My better half and I have been up in the Tetons the last couple of weeks enjoying the stunning vistas, abundant wildlife (though sadly not a single bear - grizzled or black - to be found), along with record crowds despite an ongoing pandemic in many of the places from which these folks hail from.
A local guide at one of the favored moose-watching locations told us that May visitation to the Grand Teton National Park was up 49% from the same time a year ago. Sure, sure, I thought - last year was the height of the COVID crisis so I thought perhaps 2020 traffic to the park might have been way off. As with most things I couldn't have been more wrong - 2020 set records over 2019 - apparently Americans unable to travel overseas last year all decided to congregate in a little place called Jackson Hole and then invited all of their friends and relatives up for a repeat this year.
My wife and I have been up to the Tetons enough to know where to find the less crowded spots although even our hidden gems seemed to be attracting more people than we had anticipated. One of the lakes near the Moran entrance station is tucked back on a rough and tumble dirt road (though not 4-wheel necessary) that most tourists whiz by without even considering turning off to see this special jewel. This year the small parking lot was full though that meant about ten other cars and one full-sized RV who somehow managed to get his big rig up the narrow and twisting path only to find that the parking lot couldn't accommodate rigs a third his size. But all was well as there were sufficient black flies and mosquitos galore to more than go around the small crowd. Once out on the lake in a kayak and on an SUP the bugs tended to leave us alone so we could focus on the two bull moose we found grazing along the shore. Such is why folks head to this neck of the woods. Note to SUP'ers, do you think you can out-paddle a moose? I didn't put it to the test but I was starting to wonder...
O.K. with something a little smaller? How about a 3 bedroom/3 bath 2,200 sq. ft. "cabin" for just $1,190,000? This one doesn't feature the world famous Teton views but on the plus side it sits on those 40 acres (minus the mule) I mentioned earlier. Another advantage is that you won't have to shovel that infamous Wyoming snow because its only 3 season accessible...
Perhaps the most expensive property I found was a little, and I mean little, property actually in town in the "desirable East Jackson Neighborhood". This 3 bedroom/2 Full baths 1,950 sq. ft. home is nestled on just .18 acres and can be yours, if you hurry, for just $1,195,000. Why is this the most expensive? On a per acre basis that works out to a whopping $6.6 million. The $11 million home I mentioned earlier at least sat on 5 acres which works out to just $2.2 million per.
Needless to say my wife and I won't be moving North to Teton country anytime soon but depending on your budget you might want to consider it. The views can't be beat, you can rub shoulders with the glitterati at the local Albertsons supermarket, and you won't look out of place wearing those cowboy boots and cowboy hat you have tucked away somewhere in your closet (you know, for the week or two of the National Western Stock Show where every Denverite goes at least a little bit country).
Anyway, there you have it on the state of real estate in Jackson, Wyoming. Me, I'm back at the Gros Ventre campground which does quite nicely in a pinch. Can I interest anyone in a S'mores?
The Teton's are calling, let's not wait so long for our next visit.
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