National Elk Refuge
National Elk Refuge
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
A wildlife refuge located north of Jackson, WY that provides winter habitat for Jackson's elk herd. Seasonal hours of operation are listed on the web site for the Visitor Center, Historic Miller Ranch, and Winter Sleigh Ride tours.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Features animals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,818 reviews
Excellent
1,244
Very good
376
Average
146
Poor
23
Terrible
29
Alaina G
Bastrop, LA28 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
The sleigh ride through the elk refuge was our main reason for visiting Jackson Hole. It’s something my husband had wanted to do for years. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. The weather was perfect the day we went. It was 14 degrees but the sun was shining. Our guide, Cole, was very informative. They really get you up close to the elk. Lots of opportunities to get some good pics! It’s a must do! I would definitely go again.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patricia A
9 contributions
Dec 2022
We took a carriage ride through the National Elk Refuge. Our guide had a wealth of knowledge he imparted. Fascinating.
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Teresa Tobin B
8 contributions
Jan 2023
Had a wonderful experience getting to see the Elk up close, our guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. Had plenty of time to take pictures and videos. Learned quite a bit about the elk as well.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
seasonedtraveler2020
Jackson, WY9 contributions
Sep 2022
The elk can be seen in summer along the Yellowstone Migratory route, this follows the Snake River. Elk congregate on old cattle ranches which are now largely in JHLTn conservations easements. West Boyles Hill Rd is the easiest place to see large herds of elk in the summer months. The USGS has public info on their migration which leads travelers to the easiest places to find them in the summertime.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
olives&andy’s
41 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
I found it hard to get in touch with the office to reserve our spot for Christmas Eve. Once I did the person on the phone unfortunately wasn’t very friendly and insisted she replied to an email and didn’t understand why I was calling.
Once we arrived we picked up our tickets from a trailer and waited in the cold to board a bus. There were no waters or snacks for sale so I recommend bringing this if you have young children.
The bus takes you just a few minutes down the road to a huge reserve. It was a gorgeous snowy day and there were many sleighs and lots of Elk. The views were beautiful but the Elk weren’t as close as displayed in the pictures.
The sleigh has a guide who gives you lots of information about Elk. Ours was somewhat friendly. It was also less of a sleigh and more like a hay ride wagon.
The sleigh stops and goes so much. It’s not a continuous ride. It was about an hour from start to finish. We paid a fair price plus a tip for our guide. At the end you can take photos with the horses.
I was disappointed that our guide didn’t offer to take photos or even get off the sleigh to interact with us. It was definitely a cool experience that I would recommend but was not the highlight of our trip. I would say with the right guide it could have been more fun, more interactive and memorable.
Once we arrived we picked up our tickets from a trailer and waited in the cold to board a bus. There were no waters or snacks for sale so I recommend bringing this if you have young children.
The bus takes you just a few minutes down the road to a huge reserve. It was a gorgeous snowy day and there were many sleighs and lots of Elk. The views were beautiful but the Elk weren’t as close as displayed in the pictures.
The sleigh has a guide who gives you lots of information about Elk. Ours was somewhat friendly. It was also less of a sleigh and more like a hay ride wagon.
The sleigh stops and goes so much. It’s not a continuous ride. It was about an hour from start to finish. We paid a fair price plus a tip for our guide. At the end you can take photos with the horses.
I was disappointed that our guide didn’t offer to take photos or even get off the sleigh to interact with us. It was definitely a cool experience that I would recommend but was not the highlight of our trip. I would say with the right guide it could have been more fun, more interactive and memorable.
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cashkoala
Grass Valley, OR642 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
No elk sighted today. It’s been a warm month so maybe they haven’t come down yet. Temps dropped last night and today………….
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MGQ
Buffalo, NY476 contributions
Sep 2022
We stayed at the Flat Creek Inn which is located directly across the street from the National Elk Refuge. We were there for three days and never saw an elk. We asked at the front desk if the elk were seasonal and were told they are more visible in the fall and winter. Guess our visit was a bit too early.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nymph74
Northern Virginia, VA293 contributions
Jul 2022
We did see a couple of mountain goats, but summer is just the wrong time of year to be at the National Elk Refuge. Would definitely come back!
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Barbara G
2 contributions
Sep 2022
Stay for a week or more.......so much to do with two national parks to explore. Jackson Hole has wonderful activities........museums....fish hatchery.....art museums....great wonderful resturants.....and so many nature drives. You won't run out of things to do.
Written 29 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rob S
Florence, KY118 contributions
Sep 2022
We were there well before the elk arrive, but just the actual site itself is a beautiful stop. The view of it from the Wildlife Art Museum is literally breathtaking.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are visiting Jackson Hole the 1st week of October 2021. Will there be any elk there this time of year?
Jeri
mrbill
Malabar, FL849 contributions
What can you see in late June? Worth a stop?
DePere
De Pere, WI463 contributions
I'm not an expert on this area but since no one else is responding I will give you my thoughts. I believe all of the elk and bighorn sheep will have vacated the area. The best time to visit the Elk Refuge will be January / February. I have been in the area in August and September and there was very little wildlife in the refuge. (When I visited in January, it was fantastic)
kathysean2004
Palm Bay, FL
Can you please tell me where you which company you went through for the horse drawn cart? I have been looking online and all I can find is sleigh rides in winter. We are going in a month and would LOVE to visit the elk refuge! Thank you!
olivier b
Dubai, United Arab Emirates223 contributions
go to the national elk refuge website and book
01ritz
Bernardsville, NJ647 contributions
Is there snow there now to do the horse drawn sleigh ride thru the elk refuge?
Dustin B
Denver, CO45 contributions
Enough snow for this activity is 50/50 before December 25th. You could luck out with a good early winter there or not enough. The peaks will have snow to make it picture perfect but enough for a sleigh ride. Planning an early trip before Janurary and thinking there is going to be enough snow for anything or everything is always a gamble.
regltg8
Glen Arbor, MI
Four of us will be visiting 11/11/17 till 11/18/17. Will the refuge be open then? Also, my husband is highly allergic to horses. Is it possible to tour the refuge without horses?
810Jim
Dundas, Canada22 contributions
It is a self-drive around the refuge. I don't remember seeing any horses. The art museum on the highway opposite the refuge is REALLY worth the entrance fee.
NancydTexas
Boerne, TX1 contribution
We are coming in September
What is the cost just to drive thru the area?
Carolyn M
Hollywood, FL1,120 contributions
Go to the visitors center first. It's on the north side of town heading towards the airport. It's free and has a viewing deck and rangers to answer questions. The information there is fantastic....we learned so much. As they said, it's all free.
jennifer h
Aabenraa, Denmark44 contributions
Is this a place that we do a "self tour"? We will have just driven from Bryce Canyon in Ut. and will need something to do the evening we arrive in Wyoming...can we get out of the car and walk around, of course taking care not to come close to the animals. Is there a high possibility of seen Elk and Bison towards the end of June, or is that mostly in the winter months?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Jennifer
dencrocket
Kalamazoo, MI157 contributions
You might check out this place,
Teton Science School Wildlife Expeditions
They may have some tips for you.
Bobom747
Dallas, TX34 contributions
Will elk be in the refuge in June?
holidayms
Benalla, Australia448 contributions
You can check at the visitors centre but they will most likely tell you to drive out to an area called Kelly off to the right on road out toward the airport, they will give you a map. An SUV car is best as you have a higher view and when you see a herd, bison maybe mobs of up to 100 stop and see which way they are walking then drove to a view point on the road, do not get out of your car. Good luck.
National Elk Refuge (Jackson) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about National Elk Refuge
- National Elk Refuge is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking National Elk Refuge tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 National Elk Refuge tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience National Elk Refuge:
- Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge Winter Wonderland Full Day Adventure (From ₹ 16,184.12)
- Best of Jackson Hole Wildlife Private Safari Tour (From ₹ 72,787.90)
- Half Day Grand Teton Wildlife Safari Tour (From ₹ 13,419.00)
- Luxury Private Half-Day Grand Teton National Park Tour (From ₹ 70,191.93)
- Best of Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari Tour (From ₹ 24,804.81)
- Hotels near National Elk Refuge:
- (0.06 km) Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa at Jackson Hole
- (0.43 km) Inn on the Creek
- (0.20 km) Outpost: Alpine Cottage Four
- (0.20 km) Outpost: Alpine Cottage Two
- (0.20 km) Outpost: Creekside Alpine Cottage Five
- Restaurants near National Elk Refuge:
- (0.13 km) Creekside Market and Deli
- (0.07 km) The Rustic Inn Bistro
- (0.24 km) Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
- (0.56 km) Liberty Burger
- (0.62 km) The Blue Lion