In late spring, elk begin migrating off the Refuge toward their summer ranges. If you’re lucky you may even see more (herds of up to six to eight thousand have been reported!) Elk are usually seen on the Refuge December to April. On average, there are roughly 5,000 elk that migrate to the Refuge during the winter months. Refuge Road can get a little icy following snowstorms.Īlternatively, there are great bike and walking paths that parallel the road if you prefer a more eco-friendly route. Be sure to check the winter weather conditions before you make the trek. During the winter months access is limited to only the first 3.5 miles so you don’t disturb the herd beyond. Yes! It’s easy to drive into the Refuge by taking (the aptly named) Refuge Road. during sleigh ride season. Elk Refuge sleigh rides depart 3-4 times per hour, 10:00 a.m. Sleigh rides last 45 minutes to 1 hour the total time for the tour is 1 1/2 hours including shuttle bus pick up and drop off. Accommodations exist for visitors with disabilities. Tours depart from the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, where a shuttle bus picks up sleigh ride participants and takes them to the boarding area for sleighs. Warmly-dressed visitors can take all of this in stride. Chilling winds often blow up the valley, and snowstorms can happen anytime. Surprisingly, the temperature can feel significantly colder on the sleigh ride compared to in town. Appropriate dress for your sleigh ride includes a warm coat, hat, gloves, and warm boots. Your sleigh ride will last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, so please dress warmly. at the north end of Jackson. Look for the white trailer in the parking lot. Tickets can also be purchased directly from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm during sleigh ride season at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 N. However, we strongly recommend reservations during holidays and for large groups. Reservations are available for everyone, but not required. Sleigh rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The season is scheduled through the end of March/first weekend of April, tentatively, weather and herd conditions permitting, Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride Booking & Tickets Tour the Elk Refuge by Sleigh!Īt the National Elk Refuge, sleigh tours are available to winter visitors from mid-December through early April. Today, the refuge encompasses 25,000 acres of elk winter range, the only winter range remaining for elk near Jackson Hole. The sleigh rides became so popular that in 1965, the refuge began offering sleigh ride tours to the public. People living in Jackson Hole in the late 1800s and early 1900s became aware of the nearby elk herd and began using sleighs to travel to their feeding grounds to see them. Interest in the animals grew, and the refuge was officially established in 1912. As their lands were settled, their numbers were reduced, and the remaining elk gradually migrated to the mountainous west. Hundreds of years ago, elk roamed much of what was now North America, grazing in grasslands, valleys, and foothills all across the continent. Visit the National Elk Refuge for an unforgettable wildlife experience: a horse-drawn sleigh ride through an elk herd, with elk numbering in the thousands! National Elk Refuge near Jackson, Wyoming Visit the National Elk Refuge Near Jackson Hole
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