![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)
Visitors can enjoy peaceful moments observing or photographing wildlife in the grasslands, wetlands, and along the nature trail in the Lake Ilo Park. Since the establishment of the Refuge in 1939, there have been 227 bird, 36 mammal, 6 reptile, 3 amphibian, and 11 fish species observed. Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife viewing times, and spring and fall migration are peak times to observe and photograph many species and concentrations of birds. A wildlife list is available to provide information on species found on the Refuge.