Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Teton is a place for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The vistas are unparalleled, as
are the natural features and recreational opportunities.
The history of this region dates back 11,000 years, when it was a seasonal hunting ground
for such tribes as the Shoshone, Gros Ventre, Flathead, and Blackfeet. John Colter was
likely the first European to explore the region; he is thought to have traveled through the
area in 1808, guided by wildlife and Native American trails. By the 1820s the area was
widely known for its abundance of beavers, and mountain men arrived with traps in hand.
Trapper David E. Jackson spent the winter of 1829 along the shores of Jackson Lake; the
valley, the lake, and the nearby town of Jackson bear his name. Many of the park's features
were named by the Hayden Geological Survey in 1871.
