It is said that nature is life’s best therapist. Getting into the great outdoors is good for the soul, mind and body, and this is no exception when it comes to Wyoming’s Jackson Hole. Whether it is a touch of wildlife watching, sight seeing, a healthy dose of outdoor sports or even something arty, Jackson Hole seems to have it all. And even if all you are looking for is a little bit of fun and entertainment, this place has all that too! So before you go ahead and start checking out Jackson Hole cabin rentals, take a look at a few things that it has to offer. But first, an interesting little history tidbit you might enjoy…
About Jackson Hole…
The area of Jackson Hole is valley between the Teton and Gros Ventre, named in the late 1800s by a lady called Margaret Simpson who used her home as a place for local mail to be delivered, due to the town having no post office of its own. She decided to name the town in order to make forwarding mail easier, naming it after an 1820s beaver trapper called Davey Jackson. Surrounded by stunning scenery and being home to a diverse rage of wildlife, Jackson Hole has evolved into a popular tourist destination sought by a wide and varied range of travellers. Want to know more? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…
If you love sports…
If skiing is your thing you might want to up the ante with a trip to Jackson Hole’s slopes. Home to America’s longest continuous vertical relief, this resort is not for the faint of heart, making it one of the National Geographic’s Bucket List trips. If you prefer the water to the slopes, how about trying out a spot of river rafting or tubing? If you want to give your family an experience they will never forget then a white water rafting trip might be just what they will love! Not only will it get the blood pumping and give them an exciting day full of adrenaline and fun, but you might even catch a glimpse of the wildlife as you paddle, row, float and raft your way through the rapids! If you want something a little less adrenaline-flowing, how about a kayak or canoe paddle along Jenny Lake instead? If that is still too much for you to handle, stay dry and take a leisurely ride on board the Jenny Lake shuttle which takes you on a 15 minute boat ride from South Jenny Lake over to the Cascade Canyon trailhead.
If you love wildlife…
Don’t, whatever you do, be fooled by the name. The National Elk Refuge gives you more than the chance to see the odd elk or two! As well as providing the habitat for the Jackson Elk Herd, the refuge carries out ongoing work to preserve, restore and manage the area not only for elk but also a range of animals. Spanning a range of more than 24,700 acres over an area of 6 miles long by 10 miles wide, it is home to no less than 47 identified mammals including bison, bighorned sheep, coyote and wolves. In addition, almost 175 species of birds have been observed on the refuge, with bald eagles frequently visiting during the harsher months of winter in order to scavenge for prey.
If you love nature…
What better place can there be to visit during a stay at Jackson Hole that the wonderful Yellowstone National Park, the first and oldest national park in the world? Once you can manage to tear yourself away from nature’s fantastic performance of colourful hot springs and geysers, make sure you don’t miss Jackson Hole’s Grand Teton National Park too. With more than 200 miles of trails through mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers, the Grand Teton National Park is a backpacker’s paradise. And if you don’t fancy hiking through it, how about taking a look at it from above instead? The Jackson Hole Aerial Tram ride takes you 4,139 feet into the sky providing you with a panoramic view above the Tetons, Jackson Hole Valley and the magnificent mountain ranges all around. If you’ll be in the area for a prolonged period you could even purchase a seasonal pass enabling you to ride for free throughout the summer when you pay for a winter pass. Or perhaps, you think that one ride will be quite enough for you, thank you very much!
If you love entertainment…
Jackson Hole isn’t all about extreme sports and stunning views. A trip to Jackson Hole just would not be complete without a visit to the Town Square. Here, you will find something for all the family, guaranteed. Make sure you grab your photo opportunity standing alongside one of the four great elk antler arches – after all, with more than 2,000 elk antlers used for each one, it is doubtful you will miss them! As you might imagine, the cowboy theme runs wild here and you really don’t want to miss the neon honky tonk sign of the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar to let you know that you’ve arrived, or how about a visit to the Silver Dollar Showroom for some live music by both local bands and nationally recognised groups. Summer visitors simply must not miss the Old West Show and shoot-out which is held every evening at 6pm. It’s free and it’s fun and something that anyone, whatever their age, is sure to enjoy. Yee-haw!
Believe it or not, those are just a few suggestions to pass the time in Jackson Hole. You can find a few more ideas here too. Have you visited before? What would you recommend? We would love to hear your recommendations too!
