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National Elk Refuge Review

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National Elk Refuge

Address: 532 N. Cache Dr., Jackson, WY | Map It
Phone: 307/733-5771

Category: Nature Preserves
Location: Jackson

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Fodor's Review:

Wildlife abounds on this 25,000-acre refuge year-round at the foot of "Sleeping Indian" mountain. But from around late November through March, the real highlight is the more than 7,500 elk, many with enormous antler racks, that winter here. There are also buffalo, and limited hunts, depending on population size, to cull the herds. The Refuge Road entrance lies about 1 mi from the Town Square just past St. John's hospital on East Broadway. Elk can also be observed from various pullouts along U.S. 191 or up close by slowly driving your car on the refuge's winding unpaved roads. There's also a horse-drawn sleigh ride, giving visitors the chance to see the elk stand or eat calmly as sleighs loaded with families and supplied with alfalfa pellets move in their midst. Among the other animals that make their home here are buffalo, coyote, mountain sheep, trumpeter swan, and other waterfowl. Arrange for sleigh rides through the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 N. Cache. www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge in Jackson; wear warm clothing, including hats, gloves, boots, long johns, and coats.

Cost: Sleigh rides $16
Open: Year-round; sleigh rides mid-Dec.-Mar.

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