History

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Double H Bar, Inc.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
A vintage-style sketch showing two people in cowboy hats looking out from inside a covered wagon at horseback riders and another wagon traveling down a pine forest trail
A Brief History of
Teton Wagon Train
& Horse Adventure
Click the corner to open the History
Chronology

“Dedicated to the hardy pioneers who first crossed Teton Pass, and to the adventurous spirits who ride with us under the great western sky.”

Historical Milestones

  • 1854 12-year-old “Uncle Nick” Wilson rides through Jackson Hole with the Shoshone.
  • 1860 Uncle Nick rides for the Pony Express and drives the Overland Stage.
  • 1889 Uncle Nick leads the first covered wagons over steep Teton Pass into Jackson Hole.
  • 1970s Bill Thomas, the great grandson of Uncle Nick, starts Teton Wagon Train & Horse Adventure
  • 1980s Jeff and Cindy Warburton work for the Thomas family.
  • 1997 The Warburton family takes over Teton Wagon Train to preserve the authentic Covered Wagon tradition.
  • Today 50+ continuous years providing premier backcountry wagon and horse expeditions.
Western Tradition

Fifty Years of Heritage

High Quality Western Hospitality
Three covered wagons and a horse rider traveling through a grassy meadow
A glimpse into the American West

For the past 50 years, our wagon train adventure has provided guests from all over the world with a high quality western outdoor experience. This same tradition will continue with you as our guest.

National articles and features celebrating our backcountry hospitality have appeared in prominent publications across the country, showcasing our authentic covered wagons, gentle saddle horses, and chuckwagon campfire meals.

Country Woman Good Housekeeping Family Circle Modern Maturity U.S. News & World Report Newsweek American Cowboy

The renowned “Two on the Town” television show in Los Angeles featured the Wagon Train in their broadcast special on “The American Cowboy”.

The Story of Nick Wilson

“Uncle Nick” Wilson

Boy of the Shoshone • 1854
Elijah Nicholas Wilson (Uncle Nick Wilson)
Elijah Nicholas Wilson (“Uncle Nick” • “Yagaki”)

The heritage of the Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure dates back to 1854 when “Uncle Nick” Wilson as a boy of 12 passed through Jackson Hole with the Shoshone Indians. Uncle Nick or “Yagaki”, as he was known to the Indians, was adopted by the mother of Washakie, Chief of the Shoshone, and lived with them for two years.

In later years, Uncle Nick rode as a fearless courier for the Pony Express and drove stagecoaches through hostile wilderness for the Overland Stage.

Pioneering Teton Pass & Beyond

The First Covered Wagons

From Teton Pass to Teton Wagon Train
Trail ride through the forest
Trail ride through national forest

In 1889, Uncle Nick drove the first covered wagons over Teton Pass into Jackson Hole and the town of Wilson still bears his name today. Bill Thomas, a descendant of Uncle Nick, and his wife, Joyce, began the tradition of the Teton Covered Wagon Train many years ago.

The reins were then passed to their son, Billy. Jeff and Cindy Warburton worked closely with Bill, Joyce, and Billy for many seasons. Jeff, his brother Chris and families are now proud to carry on the strong Covered Wagon Train tradition.

Frontier Roots

The Warburton Legacy

Pioneer Heritage & Personal Care
Jeff Warburton continuing Covered Wagon Train tradition
The Wagon Master • Jeff Warburton

Our families and our crew provide the personal attention and service which makes us the best covered wagon train trip and horse adventure in the country. Many of the Warburton’s ancestors crossed the plains with wagon trains and helped settle the West.

Matthew Caldwell crossed the plains during the Mexican-American War and then assisted in the heroic rescue of the ill-fated Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Richard Warburton came from England to travel West and start the Warburton ranching tradition. His son, Richard Warburton, worked as a master blacksmith during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Later, he and his brothers were among the first to open new country as they searched for pristine livestock range.

The Trail Awaits

Escape From The Ordinary

Join Us in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Sunrise wilderness camp in the Grand Tetons
Backcountry campsite at dusk

Experience the thrill of the western way of life from those bygone years as you join us on the Teton Covered Wagon Train and Horse Adventure into the spectacular Teton and Yellowstone Mountain Country surrounding Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Double H Bar, Inc.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Double H Bar Brand
DOUBLE H BAR

Teton Wagon Train
& Horse Adventure

Living the Western Dream
Jackson Hole, Wyoming

History of the Teton Wagon Train

Fifty Years of Western Tradition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Three covered wagons and a horse rider traveling through a grassy meadow
A glimpse into the American West

For the past 50 years, our wagon train adventure has provided guests from all over the world with a high quality western outdoor experience. This same tradition will continue with you as our guest. National articles have appeared in the following magazines: Country Woman, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Modern Maturity, U.S. News and World Report as well as many other national publications. “Two on the Town” TV show in Los Angeles featured the Wagon Train in their segment on “The American Cowboy”.

Elijah Nicholas Wilson (Uncle Nick Wilson)
Elijah Nicholas Wilson (“Uncle Nick” • “Yagaki”)

The heritage of the Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure dates back to 1854 when “Uncle Nick” Wilson as a boy of 12 passed through Jackson Hole with the Shoshone Indians. Uncle Nick or “Yagaki”, as he was known to the Indians was adopted by the mother of Washakie, Chief of the Shoshone, and lived with them for two years. In later years, Uncle Nick rode for the Pony Express and drove for the Overland Stage.

Trail ride through the forest
Trail ride through national forest

In 1889, Uncle Nick drove the first covered wagons over Teton Pass into Jackson Hole and the town of Wilson still bears his name today. Bill Thomas, a descendant of Uncle Nick, and his wife, Joyce, began the tradition of the Teton Covered Wagon Train many years ago. The reins were then passed to their son, Billy. Jeff Warburton worked closely with Bill, Joyce and Billy for many seasons. Jeff and his brother Chris are now proud to continue the strong Covered Wagon Train tradition.

Jeff Warburton continuing Covered Wagon Train tradition
The Wagon Master • Jeff Warburton

Our families and our crew provide the personal attention and service which makes us the best covered wagon train trip and horse adventure in the country. Many of the Warburton’s ancestors crossed the plains with wagon trains and helped settle the West. Matthew Caldwell crossed the plains during the Mexican-American War and then assisted in the rescue of the ill-fated Donner Party. Richard Warburton came from England to travel West and start the Warburton ranching tradition. His son, Richard Warburton, worked as a blacksmith during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Later, he and his brothers were the first to open new country as they searched for new livestock range.

Sunrise wilderness camp in the Grand Tetons
Backcountry campsite at dusk

Experience the thrill of the western way of life from those bygone years as you join us on the Teton Covered Wagon Train and Horse Adventure into the spectacular Teton and Yellowstone Mountain Country surrounding Jackson Hole, Wyoming.