grizzly bear tour yellowstone

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Yellowstone Bears: 5 Top Places to See Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone

Written by nick on may 11, 2023, grizzly bears: the most iconic yellowstone bears.

Still listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, grizzly bears have expanded their habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by 50%.

In addition, their population has increased to an estimated total of over 1,000 bears as of 2021, when the most recent figures were published. Their numbers dipped as low as 136 back in 1975, so they’ve made a remarkable recovery.

Because of the lore and mystique surrounding this unique species, just about all of the people who visit America’s first national park each year arrive hoping to see these iconic Yellowstone bears.

It’s certainly not as easy as it once was to spot grizzly bears in Yellowstone, but if you’re in the right place at the right time, you could catch a glimpse of a Yellowstone grizzly. But before you go, make sure you review these critical Yellowstone bear safety tips .

Here’s our list of the top places to spot Yellowstone bears, including the famed grizzly bears.

1. Lamar Valley

Valleys and meadows are the best places to spot Yellowstone bears. And what better place to start looking for grizzly bears in Yellowstone than the area known as “America’s Serengeti”?

Located in the northeast corner of the park between the Tower/Roosevelt area and the Northeast Entrance, the Lamar Valley is s superb place to see all kinds of animals. You’ll find bison, elk, and moose here.

Of course, animals like these attract predators such as wolves and grizzly bears, so the Lamar Valley is a prime place to see these more elusive Yellowstone residents.

Before we go any further on our list of great places to spot Yellowstone bears, two important notes:

• Never approach wildlife in Yellowstone.
• For elk, bison, and all Yellowstone wildlife, maintain a safe distance of at least 25 yards.
• But for bears and wolves, never get within 100 yards. Remember, these are wild, dangerous animals, and they can kill you.

Now that we’ve covered a bit of safety, let’s have a look at other great places to see grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park.

2. Gardner’s Hole

Located west of Bunsen Peak, this four-mile basin was named for Johnson Gardner, a trapper who frequented the area in the 1800s.

There’s a campground named Gardner’s Hole on the Gardner River. It’s not far west and south of Mammoth Hot Springs.

This is definitely an off-the-beaten path destination, so be prepared to hike in or take a horseback ride. There are great options for trail rides in this area, the guides can help you stay safe in bear country.

3. Hayden Valley

In many respects, Hayden Valley is similar to the Lamar Valley in that it’s a wide, open area that draws several species such as bison, elk, deer, and others.

In turn, these species attract bears and wolves, both of which can be seen by those with a keen eye — and, ideally, a spotting scope — in Hayden Valley.

Hayden Valley has plenty of pullouts and small parking areas along the road, so it’s easy to pull off and get out of your vehicle to look for animals. Keep in mind, though, that if you see wildlife that’s too close for comfort, you should stay in your vehicle to avoid a confrontation.

Grizzly bears are most active at night, when we can’t see them. But there are opportunities at dawn and dusk to spot Yellowstone bears, so these are the best times of day to be in the Hayden Valley.

4. East Entrance Road

If you’re driving through Yellowstone National Park, you’ll notice that in many areas, there isn’t anything to see. The road is enclosed by a wall of pine trees on both sides for miles, and you won’t have much luck spotting wildlife in these areas.

However, the road between the East Entrance and Fishing Bridge is flanked in many areas by open meadows, streams, and small lakes, which are prime areas to see Yellowstone bears and other incredible species like moose or elk.

Because most Yellowstone visitors spend a lot of time in their vehicles, you want to take advantage of every opportunity to spot grizzly bears and other animals. Encourage the other members of your party to keep their eyes open and look for Yellowstone bears, especially in meadows and valleys.

This is a good example of why it pays to drive slowly as you journey through Yellowstone National Park. It’s just one of the top tips for people driving through Yellowstone .

5. Dunraven Pass

This mountain pass is along the park’s Grand Loop Road, located between Canyon and Tower. The pass is named for The 4th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, who visited Yellowstone on a huntine expedition in 1874.

It’s the highest pass in Yellowstone National Park, and since Yellowstone bears tend to frequent higher elevations during the scorching summer months, Dunraven Pass is a fantastic place to look for grizzly bears.

If you’re serious about seeing Yellowstone bears, don’t just drive through the pass. There are plenty of excellent hiking trails in this area, so take the chance to get out and explore Yellowstone the way it’s meant to be seen.

Keep in mind that Yellowstone is wild, and you’re responsible for your own safety. It’s also vital that you follow park rules and regulations to preserve natural resources and avoid negatively impacting wildlife like Yellowstone bears.

Check out this list of Yellowstone bear management areas , which contains information about closures and restrictions.

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Private Tour

2 day bear and wolf safari.

Destination

Amplify your experience with Yellowstone National Park’s iconic apex predators, and immerse yourself deeper into the wilds of America’s most untamed ecosystem.

Our 2-Day Bear & Wolf Safari tours are offered in the spring, summer, and fall, and will focus on finding and observing black bears , grizzly bears , and wolves .  These safaris emphasize the incredible relationship that predators share with their prey, as well as their fascinating impact on the ecosystem as a whole.  A 2-day safari gives us opportunities for multiple game-drives during peak wildlife activity periods , when both predators & prey are commonly seen foraging, exploring, and interacting with each other on the vast expanses of Yellowstone National Park.

With the use of the binoculars & spotting scopes provided to you, we can unobtrusively observe authentic wild behaviors that unfold before us.  Your professional naturalist guide is there to interpret the events taking place, and share their in-depth knowledge of these intimate experiences.

Our 2-Day Bear & Wolf Safaris are completely customizable.  The needs, desires, and comfort of our guests are our utmost priorities.  We aim to include several highlights that Yellowstone is famous for in our itinerary and welcoming other impromptu experiences.  Our guides are flexible and will lead the journey according to your interests, current wildlife sightings, and weather.  We will arrange accommodations on the border of, or within, Yellowstone National Park to give you complete access to Yellowstone, and its wonders, in every condition.

A multi-day tour allows for more time spent out of the vehicle. Our guides are trained in wilderness safety and are ready to share the incredibly special backcountry of Yellowstone National Park with our guests. Hikes and walks ranging from 20 minutes to several hours are available and encouraged for our guests who long to escape the din of people and cars and enter the magnificent wilderness. Secret thermal features, pristine waterfalls, and undisturbed wildlife encounters are daily finds on our journeys.

What's Included

• Hotel pickup
• Professional naturalist guide
• Private safari
• Breakfast x2
• Assorted snack basket
• Non-alcoholic beverages (hot and cold)
• Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
• Guide gratuities
• National Park entrance fees

Private Safari

Pickup information.

All of our guests are picked up (and dropped off) at their lodging location.  We pick up in Bozeman , Paradise Valley , Gardiner , Big Sky , West Yellowstone and Cody .  When you reserve, we’ll confirm your exact pickup time, based on the season, as well as your exact pickup location.

Please allow your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled pickup time in case of weather delays or traffic conditions.

Approximate pickup times include:

• 6:00AM Bozeman
• 6:45AM Paradise Valley
• 7:30AM Gardiner
• 6:45AM Big Sky
• 7:45AM West Yellowstone
• 6:00AM Cody

Yellowstone National Park

Your guide will meet you at your lodging, and you will travel to the closest entrance gate for Yellowstone National Park.  From there you will spend the day exploring some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the park, and delve into the rich diversity of Wildlife you encounter along the way. Animals such as wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, coyotes, bald eagles, elk, bison and swans are usual suspects.

Your naturalist guide will also take you on short walks to view wildlife and experience nature with all of your senses. In the afternoon we will return to our evening accommodations, where a few hours of downtime are possible. Your guide will escort you to one of the area’s local dining establishments for a hearty dinner, and then the conclusion of the evening is yours for resting and relaxing.  For the wildlife enthusiasts, your guide may also be amenable to an early meal followed by an evening game drive into the National Park.

We will aim for an early start today, and dependent upon the latest wildlife activity, we’ll begin our morning game drive at, or before, sunrise to put us in prime predator habitat during this peak activity period.  We will have numerous options for hiking and exploring throughout the day, as well as time for hands on investigations into the lives of Yellowstone’s various birds and large game mammals. As the temperatures rise and wildlife slows, your guide will be happy to showcase some of Yellowstone’s famous features; the Grand Canyon with its impressive waterfalls, and Old Faithful Geyser, the tallest predictable geyser in the World. We will return you to your lodging of choice, by early evening, in time for you to check-in and enjoy dinner and the rest of your vacation.

WOW!!! Our guide made everything come alive with in depth descriptions of how the area was formed to special out of the way spots that were a treat. He even found us a wonderful spot to view Old Faithful that made it spectacular. So, this time I saw Yellowstone with a different eye. The colors, the scenery and the unique areas were like seeing the park for the first time. This is the only way to experience Yellowstone Park. Worth every penny of the investment. We spent two days with him and would return again without question. Next time I want to see the park in wintertime. The clouds of steam from the geysers, the frost and snow on the trees and a cozy fire to cuddle up to at the end of the day. And, the sound of silence broken only by nature. Can't wait!!!

Safari Tour Gallery

All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides .

What is your cancellation policy?

We have a 7-day cancellation policy for all 2-day and 3-day wildlife safaris.  Cancellations made before the cancellation policy goes into effect will receive a full refund.  Cancellations made within 7 days of departure, and before the day of departure will receive a 50% refund.  Cancellations or no-shows on the day of departure will not be refunded. We strongly recommend travel insurance in order to protect you from unforeseen travel interruptions that prevent you from joining us.

What should I bring?

We will step in and out of vehicles during our safari tours so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes that allow you to walk on uneven surfaces, like gravel, or a boardwalk.  Stepping in and out allows us to make the best use of our time in Yellowstone National Park and gives us the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.  Your guide will have binoculars and spotting scopes for you to use, but do not forget to bring your camera!  While Yellowstone has some modern facilities, we are going to be traveling through remote areas of a National Park.  Please remember to being any personal items, like medication, that you may need during the day.

What should I wear?

The rocky mountain range can see drastic temperature swings during the day, even in the summer months.  Please come prepared!  For clothing, synthetic layers are best in our mountain environment.  Base layers act as a wicking layer against the body, so we recommend anything from a light weight layer to an expedition weight layer, depending on the season.  A mid layer provides warmth, so we recommend a mid weight fleece layer or softshell jacket for the upper body and a pair of travel pants or jeans for the legs.  The outer layer provides protection from the elements and serves as a wind/water blocking layer.  A waterproof shell for your upper body will keep you dry and therefore, warm.  For the legs, we recommend either weatherproof rain or snow pants, depending on the season.  You may not need an outer layer during the warm summer months with no rain forecasted, but it is still a good idea to bring it with you.  Conditions can change quickly.  Your footwear should be comfortable and appropriate for the season.  For the summertime, walking shoes or hiking boots are a great choice.  Please avoid wearing flip-flops.  For winter, snow boots with wool socks will keep your feet warm.  For winter, you’ll also want to bring a wool, or fleece, hat, as well as mittens/gloves to keep your hands warm.  In the summertime, a light hat with a visor is all you’ll need on your head.  In any season, do not forget sunscreen or sunglasses.  At high altitude, the sun’s rays are intense, even in winter.

What do others say about this tour?

5 Stars Best experience and worth every penny. If you want to see Yellowstone in style without the hassle of driving this is the way to do it. We did a two day tour. Day one took us to geysers and waterfalls. Our guide was so knowledgeable and personable. We got to “old faithful ” and he set up a picnic for us with boxed lunch. Great day. We learned so much and we were able to take great pictures. Day two was with a different guide. We saw wildlife. Set us up with binoculars and scopes. We saw grizzly, bison, coyote, rams, elk.  Her knowledge was impressive! She was a great driver too and as little as she was, she could park the GMC Yukon between two rocks like a champ! She took us on a beautiful hike too. Also great picnic lunch. I recommend this tour company 100%. Shadi B.

Guides and Staff

Local, experienced naturalist guides.

Ash Tallmadge

Naturalist guide / manager.

Grant Johnson

Naturalist guide.

Gary Vodehnal

Garry Edson

Rae Rediske

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Best of Yellowstone

Yellowstone Wildlife Safari

3 Day Bear and Wolf Safari

• Spring and Summer Bear Viewing Photography Tours In Yellowstone National Park

by admin | Yellowstone Park Guided Tours |

Viewing wild grizzlies during the summer in Yellowstone Park is an excellent way to view bears in their natural habitat.

Grizzlies are viewed with spotting scopes. While spotting and viewing bears the group will learn through open discussion everything they ever wanted to know about bears, wolves, Yellowstone Park or anything else they are interested in.

Elk, bison, bald eagles, harrier hawks, coyotes, and once in awhile wolves are also viewed along with grizzlies during this tour. Note: During the summer this is a wild backcountry tour, not a road tour like most other guides offer.

Spring/Summer Bear and Wolf Viewing Tours:

March, April and May, June, July, August, September, October

Guests meet up at the north entrance. Early AM tours are offered.

Groups make use of the road system to cover a much larger area, and use the vehicle for safety. Guides can allow bears to get much closer to groups during the spring while in the vehicle. Photography equipment is welcome and encouraged.

Guests are encouraged to lodge up at the north entrance during the spring months. It often snows during these months and the park service will close the roads south of Mammoth at night until late the next morning when they can clear the roads and make them safe. Lodging up at the north entrance at either Mammoth Hotel or Gardiner, Montana allows us access into two separate areas. If it snows and the roads south of Mammoth are closed, we have access into the northern range which does not shut down or close when it snows. We always have a backup area.

March: This is primarily a wolf viewing month. We always start to see bears emerge from winter dens around March 15, but they do not all exit dens at the same time. It is a slow progression. With adult females with new born cubs emerging last, usually in late April. Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Bison, Eagles, Wolves, Coyotes, Red Fox and occasionally we will see River Otters.

April: As we get into April, the numbers of bears that show up start to increase. It varies each year and is based on weather, and snow melt. Sometime near the end of the month, the last bears to exit their dens–the females with new born cubs start to show up. We will also see Pronghorn, who have spent the winter in Gardiner start to show up as they migrate back in. The bison will begin to give birth to calves around the end of the month. Black and Grizzly Bears, Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Bison with new born calves, Eagles, Owls, Red Fox, Coyotes, Ground Squirrels, Wolves are what can be expected.

May: The first week of May we are still accessing the northern range. As the roads south of Mammoth open, tours will often use other areas of the park–depending on weather conditions and bear activity.

Black and Grizzly Bears, Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Bison with new born calves, Eagles, Owls, Red Fox, Coyotes, Ground Squirrels, Wolves are common.

Yellowstone Park Guided Tours

• Full Day Yellowstone Park Tour
• Guided Backcountry Hiking
• The Winter/Spring Wolf And Wildlife Viewing-Photo Tour

Wildlife Tours, Expeditions & Safaris

Celebrating 30 years of service hosting more than 45,000 guests in Yellowstone National Park and national parks around the world! National Park Service and US Forest Service licensed. Private expert level tours! Tours available from all cities in Yellowstone area!

Office Telephone: +1-406-585-9041

For immediate service & last-minute bookings: +1-406-579-2344 by text or voice call, po box 746 bozeman, mt 59771 usa, [email protected], reserve your tour today, trip photos.

We are licensed by the U.S. National Park Service and operate under a special use permit with the Gallatin National Forest. We are an equal opportunity provider. US National Park Service approved Covid-19 Operating Plan. All guests are requested to follow safety protocols. All tours are privately guided with just your party and the guide in the vehicle for the highest quality and your safety. We do not combine unknown people .  Copyright (c) 2021.　All tour designs and descriptions are owned by Yellowstone Glacier Adventures, Inc.  All rights reserved. Adventure Yellowstone, Inc. and Yellowstone YearRound Adventures, Inc. are licensed names for YGA. Website design and hosting by Hale Multimedia

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Living With Large Carnivores Part One: Bear Identification

A boar grizzly emerges from the woods in Grand Teton National Park

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the most biologically intact temperate ecosystems left on earth.  It is here that visitors have an opportunity to see the same animals which were here when the first European American explorers entered the area in 1807.  Our large carnivore populations, including mountain lion, wolf, black bear and grizzly bear have rebounded to some of the highest levels in the last century.  Coexistence and the reduction of conflict is becoming increasingly important as these animals come into closer contact with humans.  In this two part series we first explore how to identify the difference between two of our large carnivores, black and grizzly bears.  Then we discuss ways to reduce and avoid conflict with our wild neighbors. Read on for more!

Bear Identification

For years, people have journeyed to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks to view the sights and wildlife, especially bears.  Both grizzly and black bears are found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and each has its particular challenges with coexistence.  Though close encounters with both species should always be avoided careful identification to distinguish the two can be helpful in avoiding conflict. 

Unreliable Characteristics

It is not uncommon for both visitors and locals to observe a brown colored bear and assume it is a grizzly.  However, black bears are frequently observed in the parks with brown coats, see the photo below.

Cinnamon Black Bear, Grand Teton National Park.  Also notice the short curved claws, straight face, and tall skinny ears characteristic of black bears.  This is a tagged bear that is being studied by the NPS, as indicated by its ear tags.  Photo: Josh Metten

Body size is also an unreliable indicator .   Juvenile grizzlies have been mistaken for black bears and vice versa.  Droppings of black and grizzly bears are difficult to distinguish and vary widely depending on the type of food being consumed.  Finally, though it is much more common to see black bears climbing trees, grizzlies, especially cubs, may occasionally climb them as well!

Reliable Characteristics

Fortunately, bears have a number of easily identifiable characteristics which can be used to tell them apart.  Grizzlies have a pronounced muscular hump on their backs, between their front shoulders, used to aid in digging for food or den construction.  This hump is absent in black bears, who have a flat back from head to hindquarters.

Notice the clear muscular hump showing on this two year old juvenile grizzly.  We found it digging for plants and small mammals in Grand Teton National Park Photo: Josh Mette n

The facial profile of grizzly and black bears is also different, but may be more subtle.  Grizzlies display a dish shaped concavity while black bears have a more straight face from eyes to nose.  This is often most easily identified from a profile view.  Ears are often a good indicator of species.  Black bear ears will appear taller, skinny and more widely spaced than those of grizzlies.  Grizzly ears will appear shorter, more rounded and more closely together.

This boar grizzly has a dish shaped face with a depression where the nose meets the skull.  We found him in the northern part of the Jackson Hole valley, inside Grand Teton National Park.  Photo: Josh Metten

Black Bear faces are more straight from the tip of the nose to head.  This bear has climbed up a hawthorn tree in southern Grand Teton National Park and is feeding the ripe berries.  Photo: Taylor Phillips

Claws of the two species are quite different.  Grizzlies use their long, straight claws for digging which can often be easily viewed from a distance.  They are often found in open meadows using these claws do dig up edible roots, small mammals, or bury the carcass of larger animals.  In contrast, black bears have more curved claws which aid in climbing.  Black bears prefer forested areas where they can quickly climb to safety if threatened by another animal, including grizzlies.

The long digging claws of grizzlies are even more pronounced after emerging in spring, as they emerge thin after hibernation.  Photo: Josh Metten

Though we do often see bears while visiting the parks, tracks are often an exciting find which can tell us about their whereabouts.  The arrangement of the toe pads is more curved on the front track of black bears, so much that if you were to draw a line between the toe pads and the main pad it would intersect with the pinky toe.  With grizzlies, the toes are straight across and generally would do not intersect the line.  The hind feet of both species, which are larger than the front are also different.  The main pad of a black bear is similar to the print of a human foot, while a grizzly’s main pad is more triangular or wedge-shaped coming to more of a point at the heel. 

Notice the large gap between the toes and claws of these grizzly tracks.   Photo: Josh Metten

Black Bear track with curved line between toes and pad.  Notice two of the five claw marks registered in the mud, close to the toes.  Photo: Josh Metten

Bear identification can be tricky, but can help avoid conflict situations and ensure a safe viewing experience .  Click here for part two of this topic, where we discuss ways to reduce and prevent conflict with our wild neighbors of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

To learn more about a safari with Ecotour Adventures visit our website or call (307) 690-9533.  We hope to see you soon! Photos and blog by Naturalist Josh Metten

Thanks to Mark Gocke and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for helping with this article! 

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Orf Virus on the National Elk Refuge (Winter 2023-24) Bighorn sheep on the National Elk Refuge are showing visual clinical signs of battling orf virus, also known as sore mouth infection. This virus is contagious to humans. Read more to learn how to protect yourself and our population of bighorn sheep. Read more

Guide to Winter Activities in Jackson Hole We asked our guides what their favorite winter activities in Jackson Hole are. Read more to hear what they had to say! Read more

Learning Resources About Bison Interested in learning more about our National Mammal, the American bison? We're excited to begin a new program of sharing book, documentary, and podcast recommendations that our guides have found particularly informative and educational. Our guides have spent years learning about the GYE, so keep in mind that these recommendations only scratch the surface. This month we're highlighting the bison! Read more

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BrushBuck Wildlife Tours

Yellowstone Tours

Yellowstone National Park is a vast and rich national park, filled with an abundance wildlife and hydrothermal features like the famous Old Faithful geyser. Book an unforgettable tour of Yellowstone National Park with the expert guides at BrushBuck Wildlife Tours!

Did you know the Old Faithful geyser is just one of over 10,000 active hydrothermal features within Yellowstone National Park?

Our Yellowstone tours focus on viewing these geothermal features and vast wildlife including grizzly and black bear, wolves, elk, moose, bison, bald eagles, and so much more. Get the most out of your Yellowstone National Park vacation by booking a tour with the veteran guides at BrushBuck Wildlife Tours. We offer summer and winter tour options with single day and multi-day tour formats. Tours embark from Jackson, WY, and West Yellowstone.

BrushBuck Wildlife Tours is a veteran owned business based out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming for over 10 years with perfect, 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor, Google, and Viator. We are the largest Yellowstone tour company in the Jackson area.

Grand Teton Dawn or Dusk Four Hour Tour

Our Grand Teton Dawn or Dusk tours are 4-hour guided tours centered on wildlife observation throughout Grand Teton National Park. Guests traveling between June-September on the public four-hour tour will be in our EXCLUSIVE BrushBuck Wildlife Tours Open-Air Safari Vehicle *weather dependent. In colder weather conditions tours will be an enclosed vehicle.

Grand Teton / Yellowstone 2 Day / 1 Night Wildlife Tour

This two day tour is perfect for seeing the vast wildlife of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. We’ll start early in the morning from Jackson Hole, Wyoming and venture into Grand Teton National Park where you’ll have a chance to spot a variety of wildlife. You’ll see the beautiful Upper and Lower Falls of Yellowstone. Your group will also stop at the famous and Old Faithful Geyser.

Grand Teton / Yellowstone 4 Day / 3 Night Wildlife Adventure

Our 4 day / 3 night tour of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park is perfect for those who want to really experience everything these parks has to offer. Guests will truly get to immerse themselves in the beautiful scenery and vast wildlife. See famous attractions including Oxbow Bend, Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley, and the famous Yellowstone geyser basins. We will walk around the boardwalks at Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pots and Mud Pots, and the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser!

Grand Teton Winter Wonderland – Full Day Tour

Our Grand Teton Winter Wonderland Day Tour includes a horse drawn sleigh ride on The National Elk Refuge. The National Elk Refuge is the wintering ground for thousands of elk that seek the low valley in order to better endure the harsh winter.

Yellowstone Private Wildlife & Scenic Day Tour

Our expert guides will take you and your party on a private tour focusing on the vast wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy possible sightings of grizzly and black bear, wolves, elk, moose, bison, bald eagles, and so much more. We’ll make stops at The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to view the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

Take a day tour through the Lower Loop of Yellowstone National Park with BrushBuck Wild life Tours! You’ll spot various wildlife throughout the tour and walk the boardwalks at hydrothermal features such as Old Faithful Geyser, Fountain Paint-Pots and Mud-Pots, West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Yellowstone Winter Wolf Tour 4 Day / 3 Night

If you are looking to see the wolves of Yellowstone this tour is for you! On our 4 day / 3 night Yellowstone Wolf Tour we’ll travel into Yellowstone National Park from Bozeman, Montana to the northern range of Yellowstone when wolves were first reintroduced in 1995 – the best place on earth to view wolves! Guest will have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife and attractions along the way. We’ll be communicating with other guides and wolf researchers to offer you the best wolf sightings!

4 Day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Winter Adventure

Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park on this 4 day / 3 night Winter Tour with BrushBuck Wildlife Tours! We’ll depart from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to the National Elk Refuge for a sleigh ride, travel from Grand Teton to West Yellowstone stopping for wildlife and scenic photography. We’ll take a Snowcoach though Yellowstone up the Madison River stopping at Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots and so much more!

Yellowstone Grand Canyon Snowmobile Tour

Explore the Yellowstone wilderness, viewing wildlife, fantastic scenery, majestic waterfalls, and thermal features on this private tour of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon!

Yellowstone Old Faithful Snowmobile Tour

Take a guided snowmobile tour through Yellowstone National Park to see the majestic Old Faithful geyser erupt in a plume of steam into the winter air, or experience the two spectacular waterfalls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

WHAT’S YOUR PERFECT YELLOWSTONE TOUR?

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What Our Guests Say

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of wildlife can you see in yellowstone national park.

Possible wildlife sightings in Yellowstone National Park include grizzly and black bear, wolves, elk, moose, bison, bald eagles, and so much more. Yellowstone’s abundant and diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers.

According to NPS.gov: There are nearly 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, 5 species of Amphibians, 6 species of Reptiles, 2 species of Bears and 67 species of mammals.

What Tour Formats Do You Offer?

We offer summer and winter tour options with single day and multi-day tour formats. Private Tours are also available for small groups. All tours embark from Jackson, WY, and West Yellowstone.

Our expertly guided tours focus on the geothermal features and vast wildlife including grizzly and black bear, wolves, elk, moose, bison, bald eagles, and much more.

Summer Tour Options

During summer we offer single and multi-day tour options to destinations including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to view the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.

Winter Tour Options

During winter we offer half-day/full-day tours to Grand Teton National Park , and can book Yellowstone snowcoach and snowmobile tours to destinations like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We also offer multi-day tours through Grand Teton and Yellowstone. View all our winter tours .

How Do I Book A Tour?

Feel free to book your tour online or call us directly at  (307) 699-2999 . We can also answer any of your questions via our LiveChat service, or our  contact form  for more information and booking a tour.

What Precautions Are You Taking To Keep Guests Safe?

BrushBuck Wildlife Tours takes the health and safety of our guests seriously. We want you to have the peace of mind that our tour guides will take the following precautions:

• Cleaning and sanitizing vehicles after every tour
• Use of disposable items like tablecloths, paper plates and cups
• Operating vehicles at 50% capacity to provide a greater social distance for customers throughout the tour.
• Operating private tours so each group one family or travel group
• Guests will have availability to face masks and hand sanitizer throughout the tour

How Many People Will Be On The Tour

Our 10 passenger vehicles will be booked at a 5 passenger capacity. Perfect for booking accommodations as private family or travel groups vacations.

What Type of Vehicles Will We Be Traveling In?

Our fleet is made up of SUVs and 10 Passenger vans. Vehicles are fully enclosed with heat and air conditioning.

• Dodge Promaster 10 Passenger Vans
• Chevrolet 10 Passenger Vans
• Chevrolet Suburbans

YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON TOURS

Join us for the experience of a lifetime with a luxury wildlife tour at Yellowstone and Grand Teton! Hone your photography skills as you snap pictures of wildlife like elk, moose, and wolves, or simply take in the amazing views of geysers, waterfalls, and lakes on your Grand Teton tour. Learn about the history of the park and enjoy locally sourced food to help you refuel. Browse all Yellowstone and Grand Teton tours and book online today!

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YELLOWSTONE LOWER LOOP TOUR

Explore the amazing natural features of the Yellowstone Lower Loop, including lakes, geysers, and waterfalls, on this full-day safari from Jackson through Grand Teton National Park.

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SUMMER & FALL WILDLIFE SAFARI

A sunrise or sunset wildlife safari in the Tetons is a beautiful time to be in the park. The light and color in the valley are perfect for photography and the animals are active.

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WINTER & SPRING WILDLIFE SAFARI

Winter and Spring are magical seasons to explore Yellowstone, as animals come down from the high mountains and show off for us. See bighorn sheep, elk, moose, wolves, and other animals.

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Discover great locations for wild life and landscape photography by one of our professional life photographers as we embark on a private safari through this land that teems with wildlife, geology, and beautiful scenery.

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FULL-DAY GRAND TETON TOUR

Take a full-day safari through the Grand Teton National Park! Make stops to scope out resident animals, take photographs, and admire the beautiful scenery and landscape.

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Last updated: March 25, 2024

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PO Box 168 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

307-344-7381

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3 Day Bear and Wolf Safari Tour

Destination

Jackson Hole is a gateway to two amazing National Parks, both of which offer over a million acres of natural landscape to explore.  Conservation efforts dating back to 1872 have enabled this invaluable resource to be protected and managed for all to enjoy and has simultaneously enabled the restoration and persistence of incredible habitats, geological features, archaeological sites, and wildlife species. 

Every year millions of visitors make the journey to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park to revel in the features that have been preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations, but the vastness of these parks can make this a daunting task.  Fortunately, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris offers an extensive 3 Day Bear and Wolf Safari, which is perfect for park enthusiasts who want to make the most of their visit to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. 

Most visitors to Jackson Hole arrive with the plans of spending 1-2 days exploring both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.  While many of these parks’ iconic features can be seen in that time frame, to truly observe what’s beyond the common tourist hotspots requires more time and guidance.  Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris aims to immerse visitors in these incredible National Parks by offering a 3 Day Bear and Wolf Safari Tour.  With more than just a day, expert naturalist guides can lead you through Grand Teton and both the southern and northern regions of Yellowstone National Park.  

As the name of this tour implies, seeing token features like Old Faithful will not be the only goal.  Seeking out some of the most elusive apex predators in their natural habitat is a top priority.  The team of naturalist guides that Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris employs is what makes this company top tier, without their field experience and insight into seasonal wildlife behaviors this 3 Day Wolf and Grizzly Bear Safari would not be the quality product it is.  Prepared to be immersed in the art of visually combing valleys, mountainsides, meadows, and woodlands for a diversity of wildlife species.  Equipped with binoculars, high-powered spotting scopes, and the expertise of your personal guide the possibility of seeing wolves and grizzly bears will increase exponentially.  

The journey will begin near dawn in the incredible valley of Jackson Hole.  Bordered by the jagged alpine peaks of the Teton Range to the west and the more rolling, but just as picturesque Gros Ventre Mountain Range to the east the scenery at this point of origin is abundant.  The search for wildlife will begin as soon as you enter Grand Teton National Park, which is just 5 miles north of downtown Jackson, WY.  In the morning there are often prospects of moose and elk sightings, and depending on the season the chance of spotting a foraging Black or Grizzly Bear.  Eventually, you will enter the southern boundaries of Yellowstone National Park, from there your guide might take you to see the amazing array of geyser basins and vistas the world’s first national park harbors, or proceed to more fruitful wildlife hotspots and save the rest for another day.  

Be prepared for 3 action-packed days of exploring the hidden gems of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.  One-of-a-kind geothermal features, impeccable terrain, and an amazing diversity of wildlife are only the headliners of this experience.  Depending on your interests, activities such as hiking, souvenir shopping, or visits to park museums can be incorporated into the tour.  But do not forget to take advantage of the greatest resource- your personal guide.  They will have a wealth of knowledge and stories to share along the way.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and you will take home with you some amazing insights into Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.  

What's Included

• Hotel pickup
• Professional naturalist guide
• Private safari
• Breakfast x3
• Assorted snack basket
• Hot and cold beverages
• Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
• Guide gratuities
• National Park entrance fees
• Activity (Optional)

Private Safari

Pick-up times.

All guests are picked up and returned to their place of lodging. We pick up at hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village. Please make note of your pickup time, and save it for your reference.

Please be ready and waiting in the hotel lobby a few minutes before your pickup, and allow an additional 5-10 minutes for your guide to arrive, just in case they are delayed for any reason.

Seasonal changes to trip timing may be made to accommodate daylight and/or optimum wildlife viewing.

Approximate pickup times for Jackson Hole include:

6:30AM, May-October

We booked a tour with this company and it was fabulous! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared lots of information about both the animals and the area. We would gladly go again! The company was very professional and made us feel like a valued client. We saw every animal we wanted to see as well as the most beautiful scenery ever. We highly recommend it.

Grand Teton National Park

We will begin by searching for the abundant wildlife of Grand Teton National Park. Over the last several years Grand Teton has become one of the best wildlife viewing parks in the world with all of the region’s wildlife represented. Moose, elk, deer, bison, pronghorn, fox, coyote, bald and golden eagles, black bears, grizzly bears and even wolves are commonly spotted depending on season. We will also spend time enjoying the scenery and attractions of Grand Teton with time to enjoy famous park sites and scenic overlooks including the Moulton Barns, Mormon Row, Schwabacher’s Landing, Elk Ranch, Signal Mountain and Maude Noble’s cabin to name a few options.

From here the route will vary on road conditions but we will make our way to the Lamar Valley, often called the Serengeti of North America. This is the single best wildlife viewing area in Yellowstone and known for the abundance of grizzlies and wolves. Here we will spend the afternoon and evening in search of these apex predators with time to learn about and photograph other wildlife, thermal features and the magnificent scenery in this part of the park.

The day will end in Silvergate, Montana (or similar). Silvergate is only a half mile from the park entrance and one of the most remote places you will ever spend the night. We will enjoy dinner at a local eatery and rest up for another full day in the park.

Yellowstone National Park

Expect an early start to the day, finding wildlife (especially wolves) is most opportune at dawn.  The morning will be dedicated to searching for animals, and the rest of the day can then be spent on enjoying scenery, seeing geothermal features such as Mammoth Hot Springs and potentially going on a hike.  The day will conclude with returning to your place of lodging and going to dinner.  If there is time and energy for it, a quick trip into the park to look for wildlife at dusk is an option. 

That last day of this three day wildlife safari adventure will entail seeking out any more wildlife species that might have not yet been seen, visiting any remaining geothermal features or iconic locations of interest and going on any hikes that you did not yet get to.  Ultimately you will be proceeding south in order to end the tour in Jackson Hole where you will be dropped off just before dinnertime at wherever you might be staying for that night.  

Safari Tour Gallery

All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides .

What is the best time of year to visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park?

There’s not one season that is better than another in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Each season brings with it its own highlights.  Springtime boasts vibrant greens and yellows across the landscape as the snows recede and temperatures warm.  Grizzly bears and black bears emerge from hibernation, sometimes with small cubs in tow.  Bison calves, (called red dogs due to their fur coloring), may be seen from March to May, followed by deer, moose, and elk, who usually give birth in late spring/early summer.  As temperatures warm and the summer sun becomes intense, some wildlife restrict their activity to early mornings and late evenings, doing their best to avoid the heat of the day.  For this reason, a multi-day wildlife safari offers the best viewing opportunities because we can arrange game drives in the early mornings and late evenings when wildlife will be most active.  By September, the days are cooling and autumn has settled in and seasonal animal behaviors can become quite interesting.  Bighorn sheep, moose and elk begin their mating season known as “rut”, while black bears and grizzly bears start packing on the pounds in anticipation of winter hibernation.

What is the best way to see wildlife in the Grand Teton and Yellowstone?

A multi-day offers the best opportunities at spotting wildlife in the wild.  During the summer months, having the option to head out for early mornings and late evenings with a professional naturalist guide gives us the best chances to spot wildlife that may be active during those times.  On a single day safari, we are limited by the return time, but on a multi-day safari, we can schedule our days around the wildlife activity and increase our chances of seeing animals in their natural habitat.  

What do others say about this tour?

5 Stars Our family of 4 (kids 7 and 9) loved the 3 day Yellowstone safari . Our guide was incredible – we felt like we were being shown around by a family friend – she adjusted the pace to suit us, was well informed and had the most incredible ability to spot animals. We saw elk, moose, wolves, bison, a bear, and more. Tom H.

5 Stars We just returned from a 3 day wolf and wildlife safari and we couldn’t be happier. With the rest of the country on shut down due to Covid 19 this was a fantastic getaway. This was our 5th trip with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris and each trip is better than the last. Our guide was outstanding. He worked hard to make sure we saw wildlife that I am sure we could not have seen on our own. He would pick us up at 5:00am and bring us back to our accommodations at 10:00pm. You can tell that he truly loves what he does and he never seems to get tired. The wolf sightings were off the charts. We also saw bear, moose, elk , bison , pronghorns and many others. He is a magician with a spotting scope and a cell phone. Because of him we now have some great videos of our wolf and bear sightings. Makes me wonder why we spent so much money on camera equipment. There are many guide services to choose from in the Teton and Yellowstone area but these guys are the best. We highly recommend Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris and we will definitely be back for trip number 6. Gregory C.

5 Stars We used Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris for our tour of Yellowstone during our visit to Jackson Hole. I can not begin to express how everything far exceeded my expectations. Our guide was incredibly (no, SUPER incredibly) knowledgeable about the area and his information could have been expressed in a book! We learned so much about where we visited in Yellowstone, and he made the experience of learning and exploring so much fun with his animated, funny, witty personality and very intelligent mind! He was so professional and treated my children and I with such kindness, along with always a step ahead in planning the whole experience. I highly recommend Wildlife Safaris literally to everyone, and anyone visiting who wants an elite, informative, and fun experience. Cynthia L.

Will I be in a vehicle the entire time during our tour?

No.  While there will be a lot of driving required to navigate Grand Teton (310,000 acres) and Yellowstone National Park (2.2 million acres) the opportunity to stop for scenery, wildlife and hiking will be abundant.  Never hesitate to communicate to your guide if you need a break to stretch your legs or would like to dedicate more time to walking.  

What if there is inclement weather while we are out on safari?

Due to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone being at elevations of 5,000ft above sea level and higher, the chance of rain or snow is possible anytime of year.  July and August are usually the warmest months of the summer season, however unexpected cold fronts can occur.  Fortunately, wildlife viewing is usually not impacted by rain or snow.  In fact, during the hottest times of the year cooler temperatures can improve the probability of seeing animals.  The guides of Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris are equipped with the experience of conducting tours in all sorts of weather, and have valuable insight of alternative routes in the case of road closures. 

What should I bring in my overnight bag for my three day wildlife safari?

Aside from basic toiletries, make sure to pack a variety of clothing for varying temperatures and weather.  Don’t hesitate to pack shorts if the forecast predicts temperatures of 70-80 degrees fahrenheit, but it’s a good idea to also bring along warmer and waterproof layers just in case.  Walking shoes are vital, even if you do not plan on hiking you can expect to do some walking around geyser basins and scenic overlooks.  Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris will supply bug spray, sunscreen, snacks, water and meals will be included with the tour.  

Guides and Staff

Local, experienced, and passionate guides and photographers.

Naturalist Guide

Barry Westenhaver

Lee Ramella

McKinzie Fink

Writer / wildlife scientist.

Dwight Vasel

Naturalist guide, professional photographer.

Duane Newman

Brett Hellstrom

Monica Robinson

Julie Rohde

Assistant manager.

Do'er of Stuff

Further reading, best places to view wildlife in yellowstone: lamar valley, apr 12, 2022.

The 2.2 million acres of landscape that makes up Yellowstone National Park has been regarded as wondrous and unique since humankind first discovered it.  Native Americans in the region were the first humans to traverse that wild landscape approximately 11,000 years ago, utilizing the ample resources of the region to survive. Learn more about the land of Lamar Valley here.

Best Places to View Wildlife in Yellowstone: Dunraven Pass

Visible from the Lamar Valley is one of the highest spots you can drive to in Yellowstone National Park, known as Dunraven Pass.  The highest point along this drive is 8,859 feet above sea level, and if you are feeling adventurous there is a trail from the roadway that will take you up to the top of Mt. Washburn, and a whopping 10,243 feet in elevation.

More Adventures

Keep exploring.

Yellowstone National Park Tour

Grand Teton Wildlife Safari

2 Day Bear and Wolf Safari

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• Trip Styles
• Destinations
• Hiking in Grizzly Bear Country

• Yellowstone Visitor Guide

Tips for Hiking in Grizzly Bear Country

Learn from Yellowstone's top hiking and backpacking company how to hike and camp in bear country.

One of the biggest appeals of Yellowstone is the amount of wildlife that you will encounter. And, one of the most favorite wildlife sightings you can have is with a bear. Luckily, there are plenty of bears in Yellowstone National Park. The park is home to black bears—which may be black, brown, or cinnamon in color, and to grizzly bears.

It is recommended to stay at least 100 yards from a bear at all times. They can be dangerous when they feel threatened or stressed. Below, are tips for hiking and backpacking in bear country, and everything else you need know about bear country.

Expert-led Yellowstone Hiking Adventures

Tips for Hiking in Bear Country

Our top tips for hiking in bear country:

• 1. Carry  bear spray : every visitor center and gift shop in the park sells bear spray, and it is available for rent at Canyon Village.
• 2. Hike in a group of three or more: groups of this size are less likely to surprise a bear and cause it to react.
• 3. Make noise while you are hiking: some people carry bear bells, but you can also just talk to your hiking partners while walking. You want a bear to hear you coming, so you don’t catch it off guard.
• 4. Be aware of your surroundings: this way a bear doesn’t catch you off guard.
• 5. Avoid hiking at dusk or dawn: this is when bears are most active.
• 6. Watch for signs of a bear, like scat, markings on trees, or tracks: you may be able to tell how recently a bear was in the area, or which direction they were headed.
• 7. Don’t go off-trail: the further you stray from the trail, the more likely you will encounter a bear.

Tips for Backpacking in Bear Country

When backpacking in Yellowstone, the above tips apply, as well as a few more. Below are the recommendations for backpacking in bear country:

• 1. Use the bear box, or food pole at your backcountry campsite, if provided.
• 2. If a bear box or food pole is not at your campsite, you must bring your own  bear cannister .
• 3. Store all items with a scent in the bear box, food pole, or bear canister: this includes clean or dirty dishes, cooking utensils, food, trash, toiletries, and stoves.
• 4. Make sure you empty your pockets of wrappers and other trash: the last thing you want to do is forget about a granola bar wrapper and go to bed with it in your pocket.
• 5. Set up your tent at least 100 yards from where you cooked, stored you food and cleaned your dishes.
• 6. If you see a bear entering your camp, make noise to scare it off, and make sure that it doesn’t get any of your food.

Bear spray is a non-lethal spray that should be used to deter aggressive bears. It temporarily reduces the bears’ sense of smell and sight, and allows you to quickly leave the area. There is also proof that a bear who is strayed will be less likely to approach humans in the future, thus reducing the number of bears that are killed by people using self-defense.

Bear spray should be kept in a easy-to-access location, like a hip holster, or side-pocket of a backpack, that way you can use it on demand if needed. And when aiming, try to shoot it at the bear’s feet, because it creates a cone of spray. But don’t think too hard, if a bear is charging you, just spray in the space between you.

You can watch a video about how to use bear spray  here . It never hurts to be prepared for bear country.

Join a Guided Hiking Adventure

Guided Yellowstone treks are all-inclusive which covers permits; local transportation (excluded on certain tours); meals; equipment; safety systems and professional hiking/wilderness guides; all of which allows visitors to maximize their time in Yellowstone and focus entirely on enjoying the Park.

YELLOWSTONE ADVENTURE TOURS

• GUIDED BACKPACKING ADVENTURES : these are for people interested in an authentic Yellowstone adventure away from the roads and crowds.
• LLAMA TREKS : on these innovative trips, guests hike with light day packs and camp near in stunning backcountry locations.
• INN-BASED PACKAGES : these tours are all-inclusive packages with lodging, amazing daily hikes, expert guides, meals, transportation and more!
• CAMPING-BASED HIKING PACKAGES : camping-based hiking packages provide all-around hiking experiences of Yellowstone on wonderful outdoor vacations.
• DAY HIKE TOURS : maximize your day in Yellowstone on a fully guided, award-winning hiking tour on one of the Park’s best trails.

Related Pages

• 12 Best Yellowstone Hiking Trails
• Best Time to Visit Yellowstone
• Best Yellowstone Tours
• How to See Yellowstone in One Day
• Yellowstone Backpacking Permits

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How Many Grizzly Bears are in Yellowstone?

Here are the numbers. the grizzly population beat all odds after teetering on the brink of extinction. in yellowstone area, it grew from 136 bears in 1975 to around 700 in 2019..

The grizzly bears that inhabit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have played an important role in one of the nation’s greatest endangered species success stories. Since 1975, the bears have been beneficiaries of the Endangered Species Act that enabled the grizzly population to beat all odds after teetering on the brink of extinction. It grew from 136 bears in 1975 to around 700 in 2016, although estimates range from 674 to 839.

On March 3, 2016, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced its proposal to delist the Yellowstone area grizzlies , which includes Grizzly 399, from the federal threatened species list. It is expected to make a final decision by the end of 2016.

Grizzly Bear Numbers

50,000 The number that roamed between the Pacific Ocean and the Great Plains during Lewis and Clark Expedition, 200 years ago.

728 The approximate number in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem according to the National Park Service in 2019. No one knows the exact number.

150 The number of grizzlies that live within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park or partially within the boundaries in 2019. The number of cub births per year has been consistent since 1996 indicating that the environment range may be at capacity for grizzlies.

More than 524 Of Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzlies live outside Yellowstone National Park.

22,500 square miles Is the range of the Yellowstone area grizzly bears, which has doubled since 1975 – that’s an area larger than Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire combined.

37 Grizzly bear populations were present in the lower 48 states in 1922.

31 Grizzly bear populations were extirpated by 1975.

136 Grizzlies lived in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in 1975.

10 is number of years it takes a female grizzly to replace herself in the population.

1,000 Grizzly bears live in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, which stretches from Kalispell, Mont., all the way up into Canada and includes Glacier National Park .

Related reading: Where to See Wildlife in Yellowstone and Grand Teton and Bear Spray: Buying, Using, and Recycling It in Yellowstone

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YNP and GTNP 4 Day Trip in May end 2024 - Yellowstone National Park Forum

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YNP and GTNP 4 Day Trip in May end 2024

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Greetings, Kind Folks! Thank you for taking the time to read and assist me! It's my inaugural visit to Yellowstone or any U.S. National Park.

Upon arriving in Bozeman on the 24th at 10 PM, we intend to stay overnight there. Would anyone recommend lodging halfway to West Yellowstone to shorten our travel distance the following day? Any other suggestions are welcome.

On the 25th, we'll journey to Old Faithful and stay in West Yellowstone. Given our late start at around 11 AM, do you think this itinerary is suitable, or should we consider altering our plans considering our travel from Bozeman?

On the 26th, we'll explore Grand Prismatic and other nearby attractions, also staying in West Yellowstone.

The 27th is reserved for exploring the Grand Canyon, with another night's stay in West Yellowstone.

On the 29th, we'll dedicate the day to GTNP before heading back to Bozeman for our 3 PM return flight .

We'll be accompanied by a toddler. Should i consider carrying a snowsuit or layered cloths should be fine? Are the park's paths suitable for strollers, or should we leave ours behind? Any suggestions to improve our itinerary based on your experience would be greatly appreciated.

3 replies to this topic

May 24: Arrival day: No to in between lodging. With that late an arrival, just stay in Bozeman or Belgrade (where the airport actual is)

May 26: I'd do the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone today, and down thru Hayden Valley to Fishing Bridge. There are some good picnic areas on the way in case the 2-year old needs to get out and run a little. The trails at Canyon - some you can use a stroller on, others no and you need to have your hand on the toddler at all times on those steeper trails. Do you have a toddler backpack?

May 27: IF you are going to do Grand Tetons you should do it today.

May 28: You could do Mammoth and Lamar /Upper Loop today. You might consider staying tonight in Gardiner if you can change hotels this night

May 29: I think on your plan you left out the 28th. You could not do Grand Tetons and still get back to the Bozeman airport for a 3PM flight out the same day. IF you are leaving at 3P if last night was in West Yellowstone you'd want to be on the road to Bozeman by 11. You could do the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center this morning if you wanted to let the kiddo see some wildlife that is easier to view.

Overnight in Bozeman or Belgrade. The airport is between the two towns, but is closer to Belgrade which is the town you will turn at to get onto Hwy 191 to get to West Yellowstone. It is about a 2 hour drive from the Bozeman airport to West Yellowstone. The only place where there will be lodging between the two areas is at Big Sky which is about half way. That said, I highly recommend NOT driving any part of that highway in the dark as you run a risk of not seeing wildlife on/crossing the road in the middle of the night until it's too late. Get a good nights rest after your flight and enjoy the beautiful drive in the morning when it is light out.

===On the 29th, we'll dedicate the day to GTNP before heading back to Bozeman for our 3 PM return flight .===

If you're flying out of Bozeman at 3 pm on May 29th, there is no way you can sightseeing Grand Teton Park and drive back to Bozeman in time for your flight . If you drive outside the parks (via Teton Pass, Idaho, West Yellowstone, Hwy 191) it is a 4.5 hour drive.

With such a short amount of days, consider doing something like the following:

May 24- Fly into Bozeman at 10 pm. *Overnight Bozeman or Belgrade

May 25- *Overnight Old Faithful (3 lodging options) or West Yellowstone

May 26- *Overnight Same

May 27- *Overnight Grand Teton Park or in the town of Jackson

May 28- *Overnight Canyon Lodge, Mammoth, or Gardiner (north entrance)

May 29- Fly out of Bozeman at 3 pm

If you don't want to take a day away from Yellowstone Pak for Grand Teton Park, stay the the night of the 27th in the same place as the 28th. Grand Teton Park is spectacular and worth visiting, so if you do that, you can make plans to visit Grand Teton Park in 2025, focusing your entire time there.

For lodging inside Yellowstone Park, Xanterra is the official concessionaire. Staying inside the park with a toddler will help lessen the amount of time your toddler will have to be in the car and allow you to go back to your lodging quicker if needed.

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/

For lodging inside Grand Teton Park, there are 2 official concessionaires.

Grand Teton Lodge Company

https://www.gtlc.com/lodges

Signal Mountain Lodge

https://www.signalmountainlodge.com/lodging/signal-mountain-lodge/

===We'll be accompanied by a toddler. Should i consider carrying a snowsuit or layered cloths should be fine? Are the park's paths suitable for strollers, or should we leave ours behind? Any suggestions to improve our itinerary based on your experience would be greatly appreciated.===

It can get still get cold in Yellowstone the end of May. If your toddler has a snowsuit, bring it. If not, have lots of layers that can be taken off or added depending on current conditions when you're out and about exploring.

The park is not stroller friendly. They will be ok on the paved pathways, but you can't take them on dirt pathways. There are also boardwalks that have steps which are not stroller friendly. If you have a child backpack, it will work a lot better.

Edited to add: I see that Pam posted while I was being a slowpoke typing my reply. 🙂

Hahah...well we are sharing the same brain so that is good!

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Yellowstone National Park Hotels and Places to Stay

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• The Famous Yellow Buses of Yellowstone are Special.
• Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Tetons with limited mobility
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• Observing/Photographing wildlife. Scope Rental.
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First Teton Area Grizzly Spotted Just Outside Park — And No, It’s Not 399

While Yellowstone’s grizzlies have been waking up for the last few weeks, the first grizzly of Grand Teton usually emerges in the latter half of March. It seems that life moves at a more luxurious pace in Jackson, even for grizzlies.

March 28, 2024 6 min read

Grand Teton National Park announced the first grizzly of the season was spotted Tuesday, only two days after the first grizzly of the season was spotted just outside Grand Teton National Park in the Jackson Hole area.

While Yellowstone’s grizzlies have been waking up for the last few weeks , the first grizzly of Grand Teton usually emerges in the latter half of March. It seems that life moves at a more luxurious pace in Jackson, even for grizzlies.

The first grizzly of the season in Grand Teton might have been spotted Tuesday, but several people posted about a young male grizzly in Buffalo Valley 3 miles east of Grand Teton two days earlier. Local wildlife guide Ryan Kempfer even captured it on video.

“I think what we've all experienced just in these last couple of days is that even though there's snow on the ground and cooler temperatures during the day, we’ve got bears up on the landscape moving around,” he told Cowboy State Daily.

And to answer the question all Wyoming bear-lovers are asking — not, these first bears are not 399 , the most famous bear on the planet .

Hours Over The Fence

Kempher recently moved to Jackson to work as a wildlife guide. He knows the virtue of patience when it comes to observing animals.

“You're on their clock,” he said. “If the bear or moose you’re shooting is going to stop by a tree and hover for 30 minutes, they will do that. Or they might walk fast across the landscape. To get the photo, it's all about patience.”

On Sunday, Kempher heard that someone had spotted a grizzly off in the distance in Buffalo Valley, so he grabbed his camera and headed over, hoping to confirm the rumors with a photo.

“You race up north, just looking,” he said. “There were four or five of us driving around looking. And that group of people dwindled down to me and one more group walking down the roads, using scopes and binoculars. But we were being ethical, staying over the white line, and staying right on the road.”

Wildlife watching is so often like fishing — hours of patiently waiting in the hopes the catch of a day is only moments away.

But after several hours with nary a grizzly in sight, the bear watch was becoming more unbearable. That’s when Kempfer noticed a dark spot in the willows.

“I really wanted to see a griz,” he said. “It had taken me a couple of seconds, and it moved, and boom! I could see facial recognition. It was super exciting. I watched its trajectory and knew that if I gave it time and was patient, it was going to make its way into a big open field.”

Bear On The Move

Kempfer took the opportunity to drive further down the road for a better angle should the grizzly decide to emerge onto the field. The grizzly, meanwhile, wasn’t on the fence about where it wanted to go. Until it was.

“I watched it walk over this rustic buckrail fence and out into the field,” he said. “It faded south and faded away from the road. We got a good 45 to 60 minutes of watching this bear from start to finish. It was beautiful.”

For Kempfer, it was an experience to be remembered and cherished. All the better, he shared it with his wildlife-minded friends, some of whom were on the road with him Sunday.

“We had the opportunity to share this all together,” he said. “I'm not going to take all that credit, by any means. But seeing that grizzly there on the landscape was really special. It was heartfelt.”

The First And ‘The First’

While the grizzly Kempfer captured on film was spotted two days earlier than the first official grizzly of the season for Grand Teton National Park, it’s still one of the first spotted in the Jackson area in 2024. It’s possible the same grizzly was spotted in both “firsts.”

Kempfer sees an appropriate metaphor in the distinction between the first grizzly. A park boundary is critical to people, but grizzlies do not recognize or heed humanity’s lines on maps.

“We all knew we were outside the park boundary, but the animals don't,” he said. “The animals are waking up inside and outside the park boundary.”

Meanwhile, Yellowstone’s Office of Public Affairs announced that a grizzly spotted on Specimen Ridge on March 13 was the park’s first officially confirmed bear to come out of hibernation this year. There also were sightings of two grizzlies on a bison carcass in the Hayden Valley area earlier that week.

Yellowstone grizzlies routinely emerge a few weeks earlier than their Grand Teton counterparts. The bison buffet that usually serves as a bear’s first breakfast hasn’t arrived yet.

“Our bison herd in the Tetons not only is much smaller, they also don't have similar dangers to cross,” Wyoming wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven told Cowboy State Daily. “Plus, up until recently, there wasn't all that much snow cover in Jackson Hole, so even in February, the bison hadn't been forced down to the Elk Refuge yet.”

Regardless of when or where, spotting “the first grizzly” is a dream for many wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. For Kempfer, it was an opportunity to be grateful for the wonderful wildlife of Wyoming and the exciting spring and summer ahead.

“Deep down, I am very grateful and full of gratitude,” he said. “I got to be in the top five people who can say they saw the first bear in the Teton wilderness. And it’s very exciting to hear that people did start a grizzly in Grand Teton National Park. It's all starting to happen.”

About the video: Ryan Kempfer got this video of the first grizzly of spring 2024 spotted in the Jackson Hole area about 3 miles outside Grand Teton National Park on March 23, 2024. (Video Courtesy Elk Raven Photography)

Andrew Rossi can be reached at [email protected] .

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Grizzly Bear Mounts Attack On Elk Herd At Yellowstone National Park

This looks like a grizzly bear’s happy place… elk as far as the eye can see.

Elk are a gregarious animal, meaning they love to herd up during certain times of the year, and during winter months especially, many of them end up in large herds.

One of the most obvious benefits of herding is protection from predators partly for strength in numbers, but also, you don’t necessarily have to outrun the predator, you just have to outrun the slowest members of the herd.

As far as diet goes, grizzly bears love members of the deer family. Moose, deer and elk are some of their favorite prey as they are large enough to provide a few great meals and not to mention… they taste great. A young calf or fawn doesn’t really put up much of a fight at all, so grizzly bears have a massive competitive advantage, and generally, can take out an elk with ease as long as they can get close enough.

This grizzly is seen running towards a large herd of elk, and in a strategic defensive maneuver, the group moves as a single unit. It also just looks cool… I mean, despite the fact that this bear is hoping to eat one of the elk in the herd, it’s just visually pleasing seeing the herd run as the grizz approaches. It almost looks as if the bear is a sheep dog and the elk are sheep as they move together after each step the bear takes.

The grizzly eventually chases them all off, and we can’t say for sure that he got one. If I was a betting man, I would bet that he went home with a full belly that night, just given how many there were, but who really knows?

All we do know is that it is a TOUGH world out there for these animals.

Kid Calmly Walks Away From A Bear

Imagine wandering through the Italian country side, just you and your pops looking for pine cones, and out of nowhere a giant bear sticks out its giant head, with its giant teeth, right out of the bushes.

Not sure how they say it in Italy, but we like to say it like this… “you’re screwed.”

Unless you’re the calmest 12-year-old on planet Earth…

I nearly shit my pants just watching this from the comfort and safety of my own home, meanwhile this little dude with ice water in his veins very calmly walks back over to dad, hungry bear following him every step of the way, and acts like nothing happened.

Like he didn’t just wriggle out of the jaws of a very certain death…

And you’re an idiot like me and thought to yourself, “they have bears in Italy?” I did you a favor and looked it up, and yes, according to the trusty Wikipedia, the brown bear population of the Italian Alps was nearly wiped out in the ’90s, however thanks to conservation efforts, the population has slowly began to creep back up.

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Skier Stays Calm During Close Encounter With Bear

Alright, I’m starting to have some mixed emotions about bears now.

A few weeks ago, we posted a video of a bear mauling a ginormous moose … and now, I’m back to thinking that bears kinda cute, you know, when they’re not pulling a moose apart with their teeth.

A skier in Predeal, Romania, was recently capturing some footage on the slopes, when a bear comes trotting up towards them. The bear makes its way to the top with the skiers, and it looks like it’s just having a good time, evening laying down a few times. Maybe he’s just trying to sun-bathe a little bit after kickin’ it in snowy woods all day.

But after a few minutes of recording, the skier begins to make his way down the slope and the next thing you know, the bear starts CHASING after him full-speed. Maybe he was just playing around, or maybe he was wanting to rip the skier’s face off, who really knows, right? But what I do know is that I sure as hell wouldn’t be laughing the whole time like the skier was.

Like dude, you are WAY to calm about a bear being that close to you. Granted, he’s not a huge bear, but look at those claws and tell me he still couldn’t tear your heart out.

Eventually, the bear has gives up chasing the skier, but just based on the tone of his voice, this dude wasn’t worried about it AT ALL.

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Yellowstone grizzly bear investigations 2021: Annual report of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

No abstract available.

Citation Information

Related content, frank t van manen, ph.d., supervisory research wildlife biologist, mark haroldson, supervisory wildlife biologist.