Wyoming’s National Parks
There’s more than skiing in Jackson Hole; make time to explore our National Parks.
Whatever the activity, you’re bound to see something special and surprising as you explore. With plentiful, magnificent wildlife, you’ll discover the beauty of Jackson Hole’s Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Yellowstone National Park
Welcome to the first National Park in the United States. With 2.2 million acres of impressive landscapes, waterfalls and lakes, there is always something new to see.
Yellowstone National Park is home to the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest super-volcano on the continent – in fact, half of the world’s geothermal features are in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is a geyser fed by the heat of the caldera.
Yellowstone National Park is home to the Yellowstone Calder – the largest super-volcano on the continent. In fact, half of the world’s geothermal features are in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is a geyser fed by the heat of the caldera.
Within Yellowstone, you’ll find animals ranging from bison and elk to grizzly bears and wolves. In fact, Yellowstone’s bison herd is the largest and oldest public herd in the US.
When it comes to flora, this is an ideal location to see more than 1,700 species of trees and plants, several of which are only found in Yellowstone National Park.
Make time to visit the amazing sights that include Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, Tower Falls, the Yellowstone Caldera, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Enlist our adventure
specialists to help map your journey or hire one of our preferred guides to help you explore this natural wonder just 60 miles to our north.
National Elk Refuge
Created in 1912 to protect and provide sanctuary, the National Elk Refuge is home to the largest elk herd in the world, approx. 11,000. Every year, the elk migrate from other locations in Wyoming and Montana to the Refuge – some even migrate up to 60 miles!
The Refuge is nearly 25,000 acres and is also home to bison, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, wolves and more.
The National Elk Refuge winds along the perimeter of the town of Jackson, and offers winter sleigh rides and summer tours that let you get “this close!” to these majestic creatures. The park is seasonal, so what you do will depend on where the elk are:
The National Elk Refuge winds along the perimeter of the town of Jackson and offers winter sleigh rides and summer tours that let you get “this close!” to these majestic creatures. The park is seasonal, so what you do will depend on where the elk are:
Winter: Look out for the elk who are wintering over on the available native vegetation (with the occasional supplement from the Refuge staff). Also, keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep!
Spring: Elk calves tend to be born in spring, so keep an eye out for them.
Summer: This is a great season for birds in the Refuge, including songbirds, ducks and blue heron. The elk will be in the mountains during the summer, avoiding the heat.
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