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A moose in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0

National park · USA

Grand Teton Wildlife Checklist

Grand Teton National Park, above the valley of Jackson Hole in Wyoming, is one of the most reliable places in the USA to see moose, with bison, elk, pronghorn, grizzly and black bears on the same short loop. This checklist covers 79 animals, from moose and bison to Greater Sage-Grouse dancing at dawn. May to June and September to October are best.

The park is compact and the roads run close to river bottoms and sagebrush flats, so a single dawn drive can turn up a remarkable list. It sits just south of Yellowstone, and many visitors do both.

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See all 79 animals
The Grand Teton checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
79
Where
USA
Best time
May to Jun, Sep to Oct
Signature animal
Moose

Headline animals in Grand Teton

  • Bison, one of the animals to look for in Grand Teton

    Bison

    Herds graze Antelope Flats and around the barns of Mormon Row, most of the summer. Give them 25 yards and never walk between a cow and calf.

    Photo: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

  • Grizzly Bear, one of the animals to look for in Grand Teton

    Grizzly Bear

    Most often seen in spring and early summer around Pilgrim Creek, Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake Dam in the park's north.

    Photo: GrandTetonNPS, Public domain

  • Moose

    Browse willows along the Moose-Wilson Road, the Gros Ventre River near Kelly and Willow Flats below Jackson Lake Lodge. Early morning is best.

  • Black Bear

    Commonly feed on berries along the Moose-Wilson Road in late summer and early autumn, which can cause temporary road closures.

  • Elk (Wapiti)

    Spend summer in forest edges and meadows, bugle in September and October, then move south in winter to the National Elk Refuge in Jackson.

  • Pronghorn

    Arrive each spring along the Path of the Pronghorn, one of the longest land migrations in the lower 48, and graze the flats near Kelly until autumn.

  • Greater Sage-Grouse

    Males display on traditional leks in the sagebrush from late March to May, just before sunrise. Watch only from your car, arrive before first light and stay until the birds leave.

  • River Otter

    Oxbow Bend and Schwabacher Landing are the best places. Scan the water for a line of heads moving together.

  • Trumpeter Swan

    Christian Pond near Jackson Lake Lodge and Flat Creek on the National Elk Refuge often hold pairs.

  • Great Grey Owl

    A huge, pale owl of meadow edges. Hunts at dusk near forest clearings; a quiet walk and luck both help.

All 79 animals to spot in Grand Teton

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Big mammals 9

Hunters 8

Small mammals 16

Birds of prey 9

Water birds 12

Sagebrush and forest birds 15

Reptiles and amphibians 6

Fish 4

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in Grand Teton

May and June are the most productive months: bears are out, bison and elk have newborn calves, pronghorn are back, and snow still keeps animals in the valley. July and August bring crowds and warm afternoons, so plan dawn and dusk drives. September and early October are superb, with the elk and moose rut, bears feeding before winter and golden aspens. From November, most of the Teton Park Road closes to cars and elk gather on the National Elk Refuge just outside the park, where winter sleigh rides take you close to the herd. Sage-grouse leks are active from late March to May.

  • Mar-AprSage-grouse leks, bears emerge, inner roads still closed
  • May-JunCalves, bears at Pilgrim Creek, pronghorn return
  • Jul-AugBlack bears on berries, otters, busy roads
  • Sep-OctElk and moose rut, aspens turn gold
  • Nov-MarElk herds on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson

Tips for spotting wildlife in Grand Teton

  1. Drive the Moose-Wilson Road early

    This narrow road between Moose and Teton Village is the park's best moose and bear route. It is busy by mid morning and closed to cars in winter.

  2. Make Oxbow Bend a dawn stop

    Moose, otters, beavers, Bald Eagles, pelicans and swans all use the slow water below Mount Moran. Stay a while rather than driving past.

  3. Follow the 25 and 100 yard rules

    Park rules require 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Rangers close pullouts if crowds get too close.

  4. Drive slowly at night

    Many animals are killed on park roads, especially at dusk. Night speed limits on some roads are lower for this reason.

  5. Look up on the trails

    Pikas squeak on talus in Cascade Canyon, and Yellow-bellied Marmots sun on rocks along the String Lake and Jenny Lake trails.

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Grand Teton wildlife FAQ

What animals can you see in Grand Teton National Park?

Grand Teton has moose, bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, grizzly and black bears, wolves, coyotes, beavers and river otters. Birdlife includes Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, American White Pelicans and Greater Sage-Grouse. Most visitors see bison, elk and pronghorn easily; moose and bears need an early start and a little luck.

Where can you see moose in Grand Teton?

The best places to see moose in Grand Teton are the Moose-Wilson Road, Willow Flats near Jackson Lake Lodge, Oxbow Bend and the Gros Ventre River near Kelly. Moose feed in willows and shallow water, mostly at dawn and dusk. Keep at least 25 yards back, and more during the autumn rut, when bulls can charge.

When is the best time to see wildlife in Grand Teton?

The best times to see wildlife in Grand Teton are May to June and September to early October. Spring brings bears, newborn calves and returning pronghorn, and autumn brings the elk and moose rut. Early morning and the hour before sunset are far better than midday in any season.

Are there grizzly bears in Grand Teton?

Yes, grizzly bears live in Grand Teton, mostly in the northern half of the park around Pilgrim Creek, Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake. The famous mother bear known as Grizzly 399 drew crowds for decades before she was killed by a vehicle in 2024. Carry bear spray on trails and keep 100 yards from any bear.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

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