Wyoming is an AMAZING place to visit. When traveling there, make sure to pack for any kind of weather. I visited in June and experienced snow, rain, and sun. Plan for wearing layers and you will be covered. If you are traveling outside of normal summer months, make sure to look up road conditions to make sure you can reach the destinations you want to visit.
The 2 places I visited were Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Before embarking on your journey, you will want to make sure to download the GuideAlong tour for Grand Teton and/or Yellowstone. It will make the drive more enjoyable and educational. There are also walking tours available, so checkout that, as well.
If you are a photographer, then you will want to bring a spotting scope, a long lens (something at least in the 200-800mm range and a tri-pod.
One last thing, make sure you have bear spray with you when entering Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Know how to use it because Black and Grizzly Bears are active in both parks. Here is a link to Montana’s Fish, Wildlife, and Parks video on how to use Bear Spray. A video will help with the concept; however, take the time to find a position where you can easily grab and deploy the bear spray in the event you need to.
Grand Teton
To enter the Grand Teton’s, you will need a National Park Pass. I went online and purchased an annual pass because it did not cost that much more and it allowed me to come and go as I please. Make sure you order it with enough time to receive it before you leave on your trip. You can find annual National Park Passes at all of the National Park Entrances.
I found the best way to experience the Grand Teton’s was by listening the GuideAlong and driving the 42-mile loop. There are many stops to see along the way. The western portion of the 42mile drive is close to the Teton’s and very dramatic. The eastern portion is flatter, and you will find the Mormon Barns with the Teton’s in the background.
Recommendations
Lodging
- Camping – Colter Bay Campground in Grand Teton National Park. I stayed in site 328, Loop O. Chose this one because it was on the edge so no one was camping behind me.
- Link to Grand Teton reservations
Activities
- Mormon Barns
- 42 mile Grand Teton Loop
- Jenny Lake
Yellowstone
To enter Yellowstone, you will need a National Park Pass. I went online and purchased an annual pass because it did not cost that much more and it allowed me to come and go as I please. Make sure you order it with enough time to receive it before you leave on your trip. You can find annual National Park Passes at all of the National Park Entrances.
The road around Yellowstone looks like a figure-8. The sights in the bottom part of the “8” are what I call – South (hot springs). The attractions in the upper portion of the “8” are what I call North (wild animals). The open range that is east of the “8” is called Lamar Valley (wolves and LOTS of bison).
I decided to spend 3-4 days in each area to make sure I had time to see everything. All of the sights were SPECTACULAR! If I had to choose one place to stay it would be at Mammoth Campground in the Northern end. The hot spring area would be over an hour away; however, the amount of wildlife I saw from and around my campsite was fantastic! I could not wait to go back to my site just to watch what would come by.
When driving around Yellowstone, sometimes the easiest way to find wildlife is to look for traffic. If there are cars parked to the side, there is normally something there. If there are people with binoculars and/or photographers with tripods and big lenses, then it is something REALLY interesting. Always be on the lookout and drive carefully so you do not hit any of the wildlife in the area.
South
The southern area is where you will find all of Yellowstone’s thermal activity. WARNING – Keep on the wooden and marked paths because the ecosystem is fragile. People have died or been burned when they veer off the trail, and the earth gives way underneath them.
There are many geysers around Yellowstone with the most famous being Old Faithful. For the latest on geyser activity and when Old Faithful is predicted to next erupt, you can visit the Yellowstone National Park Service website (assuming it is not closed for the season).
Recommendations
Lodging
- Camping – Indian Creek Campsite. I stayed in site #25.
- Link to Indian Creek Campsite reservations
Activities
- Grand Prismatic
- Paint Pots
- Yellowstone’s “Grand Canyon”
North
If I was limited to only one location to stay, Mammoth campground is it. North is where there is a lot of wildlife activity, it is close to Lamar Valley, and is about an hour drive to the hot springs in the south. Also, the Park Ranger headquarters and living quarters are in Mammoth, so if you need something – food, shower, restaurant – it is easy to find.
Recommendations
Lodging
- Camping – Mammoth Campground. I stayed in site #45. Picked because of the view
- Link to Mammoth Campground reservations
Activities
- Drive around and find wildlife
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is known for seeing wildlife. I was fortunate enough to see a large number of Bison, Coyote, and Wolves.
- For Bison, the peak season is mid-June to mid-September.
- Coyote are just wondering around. I saw a coyote run across the road (did not hit it!), and a couple who were antagonizing Wolf 1479.
- Wolves – I did not realize that our Slough Creek campsite was less than a mile from a Wolf den. Bring your spotting scope because wolves are very reclusive and you will not see one up close. The turn off from the main road to our campground was the prime spot to watch the Wolf 1479’s den with a couple of pups. We learned this because there are people in Yellowstone who are obsessed with the wolves, know all the details, the wolves travel patterns. We sat next to a couple and they educated us on what to look for, the different wolf packs, etc. The best time to see wolves is at dawn or dusk and look for people sitting in chairs looking out into the hills or the valleys. Sit down and talk to them. They are a wealth of information.
Recommendations
Lodging
- Camping – Slough Creek. I stayed in site #10. This campground is highly sought after. I asked reservation.gov to notify me of a cancellation and jumped on it when it appeared, Site #10 is very small and near a very slow flowing creek. There will be mosquitos, so come prepared.
- Link to Slough Creek reservations
Activities
- Head out at dawn or dusk to find Wolves. Look for people in chairs with spotting scopes pointing to hills or valleys.
- Drive through Lamar Valley – you will see a ton of wildlife including numerous Bison.