You are here Jackson Hole is home to a diverse range of wildlife, but you won't find a more impressive (or memorable) wildlife experience than at the Jackson Hole Elk Refuge. Each winter, thousands of elk travel long distances to winter together on the snowy plains of the Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole.

Yes, Jackson Hole is home to one of the largest elk populations in North America. In 2026, the "Jackson Elk Herd" is a major focus for wildlife managers, with approximately 8,000 to 11,000 elk wintering in the area. The centerpiece of their habitat is the National Elk Refuge (NER), established in 1912 just north of the town of Jackson. During the winter months (December through April), the elk migrate from high-elevation meadows in Yellowstone and the Tetons to the refuge floor, where they are supplementally fed to survive the deep snowpack. Visitors can take horse-drawn sleigh rides into the heart of the herd for a close-up view. In the spring, the herd splits into four segments, following the "green-up" of new forage back into the mountains. A new 2026 study by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department uses GPS collars to track these migrations more accurately, helping to manage survival rates and hunting practices. The sight of thousands of elk against the backdrop of the Teton Range remains one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles in the American West.