TL;DR:
Jackson is the town. Jackson Hole is the valley the town sits in.
This confusion around Jackson Hole vs Jackson, Wyoming comes up all the time for first time visitors.
They are closely connected, often used interchangeably, and not two different destinations, even though it can sound that way at first.
If you are planning your first trip to Wyoming, chances are you have already run into this question.
Is Jackson the same thing as Jackson Hole?
You see both names used on maps, airport signs, ski ads, hotel listings, and travel guides, and suddenly it feels like you are supposed to know the difference. Are we staying in the right place? Did we book the wrong airport? Is Jackson Hole a different town entirely?
This confusion comes up all the time, especially for first time visitors and families trying to make sure they are getting everything right. The good news is the answer is simple once someone explains it clearly.
Are Jackson and Jackson Hole, Wyoming the Same?
No, but they are closely connected.
Jackson is the town.
Jackson Hole is the valley the town sits in.
They overlap geographically and culturally, which is why people often use the names interchangeably. Technically, though, they are not the same thing.
Once you understand that distinction, most of the confusion disappears.
What Is Jackson, Wyoming?
Jackson is the actual town, the place you can point to on a map.
It is where you will find the historic Town Square, most restaurants and shops, galleries, coffee spots, and many of the hotels visitors stay in. When someone says they are staying in Jackson, they are talking about the town itself.
Locals almost always say Jackson. It is shorter, practical, and clear if you live here.
What Is Jackson Hole?
Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley that surrounds the town of Jackson.
The valley includes the town itself, nearby areas like Teton Village and Wilson, wide open ranch land, ski base areas, and the airport. When people say Jackson Hole, they are usually referring to the region, not a separate town.
This is why you see names like Jackson Hole Airport and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They are located in the valley, even if they are not inside the town limits of Jackson.
Why Is It Called Jackson Hole?
The name goes back long before tourism or ski marketing.
The valley was named after William Henry Jackson, a nineteenth century explorer and photographer who helped document the American West. At the time, mountain men used the word hole to describe a high mountain valley surrounded by peaks.
So Jackson Hole literally meant Jackson’s valley. The name stuck, even as the town of Jackson developed later inside it.
Why Does Everyone Call Everything Jackson Hole?
This is where modern confusion really starts.
Part of it is simple. Jackson Hole just sounds cooler. It rolls off the tongue, feels bigger, and carries a certain romance that Jackson alone does not.
Decades of marketing, especially around skiing, reinforced that. Over time, Jackson Hole became shorthand for the entire destination. The scenery, the mountains, the wildlife, the experience.
Locals still tend to say Jackson. Visitors and marketing usually say Jackson Hole. Same place, different shorthand.
For first time visitors, this can create second guessing.
Are we staying in Jackson when we should be in Jackson Hole?
Is Jackson Hole a separate town?
Did we book something in the wrong place?
That uncertainty is extremely common.
What This Means for First Time Visitors
Understanding the difference between Jackson Hole vs Jackson, Wyoming helps first time visitors feel confident they are booking the right place.
Here is the practical takeaway.
You do not need to choose between Jackson and Jackson Hole when planning your trip.
If you are staying in or around the town of Jackson, you are already in Jackson Hole. When people refer to Jackson Hole, they are usually talking about the broader region, not a different destination you somehow missed.
Once people arrive, this confusion usually disappears within a day. Before the trip, though, it can feel bigger than it needs to be.
The Simplest Way to Remember It
If you want a quick mental shortcut:
Jackson is the town.
Jackson Hole is the valley.
Different words. Same trip.
Why This Question Matters
This might seem like a small naming issue, but when people are planning a meaningful trip, especially families, small uncertainties can snowball.
Clearing up details like this early makes the rest of the planning process feel easier and more confident. That is always the goal.
No. Jackson is the town. Jackson Hole is the valley the town sits in. They are closely connected, which is why the names are often used interchangeably.
No. Jackson Hole is not a town. It refers to the valley that includes the town of Jackson along with nearby areas like Teton Village and Wilson.
The name Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley and has been widely used for generations. Over time, tourism, marketing, and local landmarks made it the common way people refer to the whole region.
The airport is located in the Jackson Hole valley just north of the town of Jackson, inside Grand Teton National Park.
Locals usually say Jackson when referring to the town. Visitors and marketing tend to use the name Jackson Hole.
Yes. If you are staying in the town of Jackson, you are already in Jackson Hole because the town sits inside the valley.