Yellowstone

elkhuntin247 · May 23, 2017

My wife and kids surprised me today with the news that we are going to Yellowstone National Park this weekend. We have never had the pleasure of doing this trip and will be driving from South Dakota. I'm not much of a tourist but am excited to see some wildlife and get some off season hiking in. I was wondering what the snowpack is like and any recommended areas to catch some elk deer and bear movement. Any other "must see" attractions or "don't wast your time" attractions would be great to hear about. Thanks in advance for any help

NeMont · May 23, 2017

I was there on May, 8Th. The snow pack was pretty deep still and they have more snow since. We saw lots of elk, bison and other critters including wolves feeding on a carcass.

There is road construction between Mammoth and Norris and the wait can be long so plan accordingly.

Mammoth hot springs, fishing bridge, Norris Geyser basin, Old Faithful lodge, grand canyon of the Yellowstone are all must sees IMO. Your mileage may vary.

Where are you entering the Park?

Nemont

wstrntines · May 23, 2017

Over towards the lookout tower there is a huge valley I do not remember the name but its covered in rolling hills and sage. You will be able to glass up large amounts of elk sheds and deadheads and may see some wolves. I was gonna walk out there and take pics of some of the sheds and some greenie told me the park ranger will get pissed because it's a wolf area and they don't want you hiking in there. Not sure if the guy was a liar or if I'd really been in deep Sh!t. My wife and I visited it 3 years ago on our honeymoon and we were dissapointed at all the sheds that were teasing us but it was neat to see. I did see a grizzly just south of their and a blackbear with 3 cubs. I did see lots of buffalo and some elk but not as many elk as I saw when I was a kid in the park. I did see a huge Grizz over in Teton Park the day before. I would imagine there is a good amount of snow this year with the winter we've had out west.

heartshot · May 23, 2017

Nothing is more Yellowstone than Old Faithful. Once there you must wait for it to go off.

Deerlove · May 23, 2017

Try to do the whole loop.

schoolhousegrizz · May 23, 2017

Hit Lamar Valley and Hayden valley for grizz. Tower mammoth area is good for black bear

Blank · May 23, 2017

+1 to all the above comments. Now is a great time as the main tourist season is just starting, little ones are starting to hit the ground, and there's lots of elk and buff down still to see. Wolves and bears are always a lucky sight but you may see some, and definitely wait for the geyser, even tho it is about every 70-90 minutes. It's worth it.

elkhuntin247 · May 23, 2017

Thanks for the replies and info. I think we will be coming in from the East so probably come through Cody or we could stay on I 90 and come down from Gardner MT. I'm getting excited to make the trip out west. Any other replies or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again

ClearCreek · May 23, 2017

LAST EDITED ON May-23-17 AT 06:30PM (MST)[p]Make sure you check the Yellowstone Park Road report before you go. The road over Dunraven Pass will not be open until May 26 and the road is closed between Fishing Bridge and Canyon.

Plan accordingly.

Make sure you take good binoculars and spotting scope.

ClearCreek

bullskin · May 23, 2017

Enjoy a fudgsicle at Old Faithful for a spectacular view of hundreds of Chinese tourists.

canyoncrosser · May 23, 2017

Bring your 300, I hear the wolf hunting is excellent this time of year...

littlebighorn · May 23, 2017

Last year we did the whole loop, but the best part for me and my son was the Lamar valley area. We went early in the morning and knew where to look. We also took our spotting scopes and binos, which I highly recommend if you want to see wildlife. From one spot, we saw Buffalo, A momma Griz and cubs, Elk, Wolves (and pups) and Bighorn sheep.

elkassassin · May 23, 2017

Last Time I Went I Left My Bino's Home!

Had To Buy a Pair In Jackson & They Ain't Cheap in Jackson!

There's a Fish Hatchery Just North of Jackson!

WARNING!

If nobody is around don't Try Fishing in there!

They've got Cameras!

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mmwb · May 23, 2017

We drove the east entrance down through to the south entrance a couple of times this month. Bison and elk are plentiful. I generally see more wildlife in Grand Teton National park to the south. We did see a sow grizzly with a yearling cub, coming in from the east, on one trip. They were grazing about 60 yards off the road. I don't expect all those lined up with cameras at the side of the road have any idea how fast a grizzly can cover that much distance. I agree with everyone's assertion that you want to do the whole loop, as much as is open. The Bear Tooth pass is impressive.

ss13 · May 24, 2017

I agree, check the road conditions! When I went in June a few years ago the east entrance was closed during the daytime due to avalanche danger. My wife and I were trying to get to Jackson and had to take an 8 hour detour through thermopolis to get there.

elkhuntin247 · May 24, 2017

Thanks for all of the help. We take off tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to it!

Sierra · May 24, 2017

After the wildlife, i thought the colorful hot springs were most impressive. Old Faithful was overrated and a little anticlimactic.

OchocoKid · May 24, 2017

If you have the time come down to Jackson and loop back up north through Dubois and Thermopolis. you won't regret it.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

elkassassin · May 24, 2017

Last time I was up there We were on Our way North up to Cody but the Road Got Washed out so We went to South Dakota to see the Presidents Heads & Crazy Horse!

Seen Quite a Few Turkeys in SD!

Alot of Rain there as well!

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american_jackal · May 25, 2017

Im curious if anyone here has been to Glacier Park? I have been to Yellowstone many times. And Glacier just once. But I have to admit, as far as scenery, and wildlife I believe Glacier comes out ahead. I have seen Elk, Deer, Bighorn, Goat, Griz, Wolf, and many other critters in Glacier, and the landscapes are breathtaking. I feel lucky if I see a Griz in Yellowstone any more. This is just my opinion. Anyone else feel the same?

NeMont · May 25, 2017

The two are just total different. Just like the Beartooth highway is a must, so is The going to the Sun highway. Glacier brings you closer to the high alpine country and is postcard worthy just about everywhere you turn. You won't see any bison but you can get up close to Mountain goats and see grizzly's. Last time went through the GTSH we had a wolverine cross the road in front of us.

Glacier has more historic hotels and chalets: Lake McDonald lodge, Sperry Chalet, Granite Park Chalet, Many Glacier Hotel. Outside the park there is also the Isaak Walton Inn.

It is tough to compare them IMO.

Nemont

Zarn · May 25, 2017

IMHO Cody is way too far from the park to stay there. It's a cool place and worth visiting though. Jackson the same. Been there done that with both. You don't want to spend between one and two hours just getting to the park and that's what the driving time is with any traffic. Gardiner is good though. The Hayden valley is a great place to see wildlife and it's close. Silver gate and Cooke City are also close and are nice places. West Yellowstone is my favorite and we have been to the park many times. The geothermal stuff is a must see if you have never been. I like to get up early and be in the park at sunrise. Even the park animals are more active early. Take food into the park with you. There are limited and expensive dining opportunities.

It's a fun place. Busy but fun. We go in May or late September. Used to go every fall to photograph the elk before the wolves killed them off. You can always find a few tame ones around Mammoth.

ClearCreek · May 25, 2017

>Im curious if anyone here has
>been to Glacier Park? I
>have been to Yellowstone many
>times. And Glacier just once.
>But I have to admit,
>as far as scenery, and
>wildlife I believe Glacier comes
>out ahead. I have seen
>Elk, Deer, Bighorn, Goat, Griz,
>Wolf, and many other critters
>in Glacier, and the landscapes
>are breathtaking. I feel lucky
>if I see a Griz
>in Yellowstone any more. This
>is just my opinion. Anyone
>else feel the same?

I have been to Glacier once and it is a beautiful place however for wildlife viewing we prefer Yellowstone.

We see all the wildlife species you mentioned each time we are in Yellowstone. In the spring we see 10-15 black bears and 8-10 grizzlies each time we visit.

We spend most of our time in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys. Seeing the mud pots and Old Faithfull is not the main objective unless someone who has never been to Yellowstone goes along with us.

ClearCreek

schoolhousegrizz · May 25, 2017

The scenery in Glacier is unreal. We have had better luck with wildlife in Yellowstone. I can't remember the last time I did not see multiple grizzlies in Yellowstone during May and early June.

1911 · May 25, 2017

>Im curious if anyone here has
>been to Glacier Park? I
>have been to Yellowstone many
>times. And Glacier just once.
>But I have to admit,
>as far as scenery, and
>wildlife I believe Glacier comes
>out ahead. I have seen
>Elk, Deer, Bighorn, Goat, Griz,
>Wolf, and many other critters
>in Glacier, and the landscapes
>are breathtaking. I feel lucky
>if I see a Griz
>in Yellowstone any more. This
>is just my opinion. Anyone
>else feel the same?

At last check you can take a pee in Glacier without a permit and impact report. Yellowstone is absolutely silly with regulations anymore. Think you might have to take a grinder? Better get a permit for that too.

ralphie · May 31, 2017

If you want to see wildlife and avoid some of the rush get out in places like hayden valley, lamar, even the road from cody to the east entrance early. As early as you can kind of see. You'll see more animals and most folks aren't out of bed yet.

elkassassin · May 31, 2017

Before Going to Yellowstone:

Buy The Biggest,Most Powerful Lense for the Best Camera Money can Buy!

(((These Are Bigger than Most Spotters!)))

Then with your Million Power Camera & Lense see just how GAWD-DAMN Close you can get to a Buffalo for a Close-Up Shot!

JUDAS!

Are they trying to Blow the EyeBall up to an 8X10 or what?

I'm Surprised more JOKERS don't get Hurt up there than there is!

Oh!

And Rent a LEZBARU or Borrow c3's so You'll Fit in up there!

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DeerHunter53 · Jun 1, 2017

If I remember right wasn't it the lake trout or brook trout that screwed up Yellowstone.
I read something like that last year, I believe that Elkassassin posted something to this effect.

I went there last year and I have to say that I didn't see nearly the wildlife I saw there as a kid.

Elk are all hiding from the wolves same with the deer and you see bison, antelope on the outer reaches of the park.

Still beautiful as ever but way way too many people. Can't get away from them anywhere

OutdoorWriter · Jun 3, 2017

If you get into Cody, allow several hours to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum. It's pretty impressive, especially if you like looking at fine firearms.

As for Old Faithful, to me the inside of the lodge is more impressive than some water squirting in the air. So be sure to go inside.

TONY MANDILE

How To Hunt Coues Deer

elkhuntin247 · Jun 3, 2017

Thanks for all the great info and responses. My family and I had a great time in Yellowstone. Beautiful country and lots of wildlife. Enjoyed some hiking and great time together as a family. I don't have a big fancy camera but did bring my spotter and phone skope.
Thanks again for all the help and responses.

Is this a young wolf or a damn big coyote? At the time I was sure it was a young wolf but after looking over picture I'm not sure. Great trip!!!