Winter Wildlife Watching

Jackson Hole is known for its amazing scenery rich with wildlife, but the deep winter snow pushes many animals farther down from the mountains making them abundant and easy to spot.

National Elk Refuge

Every winter thousands of elk call Jackson Hole home, and one of the easiest and most unique ways to get up close and personal to these elk, is to take a sleigh ride out onto the Refuge. Pick up your tickets and bus at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center on North Cache. You will arrive at the refuge and board a horse drawn sleigh that will get you closer than you can imagine to these amazing animals, while a knowledgeable guide will get you acquainted with the animals that call the refuge home. Learn more about the sleigh ride here.

After you return from your sleigh ride, drive over to the Elk Refuge Road, off of West Broadway, on the east side of the refuge to find Big Horn Sheep making their winter home on Miller Butte. If you are lucky, they will be feeding near the road, or they might even come over to lick the salt off of your car. Antelope, Buffalo, Deer, wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions also call the refuge home so take your binoculars and scan the hills. Find a map here.

Another easily accessible trip is driving US 26 South from Jackson and turning West at Hoback junction, you will travel the scenic snake river canyon, but keep your eyes open for the camouflaged Mountain Goats blending into the snowy hillsides. Mountain Goats are non-native to Wyoming, but were introduced into Idaho for hunting purposes, and  eventually migrated to the snake river canyon. Drive carefully as they are often  right next to the road.

Wildlife Tour
If you are visiting and don’t have a vehicle, or want to get an in depth biology lesson with your wildlife viewing, check out one of the many wildlife viewing tours in the valley and

Visit the chamber of commerce for a complete list of wildlife guides.