Wildlife
Lodging
Transportation
Overview
Join us in early winter on our Yellowstone and Grand Teton winter tour for a grand exploration of the beauty Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the National Elk Refuge have to offer.
Early winter is a fantastic time to visit the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. There is snow on the ground but not so much that you can’t move around. It’s wintry but not January cold. All of the wildlife looks as good as they are going to look all year. Elk and bison are beginning to migrate. Wolves are settling in to their winter routine. The bighorn sheep rut is just winding down. This is the best time of winter to visit the parks.
We only take 6 guests in three SUVs on this adventure. Everyone gets a door that opens. Everyone gets a window that opens. With two guides you get a great guide to guest ratio ensuring that you have a fantastic time. If you are a photographer we will give you as much or as little instruction as you want.
We take a maximum of 6 guests in two SUVs on this adventure so you get great personal attention and both windows and doors that open as opposed to riding around in a van.
Note that this tour starts in Jackson and ends in Bozeman. It can also be booked as a private Yellowstone and Grand Teton winter tour.
Grand Teton National Park
On our Grand Teton winter tour, earlier in the season finds moose everywhere, elk migrating south, bison still grazing, grizzly bears occasionally still about, swans heading for lower elevations and otters feeding on a late season trout run. Landscape and wildlife viewing and photography abound. Much of the park is still open ensuring you have access to and incredible experience.
National Elk Refuge
Adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge was created in 1913 to feed elk whose migration route was blocked by the growing town of Jackson. At some 26,000 acres up to 7000 elk make their home here every winter. Miller Butte hosts a migratory bighorn sheep population and is also home to badgers, coyotes, elk, wolves, golden eagles and mountain lions.
West Yellowstone
On our way to Yellowstone from the Tetons we will stop in to the Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center to visit the grizzly bears, wolves and otters. We’ll enjoy the finest pizza on the planet at Wild West Pizza before moving on to Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park
Our oldest national park, Yellowstone was created in 1872. At 3471 square miles one can never see it all. The one open road takes us across the Northern Range where we will find wolves, bison, elk, moose, golden eagles, coyotes and foxes. We’ll talk about the human and natural history of the place we call “Wonderland.” At 50 or so miles across the Northern Range we take several days to ensure we see everything Yellowstone has to offer.
Details
We start in Jackson and end in Bozeman.
Winter in Yellowstone can be pretty sharp. Bring the warmest clothes you own, have waterproof and insulated boots. Leave any clothing made of cotton at home. We will discuss clothing options in detail at your prompting and might change advice depending on the weather forecast.
Our rooms have full kitchens. We generally buy groceries at the local market and allow guests to prepare their own breakfast. We bring lunch with us to maximize time in the field. The dining options are limited in winter so we usually buy groceries and either prepare a family style meal or allow guests to cook on their own.
There will be some light walking and you may spend some time standing in the December weather, but the vehicles are never far.
Arrive Jackson Airport. Photo and wildlife tour as daylight allows. Lodging at Elk Country Inn or similar. Dinner included.
Wildlife viewing and photography in Grand Teton National Park. Lodging at Elk Country Inn or similar. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography in Grand Teton National Park. Lodging at Elk Country Inn or similar. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography in Grand Teton National Park. Lodging at Elk Country Inn or similar. All meals included.
Drive to north entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Gardiner, Montana. Stop for visit to Grizzly and Wolf Discover Center. Lunch at Wild West Pizza. Check in to Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone’s Northern Range. All meals included. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone’s Northern Range. All meals included. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone’s Northern Range. All meals included. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Snow coach in to Yellowstone’s interior conditions permitting. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone’s Northern Range. All meals included. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn. All meals included.
Check out of Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Morning wildlife viewing. Head to Bozeman in afternoon. Stay at Belgrade Holiday Inn and Suites. Farewell dinner. All meals included.
Transfer to Bozeman Airport for flight home.
- Reach out to us through our contact form, email or by phone.
- We’ll have a conversation where we will answer any questions that you have and you get to understand our guiding philosophy.
- When you decide to book our Yellowstone and Grand Teton winter tour, we request a 10% deposit via check or wire transfer to hold your seat(s)
- When we receive your deposit we will send to you a confirmation notice including dates of arrival to Jackson and departure from Bozeman for you to book your flight.
- Balance is due 90 days before departure.
- Board your flight and get ready for a wonderful experience.
Price
Dates
to
Duration
Location(s)
United States
Key Areas Visited
Grand Teton National Park
National Elk Refuge
Yellowstone National Park
Group Size
Included
- All meals from lunch on December 7 – dinner on December 18. We typically buy food at the local market when in Gardiner and cook our own meals. Lunch in the field. Drinking water
- 11 nights lodging
- Parks passes
- Transportation
- Photography instruction
- The use of binoculars, spotting scopes
Not Included
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Souvenirs
- Flights
Wildlife
