Ranch
History
Lost Creek Ranch has a storied past of homesteading and hospitality in the iconic American West. From staking a claim, to taking a stand for land ownership in the valley when Grand Teton National Park was being developed, this legendary group of owners have always had a passion for the place and an interest in sharing it with others.
Halpin Legacy
The Halpin family purchased the ranch in 1968 in order to continue Albert’s legacy of inviting new people to experience the region’s tradition of dude ranching. The Halpin family became the sole owners of Lost Creek Ranch in 1989. Over the years, subsequent generations of the Halpin family have brought families together to enjoy the amazing wildlife, scenic beauty and recreational opportunities in Jackson Hole.
In addition to owning Lost Creek Ranch, Jerry Halpin had a long and successful career developing real estate in the Washington, D.C. area. With a passion for wildlife and the natural beauty of the area, in 1997 he founded the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. As of 2017, that organization had raised $65 million to support the park that Lost Creek Ranch overlooks.
Jerry and his wife Helen passed away in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Lost Creek Ranch, and its rich history in Jackson Hole, continues to be a part of their legacy, evidenced by multiple generations of the Jerry and Helen Halpin family who have, over many years, called Lost Creek Ranch home.
A letter from the Gottwald Family
Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, we are a close-knit family composed of three generations of the Bruce Gottwald family. In the mid-1990’s, when our family first visited Lost Creek Ranch, we quickly felt a connection to the land and the staff. From its iconic views of the Tetons to scenic float trips, fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and intimate cookouts and campouts to name a few, Lost Creek kept our family returning for ten summers. As we continued to return to LCR each summer, our experience as guests strengthened our love for the West and Jackson Hole– so much so that we have owned a ranch in Montana for almost 20 years. Shaped by the traditions formed at LCR, we continue to strengthen our love for the West and set out to teach our next generations to ride, fish, and hunt.
An essential element to our experience as guests that kept our family returning summer after summer, were the numerous wranglers and staff who made us feel like their family. Not only did we form lasting relationships with many LCR employees over the years, some of us even worked here for brief periods. Our family knows the importance of guest experience, with some members working in the hospitality industry. A member of our family owns and operates The Georges Inn, a boutique inn in Lexington, VA, which was recognized by Travel & Leisure as one of the Top 100 Hotels in the World in 2020. Recognizing the impact of the memorable positive experiences LCR had on us, combined with our own experience in the industry, we are committed to maintaining a high level of hospitality and quality of service at this ranch for years to come.
We understand why the Halpin family chose Lost Creek Ranch as their heaven on earth. There is no place else with access to the great treasures of the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, that also have the beauty and comfort of this ranch. We have enormous respect for the Halpins, their stewardship of the land and commitment to the Greater Jackson Hole area, and their creation of the premier western guest ranch that is Lost Creek. We plan to build on this and look forward to continuing this nearly 100-year-old tradition at Lost Creek, introducing others to the West, and giving more guests the same experience that helped shape who we are.
