Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife in their natural habitat including grizzly bears, wolves and bison. Not only is it the abundance of wildlife that is staggering, it’s also the dramatic wildlife scenes that unfold which makes Yellowstone truly special. While sightings are never guaranteed, with the right approach and timing, your chances can increase dramatically.
This comprehensive guide will help you experience Yellowstone’s incredible wildlife for yourself. We’ve compiled tips on the best wildlife hotspots in the park, the best times to visit, and how to maximise your chances of seeing animals responsibly.
If you’re also planning a trip to Grand Teton National Park, you’ll want to checkout these wildlife viewing tips.
Self-guided vs guided tours: which is right for you?
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to take a guided wildlife tour or explore the park on your own. Both options have their perks, so it really comes down to your personal style of travel.
Guided tours are a great choice if you want expert eyes helping you spot animals. Guides know the park like the back of their hand, understand animal behavior, and are often in communication with each other about recent sightings. They also come equipped with high-quality spotting scopes, which can make a huge difference when animals are far away. Many companies offer wildlife tours, and some can even be booked through the official park lodges.
That said, self-guided tours can be just as rewarding especially if you like the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace, whilst saving on guided tour fees.
There are many people self-driving in the park and you’ll often find a bunch of cars parked in the lay-bys if wildlife has been spotted and most people are happy to share their sightings so you don’t necessarily need to be an expert wildlife spotter yourself.
If you do plan to drive yourself in the park, you’ll need to follow the road rules such as not stopping in the middle of the road, parking in the lay-bys or behind the white line. And it goes without saying, to be responsible around wildlife.
Best times of year to see Yellowstone wildlife
Each season in Yellowstone offers a different kind of wildlife experience, and what you’ll see and how much can vary widely depending on when you visit.
Spring (April to early June):
Spring is a great time of year for wildlife viewing. As the snow melts, animals become more active and easier to spot as they move to lower elevations. Grizzly and black bears emerge from hibernation and are frequently seen foraging in meadows or along road verges. Bison, elk and deer are also out grazing. Plus it’s baby season! This is your best chance to see bear cubs, elk calves and cute red dogs (bison calves).
Keep in mind some park roads and facilities are still closed in early spring due to lingering snow. However, the northern range (including Lamar and Hayden Valleys) remains accessible and is prime wildlife territory. Always check road conditions on the National Park Service website before you go.
Summer (mid-June to August):
Summer brings long days and pleasant weather, which makes for comfortable exploring. However, warmer temperatures can push wildlife to higher, cooler areas or into shade, making some animals harder to spot. That said, bison, elk, bears and even wolves are still regularly seen, particularly in the early morning and late evening.
Summer is also Yellowstone’s busiest time, so expect crowds, especially near popular sights and during ‘wildlife jams’ when animals are spotted close to roads.
Autumn (September to October):
Fall is another fantastic time for wildlife. Animals are on the move – bears are actively feeding in preparation for hibernation, elk are in rut (mating season) and the cooler temperatures make wildlife more active during the day.
Fewer tourists visit during autumn, so the park feels quieter, and the golden landscapes add another layer of beauty.
Winter (November to March):
Winter transforms Yellowstone into a snowy wilderness and while access is limited, wildlife viewing is still excellent, particularly in the Lamar Valley. Bison, foxes and especially wolves are easier to spot against the snow-covered backdrop. It’s also the best time of year to see moose in the park. The cold doesn’t deter serious wildlife watchers, and the peaceful, stark landscape makes for a magical setting.
Many park roads close in winter, and access to most areas is only possible by guided snowcoach. However, the road between Gardiner and Cooke City (which traverses the Lamar Valley) stays open year-round and is the only option for winter wildlife viewing if you plan to drive yourself.
Best time of day to see Yellowstone wildlife
In general, wildlife in Yellowstone is most active at dawn and dusk, typically within two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset. Midday can be quieter, as many animals rest during the warmer, brighter hours. That said, different species have different habits, so if you want to maximise your chances, plan to be in the park before sunrise and stay until after sunset.
Grizzly bears and black bears – While bears are typically most active at dawn and dusk, we saw both grizzlies and black bears throughout the day from early morning, to mid-afternoon, and evening. They really can show up at any time.
Wolves – Wolves are also crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk). Most of our wolf sightings have been in the early morning, however, we have seen a lone wolf mid-afternoon and in winter they were also active a couple of hours before sunset.
Bison – Bison are active throughout the day, especially in the cooler hours of morning and evening. We saw them constantly, from early morning to late evening.
Moose – Moose prefer low-light conditions and are most active around sunrise and sunset. All our moose sightings were either just before sunrise or just after sunset when the light was dim. In winter, they are a little more active, but again will mostly rest during the day.
Elk – Elk follow a similar pattern to moose where they are more active in the early morning and late evening. We did spot them at various times of day, but the biggest groups consistently appeared around dawn and dusk.
Pronghorn – Pronghorn are more diurnal and can be seen throughout the day. We spotted them at all hours.
Coyotes – Like many predators, coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk. In winter, we have seen them throughout the day though.
Foxes – Foxes are generally most active during twilight. We only saw them at dusk. Again like wolves and coyotes they are more active in winter so you are more likely to see them at any time of day.
Top wildlife hotspots in Yellowstone
Wildlife can show up anywhere in the park at any time – bison, in particular, roam freely across much of Yellowstone. But some locations consistently deliver better chances of spotting iconic animals like grizzly bears and wolves. Below is a breakdown of the areas where we had the most success, along with what to expect. If wolves are at the top of your list, be sure to check out a recent wolf pack territory map (as of 2023) to understand where different packs tend to roam.
Lamar Valley:
Often referred to as the Serengeti of North America, Lamar Valley is famous for its high concentration of wildlife and it absolutely lives up to the hype. The expansive meadows, abundant water and wide-open views make it an ideal habitat for many species and one of the best places on the planet to see wild wolves.
The valley extends from Tower Junction to just beyond Soda Butte, where the terrain becomes more forested. This drive along Highway 212 takes about 30 minutes without stops. Each section seemed to offer different viewing opportunities, with certain animals more commonly seen in specific spots:
- Slough Creek – Wolves (Junction Butte Pack), grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, bison.
- Yellowstone Forever Institute area – Bison, pronghorn, coyotes, wolves.
- Soda Butte – Wolves (Mollies Pack), grizzly bears, moose (in winter). If you look up to the mountains and cliffs across the valley, you may spot mountain goats.
- Lamar River – in winter the river is particularly good for spotting river otters. A specific hotspot for them is the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek, but they have been seen along the entire stretch of the river.
- Trout Lake – in summer the lake is known to attract river otters as trout spawns.
Grand Loop Road (Mammoth to Tower Junction):
This stretch, east of Lamar Valley, offers excellent wildlife viewing and acts almost like a natural extension of Lamar. The terrain includes rolling hills, forest patches, and open slopes providing good visibility in many areas. Along this road we saw grizzly bears, black bears, bison, coyotes, elk and pronghorn.
Soda Butte to Northeast Entrance:
Just past Soda Butte, the landscape shifts from open meadows to willow thickets and then into denser forest. The willow zones are known habitats for grizzly bears and moose (in winter) and the forested area is home to foxes and pine martens. This section of the road is quieter for wildlife sightings.
Silver Gate to Cooke City:
Immediately outside the Northeast Entrance Station, the tiny town of Silver Gate is a quiet spot surrounded by trees and willows and it is a well-known hangout for moose. It’s one of the most reliable areas to see them throughout the year, especially in the early morning or evening.
Mammoth Hot Springs:
In the northwest corner of the park, the town of Mammoth is one of the best places to observe elk. They’re often seen wandering through town or resting on the lawns, especially during the cooler hours of the day.
Hayden Valley:
Another of Yellowstone’s premier wildlife areas, Hayden Valley offers expansive views and is especially good for spotting grizzly bears, bison, elk, and occasionally wolves. It’s smaller than Lamar Valley, with more limited vantage points, but it can still be very rewarding. Head to:
- Grizzly Overlook
Hayden Valley Overlook
If you’re up for a bit of a climb, heading up the small hills west of the road gives an excellent perspective over the valley and can increase your chances of spotting animals. We saw a grizzly bear from up here.
Important tips to maximise wildlife sightings
While a bit of luck always plays a role, there’s a lot you can do to increase your chances of seeing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Here’s what made a big difference for us:
- Bring binoculars AND a spotting scope: We can’t stress this enough: if you’re serious about wildlife viewing in Yellowstone, especially in places like Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley, a spotting scope is essential. While some animals do come close to the road, many especially wolves and bears are often far away, up on hillsides or across wide valleys. Without a spotting scope, we would’ve missed a lot. Ideally, you’ll want a scope with at least 80mm objective lens (for good visibility in low light—essential at dawn and dusk) and 30–70x magnification. We rented a Swarovski 95mm spotting scope, and it was perfect for what we saw. Most scopes are compatible with smartphones, allowing you to capture surprisingly high-quality photos and videos. If you’re not traveling with your own, you can rent scopes in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Silver Gate.
- Start early. Stay late: Try to be in position before sunrise and stay out until after sunset. While wildlife can appear at any time, the vast majority of our sightings especially of bears and wolves happened early in the morning or during the golden hour of evening. Bring snacks, layer up, and plan for long days.
- Balance patience with exploration: There are two main strategies to wildlife viewing: Waiting in one spot or slowly cruising and scanning as you go. We found that a mix of both gave us the best results. Some people set up their scopes and wait hours and that often pays off. Others, like us, prefer to keep moving. We slowly looped through the park, pulled over at promising areas, and regularly scanned the landscape. We also drove lesser-used roads and stayed alert. We found this to be particularly effective as we were visiting for a short period of time. As we said, animals can be spotted anywhere and at anytime in the park. While we saw the most in Lamar Valley, we also saw a grizzly near Yellowstone Lake, a wolf at Mud Volcano and countless bison near Old Faithful and West Yellowstone
So don’t limit yourself to one area, wildlife is unpredictable.
- Talk to people: One of the most effective tactics is simply chatting with others. Park rangers, photographers, and fellow travelers are often generous with information. They’ll gladly share what they’ve seen and where. If you’re in the park for more than a day, you’ll start running into the same familiar faces who are all chasing the same goal: wildlife sightings.
- Follow the crowd: If you see a bunch of cars pulled over or a line of people with scopes – stop! Word spreads fast in Yellowstone via radios, online groups, and just old-fashioned word of mouth. These ‘wildlife jams’ often mean something exciting is nearby. Don’t rush past them.
- Stay safe: This should go without saying, but it’s always worth repeating: keep your distance. For your safety and the animals’, never approach or feed wildlife. Always follow park rules and ranger instructions as they’re there to protect everyone involved.
Our wildlife sightings (spring and winter)
To give you a sense of just how much wildlife you might encounter in Yellowstone, here’s a breakdown of what we’ve seen in the park during spring and winter visits.
4.5 days in May (2 days in the geyser basins, Hayden Valley and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone + 2.5 days in Lamar Valley):
- 30 grizzly bears
- 3 black bears
- 29 wolves from 3 different wolf packs
- Countless bison
- 2 moose
- Plenty of elk
- 1 fox
- 5 coyotes
- 2 bald eagles
- 2 ospreys
- 1 yellow-bellied marmot
- Lots of pronghorn
- 3 bighorn sheep
3 days in January (Lamar Valley):
- 8 wolves
- 8 moose
- Lots of bison
- A few elk
- Many coyotes
- 2 red foxes
- 4 river otters
- 2 golden eagles
- 3 bald eagles
- 3 bighorn sheep
- Mountain goats (in the distance)
Not only are you likely to see a lot of wildlife. It’s also the drama that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a nature documentary.
One morning, we watched a pack of five wolves take down a baby bison and its mother, just 300 meters in front of us. On another, we saw a herd of bison trying to defend an injured adult from three circling wolves. We saw a grizzly mum with two cubs foraging right next to us, a black bear cub scrambling up a tree, and a coyote calling out to its pack to join in on an elk carcass.
Some of it was tough to watch, but that’s nature, and to witness it so closely was an unforgettable experience.
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below. Enjoy Yellowstone!
