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.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

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

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

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

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

Broadway, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Highway 189 entering Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

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

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 1948.

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

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

(Photos by Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)