Jackson Lake & The Grand Tetons
Jackson Lake reflection of Mount Moran. Photo courtesy Stephen Walker on Unsplash.
Few landscapes in the world are as striking and memorable as that of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Grand Teton has a lot to offer, whatever your interests. Mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, and skies are home to diverse and abundant forests, wildflowers and wildlife. The park also has a rich cultural history with old homesteads and cattle ranches to explore and photograph.
At the base of the northern Tetons, Jackson Lake offers a plethora of activities, such as boating, sailing, or fishing, as well as several choices for lodging. It is one of the largest high altitude lakes in the United States, and is popular with visitors and locals alike.
View across Jackson Lake to Mt. Moran. Photo courtesy U.S. National Park Service.
Jackson Lake is the largest and most popular of the many lakes at Grand Teton National Park, not only because of the spectacular scenery and amenities, but also for fishing, boating, and even sailing.
Grand Teton National Park includes the major peaks of the 40-mile-long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Grand Teton National Park is only 10 miles south of Yellowstone National Park, to which it is connected by the National Park Service-managed John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.
Oxbow Bend is an overlook along highway 89/191 between Jackson Lake Junction and Moran Junction. Photo courtesy Nate Foong on Unsplash.
Park Preservation
Efforts to preserve the region as a national park began in the late 19th century, and in 1929 Grand Teton National Park was established, protecting the Teton Range’s major peaks. The valley of Jackson Hole remained in private ownership until the 1930s, when conservationists led by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. began purchasing land in Jackson Hole to be added to the existing national park. Against public opinion and with repeated Congressional efforts to repeal the measures, much of Jackson Hole was set aside for protection as Jackson Hole National Monument in 1943. The monument was abolished in 1950 and most of the monument land was added to Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton National Park is named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the Teton Range. At 13,775 feet, Grand Teton abruptly rises more than 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole.
Today, Grand Teton National Park is one of the ten most visited national parks in the U.S., with an annual average of 2.75 million visitors.
Jackson Lake. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
Jackson Hole Jackson Hole is the valley between the Teton Mountain Range and the Gros Ventre Range in Wyoming sitting near the border of Idaho. The term “hole” was used by early trappers or mountain men, as a term for a large mountain valley.
Downtown Jackson Hole. Photo courtesy Town of Jackson Hole.
Grand Teton National Park occupies the north-western part of the valley encompassing much of the Teton Range as well as Jackson Lake. The town of Jackson is at the southern end. Between them lies, on U.S. Route 26, “Glacier View Turnout” offering a view of Teton Glacier on the north of Grand Teton, and the National Elk Refuge, home of the largest elk herd on earth.
Jackson Hole Airport is the largest and busiest commercial airport in Wyoming. The Jackson Hole Airport is also the only airport in the U.S. that is located inside of a National Park.
Jackson Lake
Located in northern Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Lake is accessible by the outer Teton Park Road and John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. Almost 15 miles long, Jackson Lake lies at the base of the Tetons, with Mt. Moran towards the southern end and Steamboat Mountain on the north end. Unlike other lakes in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Lake is accessible during both the summer and winter.
Yellow Sea Kayak on Jackson Lake. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
Activities
During the warm summer months, locals and visitors alike enjoy a variety of water sports on Jackson Lake, such as boating, fishing, wind-surfing, and swimming. After a full day on the lake, enjoy a cold drink and a delicious plate of nachos on the deck while watching the sun set over the Tetons.
Although jet skis are prohibited, Jackson Lake is the park’s only lake that allows water-skiing, wakeboarding, sailboats, and wind-surfing. Traveling without a boat? Consider renting a pontoon boat to explore the islands and inlets of Jackson Lake. Ice-fishing is also popular in the winter, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Fishing
Fishing is also a popular pastime at Jackson Lake. Cutthroat, brook and brown trout, salmon, and pike fill the lake’s deep waters. To protect fish populations, Jackson Lake is closed to fishing in October. Ice fishing is allowed in the winter months.
Lake Jackson marina. Photo courtesy Seth Cottle on Unsplash.
Marinas
Popular access points for boats include Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Leeks Marinas. If you are interested in renting a pontoon boat or a sailboat tour, visit the Signal Mountain marina.
Lodging, grocery stores, and gas stations are located at Signal Mountain, Colter Bay Village, and Jackson Lake Lodge. Developed campgrounds can be found at Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, and Lizard Creek.
The Jackson Lake Lodge cultural landscape shares a boundary with the Jackson Lake Lodge National Historic Landmark District, located in the heart of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Perched at the edge of a natural terrace, the landscape offers expansive views to the Willow Flats, Jackson Lake, and the Teton Range.
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