The basics
A visit to the National Museum of Wildlife Art is included in most Jackson Hole wildlife viewing tours. Tours typically include round-trip transportation from Jackson and a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge (winter only) or a wildlife-spotting safari through Grand Teton National Park. The museum also makes a nice stopping off point when traveling from Jackson to Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park.
Things to know before you go
- A must-see for wildlife, nature, and art lovers.
- There is an admission fee, with discounted admission for children.
- The Sculpture Trail is free to visit and many concerts, yoga classes, and other events are held here during the summer months.
- The National Museum of Wildlife Art is wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
The National Museum of Wildlife Art is located 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of Jackson Town Square along Highway 89, across the highway from the National Elk Refuge. Free parking is available at the museum and a paved bike trail heads directly to the museum from downtown Jackson. Plenty of bike rentals are available in town including a convenient community bike share program.
When to get there
The National Wildlife Museum of Art is open daily May through October but closes on Mondays from November through April. Free yoga classes are offered on the museum lawn on Thursdays during the summer months and special activities are held the first Sunday of the month during the winter.
National Wildlife Museum of Art Collections
Jackson’s National Wildlife Museum of Art features a permanent collection of over 5,000 pieces of art as well as temporary exhibits. The Greene Pathways exhibit features animals native to the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, the Widener Gallery displays art from famous European artists, and the Carl Rungius Gallery showcases the largest collection of this well-known painter of North American wildlife. There’s even a hands-on Children’s Discovery Gallery where children can create their own masterpieces.