Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone National Park

My first visit to Yellowstone was on a family trip during high school. We went in the winter, when all but one of the park’s roads is closed to regular traffic. We took a tour in a specialized snowcoach to see the park’s iconic sights.The steam from Old Faithful stood in stark contrast to the frigid air around it, and the gushing flows of Yellowstone Falls were barely visible beneath a delicate rime of ice. Despite all the wonders we saw, the incredible wildlife sightings stuck with me the most. We watched in awe as wolves passed within feet of our tour coach in Hayden Valley, and I couldn’t help but feel compassion for the frost-covered bison herds huddled tightly together around thermal features to stay warm.

Years after that initial trip, and after hundreds of days spent in the park as a backcountry guide, one thing that I still love most about Yellowstone is the balance of predictable wonders and wild surprises. Beyond famous sights like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, there’s always the thrilling possibility of a unique wildlife encounter right around the next bend. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see any of the famous wildlife in Yellowstone on a trip there, but that’s part of the fun! Let’s explore some of the animals you might have a chance to see on your trip to Yellowstone, and I’ll offer some tips from my years of experience as a Yellowstone guide.

Wildlife Safety

First off, it’s important to note that a trip to Yellowstone is not a trip to the zoo. Animals in the park are wild and it is important to treat them that way. Each year numerous people are injured by wildlife in Yellowstone National Park by approaching too closely. It is important to keep your distance. Park rules prohibit approaching on foot within 100 yards of wolves and bears, or within 25 yards of any other wildlife. 

All of Yellowstone is bear country, and it is important to follow food storage protocols and to carry bear spray.

Read: Wildlife Safety Tips

The post Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone National Park appeared first on Wildland Trekking.