Along the lakeshore, aspen groves and colorful wild-flower meadows alternate with extensive conifer forests. Lush meadows attract mule deer and elk, while the lake attracts American white pelicans, Canada geese and other waterfowl. The roads and trails in the Colter Bay area provide views of a wide array of mammals. Deer feed at the edge of conifer forests. Uinta ground squirrels flourish in dry sagebrush meadows, while red squirrels chatter incessantly from conifer forests.
Alert observers catch occasional glimpses of snowshoe hares and martens in the conifer forests.
Shrubby willows provide browse for moose. In evening and early morning elk graze on grasses growing in large patches among willow stands. Oxbow Bend A cut-off meander of the Snake River is one mile east of Jackson Lake Junction. Moose browse on abundant willows at the water's edge. Elk occasionally graze in the open aspen groves to the east.