Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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Getting Here //
While visiting Big Sky, why not hop on the road and visit America's Wild West in Jackson, Wyoming, just southeast of Grand Teton National Park. Until about 200 years ago American Indians like the Shoshoni, Blackfeet, Gros Ventre, and Flatheads inhabited the valley annually from spring to fall in order to take advantage of hunting opportunities. John Colter explored the area in 1808 and fur traders arrived shortly after in the 1820's to take beaver skins back to their homes to sell.
Fur trappers originally added the word "hole" to the name Jackson because of the valley's geology as it sits in the middle of high mountains. The town was named after David E. Jackson, a trapper who became a partner of Rocky Mountain Fur Company. He spent the winter of 1829 on Jackson Lake in Wyoming. Because of its remote location, Jackson Hole remained relatively unsettled until late in the 19th century and in 1890 only 64 people were living in Jackson, WY. Ranching and farming were hard for these settlers because of the harsh climate. Some of the first settlers stuck through it, growing oats and hay and raising cattle for beef. Most lived on wild game. Jackson Hole eventually gained more of a reputation for great hunting and fishing and as the tourism industry began to boom, more Jackson inhabitants became guides for these sports.
As time went on visitors started arriving for reasons other than hunting and fishing. Only 3% of Teton Country is privately owned. Surrounded by Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, the largest in the lower 48, the National Elk Refuge, no one really comes to hang out in the town of Jackson Hole, WY. There is no lack in wildlife as elk, moose, bison, deer, antelope, black and grizzly bear, and coyotes call this valley home and are often spotted by the adventurous visitor. Birds like bald eagles, trumpeter swans, blue herons, and osprey frequent river and lake sides and cutthroat and mackinaw lake trout swarm the waters. In the summers enjoy mountain biking, kayaking and rafting, fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, paragliding and many other fun activities. Winters in Jackson Hole provide much more than steep and powder-full downhill ski runs, like cross-country and skate skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, and sleigh rides.
There are many sites in Jackson, WY worth checking out. The National Elk Refuge is the largest elk preserve in North America. About 9,000 elk winter here every year. Their antlers also surround all four entrances to the town square, but don't worry, elk naturally shed their antlers annually. On the town square between Memorial and Labor Day, don't miss the Wild West Shoot-Out that starts at 6:15 from Monday to Saturday. The Rodeo is also a popular attraction and for those city folk there are numerous nightlife and dinning opportunities. The Wild West is still alive in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and this growing town has much to offer for every visitor throughout the entire year.
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Plan a trip to Jackson Hole Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park.
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