22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

   
 
Long before the skiers arrived in the winter, national park-goers in the summer and mountain lovers all year round, the peaceful Jackson Hole valley was home to cowboys, cowgirls and stunning views of the Teton Mountain Range. In 1948, LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the region’s quiet yet dramatic beauty in vivid Technicolor, preserving it—at least on film—for posterity.

 
Snake River with the Grand Tetons in the background, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

 
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

 
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

 
Young cowgirl Esther Allen trout fishing in String Lake. Teton Mountains behind. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Exterior of The Cowboy Bar with patrons hanging out outside. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Guests sitting around fireplace and listening to live music at Bearpaw Dude Ranch. Jack Huyler, son of owner, is playing guitar. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Room full of patrons gambling at The Cowboy Bar. Gambling permitted during tourist season. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Broadway, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Highway 189 entering Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Lake and Grand Teton Mountain Range seen from the Ranch owned by Mr. and Mrs. Berol. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Moose feeding in stream, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

 

22 Breathtaking Photos of the Peaceful Jackson Hole Valley in Its Dude Ranch Days from the 1940s

 
Entering Jackson Hole from the east along the Blackrock Creek with the Grand Tetons in the background. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948