Group wagon ride with a tour guide who was very informative about the Elks and the reserve. It was cold so they provided blankets. Interesting how they picked out specific animals and told us how lots of the same Elk returned year after year, what made their antlers different, etc.
We drove to the site and you can see about 1000 elk grazing, but you really have to pay the $20 to go out on the cart if you want to see them up close. It would be 100% worth it, but we ran out of time.
We occasionally see elk near our Colorado home, but it was nothing short of awesome to see so many wintering elk on the refuge. Our wagon ride took us very near them and they were magnificent.
Had the opportunity to visit the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming this past week. The staff in the main building were excellent hosts and provided good information about the history of the area and the refuge itself.The driver (David) we had for our wagon was extremely knowledgeable and kept us entertained throughout the tour. While out there, we saw, in addition to the Elk herd, several American Bald Eagles, Big-Horned Sheep, and Mule Deer. I highly recommend this tour to everyone of any age!
The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was incredible! Definitely recommend this sleigh ride tour for a sunny afternoon. Make sure your camera batteries are charged!
I drove through the Refuge myself and spent nearly two hours there photographing the herd of bighorn sheep and elk. I also saw a beautiful bald eagle eating the carcass of a dead elk. You can also take the horse drawn wagon rides right through the herd but you can also see them from the road on each side of the Refuge. Bring binoculars and a good camera lens for the best viewing.
I'm not aware of any other relatively convenient refuge, but in the winter months, you'll see 9000 elks grazing in the valley. In the summer, forget it, its an empty valley since they've headed for the highlands.
did this on a sunny day after few inches of snow night before, still had to use wagons (not enogh snow for sleigh) but light snow made for some beautiful pics. Tour guide explained elk are so used to the horse drawn wagons/sleighs (know they will not hurt them, and actually used in the past to feed them) which allows you to get up right next to them without them getting spooked. saw few males "sparring" (antler fights) and a coyote and bald eagles feasting on carcasses ... informative guide, hassle free to/fro, highly recommend.
This was a different type of year for Jackson with less snow than usual in the Valley. So our Sleigh ride morphed into a wagon ride but never the less the experience was just as rich. Thanks to Patricia for reserving two full wagons for our Fountain Valley Ski club members. It was an experience that few of us will forget. Being up close and personal to such majestic creatures was a real treat.