Grand Teton Wildlife Safari with Picnic
Winter is magical in our valley with thousands of elk wintering on the National Elk Refuge, along with other wildlife roaming throughout the valley and Grand Teton National Park.Grand Teton winter wildlife safaris offer a peaceful way to experience Jackson Hole’s dramatic winter landscapes and abundant seasonal wildlife, guided by expert naturalists. These private tours explore Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge, with time for wildlife viewing, scenic stops, and a warm field breakfast or picnic lunch along the way.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton Wildlife Safari with Picnic
Field Picnic Included
Optics Included
Hotel Pickup Included
Private Group Only
Expert Naturalist Guide
Ask any local naturalist and they will tell you: winter is Jackson Hole’s quiet, best-kept secret. As a peaceful stillness settles over the valley, thousands of animals descend from the high country into the lowlands, turning the winter landscape into an active, pristine wildlife sanctuary.
Across the National Elk Refuge, thousands of elk gather against a backdrop of frosted peaks, while bighorn sheep rest quietly along the rocky buttresses.Moose forage on native shrubs in the sagebrush steppe, coyotes hunt across open snowfields in the soft winter light, and bald eagles keep watch from frosted cottonwood trees.
This private 3–4 hour safari is designed to let you experience the serene beauty of winter in Grand Teton National Park at a relaxed, unhurried pace—complete with high-powered optics, expert tracking, and a warm breakfast or picnic lunch.
What To Expect
Your experience begins with a private door-to-door pickup from your Jackson Hole or Teton Village lodging. From there, your expert naturalist guide will navigate the valley’s key winter wildlife corridors—from the sweeping vistas of the National Elk Refuge to the frost-dusted willow flats and quiet river bends where animals often seek shelter in the cold. Guided by local knowledge and tracking expertise, your guide will read the morning conditions, adapt to where activity is happening, and know when to pause to take in a quiet moment in nature.
Midway through the safari, we’ll pause to enjoy a warm field breakfast or lunch. Enjoy hot house-made soup or chili, fresh deli sandwiches, and artisan sides served comfortably in the winter landscape.
Because this tour is 100% private, the vehicle, the guide, and the pace of the day belong entirely to your group—giving us complete flexibility to explore at a rhythm that feels right for you.
Private Tour
$1,250 for 1-5 persons
$250 each addt’l person
Duration
3-4 hours
Meals
Breakfast or lunch
Destination
In and around Grand Teton National Park
Season
December – March
Departure Times
Choose your departure time during check out.
6 am | 7 am | 8 am
Pickup from your Jackson Hole lodging or a mutually agreed location in town
Group Size
These are private tours dedicated to your group. Book here for groups of 8 or smaller. For larger groups, please email our team. experiences@greatwesternexpeditions.com
What's Included
Private naturalist guide
Private vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Binoculars and spotting scopes
Warm field breakfast or lunch
What's Not Included
- National Park entrance fees
- Guidegratuity (suggested 15–20%)
What To Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Your appetite and sense of adventure!
- Grand Teton National Park pass if you have one
What You Might See
Grand Teton in winter is one of the most productive wildlife viewing environments in North America. Depending on conditions and the day, your safari may include:
Elk — up to 8,000 animals wintering on the National Elk Refuge, often visible from the road
Moose —In the winter, moose tend to venture from the river corridors into more open terrain, where they browse on native shrubs in the sage steppe.
Coyotes & Foxes — hunting across open snowfields, often extremely active in winter
Bald and golden eagles — perched along the refuge fence line and soaring over the flats
Wolves — occasionally visible from our favorite overlooks.
Bighorn sheep — on rocky outcroppings above the valley floor
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed — that’s what makes them extraordinary. Your guide will work every angle to put you in the right place at the right time.
FAQs
Is winter a good time to see wildlife?
It’s one of the best. Cold temperatures push animals to lower elevations and open ground, making them far more visible than in summer when vegetation is dense. The National Elk Refuge alone can hold thousands of animals within easy viewing distance of the road.
What should I wear on a winter tour?
Layers are essential — warm base layers, an insulated mid-layer, and a windproof outer shell. Insulated boots, warm gloves, and a hat. Our vehicles are climate-controlled so you’ll always have a warm place
Are winter tours private or shared?
This is a fully private tour. You, your group, and your guide — no one else.
What makes Great Western Expeditions’ winter tours unique?
Our guides have spent years learning the rhythms of this ecosystem in every season. They know which areas hold animals on which mornings, how weather affects wildlife movement, and when to stay and when to move. That institutional knowledge is the difference between a wildlife drive and a wildlife experience.
Can we customize the day?
Absolutely. Tell us what you’re most hoping to see or experience and we’ll build the day around it. A few of our favorite winter add-ons:
Favorite Winter Add-Ons:
National Elk Refuge Sleigh Ride
Glide on a horse-drawn sleigh directly into a wintering herd of thousands of elk, surrounded by dramatic views of the snow-capped Teton Range.
Ranch Lunch or Dinner at Turpin Meadow Ranch
Journey out to the edge of the Teton Wilderness for an extraordinary culinary experience—enjoy a warm, chef-prepared lunch or dinner in the historic ranch lodge surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
Winter Horseback Riding at 3 Spear Ranch in Dubois
Ride through spectacular, untouched winter landscapes on horseback, guided across open western terrain for a truly immersive frontier experience.
Astoria Hot Springs
Soak in geothermal mineral pools on the banks of the Snake River Canyon after a morning in the field. The contrast of crisp mountain air and warm water after hours of wildlife watching is something guests talk about for years.
Sleigh Ride Dinner at Little Jennie Ranch
A classic Wyoming winter experience. A horse-drawn sleigh carries you through snow-covered ranchland for a moment of pure Wyoming stillness.
Guided Snowshoe Adventure
Strap on snowshoes and step off the road into the landscape. Your guide leads the way through the winter backcountry, reading tracks, identifying signs of wildlife, and bringing the ecosystem alive in a way you simply can’t experience from a vehicle.
Custom Expeditions
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