June 03, 2025   Naturalist Notes 

Every fall and spring, the Yellowstone landscape becomes the stage for one of North America’s most impressive natural events: the migration of elk. These seasonal movements—spanning rugged mountains, river valleys, and high meadows—are not only vital to the survival of the elk herds but also to the health of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Tracking elk migration is more than just following hoofprints—it's a journey into the heart of a wild, interconnected landscape.

The Rhythms of the Herd

Elk, also known as wapiti (a Shawnee word meaning “white-rumped deer”), are among the largest members of the deer family. In Yellowstone, they exist in multiple herds, the most prominent being the Northern Yellowstone herd. Each year, thousands of these animals migrate in response to seasonal changes in temperature, food availability, and snowpack.

In the spring, as snow melts and new vegetation sprouts in higher elevations, elk begin moving from the low-elevation winter ranges in and around Yellowstone’s northern boundary to the high meadows of the park’s interior. There, they find rich grazing grounds to support calving and summer foraging.

Come autumn, the story reverses. As snow begins to fall and temperatures drop, the elk descend once again, retracing their route to lower elevations, where food is more accessible and winters less severe.

In Grand Teton National Park, the story is similar: elk spend the summer in and above the valley floor, but as winter approaches, they migrate out of the park and into the National Elk Refuge just outside of downtown Jackson Hole.

Photo: ETA Naturalist Audrey Fanjoy

Following the Path

Thanks to GPS collars and decades of field research, scientists now have a detailed understanding of elk movement through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These studies reveal that elk migration distances vary widely, but the average distance traveled is 39 miles (with the furthest being 168 miles!)—a journey across a mosaic of ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, and geothermal basins.

Researchers track migration patterns to answer big questions: How do land use changes affect migration? How are predators like wolves and bears influencing elk movements? And what happens when migration corridors are disrupted by roads, development, or climate change?

Each collar placed on an elk becomes a data-rich map of its journey, providing insight into how these animals interact with their environment and how we might better protect the pathways they rely on.

Elk, Ecosystems, and Interconnection

Elk are more than iconic animals; they are ecosystem engineers. Their migration influences plant growth, shapes predator-prey relationships, and even impacts waterways. For example, in areas where elk overgraze, young trees struggle to grow. Conversely, when elk numbers are balanced—especially in areas with wolves and cougars—the vegetation often rebounds, benefiting beavers, songbirds, and other species.

The return of wolves to Yellowstone in the 1990s sparked new research into how elk change their behavior in response to predators. As elk spent less time in certain riparian zones, willows and aspens began to thrive again, illustrating just how intertwined the web of life is in Yellowstone.

Why It Matters

Tracking elk migration is about understanding movement—but it's also about understanding resilience. These animals have been navigating this land for thousands of years, adapting to changing seasons and evolving threats. But their ancient paths are increasingly intersecting with modern challenges: highways, fences, human development, and climate change.

Preserving migration corridors is essential not just for elk, but for the entire Yellowstone ecosystem and the cultural and ecological heritage it represents. Migration routes are learned, passed down between generations of elk; as humans continue to develop wild spaces, more and more of these historic routes are impacted and at risk of being lost forever. Ongoing conservation efforts—such as wildlife crossings, land easements, and public education—help ensure that elk can continue their journey across the landscape.

Photo: Former ETA Naturalist Brian Doyle

A Wild Journey Continues

To witness an elk migration is to glimpse the timeless pulse of the wild. As they move through valleys and over ridgelines, elk remind us that Yellowstone is not a static place—it’s alive with motion, shaped by the footsteps of those who call it home.

Tracking these migrations means more than collecting data; it means honoring the wild rhythms of the land, learning from them, and doing our part to protect the paths that have defined Yellowstone for generations.

Whether you're a biologist, hiker, or simply a lover of wild places, following elk migration offers a powerful window into the resilience of nature and the importance of preserving wild landscapes. The journey is ongoing—and worth every step.