See Breathtaking Photos of Jackson Hole in its Dude Ranch Days

1 minute read

The Jackson Hole valley today is a major hub of tourism in the American West: skiers in the winter, national park-goers in the summer and mountain lovers all year round. But its primary tourism draw—long before the word “resort” became associated with the peaceful Wyoming locale—was once its dude ranches. Back then, its cowboy bars served actual cowboys, its main street was paved with dirt and its vast expanses were more populated with bison than with people. 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.

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

Jackson Hole 1948
Snake River with the Grand Tetons in the background, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Young cowgirl Esther Allen trout fishing in String Lake. Teton Mountains behind. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Exterior of The Cowboy Bar with patrons hanging out outside. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
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.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Room full of patrons gambling at The Cowboy Bar. Gambling permitted during tourist season. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Broadway, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Highway 189 entering Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Lake and Grand Teton Mountain Range seen from the Ranch owned by Mr. and Mrs. Berol. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Moose feeding in stream, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Jackson Hole 1948
Entering Jackson Hole from the east along the Blackrock Creek with the Grand Tetons in the background. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com