National Elk Refuge 675 East Broadway Avenue, Jackson, WY 83001

The National Elk Refuge, located at 675 East Broadway Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming, is a national wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Spanning over 24,700 acres of grasslands, wetlands, and forests, the Refuge is home to a diverse array of plants and animals, making it a prime location for wildlife watching, photography, hunting, fishing, and educational opportunities.

Visitors to the National Elk Refuge can witness elk shedding their antlers from mid-December through early April, as they migrate off the Refuge in late spring and return in the fall. The Refuge was established in 1912 to provide wintering grounds for elk and other big game animals, and is also the ancestral homeland of various Indigenous tribes.

Conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System, driving everything from the establishment of refuges to the recreational activities offered. Refuge staff lead research and monitoring projects to ensure the survival of native wildlife species, and researchers can access the Refuge by filling out a special use permit form.

In August 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a scoping period for the development of an updated Bison and Elk Management Plan for the National Elk Refuge. Visitors can plan their trip to the Refuge through the website or by visiting the Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center in Jackson. Wildlife conservation efforts at the National Elk Refuge aim to benefit present and future generations of Americans.