Yellowstone National Park is teeming with Wildlife! I love this place so much that in the year 2021, I visited Yellowstone three times – every other season. I love carrying my spotting scope & admiring wildlife in their natural habitat – it’s so calming, almost meditative! This is a cheat sheet on Yellowstone wildlife & best spots to find them. I will also reveal a secret location on where to find Grizzly Bears. To get your FREE curated Yellowstone Travel Guide, scroll to the bottom.

PRO TIP: Please don’t pet wildlife. If you were an animal, would you like to be pet by random strangers?…… That’s what I thought!

• Where to find American Bison

Also known as a Buffalo, American Bison is Yellowstone’s iconic creature. I love seeing Bison roam the plains with their herd & little ones. Always remember to keep at least 25 yards distance (approx.23 meters) from Bison. They do look cute, but they are wild! Below are pictures of Bison that I captured through my phone & spotting scope.

You can find Bison in all parts of the park. Usually a solid spot is near Madison, West Entrance to the park – Check out Madison River & Madison parking pull outs.

Another solid location is Lamar Valley to the North East of the park. See park map & blue highlighted zones where you have a high chance of spotting Bison.

• Where to find Elk

Elk are some of the most commonly seen animals in Yellowstone. Males have impressive antlers that they shed and regrow each year. Elk get many park visitors excited. You should hear Elk bugle though, screechy horror movie sounds – Eek! Below are picture I took of Elk in the park.

The best spot to find Elk is on the way to Mammoth Hot Springs & near Gardiner town. They are often just out and about in the parking area of Mammoth Hot Springs, and if you are staying in Gardiner watch out.. because they will be hanging around your hotel too.

• Where to find Gray Wolf

Wolves are such elusive creatures in Yellowstone – But when you find them in the park, it’s the most rewarding feeling! Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in the 90s, they have become an important part of the park’s ecosystem. They keep the Elk population in check – Sorry Elk!

Below are pictures captured of Wolf pack through my scope, at the crack of dawn – excuse the pixelated image, but it was the best at the time.

Lamar Valley is the Wolf Rendezvous point, it’s a place where the wolf pack hangout with their cubs. Slough Creek is another good place to find wolves, they have a den up there.

Specific point in Lamar valley where you can find wolves is at a parking pull out that has a sign board on Wolves. Go to Lamar Valley before the crack of down and you will hear them howl!!

• Where to find Black Bears

I found a black bear with two cubs, foraging in the plains on the way to Mammoth Hot Springs – I will put that on my YouTube channel soon, so look out for it. You can see the bear with its cubs in early to late spring.

PRO TIP: Stay at least 100 yards away from a bear. Carry Bear spray if necessary.

Below are pictures of Black Bear I found super close to the road on the way to Mammoth Hot Springs – caused a massive traffic jam!!

Plenty of Black Bears in Yellowstone. You will find these guys on the way to Mammoth Hot Springs & Lamar Valley.

PRO TIP: Black Bears hang out near the forest edges, while Grizzly Bears hangout in a meadow, valley…typically. More on Grizz later! Below is a map that shows where you can most likely find Black Bears in Yellowstone.

• Where to find Bald Eagle

American hero. Bald eagle is the national bird of America. They are impressive birds of prey, you will find them soaring high above Yellowstone’s rugged terrain. These things eat pronghorns! Check out the picture below of Bald Eagle through my scope.

Bald Eagles are seen all through the park – but Madison River & Lamar Valley are your best bets. Specifically, Madison Junction heading towards the Old Faithful geyser, Hayden Valley & Lamar Valley.

• Where to find Grizzly Bear

Finally!!! …. I will tell you this much, I traveled far & wide and I have never seen a Grizzly Bear in its natural habitat like I did in Yellowstone / Montana. Grizzly Bears are marvelous! They feed on plant materials and animal sources. Pictures of Grizzly Bear & its tiny cub, taken through my spotting scope – the bears were very far way.

Best place to find bears is in Lamar Valley – scan the meadows & mountain tops with your binoculars. Or just follow the commotion in the park – usually it’s a bear sighting.

Another great area to find them is the Pelican Valley area.

Anyway, there is a secret location to watch Grizzly Bears feeding on plants & seeds in the fall. Ready for it?

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The secret location to find Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone is just about 40 minute north of Gardiner town. Its called the TOM MINER BASIN.

This is a lesser known area to spot grizzly bears. But come here in the fall and you will be sure to see lots of grizzlies, carry binoculars or spotting scope.

The path is rugged, so get yourself a sturdy car & EXPLORE!

PRO TIP: Don’t have a spotting scope? No worries – you can rent one in the town of West Yellowstone, MT, or just kindly ask someone who has a scope if they can let you peep into what they are peeping at.

I hope you enjoyed my list – I LOVE wildlife. Have more questions? Need a curated travel guide to go to Yellowstone National Park? I am happy to curate one for you! Contact me.

Seek your adventure – A