Jackson (Wyoming)

Jackson is the largest town (population 11,000 in 2020) in the Jackson Hole valley in Teton County, Northwest Wyoming, close to the south end of Grand Teton National Park. It is the gateway to two of the United States' best-known national parks, Grand Teton and nearby Yellowstone. Many famous people maintain vacation homes in and around this area. The combined elements of beautiful mountain scenery, Old West heritage, tourist traps and celebrity residents give this small town a unique atmosphere both cosmopolitan and frontier.

Understand
The terms "Jackson" and "Jackson Hole" are often mistakenly interchanged. "Jackson" is the name of the town. "Jackson Hole" refers to either the greater valley area (including, for example, the towns of Wilson and Kelly) or the Jackson Hole ski resort.

Jackson transforms from a popular ski town during the winter into a mecca for travelers here to admire and participate in boundless summer beauty and activities. Meanwhile, in the spring and fall seasons, the town slows down as only the 6,000 or so year-round residents remain (and many of them may leave during this time as well) and many of the hotels and restaurants close for the season. Each of the seasons have their pluses and minuses depending on the visitor's expectations and desires, but it pays to know what time of year is best for what activity, especially in Jackson's unique high-altitude environment.



By car
Jackson is a few miles south of Grand Teton National Park on U.S. Route 191. Wyoming State Highway 22 intersects US-191 in Jackson, connecting to Victor, Idaho. The nearest city of size, Salt Lake City, Utah, served by several major airlines, is 307 miles or about a five-hour drive away.

By bus

 * Mountain States Express has 1-2 round-trips per day to/from Salt Lake City via the U.S.89/U.S.30/U.S189 corridor
 * Salt Lake Express has 2 round-trips per day to Idaho Falls, where connections can be made to the Rexburg - Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls - Grand Falls route.
 * Bundu Bus bundubus.com has 2 round-trips per day to Idaho Falls, with service also available to West Thumb and West Yellowstone

Get around
START Bus (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) serves Jackson, Teton Village, Star Valley to the south as far as Etna, and Teton Valley as far as Driggs, Idaho. Travel is free within the town limits and north to the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

In addition to the rental car companies at the airport, Dollar and Thrifty both have depots downtown.

The town of Jackson is small enough to be explored by walking, or bicycle.

See




Skiing
Skiing is a popular activity during the winter in Jackson, with a handful of top-notch resorts nearby.







Hiking
An extensive network of trails runs through the mountains just outside of town, most easily accessible from the Cache Creek trailhead. Superb hiking opportunities abound in the nearby National Parks.
 * - in Jackson Hole

Day spas
Jackson Hole supports a community of people in the healing arts, with some great local day spas whose quality and service rival the big resorts.

Buy
The downtown area has all manner of stores spread across several city blocks. Goods offered range from outdoor apparel to artwork to run-of-the-mill souvenirs.



Sleep
Generally speaking, hotel prices and availability in Jackson can fluctuate wildly by the season. During the summer months (and especially summer weekends) hotel rooms can be very difficult to obtain without a reservation or without a lot of money. During the wintertime, there are typically always rooms available, however prime rooms near the ski resorts may require advance planning and additional funds. On the other hand, during the off-season, many hotels in town close due to lack of demand.

Camping


Camping, of course, abounds on the nearby National Forest, National Park, and BLM lands, and can range from isolated dispersed camping to highly sought-after sites reserved months in advance. Most camping spots, however, will require at least a half-hour drive from Jackson town proper.

Go next

 * Grand Teton National Park
 * Yellowstone National Park, just north of Grand Teton
 * Alpine, a town 30 miles south