Jackson is a small town in the Jackson Hole valley, in Teton County, western Wyoming. It covers only 2.8 sq mi (7.4 sq km) and has a population of 9,000 people (2012 estimate). Located 6,237 ft (1,901 m) above sea level, Jackson is the gateway to many famous national parks including the Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park and National Elk Refuge.
Jackson, WyomingSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JacksonStreet1.jpg
Author: Jan Kronsell

Jackson experiences a humid continental climate just short of the subarctic climate. July is the warmest month when the average high temperature rises to 81.9°F (27.7°C). January is the coldest month, when average low temperature may drop to just 5°F (-15°C). Total rainfall for the year is just 16.78 in (426.2 mm), much of it in the form of snow, which can be expected from November until March.
The town of Jackson is often called Jackson Hole, which is the name of the steep valley it is located. The area was inhabited by Native American tribes until the turn of the 19th century. The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first group of Europeans to explore the area. The first person to arrive in the Jackson Hole valley was John Colter, a member of the expedition, who entered the area in the winter of 1807-08.
Jackson was named after William Henry Jackson, who was part of the Hayden Expedition of 1871 and 1872 into the area. He took the first photographs of the Teton Mountains and Yellowstone. These photos were instrumental in getting Yellowstone gazetted as the first national park in the world.
Visiting Jackson
Places of Interest in Jackson
- Grand Targhee Resort
Ski resort about 42 miles to the northwest of Jackson.
- Grand Teton National Park
National park protecting the majestic peaks of the Teton Range and the northern sections of the Jackson Hole valley.
- Jackson Hole Museum
Museum displaying Native American artifacts and information on indigenous tribes going back 12,000 years.
- National Elk Refuge
Refuge protecting the habitat of the largest elk herd on earth.
- National Museum of Wildlife Art
Museum located on a bluff in Jackson Hole. It was established in 1987 and displays works of notable American artists.
- Snow King Resort
Ski area to the southeast of Jackson.
- Town Square Arches
Arches constructed out of elk antlers at each of the four corners of the town square.
- Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872, this is the oldest national park in the world.
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