Overview

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, vacations take on new meaning, with this valley becoming the premiere location for outdoor recreation and historic sights. With national forests and parks surrounding, there’s never a lack of things to do.

Location

Jackson Hole Valley is located in west-central Wyoming, formed by two mountain ranges on each side – the Teton Range to the west and the Gros Ventre to the east. The northwestern part of the valley contains Grand Teton National Park, with Jackson, Wyoming at its southern tip.

Services/Amenities

When looking for lodging in Jackson Hole, you’ll have no trouble finding exactly what you want. Choose among a wide array of rustic lodges, economic inns, quality motels, luxurious resorts and hotels.

Culinary delights abound. You’ll find everything from casual to fine dining in Jackson Hole. Dining with an Old West flair is always fun and you can discover exciting live entertainment as well. For snacks, you can grab some fast food, enjoy freshly baked goods from a bakery or get a deli sandwich. The choices are endless.

Other services include two major grocery stores, banks, real estate offices, car rentals, gas stations, and many galleries and shops.

Activities

Surrounded by forestlands, Jackson Hole is the perfect place to come for all outdoor enthusiasts. Camping out under the stars couldn’t be better than right here. The Snake River provides rafting and kayaking adventures. Fishing for trout is great on all lakes, rivers and streams. Bridger-Teton National Forest is one wilderness area where you can hike, horseback ride or mountain bike. Wildlife is abundant in Jackson Hole, and you may spot some moose, elk, black and grizzly bears or bison.

Wintertime is a great time to do some downhill or cross-country skiing. Snowboarding is a favorite, as is snowmobiling and riding on dog sleds. Nearby ski resorts include Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King a.k.a. the Town Hill, and Grand Targhee Resort in Teton Valley, Idaho.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are close by, and of course, no trip would be complete without seeing these popular destinations. Many use Jackson Hole as a basecamp for exploring these national parks.

Attractions

The attractions center around Jackson, Wyoming, with all sorts of sights and sounds of the Old West. From Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, the entire family will love the Wild West Shoot-Out. See the action-packed thrills of this re-enactment. Rodeos are also popular and the kids will love to watch the bull riders and barrel racers. The Town Square is a great place to start your exploration with a photo under the elk antler arch and a stagecoach ride around downtown.

Visit the Jackson Hole History Museum where you can see the history of western Wyoming traced, including the exploration and early settlement of the area. If you want to get some real excitement, try the Alpine Slide, where you slide 2,500 feet down Snow King Mountain in a bobsled. The Jackson Hole Tram is another must-do as it goes to breathtaking heights of 10,000 feet.

Getting Here

To reach Cody, Wyoming from Jackson Hole, simply leave from Jackson, Wyoming on WY 191 through Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. At West Thumb in Yellowstone, turn right onto US 20 and follow out of the east entrance of the park and into Cody. The trip (180 miles) should only take you about 5 hours. Note that the roads through Yellowstone are closed in the winter. An alternative winter route is to head east through Dubois and then north from Riverton.