Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari: Private Tour with Elk Sleigh Ride

Winter brings thousands of elk, moose, mule deer and wolves into Jackson Hole valley at once.

A private wildlife safari in Jackson Hole pairs eight hours in the field with a guide who knows where to find mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, coyotes, foxes, eagles, swans and wolves. The tour includes hotel pickup, lunch at a local restaurant, binoculars and spotting scopes, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge when conditions allow: the only way to reach the center of North America's largest wild elk herd. Stops in Grand Teton National Park and elsewhere depend on weather, road conditions and what your group wants to see.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. National Elk Refuge30m
2. Grand Teton National Park30m

Wildlife safari and sleigh ride

• Morning wildlife safari in the field
• Lunch at a local eatery
• Optional horse drawn sleigh ride in National Elk Refuge
• Afternoon wildlife spotting in the field

The experience

Eight hours in the field means you start early and work through the morning before breaking for lunch at a local eatery, then head back out for the afternoon push. The guide is a professional naturalist who explains what you're seeing (the historical and geological context of each stop), and adjusts the route based on weather, road conditions and what the group is interested in. You get UHD binoculars and spotting scopes, so distance is not a barrier to seeing detail.

The sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge is the centerpiece when it's available. A horse-drawn sleigh takes you into the middle of the largest wild elk herd in North America, a gathering that happens only in winter when thousands of animals migrate into the valley. After the sleigh, you return to the field to spot more wildlife. The whole day is private (no other groups, no fixed itinerary beyond the general route), so the guide can linger where animals are active and move on when they're not.

Hotel or lodging pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport. Bottled water, hot and cold drinks and snacks travel with you. The tour suits all fitness levels and has no age minimum for private bookings.

What’s included

• Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a full day with a professional naturalist guide.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• bottled water, hot and cold drinks and snacks.
• UHD binoculars and spotting scopes.
• a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge when available.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 30 Apr 2027

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 49 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Jackson without a car: pickup from your hotel means you don't arrange transport, and the private format lets the guide follow wildlife instead of keeping to a fixed schedule. The sleigh ride works only in winter, so timing your visit to the season when thousands of elk migrate into the valley is what makes that centerpiece possible.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife am I most likely to see in Jackson Hole in winter?

Thousands of mule deer, elk and moose migrate into the valley each winter, along with bighorn sheep, bison, coyotes, foxes, bald and golden eagles, swans and wolf packs. Winter is the best season to see this concentration of animals in one place.

How does the sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge work?

When conditions allow, a horse-drawn sleigh takes you into the middle of the largest wild elk herd in North America. The sleigh ride is optional and depends on weather and road conditions. Your guide will confirm availability on the day.

What's included in the eight-hour tour?

The tour includes private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water and hot and cold drinks, snacks, UHD binoculars and spotting scopes, a professional naturalist guide, and a sleigh ride when available.

Are the stops in Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge fixed, or do they change?

All stops depend on road conditions, weather and what your group wants to see. Your guide adjusts the route throughout the day to follow wildlife activity and work around any obstacles.

Do I need my own transportation, or is pickup included?

Hotel or lodging pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price, so you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to and from the safari.