Jackson Hole (Wyoming) Airport completed a comprehensive terminal revitalization in June 2023, introducing a refreshed interior, enhanced services, multiple dining options, an expanded holding room with a full-length bar, new retail venues, additional gates and an overall improved travel experience.
After an initial design phase that removed the 1970s post-and-beam timber structure, the terminal was reimagined to meet the needs of 21st-century travelers. New furnishings and updated architectural spaces finalize the redesign. This project marks the eighth collaboration between Jackson Hole Airport and CLB Architects, with two more projects currently underway: a new private air terminal and three hangar structures.
© Matthew Millman
As the only commercial airport in the United States located within a national park, Grand Teton National Park, the terminal was designed to feel like a natural extension of its surroundings. The layout emphasizes open floor plans, clear sight lines and abundant large windows that frame the runways and the Teton Range, helping travelers orient themselves and connect with the dramatic Wyoming landscape as they move through the terminal.
The design makes the most of strict construction height and area limits imposed by the park, creating a flexible, airy space that breathes. Structural elements are deliberately restrained: long-span Douglas fir glued-laminated timber beams, rough-hewn log columns and lightweight steel provide strength with a minimal visual footprint. A large fireplace anchors the far end of the main room, paired with commissioned artwork to create a welcoming, functional “living room” atmosphere.
© Matthew Millman
A convenient grab-and-go counter and a comfortable dining area supported by a full commercial kitchen sit beside floor-to-ceiling windows that offer uninterrupted views of the Teton Range. Polished concrete benches with leather seating run along the glass walls, inviting passengers to pause and enjoy the scenery. Beneath the terminal, more than 3,000 square feet of flexible space is reserved for future growth, ready to accommodate evolving airport needs while respecting the building’s 18-foot height restriction.
Serving upward of 800,000 travelers each year—Jackson Hole is a popular, year-round destination—the terminal uses durable materials suited to heavy foot traffic and the mountain environment. Polished concrete floors provide a resilient base, while warm, tactile timber elements reference the vernacular architecture of the American West.
© Matthew Millman
Lighting was carefully considered to create a more inviting atmosphere than the typical fluorescent glare of many airports. Indirect uplighting produces a soft, ambient glow, while warm downlighting and LED accents ensure retail and service areas remain bright and visible.
The renewed Jackson Hole Airport blends the comfort of a domestic living room with the efficiency of a travel hub, while emphasizing harmony with its natural setting. Through soft lighting, comfortable wood furnishings and a prominent fireplace, the terminal offers travelers a distinctive, calming space—an experience that feels more like visiting a well-loved country home than a conventional airport concourse.