National Elk Refuge Tours
6 Reviews

Part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Elk Refuge protects a 24,700-acre (10,000-hectare) winter habitat for the Jackson Elk Herd and several other endangered species of mammals, birds, and fish. With Grand Teton National Park as a backdrop, visitors can spot 47 species of mammals and nearly 175 species of birds.
The Basics
The National Elk Refuge represents one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities from Jackson Hole. Visitors can choose to explore independently by driving along Refuge Road or join a guided tour of the land. Sleigh rides are popular in winter, while walking and biking tours occur in the summer.
The Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, located in the southwest corner of the refuge, offers information on the history and habitats of the surrounding landscapes. History buffs should stop at historic Miller Ranch to learn about the first homesteaders to settle in the area. A visit to the refuge can also be combined with a tour of Grand Teton National Park.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The National Elk Refuge is a must-visit for families and wildlife enthusiasts visiting Jackson Hole.
- Visit the refuge on a half-day tour, or combine it with Grand Teton National Park for a full day of wildlife viewing.
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife, for both your safety and the animals’.
- Dress in layers with sturdy shoes, and don’t forget to bring sun protection, even in winter.
How to Get There
The entrance to the National Elk Refuge is just a mile from Jackson Hole. Most visitors drive there independently, though it’s also possible to join a wildlife watching tour with included round-trip transportation from Jackson Hole hotels.
When to Get There
It’s possible to spot wildlife at the refuge year-round, but the best time for elk sightings is near dawn or dusk during the winter months, when some 5,000 elk come to the refuge to overwinter. If you visit during summer, ask at the visitor’s center for suggestions on where to spot elk.
ElkFest
Each weekend before Memorial Day, the Jackson Hole community gathers in Town Square to celebrate ElkFest. Among the main events is an antler auction, where thousands of pounds of elk antlers collected by the National Elk Refuge staff are sold to benefit the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Jackson District Boy Scouts.
Address: Jackson, Wyoming, USA
14 Tours and Activities to Experience National Elk Refuge
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Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge Winter Day Trip
There’s a special beauty to Grand Teton National Park in the snowy silence of winter, free of the summertime crowds. On this Grand Teton day trip from Jackson Hole, a guide helps you search for bison and bighorn sheep, and you could also see moose, coyotes, eagles, or even wolves. In addition, visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art as well as the National Elk Refuge, where you ride past herds of powerful elk on a comfortable, horse-drawn sleigh.
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From
$199.00
From
$199.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Half-Day Wildlife Safari Tour at Grand Teton National Park
This half-day wildlife viewing tour takes in the splendor of the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. Travel into the great American outdoors with an interpretive guide who shares insightful commentary on the region’s natural and cultural history. Cast your lens on herds of bison, pronghorn, elk and more. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Jackson Hole is included.
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From
$145.00
From
$145.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Luxury Private Half-Day Grand Teton Tour & Sleigh Ride
Dressed in winter white and bathed in endless sunrise and sunset colors, the Teton Mountain Range offers endless photo opportunities. The tour will start with a beverage of your choice and/or a snack while en route to a horse drawn sleigh ride on The National Elk Refuge. This spectacular setting is home to elk, herds of bison, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, coyotes and eagles. The National Elk Refuge is the wintering ground for thousands of elk that seek the low valley in order to better endure the harsh winter. From there, you will travel into the Grand Teton National Park. Stops may include Gros Ventre, Moose-Wilson Corridor, Pacific Creek, Oxbow Bend, Willow Flats, Pilgrim Creek and/or Colter Bay.
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From
$765.00
per group
From
$765.00
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Half-Day Grand Teton Wildlife Private Safari Tour
Jackson Hole may be known as a winter sports hub, but skiers and snowboarders often miss the majestic wildlife that make the Tetons truly spectacular. On this half-day wildlife tour, join a naturalist guide on the search for the region's wintering creatures, from elk and bison to bighorn sheep. Take in the natural beauty of the region's mountain ranges, enjoy breaks for scenic photo ops, and refuel with a light breakfast, included.
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From
$765.00
per group
From
$765.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Wildlife Tour in Teton National Park and Elk Refuge
This private tour, makes the most out of your winter day in the Tetons. Everything is supplied to make the day carefree. Sleigh ride, lunch, visit to the museum included. We look for the wildlife that makes Jackson Hole famous.
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From
$425.00
Price varies by group size
From
$425.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Best of Jackson Hole Wildlife Private Safari Tour
Explore Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge in search of wintering wildlife. After convenient hotel pickup in Jackson Hole and a light breakfast, travel with your guide to search for moose, big horn sheep, bald eagles, elk, and wolves. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and, if visiting between December and March, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the largest elk heard in North America.
…More
From
$1,275.00
per group
From
$1,275.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Best of Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari Tour
Search out Jackson Hole's winter wildlife on a snowy safari through the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. You'll be hot on the trail of thousands of deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bison that travel into the valley each winter, alongside a population of eagles, swans, coyotes, fox, and wolves. After a morning wildlife safari through the national park, hop a horse-drawn sleigh in the National Elk Refuge, gliding into the middle of North America's largest wild elk herd.
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From
$275.00
From
$275.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Half Day Grand Teton Wildlife Safari Tour
Go in search of animals in their wintertime habitats on this wildlife tour from Jackson Hole. You'll explore the areas around Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge to look for elk, bison, bighorn sheep, foxes, coyotes, deer, waterfowl, bald eagles, moose, and maybe a wolf, stopping for plenty of photo ops. Along the way, hear about the ecology and history of this alpine region.
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From
$145.00
From
$145.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Life So Wild Tours - Your Private Luxury Wildlife Tour
There is more to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) than Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson Hole. And we want to take you to see it all. Have you heard of Shoshone National Forest or seen Beartooth Pass? We can take you to see the ins, outs, and backroads of these areas and much more of this entire beautiful ecosystem.
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From
$865.00
per group
From
$865.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole VIP Jeep Tour
An exciting half day tour to Jackson's best known landmarks and The Grand Teton National Park. This a private tour with your own personal photographer. Multiple stops with wildlife viewing, and a trip up Teton Pass and a stop at World Famous Jackson Skis Resort.
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From
$350.00
From
$350.00
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Grand Teton Park & Jackson Hole - PRIVATE Morning Wildlife Tour
Spend the morning or afternoon with tour Private, local guide exploring the wildlife sweet spots in Jackson Hole...looking for moose, bison, elk, big horn sheep, coyotes, foxes, eagles and even wolves! Tour will Depart at 8:00am, 1:00pm or a negotiated time from your Teton Village or the Town of Jackson, WY lodging and conclude 4 hours later. Tour includes local guide, transportation, Park entry fee and the use of binoculars.
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From
$800.00
Price varies by group size
From
$800.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Grand Teton Park & Jackson Hole - PRIVATE Full-Day Wildlife Tour
Spend a day with a Private, local guide exploring the wildlife sweet spots in Jackson Hole, parts of Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge...looking for moose, bison, elk, big horn sheep, coyotes, foxes, eagles and even wolves! Tour will Depart at 8:00am from your Teton Village or the Town of Jackson, WY lodging and conclude 8 hours later. Tour includes local guide, transportation, Park entry fee, delicious hot lunch, Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride and the use of binoculars.
…More
From
$1,200.00
Price varies by group size
From
$1,200.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Grand Teton Park & Jackson Hole - PRIVATE Afternoon Wildlife Tour
Explore the amazing wildlife habitat of Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole. Throughout your journey, your local guide will search for the park’s resident wildlife including bison, moose, big horn sheep, coyotes, eagles and more. Your tour includes round-trip transport from Jackson hotels, experienced guide, Park Entry fees and the use of binoculars.
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From
$800.00
Price varies by group size
From
$800.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Luxury Private Grand Teton Full-Day Tour and Sleigh Ride
Enjoy your hot coffee and fresh pastries while en route to a horse drawn sleigh ride on The National Elk Refuge at sunrise. This spectacular setting is home to elk, herds of bison, rocky mountain bighorn sheep, coyotes and eagles. The National Elk Refuge is the wintering ground for thousands of elk that seek the low valley in order to better endure the harsh winter. From there, you will travel into the Grand Teton National Park. Your guide will pick a special place to enjoy a boxed lunch and share their knowledge on the ecosystem and geology. You will continue your day seeing multiple mountain ranges, viewing historic structures and seeing the hidden gems of the area.
Guides are well versed in the animals and the scenery but also the history, geology, thermal activity, ecology etc. and they always know the best hiding spots!
…More
From
$1,275.00
per group
From
$1,275.00
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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