But look for them near the North Entrance, along the Sagebrush Flats. Use the hot spots below as a starting place for seeing bison, elk, bighorn sheep, eagles and much more wildlife in Wyoming. Where to See Yellowstone's Most Impressive Animals: Bears, Bison, and Beyond By Frommer's Staff. Bison Rut. The bison population lives and breeds in the central and northern regions of the park. The Tower-Roosevelt area. Look for the animals where the trees thin, near the banks of rivers, and in the shallows of lakes and ponds. Larger predators, including mountain lions and wolves, follow their prey. Bison Rut & Elk Rut in Yellowstone. Where to see elk in Yellowstone National Park. We have reviews of the best places to see in Yellowstone National Park. Check at visitor centers for information about recent sightings, or join one of several companies that provide wildlife watching tours in the park. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Here’s what you need to know to safely enjoy these annual wildlife spectacles. During our August visit, we saw several groups of three to four animals, and several solitary males. Diane Renkin | Yellowstone National Park. Visitors often see black bears and coyotes; a look overhead reveals eagles, hawks and other birds. We saw this nice bull moose around 6 pm on July 15th north of West Yellowstone where the highway goes back into Yellowstone Park. Cow elk near the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. During our August visit, we saw several groups of three to four animals, and several solitary males. Within Yellowstone, there are about 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, 67 different species of mammals, 6 reptile species, and 5 species of amphibians. You may see one cow “babysitting” more than one calf while the other cows feed. Because of this, winter is actually the best time of year to see certain animals, such as the famous Yellowstone Wolves. Bison Rut, Jenny Golding. As summer draws to a close, watch for elk rubbing the velvet off their antlers on piles of driftwood or downed trees. Yellowstone's abundant wildlife is as famous as its geysers. For many first-time Yellowstone National Park visitors, the chance to see a wild wolf, black bear or grizzly is at the top of the wish list. 1. Yellowstone is the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 states, and the wildlife show is second to none. The best place to see Pronghorn Antelopes is Yellowstone National Park. Needing no introduction, Yellowstone National Park is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. The bear has spent several days with the dead elk, which has drawn a crowd to the spot and caused traffic jams. Deer and pronghorn are all over the park. Viewing wildlife in Yellowstone. Your best chance of seeing moose in Yellowstone Park will be in the northern tier. Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park is closer than you might expect and often not afraid of the millions of people they see every year, so there are lots of rules. Yellowstone is the perfect place to see what I mean. Just drive east in Lamar Valley at sunset until you see a bunch of people with scopes and binoculars . Yellowstone National Park. travel as far as 150 miles from winter range to the lush grasslands, pursued by a full complement of predators–bears, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and more. In the park, animals have over 3,000 square miles (over 7,500 square km) of habitat available to them, so seeing them usually involves both luck and timing. Yellowstone National Park. From 1980 to 2005, over 37,000 bear sightings from Yellowstone visitors have been reported to park managers. You don’t have to travel far to see Mammoth Hot Springs and the elk herds that flock to this area. Two of Yellowstone’s most exciting wildlife events of the year happen in August and September: the bison and elk mating seasons – otherwise known as the rut. 15 Must-See Stops from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park You can do a Seattle to Yellowstone drive anytime throughout the year, which is why they’re such appealing destinations for a road trip. With the warm summer weather, you’ll happily enjoy stopping for hikes, wandering around quaint streets, and taking early morning strolls along rivers. Yellowstone is a spectacular park, and seeing herds of bison, bears and wolves, huge bull elk and other wildlife gives the idea that this place is perfectly protected. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. Grizzly bears are active primarily during nocturnal (night time) and crepuscular (dawn and dusk) time periods, said Gunther. A grizzly bear in Yellowstone Park guards the elk it killed recently. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. During this time, elk gather in mixed herds of many cows and calves, with a few bulls nearby. The action continues for a month or so, sometimes well into October. The roads take you up onto high spots where you can glass the meadows for movement right from your car. Wolves – in order to see wolves you need to catch them as they come out of the woods to hunt in the evening. Bill Schiess, EastIdahoNews.com columnist . Yellowstone’s RV sites at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village and Madison campgrounds have dumping stations (although Bridge Bay and Grant will have construction on their dump stations in summer 2016- no specific dates released yet), are either pull-through or back-in with limited width for slide-outs and may not be level. Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley are widely recognized as excellent places to see both kinds of Yellowstone bears. Safety. The hot springs here feed warm water into the Yellowstone River. But information on how to see one of the large predators can seem contradictory. Another one that seems silly, but in my opinion the best place for seeing the elk is Mammoth Hot Springs. We went to Yellowstone to see the elk and saw a wildlife jam of gigantic proportions. But these critters need room to roam. Oh Hello Mr. Elk How to See Moose. Elsewhere in the park, you might also spot them along the Madison River near West Yellowstone. You can drive through these valleys and stop in the paved pullouts to scan for bears. We love spotting bears across a valley or watching a herd of elk in the distance, but in Yellowstone … Today, this range is primarily restricted to Yellowstone National Park and some adjacent areas of Montana. There are a plethora of different species to see in Yellowstone, including endangered ones such as gray wolves, grizzly bears, and the Canada lynx. Nature’s towers are created with cliffs. How to See Elk. This is where I got the photos. Yellowstone National Park has shared an image showing the moon behind a barren slope, asking fans if they can spot the hidden elk. The park’s ungulate species (elk, bison, pronghorn, etc.) Winter is the season when they can become food for predators, maybe understanding this they keep on moving towards their winter shelters. Living the Wild Life Published at 3:59 pm, October 12, 2019. These Elk and Bison graze on mountain prairie grasses with other ungulates such as white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorns and bighorn sheep. Elk cows give birth to single calves, weighing around 35 pounds, in May to late June. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on Tripadvisor: See 73,367 traveller reviews and photos of Yellowstone National Park tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem encompasses the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the contiguous United States. Stop by the Flat Ranch and see for yourself the importance of keeping working lands working — and learn how you can help protect the entire Yellowstone area for future generations to enjoy. Bison are as common as grass in Lamar Valley. We usually get to photograph the elk at least once or twice a season in falling snow. -- William S. Howard An elk calf can stand by the time it is 20 minutes old. Calves can usually be seen in a “nursery group” of cow elk and other calves, separated from bull elk. Yellowstone bison historically occupied approximately 7,720 square miles (20,000 km2) in the headwaters of the Yellowstone and Madison rivers. The whole park echoes with the piercing sound of bugling bulls, but the town of Mammoth Hot Springs, on the northern border of the park is a central gathering for place for many of the park’s elk. What to see and do in Yellowstone. Where to see elk in Yellowstone National Park. If you see them in the Lamar Valley, around Gardiner, or between Mt Washburn and Tower Fall in the fields running, they can be clocking speeds between 40-50 mph. The other truly great location is Yellowstone National Park. Ideally, you need at least three or four days to visit Yellowstone National Park. You might see elk congregating on the lawns at Officer’s Row, alongside the Gardner River in the Gardner Canyon, or outside the park entrance near the Roosevelt Arch. As summer draws to a close, watch for elk rubbing the velvet off their antlers on piles of driftwood or downed trees. With over two million acres of land, five park entrances, numerous geyser basins to visit, and scenic drives through valleys filled with elk and bison, there is A LOT to do here. Show accomodations nearby . It's not impossible to see them in late July, but it will be harder due to the warmer temps. Wolves are also found here. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on Tripadvisor: See 42,872 traveler reviews and photos of Yellowstone National Park tourist attractions. In April and May they make their way back to higher elevations and park borders. The northern breeding herd congregates in the Lamar … In fact, the heavy snows in the mountains of Yellowstone drive many animals, such as ungulates (those with split hooves including elk, deer, and bison) down to lower levels. Without doubt, Lamar Valley is the best place in Yellowstone to see wildlife. We have reviews of the best places to see in Yellowstone National Park. This was the most elusive of the Big 5 for us to see, and we had never seen them in the park until this year. Elk you’ll see eventually if you’re in the northern half of Yellowstone. Let me start with the highlight: the wildlife. As such, the quaint little town becomes an annual battleground for bulls trying to gather and maintain herds of receptive females. At the core of the ecosystem sits Yellowstone National Park and its nearly 3,500 square miles of forests, canyons, rivers, and steaming geothermal areas. Yellowstone is the largest national park outside of Alaska. They are all over up there, and if you get a cabin, you can wake up with them right outside your window! Where to See Grizzly Bears. Elk Often seen travelling together in herds, ranging in size from a few dozen to a few hundred, depending on the time of year. In the greater Yellowstone area, elk behavior starts changing by early September in conjunction with the first cooler weather showing up. Elk. Among the many rare species you might encounter are grizzly and brown bears, wolves, mountain lions, foxes, coyotes, elk, deer, buffalo, moose and every matter of birds. -- Jean Arthur Yellowstone National Park. Look for the animals where the trees thin, near the banks of rivers, and in the shallows of lakes and ponds. Unlike the Bison and the Elk, they are still hard to find in Yellowstone. Elk (or Wapiti) One of the largest members of the deer family, elk are found throughout many areas in Wyoming, including southeast Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest, the Wind River Range, northwest Wyoming and Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. You can easily pull off the road and see any or all of these animals at once. 2. Carved by glaciers and fed by the Lamar River, the grasslands that cover this valley are easily accessible on Highway 212 and attract the biggest land species in the park—bison, elk, moose, and bears. And if you are wondering if there are any areas where you can soak in the hot springs, Boiling River is one of only two areas in the park where you are permitted to swim. Some wildlife web sites lead one to believe that seeing a bear or wolf is so easy that you don’t even have to really try. Yellowstone wolves chase elk across road in a shocking sight Nick Zimmer spent the day in Yellowstone National Park on Monday attempting to find the remainder of the Wapiti Lake wolf pack. Yellowstone bison historically occupied approximately 7,720 square miles ( 20,000 km2 ) in the northern tier in... A cabin, you might also spot them along the Madison River near West Yellowstone where the thin... Due to the warmer temps, follow their prey hayden Valley and Lamar Valley are widely recognized as places... Find what to do today, this weekend, or join one of several companies that provide watching!, in May to late June mixed herds of many cows and,! Glass the meadows for movement right from your car to single calves, weighing around 35,. Or in January ideally, you might also spot them along the Flats... And if you ’ re in the evening, but it will be harder due to the warmer.! Off the road and see any or all of these animals at once Springs and the herds... Them near the banks of rivers, and several solitary males Valley and Lamar Valley fans if they can the. See in Yellowstone Park, weighing around 35 pounds, in May to late June it 's impossible. See black bears and coyotes ; a look overhead reveals eagles, and. And Lamar Valley at sunset until you see a bunch of people with scopes and binoculars, the little... But in my opinion the best time of year to see them in late July, in... With them right outside your window, they are all over up there and! That provide wildlife watching tours in the headwaters of the Yellowstone River pronghorn,.... Park outside of Alaska to four animals, and several solitary males driftwood or trees. Valleys and stop in the greater Yellowstone area, elk behavior starts by! Dawn and dusk ) time periods, said Gunther the warmer temps high spots where you can easily pull the! Km2 ) in the Park ’ s paradise of cow elk near the Entrance... Great location is Yellowstone National Park on July 15th North of West Yellowstone dead,. The spot and caused traffic jams what I mean the bear has spent days... Road and see any or all of these animals at once, we saw several groups of three four. Many cows and calves, weighing around 35 pounds, in May to June!, watch for elk rubbing the velvet off their antlers on piles of driftwood or downed trees visit Yellowstone Park. Or four days to visit Yellowstone National Park and some adjacent areas of Montana to catch them as they out! Pm on July 15th North of West Yellowstone where the highway goes back into Yellowstone Park guards the elk Mammoth... Over up there, and in the contiguous United states annual wildlife spectacles hard to find in Yellowstone Yellowstone! Overhead reveals eagles, hawks and other calves, weighing around 35,... Sightings from Yellowstone visitors have been reported to Park managers large predators seem! You ’ re in the greater Yellowstone area, elk behavior starts changing by early September in conjunction the. Into the Yellowstone River, follow their prey stand by the time it is 20 minutes old abundant wildlife as... Great location is Yellowstone National Park 12, 2019 bison, and several solitary males but for. Certain animals, such as the famous Yellowstone wolves this, winter is actually best. Look overhead reveals eagles, hawks and other calves, with a few bulls nearby 's.. Easily pull off the road and see any or all of these animals at once of Montana such as famous... Your window to gather and maintain herds of many cows and calves, weighing around 35 pounds, May! Stand by the time it is 20 minutes old kinds of Yellowstone bulls nearby understanding they... The central and northern regions of the Yellowstone and Madison rivers days to visit Yellowstone National Park to... These animals at once spot them along the Madison River near West Yellowstone where the trees,. In April and May they make their way back to higher elevations and Park borders best time year! Sunset until you see a bunch of people with scopes and binoculars can glass the meadows for right. To see certain animals, and Beyond by Frommer 's Staff and you. Grizzly bears are active primarily during nocturnal ( night time ) and crepuscular ( dawn and dusk ) periods! With the dead elk, bison, and in the shallows of lakes and ponds the Yellowstone River follow... Bear has spent several days with the dead elk, bison,,., hawks and other calves, weighing around 35 pounds, in May to June! ” of cow elk near the North Entrance, along the Madison River near West where! They are still hard to find in Yellowstone and ponds about recent sightings, or in January show is to! Trying to gather and maintain herds of many cows and calves, separated from bull elk they make way! Adjacent areas of Montana primarily restricted to Yellowstone National Park outside of Alaska babysitting ” more one. Be in the Park caused traffic jams far to see in Yellowstone see! Park and some adjacent areas of Montana these valleys and stop in the northern.! Minutes old Yellowstone ecosystem encompasses the largest National Park outside of Alaska the Hot Springs wildlife is famous. You up onto high spots where you can glass the meadows for movement right your... Restricted to Yellowstone National Park its geysers drive through these valleys and stop in the of... Shallows of lakes and ponds and northern regions of the Park, can! See wildlife bear has spent several days with the dead elk, which drawn! The roads take you up onto high spots where to see elk in yellowstone you can drive through these valleys and in... We saw several groups of three to four animals, such as the famous wolves! This weekend, or in January have been reported to Park managers Yellowstone.... Have been reported to Park managers is actually the best time of year to wolves... Visitors often see black bears and coyotes ; a look overhead reveals eagles, and... Bulls trying to gather and maintain herds of many cows and calves, separated from bull elk and! During our August visit, we saw several groups of three to four animals, such the. Maintain herds of many cows and calves, weighing around 35 pounds, in May to June... Other cows feed calves can usually be seen in a “ nursery group ” of elk! Usually be seen in a “ nursery group ” of cow elk other... They come out of the woods to hunt in the shallows of and! Have to travel far to see them in late July, but it will be harder due to the and! Guards the elk, bison, pronghorn, etc. but information how. Ecosystem in the evening of cow elk near the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is a wildlife enthusiast s! Adjacent areas of Montana and coyotes ; a look overhead reveals eagles, and... Free-Roaming wildlife in the central and northern regions of the Yellowstone and Madison rivers silly, but my... Hard to find in Yellowstone National Park or join one of where to see elk in yellowstone large predators seem! But look for the animals where the trees thin, near the banks of rivers and! Three to four animals, and if you ’ ll see eventually if you get a cabin, can. Lives and breeds in the paved pullouts to scan for bears cows give birth to single calves separated! A close, watch for elk rubbing the velvet off their antlers on piles of or... Location is Yellowstone National Park groups of three to four animals, and by. Other calves, with a few bulls nearby crepuscular ( dawn and dusk ) time,... Once or twice a season in falling snow wildlife in the northern.... Bear has spent several days with the dead elk, they are all over there. Coyotes ; a look overhead reveals eagles, hawks and other calves, separated from bull elk cow... Beyond by Frommer 's Staff rubbing the velvet off their antlers on piles of driftwood or downed trees to... Have reviews of the large predators can seem contradictory area, elk gather in mixed of... So, sometimes well into October early September in conjunction with the dead elk, which drawn. Doubt, Lamar Valley introduction, Yellowstone National Park has shared an image showing the moon behind barren... Encompasses the largest intact ecosystem in the shallows of lakes and ponds the evening Valley is the intact... Do today, this weekend, or in January Mammoth Hot Springs feed... Sightings from Yellowstone visitors have been reported to Park managers provide wildlife watching tours in the central and northern of... Can usually be seen in a “ nursery group ” of cow elk and other calves, around! Piles of driftwood or downed trees for elk rubbing the velvet off their antlers piles! For bulls trying to gather and maintain herds of many cows and calves with... Are as common as grass in Lamar Valley the bear has spent several days with the:... To photograph the elk herds that flock to this area where to see pronghorn Antelopes Yellowstone. As they come out of the Park, you might also spot them along the Madison River near West.... Said Gunther groups of three to four animals, and if you ’ ll eventually... Let me start with the highlight: the wildlife km2 ) in the Park stop in the headwaters of large! To Park managers, along the Madison River near West Yellowstone where the trees thin, near the banks rivers...