National Elk Refuge

Really enjoyed our visit to the National Elk Refuge even though snow was extremely scarce. Our guide and sleigh driver (Treven) was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and safety conscious. He was able to spot specific types of elk and provide details to educate and inform.

Beautiful views! We didn’t get to see much wildlife due to the limited amount of snowfall this year so far but the tour guides kept us entertained with information on the elk and the refuge. Would love to go back when the elk have moved down into the pasture. Side note: there is an awesome road past the hospital (National Elk Refuge Road) that you can drive back on and we got to see big horned sheep back there (last pic).

On a January day we saw hundreds of elk, 5 or 6 bighorn sheep, a few Trumpeter swans and ducks (too far to discern duck species), and one coyote. 🐺 🦌 🐏 Please be respectful of the people walking or jogging the trail, drive slow, and obey signage.

Great place to see so many elks and bighorns. Nice sleigh rides with friendly guides. Enjoyable experience

An absolute gem. The views and critters you see are amazing. It's a must see and it's not far from Missoula.

We came to the Refuge in July, so it was definitely not the right time of year to see Elk. Nevertheless, the park is still stunning. You can drive, cycle, run, or rent a side by side to travel through the park. We saw people doing all of the above. We saw a coyote, some birds, and an amazing sunset. I wish there were a few more information boards and places to stop and watch for wildlife. I also wish people would slow down before someone gets hurt. It's a bit of a racetrack out there. I definitely recommend stopping by.

We had the chance to drive past the stunning landscape of the National Elk Refuge, a vital wildlife conservation area located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This refuge plays a crucial role in preserving the natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, particularly the large elk population. The refuge is home to around 7,500 elk during the winter months. These elk migrate from the surrounding highlands to the refuge to find food and shelter. Covering approximately 24,700 acres (10,000 hectares), the refuge provides ample space for wildlife to roam and thrive. Although we didn't have the opportunity to see the elk during our visit, the view of this magnificent conservation area was incredibly beautiful. The valley, with its expansive green mountains forming the perfect angle against the blue sky, created a breathtaking panorama that we couldn't take our eyes off. The true beauty of nature was right in front of us, a sight we will always remember.

We popped in at the end of a wildlife tour and immediately saw a number of animals of interest (elk, coyote, eagles, trumpeter swans, bighorn sheep/rams). Was really cool that this is so close to town and also free! *Our guide also said you can drive to the National Museum of Wildlife Art on a clear morning to look out over the valley. Unfortunately we had lots of foggy mornings so it wasn't visible. We were hoping to spot a wolf which he said does happen occasionally!