Jackson Hole: Grand Teton Wildlife Safari & Elk Refuge

Summary

Wildlife moments in Jackson Hole’s open silence with local stories

You’ll start your day with hotel pickup in Jackson Hole and head straight into wide-open spaces where elk herds gather and bison graze under snowy peaks. With a local guide leading your small group, you’ll share warm drinks outside while scanning for moose or eagles — maybe even catch sight of foxes or coyotes if luck’s on your side. Every stop feels personal, and you’ll leave feeling part of this wild place for a little while.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed after our guide picked us up in Jackson was how quiet the morning felt — like even the snow was holding its breath. We’d barely left town before he pointed out a cluster of elk moving through the white fields of the National Elk Refuge. They looked almost faded against all that winter light. He handed me binoculars (real ones, not those toy things) and I fumbled them a bit, but finally caught sight of a coyote trotting along behind. Not sure why that made me laugh — maybe just nerves or excitement? Anyway, it felt like we were already deep into this Grand Teton wildlife safari and we hadn’t even reached the park yet.

I still remember how cold the air felt when we stopped to watch bison. Our guide — I think his name was Mike — told us about their winter habits while pouring coffee from a battered thermos. My fingers went numb holding the cup, but it tasted better than any café stuff back home. There was this moment where everyone just stood quietly, watching steam rise from the bison’s backs as they moved through patches of sagebrush poking out of the snow. Someone tried to spot a moose with one of those UHD scopes (I’m hopeless with those), and Mike just grinned and said patience is half the fun.

We drifted between stops based on what we wanted to see or what Mike heard on his radio — sometimes bald eagles overhead, sometimes trumpeter swans gliding along an icy river bend. No one rushed us. If you’re hoping for wolves, well… we didn’t see any that day, but honestly I didn’t mind. There’s something about not knowing what’s next that makes every sighting feel earned. The wildlife safari from Jackson Hole isn’t really about ticking boxes anyway; it’s more like letting yourself be surprised by whatever shows up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wildlife safari in Grand Teton area

• Visit National Elk Refuge
• Explore Grand Teton National Park
• Stop at Jackson Hole Visitor Center
• Stop at Moose Visitor Center

Top questions

How long is the Grand Teton wildlife safari tour?

The tour is a half-day experience departing from Jackson Hole.

Is hotel pickup included for this wildlife safari?

Yes, hotel or lodging pickup and drop off are included in Jackson Hole.

What animals can I expect to see on this tour?

You may see elk, bison, deer, moose, foxes, coyotes, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and possibly wolves depending on conditions.

Are snacks or meals provided during the tour?

A light breakfast (morning tours), snacks, bottled water, and hot/cold drinks are included.

How many people are in each vehicle?

The small group tour has a maximum of 8 guests per vehicle.

Is there an age minimum for children?

The minimum age for public wildlife safaris is 8 years old; private safaris have no age minimum.

Are binoculars or spotting scopes provided?

Yes, UHD binoculars and spotting scopes are available for guest use during the safari.

Will we visit both Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge?

Your itinerary includes both Grand Teton areas and stops at the National Elk Refuge depending on weather and road conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or lodging pickup in Jackson Hole, all transportation in a small group vehicle (max 8 guests), guidance from a professional naturalist who adjusts stops based on wildlife activity and your interests, use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes to get close views of animals like elk or bison, plus bottled water, hot drinks (and cold ones if you want), snacks throughout the trip — with a light breakfast if you’re booked on a morning departure — before returning you back to town at the end.