You can’t drive through Yellowstone without getting stuck in a bison jam, but where should you go to see other wildlife, like elk, bears, and wolves?

You may have heard that dawn and dusk are the best times to spot animals, and that’s because animals are typically most active during those times.

tip: definitely plan your wildlife viewing time around dawn and dusk if seeing more elusive animals is a priority

These are the best places for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone based on my experience:

Hayden Valley

Visit Hayden Valley at sunrise, and there’s a good chance you’ll be rewarded. Bring warm clothes, as dawn can be freezing at this elevation, especially if you are visiting in the fall or spring. Because we are viewing animals in their natural habitat, it’s not often they’ll be sitting on the side of the road for us, and we may need to walk through some grass to get a view over a hill or across a river basin.

tip: look for other cars parked on the side of the road, park your car and join the other viewers on foot

Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife, giving them plenty of space. The Yellowstone NPS site has helpful guidance on how to safely watch wildlife.

tip: do not forget binoculars or a spotting scope! Our favorites are linked here

I’ve seen wolves and bears on my sunrise visits to Hayden Valley, but it was on our last day this fall, when we convinced our moms to get up super early one last time, that we had a once in a lifetime wildlife encounter. A huge grizzly bear had just killed an elk and was feeding on the opposite bank of the river from the road!

Lamar Valley

Lamar Valley is beautiful in its own right, but it is also a great area to spot a variety of wildlife. Bison, elk and pronghorn are especially prevalent.

Slough Creek Road is an excellent wildlife viewing offshoot from the main road through the Lamar Valley. It is gravel and does have potholes – so it may not be an option depending on your vehicle. We got lucky and saw a grizzly bear there eating some plants for dinner! Always be sure to keep your distance, even if others are not.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Elk often hang out near the Albright Visitor Center and housing for park personnel, close to Mammoth Hot Springs.

Park rangers are often alerting unsuspecting visitors (like us!) of a bull elk charging, and to get out of its way and in your car asap!