What is the difference between Jackson Hole and Jackson?

Jackson Hole is what we call our valley.  Back in the day, the trappers that lived out in these parts would find a valley they preferred to spend time in, and that area would take on their name.  They called these valleys, “holes.”

For example, if John Wilkes Booth had made a different career choice and had moved out to Wyoming, the valley in which he enjoyed hunting would have been named, “Booth’s Hole.”  He didn’t.

In the area East of the Tetons, one Davey Jackson carried on his trapping work.  Thus, our valley, which is roughly 10 miles wide and 50 miles long, took on the name Jackson’s Hole.  As time went on, evidently some mountain man sunk to the horrific moral depths of making a crude joke about “Jackson’s Hole.”  Good folks around here were highly offended after they stopped giggling in an immature manner, and decided to drop the offensive apostophy s that seemed to instigate this vulgarity.  Thus, the valley became JACKSON HOLE.

Later, as is often the case when humans get together, a town was formed, and it was named, “Jackson.”  This Town of Jackson is now the County Seat of Teton County, which covers lot’s of land, including the hole named after Jackson.

How well do YOU know the area?

We hope you enjoy awesome fun activities while you visit Jackson Hole!