Jackson Hole Activities – Visit the National Elk Refuge

In our work as massage therapists in Jackson Hole, where our clients are often from out of town, we find ourselves as a resource of information about the area. So this blog will now occasionally cover the many wonderful things there are for people to do while in Jackson Hole. With summer season coming right along, We’ll cover events and activities, from ‘mainstream’ tourism attractions, to more subtle activities and organizations etc. – more for locals’ participation.

With the near-record heavy snows of February and early March now on the wane, spring has come to Jackson Hole with warm mid-day temperatures and lingering light, and this is no more obvious than on the National Elk Refuge. The refuge abuts the Eastern portion of the town of Jackson and thousands of elk (official count just in this month 1s 11,600)  can be seen across the vast expanse of the Elk Refuge as it spreads out north towards Grand Teton National Park and east to the Gros Ventre Mountains. It’s mid-March and time for bull elk to start shedding their antlers – which they will do through April. Soon after shedding, their new velveted antler growth begins. During April and May, elk begin drifting from the Refuge, following the receding snowline toward their summer ranges in the high country. Calves are born in protected areas along the migration route in late May and June.

Birds flock to the refuge during their spring migration. Yes, there’s more than just elk here – the refuge preserves and restores habitat for endangered species, birds, fish and other big-game animals such as Bison. It’s not unusual to see coyotes, bear, red fox and even wolves there.

The next three months will bring much activity to the elk refuge as they prepare to start their migration and eventually move to their summer habitats. While there’s still snow on the ground, an excellent way to see this up-close and personal is by taking a horse-drawn sleigh-ride right in among the herds.

There’s plenty of information to be had about this on the National Elk Refuge’s web site.   Jackson Hole’s National Elk Refuge is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. And after you’re all done with that…a nice massage would be just the thing to finish off the day – don’t you think?

Be well, Hamish and Rochelle.