Of course, you could easily spend weeks exploring the sprawling 2.2 million acre park and still not see it all. I . Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is located just 2 miles from Yellowstone National Park. When Id interviewed some Yellowstone wildlife guides about their experiences, Ann Rode of Anas Grand Excursions said that her favorite experience in the park was a chance encounter watching otters play in the snow. Let me start with the highlight: the wildlife. Send tips to Clint.Henderson@thepointsguy.com. Otherwise you will be charged the prevailing standard rate. You can change your cookie preferences by clicking on "Settings". Box 165 Travelers can also consider the Days Inn by Wyndham West Yellowstone (from 15,000 Wyndham points per night). Related: New routes make it easier than ever to visit these top US National Parks. /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */, On the advice of a right whale, we have closed comments for this post. They stared at the small crowd of wildlife watchers whod stopped by the Hayden Valley roadside. In winter, its also possible to see red foxes and coyotes hunting in snow-covered meadows, while trumpeter swans hang out in rivers with open water. You can also check out the Canyon's Lower or Upper Falls viewing areas. We will be in the following general areas, but do have flexibility in our plans (if weather cooperates), 10-2 north Yellowstone, staying at canyon lodge, 10-3 through 10-6 driving through south YSNP to the Tetons, staying at signal mtn lodge, 10-6 and 10-7 old faithful area, staying at OFI. The otters that are in my pics/videos I linked above were just north of Trout Creek where the river bends real close to the road. I strongly recommend renting a car (or an RV!) You must show your pass at check-in to receive the discount on your site only. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL cookies. otters can reach a length of four feet and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. American Midland Naturalist 156: 189192. 10/2 - You probably will not be near enough to water for good otter-y views today, lol. But, we got lucky. You and the kids can see live bears and wolves who can't return to the wild and learn a ton about the fearsome animals from a safe distance. Will give it another go, maybe with these hints, next month. 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. In June, animals of all stripes and colors are raising babies, from marmots to pronghorn. Make sure to look in areas nearby a body of water. The beds are small, and there's no air conditioning. Once filled by an arm of vast Yellowstone Lake, this valley is now home to essentially all of the largest Yellowstone mammals. I was able to find some dates with availability, but prices are high. A river otters can be seen at any time of day or night, but it is more common at dusk and dawn. Discuss on our WP Forum, Grays Lake NWR, Idaho: 100s of Sandhill Cranes, No People, Yellowstone Buffalo: Don't Worry, If You Visit, You'll See Plenty of 'em, Coyotes Couldn't Control Valley Forge Wolves, Critics Say. Yellowstone National Park, If they are not on the loose, no one should approach them. The Wrecker Pullout is closed, I assume this may be closed through 2026 when the Yellowstone River Bridge project is scheduled to be complete. I'm Bram, the person behind The National Parks Experience, a blog dedicated to America's national parks and public lands, and sustainable outdoor activities. Yellowstone in April is also the month for bison calves! Overhead, migratory hawks and eagles begin their winter travels south and west, soaring over mountaintops like Mount Washburn. Karst Stage is one touring company that operates charter buses and day trips from Bozeman to the park. The vintage 1920s buses are an iconic part of the park's heritage. We saw these two otters towards the southern end of Hayden Valley in October one year. Bright fall hues of gold and orange grace the park as aspen, wild rose, sticky geranium, and mountain ash change color with the season. Gone are the sleek red elk and deer of late summer, and in their place are the attractive tan and gray-coated versions ready for cold. Of course, the stars of the exhibit, the river otters, are sure to captivate visitors of all ages with their boundless energy! Of the locations in the northern range, the northeast in particular is a hot spot for wildlife photography. On the water or in the sky, look for river otters, white pelicans, bald eagles and osprey. Dens are located near the water line of rivers and lakes, have multiple underwater entrances, and can be found on dry land. But even a day trip here or long weekend getaway is well worth your time. River otters eat fish, crayfish, frogs, and occasionally young muskrats. Want to experience Yellowstone in-depth? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-115042772', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Signal Mountain Lodge in June. The peak time is definitely summer when everything is open. We've also have seen otters in the Lamar River Canyon, but that area won't be accessible until October 15th. Yellowstone is home to two of the most common predators or carnivores, the black bear and the grizzly bear. It's the busiest airport in Montana with nonstop service to 21 U.S. cities. 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. This magnificent wilderness area sprawls across a basalt plateau in the northwest corner of Wyoming and spills into neighboring Idaho and Montana. CA Residents Only: Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Because of the abundance of migratory ungulates and predators, this area is ideal for wildlife. And so the cycle of seasons in Yellowstone begins again, much as it has for millennia. Forewarned is forearmed. Guide to Watching Wildlife in Yellowstone By Month. If we see any otters, I'll try to remember to send you a message to let you know the general area we saw them. The mix of colors and textures in the rocks is striking. Bighorn lambs take their first steps in steep canyons and cliffs. "The distinctive antique yellow vehicles have retractable canvas roofs and panoramic windows, making them ideal for sightseeing. Still, if you really want to explore, bring hiking boots. Look for a Great Gray Owl Hunting Mice in a Meadow. I see what she means. The long, yellow buses with rollback tops are perfect for gazing at the mountains without worrying about the notorious curves in the park's roads. Coyote sightings are quite common as well. The parks pronghorn have exited the central northern range for the high desert in and around Gardiner, Montana. Their dark bodies are easier to spot against a white winter backdrop. Other campgrounds are available on a first come, first served basis. Buffalo, in particular, are known to cause traffic jams as they use the same roads you do to commute. If an animal approaches you, back away slowly to keep a safe distance. The Under Canvas "glamping" lodge is just 10 minutes from Yellowstone's West Entrance. The first is the Yellowstone River, which runs through the park from north to south. They avoid a hungry coyote with their excellent swimming skills, but soon the river will fre. JetBlue normally flies from New York-JFK and Boston (BOS) but this summer, they're not flying from New York. 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. A group of sea otters bobbing on their backs, wrapped in the strands of kelp that keep them afloat, was once a common sight off the California coast. Deer and bighorn sheep are at the peak of their rut around Thanksgiving; lucky visitors will hear the resounding smack of bighorn rams butting heads over females. The reason for this is that Yellowstone is located in the Rocky Mountains, which is not an ideal habitat for otters. Yellowstone is a personal favorite, and getting to see wolves and bears here was one of the highlights of my entire year. Old Faithful, however, is always open to visitors. Of course, there's always Yellowstone's eponymous airport. Other wildlife watchers gave us the tip thatTrout Lake isor used to bethe go to spot for otter watching. You should pack shorts for the daytime, and be sure to bring sweaters, a sweatshirt or a coat. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Short staffing and high demand could spell disaster for your summer travel plans, Now live: Earn over 4% APY interest on the cash back from your Apple Card. The first is the Yellowstone River, which runs through the park from north to south. Don't hibernate, but live year round in. Additionally, the area is also one of the best places in Yellowstone National Park to see a variety of large herbivores. Learn more about their lifestyle in this short video. Yellowstone in February is also the heart of courtship and nesting season for great horned owls. Ill start by saying that Ive seen otters a number of times but never the same location twice, lol. In winter, theyre 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Paws Up resort in Greenough, Montana is also a 4.5-hour drive, and rooms will set you back about $1,700 a night. Hopefully, it will reopen next year. One animal that is a particular favorite among visitors is the river otter. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Click on "Read More" for more details about our privacy policy. Adult otters weigh 10 to 30 pounds and can grow up to four feet long, while baby otters are typically half their size. I recommend searching for West Yellowstone or Gardiner. } I highly recommend doing the Brink of the Lower Falls observation point where you can really get a sense of the river's immense power. The most important thing to know about Yellowstone in winter is that all the entrances to Yellowstone are closed except one, the north entrance, at the town of Gardiner, Montana. If you're going to tackle both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, the best jumping-off point is Jackson, Wyoming. You can also fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Jackson, Wyoming. You can find an overview of the best spring hikes in Yellowstone National Park here. Alaska Airlines has flights from Portland, Oregon (PDX) and Seattle (SEA), and Allegiant flies from four cities including Nashville, Tennessee (BNA). 5 Places To Play With Otters In The DFW Area, Calling The West Valley Animal Shelter: Finding A New Furry Family Member, A Beacon Of Hope: The Olathe Animal Shelter And Its Commitment To Animal Welfare, The Heart And Soul Of Animal Rescue: A Guide To Becoming An Animal Shelter Manager, Helping Local Animal Shelters Find Homes For Their Animals, Verona Street Animal Society: Dedicated To Reducing Animal Homelessness And Providing Quality Care, Giving Our Furry Friends A Second Chance: The Importance Of Animal Shelters, Understanding The Process Of Taking A Pet Bird To An Animal Shelter, Equipping Animal Shelter Workers: The Essential Training For Making A Difference, A Call To Action: Why We Need A New Animal Shelter Now To Help End Homelessness And Animal Cruelty. 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