The Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park Posted on May 22, 2020 When most people hear “Yellowstone National Park,” they think of mountains, bison and geysers—more specifically, the famous Old Faithful geyser comes to mind. You will also find them at dusk. In 1916, America’s wild bison, which once numbered 60 million, had dwindled to 23 animals. Two thousand pound bulls posture and fight for rights to breeding females. How to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is one of the few places left in the United States where it is still actually wild . River Otter – These playful animals can be found in most waterways within the park. In Grand Teton, go to Willow Flats, Two Ocean/Emma Mathilde lakes, Oxbow Bend, Cascade and Death canyons.Â. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are always hotspots. The best places to visit for wildlife watching in August; ... or around 700 in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Best Time of Day for Wildlife The best time of day for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park is either at dawn or dusk when animals are the most active. They are constantly on the move which can make tracking them down difficult but spend enough time along the rivers’ edges and you are bound to encounter this playful critter. Wildlife watching in the Hayden Valley is a great way to explore Yellowstone. Yellowstone's wildlife is extremely diverse. Where to See Elk: In Yellowstone go to Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, Norris Junction and Madison Junction. This is Yellowstone wolf watching gold! Photo by NPS Jim Peaco, 10 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone and Beyond, 11 Places to Watch Wildlife Beyond Yellowstone. Trumpeter swans swim with their necks straight up. Here's the basics...Best times and places to see wildlife would be about a half hour before dawn, and from around 5pm to dusk. Yellowstone’s bison today, which number 5,500, are descendants of those survivors. The best times of day for animal activity is early morning and evening. Along the Madison River and at Mammoth Hot Springs are great places to watch the elk rut in September and October. This private tour gives you the opportunity to see the major wildlife, geothermal, and cultural sites of Yellowstone. We have reviews of the best places to see in Yellowstone National Park. So if you are in the park to see wolves, you are fine. Take a detour on the drive back and drive through Hayden Valley to top off the wildlife viewing experience. In Grand Teton, watch for eagles along the Snake River. Just remember to keep your distance. I can tell you from experience it’s also not a cheap place to visit — especially in the summer. Travel is greatly restricted throughout the park, but careful planning can lead to incredible wildlife viewing. If this is when you are planning on visiting don’t worry, animals such as bears and wolves are constantly on the move and are still spotted this time of year, just not as frequently. Where to See Eagles: In Yellowstone, where to spot bald eagles depends on the season. Pro-tip – You could stay at Tower Lodge the night before if wildlife spotting is your main priority. As much as you want to stay watching wildlife roam freely all day, you have to … Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Hayden Valley is one of the best places in Yellowstone to see bison. The 415-square-mile park rises from 8,000 to 14,000 feet, and includes more than 300 miles of … In Grand Teton, see them in Willow Flats. Last but certainly not least, never feed wildlife. I will be in Lander and hope to get best couple/three places to go and see /photograph wildlife. Grizzly bear among wildflowers Photo: Devin Hillam. When it comes to wolf watching it is all about the northern part of the park. In Grand Teton, go to the Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam south to Moose, Wyo.Â. We have two boys (5 and 7) who would love to see wildlife. Weighing up to 700 pounds, grizzlies, known as “brown bears,” have a distinctive hump between their shoulders, blonde-tipped fur on their backs and flanks, a long snout and smaller ears than black bears. If you can get up at daylight, and begin driving, you will see animals all over the park. They were introduced into the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the 1940’s and 50’s. Tips on the best places to spot wildlife in Wyoming. They prefer lower elevations and often around waterways. Hayden Valley is the other popular spot to view wildlife in Yellowstone. The best outdoor activities in Yellowstone National Park according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; Yellowstone National Park; Upper Geyser Basin; Lower Yellowstone River Falls; Artist Point; See all outdoor activities in Yellowstone National Park on Tripadvisor Unlike most wildlife, late August is a spectacular time to watch these animals. Most of all, enjoy this spectacularly rare experience. Some notable bird species include Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Great Grey Owl, Great Horned Owl, and an incredible array of waterfowl. Tower-Roosevelt Area. See bison and elk in Yellowstone National Park, wild horses near Rock Springs and more. Pronghorn aren’t the only animals you’ll see here either. Keep in mind that wildlife is just that, WILD. Like having a tour guide in … If you want a true Yellowstone experience you need to wake up early. About 700 roam the Yellowstone region. And you can still enjoy natural spectacle along the Yellowstone: the Hayden Valley is a spectacular place to see grizzly bears and other wildlife. Nature’s towers are created with … With good reason — as its name suggests — the area is a popular place for wildlife in Grand Teton National Park.