Yellowstone, Tetons, places to see grizzly, moose, wolves

TenOC: I hope the person in the picture isn't one of yours....too dangerously close!

We go in the fall and see lots of wild animals and fewer people. Elk walked across our campsite, wolves strolled down the side of the road. Bears were about a quarter mile down the trail from us and buffalo were all over. The moose were further away but close enough for good pictures.
Saw many more animals in the Norris area than anywhere else in the park. We spent two weeks the last time we were there so had more opportunities to see animals.

2gypsies wrote:

Moose in the Tetons are always seen in marsh/rivers/lakes. Around the Snake River is a good area. Also in Gros Ventre campground.

There are two moose that "live" in GV. Ask at the office. As you enter the campground the area to the left.

Veebyes wrote:
Don't believe the brochures & what you see on TV. It is not a zoo. What you see is largely dependent on local knowledge, time of day, season & no small amount of luck.

X2

It will be by chance. Since the grizzly bears are out mostly at night and during dawn and dusk, early morning and just before dark are the best times and again, only if you are lucky.

Wolves are elusive creatures. Here in northern MN, we have LOTS of wolves and have had them for years. We have 470 wolf packs and 2,400 wolves. Yet, most visitors to the area never see a wolf and you are indeed lucky if you do. I've seen several, but I used to work in the woods a lot.

Contrast this to less than 100 wolves in Yellowstone in 10 packs. And I would guess most visitors are just driving the main roads, so the chances of seeing wolves is even less.

jiveturkey692000 wrote:
We went and drove over beartooth pass yesterday and a grizzly crossed the road in front of us after we came back into the NE entrance to the park.

But, did it wave at you? ;) :B


Amazing moment BEAR waves goodbye to photographer as he heads home from camping

Don't believe the brochures & what you see on TV. It is not a zoo. What you see is largely dependent on local knowledge, time of day, season & no small amount of luck.

We went and drove over beartooth pass yesterday and a grizzly crossed the road in front of us after we came back into the NE entrance to the park. I actually talked the guy at the gate about moose for a minute. He said there is only about 120 moose in the park currently because of the fires and habitat change.

We were on our dream vacation in 2010 and saw a grizzly up close (walked between our parked van and the car behind us!). That was within the first 10 miles of the NE gate. After 5 miles, we saw a wolf trotting along the side of the road headed in the opposite direction. That was very rare as you've read.
As for moose, my goal was to spot one. We took the ferry across Jenny Lake in Tetons and hiked the valley and saw a mother and calf. Amazing!
#lucky

We have seen plenty of bison. Saw one on the way into the park before we even got to the campground. Seen alot of elk. Seen alot of pronghorn and dear. Coming back from the Tetons today there was a jam in the area where they have those bear and wolf crossing lights up. Missed what it was though. Wrong place wrong time lol. Also already did the grizzly and wolf discovery and Montana grizzly encounters up in Bozeman Tuesday and Wednesday.

As mentioned, Hayden and Lamar Valleys in Yellowstone for bear and wolves. Also, bear like fish so any waterway.

Moose in the Tetons are always seen in marsh/rivers/lakes. Around the Snake River is a good area. Also in Gros Ventre campground.

Get on the road early morning and toward dusk and you'll see critters. They pretty much stay clear of the daytime gawkers although you may get lucky. You never know.

Good luck!