Two-Day Winter Yellowstone Wildlife Safari

Journey into Yellowstone’s Winter Wilderness—A World Transformed

Step into a Yellowstone transformed by winter’s quiet majesty. Over two days, you’ll explore the Northern Range—the park’s most wildlife-rich corridor—while your seasoned guide provides expert wildlife tracking and insider interpretation. Expect to see free-ranging bison, elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, river otters, and possibly Yellowstone’s famous wolves, all framed by steaming hot springs, frozen waterfalls, and snow-covered peaks.

This immersive adventure balances wildlife encounters, cultural history, and scenic landscapes with opportunities to capture epic photographs of a winter wonderland. From wolf tracks in the Lamar Valley to glistening terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, you’ll experience Yellowstone at its most magical—and end with a rejuvenating soak in natural mineral pools.

Day 1 — Bozeman → Gardiner → Lamar Valley → Cooke City

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel or Airbnb and a scenic drive north toward Yellowstone’s historic North Entrance. After a brief comfort stop in Gardiner, Montana, you’ll pass through the iconic Roosevelt Arch, where the words “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People” mark the official gateway into America’s first national park.

Inside the park, explore Fort Yellowstone and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel area, where the U.S. Army once safeguarded this wild landscape before the National Park Service was established. Continue to Undine Falls and Junction Butte, winter habitats for bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and other hardy wildlife that thrive in the cold season.

Stretch your legs on a short hike to Calcite Springs Overlook, where steam rises from the canyon walls along the Yellowstone River—a striking reminder of the park’s volcanic heartbeat. Then, journey deeper into the park on a wildlife-focused safari through Specimen Ridge, Slough Creek, and the legendary Lamar Valley, renowned as one of the best places in North America to spot wild wolves.

As daylight fades, arrive in Cooke City, Montana, a peaceful mountain town nestled against the Absaroka Range, where your winter adventure continues amid snow-covered peaks and starlit skies.

Why this day matters: By overnighting in Cooke City, we’re positioned for sunrise and sunset wildlife tracking in the Lamar Valley—the two most productive times of day for sightings.

Photography Focus: Capture snow-dusted ridges, wide-open valleys, and wildlife moving against a pristine white backdrop.

Note: Accommodations in Cooke City are based on double occupancy; single-room requests may be available for an additional cost.

Day 2 — Cooke City → Lamar Valley → Mammoth Hot Springs → Chico Hot Springs

The day begins with an early morning departure from Cooke City, retracing your route through Lamar Valley and Slough Creek—prime habitats for wolves, foxes, and bison. As dawn breaks over the snow-covered landscape, you’ll have another opportunity to spot wildlife and follow fresh tracks etched in the frost, a vivid reminder of Yellowstone’s untamed rhythm.

Next, explore the Upper Terrace Trail at Mammoth Hot Springs, where mineral-rich waters sculpt terraces that shimmer and steam against the winter cold. Depending on conditions, you’ll either snowshoe or hike past vibrant formations like Canary Spring and Orange Mound Spring, creating a surreal contrast of color, heat, and ice.

In the afternoon, unwind with a mineral hot spring soak at Chico Hot Springs Resort, one of Montana’s most beloved historic retreats. The warm, soothing waters provide the perfect way to relax and reflect after a day of crisp mountain air and adventure.

As evening falls, your journey concludes with a scenic return to Bozeman, carrying with you the stillness, beauty, and unforgettable wildlife moments of Yellowstone in winter.

Why this day matters: We spend twice as much time in prime wildlife country, then shift our focus to Yellowstone’s living geology and conclude with restorative relaxation.

Photography Focus: Steaming terraces, icy waterfalls, and the dramatic contrast of geothermal features framed by snow.

Inclusions

• National Park entry fee
• Private AWD Ford Transit Van (high roof, panoramic windows).
• Professional guide with avalanche safety, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid certifications.
• Spotting scopes, binoculars, snowshoes, and poles are provided.
• Light breakfast, picnic lunches, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Day-use passes at Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Exclusions

• Alcoholic beverages.
• Guide gratuity (15% customary).

What to Bring

• Layered winter clothing: synthetic base layers, insulated mid-layers, waterproof outerwear, a warm hat, gloves/mittens, thick socks, and waterproof boots.
• Sunglasses/goggles, sunscreen, day pack, phone/camera, and a swimsuit for Chico.
• A good sense of adventure—and patience for the unexpected, from snowstorms to bison jams.