Guide to Wildlife in Jackson Hole
Our region’s wondrous natural landscapes are enhanced by the presence of majestic bison, elk, and other local wildlife, creating awe-inspiring sights and experiences that can only be enjoyed in Jackson Hole.
Jackson Hole has the unique pleasure of being surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of gorgeous national park land. From the mountains, lakes and meadows of Grand Teton National Park to the geothermal hot springs and alpine forests of Yellowstone National Park, this abundance of natural beauty hosts a diverse mix of animal life that adds to the charm of these sacred lands.
The influence of the wildlife common in and around Jackson Hole is palpable throughout the towns of Jackson and Teton Village, such as the oft-photographed elk antler arches in Jackson’s Town Square. Local wildlife themes also carry throughout each of the four hotels operated by Town Square Inns, with elk antlers, wildlife photography and other elements creating an immersive Old West lodging experience.
Wildlife Common in Jackson Hole
The region is home to hundreds of species of wildlife. Perhaps the two animals most synonymous with Jackson Hole are the aforementioned elk — thousands of which migrate to the National Elk Refuge in the winter — and bison, with Yellowstone being home the largest bison population on public land in the United States. Among the other more common animals you’re likely to encounter during your visit are moose, pronghorn, wolves, coyotes, bighorn sheep and grizzly and black bears.
![A hawk flies through the blue skies in Yellowstone National Park with a trout in its claws.](https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bb3a83e34a0da5d719f9e3b1586330ce 320w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0c94a074502164160fbbdc152bc0da2d 540w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=06b6c4dfe093bcf1ec7fdc5bb4667bca 768w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=548cd02b553ca23fc6420088a051d00c 1024w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e14310138b4810436de38681f42c8ab1 1200w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ae0161c03e4b466f728396c057e0c498 1440w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c06e903f7af2c4dce9e8376f4d2dc79f 1920w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=3f2dd3ea774d4f900c973a5f465f26f2 2560w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/colton-jones-_ZX2WYM3_BM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=56dee1539ef3d97fef659e6c91adaf58 3840w)
In the lakes and rivers, anglers can fish for a variety of trout — cutthroat, brook, brown and lake — as well as chinook salmon and northern pike. Look to the skies as well, as you’re certain to spot a few of our winged residents during your visit, including bald eagles, owls, hawks, geese and smaller birds, such as the colorful western tanager.
Spotting Wildlife in Jackson Hole
The best way to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife is by joining a tour led by an expert guide, many of which are available throughout the year. Tour options include summer, fall and winter safaris into each of the national parks, as well as dog sledding tours through the Jackson Hole countryside. One of the more whimsical tour options is a sleigh ride through National Elk Refuge in the winter, where you can spot some of the up to 7,000 elk that migrate here during the winter months.
![A moose with antlers walks through tall grass and brush in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.](https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=651762351f3ce43faf9177b953cbd6d7 320w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bcf25dfea35aa217a42f511a8df706ef 540w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=23d16f28b970c5b80610567015765b8e 768w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c22d48fc0d75fbbabbe46f6502858357 1024w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d45f0c0f2002c57df30249888169353f 1200w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5a84435406ebd7d27c55cf542d89e601 1440w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=34765dad2702966058988524b1617e1f 1920w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=056c26598efd79dcbc7c5c7226ce389a 2560w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/zachery-perry-tA1Isg4ujHw-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=9d6d3375c3b9d95a2275d0d617abfa1f 3840w)
You’re also likely to spot wildlife on your own while traveling along the park roads or hiking the trails in the national parks. Some of the most popular wildlife-spotting locations in Grand Teton National Park include Oxbow Bend, where ospreys, eagles, river otters and other animals with an appetite for fish like to feast. Look for moose on the water’s edge or elk grazing nearby. If you’re fast enough, catch a glimpse of the fastest land animal on the continent, the pronghorn antelope, at Timbered Island, or cruise along the Snake River on a raft to spot elk, bison, bald eagles and great blue herons.
![Two bison run in a grassy clearing alongside a riverbed in Yellowstone National Park.](https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=75b81210fe6c17297f44d851067d8575 320w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=93ab95c025b945a6c8555528417f400d 540w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b68b7e2e9a264ba55ebce2a1e4c181b5 768w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0e74f6d49eb644d9a2b7918d8b5090fe 1024w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7de0054cdbcd46c1256b9fd8d8cb7a07 1200w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8e49e98a2fb10587f6dc092d93ca6690 1440w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4cb772ba3d98fcb46e98c8af766f797f 1920w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=c79d57c93b9aef530fe29386239dd2a5 2560w, https://tsi-2021.imgix.net/images/yannick-menard-ISs7qT9fEn8-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a23598be1c90c5361dc229a6edfb825d 3840w)
In Yellowstone National Park, look for bears, wolves, and large herds of bison near the Hayden and Lamar valleys, moose near the northeast and south entrances, and mule deer, elk, and more bison around the Mammoth Hot Springs. Bison and elk have also been spotted around the park’s signature geyser, Old Faithful.
It is always important to observe the wildlife safely and from a distance, as to avoid any danger to yourself or the animals. If hiking or biking, always be equipped with bear spray or other deterrents.
Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow
Town Square Inns has partnered with Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow to protect Wyoming’s wildlife and landscapes.
When it comes to wildlife in the United States, nothing compares to the bison, moose, and elk of Wyoming. Wildlife is one of the main attractions of Jackson Hole and the Town Square Inns is giving back so future generations can continue to enjoy Wyoming wildlife and landscapes.
Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow inspires businesses and individuals who depend on Wyoming's wildlife to help fund projects that make a difference. Visit Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow to learn more.
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