Great Escapes
Jackson Hole Channeling Your Inner Cowgirl
By Jackie Williams
This month, I’m focusing your attention on a wonderful small-town travel destination in the United States: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In Jackson Hole, you can get out of the city and into the open air.You can experience the country, learn some history, and channel your inner cowgirl. It’s not just about the nearby top ski resort or the first American national park. Picture yourself in a gorgeous mountain town, nestled between the Tetons and the Gros Ventre mountain ranges, surrounded by beauty and wildlife. Jackson Hole really is a year-round adventure-lover’s destination. Jackson Hole was incorporated in 1914. The “Jackson” in Jackson Hole is for beaver trapper David Edward “Davey” Jackson. A “hole” is how mountain-dwelling locals would describe a high mountain valley. Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley and generally includes the towns of Jackson, Teton Village, Kelly, Wilson, Moran, Moose, and Hoback Junction, as well as Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is the largest town in Jackson Hole, with a population of just over 10,000. The soil is not ideal for planting, so settlers ranched instead. The tourism boom in the area came after the establishment of dude ranches. Speaking of dude ranches—if you haven’t tried one before, Jackson Hole is a great place to start. Consider Moose Head Ranch. It’s family-owned and completely surrounded by the Tetons. At Moose Head Ranch, you will have to unplug from technology and instead immerse yourself in horseback riding, stargazing, fly-fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, and bonding with your friends and family. Tough, huh? If you want a more upscale option, look into Turpin Meadow Ranch, a luxury dude ranch right on the Buffalo Fork River between the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. It offers similar activities but with more upscale accommodations. If you’re uncomfortable being so untethered from technology, feel free to stay in a cute cabin in town where you’ll have modern amenities like television and internet. Cowboy Village Resort is only a short drive to the airport and national parks and is just six blocks from the Town Square, so it is quiet but close to everything. They have kitchenettes in every cabin and an indoor pool and hot tub. Make your way over to the Town Square for a little exploring, where you will be welcomed by the big archways made of shed elk antlers. You will love the really cool, quaint boutique shops and fine art galleries that line the streets. Where to start? If you want to look like a cowgirl and feel like a cowgirl, you have to dress like a cowgirl! Beaver Creek Hat and Leather has been around for decades, and they have a fantastic selection and
free fittings. The Jackson Bootlegger has some amazing cowboy boot styles—leave yourself some time to decide! You can find your next getup at the Wyoming Outfitters. Top it all off with souvenir jewelry that will remind you of your trip, like a Teton stacking ring from Jackson Hole Jewelry Company. The galleries have some amazing local scenic shots and paintings, but the smaller sizes just don’t do them justice. If you buy a print, go big (they can always ship it home for you). Summertime in Jackson Hole means rodeos on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. You can’t come all the way to the country and not see one! After the rodeo, try some local game at The Gun Barrel. It used to be the Wyoming Wildlife Museum & Taxidermy, so there’s a lot of neat stuff to look at during your visit to the restaurant, not to mention the tasty menu offerings. If you would rather stick to beef, enjoy a mouthwatering steak dinner at the aptly named Local Restaurant & Bar. Continue your night with country swing dancing and country music at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Bar J Chuckwagon (make reservations in advance). They’re a hoot! Summer is a very popular time to visit Jackson Hole, but so are all of the other seasons. Whether you want to see the gorgeous fall foliage, play in the snow, view the most wildlife, or hit the rodeo, Jackson Hole is a wonderful destination to visit any time of the year. There are lots of events to come for, including biking and running events, rodeos, concerts, festivals, and fairs. The next time you need a little vacation inspiration, take a look at some of Ansel Adams’ iconic photos of landscapes of the Tetons and just think of all the fun you will have when you “Stay Wild” in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Sources for this article included: visitjacksonhole.com, jacksonholechamber.com, and jhrodeo.com. Editor’s Note: Jackie has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared in publications including Colorado Golf, Desert Golf, and Canadian Architecture & Design. Her blogs can be found at BoardandRide.com and the luxury and adventure travel website, ArtofTripping.com. May 2021
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