Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world, dubbed the “Serengeti of North America” for its captivating landscapes, natural wonders, and abundance of wildlife roaming free in their natural habitat. Yellowstone is home to more wildlife than any of the lower 48 states with hundreds of animal species ranging from wild and majestic mammals to colorful fish life, amphibians and beautiful birds.

Grizzly & Black Bears

Yellowstone National Park is home to an estimated 720 grizzly bears and 600 black bears living in the forest, fields and mountains. The grizzly bear is Montana’s official state animal, best recognized by a large hump on its back, and larger and far more aggressive than the smaller black bear. Yellowstone bears hibernate all winter (October to April) and are best spotted in the spring when they leave their higher elevation dens to feed in the lower elevations with their newborn cubs. Always be bear aware, travel in groups, make a noise and carry bear spray on all hiking trails in Big Sky, Yellowstone and the backcountry.

North American Bison

The bison, commonly referred to as the American buffalo, is North America’s largest land mammal and the National Mammal of the US. Yellowstone National Park is the only place bison have continuously lived since prehistoric times and with an estimated 5,450 bison in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, it’s one of the best places to spot free ranging bison in their natural habitat. Bison are extremely unpredictable, dangerous and likely to charge if surprised. They can run 3 times faster than humans so please keep your distance and use common sense.

Moose

Best places to see: Beaver Ponds by Mammoth Hot Springs & Yellowstone Lake

The moose is another of Yellowstone’s majestic mammals, best found grazing along the lake shores, rivers, marshlands and beaver ponds during the cooler mornings and evenings. There are less than 200 moose in Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, and they camouflage well, so a moose sighting in Yellowstone is a unique experience! If you’re staying in Big Sky, moose are often spotted around town, on the golf courses, or munching in the backyard of your mountain cabin!

Gray Wolf

Best places to see: Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley

The gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 and, today, Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world to watch wolves in the wild. With less than 95 wolves in the park, wolf sightings are rare and are easier in the snowy landscapes of Yellowstone during winter. Mid-September to mid-June is prime wolf watching season in Yellowstone National Park.

Where to See Wildlife in Yellowstone

Hayden Valley

Distance from West Yellowstone Entrance: 47 miles

The lush Hayden Valley lies north of Yellowstone Lake and south of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, between Canyon Village and Lake Village. The Hayden Valley is a renowned gathering place for herds of wild bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, coyotes and many other Yellowstone wildlife species. The Hayden Valley is also regarded as one of the best spots in Yellowstone National Park for grizzly and black bear sightings.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Distance from West Yellowstone Entrance: 48 miles

Mammoth Hot Springs is near the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park on Grand Loop Road and is a prime spot for elk viewing during the autumn rut. The road follows the Gardiner River Canyon with bison, pronghorn and mule deer roaming the grasslands, bighorn sheep climbing the rocky peaks and an abundance of bird life along the river.

Yellowstone Lake

Distance from West Yellowstone Entrance: 55 miles

Yellowstone Lake is the largest alpine lake in North America and a natural watering hole for a wide range of wildlife. The Fishing Bridge at the northern tip of Yellowstone Lake is a prime wildlife viewing spot for potential sightings of ospreys feeding on cutthroat trout, grizzlies, black bears and their cubs swimming in the lake waters, and moose feeding along the muddy shoreline.