Grand Teton Winter Wildlife Safari

Our day will begin with a light breakfast in our safari vehicle as we head into Grand Teton National Park in search of abundant wintering wildlife. Waterways such as Flat Creek, the Gros Ventre River and Snake River offer animals such as trumpeter swans, moose, muskrats, coyotes and eagles a perfect winter habitat. In this valley surrounded by impressive mountain ranges, thousands of ungulates such as mule deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bison migrate downhill into open sage fields where food sources are more accessible and snow depths are reduced. Winter is a challenging season for these animals, and as a result their predators follow closely. We frequently encounter coyotes, foxes, bald and golden eagles, and if lucky, wolves taking advantage of prime hunting opportunities. Our guides follow wildlife movements closely and have great success in observing winter feeding, predation, canine mating behaviors, and many more magic moments for you.

This seasonal concentration of megafauna makes winter one of the best times of year to observe wildlife behavior and interactions in Jackson Hole. Throughout the day, we will explore key wildlife corridors and scenic viewpoints, taking time for photography, education, and quiet observation. Though some roads in the Jackson Hole Valley do close during the winter, we are able to navigate Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge in areas that remain open, and with great opportunity for wildlife both close and from a distance.

Grand Teton National Park is comprised of the striking Teton Mountains, the expansive valley, the Gros Ventre mountains to the south, and amazing wintering grounds for our wildlife. The National Elk Refuge is a remarkable conservation success story, born from the vision of local residents seeking to preserve critical winter range for wildlife. From the valley floor we may spot bighorn sheep navigating the cliffs of Miller Butte, coyotes hunting voles beneath the snow, red-tailed hawks riding winter winds, and wolves moving across the landscape in search of elk herds—all unfolding just beyond the edge of the town of Jackson.
Our professional wildlife guides customize each tour to the interests and pace of our guests, whether that means maximizing wildlife viewing, focusing on photography, or learning more about the ecology and history of the region. They strive to create a comfortable, engaging, and memorable experience immersed in one of North America’s most iconic winter landscapes.