Wyoming is the 9th largest state in the U.S. and a popular destination for the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. You’ve probably heard of Jackson Hole and many people commonly call Jackson, Wyoming “Jackson Hole.” But in reality, they are two different places! In fact, one is a town and the other a valley. So, why all the confusion?
Read on to learn more about how they are connected and why people often get the two mixed up when talking about Wyoming.
Is Jackson Wyoming the same as Jackson Hole?
No, they are not. Jackson, Wyoming is a town and Jackson Hole (pictured above) is a valley. The town of Jackson has a population of 10,760 people as of the 2020 census and is a popular destination when visiting the nearby national parks in Wyoming. Jackson Hole is the name for the entire valley located in the western part of Wyoming that was formed by the Teton Mountains and Gros Venture Mountains to the west and east.
The main confusion linking the two mostly stems from the fact Jackson town is located in Jackson Hole valley and both are in Teton County. Jackson is one of the main towns nestled in the southern end of the valley.
However, there are also other towns in Jackson Hole valley, including Wilson, Moran, and Teton Village. Additionally, Jackson town and Jackson Hole were both named after the explorer and trapper David (Davey) Edward Jackson. He was one of the first Europeans to spend a winter in the area and considered it his favorite trapping spot.
Where is Jackson airport?
Another main confusion when visiting Jackson or Jackson Hole revolves around where the airport is. Is it near downtown Jackson? The main airport servicing the area is actually called Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). It is around 7 to 10 miles north of the town of Jackson and is located at the base of the Teton Mountain range. Fun fact – it is also the only commercial airport located within a National Park in the U.S.
Where is the Grand Teton National Park?
Grand Teton National Park is in the northwestern area of Wyoming and consists of the Teton mountain range and Jackson Hole valley. While most of the towns within Jackson Hole are not in the national park, a majority of the valley does lie within the park.
The entire Grand Teton National Park is also within Teton County. This county is made up of 97 percent of public land, including 40% of Yellowstone National Park and parts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Is Jackson, Wyoming in the Grand Teton National Park?
No, the town of Jackson is not in the Grand Teton National Park. It is located just south of the park, around 5 miles to the southern park entrance turnout and 13 miles to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center by the Moose Entrance. Although not within the park, Jackson is considered a popular gateway town to visit Grand Teton.
The Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center are located in the town of Jackson. Various agencies operate out of the center, including the Grand Teton National Park and Wyoming Game and Fish. However, despite popular beliefs, you cannot get permits for the National Park from this visitor center and need to visit a ranger station in the park.
What is there to do in Jackson, Wyoming, and Jackson Hole?
The most popular thing to do when visiting Jackson Hole or Jackson is to make a trip to Grand Teton National Park. There you can enjoy scenic hiking trails, water activities on the lake, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives. Jackson is also less than 2 hours away from the Yellowstone National Park’s south entrance along the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Highway. Some people tackle both national parks within one weekend visit to Jackson and the Jackson Hole area.
While in Jackson Hole valley, you can also make a trip to the other towns in the area. For example, Teton Village is popular for mountain bike trails, the Aerial Tram, and paragliding adventures. When you are in the town of Jackson, consider visiting the:
- Snow King ski area – Wyoming’s first ski area
- Town Square featuring arches of anther sheds
- Jackson Hole Rodeo
- Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum
- National Elk Refuge – a sanctuary for one of the largest elk herds
Conclusion
To sum up, Jackson, Wyoming, and Jackson Hole are not the same places even though they are both in Teton County and are named after the same person. Jackson is a town south of the Grand Teton National Park. In contrast, Jackson Hole is the name of an entire valley that includes other towns besides Jackson. While the national parks are popular destinations when visiting this area, there are also plenty of other things to do in both the town and valley.