National Museum of Wildlife ArtAbout National Museum of Wildlife Art
The National Museum of Wildlife Art is an art museum in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, dedicated to the artistic representation of wildlife. The museum opened in 1987 and houses a large collection of wildlife art from the 19th century to the present.
Permanent and temporary galleries present paintings, drawings, sculptures and works on paper that focus on animals and natural themes. An outdoor Sculpture Trail places figurative works in a landscape setting and offers framed views across the adjacent National Elk Refuge. The building and grounds together provide both indoor exhibition space and outdoor viewing opportunities for art and wildlife.
The museum was established in the late 20th century to collect, preserve and present art about wildlife and the natural world. Its collection has expanded through donations and acquisitions to include historic and contemporary works by American and international artists.
The museum sits on a bluff north of the town of Jackson, Wyoming, immediately beside the National Elk Refuge in the Jackson Hole valley. The site is rural-mountain in character, with direct views onto refuge grasslands and surrounding Teton-area landscapes.
- Elk viewing point: Located on a bluff directly adjacent to the National Elk Refuge, providing strong opportunities to view elk from the museum grounds.
- Collection scale: Collection size exceeds several thousand works, spanning paintings, sculpture and works on paper by American and international artists.
What to See#
- Sculpture Trail: Outdoor path with a mix of bronze and stone sculptures sited on the museum grounds, offering direct views across the adjacent National Elk Refuge.
- Museum galleries: Interconnected gallery spaces that display paintings, works on paper and three-dimensional wildlife art drawn from the museum collection and rotating exhibitions.
Nearby Attractions to National Museum of Wildlife Art
Best Time to Visit National Museum of Wildlife Art
The National Museum of Wildlife Art is best visited in late spring through early autumn to enjoy both indoor exhibits and the outdoor sculpture garden; visit weekdays to avoid summer crowds.
Weather & Climate near National Museum of Wildlife Art
National Museum of Wildlife Art's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 27°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -16° - -4° | -15° | 49 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -14° - 0° | -12° | 33 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -9° - 5° | -6° | 30 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -5° - 11° | 0° | 32 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 0° - 17° | 6° | 49 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 3° - 22° | 13° | 47 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 27° | 16° | 27 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 27° | 16° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 0° - 21° | 11° | 35 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -5° - 14° | 2° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -10° - 4° | -7° | 42 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -15° - -3° | -15° | 43 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to National Museum of Wildlife Art
The National Museum of Wildlife Art is on the outskirts of Jackson, Wyoming, overlooking the National Elk Refuge. From downtown Jackson it is a short drive north (roughly 5-10 minutes); follow US‑26/US‑89/US‑189 north through town and watch for local signage. Onsite parking is available.
It is also walkable from central Jackson (about a 10-20 minute walk depending on your start point). Local transit in Teton County provides seasonal bus service around Jackson; a taxi or rideshare can be used for direct access.
Tips for Visiting National Museum of Wildlife Art
- Visit early morning for quieter galleries and the best light on the museum's hillside view over the National Elk Refuge - combine a museum visit with roadside elk viewing at dawn or dusk.
- Use the museum's main entrance and car park off Highway 89 so you can start on the outdoor sculpture trail that circles the grounds; the outdoor collection and walking trail are often overlooked by visitors who head straight inside.
- Check the museum's calendar before you go and schedule a visit when live talks or demonstrations are running - these programs (and docent tours) are where many of the collection's stories and details become most vivid.