History Of Jackson Hole Airport: When It Was Built

when was jackson hole airport built

Jackson Hole Airport is a public airport located in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically, Grand Teton National Park. The airport was created in the 1930s and has been recognised for its efforts to limit light pollution, becoming the first airport in the world to achieve Dark Sky certification. Jackson Hole Airport covers 533 acres and has one runway.

Characteristics Values
Year of construction 1930s
Designation Part of a national monument
Merger Grand Teton National Park
Runway extension 1959
Recognition DarkSky Certified status
Location Teton County, Wyoming, U.S.
Distance from Jackson 7-10 miles
Distance from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort 20 miles
Area 533 acres
Number of runways 1
Number of gates 11 hard stand gates
Number of baggage carousels 3

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Jackson Hole Airport is the only US commercial airport inside a national park

Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The airport was established in the 1930s by the Town of Jackson as the best location for an airport in Teton County. In 1943, the area, including the airport, was designated a National Monument and later merged with Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

The airport covers 533 acres and has a single runway. Due to its location within a national park, the height of the terminal building is limited to 18 feet, and the airport has implemented noise restrictions to protect the surrounding environment. The terminal building was designed to blend with the natural surroundings, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography. The terminal's design received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014.

Jackson Hole Airport is served by major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering year-round and seasonal services. The airport accommodates a variety of aircraft, including Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and Bombardier CRJ700. However, due to the short runway at high altitude, larger aircraft like the stretched versions of Airbus A321 or Boeing 737-900 are weight-restricted during take-off.

The airport is also known for its unique features, such as an antler arch at the entrance and an impressive art collection. It is recognised as a Dark Sky Certified airport, committed to limiting light pollution to protect the wildlife in the area and enhance the stargazing experience. Jackson Hole Airport is an important habitat for the rare sage grouse during its mating season, and it is not uncommon to spot wildlife such as bison, moose, pronghorn, and elk near the runway.

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The airport was designated as part of a national monument in 1943

The Jackson Hole Airport, located in Teton County, Wyoming, was designated as part of a national monument in 1943. It is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically the Grand Teton National Park. The airport was created in the 1930s as the best place for an airport in Teton County. The runway was extended to its current length in 1959, and the airport was merged with Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

The Jackson Hole Airport is known for its stunning natural surroundings and has received recognition for its efforts to limit light pollution. It has been Dark Sky certified by DarkSky International, making it the first airport in the world to achieve this status. The airport covers 533 acres and has a single runway, 1/19, which measures 6,300 feet by 150 feet.

The airport terminal blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography. The terminal's design has been awarded by the American Institute of Architects, and the airport continues to make renovations and upgrades to enhance the traveller experience.

The Jackson Hole Airport is also known for the variety of wildlife that frequents the area, including bison, moose, pronghorn, and elk. It is an important habitat for the rare sage grouse during its mating season.

The airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering nonstop flights to various destinations across the United States during peak seasons.

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The airport is served by several major airlines

Jackson Hole Airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which offer year-round service. Additionally, Sun Country Airlines provides seasonal flights to and from the airport.

The airport is located within Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming, and is known for its stunning natural surroundings. It is the only commercial airport in the United States situated inside a national park, covering 533 acres of land. The unique location of the airport presents some challenges, such as noise sensitivity and a short runway at high altitude, which restrict the types of aircraft that can operate there. As a result, the largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines.

The airport has a single runway, 1/19, which is 6,300 feet long and 150 feet wide. It currently has eleven hard stand gates and three baggage carousels. The terminal building, designed by Gensler, blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings of the national park. It features exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography. The park limited the height of the terminal to 18 feet, and the design received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014.

Jackson Hole Airport offers nonstop flights from up to 15 destinations across the United States during peak seasons. It is recognised as one of the most accessible airports in the Rocky Mountains, located just 9 to 10 miles from the town square and 19 to 20 miles from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The airport has also been praised for its efforts to reduce light pollution, becoming the first airport in the world to achieve Dark Sky certification.

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It is one of 16 airports that employ screeners under contract with the TSA's Screening Partnership Program

Jackson Hole Airport (IATA: JAC, ICAO: KJAC, FAA LID: JAC) is a public airport located in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. It is one of the 16 airports that employ security screeners under contract with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Screening Partnership Program (SPP). The TSA is a federal agency that oversees security screening procedures at commercial airports.

The Screening Partnership Program allows commercial airports to contract security screening services to qualified private companies. These companies must comply with all TSA security screening procedures and operate under federal oversight. The Jackson Hole Airport Board employs screeners rather than the TSA directly. The airport has implemented various security measures, including body scanners, walk-through metal detectors, X-ray units for carry-on luggage, and explosive trace detection systems.

The airport has a unique distinction as the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically Grand Teton National Park. The terminal building, designed by Gensler, blends seamlessly with the surrounding nature of the national park, featuring exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography. The park limited the height of the terminal to 18 feet (5.5 m), and the design received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014.

Jackson Hole Airport covers 533 acres (216 ha) and has a single runway, 1/19, with dimensions of 6,300 ft x 150 ft (1,920 m x 46 m). Due to its short runway at high altitude, the airport accommodates smaller aircraft, such as the Airbus A319, A320, Embraer 175, and Bombardier CRJ700. The largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines.

The airport is served by several major airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offering nonstop flights to various destinations across the United States during peak seasons. It is recognised for its efforts to limit light pollution, becoming the first airport in the world to achieve DarkSky Certification.

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The airport is recognised for its efforts to limit light pollution

Jackson Hole Airport is a public airport located in Grand Teton National Park, about seven miles north of Jackson, Wyoming. It is the only airport in the United States located inside a national park and is recognised for its efforts to limit light pollution.

The airport has implemented several measures to reduce light pollution, including updating its lights to be downward-casting and lower intensity, as well as programming them to turn off progressively throughout the evening. All exterior lighting is turned off between 12 am and 4 am, with the exception of motion-activated parking lot lights. These measures not only enhance stargazing opportunities but also aid in protecting the wildlife within the Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding areas, which depend on the natural nocturnal habitat to thrive.

The airport's unique location within a national park has led to a strong focus on sustainability and environmental protection. The terminal building, for example, has a height restriction of 18 feet to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the airport is an important habitat for rare species such as the sage grouse during its mating season, and it is not uncommon to see wildlife such as bison, moose, pronghorn, and elk near the runway and entrance areas.

Jackson Hole Airport has received recognition for its efforts in reducing light pollution. In 2025, it became the first airport in the world to be certified as an "Urban Dark Sky Place" by DarkSky International, a designation specifically for the public-facing side of the airport. This certification acknowledges the airport's commitment to reducing light pollution while balancing the needs of aviation operations and staff working around the clock.

The airport continues to pursue further initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including carbon offset programs and noise mitigation efforts, demonstrating its dedication to sustainability and the protection of the natural environment.

Frequently asked questions

Jackson Hole Airport was created in the 1930s as the best place to put an airport in Teton County, Wyoming.

Jackson Hole Airport is located seven to ten miles north of Jackson in Teton County, Wyoming, US.

Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park, specifically Grand Teton National Park. It is also the first airport in the world to achieve Dark Sky certification for its efforts to limit light pollution.

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