National Elk Refuge
In 1912, public interest in the survival of the Jackson elk herd instigates the creation of the National Elk Refuge. Today the refuge continues to preserve most of the remaining elk winter range in the valley, approximately one-quarter of the original Jackson Hole winter range.
The Jackson elk herd is the largest in the world ranging from southern Yellowstone National Park, to Grand Teton National Park, the Gros Ventre River drainage, and the Teton and Gros Ventre wilderness areas. Currently the herd numbers over 11,000 animals with 2,000 elk summering in Grand Teton National Park. When Grand Teton National Park expanded in 1950, Congress authorized an elk reduction program to continue management of the herd. Today the reduction program runs from early- October through early-December in the eastern portion of Grand Teton National Park and in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Please stop by a visitor center for additional information.
