Cowboy Up Coffee is a locally owned coffee stand, conveniently located just off Hwy 89, near Gardiner, MT and the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Find us in the Sinclair Gas Station parking lot.  Open Monday - Saturday!

We offer a wide array of specialty coffee, using locally roasted organic espresso, energy drinks (both Red Bull and Lotus), tea, matcha, Italian sodas, smoothies, frappes, protein shakes, and lemonade. Food includes bagels, muffins, pastries, and fresh breakfast burritos.

We have a beautiful new event space with the option of on-site accommodation for 36 people. We are located 10 miles north of Gardiner on the Yellowstone River.  Space is available for gatherings of up to 75 guests. Book our space for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, bridal showers, graduation parties, family reunions, and retreats. 

Click here to learn more about our on-site lodging. 

Contact us today!

Gardiner, Montana, is located at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, where wildlife sightings are all but guaranteed. After all, Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of wildlife in the lower 48 states. And Gardiner’s position at the base of the Northern Range—one of the best regions for spotting wildlife in all of Yellowstone—makes the town the perfect basecamp for wildlife watching enthusiasts around the world.

Winter wildlife watchers in Yellowstone/Yellowstone NPS

Winter Wildlife Watching

What makes winter such an exciting time of year for wildlife watching? For one thing, many animals migrate from higher elevations to lower, less snow-packed elevations, meaning you’ll be able to see more wildlife closer to park roads and other developments. For another, the snowy landscape acts as a blank canvas for easily spotting wildlife as their dark shapes move along the hills and valleys. Finally, there are far fewer crowds to contend with as compared to the summer months, providing a quieter, more natural experience for observing the many species who call Yellowstone home.

So, who are the prime wildlife suspects in the wintertime and where will you most likely find them?

Elk

An abundant large mammal in the park, Yellowstone offers summer habitat for more than 10,000 elk. Most of them winter outside the park boundaries; look for them grazing in the fields alongside Highway 89 as you drive towards Gardiner via Paradise Valley.

Elk outside Yellowstone's North Entrance/Yellowstone NPS

Bison

Bison are the largest land-dwelling mammal in North America. Remarkably, Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states with a continuously free-ranging bison population. During winter months, you can find bison in Gardiner basin—often roaming right through town—and inside park boundaries between Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley.

Bison in the town of Gardiner, MT/Joe Gross

Foxes

With their lush coats and hunting mannerisms, red foxes are a delight to see in the wilds of Yellowstone. During winter, foxes increase their activity around dawn and dusk, and sometimes even in broad daylight. Keep your eyes open for them in forested areas along the Yellowstone Northern Range and in Mammoth Hot Springs.

A fox hunts for voles in Yellowstone/Yellowstone NPS

Moose

Moose are a bit more elusive than other members of the deer family in Yellowstone, even though they are the largest. During wintertime, look for these solitary creatures in marshy areas near meadows and along rivers, especially along Soda Butte Creek in the northeastern section of the park and in Round Prairie near Pebble Creek.

A moose hides in the willows in Yellowstone/Yellowstone NPS

Wolves

The Northern Range near Gardiner is considered one of the best places to watch wolves in the world, especially at dawn and dusk when the animals are most active. Nearly 100 wolves have territory they hunt inside park boundaries. During wintertime, look for them between Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley (spotting scopes help!)

Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world to watch wolves/Yellowstone NPS

Short-tailed Weasels and Pine Marten

Both members of the mustelid family, short-tailed weasels (also known as ermine) and pine martens are a joy to see scurrying across cross-country ski trails and amongst the pine trees. During winter, short-tailed weasels turn completely white and can be found hunting in willows and spruce forests along the Northern Range. Pine martens can be spotted denning in conifer forests or hollowed out tree stumps.

A pine marten perches in a Yellowstone conifer/Yellowstone NPS

Cougars

Also known as mountain lions, cougars are one of the top predators in Yellowstone National Park. Though it’s rare you’ll see one, the Northern Range offers good habitat for cougars due to the area’s light snowfall. Cougars prefer rocky terrain and forested areas that provide good cover for hunting prey—such as elk, mule deer, and smaller mammals like marmots.

Cougars are rarely spotted in the park/Yellowstone NPS

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are often spotted traversing the cliffs on the eastern edge of Lamar Valley. During winter months it’s also common to see the talented climbers on the cliffs opposite the Yellowstone River near Calcite Springs from the ski trail to Tower Fall. Keep an eye out for them in mid- to late-November when mating season begins and drive with caution between Livingston and Gardiner as they will sometimes congregate along the highway.

A bighorn ram in Yellowstone/Yellowstone NPS

Pronghorn

Pronghorn are the smallest and quickest ungulate in Yellowstone. In the wintertime, visitors often spot these grassland-dwellers near the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and along the Old Yellowstone Trail, a dirt road connecting Gardiner to Cinnabar, Montana. The males will shed their horn sheathes in November and December until they begin growing next year’s set in February or March.

Pronghorn prefer sagebrush scrub/Yellowstone NPS

Coyotes

Although often mistaken for a wolf, coyotes are about one-third the size of their larger canid cousins. Coyotes are relatively abundant in Yellowstone—look for them hunting for voles in the Lamar Valley or trotting along the roadways on the Northern Range during winter months.

Coyotes are often mistake for wolves/Yellowstone NPS

River Otters

The most aquatic member of the weasel family, river otters are active all year long in Yellowstone but especially fun to watch sliding along icy riverbanks in the wintertime—sometimes at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour! Look for them along the rivers and creeks of the Northern Range in the winter.

River otters line a riverbank in Yellowstone/Yellowstone NPS

Plan Your Wildlife Watching Adventure

With such a diverse and charismatic cast of characters, there is certainly an animal to capture everyone’s imagination on a Yellowstone National Park winter adventure. For the best chance of spotting wildlife—and to leave the driving and planning to someone else—be sure to hire an expert wildlife guide out of Gardiner, Montana!

Related Sources

About Winter in Gardiner
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
How to Prepare for a Yellowstone Winter Adventure

Although Yellowstone National Park is spectacular all year long, locals will tell you winter is a particularly special time of year. With fewer crowds, abundant wildlife, and stunning winter vistas, the park resembles a real life snow globe when the land is covered in a blanket of white. If you’re considering a winter vacation to Yellowstone, don’t miss these ten bucket-list-worthy winter experiences.

Go Wildlife Watching

Yellowstone is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Bison, pronghorn, elk, deer, foxes, coyotes, and the occasional wolf roam freely throughout the park, and winter is prime wildlife-watching time. Most species migrate to the more accessible lower elevations and are easier to spot against the snow. For best results, hire a guide out of Gardiner, Montana, who will customize your wildlife-watching experience to your exact specifications – and provide hot drinks and transportation, too!

Try Cross-country Skiing or Snowshoeing

Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities in Yellowstone National Park. Both low-impact winter sports will keep you warm while allowing you to take in the wonders of the park at a slower pace. Our favorite cross-country ski and snowshoe trails offer breathtaking snowy landscapes, frozen waterfalls, and ample wildlife sightings. You’ll be so lost in the beauty around you, you’ll forget you’re getting a workout!

Take a Snowcoach Tour

Many roads in Yellowstone are closed to personal vehicles in the winter, but fear not! Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides a truly memorable way to get around in the park in winter – via a chartered snowcoach. We personally love to take the coach from Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful Village. The Old Faithful area offers cozy lodging and a plethora of fun winter activities, but snowcoaches make the journey to the village half the fun!

Try Winter Landscape or Wildlife Photography

If photography is your passion, Yellowstone National Park is the perfect winter muse. Rather than describe it to you, we’ll just let these stunning winter photos do the talking.

Soak in a Hot Springs

After a day of winter adventures, warm up and relax your muscles at one of two hot spring hangouts outside Yellowstone. A 30-minute drive from Gardiner to Emigrant, Montana, brings you to Chico Hot Springs. The resort is casual and a favorite with locals and celebrities alike. It features a full bar and grill in addition to a fancier sit-down restaurant (reservations are recommended).

Yellowstone Hot Springs, a few miles to the north of Yellowstone’s North Entrance, features sweeping mountain views on the banks of the Yellowstone River.  With three distinct hot pools, everyone can find their sweet place to rest.

Stay for the Holidays

There are many heart-warming holiday traditions in Yellowstone, from a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Mammoth Hot Springs to celebrating Old Faithful’s first eruption of the New Year. Spending Christmas in Yellowstone National Park has become a tradition in itself for many winter enthusiasts – give it a try and you just might become a regular too!

Ice Skate at Old Faithful 

Guests at Old Faithful can enjoy free ice skating (including skate rentals!) during the wintertime. We recommend going after sundown when the clear northern skies are lit up by an indescribable blanket of stars.

Cozy Up by the Fire

There’s nothing like curling up by the fire on a winter’s night in the mountains. Old Faithful Snow Lodge, the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, and Wonderland Café in Gardiner are some of our favorite places to warm our toes and sip on a hot beverage in the winter months.

Go Geyser Gazing

Yellowstone is home to more than 10,000 thermal features, including half the world’s active geysers. When cold winter temperatures meet the heat of Yellowstone’s geysers, mud pots, and hot springs, the effect is even more dramatic than in the summer months. Our favorite places to “geyser gaze” in the wintertime include the Upper Geyser Basin at Old Faithful, Norris Hot Springs (home to Steamboat Geyser), and the Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Explore the Northern Range

Yellowstone’s Northern Range is open to personal vehicles all year round, so it’s one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to see the park in the wintertime. Plus, the opportunities for spotting wildlife and viewing jaw-dropping scenery abound. Access this scenic corridor from the North Entrance in Gardiner, then head northeast at Mammoth Hot Springs for Tower Junction toward the famous Lamar Valley – the “Serengeti of North America.”

Related Sources

About Winter in Gardiner
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
How to Prepare for a Yellowstone Winter Adventure

Photo credits: Hot springs soaker courtesy of Eric Ian. All others are courtesy of Yellowstone NPS.

Crisp mountain air, cool temperatures, and eye-catching colors make autumn north of Yellowstone a hiker’s paradise. Animals seeking low-elevation forage and migrating raptors provide an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to witness the wildlife that make the Custer Gallatin National Forest famous. Stunning panoramas showcase mountain scenery and fall foliage. Mountain streams and rivers are at their best, with clear water beckoning those who might cool tired feet in their waters. Our hiking opportunities have changed this year with the flood-related closure of the North Entrance Road between Gardiner, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park. Thankfully, we have options. Below are a few of our favorite walks this year for you to explore listed in order from shortest to longest:

North Entrance Road
Length: 2-mile round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1-2 hours
Trailhead: Arch Park at Roosevelt Arch

Though not a hike per se, the North Entrance Road that once connected Gardiner to Yellowstone offers guests the opportunity to witness the power of water while enjoying fall foliage and wildlife sightings. Park in the paved parking lot at Arch Park —a grassy oasis at the base of historic Roosevelt Arch in downtown Gardiner—and walk through the famous stone entrance toward the North Entrance gate. Here you will encounter park personnel who can inform you of important information and point you in the correct direction to walk. The paved roadway veers to the left as it winds along the Gardner River, offering wide views of the Rescue Creek drainage. It’s common to see elk, pronghorn, and sometimes bighorn sheep in this area. The road parallels the cottonwood- and juniper-lined Gardner River briefly until you encounter a very obvious washout of the roadway. This is as far as you are allowed to walk. Look for bald eagles and other birds of prey in trees before retracing your route back. We recommend taking this walk in the morning or evening and carrying plenty of water as it is exposed and offers little shade. *PLEASE NOTE: Visitor parking is not allowed between Roosevelt Arch and the North Entrance Gate. At no point are guests to venture to the adjacent Old Gardiner Road as this is an active construction zone.

Eagle Creek Campground to Yellowstone River
Length: 4 to 5 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate with 800-foot elevation change
Duration: 3-4 hours
Trailhead: 2 miles northeast of Gardiner at Eagle Creek Campground

For sweeping views of surrounding mountains and valleys hike from Eagle Creek Campground down the Bear Creek drainage to the Yellowstone River. This portion of the Yellowstone River Trail, which is on the national forest, remains opens to the public. The trail crosses high-mountain desert before descending sharply toward the river. Enjoy views of Bunsen Peak, Electric Peak, and the far-away travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. As you descend the switchbacks into the Bear Creek drainage look for deer, elk, and other wildlife. You may even see bear, wolf, and mountain lion tracks on the trail. As the switchbacks subside and the trail encounters Bear Creek historic mining equipment is scattered about (please leave all artifacts where you find them) and cool pools of water offer shady respite. For those who’d like to hike a bit longer, another sharp descent takes you to a bridge spanning Bear Creek as it enters the Yellowstone River, which is known to be dangerous due to swift currents. To learn more about Montana fishing permits and regulations and which types of flies to use please visit one of our local flyfishing companies. * PLEASE NOTE: The Yellowstone River Trail is closed to the public at the Yellowstone National Park border approximately 2.5 miles into the hike.

Knox Lake
Length: 9 miles roundtrip *
Difficulty: Moderately Difficult due to length
Duration: 5-7
Trailhead: Bear Creek Campground

Half the adventure (maybe) is getting to the trailhead for this classic mountain hike. Approximately 10 miles of driving on dirt roads northeast of Gardiner takes you to Bear Creek Campground, after which the road is currently closed to vehicles due to bridge damage resulting from the flooding in the Greater Yellowstone area. From Gardiner, travel approximately 5 miles on Jardine Road where a bridge on your right takes you across Bear Creek and onto Bear Creek Road. Travel this road 5 additional miles until the bridge at Darroch Creek where you’ll find a barricade blocking vehicular traffic. Wide shoulders on either side of the road here offer ample parking. Walk the remainder of the road to the trailhead (about half a mile). From here, the 8-mile, round-trip hike to Knox Lake features old-growth forest, opportunities for wildlife sightings, and mountain scenery. The high-alpine lake teems with fish and offers quiet reflection in a wilderness setting. The trail travels steadily uphill and eventually gains approximately 2000 feet. After enjoying the beauty of this remote area return to your vehicle by retracing your route. The trail you are looking for is labeled Trail #64 and you can obtain maps online here in advance or from the Custer Gallatin National Forest office on Scott Street in Gardiner where you can also learn about current forest conditions.

Always remember, all of Yellowstone is bear country. Follow recommendations for hiking safely and carry bear spray and know how to use it. For additional information on this subject please click here. Very few visitors to Yellowstone get out of the car to hike so—to beat the crowds—lace up those boots and get out there and enjoy!

Chelsea DeWeese writes from her hometown of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Bicycling through Yellowstone National Park offers visitors a perspective like no other! Total immersion in the sights, scents, and sounds of nature in springtime allows cyclists to relax while also getting in a satisfying outdoor workout. Whether you’re a well-trained athlete looking to pedal many miles, looking to camp out overnight mid-ride, or someone simply excited to try a new activity, the range of bicycling opportunities available out of Gardiner, Montana—the park’s North Entrance—offers something for everybody. Consider us your home base this year as you pedal into Yellowstone’s wild and wonderous frontcountry.

The Route

Starting in early April (there is no set date) routes open when snow removal and other pre-season business allow. From Gardiner, the road from Mammoth Hot Springs to West Yellowstone opens to cyclists. Only bicycles and electric or pedal-assist bikes are permitted at this time, although visitors may encounter some administrative travel; roads open to motor vehicles a week or two later.  

Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Geyser Basin (21 miles)

From the Upper Terrace Loop parking lot climb nearly 1000 feet through mixed evergreen and aspen forest to sweeping views in the Swan Lake Flat glacial valley. From here the relatively level road travels through the valley, over the Gardner River, past Indian Creek, and then through lodgepole pine regrowth and willow-ensconced riparian wetlands. The road climbs again before descending into the Norris Geyser Basin area. At Norris you can view some of Yellowstone’s most dynamic and acidic hydrothermal features and try your luck viewing the largest active geyser on the planet, Steamboat Geyser, which can shoot water up to 300 feet.

Norris Geyser Basin to Madison Junction (14 miles)

From Norris parallel the Gibbon River south as it flows through Elk Park and Gibbon Meadows. These are good locations to look for bald eagles, ducks, Canada geese, and larger wildlife including bison, foxes, and coyotes. Follow the road as it climbs through lodgepole pine regrowth and past the rim of the Yellowstone Caldera. Here the Gibbon River tumbles 84 feet over the caldera rim at Gibbon Falls. Enjoy downhill cruising until the road levels and you again parallel the Gibbon River along its southbound route until it meets the Firehole River to form the headwaters of the Madison River at Madison Junction.

Madison Junction to West Yellowstone, Montana (14 miles)

From Madison Junction pedal west through the Madison River Valley toward the park’s West Entrance. Along the way take in views of the Madison River as it weaves across the valley floor. This area typically hosts a wide variety of birds—including mallard, merganser, and goldeneye ducks—elk, bison, coyotes, and even seldom-seen bobcats. Look for early spring arrivals including migratory mountain bluebirds sandhill cranes. This mostly level section of roadway showcases nearby rhyolite flows, mixed evergreen forests, and the Madison Mountain Range towering in the distance. Look for great blue herons and bald eagles fishing from trees and along the riverbanks.

E Bike Rentals in Gardiner

Do you want to experience Yellowstone on an E-Bike but were not able to fit it in your vehicle? Well, Big Sky E Bike Tours & Rentals has you covered! They are the very first E-Bike tour company to offer guided tours & rentals through Yellowstone National Park, and is based right here in Gardiner. This is your unique opportunity to experince the park all from the seat of an E-Bike.  They have offerings for tours that range from 2 hours, 3 hours or full day rentals if you would prefer to fly solo.

Planning and Safety

Yellowstone experiences variable weather in springtime so, if you’re planning on bicycling any distance, you’ll want to pack plenty of layers. Plan for both high and low temperatures and a range of conditions including sun, rain, wind, and even the occasional snowstorm. Click here to view a local weather forecast. Visitors often find the park’s high elevation, between 5000 and 8000 feet, makes them more vulnerable to dehydration and altitude sickness so drink plenty of water to combat any onset. Carry extra food, water, layers and a bicycle repair kit. No services are available between Mammoth and West Yellowstone although visitors have access to potable water at the Mammoth Hotel and Madison Junction. Cell phone access throughout Yellowstone is limited. However, payphones are available at Mammoth, Norris, and Madison junctions.

Rules and Regulations

Although temporarily closed to unauthorized motorized vehicles the “rules of the road” remain in effect throughout Yellowstone. All cyclists must ride single file on the right shoulder and obey all speed limits. Forward-facing white lights and rear-facing red lights are required for travel before sunrise and after sunset; travel at night isn’t recommended. For your personal safety, always stop and make eye contact at intersections, wear a helmet, and choose high-visibility clothing. Please note camping is not permitted along roads. The only frontcountry campground open this time of year is located in Mammoth Hot Springs where sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Otherwise, please visit the national park service website here to learn how to obtain an overnight backcountry camping permit.

Freelance writer Chelsea DeWeese pens from her hometown of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

The Cooke City Montana Museum celebrated its 5th Anniversary on August 14, 2019!  Kelly Hartman, the Museum Director, has also written a book titled, "A Brief History of Cooke City". Be sure to check it out! 

The Cooke City Montana Museum has several permanent exhibits on the history of the three communities of Colter Pass, Cooke City, and Silver Gate as well as exhibits on the Beartooth Highway, Schooling, Gas Stations and Tourism, Women and Winter. 

This museum brings that rich legacy to life through its artifacts, photos, and interpretive screens.  Outside museum presents an old miner's cabin and mining equipment used in the New World Mining District.

The Museum is owned and managed by the Cooke City Community Council, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. The actual operation of the Museum is under the direction of the Museum Director and numerous volunteers of all kinds.

• January 16, 2020 Annual Meeting Minutes and 2019 Annual Report
• February 20, 2020
• March meeting canceled
• April 16, 2020
• May 21, 2020
• June 18, 2020
• July meeting canceled
• August 20, 2020
• September 17, 2020
• October 15, 2020
• November 19, 2020
• December 17, 2020

At Yellowstone Dreamin Adventures we understand what it takes for many of our clients to get here, and that this may be your "one chance" to experience Yellowstone National Park. While we cannot control certain aspects of your trip such as the weather, the wildlife, or the crowds - we will deliver on the things that we can control. We will provide you with the safest, quality experience that can be delivered. With our company, our clients mean more to us than just a number. Our aim is to make your experience so filled with adventure and intrigue that you'll yearn to return and explore this magical place further.

Wildlife watching around Gardiner, Montana, and Yellowstone’s Northern Range offers an opportunity like no other! Predators and prey inhabit the snow-covered landscape, playing out life-and-death interactions on a daily basis. The snowy backdrop offers a great chance to capture images on a camera, and cool temperatures typically mean the wildlife is more active. Many guiding companies offer the opportunity to have a catered trip—complete with optics and a knowledgeable guide who can interpret animal activity—so you can look for wildlife and not worry about navigating the park’s wintry roads. However, if you prefer to go on your own, below are some ideas on where to look. Be sure to pack warm clothes, beverages, and snacks as no services (except gas) are available between Mammoth and Cooke City.

Gardiner, Montana, to Mammoth Hot Springs

Drive south through Yellowstone’s North Entrance along the Gardner River and up in elevation on the North Entrance Road to Mammoth Hot Springs. While you’re driving through the canyon, look for elk on hillsides, bald eagles in treetops, and bighorn sheep on cliffs. A number of well-spaced, paved pullouts allow you a safe opportunity to park your car and get out to look at wildlife with binoculars and spotting scopes. While doing this, be mindful the road experiences steady traffic and a combination of blind corners and icy pavement make for potentially dangerous driving conditions. For your safety and the safety of others, never stop your car or walk in the middle of the roadway. Elk—and sometimes pronghorn—tend to forage exposed greenery along the area’s windswept slopes while bison tend to “plow” through the snow with their massive heads along the grassy banks of the Gardner River. Tall trees along the river provide perches for bald eagles while shallow riffles appeal to mallard ducks and small, bobbing songbirds called water ouzels, or American dippers. If you’re lucky, you might even see a passing mountain lion! Be on the lookout for groups of some of the more colorful winter residents of the Gardner River Canyon, Bohemian Waxwing songbirds.

Mammoth Hot Springs to Tower-Roosevelt Junction

Proceeding east through Mammoth Hot Springs toward Tower-Roosevelt Junction look for groups of bison migrating north to lower elevations. Careful: sometimes the bison choose to use the roadway and can surprise you on an icy corner. If you find yourself in this type of “bison jam,” try to slowly maneuver around the animals and don’t cause them to run. Not only does running cost bison calories, but they can also slip on the ice and injure themselves. Deer and elk inhabit the forest along the road as you ascend into the more wide-open habitat. Even if you don’t see them, look for evidence of their passing in the form of tracks. Once you exit the forest and enter snow-covered sagebrush steppe grasslands, look for the three species of canids found in Yellowstone: wolves, coyotes, and foxes. These hunters prowl the winter landscape, sometimes near the road and sometimes far away, looking for their next meal. For wolves, prey tends to be larger animals like elk and bison, which they usually hunt in packs. For coyotes and foxes, prey tends to be smaller and beneath the snowpack in the form of mice and voles. Have your camera ready to snap a picture of a coyote or fox pouncing! Look for big-antlered bull elk, either solitary or in small groups, as they browse on willows along drainages.

Tower-Roosevelt to Pebble Creek Campground

From Tower-Roosevelt head east along the Northeast Entrance Road toward Cooke City. Look for bison in nearby clearings before crossing a bridge over the Yellowstone River. Search for bighorn sheep along the steep, earthen slopes where the bridge crosses the river. Soon, the view opens and the snowcapped Absaroka Mountains tower over glacial valleys. This is a good place to look for wolves, coyotes, bison, and other wildlife. Take a moment at the Slough Creek Campground road to stop and look through spotting scopes and binoculars; the road is closed to vehicles during winter but you can usually traverse it with appropriate snow boots, skis, or snowshoes. After Slough Creek, look for otters and their sign—slides, scat, and tracks—along the icy banks of the Lamar River before entering Lamar Valley. Pullouts along this section of the road offer opportunities to photograph the winter scenery and wildlife. Continue east past the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch and toward Pebble Creek Campground. Willow-entrenched drainages here provide excellent habitat for moose. Look for their dark, long-legged forms in the midst of the dense underbrush. Ducks, ouzels, and other birds frequent Soda Butte Creek and bighorn sheep migrate to this area during winter. The entire area is suitable wolf habitat so look for groups of people looking through binoculars and spotting scopes—that’s usually an indication of a sighting!

Wherever you choose to focus your efforts this winter, have fun and happy wildlife watching! For safety tips and other resources for visiting Yellowstone in winter please visit the National Park Service Website here.

Chelsea DeWeese is a writer and guide based in her hometown of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.