Every winter, thousands of elk migrate south from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to spend the coldest days of the year on the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge. This herd represents the largest concentration of wintering elk in North America and remarkably, is just footsteps away from the town of Jackson.

Just a mile down on the National Elk Refuge Road, bighorn sheep often graze in winter amid the ragged outcroppings of rocks on Miller Butte where they can be easily viewed. Occasionally, the sheep venture into the meadows near the roadside making for an up-close and personal encounter with them. The lambs, already skilled at technical climbing, are particularly amusing to watch alongside the adult rams and ewes. Witnessing the large rams butting heads in winter is possible, but it is a courtship behavior that is more common during the fall.

Among the braided channels along the northern reaches of Flat Creek — the creek that meanders south through Jackson — trumpeter swans, North America’s largest waterfowl, gracefully swim and forage for underwater grasses. These swans like to winter in this site, and watching them float in the still waters of the creek as the early morning mist rises with the sun is breathtaking, especially amid the backdrop of wintering elk and Sheep Mountain, colloquially called the Sleeping Indian because of its distinctive silhouette.

A viewing platform at the north border of Jackson provides an intimate glimpse of the National Elk Refuge. From there you can observe the massive elk herd and trumpeter swans while often spotting bald eagles, mule deer, coyotes, red tail hawks, foxes, and even wolves from time to time.

Just a few miles north of Jackson is prime moose habitat. Often six to eight bull moose known as the ​‘boys club’ bed down near the Gros Ventre River and are visible from the highway between the Jackson Hole Airport and the town of Jackson Hole. The Kelly loop that starts from the highway at the roundabout heading to Kelly and traverses the Antelope Flat Road is another stretch where moose often gather providing a chance to cast your eyes upon this popular species — the largest of all the deer species.

The perfect way to punctuate your Jackson Hole wildlife viewing experience is to visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art which is perched high above the National Elk Refuge. The view from the Members’ Lounge which is equipped with two spotting scopes and open to admission passholders (except during private events) provides a sweeping vista of the valley, the Gros Ventre range, and the wildlife therein. To get a sneak peek, check out the museum’s webcam where you can watch the elk congregating on the refuge during the winter.

In addition to exceptional wildlife viewing, the National Museum of Wildlife Art features an inspiring collection of more than 5,000 wildlife art pieces from around the world and is home to the Palate restaurant, offering delicious selections of soups, salads, and sandwiches.

It is exhilarating to observe wild animals living in their natural environments, and taking a guided tour in the winter with a professional touring company is one of the best ways to not only observe wildlife but to also learn about the history, biology, geology, and fun facts of the area.