Perhaps even more famous than its geysers, is the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Sometimes called the “Serengeti of North America”, Yellowstone is home to an astonishing abundance of wild animals, including many of the continent’s megafauna.
If you want to see bison, grizzlies, wolves, moose and bald eagles—among dozens of other species—in the wild, there’s no better place in the Lower 48 to visit than Yellowstone National Park.
Below, you’ll find all you need to know about wildlife watching in Yellowstone. I’ll talk about the most iconic wildlife you can see at Yellowstone, as well as where to see animals in Yellowstone National Park.
Contents
- Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Watching: All You Need to Know
- Which Animals Can You See in Yellowstone National Park?
- More About Yellowstone National Park
- What Are the Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park?
- Map of the Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park
- What Is the Best Time for Yellowstone Wildlife Watching?
- Yellowstone Wildlife Watching Safety Tips
- Recommended Gear for Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone
- Wildlife in Other National Parks
Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Watching: All You Need to Know
Of course, discussing wildlife safety is important, too, especially concerning the many large mammals that live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which also encompasses nearby Grand Teton National Park.
See the end of this post for tips to safely view Yellowstone wildlife.
This post about the best wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here.
Which Animals Can You See in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone wildlife viewing is one of the park’s absolute highlights. In fact, many of its millions of annual visitors come here to see huge herds of bison, imposing grizzly bears, aloof moose and prowling wolf packs.
Other Yellowstone animals you might spot include beavers, river otters, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, pronghorn and black bears.
Check out the most iconic animals that are regularly seen in Yellowstone below, as well as where you have the best chance of spotting them.
American Bison
Where to see bison in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- Hayden Valley
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- North Entrance
- Old Faithful
Beavers
Where to see beavers in Yellowstone:
- Beaver Ponds (north of Mammoth)
- Willow Park (halfway between Mammoth and Norris)
Bighorn Sheep
Where to see bighorn sheep in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- North Entrance
- Tower-Roosevelt Area
Black Bears
Where to see black bears in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- Hayden Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
- Tower-Roosevelt Area
- Mammoth Hot Springs
Grizzly Bears
Where to see grizzly bears in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- Hayden Valley
- Fishing Bridge
- Pelican Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
Elk
Where to see elk in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- Tower-Roosevelt
- Hayden Valley
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- North Entrance
- Old Faithful
Moose
Where to see moose in Yellowstone:
- Hayden Valley
- Fishing Bridge
- Yellowstone Lake
- West Thumb
- Willow Park (halfway between Mammoth and Norris)
Pronghorn
Where to see pronghorn in Yellowstone:
- Lamar Valley
- North Entrance
River Otters
Where to see river otters in Yellowstone:
- Madison River
- Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
Wolves
Where to see wolves in Yellowstone:
- Hayden Valley
- Blacktail Deer Plateau
- Tower-Roosevelt
- Lamar Valley
Bald Eagles
Where to see bald eagles in Yellowstone:
- Madison River
- Hayden Valley
- Fishing Bridge
- Yellowstone Lake
Osprey
Where to see osprey in Yellowstone:
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- North Entrance
- Tower-Roosevelt
- Firehole River Valley
- Yellowstone Lake
Sandhill Cranes
Where to see sandhill cranes in Yellowstone:
- Swan Lake
- Lamar Valley
- Yellowstone River
Trumpeter Swans
Where to see trumpeter swans in Yellowstone:
- Swan Lake
- Madison River
- Yellowstone River below Fishing Bridge
White Pelicans
Where to see pelicans in Yellowstone:
- Pelican Valley
- Yellowstone River
- Yellowstone Lake
More About Yellowstone National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Top Places to Visit in Yellowstone National Park
- Best Things to Do at Mammoth Hot Springs (Yellowstone)
- Accommodation
What Are the Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park?
Although wildlife roams the entire 3,000 square miles (7,500+ square kilometers) of Yellowstone National Park, there are a number of places where they tend to congregate.
From the shores of Yellowstone Lake and the warmth of Old Faithful to the Lamar and Hayden valleys, these are the absolute best places to see Yellowstone National Park wildlife.
1. Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin
The hydrothermal basins at and around Old Faithful are a critical overwintering habitat for bison and elk.
Both animals live in the area all year. In winter, they come here for the thin—if any—snow cover, warm ground and access to vegetation.
In spring, on the other hand, the bison and elk that didn’t survive winter, known as winter-kill, attract black and grizzly bears to the Old Faithful area.
Especially the Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, a few miles north, are home to many bears in spring. Therefore, (parts of) this area may be closed for bear management in spring. Old Faithful, however, is always open to visitors.
- Wildlife to see at Old Faithful: bison, elk and (primarily in spring) black and grizzly bears, osprey
- Stay here: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge Cabins or Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
2. Tower-Roosevelt Area
The heart of Yellowstone’s wildlife-rich Northern Range, the Tower-Roosevelt area is characterized by sheer cliffs and rock formations.
This terrain, especially between Tower Junction and Tower Fall, provides the ideal habitat for sure-footed mammals such as bighorn sheep and deer.
Various birds of prey nest and hunt in this area, including peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks and osprey. In spring, both black and grizzly bears are commonly seen here—Tower is one of Yellowstone’s best spots to see black bears.
Just west of Tower Junction, the Blacktail Deer Plateau offers decent chances to see the famous Yellowstone wolves, bears, bison and elk.
- Wildlife to see in the Tower-Roosevelt area: bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and several birds of prey, including osprey, falcons and hawks
- Stay here: Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins or Tower Fall Campground
3. North Entrance
Just south of Gardiner, Montana, the Yellowstone North Entrance is famous for the iconic Roosevelt Arch. Additionally, the area is also one of the best places in Yellowstone National Park to see a variety of large herbivores.
Elk are abundant here—they are even regular visitors to downtown Gardiner. Other commonly seen animals around the North Entrance include bison, pronghorn and bighorn sheep. Look for osprey on the cliffs just south of the entrance.
- Wildlife to see at the Yellowstone North Entrance: bighorn sheep, bison, elk, pronghorn, osprey
- Stay here: Mammoth Hotel & Cabins or Mammoth Campground
4. Mammoth Hot Springs
Elk live in the Mammoth Hot Springs area year-round. Sightings are almost guaranteed, but remember that these are still wild animals, even if they seem accustomed to people.
Year after year, visitors get chased, trapped or injured by elk, particularly in the spring calving season and fall mating season. Bison also occasionally wander into Mammoth Hot Springs, as do black bears.
A few miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, Swan Lake is the (seasonal) home of elk, bison, grizzly bears, wolves, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans.
- Wildlife to see at Mammoth Hot Springs: bighorn sheep, bison, black bears, elk, osprey and other birds
- Stay here: Mammoth Hotel & Cabins or Mammoth Campground
5. Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is home to North America’s largest population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Although fishing in no longer allowed there, Fishing Bridge does still offer a great chance to see these trout, as well as other fish. This abundance of fish, of course, attracts many predators to the area.
On the water or in the sky, look for river otters, white pelicans, bald eagles and osprey. On land, watch for black bears, grizzly bears and, sometimes, wolves.
The greater Fishing Bridge area includes the Pelican Valley, which is one of the best places to see grizzlies south of the Canadian border.
Because of this density of grizzly bears, the Fishing Bridge RV Park is Yellowstone’s only campground where tent camping is not allowed—only hard-sided vehicles are allowed.
Additionally, lucky visitors may also see moose on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Look for them along the water’s edge and marshes.
You might also see elk, bears and deer at the amazing West Thumb Geyser Basin.
- Wildlife to see at Yellowstone Lake: black bears, grizzly bears, cutthroat trout, moose, river otters, white pelicans, osprey and bald eagles
- Stay here: Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cottages, Lake Lodge Cabins, Fishing Bridge RV Park or Bridge Bay Campground
6. Hayden Valley
Situated halfway between Canyon Village and Lake Village, the Hayden Valley is one of the absolute best places to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
Once filled by an arm of vast Yellowstone Lake, this valley is now home to essentially all of the largest Yellowstone mammals.
Vast herds of bison and elk often gather and graze in the Hayden Valley, while pronghorn skip through the marshy grasslands. Moose can occasionally be seen grazing in riparian areas. If you want to see bears in Yellowstone, this is one of the best locations you could go to.
Both blacks and grizzlies are often seen in this area. Wolves roam the Hayden Valley, too. Visit in the early morning or late evening for the best chances to see these imposing predators.
- Wildlife to see in the Hayden Valley: bald eagles, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bison, black bears, grizzly bears, elk, moose, and wolves
- Stay here: Canyon Lodge & Cabins, Canyon Campground, Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cottages, Lake Lodge Cabins or Fishing Bridge RV Park
7. Lamar Valley
Home to a breathtaking abundance of megafauna, the grasslands of Yellowstone’s Northern Range are often called “North America’s Serengeti.” The entire Lamar Valley is a wildlife paradise and the best place to see numerous iconic Yellowstone animals.
Large herbivores like pronghorn, deer, elk and bison roam the Lamar Valley year-round, often in enormous numbers. In fact, this area is home to some of North America’s largest wild herds of bison and elk.
In winter, they’re a critical food source for several wolf packs, while black and grizzly bears, re-emerged after months of hibernation, feast on winter-kill and prey on newborn calves in spring.
Coyote sightings are quite common as well. Other predators thrive here, too, but are less often seen—they include red foxes, mountain lions and bobcats.
The road across the Lamar Valley, between Tower Junction and Cooke City, just outside the park’s Northeast Entrance, is open throughout the entire year.
It offers truly world-class Yellowstone wildlife viewing opportunities in every season, especially for iconic national park mammals.
- Wildlife to see in the Lamar Valley: bighorn sheep, bison, black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, elk, pronghorn and sandhill cranes
- Stay here: Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins, Slough Creek Campground or Pebble Creek Campground
Map of the Best Places to See Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park
What Is the Best Time for Yellowstone Wildlife Watching?
You can see wildlife in Yellowstone year-round, but there are a few peak periods throughout the year.
Winter
Winter is a great time to see bison and elk in the Northern Range or around the hydrothermal areas, while the Lamar Valley wolves are exceptionally visible in the snow.
In winter, it’s also possible to see red foxes and coyotes hunting in snow-covered meadows, while trumpeter swans hang out in rivers with open water.
Spring
Spring is arguably the best season for wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park.
This is when black and grizzly bears emerge from their dens and roam the lower elevations, roadside meadows and valleys, searching for winter-kill and other food sources.
You can find more information about bear hibernation in Yellowstone National Park here.
May is probably the best time to see bears in Yellowstone. Make sure to carry bear spray at all times.
Additionally, spring is also the calving season for all large mammals in Yellowstone. May is when bison and moose are calving in the Lamar Valley and wolf pups emerge from their dens. In late-spring, elk calves can be seen at Mammoth Hot Springs.
You can find an overview of the best spring hikes in Yellowstone National Park here.
Summer
July and August are the peak tourist season in the park, but is, ironically, perhaps the “worst” season to see animals in Yellowstone National Park. That said, however, “worst” in Yellowstone is still significantly better than almost all other places, at any time.
Although bison, pronghorn and other herbivores remain in the Lamar and Hayden valleys—summer is the bison rut—bears move to higher elevations this time of year and are less visible from Yellowstone’s roads.
Fall
Come fall, black and grizzly bears descend from the mountains and are, once again, a regular presence in roadside meadows.
September announces the elk rut around Mammoth Hot Springs, which continues through October. The bighorn sheep rut at the North Entrance is from November to December.
Both Yellowstone bear species have denned by the end of November, but this time does kick off the best wolf viewing season in Yellowstone.
In conclusion, spring—especially May through early-June—is the best time to go wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park. This brief period offers everything from wolf pack hunts and grizzly bear sightings to an abundance of bison, elk and moose calves.
You can learn more about seasonal highlights in Yellowstone National Park on the park’s website.
Yellowstone Wildlife Watching Safety Tips
Many visitors might consider grizzly bears to be the most terrifying wild animal in Yellowstone, but, in general, more people are injured by bison and moose.
Always remember that all Yellowstone wildlife is, in fact, wild and unpredictable.
Here are some basic tips to safely observe wildlife in Yellowstone, which will keep both yourself and the animals unharmed:
- Never approach wild animals or follow them.
- If an animal approaches you, back away slowly to keep a safe distance.
- Use binoculars, a spotting scope or telephoto lens to view or photograph Yellowstone wildlife.
- As a general rule of thumb, if an animal reacts to your presence, you’re too close. Move away.
- When possible, hike in groups of at least 3 people.
- Stay inside or close to your car when observing black or grizzly bears.
- You must stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards from all other animals, including birds.
Additionally, you can find more detailed information about how to behave during encounters with potentially dangerous animals in the following wildlife safety guides.
Recommended Gear for Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone
Arguably the most essential item to safely watch wildlife in Yellowstone is bear spray. Carry it with you at all times, and know how to use it.
While less powerful than spotting scopes, binoculars are much more portable, making them a handy Yellowstone wildlife viewing tool on hikes.
For roadside wildlife watching in Yellowstone, nothing beats a quality spotting scope. Set up your tripod and spend a few morning or evening hours scanning the landscape for bears, moose, wolves, etc.
Considering the mandatory distance rules (100 yards for bears and wolves, 25 yards for all other wildlife, including birds), taking amazing wildlife photos in Yellowstone is virtually impossible without a good zoom lens. Go for at least 400mm.