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Jackson, Wyoming, is a world-renowned mountain town nestled in the heart of the Jackson Hole valley, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Teton Range and the Gros Ventre Mountains. The town serves as the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and a popular southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, drawing visitors from around the globe with its authentic western charm, extraordinary outdoor recreation, and vibrant arts scene. With a year-round population of approximately 11,000, Jackson maintains its historic small-town character while offering amenities, dining, and cultural attractions that rival destinations many times its size.
The centerpiece of Jackson’s downtown is the iconic Town Square, featuring four elk antler archways at each corner that have become one of the most photographed landmarks in the American West. The arches are constructed from thousands of naturally shed elk antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge, connecting the town’s visual identity to its deeply rooted relationship with the surrounding wildlife and landscape. Jackson’s combination of rugged wilderness access and sophisticated western elegance makes it a destination unlike any other.
Jackson’s history begins with Native American peoples who hunted and traveled through the valley for thousands of years, including the Shoshone, Bannock, Crow, and Blackfeet tribes. The valley gained its name from David E. Jackson, a mountain man and fur trapper who spent winters in the area during the 1820s, leading fellow trappers to call the region “Jackson’s Hole.” The term “hole” was used by mountain men to describe a high-altitude valley surrounded by mountains.
Permanent settlement began in the 1890s when Mormon homesteaders arrived from communities in Idaho and Utah. The town of Jackson was incorporated in 1914, and early settlers faced brutal winters, isolation, and the challenge of ranching in a high-altitude valley with a short growing season. Cattle ranching and dude ranching formed the backbone of the local economy well into the twentieth century.
The cultural landscape of Jackson shifted dramatically in the 1920s and 1930s with the establishment of Grand Teton National Park and the growing recognition of the valley’s scenic grandeur. John D. Rockefeller Jr. quietly purchased thousands of acres of land in the valley and later donated it to expand the national park, a controversial move that reshaped the region’s future and cemented conservation as a defining local value.
Today, Jackson is home to a thriving arts and culture scene supported by galleries, festivals, and institutions like the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The town hosts the annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, which draws artists, collectors, and enthusiasts from across the country. The Jackson Hole Rodeo, held throughout the summer, keeps the town’s western heritage alive with bull riding, barrel racing, and roping events that honor a tradition stretching back more than a century.
| Activity | Type | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Teton National Park | Outdoor | Mountain views, wildlife, Jenny Lake, hiking trails |
| Jackson Hole Mountain Resort | Skiing | World-class terrain, tram, Aerial Tram gondola |
| National Elk Refuge | Wildlife | Sleigh rides, elk herds, bird watching |
| Town Square | Landmark | Antler arches, shopping, dining, galleries |
Grand Teton National Park lies just minutes north of Jackson and offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in North America. The park’s jagged peaks rise abruptly from the valley floor with no foothills, creating a landscape that has captivated photographers, climbers, and nature lovers for generations. Popular day trips include hiking to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, kayaking on Jenny Lake, and driving the scenic Teton Park Road for wildlife viewing opportunities that often include moose, elk, bison, pronghorn, and both black and grizzly bears.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is consistently ranked among the top ski destinations in North America, famous for its steep terrain, deep powder, and the iconic Aerial Tram that rises more than 4,000 vertical feet. In summer, the resort transforms into an adventure destination with mountain biking, hiking, paragliding, and the Via Ferrata climbing experience offering thrills against a backdrop of the Tetons. The resort’s base village at Teton Village features restaurants, shops, and accommodations for visitors year-round.
The National Elk Refuge borders the town of Jackson and provides winter habitat for one of the largest elk herds in North America. From December through early April, visitors can take horse-drawn sleigh rides onto the refuge to observe thousands of elk at close range, an experience that brings together wildlife, history, and the valley’s ranching heritage. The refuge also supports bison, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles throughout the seasons.
The Jackson Town Square is the beating heart of the community, anchored by the four iconic elk antler arches that frame each corner. The arches are constructed from naturally shed antlers collected each spring on the National Elk Refuge, with each arch incorporating more than 2,000 individual antlers. Surrounding the square, visitors will find western boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and the historic Wort Hotel, which has welcomed guests since 1941.
The National Museum of Wildlife Art, perched on a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, houses a collection of more than 5,000 works spanning centuries of wildlife representation in art. The museum’s striking architecture blends into the landscape, and its permanent collection features pieces by masters including Carl Rungius, Robert Bateman, and John James Audubon. The museum’s sculpture trail outside offers sweeping views of the refuge and the Gros Ventre Range.
The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum preserves the valley’s rich history through exhibits on Native American life, the fur trade, homesteading, and the development of the national parks. The museum’s downtown location makes it an accessible first stop for visitors wanting to understand the forces that shaped Jackson from a remote mountain outpost into an internationally celebrated destination.
Mormon Row Historic District, located within Grand Teton National Park, features weathered barns and homestead cabins set against the spectacular Teton skyline. The Moulton Barn on Mormon Row is one of the most photographed barns in the United States, with the Cathedral Group of the Tetons rising dramatically behind it. The historic district preserves the legacy of the Mormon settlers who established ranches in the valley in the 1890s.
Jackson’s location at the base of the Teton Range and within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem makes it one of the premier outdoor recreation destinations on the planet. The region offers activities for every season and every ability level, from gentle walks to extreme backcountry adventures.
Hiking and backpacking opportunities are virtually limitless, ranging from strolls along the Snake River levee to multi-day treks into the Teton backcountry. The Cascade Canyon Trail, accessible from Jenny Lake, is one of the most rewarding day hikes in the national park, offering views of the Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot over a moderate route. For experienced backpackers, the Teton Crest Trail provides a multi-day high-alpine journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies.
The Snake River flows through Jackson Hole and offers world-class fly fishing for native cutthroat trout. Local outfitters provide guided float trips and wade-fishing excursions on the river and its tributaries. Whitewater rafting on the Snake River Canyon south of Jackson delivers class II and III rapids through a dramatic gorge with opportunities to spot bald eagles, osprey, and river otters along the way.
Mountain biking has exploded in popularity around Jackson, with an expanding network of trails in Cache Creek, Teton Pass, and the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort bike park. The valley’s combination of flowy singletrack, technical descents, and lift-served downhill riding makes it a destination for riders of all abilities.
Winter sports define Jackson’s identity as much as summer activities. In addition to the ski resort, the valley offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Grand Teton National Park, where the Teton Park Road closes to vehicles in winter and becomes a groomed winter trail. Snowmobiling access near Togwotee Pass and into Yellowstone provides another way to experience the snow-buried landscape.
Jackson offers a complete experience in every season, with each time of year revealing a different facet of the valley’s character. Summer is the busiest and most accessible season, when Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are fully open, hiking trails are clear of snow, and the weather reaches daytime highs in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit. Long summer days provide extended daylight for exploration, and the town buzzes with rodeo events, outdoor concerts, and farmers markets.
Fall brings some of the most spectacular scenery of the year as aspen groves turn brilliant gold and the elk rut begins in the national parks. September and early October offer crisp temperatures, reduced crowds, and the chance to hear bull elk bugling in the valley at dawn and dusk. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival in September attracts art lovers and collectors with gallery openings and cultural events.
Winter transforms Jackson into a snow-covered wonderland centered on the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where skiers and snowboarders from around the world come to experience legendary powder. Temperatures often drop well below freezing, with daily highs in the 20s Fahrenheit, but the snowy landscape and cozy mountain town atmosphere create a magical setting. Sleigh rides through the National Elk Refuge are a quintessential winter experience available from December through early April.
Spring is a transition season, with snow melting in the valley while high country trails remain snow-covered into June or July. The elk antlers are collected on the refuge, wildflowers begin blooming at lower elevations, and migratory birds return to the valley. Spring offers solitude before the summer crowds arrive, though visitors should be prepared for muddy trails and variable weather conditions.
Jackson is served by the Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park. Daily flights connect the valley to major hubs, making Jackson one of the most accessible mountain destinations in the country. Whether seeking adventure in the Tetons, exploring world-class museums, or simply soaking in the western atmosphere of Town Square, Jackson delivers an experience rooted in wilderness, wildlife, and the enduring spirit of the American West.
Here are some of our recommended things to do while visiting Jackson. Choose your favorite!
The National Elk Refuge is a spectacular 24,700-acre wildlife preserve located just northeast of Jackson, Wyoming , providing critical winter habitat for the largest elk herd in North America against the dramatic backdrop of the Teton Mountain Range…