For a city girl like me, stepping into the town square of Jackson in northwest Wyoming felt like walking onto the polished set of the television show Gunsmoke. Wooden sawtooth facades surround Jackson’s Town Square (George Washington Memorial Park). Visitors stroll the boardwalk linking Western-style storefronts, each with large display windows filled with goods, restaurants and art galleries. Iconic arches made from discarded elk antlers collected at the nearby National Elk Refuge mark each corner of the square. Stagecoaches pulled by teams of horses still parade visitors around the park, keeping the Old West feeling alive.
We visited Jackson at the end of summer 2024. The still-green Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges frame the 400-square-mile bowl of Jackson Hole, a valley that includes seven communities: Jackson, Teton Village, Moran, Kelly, Moose, Wilson and Hoback Junction. Jackson, where our Grand Teton and Yellowstone tour with Intrepid Travel began, is the largest and most populated of the seven towns.
“Travelers from around the world often find themselves in Jackson Hole at least once in their lives to view the majesty of the Tetons or the wonder of Yellowstone,” wrote Justin Walters, director of Visitor Services for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. “But the wildlife and the ecosystem are the underlying reasons folks find Jackson Hole so memorable.”
It was sometimes hard to tell whether the young, broad-shouldered cowboys escorting frilly-frocked companions through the shops were acting or genuine local ranch hands. I suspect many were authentic. If you want to live out an Old West fantasy, this is the place to do it. We attended the famous Jackson Hole Rodeo, rode horseback in Grand Teton National Park where we spotted bears, and took part in a Via Ferrata climb at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The teens in our group tackled much of the climbing course, and while the moms gave it a determined try, the younger climbers finished the route with the guide.
© Brenda Kean | Dreamstime.com
“Jackson Hole offers plenty of outdoor corporate activities from wildlife tours and trips to hot springs, to fishing, hunting, horseback riding and pack trips, climbing, skiing, backpacking, snowmobiling and dog sledding — you name it. This is an outdoorsman’s paradise,” Walters noted. He added that specialized shooting experiences are also popular with corporate groups.
Rob Nelson, director of Destination Global Sales for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, explained that large groups typically break into smaller teams based on interest, and that many local tour operators specialize in certain activities. For rafting on the Snake River he recommends Jackson Hole Whitewater and Dave Hansen Whitewater, both of which offer scenic and whitewater options.
On our first day with Intrepid Travel we launched from the Snake River with Jackson Hole Whitewater. Our group split by preference: one family chose a relaxed float while we tackled Class III rapids with our teens — an adrenaline-filled highlight of the trip.
Nelson also recommends Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris for wildlife viewing. “They have sprinter vans and expert guides who know where the wildlife is. The educational component is amazing,” he said. Our Wolf Trekking Tour with Intrepid provided a similar experience: knowledgeable guides, comfortable transport, and excellent wildlife sightings including bears, bison and elk.
For golfers, Nelson suggests Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, which offers group-friendly formats like best-ball and shotgun starts, along with pristine views of the Tetons. For team-building, he recommends trying the Via Ferrata, a challenge that promotes teamwork and trust.
© Rina Nehdar
Despite a rustic exterior, Jackson Hole supports a surprising culinary scene with world-class chefs and refined dining. “Teton County is among the wealthiest communities in the country, so it attracts a high-end clientele,” Walters said, noting the area hosts major events such as the Federal Reserve Economic Symposium. Because many lodges are small and book far in advance, Walters advises planning conventions and large events early to secure space.
Recent property updates include Snow King Resort’s refreshed 20,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor meeting space and Hotel Terra’s renovation of 132 LEED-certified rooms. Snake River Lodge & Spa is scheduled for a full renovation and will close temporarily for that work.
New lodging options have arrived as well: the adults-only Hotel Yellowstone, with 36 rooms offering mountain and valley views, and the 87-room Gravity Haus at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village.
Other strong choices for larger gatherings include the 55-room Wort Hotel, known for custom Western art and furnishings and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with about 4,000 square feet of meeting space just steps from Jackson Town Square. In Teton Village, the 156-room Four Seasons stands out for its ski-in, ski-out convenience and nearly 11,000 square feet of flexible event space.
SCENIC DRIVES
No visit to Jackson Hole is complete without a trip to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. From Jackson, take U.S. Route 191 North for 11 miles, then turn left onto Teton Park Road and follow signs to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. A ferry crosses the lake in about half an hour and saves a 2.4-mile walk around the shoreline to the Inspiration Point trailhead. The trail from the boat dock is a moderately challenging 1.8-mile out-and-back dirt path with occasional steps carved into the mountainside and roughly 419 feet of elevation gain. Hikers who reach the rock plateau at Inspiration Point are rewarded with sweeping views of Jenny Lake; a fork partway up leads to Hidden Falls for an added waterfall stop.
For high-elevation dining and views, drive about 20 minutes to Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Ride the aerial tram 12 minutes and ascend 4,139 vertical feet to Rendezvous Point, where the panorama extends over Corbet’s Couloir — one of North America’s steepest ski slopes. At the summit, Corbet’s Cabin serves made-to-order waffles topped with Nutella, peanut butter, bacon or other favorites, all enjoyed with spectacular mountain scenery.