Our favourite time to go to Yellowstone is within the winter. It is likely to be very chilly and just one street is open to vehicles, however discovering wildlife in Yellowstone within the winter is an unimaginable expertise. Get able to see bison coated in snow and ice, coyotes preventing over carcasses, and wolves searching.
After visiting the park a number of instances throughout winter, we’ve discovered the most effective locations to see wildlife in Yellowstone in winter.
Be careful for wildlife crossing the street, like this coyote
Bison within the snow
We made a video exhibiting a number of the wildlife we noticed throughout one in every of our winter journeys to Yellowstone and what you may realistically see.
In winter, all of the entrances to the park are closed besides one: the north entrance on the city of Gardiner. Technically, the northeast entrance at Silver Gate can be open however you may’t enter the park from right here. You’ll be able to solely exit the park so far as Cooke Metropolis.
Bison and coyote
We have now coated this beautiful extensively in our submit Wolf watching information in winter. The primary recommendation is to seek for wolves on the Slough Creek campground path. Park the automotive on the trailhead and stroll in the direction of the campground till you attain the Slough Creek. In the summertime you may park your automotive there, however within the winter you may solely drive till the trailhead. So take your binoculars and low, and sit above the creek. From right here you may scope a big space. We’ve discovered wolves from right here a number of instances.
Wolf encounter within the winter
One other place is on the Lamar River trailhead. You get a very good view of the valley. Additionally, search for in entrance of you. There’s a bald spot on the prime of that mountain throughout the river. We’ve seen wolves pursue bison up there whereas watching from the parking space (you may see what occurred within the video at first of the article).
Ask round, virtually everybody is aware of the place wolves have been final seen. Be courteous and share your findings too.
It is rather tough to see mountain goats in Yellowstone within the winter. They’re white and so they mix in with the snow. However right here is the place you may spot them (you in all probability want a scope, though Hal noticed them with our tiny 8×21 binoculars):
1) Park your automotive on the Pebble Creek pullout or the subsequent one heading west on the other aspect of the street. Get your scope and seek for mountain goats alongside Thunderer Peak, simply throughout the street from the pullout.
2) Mountain goats will also be seen on Baronette Peak, additional east of the Pebble Creek pullout.
Mountain goats within the distance on Thunderer
Bison are virtually in every single place, grazing on the plains by plowing snow with their large heads, sheltering underneath bushes, and even strolling down the center of the street. It’s laborious to overlook their big darkish varieties in opposition to the brilliant white snow. My favourite place to search out bison in Yellowstone is alongside Soda Butte Creek as there are much less individuals and the surroundings is spectacular.
It’s straightforward to identify bison in opposition to the white snow
In winter, mule deer are usually discovered simply after getting into the park by way of the North entrance at Gardiner. A scorching spot is between right here and Mammoth.
Whereas we’ve seen the occasional elk within the Lamar Valley throughout winter, together with a person escaping from a wolf within the river on the Lamar River Trailhead, most migrate north towards Mammoth and Gardiner and into the northern vary.
They’re fairly straightforward to see as they like to hang around close to the confluence of the Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar River. You’ll be able to pull out at “the hitching submit” (the pullout with two bogs and a horse tie-up) and seek for them on the rocky outcrop throughout the street.
River otters migrate throughout winter. As their swimming pools freeze up they should discover unfrozen rivers through which to fish. Search alongside the Lamar River as they wish to play within the snow and slide down the snowy river banks.
We’ve at all times discovered moose alongside the Soda Butte Creek feeding on the willows proper in entrance of Pebble Creek campground, and we’ve even seen them strolling the residential neighborhoods in Silver Gate.
Moose within the willows
We discovered a golden eagle in the identical space two years in a row. I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or if that’s THE spot to see them. Since you’re in all probability going to drive by that spot, you may as effectively examine it.
As you drive alongside the NE entrance street, earlier than the Lamar Valley Trailhead 3K1, and in entrance of the Soda Butte Creek, there’s a pullout the place 3 or 4 vehicles can cease on the left aspect heading east. Verify on that aspect of the hill and in addition examine if there’s an eagle flying in entrance of it.
Golden eagle on a tree
Bald eagles are fairly straightforward to identify as they’re usually hanging round at carcasses.
Bald eagle at a bison carcass
Foxes and coyotes could be seen wherever within the park and we see them at nearly any time of day. They cling round carcasses and could also be noticed trying to find rodents in open flat areas. The world at Pebble Creek introduced in a very nice encounter with a pink fox that was searching rodents and we noticed him pounce a number of instances. Additional up the street towards Silver Gate, we’ve seen a kill underneath a tree the place a fox was feeding. Later, a coyote got here to the go to.
Crimson Fox at a kill, Yellowstone
There are a selection of owls in Yellowstone, together with Nice Grey owl, Boreal owl, Lengthy-eared owl, Nice horned owl, and Northern saw-whet owl. I’m usually a fantastic owl spotter, and I nonetheless can’t imagine I haven’t seen an owl in Yellowstone. We have now seen the sample that owls make within the snow once they hunt small rodents although, and I have to say I’m at all times fairly excited to search out these!
The American dipper is a tiny hen that survives on little invertebrates present in rivers. Even in freezing waters that may kill us with hypothermia, these little guys are nonetheless diving to the underside in quest of sustenance.
American dipper at Soda Butte Creek
Are you able to see cougars in Yellowstone? Sure, you may, however how?
The mountain lion inhabitants in Yellowstone is just about 35 people and they’re seldom seen. Throughout one in every of our journeys, guests noticed a mountain lion on a kill the day after we left the park! Keep in mind that they noticed it with a scope and it was very removed from the street.
If you wish to see a cougar in Yellowstone, carry a scope to the park and search completely everytime you cease. You may get fortunate. A better approach is to cease and ask once you see a crowd of oldsters with scopes out!
Bears hibernate within the winter and they need to be tucked of their dens throughout your winter go to to Yellowstone. Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in late March, and black bears may achieve this earlier at decrease elevations.
In case you are round West Yellowstone and usually are not planning to go to the north of the park, you may nonetheless go to the park on a snow coach. Keep in mind that the street is closed, so no non-public autos are allowed. A snow coach tour will take you to see Previous Trustworthy and tour Yellowstone Canyon throughout winter. Should you inform the information you’re into nature pictures, they could take you to the most effective spots. I heard that for a number of years, there have been nice sightings of bobcats throughout these excursions. Word this snow coach tour begins in West Yellowstone.
In case you are curious about visiting each the North and West Yellowstone on a tour, this 6-day Yellowstone tour contains wolf monitoring with a neighborhood information, a snow coach journey, and a snowshoes / cross-country ski journey.
Yep, it’s this chilly!
Unsure what to put on when visiting Yellowstone throughout the winter months? Check out our journey gear information for Yellowstone within the winter, the place we take a look at clothes, sneakers, gloves, and a few recommendation on digital camera gear for chilly temperatures.
Yellowstone winter is extraordinarily chilly. Throughout one in every of our visits, the temperature dropped to -14F (-24C). We have been informed that the earlier yr the temperature dropped to -40F (-40C). Be sure to have the suitable clothes and have a plan and provides in case your automotive breaks down.
Watching wildlife in Yellowstone within the winter is our favourite. Few crowds, loads of wildlife, and lovely surroundings make this our favourite nationwide park to go to throughout the winter months.
Cristina Garcia
Zoologist and wildlife photographer. She has labored within the subject with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. She serves on the Board of Administrators of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation group.
Learn her posts at Journey For Wildlife and see extra of her work at Truly Wild, & Our Wild Yard.
After visiting the park a number of instances throughout winter, we’ve discovered the most effective locations to see wildlife in Yellowstone in winter.
Be careful for wildlife crossing the street, like this coyote
Bison within the snow
We made a video exhibiting a number of the wildlife we noticed throughout one in every of our winter journeys to Yellowstone and what you may realistically see.
In winter, all of the entrances to the park are closed besides one: the north entrance on the city of Gardiner. Technically, the northeast entrance at Silver Gate can be open however you may’t enter the park from right here. You’ll be able to solely exit the park so far as Cooke Metropolis.
Bison and coyote
The place to see wolves within the winter in Yellowstone
We have now coated this beautiful extensively in our submit Wolf watching information in winter. The primary recommendation is to seek for wolves on the Slough Creek campground path. Park the automotive on the trailhead and stroll in the direction of the campground till you attain the Slough Creek. In the summertime you may park your automotive there, however within the winter you may solely drive till the trailhead. So take your binoculars and low, and sit above the creek. From right here you may scope a big space. We’ve discovered wolves from right here a number of instances.
Wolf encounter within the winter
One other place is on the Lamar River trailhead. You get a very good view of the valley. Additionally, search for in entrance of you. There’s a bald spot on the prime of that mountain throughout the river. We’ve seen wolves pursue bison up there whereas watching from the parking space (you may see what occurred within the video at first of the article).
Ask round, virtually everybody is aware of the place wolves have been final seen. Be courteous and share your findings too.
The place to see mountain goats in Yellowstone
It is rather tough to see mountain goats in Yellowstone within the winter. They’re white and so they mix in with the snow. However right here is the place you may spot them (you in all probability want a scope, though Hal noticed them with our tiny 8×21 binoculars):
1) Park your automotive on the Pebble Creek pullout or the subsequent one heading west on the other aspect of the street. Get your scope and seek for mountain goats alongside Thunderer Peak, simply throughout the street from the pullout.
2) Mountain goats will also be seen on Baronette Peak, additional east of the Pebble Creek pullout.
Mountain goats within the distance on Thunderer
The place to see bison within the winter
Bison are virtually in every single place, grazing on the plains by plowing snow with their large heads, sheltering underneath bushes, and even strolling down the center of the street. It’s laborious to overlook their big darkish varieties in opposition to the brilliant white snow. My favourite place to search out bison in Yellowstone is alongside Soda Butte Creek as there are much less individuals and the surroundings is spectacular.
It’s straightforward to identify bison in opposition to the white snow
The place to see mule deer
In winter, mule deer are usually discovered simply after getting into the park by way of the North entrance at Gardiner. A scorching spot is between right here and Mammoth.
The place to see elk in Yellowstone in winter
Whereas we’ve seen the occasional elk within the Lamar Valley throughout winter, together with a person escaping from a wolf within the river on the Lamar River Trailhead, most migrate north towards Mammoth and Gardiner and into the northern vary.
The place to see bighorn sheep in Yellowstone:
They’re fairly straightforward to see as they like to hang around close to the confluence of the Soda Butte Creek and the Lamar River. You’ll be able to pull out at “the hitching submit” (the pullout with two bogs and a horse tie-up) and seek for them on the rocky outcrop throughout the street.
Greatest locations to see river otters in Yellowstone:
River otters migrate throughout winter. As their swimming pools freeze up they should discover unfrozen rivers through which to fish. Search alongside the Lamar River as they wish to play within the snow and slide down the snowy river banks.
The place to see moose within the winter
We’ve at all times discovered moose alongside the Soda Butte Creek feeding on the willows proper in entrance of Pebble Creek campground, and we’ve even seen them strolling the residential neighborhoods in Silver Gate.
Moose within the willows
Golden eagles in Yellowstone
We discovered a golden eagle in the identical space two years in a row. I don’t know if that’s a coincidence or if that’s THE spot to see them. Since you’re in all probability going to drive by that spot, you may as effectively examine it.
As you drive alongside the NE entrance street, earlier than the Lamar Valley Trailhead 3K1, and in entrance of the Soda Butte Creek, there’s a pullout the place 3 or 4 vehicles can cease on the left aspect heading east. Verify on that aspect of the hill and in addition examine if there’s an eagle flying in entrance of it.
Golden eagle on a tree
Bald eagles in Yellowstone
Bald eagles are fairly straightforward to identify as they’re usually hanging round at carcasses.
Bald eagle at a bison carcass
Different wildlife to search out within the winter
Foxes and coyotes could be seen wherever within the park and we see them at nearly any time of day. They cling round carcasses and could also be noticed trying to find rodents in open flat areas. The world at Pebble Creek introduced in a very nice encounter with a pink fox that was searching rodents and we noticed him pounce a number of instances. Additional up the street towards Silver Gate, we’ve seen a kill underneath a tree the place a fox was feeding. Later, a coyote got here to the go to.
Crimson Fox at a kill, Yellowstone
There are a selection of owls in Yellowstone, together with Nice Grey owl, Boreal owl, Lengthy-eared owl, Nice horned owl, and Northern saw-whet owl. I’m usually a fantastic owl spotter, and I nonetheless can’t imagine I haven’t seen an owl in Yellowstone. We have now seen the sample that owls make within the snow once they hunt small rodents although, and I have to say I’m at all times fairly excited to search out these!
The American dipper is a tiny hen that survives on little invertebrates present in rivers. Even in freezing waters that may kill us with hypothermia, these little guys are nonetheless diving to the underside in quest of sustenance.
American dipper at Soda Butte Creek
Are you able to see cougars in Yellowstone? Sure, you may, however how?
The mountain lion inhabitants in Yellowstone is just about 35 people and they’re seldom seen. Throughout one in every of our journeys, guests noticed a mountain lion on a kill the day after we left the park! Keep in mind that they noticed it with a scope and it was very removed from the street.
If you wish to see a cougar in Yellowstone, carry a scope to the park and search completely everytime you cease. You may get fortunate. A better approach is to cease and ask once you see a crowd of oldsters with scopes out!
Are you able to see bears within the winter in Yellowstone?
Bears hibernate within the winter and they need to be tucked of their dens throughout your winter go to to Yellowstone. Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in late March, and black bears may achieve this earlier at decrease elevations.
Wildlife in West Yellowstone
In case you are round West Yellowstone and usually are not planning to go to the north of the park, you may nonetheless go to the park on a snow coach. Keep in mind that the street is closed, so no non-public autos are allowed. A snow coach tour will take you to see Previous Trustworthy and tour Yellowstone Canyon throughout winter. Should you inform the information you’re into nature pictures, they could take you to the most effective spots. I heard that for a number of years, there have been nice sightings of bobcats throughout these excursions. Word this snow coach tour begins in West Yellowstone.
In case you are curious about visiting each the North and West Yellowstone on a tour, this 6-day Yellowstone tour contains wolf monitoring with a neighborhood information, a snow coach journey, and a snowshoes / cross-country ski journey.
Costume appropriately within the Winter
Yep, it’s this chilly!
Unsure what to put on when visiting Yellowstone throughout the winter months? Check out our journey gear information for Yellowstone within the winter, the place we take a look at clothes, sneakers, gloves, and a few recommendation on digital camera gear for chilly temperatures.
Yellowstone winter is extraordinarily chilly. Throughout one in every of our visits, the temperature dropped to -14F (-24C). We have been informed that the earlier yr the temperature dropped to -40F (-40C). Be sure to have the suitable clothes and have a plan and provides in case your automotive breaks down.
Last ideas
Watching wildlife in Yellowstone within the winter is our favourite. Few crowds, loads of wildlife, and lovely surroundings make this our favourite nationwide park to go to throughout the winter months.
Cristina Garcia
Zoologist and wildlife photographer. She has labored within the subject with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. She serves on the Board of Administrators of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation group.
Learn her posts at Journey For Wildlife and see extra of her work at Truly Wild, & Our Wild Yard.