Jackson Hole, Wyoming is home to some incredible wildlife like bison, moose, bears, wolves and more. And, each year, thousands of elk migrate to the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole for the winter season.
→ Read Next: Winter Weekend Guide to Jackson Hole
On my most recent visit to Jackson Hole in the winter, I was able to experience the largest migrating elk herd in North America up close. That’s right — a horse-drawn sleigh takes you through the National Elk Refuge so you can see the elk plus bison, coyotes, eagles and more!
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming!
How to Set Up Your Sleigh Ride
Sleigh rides run each winter season between mid-December and early April with exact dates varying by year — so be sure to check the official dates on the website.
You can purchase your sleigh ride tickets in the parking lot of the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 N. Cache St. in Jackson from 9:00am – 4:00pm daily. Tickets are $27 per adult and $15 for kids (with children under 5 free!).
And, the sleigh rides depart every 30 minutes daily from 10:00am – 4:00pm, weather permitting, from the same location.
Note that the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center is just a 2 minute drive (or 9 minute walk) from the main town square in Jackson — super easy!
What to Expect on the Sleigh Ride
I had actually never been on a sleigh ride before so I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. Pulled by a pair of Belgian Draft horses, our sleigh was filled with about 16 people and a guide. We quickly set off towards the thousands of elk in the refuge and I was immediately surprised by how close we approached the elk.
All of a sudden, I realize we were totally surrounded by thousands of elk — some laying down, some eating, some of the males fighting each other and we even saw one chase off a coyote.
Our guide was so informative and I learned a ton about elk and other wildlife native to Jackson.
Did you know that elk typically weigh around 700 lbs and run as fast as 40 miles per hour? The antlers alone can weigh as much as 40 pounds in a full grown male!
Along with elk and coyotes, we also spotted bison. I was excited about this because I had been hoping to spot bison on my visit to Yellowstone but they eluded us… who knew I just had to go a couple minutes from downtown Jackson to spot one?!
Tips for Your Sleigh Ride
- Dress warmly! The sleigh rides last between 45 minutes to an hour and it gets quite cold. Wear layers, a warm jacket, scarf, gloves, hat, boots and I would even consider packing a blanket if you have one. Having some hand warmers with you could be a good option too.
- Make sure to bring cash to tip your guides. Our guide was so informative and entertaining — he made the sleigh ride such a great experience!
- If you’re into a photography, bring a camera with zoom lens so get some great wildlife shots.
- Be polite and respectful of the animals and the guides. Of course, don’t attempt to feed or touch any wildlife — it’s best to be a quiet observer!
- There’s no food or drinks allowed on the sleigh and there aren’t any bathrooms in the refuge so make sure to use the facilities at the ticket office before you go!
Such a beautiful place. My dream is to visit Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. Taking a sleigh ride would be awesome.. I don’t know if that will be possible foe me, but I can dream. What a beautiful and inspiring place to visit.
I hope you get to visit one day! It’s worth the trip 🙂