3 Day Winter Wolves and Wildlife Safari

Winter in Yellowstone ranges from early November to early April. Average high temperatures in the valley during the winter season range from 27F to 52F, (-3C to 11C), but daily temperatures can fluctuate far below freezing at times. The valley floor will typically see snow from October through April and in the high alpine elevations, it usually snows from September to June. The high elevation of Yellowstone National Park has been known to create wild temperature fluctuations from night to day, sometimes by 50F degrees or more. It is important to come prepared for winter conditions, as they can vary.

Average highs and lows by winter months:

November: Average High 39F/4C, Average Low 16F/-8C

December: Average High 28F/-2C, Average Low 6F/-14C

January: Average High 27F/-3C, Average Low 5F/-15C

February: Average High 32F/0C, Average Low 8F/-13C

March: Average High 41F/5C, Average Low 16F/-9C

April: Average High 52F/11C, Average Low 24F/-4C

The most exhilarating part of searching for wildlife in their natural habitats is the “hunt”, so to speak.  There is never a guarantee the species you are seeking will be found, but this just makes any chance to observe that animal all the more rewarding.  The often highly sought after gray wolf can be an especially elusive creature.  Being an apex predator in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, there is naturally a low concentration of the species which makes their distribution across the landscape rather sparse.  This is what makes the trained eye of a guide along with high powered optics like binoculars and spotting scopes all the more vital!  The seasons also heavily impact wolf activity.  As snow deepens and temperatures drop in higher elevations, prey species that are essential to a wolf’s survival migrate into valley floors, making areas like the Lamar Valley especially prosperous for finding this large, wild canid.  However, there is one place that can fulfill the promise of seeing not only wolves, but grizzly bears year round.  The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center located in West Yellowstone is home to two wolf packs and multiple grizzly bears that were brought to this sanctuary as an alternative to being euthanized.  This facility is also home to river otters, a variety of beautiful birds of prey and many informative exhibits about wildlife conservation.  

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris is a company that ensures you will have the best experience possible when observing the incredible native wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  This entails searching for animals from long distances, and also observing any wildlife from a safe distance that will protect you and the living organism being observed.  This is what makes utilizing tools like binoculars and spotting scopes essential, and fortunately Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris offers both!  Guests on every tour will be equipped with auto-focussing Bushnell binoculars that are extremely beginner friendly (for those who do not often get the opportunity to utilize binoculars) and a Vortex spotting scope that makes comfortable viewing of species like wolves, bighorn sheep and mountain goats from what could be a mile away.  

Traversing terrain in states like Wyoming, Idaho and Montana is dramatically different from regions of greater metropolitan development.  Things are more dispersed, with easily hundreds of miles between one community to the next with an abundance of scenic natural terrain in between.  Fortunately, the route for this 3 day Winter Wolf and Wildlife Safari is not so severely remote and is still packed with beautiful views.  While touring around Grand Teton and Yellowstone you will be traveling by vehicle, with ample opportunities to get out to admire views of wildlife and landscapes.  The journey between Jackson Hole and West Yellowstone, MT usually takes approximately 2.5 hours, and you will pass through the lovely local communities of Victor, Driggs and Island Park, ID as well as a gradient of geologically unique terrain.  After an evening in West Yellowstone, MT the drive north will continue to Gardiner, MT which equates to about 3 hours.  Along this route you will pass through not only Big Sky and Bozeman, MT but the beautiful Paradise Valley where a variety of wildlife could be found, including the ever-coveted gray wolf.  The longest stretch of driving involved on this tour would be the journey back to Jackson, WY.  This part of the trip will require a little over 5 hours of driving to return to your point of origin, though your guide will make sure to include plenty of opportunities to get out and stretch your legs as well as restroom breaks!  Being a customizable tour however, if you prefer to stay in Bozeman, MT and fly out of the Bozeman / Yellowstone International Airport this option would eliminate the lengthy, yet still scenic drive back to Jackson Hole.  

Old Faithful is undoubtedly a quintessential part of Yellowstone National Park, but it is not an easy destination to access in the winter months due to road closures.  Aside from the 50 mile stretch between the North and Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone, the rest of the roadways close to exclusively snowmobile and snowcoach vehicular traffic.  Between December 15th and March 15 daily tours travel in and out of the west entrance of Yellowstone, which will escort you through a snow globe-esque world and to the iconic Old Faithful Geyser.  If seeing this keystone geothermal feature is a priority, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris can arrange for a full day (8-9 hour) snowcoach or snowmobile tour for your 3 day Winter Wolves and Wildlife Safari.  Alternatives to this type of excursion would be a snowshoeing tour into Yellowstone National Park, a visit to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, MT or to continue on directly into the Lamar Valley which is part of the limited region in Yellowstone which can still be accessed by normal road-based vehicles.  

Yellowstone National Park is rich with a diversity of unique geological features, world class wildlife and a complex backstory of exploration, conservation and discovery that is begging to be told.  At 2.2 million acres this park is one of the largest in the contiguous United States, hence its wealth of natural resources and why it is worth spending more than a mere day visiting the region.  Even with winter road closures limiting travel in Yellowstone, there is so much to see.  The northern range of the park (which remains open year round) contains the incredible Mammoth Hot Springs, the beautiful Gallatin Mountain Range and the American Serengeti- better known as the Lamar Valley.  With a diversity of habitat like canyons, riverways and valleys there is also a spectrum of wildlife inhabiting this versatile terrain.  With the trained eye of a naturalist guide animals like bighorn sheep, bison, elk, deer, eagles, wolves, coyotes and river otters could potentially be spotted in their natural, native domain.  Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris 3 Day Winter Wolf and Wildlife tour will not only show you the wonders of Yellowstone, but also the beauty of Grand Teton National Park.  Two glorious National Parks packed into one amazing adventure!