National Museum of Wildlife Art
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For our last day in the Tetons, we headed over to Jackson to stock up on groceries before our next destination of Yellowstone. While we were in town, we stopped at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The museum sits up on a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge. The elk herd winters there in huge numbers, and in colder months they’re fed to help prevent starvation. That practice started after massive die-offs in the early 1900s. While it’s helped preserve the herd, it’s still debated. Some say the feeding causes crowding and disease, and others argue it’s necessary since natural winter range has been lost.
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One of the most remarkable exhibits at the musuem was the sculpture trail outside. They had a group of life-sized elephants made from an invasive plant from India. Indian artisans harvest the plant, which is harmful to native wildlife, and repurpose it into the sculpture. Right next to the elephant herd were six bronze bison. The artwork inside was a tribute to the surrounding landscape, with paintings and sculptures of wildlife and wilderness.
We had lunch at a European spot called Miazgas, which totally hit the spot with delicious pierogis. Before heading back to camp, we stopped by Jackson Town Square and took the classic photo under the elk antler arches.
And of course, like always, we spotted bison on the way back to camp.
We had lunch at a European spot called Miazgas, which totally hit the spot with delicious pierogis. Before heading back to camp, we stopped by Jackson Town Square and took the classic photo under the elk antler arches.
And of course, like always, we spotted bison on the way back to camp.