National Elk Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge - Wyoming

The National Elk Refuge is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and protects habitat and provides sanctuary for one of the largest elk (also known as wapiti) herds on Earth. The refuge is home to an average of 7,500 elk each winter. The refuge's elk migrate from as far away as southern Yellowstone National Park. Historically, they migrated to the present location of the refuge and further south into southwestern Wyoming during the fall, wintering on grassy plains that were both sheltered from weather and that maintained less snowfall or snow depth than surrounding lands. During the spring, the herd would follow the retreating snows and growing grasses back into the Yellowstone National Park region.

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maps

Official Visitor Map of Grand Teton National Park (NP) in Wyoming. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).Grand Teton - Visitor Map

Official Visitor Map of Grand Teton National Park (NP) in Wyoming. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).

Map of Jackson Off-Road Vehicle Trails (ORV) in Wyoming. Published by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails (WYSP).Jackson - ORV Trails 2022

Map of Jackson Off-Road Vehicle Trails (ORV) in Wyoming. Published by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails (WYSP).

Map of the Snowmobile Trails in the Continental Divide Region in Wyoming. The region follows the Wind River Range and includes trail systems to the North: Yellowstone, Togwotee Pass, Dubois, Upper Green River and Gros Ventre areas; and to the South: Lander to Irish Canyon areas. Published by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails (WYSP).Continental Divide - Snowmobile Trails 2023

Map of the Snowmobile Trails in the Continental Divide Region in Wyoming. The region follows the Wind River Range and includes trail systems to the North: Yellowstone, Togwotee Pass, Dubois, Upper Green River and Gros Ventre areas; and to the South: Lander to Irish Canyon areas. Published by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails (WYSP).

Map of Bighorn Sheep Winter Zones in Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).Bridger-Teton Winter Travel - Bighorn Sheep Winter Zones

Map of Bighorn Sheep Winter Zones in Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Winter Travel Map North of Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).Bridger-Teton Winter Travel - South 2022

Winter Travel Map North of Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Visitor Map of Woods Canyon Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) in Wyoming. Published by Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD).Woods Canyon - Visitor Map

Visitor Map of Woods Canyon Wildlife Habitat Management Area (WHMA) in Wyoming. Published by Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD).

Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Jackson Ranger District in Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).Bridger-Teton MVUM - Jackson 2023

Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Jackson Ranger District in Bridger-Teton National Forest (NF) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Map of Seasonal and Year-Round BLM Public Land User Limitations in the BLM Pinedale Field Office area in Wyoming. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).Wyoming Public Land - Pinedale

Map of Seasonal and Year-Round BLM Public Land User Limitations in the BLM Pinedale Field Office area in Wyoming. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

State Map of Wyoming. Published by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.Wyoming State - Wyoming State Map

State Map of Wyoming. Published by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Map of Winter Recreation Opportunities in Teton Basin and Palisades Ranger Districts (RD) in Caribou-Targhee National Forest (NF) in Idaho and Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).Caribou-Targhee - Teton Basin and Palisades - Winter Recreation

Map of Winter Recreation Opportunities in Teton Basin and Palisades Ranger Districts (RD) in Caribou-Targhee National Forest (NF) in Idaho and Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Map of Summer Recreation Opportunities in the Palisades and Teton Basin Ranger Districts in Caribou-Targhee National Forest (NF) in Idaho. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).Caribou-Targhee - Teton Basin - Summer Recreation

Map of Summer Recreation Opportunities in the Palisades and Teton Basin Ranger Districts in Caribou-Targhee National Forest (NF) in Idaho. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

US Topo 7.5-minute map of Teton Village Quadrangle in Teton County, Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).US Topo 7.5-minute - WY Teton Village 2021

US Topo 7.5-minute map of Teton Village Quadrangle in Teton County, Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

US Topo 7.5-minute map of Gros Ventre Junction Quadrangle in Teton County, Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).US Topo 7.5-minute - WY Gros Ventre Junction 2021

US Topo 7.5-minute map of Gros Ventre Junction Quadrangle in Teton County, Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Highway Map of Montana. Published by the Montana Department of Transportation.Montana State - Montana Highway Map

Highway Map of Montana. Published by the Montana Department of Transportation.

Official State Map of Idaho. Published by visitidaho.org.Idaho State - Idaho State Map

Official State Map of Idaho. Published by visitidaho.org.

brochures

Winter Wildlife Viewing Guide for the National Elk Refuge, a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).National Elk Refuge - Winter Wildlife Viewing Guide

Winter Wildlife Viewing Guide for the National Elk Refuge, a National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Wyoming. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).

National Elk Refuge NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Elk_Refuge/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Elk_Refuge The National Elk Refuge is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and protects habitat and provides sanctuary for one of the largest elk (also known as wapiti) herds on Earth. The refuge is home to an average of 7,500 elk each winter. The refuge's elk migrate from as far away as southern Yellowstone National Park. Historically, they migrated to the present location of the refuge and further south into southwestern Wyoming during the fall, wintering on grassy plains that were both sheltered from weather and that maintained less snowfall or snow depth than surrounding lands. During the spring, the herd would follow the retreating snows and growing grasses back into the Yellowstone National Park region.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Winter Wildlife Viewing Welcome to the National Elk Refuge, a popular destination for viewing elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife during the winter season. Winter presents an excellent opportunity to view wildlife on the Refuge, but it is also a stressful time of year for wildlife. Their survival is dependent upon conserving energy. Wildlife may not display visible signs of stress that indicate they are being affected by human interactions, but repeated disturbances from the presence of humans can significantly impact their overall health and survival. To decrease stress to wildlife, please keep a minimum distance of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from wintering elk. Wildlife should not be surrounded or cut off from their direction of travel. For the protection of wildlife, habitat, and other visitors, please observe all regulations and wildlife viewing guidance. National Elk Refuge Winter Wildlife Viewing Guide ■■ Refuge Road Elk, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife are frequently seen close to the Refuge Road. To accommodate the number of visitors on this road and to protect wintering animals, the following regulations are in place. ■■ ■■ Visitor and Wildlife Safety North Highway 26/89 North Highway 26/89 runs along the western boundary of the National Elk Refuge. ■■ ■■ ■■ Several pullouts are located along the highway, providing safe opportunities to observe elk. Stopping a vehicle or parking on the shoulder of the highway is discouraged because of safety considerations on the busy road. To reduce disturbance to migrating and wintering elk and other wildlife, the North Highway 89 pathway that runs parallel to the highway from Flat Creek to the Gros Ventre River is closed from November 1 through April 30. Crossing the pathway and approaching the Refuge fence to take photographs or view wildlife violates the closure and its purpose. The presence of humans at or near the fence often causes nearby elk to bolt and leave the area. Continual disturbance throughout the winter can have a cumulative effect on the elk, adding to their weakened condition brought about by the rigors of the long season. ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ The speed limit on the Refuge Road is 30 mph. Travel speeds should be adjusted to accommodate for winter driving conditions that may include ice, fog, drifting snow, and limited visibility. Vehicles should use an established pullout when viewing wildlife in order to keep the Refuge Road open to moving traffic. This road is also used by large vehicles including delivery trucks, service vehicles, snow plows, and Refuge equipment which cannot easily maneuver around other vehicles stopped in the road. Drivers must not stop in the road when other vehicles are present. When traffic is approaching in either direction, vehicles must continue moving or use an established pullout to keep the road clear. Road shoulders drop off dramatically. Please use caution as ditches and uneven surfaces may be hidden by snow. Off-road travel by vehicle or on foot is prohibited. Spotting scopes and tripods should not be set up in the road. ■■ Visitors traveling on the Refuge Road should watch for and respect all posted road closures and restricted routes. Some roads or driveways may be open for administrative traffic only or for permitted hunters accessing hunt areas during designated periods. Bighorn Sheep Bighorn sheep are frequently seen on or near the Refuge Road. Bighorn sheep are identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. SGCN are species whose conservation status warrants increased management attention. Local populations of bighorn sheep, along with other herds across the Rocky Mountain west, have experienced significant declines in population due to pneumonia outbreaks. The bighorn sheep near the Refuge Road often boldly approach vehicles to lick and ingest the salts and minerals found on the vehicle’s surface. This can have a harmful effect on sheep health, and it increases the potential for spreading diseases such as pneumonia. While viewing bighorn sheep, visitors may notice some animals with GPS collars. These collared animals help wildlife managers identify migration corridors between winter and summer ranges, increasing knowledge about the potential scope of future pneumonia outbreaks. Photography We invite you to view and photograph the wildlife on the National Elk Refuge and enjoy the experience. Note, though, that photographing and sharing images of inappropriate human interactions with wildlife is discouraged as it can further promote or encourage these detrimental practices. Fla tC re ek Parking area 26 89 M F C lat re ill er Bu tte Refuge Road Parking locations are approximate. Maps are not to scale. ek N 26 89 National Elk Refuge Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor

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