In addition to being home to about 7500 elk today, the refuge is home to approximately 1,000 bison and a decent number of bighorn sheep. That acreage is located between Jackson to the northeast, Grand Teton National Park to the north and Bridger-Teton National Forest to the east. Before the situation got any worse, local citizens decided to take action, establishing the Elk Refuge in 1912.ĭesigned to protect the largest elk herd on the planet approximately 23,000 acres were reserved for the purpose. As the city of Jackson began expanding near the end of the nineteenth century, the herd’s route was essentially blocked and the population started to shrink drastically. Originally believed to have approximately 25,000 members in the herd, the elk would migrate from the Jackson Hole area down to southern Yellowstone and back every year. For animal lovers, it's truly a must-see. Snap social media–worthy pics of the large herds as your guide explains how the elk migrate from the surrounding area to the refuge, a 24,700-acre (9,996-hectare) winter sanctuary to 47 different mammals and nearly 175 species of birds such as trumpeter swans and bald eagles.Īt the end of a memorable 8-hour tour of this winter wonderland, your guide returns you to your hotel where your tour ends.Have you ever wondered what the American plains looked like before large populations eradicated most of the wildlife? We’re all familiar with the lyrics from “Home on the Range,” which say, in part, “Oh, give me a home where the Buffalo roam where the deer and the antelope play.” Sadly, that image of the west is hard to come by in this day and age, but a visit to Wyoming's National Elk Refuge offers a unique glimpse into the past. On any given day, you could see moose, bison, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, bald eagles, golden eagles, pronghorn, coyotes, or even wolves as you explore the park.Īt midday, come in from the cold to enjoy lunch in the famous western cowboy town of Jackson, Wyoming.Īfter lunch, head back outside for a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the National Elk Refuge. Even in the quiet of a snowy winter, wildlife can be spotted in the park and your guide knows where to look for animals. Finally, after a day of searching for wildlife and celebrating the beauty of nature, your Grand Teton day trip concludes with a warm, comfortable ride to back to your Jackson Hole hotel.Īfter early morning pickup from your Jackson Hole hotel, your naturalist guide takes you into Grand Teton National Park.
In addition to being the elk’s winter home, it also plays host to 47 mammal species and 175 species of birds. This refuge stretches across 24,700 acres (9,996 hectares).
Your guide will discuss how the herds of elk migrate all the way here from Yellowstone. Afterwards, experience a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the heart of the National Elk Refuge. Bighorn sheep are also common in Grand Teton National Park, as are moose, mule deer, coyotes, pronghorn antelope, and wolves. Upon entering the snowy and scenic park, join your guide in scanning the landscape for movement and signs of wildlife, and since your knowledgeable guide knows right where to look, there’s a good chance of spotting a wealth of wildlife from bison to eagles to elk. This Grand Teton wildlife tour begins at your Jackson Hole hotel, where your local guide will transport you to Grand Teton National Park.
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