Yellowstone Wildlife Tours

A private Yellowstone Wildlife Tour is a great way to see bears, wolves, and the other animals of Yellowstone National Park. Explore Yellowstone with a professional guide.

Best Places to Tour Wildlife in Yellowstone

Lamar Valley

The Lamar Valley is widely regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park thanks to its vast open meadows, meandering river, and rich biodiversity. Often referred to as “America’s Serengeti,” this northeastern region of the park is home to some of Yellowstone’s most iconic animals, including bison, elk, bears, wolves, and coyotes. Its relatively low tree cover and wide sightlines make spotting wildlife easier than in other parts of the park, especially during the early morning and evening hours. Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer or a first-time visitor, the Lamar Valley offers some of the most rewarding and unforgettable animal encounters in the park, which is why we offer our Lamar Valley Tours.

Black Tail Plateau

The Blacktail Plateau is a lesser-known, rich wildlife area of Yellowstone. The plateau is a great rolling expanse with limited visibility in areas. The Blacktail Ponds are often the best place to see a grizzly bear in the early spring. The bears will feed on "winter kill" captured by the pond during the harsh winter season. The famous Rescue Creek Pack lives on the plateau, along with wintering bull elk, and springtime bison migrating through the lower elevations of the park. 

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley is another premier destination for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park, offering a breathtaking blend of sweeping grasslands, winding rivers, and geothermal features. Located in the heart of the park, this lush valley is a favorite feeding ground for bison and elk, and it’s not uncommon to spot grizzly bears and wolves, especially during the early morning or late evening hours. The Yellowstone River cuts through the valley, attracting a variety of birds, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and waterfowl. With its dramatic landscapes and abundance of wildlife, Hayden Valley provides visitors with a truly immersive Yellowstone experience.
 

Highlights of Wildlife Tour Itinerary

The one-day private wildlife tours, or custom safaris, start early to take advantage of morning animal movement and activity. Morning is always the best time to see wildlife in the park, especially grizzly bears and grey wolves. The tour route focuses on the wildlife hot spots in the northern range ecosystem of Yellowstone, like the Lamar Valley, Blacktail Plateau, "Little America", and Slough Creek. Wildlife is constantly moving through this biodiverse region of the park, and we know where to find them! The day safari safari itineraries are generally fluid as animals come and go throughout the day. Your guide will make lots of stops to scan for animals and photo opportunities. 

Enjoy the animals of Yellowstone, too! The park is home to large herds of bison, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and other ungulates. See bison rutting in the Hayden Valley, watch mountain goats scale the tall peaks of the northeast corner, or listen to elk bugle in the fall. Your guide will help interpret and explain the animal's behavior, keeping you informed of the wildlife process taking place. All the staff are local, knowledgeable, and passionate about Yellowstone.