Outdoors Jackson
National Elk Refuge
An outdoor spot in Jackson, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
Refuge on the edge of Jackson where thousands of elk spend the winter on open, snowy meadows.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Jackson, alongside 3 activities, 2 sights and 1 place for a drink. The closest of our other picks is Town Square, 0.7 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Jackson. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Town Square
Jackson's central park, entered under four arches made of shed elk antlers that are strung with lights in winter.
Sight · 0.7 mi straight-line - 2Elk Refuge sleigh ride
Horse-drawn sleigh rides out among the wintering elk, leaving from the visitor center on North Cache Street.
Activity · 0.7 mi straight-line - 3The Wort Hotel
Downtown hotel from 1941, home of the Silver Dollar Bar with its bar top inlaid with silver dollars.
Stay · 0.7 mi straight-line - 4Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Jackson's town-square saloon since 1937, with saddle barstools and live country music.
Drinks · Grand Teton National Park · 0.7 mi straight-line - 5Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Western bar on Town Square with saddles for bar stools, live country music and a dance floor.
Drinks · 0.7 mi straight-line - 6Snow King Mountain
Jackson's town ski hill since 1939, rising straight from the edge of downtown, with night skiing.
Activity · 0.9 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
National Elk Refuge is a stop on our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Jackson
National Elk Refuge is our only outdoors pick in Jackson; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Jackson guide.
-
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Steep ski area above Teton Village with more than 4,000 feet of vertical and an aerial tram to Rendezvous Mountain.
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National Museum of Wildlife Art
Museum of wildlife painting and sculpture built into a hillside directly across from the Elk Refuge.
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Mangy Moose
Teton Village saloon and restaurant at the base of the tram, a Jackson Hole après-ski fixture since the 1960s.
When to go
Average daily highs in Jackson run from 27°F in December to 82°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For National Elk Refuge itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Jackson from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Jackson weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for National Elk Refuge, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 43.48028, -110.74806
- Destination
- Jackson, Wyoming
National Elk Refuge: quick answers
How much time do you need at National Elk Refuge?
Plan on about an hour at National Elk Refuge. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit National Elk Refuge?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Drive the refuge road north of town for bighorn sheep on the cliffs as well.
Is National Elk Refuge free?
Yes, we list National Elk Refuge as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include National Elk Refuge?
National Elk Refuge appears on Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add National Elk Refuge to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Jackson.
Plan Jackson
- Jackson travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit Jackson weather by month
- Grand Teton National Park to Jackson 22 mi straight-line
- Jackson to Yellowstone 79 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Jackson
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Activity
- Mangy Moose Food
- National Museum of Wildlife Art Sight
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.