Overview
Experience the solitude of Jackson Hole in winter on our Winter Half-Day Wildlife Safari, a snow-covered journey through the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park. Guided by a professional naturalist, you’ll search for moose, elk, bison, eagles, coyote, wolves, and foxes moving across the frozen landscape, with the Teton Range rising in dramatic contrast behind them. Perfectly timed for either the soft glow of morning or the golden light of afternoon, this half-day adventure offers the best of winter wildlife viewing in just a few hours. Ready to make the most of your time in Jackson Hole? Come experience the winter season’s wild beauty.
Highlights
- Sweeping Winter Landscapes
- Photo Opportunities with Wintering Wildlife
- Fewer Crowds & A Slower Pace to the Season
Discover the Wildlife of Jackson Hole in Winter
Winter in Jackson Hole is a season of quiet beauty, when snow blankets the valley and wildlife moves gracefully across the stark white landscape. Our Winter Half-Day Wildlife Safari offers an immersive way to experience the serenity of the season while observing the remarkable animals that call Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge home. Guided by a professional naturalist, you’ll venture into prime winter habitats in search of moose, elk, bison, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, coyotes, foxes, and, for the lucky few, wolves. This half-day adventure is perfect for travelers who want to witness Jackson Hole’s wildlife at its most photogenic without committing to a full day in the field.
What to Expect on Your Safari
The tour lasts approximately four hours, making it easy to fit into your Jackson Hole itinerary. Choose a morning departure to catch the valley’s golden sunrise light or an afternoon safari to take in the glowing hues of dusk; both are excellent times for spotting wildlife at their most active. Along the way, your naturalist guide will interpret animal behavior, explain the ecological importance of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and help you make the most of every wildlife encounter. Heated vehicles and high-quality optics keep you comfortable while ensuring you never miss a moment of the action.
A Closer Look at the Wildlife
Winter offers a unique window into animal behavior in Jackson Hole. The National Elk Refuge becomes a gathering place for thousands of elk, while moose browse willows along riverbanks and bison plow through deep snow to graze. Coyotes and foxes hunt rodents in meadows, eagles soar overhead, and the call of trumpeter swans echoes across icy waters. Wolves, though elusive, are occasionally seen moving through open fields or trailing elk herds across the valley floor. Each sighting is framed by the jagged peaks of the Tetons, creating unforgettable opportunities for wildlife photography.
Why Choose a Guided Winter Wildlife Tour?
Navigating winter roads in Jackson Hole can be challenging, but on this safari you can relax while your expert guide handles all driving and logistics. Small group sizes allow for a more personal experience, with time to ask questions and enjoy unhurried stops. Beyond spotting wildlife, your guide’s knowledge of geology, ecology, and conservation provides a richer understanding of how animals adapt to life in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem during the winter months. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning guest, a guided tour ensures your time is spent wisely, safely, and with the best chance of remarkable sightings.
Plan Your Winter Adventure
If you’re wondering when the best time to take a winter wildlife tour in Jackson Hole is, mornings and evenings are ideal for both animal activity and stunning natural light. Dress warmly in layers, wear winter boots, and bring a camera; your guide will provide scopes and binoculars for closer viewing. With its compact schedule, this half-day safari is easy to add to your trip while still offering a truly memorable introduction to Jackson Hole’s winter wilderness. Ready to make the most of your time in the Tetons? Join us for a Winter Half-Day Wildlife Safari and see the wild side of winter come alive.
What's Included
-
Hotel pickup
-
Professional naturalist guide
-
Small group safari: 8 guests per vehicle, maximum
-
Light breakfast
-
Assorted snack basket
-
Hot and cold beverages
-
Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
-
Guide gratuities
-
National Park entrance fees
Public Safari
Private Safari
Tour Information
What time is my hotel pickup?
All guests are picked up and returned to their place of lodging. We pick up at hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village. Your exact pick up time will be determined by your hotel location and the season. Please make note of your pickup time, and save it for your reference.
Please give your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled time to allow for other pickups or traffic conditions. Changes to trip timing may be made to accommodate daylight and/or optimum wildlife viewing.
Approximate pickup times for Jackson Hole include:
November 1 – March 14
Morning Wildlife Safaris
- 7:00 AM – Teton Village locations
- 7:15 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 7:30 AM – Town of Jackson locations
Afternoon Wildlife Safaris
- 1:00 PM – Teton Village locations
- 1:15 PM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 1:30 PM – Town of Jackson locations
Private safari guests staying in Teton Village are picked up at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM and private safari guests staying in Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek and the town of Jackson are picked up at 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM.
March 15 – April 30
Morning Wildlife Safaris
- 7:00 AM – Teton Village locations
- 7:15 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 7:30 AM – Town of Jackson locations
Afternoon Wildlife Safaris
- 2:00 PM – Teton Village locations
- 2:15 PM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 2:30 PM – Town of Jackson locations
Private safari guests staying in Teton Village are picked up at 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM and private safari guests staying in Wilson, Aspens, Amangani, Spring Creek and the town of Jackson are picked up at 7:30 AM and 2:00 PM.
What is the itinerary?
Your exact route and itinerary will be determined by your interests, current wildlife sightings, and current weather and road conditions. Our guides are all highly experienced, with thousands of hours in the field, and will expertly tailor your safari to you and your group.
Just wanted to say thanks for the great 'safari' around the Jackson Hole area. All of us had a great time and saw some animal activity that we have never seen in our 20 years of visiting Jackson Hole.
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
Is a half-day tour enough time in Jackson Hole?
You could spend an entire week in Jackson Hole and never see it all. This is a big place with diverse wildlife habitat. A half-day tour will give you a brief peek at the wildlife living in Jackson Hole at the southern end of Grand Teton National Park. Some folks opt for a half-day tour because it fits well into their schedule. Our guides make the most of every tour so we’ll want to know what is #1 on your wildlife wish-list. We’ll do our best to give you the opportunities to see your favorites.
Does the Jackson Hole half-day tour stop for photos?
Our guides will make multiple stops along the way, always making sure that we’re in an ideal location for our guests to get out and observe wildlife safely from a distance. If photography is your focus, we also offer photography-specific tours that may be of interest. If you simply want some fantastic photos of your tour, make sure to let your guide know and they will keep this in mind, with helpful suggestions on landscape and wildlife shots. If you want an even more personalized experience, our private tours will provide you with a guide all to yourself for the duration of the tour.
What do others say about this Grand Teton winter tour?
Guests consistently praise the Grand Teton winter excursion for its knowledgeable, personable guides who help spot wildlife and share local stories. Many reviewers say they saw more animals than expected: moose, elk, bison, and sometimes eagles or foxes, and appreciated the high-quality optics and photo opportunities. Tour pacing and scenery also receive praise: guests feel the experience strikes a good balance between comfort and adventure, with reliable hotel pickup, warm snacks, and well-planned routes, even when snow or weather adds challenges. Overall, reviewers describe the tour as “spectacular,” “worth doing,” and one of the best ways to see Grand Teton’s winter wildlife.
What wildlife can I see on a winter half-day wildlife safari?
While wildlife is never guaranteed, guests on this tour may spot:
- elk
- moose
- bison
- bald eagles
- trumpeter swans
- coyotes
- foxes
- wolves
The National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park provide some of the best winter wildlife viewing opportunities in the region.
How long is the winter half-day wildlife safari?
The tour lasts approximately four hours, making it easy to fit into your Jackson Hole itinerary. Morning and afternoon departures are available, giving you a choice between sunrise light and evening’s golden glow for wildlife viewing.
When is the best time to take a winter wildlife tour in Jackson Hole?
While wildlife is never guaranteed, guests wanting the greatest opportunities to see wildlife are often rewarded during the morning tours. However, our afternoon tours offer a different perspective on the day, are often a little bit warmer, and you never know what you’ll find until you’re out there. Plan for a time that works best with your schedule. Our departure times coincide with peak animal activity and offer beautiful natural light for photography.
Do I need to drive, or navigate winter roads myself?
No, our professional naturalist guides handle all driving and navigation. You can relax in comfort while your guide focuses on safety, spotting wildlife, and sharing insights about the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem in Jackson Hole.
Will we learn any tips for winter photography?
Yes — many guests report that the Grand Teton winter tour offers excellent guidance for winter photography, including practical tips shared by our expert guides. You’ll learn techniques for handling tricky exposures, making the most of early light, and framing wildlife against snowy landscapes. We also recommend reading our article “5 Winter Photography Tips by Moose Henderson: Dealing With Three Exposures” on our site, which provides helpful insight into capturing winter scenes properly: https://jacksonholewildlifesafaris.com/5-winter-photography-tips-by-moose-henderson-dealing-with-three-exposures/
How does the half day tour differ from the full day photography experience?
The half-day Grand Teton tour is perfect if you have limited time. It focuses on peak wildlife viewing with interpretive guidance, scenic stops, and an introduction to photography basics. In contrast, the full-day photography safari offers a deeper, more immersive experience: you’ll start early, spend more hours in the field, access remote scenic spots, get personalized instruction on technical photography skills (light, composition, gear settings), and have time to refine shots during changing light throughout the day. The full-day option is ideal for photographers and nature lovers who want to maximize wildlife and landscape photo opportunities.
Vehicles & Optics
Our Vehicles
At Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris we use top-of-the-line vehicles designed to enhance your wildlife safari experience while ensuring comfort and safety. These rugged and comfortable vehicles feature expansive windows, giving you unobstructed views of the incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes of Jackson Hole. We use small passenger vans and SUVs for small group sizes to accommodate a personalized experience. With high-clearance capabilities, the vehicles can easily navigate any terrain we encounter, ensuring a smooth and stable ride through the area’s remote spots. Spacious seating, climate control, and knowledgeable guides ensure a comfortable, immersive experience, allowing you to connect with nature while minimizing your impact on this beautiful, pristine environment.
Our Optics
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris provides top-tier binoculars and spotting scopes for their tours to ensure guests have the best possible viewing experience of wildlife in the stunning landscapes of the region. We utilize high-quality, durable optics that offer sharp, clear images, even at long distances, making it easier for guests to spot elusive animals and enjoy close-up views of birds, mammals, and other wildlife. Our Athlon binoculars are lightweight and easy to handle, perfect for all ages and experience levels. The Vortex spotting scopes, equipped with powerful magnification, allow for exceptional detail when observing wildlife from afar. These professional-grade tools enhance the overall safari experience, giving guests a front-row seat to the beauty of Jackson Hole’s natural world.
Guides and Staff
Our Team
Local, experienced, and passionate guides and photographers.
Further Reading
Exciting Things to do in Jackson Hole this Winter
February 26, 2020
Those who do not ski might not think of visiting Jackson during its chilliest time of year, but it actually has a lot to offer for both skiers and non-skiers alike. Plenty of wildlife throughout Jackson Hole remains active during this season, such as the bighorn sheep parting from their mountainous summer habitats to move into the National Elk Refuge.
Winter in Jackson Hole with the Kids
Nov 22, 2021
Winter is yet another beautiful time to visit Jackson Hole, which is why Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris continues to operate all year. We offer winter Half Day Sunrise and Sunset Tours, and Full Day Grand Teton National Park Tours. This can be a wonderful chance to engage the entire family while searching for wildlife and sightseeing with an experienced guide who will know the hotspots around the valley and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
