A recent survey revealed that 92% of visitors to Jackson Hole were satisfied with their experience, highlighting the region’s natural beauty and unique character, Gillette News Record reports.
The survey, conducted as part of Teton County’s Sustainable Destination Management Plan, gathered responses from 828 tourists during both winter and summer seasons. Most visitors praised Jackson Hole’s pristine environment and its “wild” feel as standout features of their trips.
Dan McCoy, who leads the University of Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality initiative, shared the findings with the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board.
“People had a really good experience here,” McCoy said.
He noted that satisfaction was high despite challenges like limited snowfall early last winter.
While most visitors left with positive impressions, some raised concerns. Common complaints included the high cost of accommodations and a lack of parking. One visitor likened Jackson Hole to Los Angeles, saying it had “lost culture” and felt overly commercialized, while another called for expanded bus services, noting that too many cars made biking feel dangerous.
The survey also explored awareness of Teton County’s “responsible visitation” messaging, which promotes safety around wildlife and encourages the use of public transportation. Many respondents said they hadn’t noticed this messaging, with one recommending that the county post information in more visible locations, such as hotel lobbies. Despite this, 89% of visitors supported efforts to educate tourists about responsible travel.
Survey results indicate that visitor satisfaction extends beyond favorable weather conditions, with many appreciating the area’s friendly residents, natural beauty, and quality of hospitality services. The majority of respondents, who tended to stay about a week, were between the ages of 18 and 29 and had household incomes over $100,000. More than half of the visitors used their own cars to get around, while only 5% relied on public transit.
While Jackson Hole continues to attract tourists, the survey identified three key areas for improvement: pricing, value for money, and parking availability. Visitors flagged the “expensiveness of Jackson Hole,” the “cost of accommodations,” and concerns about tourism’s impact on local residents and wildlife as top issues.
Tourism in Jackson Hole has seen significant growth, with the county collecting over $6.5 million in lodging tax in 2022, a 36% increase from the previous year, according to the Travel and Tourism Board. Despite some concerns, most visitors indicated they were likely to return and would recommend the area to friends and family.
