Wyoming/Montana
Wildlife Watching in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
Program No. 23111RJ
Learn about the diverse animals in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks as expert biologists take you to little-known spots for the best wildlife searching.
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7 days
6 nights
14 meals
6B 4L 4D
3
Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful Geyser Basin
West Yellowstone
4
Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, Dan Hartman Gallery
Cooke City, Montana
5
Wildlife Watching in Lamar Valley
Cooke City, Montana
7
Program Concludes
Jackson, WY
At a Glance
Explore “the Serengeti of North America” as you search for diverse wildlife in picturesque landscapes of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Venture off the beaten path with local biologists and wildlife experts who take you away from the parks’ boardwalks to the best places to search for elusive animals like bears and wolves. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park as you explore Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs to experience intimate views of your breathtaking surroundings. Discover fascinating wildlife only seen in this region and learn about the animals that call these national parks home.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walk 1 mile on boardwalks or maintained trails. Must be able to get in and out of wildlife watching vehicles. Long drive times. Early starts daily to see wildlife at dawn, when wildlife is most active.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn from local biologists and experts while venturing through the parks in vehicles designed specifically for wildlife viewing.
- Explore the breathtaking Lamar Valley, use spotting scopes to view wildlife and learn the stories of specific wolf packs in the area.
- Depending on the season, get an up close look at baby wildlife (spring), or observe different species’ mating behavior (fall).
General Notes
There is no cell phone service or internet access in Cooke City, Montana. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Kevin Taylor
Kevin Taylor has been part of the Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools team since 2002. Kevin has a BS in biology and an MS in botany. His biological research experience includes several wildlife research projects, as well as mapping distribution of rare plant species and the effects of global climate change on mountain plants. He believes that it is critical to include modern humans when discussing natural history and ecology, and he studies and teaches ethnobotany and ethnozoology.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Kevin Taylor
View biography
Kevin Taylor has been part of the Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools team since 2002. Kevin has a BS in biology and an MS in botany. His biological research experience includes several wildlife research projects, as well as mapping distribution of rare plant species and the effects of global climate change on mountain plants. He believes that it is critical to include modern humans when discussing natural history and ecology, and he studies and teaches ethnobotany and ethnozoology.
Bobby Pfeiffer
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Bobby grew up in New Jersey, where he grew fond of all things science related and earned a degree from Rutgers University in animal science. After graduation, Bobby joined Adventure Aquarium and spent time as a marine biologist. When the desire to educate and travel became overwhelming, Bobby headed west. He has taught for Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School and spent summer leading kayak expeditions and whale watches off the coast of Orcas Island, Washington. Bobby enjoys hiking, road tripping and wildlife photography.
Mike Rowell
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Mike Rowell grew up on his family’s farm near Buchanan, Georgia, raising livestock, corn, soybeans, and timber. Recognizing the value and importance of the natural world, he developed a strong interest in natural resource conservation. He is an alum of Louisiana Tech University with a Master of Science in Wildlife Science from Utah State University. In graduate school, Mike conducted research on mammalian carnivore communities in South Dakota’s Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park. He has worked as a professional wildlife biologist since 1994.
Samantha Strauss
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Sam Strauss was born and raised in Michigan, and spent her childhood dreaming of the mountains and rivers of the American West. This dream became reality when she left home to study at the University of San Diego. She soon began a career leading groups throughout the Southwest, Alaska, and Canada. In 2018, Sam moved to Jackson Hole to join Teton Science Schools. She spends winters leading trips throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In the summers, Sam splits her time between Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana.
Suggested Reading List
(8 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Wildlife Watching in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
Program Number: 23111
The Grizzly Bear
A natural history of “Ursus arctos horribilis” – lyrical, well written and provocative. An appropriate introduction to the beast for anyone traveling to grizzly country. McNamee also wrote “The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone.”
Scats and Tracks of the Rocky Mountains
Wonder no more about those tracks in the mud or that poop on the path. With this packable guide, identification in the field is easy. Featured are the tracks, scats, and signs of 70 different species including wolf, ferret, grizzly bear, as well as birds, frogs and salamanders. Scales for scat diameter and footprint size are included along the edge of each descriptive page. Plus, for accurate measurements, there's a ruler on the back cover. *Available for purchase on Amazon.com or Powells.com*
Wapiti Wilderness
Margaret and Olaus Murie made their home in the Tetons for over thirty-seven years. During this time, Olaus Murie conducted studies of the American elk, the wapiti, and both he and Mardy worked tirelessly for conservation efforts and the preservation of wilderness. Wapiti Wilderness tells the story of their adventurous life raising children while conducting research in the Tetons. Past participants have said that this should be required reading for all programs in the Tetons!
Searching for Yellowstone, Ecology and Wonder in the Last Wilderness
An engaging social and environmental history of Yellowstone from the Pleistocene to the present focusing on the park since its founding in 1872. Schullery has worked in Yellowstone as a ranger, a historian and the chief of cultural resources.
Windows into the Earth, the Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
A geologic history and tour of the northern Rockies, particularly Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.
Camping in Wyoming: A 1910 Wedding Trip to Yellowstone National Park
In 1910, newly married Marian ventured by train from Kansas to Rock Springs, WY, the starting point for a honeymoon in Yellowstone. This book was made from her handwritten journal and includes some of her photographs. Short, sweet, and honest, it is the tale of a grand adventure for the time, and provides a unique picture of the world's first national park. Available at Blue Creek Press and Amazon. http://bluecreekpress.com/books/camping-in-wyoming/.
American Wolf
One of the most recent wolf books published, American Wolf chronicles the story of O-six, an alpha female named for the year of her birth who became one of the most celebrated wolves of Yellowstone. The book tells the gripping story of a powerful wolf, while also telling the larger story of the ongoing cultural clash in the west.
Letters from Yellowstone
At the end of the 19th century, an intrepid young woman joins a scientific research team in Yellowstone National Park, to the surprise of the other members of the expedition. This historical fiction brings Yellowstone and the surrounding region at the turn of the 19th century to life.