Yellowstone Winter Wildlife Safari: Wolves & Snowshoeing

Gray wolves hunting across snow, steaming springs against white peaks, then a mineral soak to warm up

A winter wildlife tour through Yellowstone National Park led by a professional guide with expertise in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. You travel by 4WD vehicle through Lamar Valley to spot elk, bison, bighorn sheep, and gray wolves, then snowshoe 1.5 miles along the Upper Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace past Canary Springs and Orange Mound Springs, and finish with a relaxing soak at Chico Hot Springs. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and includes transportation, a guide, spotting scopes, and a light meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Winter wildlife and geothermal exploration

• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley
• Snowshoe Upper Mammoth Hot Springs
• Visit Fort Yellowstone historic site
• See Roosevelt Arch at park entrance
• Relax at Chico Hot Springs Resort

The experience

The day starts in a heated 4WD Suburban or Transit Van, which matters because winter roads here close to regular traffic. Your guide carries current avalanche safety and wilderness first aid certifications: credentials that matter in a landscape where conditions shift fast. The vehicle heads into Lamar Valley, the section of Yellowstone where gray wolves hunt in packs and where herds of elk, bison, and bighorn sheep winter in the open. Fewer crowds in winter mean better sightlines, and the guide uses professional-grade Vortex spotting scopes and binoculars to pick out animals across the snow-covered terrain. Coyotes, bald eagles, and Trumpeter Swans move through the same ecosystem, and the guide shares how the valley's geology (shaped by ancient oceans, supervolcanoes, and glaciers) created the conditions that draw these animals here.

The second half shifts to the Upper Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace, where you snowshoe or hike a 1.5-mile route along the boardwalk. Canary Springs, Cupid Springs, and Orange Mound Springs sit in a landscape where steam rises from geothermal vents into the frozen air, and mineral deposits paint the snow in yellows and oranges. The snowshoe section is less crowded than the main park boardwalks and gives you time to move through the thermal features at your own pace. After the hike, the tour ends at Chico Hot Springs Resort in Paradise Valley, a historic mineral pool where you can soak in geothermal water while looking at the mountains.

Pickup is included, and the tour provides bottled water, light breakfast snacks, and your choice of a salad, sandwich, or wrap for lunch. National Park entry fees are separate and can be purchased before arrival or at the gate. A 15% guide gratuity is suggested.

What’s included

• Professional guide with avalanche safety, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid certifications.
• 4WD vehicle transportation in a Chevy Suburban or Ford Transit Van.
• professional-grade Vortex spotting scopes and binoculars.
• bottled water and light breakfast snacks.
• your choice of a salad, sandwich, or wrap for lunch.
• snowshoe or hiking equipment for the 1.5-mile Upper Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace route.
• access to Chico Hot Springs for a mineral soak at the end of the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Obsidian Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Bozeman or the surrounding region and want pickup included. Your guide drives the full route through Lamar Valley and to Chico Hot Springs, so you can focus entirely on wildlife and geothermal sights rather than managing winter roads yourself.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals can I actually expect to see in Lamar Valley in winter?

Lamar Valley is known for wintering herds of elk, bison, and bighorn sheep, and gray wolves that hunt in packs across the snow. Coyotes, bald eagles, and Trumpeter Swans also move through the ecosystem, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day.

Do I need my own snowshoes for the Mammoth Hot Springs hike?

The tour includes your choice of snowshoeing or hiking the 1.5-mile Upper Terrace route. The operator provides the equipment and guides you along the boardwalk past the thermal springs.

How much walking and physical effort is involved?

The day includes a 1.5-mile snowshoe or hike on the Upper Mammoth Terrace and time spent moving through the vehicle to spot wildlife. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness and notes the tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What happens at Chico Hot Springs at the end?

Chico Hot Springs Resort is where the tour concludes, and you have the opportunity to soak in the mineral-rich geothermal pools while looking at the mountain views. It's a historic resort established in 1900 and located in Paradise Valley, a short drive from the park.

Is the park entrance fee included in the tour price?

National Park entry fees are separate from the tour cost. You can purchase a pass before your visit or at the park entrance on the day of the tour.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours from start to finish, including the drive through Lamar Valley, the snowshoe hike at Mammoth Hot Springs, and the soak at Chico.