One of the great family vacations is discovering that the Old West is still alive and kickin' in places like Tucson and Dodge City and right here in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Enjoy rodeos and horseback riding and stage coaches and outdoor activities like parasailing and whitewater rafting. Plus, it's the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Jackson Hole--a gorgeous valley that's a step back in time, where the elk play and the buffalo roam. Jackson Hole lies in northwestern Wyoming, just east of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. It's known as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the Snake River, and several deep glacial lakes. At the southern end of the Jackson Hole Valley is the original frontier town of Jackson, Wyoming. It's been over 200 years since fur trappers and mountain men traveled here in search of game. And even before these travelers came searching west, the area was already populated with Native Americans who hunted and gathered in the resource-rich valley. Wyoming became the 44th state in 1890, and soon the cattle-ranching business was booming. Since then, times have changed. But not too much. Visiting Jackson Hole is like taking a step back in time. You can ride in a horse-drawn carriage, enjoy a Dutch-oven dinner chuck-wagon style, and see a real rootin'-tootin' rodeo. Definitely a breath of fresh air. Welcome to Jackson, Wyoming. Staying true to a typical Old Western town, much of Jackson's action is centered on the town square. You know you're here. Just look for the arches made from elk antlers. A great place for a family vacation. With a healthy bit of history thrown in, Jackson Hole is the action capital of the West.
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