![Two children looking at a herd of elk from the bed of a carriage in a snowy landscape with mountains in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_600/public/2021-02/winter-sleigh-ride-on-national-elk-refuge-natalie-fath-usfws.jpg?itok=V3h6XPlX)
Whether you prefer driving, hiking, or sitting quietly in nature, the Refuge offers excellent opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife, unwind, and enjoy the outdoors. Numerous species of ducks and other waterbirds can be seen from April through October. The best time for viewing migratory waterfowl is October when the birds congregate during their fall migration. In the uplands, grassland birds can be seen throughout the breeding season. Sharp-tailed grouse and white-tailed deer can be seen year-round.