The Wonders of Wildlife

Best ways to find wildlife in Yellowstone?
Take a guided wildlife watching tour

Yellowstone National Park is often called the American Serengeti, and for good reason. It boasts one of the largest concentrations of free-roaming mammals in the lower 48 states. From the iconic bison herds causing “jams” on the roadways to the elusive gray wolf prowling the Lamar Valley, the park is a living, breathing theater of nature.

Many visitors plan their trips around geysers, waterfalls, and canyons, but the wildlife remains the unpredictable heart of the Yellowstone experience. While you can certainly drive through the park and hope for the best, booking a guided excursion significantly increases your odds of a memorable encounter. Wildlife spotting is never guaranteed—these are wild animals, after all—but traveling with an expert shifts the odds in your favor.

Morning Tours

You know what they say: the early bird gets the worm, but in the world’s first national park, the early bird gets the best wildlife viewing. If you want to increase your chances of seeing the inhabitants of Yellowstone, you need to wake up when they do—dawn. So, rise and shine, and we head towards the vast Lamar Valley through the Northern Range. Here, expansive views provide great opportunities to find spectacular megafauna grazing or hunting on the open hillsides, and your driver/guide will have the latest updates on where wildlife has been spotted.

Wake up to Wildlife – from Mammoth Hot Spring Hotel & Roosevelt Lodge Cabins

Morning with the Wild Things – from Canyon Lodge & Cabins

Evening Tours

More of a night owl? Spend your morning relaxing and recharging—or taking in some other famous park sights. Then load up to view the park’s magnificent wildlife in an entirely different light—dusk. We’ll depart late afternoon and make our way to the Tower-Roosevelt area and the park’s high meadows of Yellowstone’s Northern Range. And although your guide will be up to date on where the wild things are, keep your eyes peeled for the area’s bison, elk, bears, and more. After an incredible evening of observing Yellowstone’s abundant wildlife, we’ll make our way back to the hotel, where you can ease into a restful slumber, counting sheep—or elk!

Evening Wildlife Tour – from Canyon Lodge & Cabins

Wonderland Wildlife Excursion – from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins

Safety First

Observing wildlife safely is critical. Park regulations require visitors to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife, such as bison and elk. Our guides are trained to manage these distances strictly, ensuring you get a great view without endangering yourself or stressing the animal.

Optics and Gear

Our wildlife-viewing tours include high-quality spotting scopes for guests’ use. This equipment allows you to see animals at a great distance that you might not see with the naked eye. Guests are welcome to bring their own binoculars, scopes, and photo equipment on all of our tours.