Luxury in the Wild West

In search of a summer adventure, I journeyed through the desert and mountains of Utah and Idaho to reach western Wyoming, a place that still proudly retains its cowboy heritage. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a breathtaking destination nestled in the heart of the American West, renowned for its rugged beauty and outdoor adventures. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Teton Range, this stunning valley offers visitors a perfect blend of natural wonders, wildlife, and cultural experiences. 

I had the opportunity to stay at the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa in Jackson – a beautiful, rustic, peaceful hotel located just a few minutes from the buzz of downtown. Home to a 7-acre Nature Preserve, this resort was the perfect getaway.  

On our arrival day, we spent some time wandering the wetlands and watching local fishermen attempt to catch their dinner in the river flowing through the property, before heading to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. 

Rodeo has been a part of Jackson Hole’s cowboy culture since the first settlers arrived over 100 years ago. The Wilson Family has kept the tradition alive and kicking and we were treated to brave athletes competing in bareback riding, bull riding, team roping, bronc riding, and more! We even tried a little bull-riding ourselves on a much safer mechanical bison.  

The next day was set aside for shopping. Stores of all kinds surround Jackson’s famous town square, and after a mandatory photo-op under the antlers we weaved our way in and out of buildings selling all kinds of leather good, cowboy hats, souvenirs, and beautiful art. And no day downtown would be complete without popping into the historic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for a drink and some live music! The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has seen some of the finest entertainers in country music on its stage including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, The Statler Brothers, Glen Campbell, and Tanya Tucker.  

That night we returned to our lodgings to roast s’mores at one of the seasonal fire-pits stationed around the wetlands on-property. Sitting around a crackling fire under a starlit sky is a pretty good way to end a day!  

Our cowboy immersion continued on Day 3 with a chuck wagon dinner at the The Bar T 5! Traveling by horse-drawn covered wagons, we were swept away from Jackson into beautiful Cache Creek Canyon where we were treated to a delicious Dutch oven dinner and a show by the Bar T 5 Band. We even got pulled up onstage at one point to give the crowd our best “yeehaw”. 

By Day 4 it was time to get out into the mountains, and we chose to do so by driving an hour north to Grand Teton National Park. Here we journeyed deep into the forest to find Swift Creek Outfitters & Teton Horseback Adventures, a company specializing in trail rides with lots of creek crossings, flowered trails, wildlife, and the best views of the Teton Mountain Range! 

We opted for the two-hour Little Grand Teton View ride, and my horse Lil Snort was up for the challenge. This journey featured enchanting forest trails, creek crossings (Lil Snort loved to play in the water), and lots of butterflies.   

Saving the best for last, on our final night in Jackson we bought tickets for the Snow King Observatory and Planetarium nighttime experience. Situated at 8,000 feet, this is the only mountaintop planetarium and observatory in the United States and offers a state-of-the-art facility, immersive multimedia displays, and live presentations.  

For the nighttime experience, we enjoyed a ride up the Snow King Gondola at sunset before entering the planetarium for an introduction by our guides for the evening and a twenty-minute film called Edge of Darkness. After that, we were free to roam the observation deck, exploring a variety of telescopes, learning about the constellations, and peering through the eyepiece of the multimillion dollar 1-meter Planewave telescope. We saw stars, Saturn and its moons, and even a nebula. Our night ended with another gondola ride looking out over the lights of Jackson Hole.  

Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquility, or a taste of the Old West, Jackson Hole offers something for everyone. Its unique blend of untamed wilderness and refined hospitality makes it a must-visit destination for travelers from around the globe.