On the Trail of Grey Wolves, Bison, and Grizzly Bears
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Wildlife Private Journey
Overview
Experience the jaw-dropping beauty and teeming wildlife of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons with your own private naturalist guide! On our week-long Private Journey, you'll look for the iconic wolf packs of Yellowstone's amazing Lamar Valley, often called America's Serengeti, savor the magnificent spectacle of the Grand Tetons, with their tooth-like peaks and sapphire lakes, and see the scintillating hues of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Each day brings something different, whether you're discovering geothermal wonders, hiking the inspiring trails, or spotting an amazing variety of wildlife—from herds of bison to elusive wolf packs on the prowl (your naturalist guide is very involved with the local wolf-monitoring community). The grand finale finds you drifting down the meandering Snake River on a private wooden dory for a riverside dinner. Traveling with a knowledgeable private guide is the best way to maximize your chances of seeing wildlife, avoiding crowds, and getting an “insider” opportunity to learn about Yellowstone's ecology, scientific studies, and conservation efforts. Come take a closer look at the natural wonders we have right here in the US, and at journey's end, extend to the hidden Flat Creek Ranch for days of hiking, horseback riding, and fly fishing (this can also be done pre-trip).
Arrive: Jackson, Wyoming
Depart: Jackson, Wyoming
Highlights
- Track the iconic grey wolves of Yellowstone's incredible Lamar Valley, the “American Serengeti”
- Learn about Yellowstone's natural history with your professional biologist Trip Leader
- Search for bison, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, mountain goat, black and grizzly bear
- Witness the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, watch sunrise over the Grand Tetons
- Drift down the pristine Snake River by wooden dory, looking for bald eagles
- Extend to a remote dude ranch for hiking, horseback riding, and fly fishing
Itinerary
Arrive in Jackson Hole and the next day, head north on a wildlife-viewing drive through Grand Teton National Park, where your Trip Leader knows the best spots to look for wildlife, enter the South Entrance of Yellowstone to see to some of the park's geothermal wonders. Get an early morning start for the renowned Lamar Valley of Yellowstone, hoping for a sunrise viewing of the iconic packs of grey wolf. The valley teems with other wildlife, from bison to elk, grizzly bears, black bears, antelope, otters, osprey, bald eagles, and coyotes, and the birdlife is phenomenal. Wildlife viewing excursions fill your days, and you can enjoy a choice of hikes, from an easy stroll to a challenging hike up Mt. Washburn. Special treats are planned for each day, from visiting local personalities to sundowners within the park grounds. Overnights in the “Old West” town of Gardiner, Montana, just outside the North Entrance to Yellowstone. Pre-Trip Extension: Flat Creek Ranch extension must begin on a Monday or Friday. Extensions that start on a Monday are 4 nights/5 days in length. Extensions that start on a Friday are 3 nights/4 days in length. During the months of July and August, 7-night extensions are required.
Start the journey south towards Jackson this morning with more opportunities for wildlife viewing and a visit to the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, a thousand feet deep with multi-colored walls and a thundering waterfall. A walk to the waterfall overlook reveals Yellowstone's complex geologic history in dramatic shapes and colors. Rise early to watch a splendid sunrise over Grand Teton National Park and choose between a hike in Bridger Teton National Forest, with its breathtaking views of the jagged Teton peaks, or a visit the renowned National Museum of Wildlife Art, overlooking the National Elk Refuge. This famous museum features wildlife art by prominent artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Robert Kuhn, and John James Audubon. The final evening, embark on a float trip aboard a “dory” (a traditional wooden boat) and drift down the Snake River, keeping an eye out for bald eagles and moose before arriving at the private Tipi Camp for a celebratory Farewell Dinner in a pristine riverside setting. Depart from Jackson on Day 7 or join our Flat Creek Ranch Extension.
Dates & Pricing
Best months to go: June to October. For our Private Journeys, you choose your own group and your preferred dates. Prices are per person and not guaranteed until services are confirmed. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: 25% of trip cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: $500 per person
61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
Not Included
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Wildlife viewing takes place during drives and nature walks on mountain roads. There is the option for hikes of your choice, covering a variety of terrain and usually on well-marked trails. There is no extensive hiking on the trip, but you should be in good physical shape to enjoy it to the fullest.
Jackson, Wyoming, is at an altitude of 6,200 feet and Gardiner, Montana, is at 5,200 feet. The hikes and drives within the national park are at altitudes upwards of 8,800 feet, and can be higher on some hikes. If we drive on the Beartooth Highway, the altitude reaches 11,000 feet.
Review Trip Level Details
The months between Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend are exceptionally beautiful in Yellowstone, although they draw the highest volumes of visitors. From June through August, average temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, making for great hiking conditions. Excellent months to visit are from mid-May through early June and between September and October, with fewer crowds. Spring in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, with the park emerging from winter hibernation. It can be quite cold (around 20F to 50F) so be sure to pack warm layers. Visiting Yellowstone in September and early October can be especially exciting because the elk are in rut. The weather is cooler, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 35F to low 60F. Park facilities such as visitors' centers can close as early as mid-October.
Accommodations are in comfortable hotels and lodges ideally located to avoid crowds and get you as close as possible to the best wildlife viewing.
Client Testimonials
"From the first interaction with the WT office to the last interaction with Paul on the trip, our expectations described by Wilderness Travel were fulfilled and in most cases exceeded. Kudos to all."
Ann G.
Novato, CA
"The trip was wonderful and something we won't soon forget. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature, who is willing to get up early and spend your days taking in the sights."
Curvin C.
Boerne, TX
"This trip was everything and more that what we were looking for. My dreams of seeing wolves in the wild came true two days in row and the trip was perfectly planned and timed."
Lindsey N.
Lincoln, CA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.