Jules Butler and her husband Chris MacMillan are Campground Ambassadors at Curtis Canyon. Jules, a native of Connecticut, moved to Jackson Hole in 2014 (after 20 years of being an annual visitor). Chris started visiting Jackson Hole while in utero—his family has ties to Dubois, Wyoming, going back three generations—and he finally moved to the valley (from Illinois) more than 30 years ago.
Unlike many Ambassadors, Jules and Chris are not retired. Jules is a writer and editor—she edits an area visitor guide, Jackson Hole Traveler, and, in 2022, published a book of essays about her experiences as a BTNF Ambassador, “Cowboys and Campers: Tales from a Bridger-Teton National Forest Camping Ambassador.” Chris is a master finish carpenter and project manager for a local contractor and works building cabinets, doors, windows, and furniture for homes throughout Jackson Hole.
They enjoy exploring miles upon miles of the Bridger Teton National Forest throughout the Jackson, Blackrock, and Greys River Ranger Districts in Jules’ Jeep Wrangler.
“I am thrilled to serve the BTNF as an Ambassador,” Jules says. “Educating the public on the proper ways to extinguish campfires and employ safe food storage and answering questions on wildlife and the Teton area is a most rewarding summer experience.” Chris says, “I wanted to become an Ambassador to enjoy nature better and help educate campers/visitors on how to camp responsibly and protect this valuable resource.” No matter where they take their Polaris Razor side-by-side for an off-duty joy ride in the BTNF, they stay on the marked trails and even pick up trash they find littered about; ambassador habits/stewards of the forest responsibilities die hard.
Fun Fact 1: In 2022, Jules and Chris married on the hillside adjacent to their Ambassador campsite.
Fun Fact 2: Chris’s great-grandfather started the Wyoming Tie and Timber Company in 1919. Wyoming played a pivotal role in shaping North America’s logging industry. Tie hacking, or cutting timber for railroad ties, took place in various locations, with the Bridger-Teton National Forest being one of the key areas.
