Jackson Hole is a vacation destination that calls endlessly to those travelers with a passion for outdoor adventures. From its scenic trails to its sparkling waterways, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to spending quality time in nature when you’re here. Jackson Hole also happens to be a place that knows how to celebrate and no matter when you arrive, you’re likely to find one of many annual events, festivals, or gatherings well underway! Those who are lucky enough to be planning a spring trip this way will find they’re right on time to enjoy the annual Jackson Hole ElkFest and Antler Auction when they’re in town. This event has been a beloved experience among locals and visitors alike for nearly 60 years and is typically hosted right in the heart of Town Square.
A Springtime Event to Look Forward to Enjoying
The Jackson Hole ElkFest and Antler Auction is part of a week-long celebration in Jackson Hole that inevitably appeals to visitors and the highest bidders from across the map. ElkFest and the Antler Auction are hosted each May right when the herd of thousands of elk over at the National Elk Refuge are shedding their antlers for the season before their summer migration. These antlers are collected across the 25,000 acres of terrain the refuge hosts in late April by the Jackson Hole Boy Scouts and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are then used as auction items integrated into the always inviting and exciting ElkFest celebration. In addition to seeing all of the antlers available at auction, ElkFest is a wonderful time for attendees to admire the four elk antler archways that adorn Town Square. These iconic landmarks are constructed with around 2,000 antlers each that weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds total! The first arch was built back in 1953 and today, they continue to be refurbished and finished to maintain their integrity and awe-inspiring design.
ElkFest Fun Ahead
ElkFest is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, May 17 in 2025, beginning with a preview of the antlers to auction off at 7:00 am at Town Square. There will be a private antler sale happening from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm over at the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum Booth located just North of Town Square on Center Street as well. Registration for the antler auction opens at 9:00 am and officially begins at 10:00 am. There will be a Kids’ Corner for little ones to enjoy that opens at 9:00 am on this day as well as a Teton Powwow hosted rom 11:00 am until 10:00 pm over at Munger Mountain Elementary School hosted by the Central Wyoming College and Native American Jump Start.
On May 18, those who attend ElkFest can be a part of the annual Jackson Hole High Noon Chili Cook-Off experience if they’d like. Hosted by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, this event celebrates all things chili! Participants compete in teams and work hard to serve up the tastiest bowl in the West. Both professionals and amateur teams are invited to participate so bringing your best skills to the table is a must. For the entirety of the ElkFest experience from May 15 until May 26, attendees can enjoy the Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row over at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Here, you’ll find options to enjoy handcrafted goods and refreshments on-site before settling in to watch interactive competitions featuring bows and arrows as well as knives and hawks to name a few of many.
All About the Antler Auction
Those who choose to participate in the Antler Auction during ElkFest will be part of a tradition in Jackson Hole that first came to town in 1968 and continues to go strong to this day. The auction is always a fun and unique experience for participants, but it also works as an important fundraising event for the local Boy Scouts troupe. 75 percent of the proceeds from the auction go directly towards supporting the organization and is typically put toward habitat improvement projects they host at the National Elk Refuge. The remainder of the proceeds is used to fun Boy Scouts’ Friends of Scouting dues each year. In total, it takes an average of 2,000 hours for the 200 local Boy Scouts and leaders to collect all of the elk antlers used for the auction at ElkFest. The average price per pound of antler at the auction sits around $23 and auction attendees can expect to have around 8,000 pounds of antlers to bid on in any given year. The record for poundage of antlers collected remains at 13,698 pounds back in 2014, but the troupe is always aiming to break that record, and 2025 might just be the year they do so. There’s no cost to attend the auction which is a great way to support the local community and a fun experience for visitors of all ages in Jackson Hole.
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