley from its headwater in Yellowstone National Park. These parks are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth. The area is home to magnificent wildlife, including grizzly bear, black bear, moose, bison, elk, and pronghorn.
Jackson Hole is a place with a powerful spirit of modern adventure. The area is home to magnificent wildlife, including grizzly bear, black bear, moose, bison, elk, and pronghorn. Jackson is a thriving cultural arts center with renowned restaurants, a playground for recreational opportunities, and home to sights that are barely imaginable. Welcome, or as the signs entering town read, “Yonder is Jackson Hole, the last of the Old West.”
Things to Do and See in Jackson
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- National Elk Refuge
- Mormon Row
- Access Point for Bridger Teton National Forest
- Three major ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, and Snow King Resort
Ain't Life Grand
LODGING
Hotels in the town of Jackson are generally less expensive than those in Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. In Teton Village, double occupancy rates start at $250 per night and go up to $900+ at Four Seasons. During summer, accommodations in most hotels out in the Village are well upwards of $350 a night. Rental rates start at around $3,000 for the week.
TRANSPORTATION
For a standard, 5-passenger vehicle, rental car rates start at $130 a week. Bike rentals are $35 for a half-day and $50 full day. Jackson Hole’s START (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) bus provides a free town shuttle that runs every half-hour and can get you to the local areas around town. Also free is the north route that runs in the summer and winter between downtown Jackson and the National Museum of Wildlife Art, with a stop at the Visitor Center. Buses also run between the towns of Jackson and Teton Village throughout the day. To get back and forth between town and Teton Village, it only costs $3 a ride (cash only) for adults and children under age 8 ride free. START also has a community bike share program servicing the town of Jackson, so you have access to 55 bikes and 18 conveniently located START bike stations and the fee is nominal. Unlock a bike for $2 and it is only 10¢ a minute.
DINING
Jackson Hole has both budget-friendly restaurants and splurge-worthy ones. Dinner for four can cost anywhere from $50 up to $250+. Keep happy hour in your back pocket for a fantastic way to save money on your meal. At any bar or eatery, happy hour features cheap eats. Also, some establishments offer $10 lunch specials.
WHEN TO VISIT
Choosing the best time to visit Jackson depends on what you want to do. Each season offers unique experiences. If you visit Jackson during the peak summer tourist season, expect crowds and long waits in restaurants. Parking can be an issue during this time, and one can expect a busy and crowded town square. Enjoy the town and take the opportunity to speak with locals and others visiting from around the U.S. and across the globe.
GOOD TO KNOW
Prepare for high altitude. Bring hats and sunscreen and some people may have issues adjusting to the higher altitude. Mountain weather is complicated, unpredictable, and ever changing. Pack accordingly and layer, layer, layer. You may wake up to a 30-degree morning, and by midday, it is sunny and warm. Casual attire is not only accepted, but expected. Dressing comfortably is a priority. Most importantly, leave with stories to tell and forever memories.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Jackson Hole during a shoulder season you will discover low prices and the area almost tourist free. Rates rocket during the summer and Jackson floods with tourists. During a shoulder season, beat the crowds and discover rock-bottom lodging deals, a quiet town square, ample parking, off-season specials, and spectacular dining deals. All the best deals of Jackson are at your fingertips during a shoulder season.
Jackson floods with tourists in July and August, and there is nothing worse than spending your well-deserved vacation in a traffic jam. Time is our most precious commodity. During peak season, traffic crawls and parking is a difficult feat downtown near the Town Square. Many resorts and hotels offer a free shuttle service between the Jackson Hole Airport and the hotel. Once you settle in, take advantage of Jackson Hole’s START bus to travel between town and Teton Village. START also has a community bike sharing program. And exploring the Town Square is the most enjoyable walking. Take advantage of these opportunities and avoid the stressful traffic fight. To visit Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park, you will need a vehicle, but it’s much cheaper to rent a car for a few days. Also, you can visit the parks via a scenic wildlife tour operator. You will see all the sights of Grand Teton and Yellowstone with someone else behind the wheel, and you’re guaranteed to spot wildlife up close in the breathtaking Tetons. Most tour companies offer a complimentary pickup and drop-off at your hotel. That’s a win you cannot pass up!
