Best Places To See Wildlife In Yellowstone: Bears, Wolves, Bison & More

by Ed Preston August 26, 2025

I was blessed to spend the middle of August traveling in Wyoming and Montana, visiting what is officially referred to as the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Billed as one of the last and largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth, it stretches across parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and encompasses not only Yellowstone National and Grand Teton National Parks, but vast stretches of surrounding national forests as well.

For wildlife enthusiasts, it is a living sanctuary—home to iconic species like bison, elk, wolves, grizzlies, and moose. Few places on the planet offer such consistent opportunities to observe large mammals in their natural habitat. I saw bears every day that I went looking for them. Three days in a row, I watched a huge herd of bison walk by, sometimes only a few feet away from my van. The key is to take your time and not hurry! Go to the places described in this post and plan on parking for at least a few hours. Bring a good pair of binoculars and start scanning the terrain. You'll be amazed at what you see.

Visiting Yellowstone and the Tetons isn’t just about hiking to beautiful places like Bradley Lake (shown above); it’s about stepping into a functioning wild ecosystem. Here, animals still follow ancient migration routes, predators and prey continue their timeless dance, and landscapes shift with the seasons. A morning in the Hayden Valley can bring the sight of mist rising from the river as a grizzly turns over earth in search of roots. An evening in the Lamar Valley may echo with the eerie howls of wolves answering each other across miles of sagebrush. Every day offers new possibilities, shaped by weather, season, and pure chance.

But with privilege comes responsibility. Observing wildlife here is not like visiting a zoo. These are wild animals living by their own rules, and safe, respectful viewing is key both for visitor safety and animal welfare. In this guide, we’ll explore the best places to see wildlife across the ecosystem—from open valleys where wolves chase bison, to alpine ridges where mountain goats cling to cliffs. Along the way, we’ll also cover best practices for responsible viewing and essential bear safety tips, so that every encounter enriches both visitor and animal lives.

Lamar Valley

Known as the “Serengeti of North America,” Lamar Valley is the premier wildlife-watching destination in Yellowstone. Its wide sagebrush flats, winding river, and backdrop of forested slopes create the perfect stage for encounters with large mammals.

Bison: Lamar Valley supports the park’s largest free-roaming bison herds, shown in the photo above. Watching hundreds of animals move across the sagebrush flats, calves in tow, is a quintessential Yellowstone experience. Traffic jams here often come not from cars but from bison blocking the road, taking their time.
Wolves: After their reintroduction in the 1990s, wolves established strongholds in Lamar. Today, several different packs might be seen roaming Lamar, and it remains one of the best places on Earth to watch wild wolves. Early risers with spotting scopes gather at popular pullouts like Slough Creek and Hitching Post, scanning for movement on the distant hills. On a good day, you might watch wolves hunt elk or interact socially—play, dominance displays, or pup-rearing near dens.
Pronghorn: The open sage flats also support pronghorn, the fastest land mammal in North America. Their striking black-and-white markings make them easy to spot as they graze or dash across meadows.
Grizzly Bears & Coyotes: Grizzlies are often spotted feeding on carcasses in spring or turning over logs in search of insects. Coyotes, smaller but no less bold, trot across the meadows or yip in the distance.
Birdlife: Raptors soar overhead, including bald eagles, golden eagles and red-tailed hawks. In spring, sandhill cranes perform elaborate dances, filling the air with their bugling calls.

Best Times: Dawn is best for wolves and bears, when predators are most active. Midday often brings bison close to the roads, creating up-close viewing opportunities. Evening light bathes the valley in gold, making it ideal for photography and quiet reflection after the daytime crowds have thinned.

Hayden Valley

At the heart of Yellowstone National Park, Hayden Valley is a vast expanse of grasslands flanking the Yellowstone River. Its open terrain makes it one of the most reliable places in the park to see large mammals, and its scenic beauty makes it a favorite stop for visitors traveling between Yellowstone Lake and Canyon Village.

Bison: In summer, Hayden Valley is filled with massive herds of bison, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Watching these animals spread across the golden grasslands is unforgettable. Visitors in late July and August may also witness the rut, when bull bison bellow, paw the ground, and clash with rivals in dramatic head-to-head battles. The sounds and vibrations of these confrontations can be felt from a distance.
Grizzly Bears: Grizzlies often frequent the valley in spring, emerging from hibernation to feed on winterkill carcasses left by bison and elk. In some years, female grizzlies with cubs make appearances, offering glimpses into the delicate balance of protection and survival that defines their lives.
Wolves: With patience and a good spotting scope, wolves of the Wapiti Lake Pack can be seen hunting or scavenging along the riverbanks. This pack roams over a large portion of Yellowstone, but the Hayden Valley is their traditional home ground, due its rich prey base. They are frequently seen here in the spring and summer. Often, sightings come not from the wolves themselves but from the excitement of watching bison or elk suddenly shift, heads raised, alert to a predator’s presence.
Elk & Birds: Elk are common, especially in the cool of early mornings. The Yellowstone River also attracts waterfowl, including trumpeter swans and American white pelicans, while bald eagles and ospreys circle overhead.

Best Times: Early mornings and evenings offer the greatest chance to see predators active. Dawn light often reveals a quiet valley that suddenly comes alive with movement—bison calves chasing each other, coyotes hunting mice, or a bear digging for roots. The valley’s pullouts are excellent for setting up scopes, but always stay aware of traffic and avoid blocking roads. Rangers often patrol the area and can be valuable sources of real-time wildlife updates.

Willow Flats (Grand Teton National Park)

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Teton Range, Willow Flats is a mosaic of wetlands, ponds, and willow thickets—a perfect habitat for moose and bears. It is one of the most scenic and rewarding stops for wildlife viewing in Grand Teton.

Moose: This is one of the most reliable places in the park to see moose, especially in early morning or late evening when they browse in the willows. In autumn, bull moose move into the area during the rut, sometimes sparring with rivals in displays of strength.
Grizzly Bears: In spring, grizzlies frequent the flats to feed on new vegetation or scavenge winter-killed animals. Visitors lucky enough to spot a sow with cubs will never forget the sight of tiny bears tumbling after their mother.
Birdlife: The wetlands also attract trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and ducks. Ospreys hunt the ponds, while marsh wrens and red-winged blackbirds fill the air with song.

Best Times: Dawn and dusk are best for moose and bears. Photographers prize the combination of wildlife with the Tetons glowing in morning or evening light, creating some of the most iconic images of the park.

Pilgrim Creek (Grand Teton National Park)

Pilgrim Creek has become one of the most famous wildlife viewing spots in the Rockies, largely thanks to Grizzly 399, the park’s most well-known bear. Generations of visitors have followed her story, watching her successfully raise multiple litters of cubs in this very area.

Grizzly Bears: Pilgrim Creek is prime grizzly habitat, particularly in late spring and early summer when the bears forage in meadows. During late summer, they move into berry patches along the creek, feasting on chokecherries and hawthorn to prepare for hibernation.
Black Bears: Black bears are also common, especially when berries ripen. Their smaller size and tendency to climb trees make them fascinating to watch, though sightings can be fleeting. Black bears can be brown, cinnamon (shown below), or even blonde.
Moose: Willows along the creek draw moose, often spotted wading through shallow water to feed.

Best Times: Late spring through summer is best for bears. Always observe from a safe distance, and never approach or block an animal’s path—crowding bears here has led to management closures in the past.

Moose-Wilson Road

This narrow, winding road between Moose and Wilson offers an intimate wildlife viewing experience, with dense forests and riparian corridors hugging the roadway. It’s one of the few places where you can slowly drive through habitat rich with both large mammals and smaller species.

Moose: True to its name, the road is an excellent place to see moose, often feeding in marshy areas or browsing in willows. On cool mornings, bulls sometimes rest in the shade only a few dozen yards from the road.
Black Bears: In late summer and fall, black bears frequent the area to feed on berries. Their presence is so consistent that rangers often manage traffic and visitor behavior to prevent unsafe encounters.
Birdlife & Small Mammals: Woodpeckers, owls, and red squirrels are common. Lucky visitors may glimpse pine martens darting across the road.

Best Times: Early morning and evening are best for moose. Late summer and fall afternoons are prime time for black bears, which may appear in berry patches within sight of the road.

Gros Ventre Road (Pronounced "Grow Vont")

Stretching east from the town of Kelly, Gros Ventre Road follows the Gros Ventre River through prime wildlife habitat. Its mix of cottonwood groves, sagebrush flats, and river corridors attracts a diversity of animals.

Moose: This is a legendary spot for moose viewing, especially in the fall rut. Bulls gather in the cottonwoods, sometimes engaging in violent clashes as they compete for mates.
Elk & Bison: Both species are common in the valley and adjacent sage flats. The bugling of elk in September creates one of the most atmospheric experiences in the park.
Mule Deer: Mule deer browse along the foothills and are frequently spotted in the early morning or at dusk.

Best Times: Early mornings in fall are ideal for witnessing the moose rut, while winter brings concentrations of elk and bison into the valley. The road also offers excellent stargazing opportunities on clear nights, adding to its appeal.

Beartooth Mountains & Scenic Highway

The Beartooth Highway, often called “the most beautiful drive in America,” climbs to nearly 11,000 feet as it winds between Red Lodge, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. Along the way, visitors cross alpine tundra, pass glacial lakes, and encounter wildlife rarely seen elsewhere in the ecosystem.

Mountain Goats: Perhaps the most iconic residents of the high cliffs, mountain goats are often visible clinging to rocky outcrops or traversing snowy slopes even in midsummer. It was near the top of Beartooth Pass that I spotted a large herd of mountain goats (shown in the photo above). These were quite close to the road.
Pikas & Marmots: These alpine specialists thrive in talus slopes. Listen for the high-pitched squeak of pikas or watch marmots sun themselves on rocks.
Grizzly Bears: The Shoshone National Forest, between Silver Gate and Beartooth Lake, is especially high in grizzly bear activity. In summer, bears forage on slopes and meadows, digging for roots and insects or grazing on lush vegetation. Visitors traveling this stretch should remain vigilant, especially during dawn and dusk, when bear activity peaks. Safe roadside viewing from pullouts is possible, but keeping a proper distance is essential.

The Clay Butte Lookout, a short side trip off the Beartooth Highway, is where I saw three grizzlies (shown in the video below). These three siblings, a dark colored male and two females, had separated from their mother but were still traveling together. They had been feeding in the same spot for several weeks, and two officers from Fish & Wildlife had approached them to see what they were eating. That's when the bears took off running. Both officers carried bear spray and 10mm handguns to accomplish this task. They also had two trained bear dogs wearing radio collars with them. The next morning at sunrise, I found the bears had returned to the exact same spot on the mountainside and were grazing peacefully. GPS for the Clay Butte Lookout is 44.821, -109.527

Birdlife: The alpine lakes and meadows host a variety of bird species, from Clark’s nutcrackers caching pine seeds to golden eagles soaring overhead.

Best Times: Late spring and early summer offer incredible wildflower blooms alongside good chances to spot bears feeding in meadows. Fall brings golden tundra colors and excellent conditions for viewing mountain goats.

Best Rivers to See River Otters

While the valleys and meadows of Yellowstone and the Tetons are famous for wolves and bison, the waterways are equally rich with life. Among the most delightful animals to watch are North American river otters, playful and energetic members of the weasel family.

Yellowstone River (Hayden Valley & Canyon Area): Otters are often spotted along the quieter stretches of the Yellowstone River, especially near Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Early morning is best, when the river is calm and otters are most active.
Lamar River: Flowing through prime wildlife habitat, the Lamar River provides good otter habitat. Observers with patience may see them fishing in side channels or sliding down muddy banks.
Snake River (Grand Teton National Park): The Snake River near Oxbow Bend and throughout Grand Teton is a stronghold for otters. Visitors floating the river sometimes encounter them up close, though sightings from shore are also common near calm eddies.
Firehole and Madison Rivers: These rivers in Yellowstone’s western section offer occasional otter sightings, particularly near quieter pools.

Viewing Tips: Look for ripples or splashes that break the surface, or listen for the sharp chirps otters use to communicate. Binoculars are often helpful, since otters spend much of their time swimming and diving.

Best Practices for Wildlife Viewing

Seeing wildlife in Yellowstone and the Tetons is a privilege, but it comes with responsibility. Poor behavior from visitors can stress animals, create dangerous situations, and diminish the experience for everyone. Here are some essential guidelines:

Keep Your Distance: The National Park Service requires at least 25 yards (23 meters) between people and most wildlife, and 100 yards (91 meters) for bears and wolves. Bring binoculars or spotting scopes instead of approaching.
Never Feed Animals: Feeding wildlife, from chipmunks to bears, disrupts natural behavior and can make animals aggressive. A “fed bear is a dead bear” remains a hard truth in the ecosystem.
Stay on Roads and Trails: Avoid chasing animals into the backcountry or approaching them off-trail. Your presence can disrupt feeding or nesting.
Be Patient: Some of the best sightings come from quietly waiting at a pullout or meadow. Rushing rarely leads to good encounters.
Control Noise: Keep voices low when near wildlife. Loud noise can push animals away.
Traffic Etiquette: Do not stop in the middle of the road for animals. Pull over in designated areas, and be mindful of creating “wildlife jams.”

These practices protect both visitors and the animals themselves, ensuring that future generations can experience the same magic.

Bear Safety in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

No animal captures the imagination of Yellowstone visitors more than the bear. Both black bears and grizzly bears roam these landscapes, and encounters are not only possible but likely in some areas. Understanding how to behave in bear country is essential.

Know the Difference: Grizzly bears are larger, with a pronounced shoulder hump and a dish-shaped face. Black bears are smaller, with a straighter profile. However, color alone is not reliable—black bears can be brown, cinnamon, or even blonde.
Carry Bear Spray: Bear spray is the single most effective deterrent in an encounter. Carry it on your belt or chest strap (not in your backpack), and know how to use it. If hiking alone or through thick cover, it's best to carry the bear spray in your hand, since attacks can happen with shocking speed. Practice removing the safety clip before you head into the field.
Travel in Groups: Groups of three or more are far less likely to be attacked by bears. Talk while you hike—your voice alerts bears to your presence. Being in a group of responsible hikers is the best precaution you can take in grizzly bear country.
Make Noise in Dense Vegetation: Clapping, calling out, or even singing helps prevent surprising a bear at close range.
Secure Food: In campgrounds and picnic areas, store food in bear-proof lockers or inside hard-sided vehicles. Never leave coolers or scented items unattended.
Yes, You Can Carry A Gun: As of February 2010, it is legal to carry a firearm in national parks, but with significant restrictions. Federal law allows you to possess a firearm if you are legally permitted to do so under federal, state, and local laws. However, firearms are prohibited in all federal buildings within the park, such as visitor centers and ranger stations, and restrooms, and you cannot discharge or use a firearm except in very limited, authorized circumstances. Therefore, it is legal to open-carry in all national parks in Wyoming and Montana.

While it's illegal to use a firearm to defend yourself against wildlife in these national parks, I could not find a single instance of anyone having been prosecuted in a legitimate self-defense case. In every case where there has been a conviction for shooting a grizzly, there was clear evidence that it was not in self-defense.

Bear spray is definitely the preferred first line of defense, Firearms, loaded with the right ammunition, should only be used as a last resort by those who are proficient. However, there are situations where I wouldn't hesitate to carry a firearm and use it if needed, such as tent camping in the backcountry, hiking alone on less popular trails, or on windy days when bear spray might be ineffective. The old saying, "It is better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6," applies here.

Bear spray and guns are not competing alternatives when it comes to fending off a bear attack. Think of them as complementary tools that are part of a layered defense strategy. However, it must be noted that using a gun requires a higher level of training to be effective.
If You Encounter a Bear:
- Stay calm. Do not run.
- Speak in a calm voice and slowly back away, giving the bear space.
- If a bear charges, it may be a bluff. Stand your ground until the bear turns. Use bear spray if the bear continues to approach within 30–40 feet.
- In the rare case of a predatory attack (often by a black bear), fight back aggressively.
- In the case of a defensive grizzly attack, especially involving cubs, playing dead by lying flat on your stomach and protecting your neck may reduce injury.

Understanding bear behavior and respecting their space not only keeps you safe but also preserves the wild character of the ecosystem.

Conclusion

The greater Yellowstone ecosystem is not just a place—it’s an ongoing story of survival, adaptation, and resilience. To visit Hayden or Lamar Valley is to step into a scene where wolves hunt bison as they have for millennia. To watch a moose in Willow Flats or a grizzly along Pilgrim Creek is to connect with a landscape that still functions as nature intended. Even the small moments—a river otter sliding into the Snake River, or a pika squeaking from the Beartooth talus—are reminders of how precious and rare this ecosystem is.

With knowledge, patience, and respect, every visitor can experience the thrill of seeing wild animals on their terms. And by following best practices and bear safety guidelines, we ensure that these encounters remain safe, sustainable, and unforgettable for all who come after.