![Tyson Foods Plant [Photo: Food Manufacturing]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock_1185520857__1_.5e441daa51cca-600x337.jpg)
![Silverado Senior Living Management Inc. [Photo: Los Angeles Times]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/download-6-4-600x337.jpg)
![China's Wuhan Institute of Virology [Photo: Nature]](https://southarkansassun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/d41586-021-01529-3_19239608-600x337.jpg)
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole shouldn’t work on paper: billionaires’ vacation homes next to grizzly territory, world-class skiing backed by genuine cowboy culture, and Yellowstone’s wild edges meeting $200 sushi spots.
But somehow this Wyoming valley turned the bizarre mix into America’s most interesting mountain town. It’s absolutely worth a spot on your travel bucket list, and here’s everything you need to do during your visit.
Most Challenging Ski Resort in North America
The ski mountain features North America’s longest vertical drop at 4,139 feet and covers 2,500 acres of varied terrain from forests to open bowls. Advanced skiers come here to attempt Corbet’s Couloir, a steep 40-degree chute that starts with a 20-foot drop.
Snow falls heavily here, with about 459 inches falling each year between November and April. The mountain includes terrain parks for all skill levels, from small jumps to 70-foot gaps, and the cable car ride to the top shows amazing views of the Tetons from 10,450 feet up.
Best Spots to Watch Wild Animals
You can see the most wildlife at dawn and dusk, especially around Willow Flats and Oxbow Bend. The National Elk Refuge hosts up to 7,000 elk at once, while moose prefer the wet areas near Snake River.
You might spot bison grazing in the flat grasslands of Antelope Flats or bears eating berries in summer. The park offers telescopes at stops along the 42-mile main road, and its 310,000 acres are home to more than 60 types of mammals.
Popular River Activities on the Snake
The Snake River flows for 50 miles through Jackson Hole, reaching depths of 40 feet in some spots. The river offers both fishing and rapids, with exciting Class III whitewater in the eight-mile canyon section during summer.
The river is home to special cutthroat trout that can grow up to 24 inches long. Many animals live along the riverbanks, including playful otters and fishing birds called osprey that dive into the clear water for fish.
Historic Mormon Settlement Buildings
The old Mormon Row shows how settlers lived here in the 1890s, with weathered barns standing against the backdrop of the 13,770-foot Grand Teton. These brave settlers created a community here despite the harsh winter temperatures.
Two barns, built by T.A. Moulton and John Moulton, are now among America’s most photographed farm buildings.
Famous Mountain Trail Through the Tetons
The Teton Crest Trail runs for 40 miles through high mountains, reaching 10,700 feet at Hurricane Pass. Hikers walk through meadows filled with 40 types of wildflowers, past mountain lakes that mirror the snowy peaks, and over passes with views stretching 100 miles.
You can camp in hidden spots along the way, like the scenic Alaska Basin. Summer brings bright flowers like Indian Paintbrush and Columbine, while fall turns the aspen trees golden.
Natural Hot Springs in the Mountains
Underground heat creates hot springs throughout the area, keeping the water at 80-112 degrees Fahrenheit all year. These springs contain healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, making them perfect for soaking.
The springs are especially beautiful in winter when steam rises into the freezing air. Some pools are small and private, while others could stretch up to 370 feet, and summer brings colorful wildflowers all around them.
Popular Photography Location at Snake River
At Schwabacher Landing, the Snake River creates perfect mirrors of the Teton mountains in pools made by beaver dams. Photographers come early for the pink morning light on the peaks, while evening brings long shadows across the valley.
Each season offers something special: spring has early glacier lilies, summer brings purple lupine flowers, fall shows golden aspen trees, and winter covers everything in snow under 12,928-foot Mount Owen.
Local Ski Mountain in Downtown Jackson
This ski hill rises 1,571 feet right from town and is one of America’s steepest ski areas. You can ski at night on 110 lit acres or hike 13 miles of trails in summer.
From the top, you can see 50 miles across the valley and surrounding mountains. The slopes range from beginner runs to very steep 32-degree trails that local athletes use for training.
Museum Dedicated to Animal Art
A 51,000-square-foot museum sits on a hill above the elk refuge, housing 5,000 artworks of wild animals. The building looks like the nearby cliffs and features a quarter-mile outdoor sculpture path.
The collection includes art from 2500 BCE to today, showing how different cultures have depicted wildlife. You’ll find works by famous artists like Carl Rungius, with many pieces showing animals from the Yellowstone area.
Hot Air Balloon Views of the Valley
Balloon rides take you 3,000 feet above Jackson Hole for a bird’s-eye view. Early morning flights offer the best conditions for seeing the Tetons and their 2,500 acres of glaciers.
The hour-long flights float silently above the valley, letting you spot elk herds below. You’ll get clear views of the entire 40-mile Teton mountain range.
Mountain Bike Trail Network
Cache Creek has 60 miles of connected bike trails, from smooth dirt paths to rocky challenges that climb 2,700 feet. The 1,000-acre network is beautiful in summer with flowers and aspen trees, and even more colorful in fall.
Some trails are gentle and flat, while others are steep with 20% grades. You might see moose and deer while riding, and you can quickly reach the trails from town for short or long rides.
Remote Camping in the Wilderness
The area offers endless camping spots across hundreds of square miles of untouched land. You can camp near mountain lakes and in hidden valleys, but must stay 200 feet from water sources.
The wilderness supports a wide and diverse variety of plants and about 341 bird species. At night, the dark skies show the Milky Way clearly, and mornings bring a chorus of bird songs.
The post In This Mountain Town, Billionaires & Cowboys Share Main Street Under Massive Elk Antler Arches appeared first on When In Your State.