Jackson Hole

Valley on the Snake River, in Teton County, northwestern Wyoming. Jackson Hole is 77 km/48 mi long and 10–13 km/6–8 mi wide, and stands amid mountains at an elevation of 1,830–2,135 m/6000–7000 ft. The valley, part of which is situated in Grand Teton National Park, is a major recreational area popular among skiers, hikers, campers, and rock climbers.

The valley extends north from the town of Jackson to Jackson Lake, occupying an area between the Teton Range and the Continental Divide. In the 19th century, Jackson Hole was extensively used for hunting, trapping, and grazing, and was the scene of battles between sheep and cattle ranchers, as well as being a notorious hideout for outlaws. In the vicinity stand the peaks of Housetop Mountain (3,214 m/10,537 ft) and Mount Hunt (3,289 m/10,783 ft), and the valley has an aerial tramway. The area serves as the winter feeding ground of the largest elk herd in the USA.