The Continental Divide, where renowned waterways to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans have their beginnings, winds through this western region of Wyoming. Unlike the early fur traders and trappers who came here for beaver, today's adventure seekers come for fishing, hiking, rafting, exploring, and for the pure natural beauty of the area. Jackson Hole-Jim Bridger Country contains such treasures as Jackson Hole, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Gros Ventre Wilderness, Fremont Lake, Fossil Butte National Monument and Star Valley.

Beautiful Scenic Jackson Hole.

The first time I ever visited Jackson in 1982, I was 32 years old, and was touring the USA with my friends, Scona and Bernie, where we stayed at a small privately owned Motel. I was instantly struck by the awesome beauty and majesty of this valleys scenery and wildlife. This is one place if I had the money I would like to retire to, I have been back two more times again in 1992 and 1996, staying at the Best Western Executive Inn which is now called The Painted Buffalo, also staying at The Days Inn. We had a good look around this beautiful town, going out on an evening for a couple of drinks and a bit of a laugh, with a nice meal at the end of it. One of the most impressive bars we went into was The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

As Jackson Hole's beef industry grew, large elk herds that roamed the mountains and valleys began to compete with cattle for hay supplies. Nearly 3,000 elk summer in Grand Teton National Park. Free ranging and migratory, elk spend all summer gaining weight to sustain them through the coming winter. The first few inches of snow trigger migration to the National Elk Refuge immediately south of the park. Approximately 7,000 elk (over half the Jackson herd) spend their winter on the Refuge. Visitors enjoy elk hunting and trout fishing on Flat Creek on the Refuge during certain seasons. In winter, sleigh rides bring visitors among the herd.

Tourism started to replaced cattle ranching as Jackson Hole's economic base. This was facilitated when the land around the Teton's was designated as a national monument in 1929. After years of debate, Congress added further acreage and created Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

Jim Bridger.

Trappers, settlers, cowboys, ranchers, Indians, mountain men, poachers, government surveyors, presidents, playboys, foreigners seeking adventure, tourists, mountaineers, artists, businessmen, and loners have all played important roles in the history of Jackson Hole. Many passed through but only in the last century did people settle down to seek a living out of the dramatic, rough, hardscrabble land of Jackson Hole. In 1822, Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, William Sublette and Davey Jackson (namesake of Jackson Hole) joined others on an expedition up the Missouri to its source in southwestern Montana on the north side of what is now Yellowstone National Park. At the end of the expedition, Smith and six trappers spent the winter trapping in Teton Valley, on the western flank of the Teton Range. Jackson and his partners continued trapping in an around Jackson Hole until the partners sold their company. In 1832, Jackson returned to his native St. Louis never to return but left his name as a legacy to the great valley east of the Teton, Jackson's Hole.

Snow Lodges, Jackson Hole.

Jackson Today The town of Jackson is a small but growing community at the southern end of Jackson Hole where the wealthy and the working class pursue their pleasures in the mountains and rivers passing through Jackson Hole. Despite the fact that Teton County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, it is sometimes very difficult to tell the wealthy from the regular folk. Outward signs such as luxury automobiles, fur coats, and designer clothes are relatively rare. Jackson Hole is a winter and summer playground for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Skiing, snow boarding, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking are just some of the activities. "The Last and the Best of the Old West," Jackson Hole's culture is unique, blending its western heritage with that of a destination resort. On the board sidewalks of Jackson, cowboys with hats and spurs are often juxtaposed against snow boarders with dreadlocks and nose rings.

Less than 3 percent of Teton County is privately owned; most is contained within Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Targhee National Forest and the National Elk Refuge. Of Teton County's 3,826l,407 acres, 97 percent is under state of federal management. With a population of 6,400 year-round residents, Jackson is not the quiet, isolated town it once was. Yet, it is still a far cry from a metropolitan area. It remains the kind of place where locals still greet each other with a smile and large open spaces cover a large majority of the valley floor. A multitude of shops and restaurants center around the town square along the boardwalks recalling Jackson Hole's western past. Learn more about Jackson Hole's landscape, history, and place in the art world at the Jackson Hole Museum . From the mountain man to wildlife to the people who made Jackson Hole home, you're sure to find an interesting story. You can also visit The National Museum of Wildlife Art, it captures some of the world's most beautiful paintings, sculptures and photographs and exhibits in Jackson Hole. Jackson is a gateway to the parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, which attract around 3 million visitors annually. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King, and Grand Targhee attract 350,000 or so destination skiers.

In Jackson, the Old West is still alive in one of the most charming towns you're likely to find anywhere. From the "local color" of the Town Square's elk antler arches and the nightly Jackson Hole Shoot Out, to the unique shops and restaurants along our boardwalks, Jackson truly has something for everyone.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Jackson Hole is sure to amaze and entrance.