The majestic Teton Mountains were created over 10 million years ago when the valley floor uplifted west of the major fault line that remains a dynamic part of the geography here today. These distinctive peaks were named by French-Canadian fur trappers. "Les Trois Tetons", or The Three Breasts in English, became known as The Tetons. The extensive mountain trails used by these trappers converged in what is known today as Jackson Hole.

Originally called Jackson's Hole, this area was named after David E. Jackson, a beaver trapper who was an early partner in the famous Rocky Mountain Fur Company in 1829. Jackson Hole slowly began to develop with the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862, when settlers could acquire land at the cost of improving it. Due to the harsh winters, and marginal quality of life at the time, many of these settlers left the area selling their parcels to be consolidated into sizeable ranches.

Given the abundant wildlife in the area, outfitting and guiding soon became a source of income for many families here and remains so to this day. Dude ranches became a Jackson staple in the early 20th century, and ranches such as the Bar BC, White Grass, and Triangle X were among the first to help develop Jackson's leading industry, tourism.