National Elk Refuge

43.50351 , -110.73169

United States of America (USA)

The National Elk Refuge (eBird Hotspot here) is a 25,000 acre (100 square kilometer) area managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service whose protected status actually predates the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Since its primary purpose is to support winter-range feeding of the Jackson Hole elk herd, it is largely a managed grassland which contrasts greatly with the high sagebrush desert found throughout the majority of the valley. Interspersed within the watered grassland are dry buttes and several wetlands which provide some habitat hard to find elsewhere in the area. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Eric Hope : 43.5035/-110.7317 (2021-08-25 00:54:39 )

Site name was set by Eric Hope as "National Elk Refuge" (2021-08-25 00:54:39 )

Edited by Eric Hope on 2023-02-17 02:35:33
The National Elk Refuge (eBird Hotspot here) is a 25,000 acre (100 square kilometer) area managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service whose protected status actually predates the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Since its primary purpose is to support winter-range feeding of the Jackson Hole elk herd, it is largely a managed grassland which contrasts greatly with the high sagebrush desert found throughout the majority of the valley. Interspersed within the watered grassland are dry buttes and several wetlands which provide some habitat hard to find elsewhere in the area. 
Edited by Eric Hope on 2023-02-17 02:34:52
The National Elk Refuge is a 25,000 acre (100 square kilometer) area managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service whose protected status actually predates the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Since its primary purpose is to support winter-range feeding of the Jackson Hole elk herd, it is largely a managed grassland which contrasts greatly with the high sagebrush desert found throughout the majority of the valley. Interspersed within the watered grassland are dry buttes and several wetlands which provide some habitat hard to find elsewhere in the area. 
Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:10:46
tThe National Elk Refuge is a 25,000 acre (100 square kilometer) area managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service whose protected status actually predates the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Since its primary purpose is to support winter-range feeding of the Jackson Hole elk herd, it is largely a managed grassland which contrasts greatly with the high sagebrush desert found throughout the majority of the valley. Interspersed within the watered grassland are dry buttes and several wetlands which provide some habitat hard to find elsewhere in the area.
Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:00:43
t

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)
Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus)
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis)
Black Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte atrata)
Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 18:32:26)

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:04:29)

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:04:17)

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:04:01)

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:00:46)

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:00:28)

Black Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte atrata) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:00:18)

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 01:00:09)

Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 00:59:06)

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 00:58:48)

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) was added by Eric Hope (2021-08-25 00:58:40)

  • Timing and strategy

Winter: flocks of winter finches and buntings along with overwintering raptors may be encountered throughout the refuge and especially along the National Elk Refuge Road.

Spring/Fall Migration: Waterfowl and shorebirds are usually the most interesting migrants through the refuge and the area around the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center can be the most productive.

Summer: Checking the wetland areas and driving the National Elk Refuge Road are your best chances of running into resident breeders, some of which (like rock wren) are difficult to find elsewhere in the area.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:56
Winter: flocks of winter finches and buntings along with overwintering raptors may be encountered throughout the refuge and especially along the National Elk Refuge Road. Spring/Fall Migration: Waterfowl and shorebirds are usually the most interesting migrants through the refuge and the area around the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center can be the most productive. Summer: Checking the wetland areas and driving the National Elk Refuge Road are your best chances of running into resident breeders, some of which (like rock wren) are difficult to find elsewhere in the area.
  • How to get there

The two areas to access the refuge are via the Elk Refuge Road (beginning in the northeastern corner of Jackson, WY) and via US-89/191 at the northern end of Jackson, WY where the highway travels alongside the refuge for about 6 miles. Note that this stretch also includes seasonal fishing access trails which are some of the few that allow you to traverse the refuge on foot.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:50
The two areas to access the refuge are via the Elk Refuge Road (beginning in the northeastern corner of Jackson, WY) and via US-89/191 at the northern end of Jackson, WY where the highway travels alongside the refuge for about 6 miles. Note that this stretch also includes seasonal fishing access trails which are some of the few that allow you to traverse the refuge on foot.

The National Elk Refuge is open year-round and is free to access but does experience many seasonal closures and it's very important to note that refuge access is restricted to open public roads and trails designated as “authorized routes.” All other foot, vehicle, bicycle, and horse travel is strictly prohibited. This means that traveling even a few meters beyond the roadside in the majority of the refuge trespassing and may result in a fine.

For up-to-date closure information, check here.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:46
The National Elk Refuge is open year-round and is free to access but does experience many seasonal closures and it's very important to note that refuge access is restricted to open public roads and trails designated as “authorized routes.” All other foot, vehicle, bicycle, and horse travel is strictly prohibited. This means that traveling even a few meters beyond the roadside in the majority of the refuge trespassing and may result in a fine. For up-to-date closure information, check here.
  • Other attractions

Wildlife: The National Elk Refuge lies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, often regarded as the "Seregeti of the West" with some of the highest concentrations of charasmatic megafauna in the United States. Some of the more popular to observe here include: elk, bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, badgers, and more.

Other Attractions: Each winter, visitors have the opportunity to take horse-drawn sleighs through the massive elk herds which come to feed here annually. More popular year-round, the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center has displays about the various wildlife and feeding operations at the refuge in addition to representatives from all the local US Department of the Interior agencies to answer visitor questions.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:16
Wildlife: The National Elk Refuge lies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, often regarded as the "Seregeti of the West" with some of the highest concentrations of charasmatic megafauna in the United States. Some of the more popular to observe here include: elk, bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, badgers, and more. Other Attractions: Each winter, visitors have the opportunity to take horse-drawn sleighs through the massive elk herds which come to feed here annually. More popular year-round, the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center has displays about the various wildlife and feeding operations at the refuge in addition to representatives from all the local US Department of the Interior agencies to answer visitor questions.

The only facilities at this site are at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:16
The only facilities at this site are at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.

In winter it's important to remember wildlife (especially bighorn sheep) may approach your vehicle to lick salt off of it - allowing them to do so by stopping your car is illegal and citations are regularly issued for this offense!

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:52
In the winter it's important to remember wildlife (especially bighorn sheep) may approach your vehicle to lick salt off of it - allowing them to do so by stopping your car is illegal and citations are regularly issued for this offense!
Edited by Eric Hope on 2022-01-01 18:52
In the winter it's important to remember wildlife (especially bighorn sheep) may approach your vehicle to lick salt off of it - allowing them to do so by stopping your car is illegal and citations are regularly issued for this offense!
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