Jackson is nestled on a large valley floor, surrounded by the majestic Teton Range to the west and the striated, Gros Ventre Range to the east. Breathtakingly beautiful, much of the valley has remained undeveloped due to the large land area set aside for the Grand Teton National Park. In the late 1890’s the town acquired its name from a volunteer postal clerk who wanted to make it easier for mail to arrive from the east. She called it Jackson as trappers, furriers and other mountain men referred to the descent into the valley as Jackson’s Hole, a moniker the valley has kept for over a hundred years.
Some think of Jackson as a winter playground for jetsetters, moguls and celebrities. Others describe Jackson as rustic, quaint and unspoiled. In fact, both are right. Accommodations cover the spectrum, from humble campgrounds to full-fledged resorts, while restaurants range from corner cafes to highly regarded, international cuisine. Perhaps best known for its skiing, Jackson offers year round activities including hiking, river rafting, eco-touring, target shooting, horseback riding and of course, great fishing.
Easy to reach, Jackson Hole is home to the largest airport in Wyoming and has become a preferred destination for business conferences and annual meetings. As far back as the early 1980’s, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has hosted its annual economic policy meeting at the Jackson Lake Lodge, originally chosen to attract then Chairman Paul Volker who was known to be an ardent fly fisherman.