Grand Teton & National Elk Refuge Winter Tour from Jackson
Search for moose and wolves in the Tetons, then ride a sleigh through wintering elk herds.
A full-day guided tour from Jackson combines morning wildlife viewing in Grand Teton National Park with an afternoon horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge. You travel in a heated vehicle with a naturalist guide, stop for lunch at a Jackson restaurant, and spend the afternoon on the sleigh watching elk in their winter habitat. Hotel pickup and drop-off, binoculars, snacks and beverages are included.
8h
Step-by-step itinerary
Winter tour of Grand Teton and Elk Refuge
- Tour Grand Teton National Park
- Lunch at Jackson restaurant
- Horse-drawn sleigh tour at National Elk Refuge
The Experience
What wildlife might you actually see on a winter morning in the Tetons? The tour starts with hotel pickup and heads into Grand Teton National Park in a heated vehicle, where a naturalist guide watches for moose, wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, and coyotes. The morning is built around the search itself—you're not guaranteed sightings, but the guide knows where animals winter and how to read the landscape. Binoculars are provided, and the vehicle stays warm while you scan the snow-covered valleys and ridges.
After the morning in the park, you stop for a sit-down lunch at a restaurant in Jackson, Wyoming. This break gives you time to warm up and talk through what you've seen before heading to the second half of the day. The National Elk Refuge sits just outside town, and that's where the pace shifts entirely. Instead of a vehicle, you board a horse-drawn sleigh for an up-close view of elk herds in their winter range. The sleigh moves slowly through the refuge, and the quiet of it—no engine noise—is part of what makes the elk comfortable enough to stay nearby as you pass.
The tour runs eight hours total, and the gear matters: snow boots or sturdy hiking boots, a winter coat, long warm pants, gloves, and a scarf are essential. The operator recommends bringing a small blanket for the sleigh ride. Children under five are not permitted on this public tour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the park or back to town.
What’s included
- Naturalist guide in English.
- hotel pickup and drop-off.
- binoculars.
- snacks and beverages.
- restaurant lunch in Jackson.
- National Elk Refuge entry and horse-drawn sleigh ride.
Operated by BrushBuck Wildlife Tours
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see winter wildlife in the Tetons without arranging your own vehicle or timing—the guide handles the search in the park, lunch is built in, and the sleigh ride gives you a completely different way to watch elk in their winter range, all in one day from your hotel.
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Top questions
What animals am I likely to see in Grand Teton in winter?
The guide looks for moose, wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, and coyotes, though sightings depend on where the animals are that day. The naturalist guide knows the winter range and how to spot them, and you'll have binoculars to help.
Is the horse-drawn sleigh ride included in the tour price?
Yes, the National Elk Refuge sleigh ride is part of the full-day tour. Entry to the refuge and the sleigh experience are both included; you just bring a blanket if you have one.
How long does the tour take, and when does it start?
The tour runs eight hours total, starting with hotel pickup in the morning. After the Grand Teton portion and lunch in Jackson, you head to the National Elk Refuge for the afternoon sleigh ride.
What's included in the tour cost?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the naturalist guide, use of binoculars, snacks, beverages, restaurant lunch, and National Elk Refuge entry and sleigh ride are all included. National Park entrance fees ($20 per person) are separate.
Do I need special gear for this tour?
Yes—snow boots or sturdy hiking boots, a winter coat, long warm pants, gloves, and a scarf are necessary. The operator recommends bringing a small blanket for comfort on the sleigh ride.
Can children go on this tour?
Children five and older can join the public tour. Children under five are not permitted. Service animals are allowed.
Grand Teton & National Elk Refuge Winter Tour from Jackson
8h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 219 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.98322 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
