Jacskon Hole, Wyoming, is known worldwide as a place to see natural beauty, ski, eat great food, enjoy the nightlife and stay in nice accommodations. It’s also one of the best places to have amazing experiences in getting an up close view of some incredible wildlife.
Teton Science Schools at Grand Teton National Park
All that’s required to get from Jackson to Grand Teton National Park is simply to take one of the main roads heading out of town. Most people will be into the park before they know it. Once there, animals can be found in their natural habitats. Elk, moose, bison, wolves, bears and bighorn sheep can all be seen if one knows where to look. The best way to take advantage of the opportunity is to make the trip with an expert biologist from Teton Science Schools.
Teton Science Schools is a non-profit that focuses on providing educational programs for people of all ages to learn more about the great outdoors. A variety of tours are available throughout the year, all of them taking place in customized vehicles that are equipped to take adventurers off the beaten path and onto the backroads. They also have special hatched roofs and sliding windows that open to allow guests to look out through the binoculars and spotting scopes. Snacks and beverages are also complimentary on day trips.
Besides knowing where to look for animals at different times of the year, the biologists are also experts at explaining the animals and their habits to the guests. The observations are done in a way that doesn’t disturb the animals.
Teton Science Schools (307) 733-1313, 700 Coyote Canyon Road, Jackson
National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge is just on the edge of the town of Jackson, and easy to reach. It is home to a herd of over 5,000 elk, the largest in the lower 48 states. The historical importance of elk to the history of Jackson can be seen in the antler arches on each of the four corners in Jackson Town Square.
From mid-December through late March, visitors can see the elk up close by taking a sleigh ride through the refuge. Double H Bar, a private contractor, offers the rides daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Jackson Hole Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.
“Elkfest” is held every year on the Saturday before Memorial Day. In a tradition that dates back to the 1950s, local Boy Scouts collect elk antlers from the refuge every spring. The antlers are then auctioned off, with the Boy Scouts then donating 80 percent of the proceeds to the refuge.
Jackson Hole Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, 532 North Cache Street in Jackson.
There are many things that make Jackson a great place to visit. One of the fun aspects of any vacation there is taking time to get an up close look at the incredible wildlife found in the area.
Kathleen Curry - As a self-professed travel guru Kathleen Curry has spent many of her days and future retirement savings on travel. She has worked in the ...
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