Near Grand Teton National Park in Teton County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Elk Migration

The National Elk Refuge

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2015

1. Elk Migration Marker

Inscription.
In the high country, deep November snows cause elk to migrate to their winter range on the National Elk Refuge. In strings of 200 or more, thousands of elk arrive, some traveling more than 65 miles from southern Yellowstone National Park and surrounding national forests.

Settlement and development eliminated nearly three-fourths of the elk’s natural winter range. The 23,000-acre National Elk Refuge was established in 1912 to protect the remaining winter habitat. Throughout the year, several different national and state agencies manage the herd and its habitat.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals.

Location. 43° 32.795′ N, 110° 43.95′ W. Marker is near Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, in Teton County. It is on U.S. 26, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jackson WY 83001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Jackson Hole Area

and in Greater Yellowstone.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Explore Teton Country (here, next to this marker); The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (a few steps from this marker); Winter Range on the National Elk Refuge (approx. 1.6 miles away); Trumpeter Swans (approx. 4.1 miles away); Wildland Romance (approx. 4.4 miles away); Silent Saddle Monument (approx. 4.7 miles away); Gathering (approx. 4.8 miles away); In The Early Days (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Teton National Park.

More about this marker. A map on the right side of the marker shows the Autumn Elk Migration from Grand Teton National Park and elsewhere to the National Elk Refuge. A picture of a cow and calf elk at the lower left of the marker has a caption of “The elk (properly called wapiti) leaves the refuge in April when winter snows begin to melt. Calves are born in late May and June as the elk migrate to their summer ranges.” Next to this is a photo of a herd

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2015

2. Elk Migration Marker

of elk that includes the caption “The winter herd on the National Elk Refuge exceeds 7,500 animals. About one-half of these elk summer in Grand Teton National Park. The elk are not confined; the Refuge fence protects them from the road.”

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2015

3. Elk Migration Marker

Bull Elk in Grand Teton National Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015

4. Bull Elk in Grand Teton National Park

This bull elk probably spends the winter at the National Elk Refuge.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 393 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.