Wolves have lengthy fascinated wildlife fans. We are inclined to view them as really wild and rugged. Their tendency to dwell and journey in household packs echoes our personal social tendencies. Their stirring nighttime howls, sleek actions and eager sensibilities join us to our primal selves.

The grey wolf is likely one of the most iconic animals of Yellowstone Nationwide Park. But, that hasn’t at all times been the case. Now one of the well-known conservation success tales in current reminiscence, Yellowstone wolves and people within the surrounding Rockies had been extirpated by 1927. Quick-forward virtually 60 years, and the native grey wolf (Canis lupus) inhabitants has made an astounding comeback.

Associated: Watch Nat Hab’s “The Huge Dangerous Wolf” and Meet the Movie’s Co-Producer—Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Bott

In the present day, we’ll check out the highest locations to see wolves in Yellowstone Nationwide Park and be taught why winter is the very best time to identify them and the way you may expertise this on a winter wolf safari with Pure Habitat Adventures.

Yellowstone’s Grey Wolves

Yellowstone is house to the grey wolf, recognizable by its giant head, lengthy legs and bushy fur that may be grey, mottled grey and even utterly black. Though wolves are associated to coyotes and home canines, up shut, it’s simple to inform {that a} wolf is far bigger and extra highly effective than your common household pet. Grey wolves can weigh as a lot as 165 kilos and may stand 2 to three ft tall at shoulder top.

As of 2025, wildlife biologists consider roughly 500 wolves inhabit the Better Yellowstone Ecosystem. About one out of each three wolves is collared, offering very important info to researchers concerning the packs’ areas and behaviors.

Greatest Locations to See Wolves in Yellowstone Nationwide Park

Wolf watchers in Yellowstone have essentially the most success sighting grey wolves within the Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, the Canyon Space and on Blacktail Plateau. Since 1995, wolves have flourished in these components, supported by a bountiful prey, together with elk and deer. While you’re touring to Yellowstone on a Nat Hab wolf journey, your information will clarify extra concerning the wolves’ present residing situations and the way they’ve restored steadiness to the pure ecosystem. There are fewer wolves residing within the park now than on the peak of their reintroduction; biologists consider this displays what number of wolves the park can naturally maintain now that the elk inhabitants has been introduced again into steadiness.

Throughout the park, the packs are fiercely defensive of their territories, which may vary from 30 to 2,500 sq. miles. Yellowstone wolf packs usually cowl territories of about 165 sq. miles, although the territories within the northern part of the park are about one-third the dimensions of these within the inside. Once more, that is largely depending on the provision of elk.

Lamar Valley

Typically thought-about the very best wolf-spotting location within the park, the Lamar Valley is in Yellowstone’s northeast nook. It additionally presents a good chance to see bison. Nat Hab journeys embody daybreak and nightfall outings into the valley, with the chance to make use of a recognizing scope onboard the expedition automobile to boost statement of the wolves’ actions from a distance with out disturbing them. Pack actions are unpredictable, and the wolves are usually shy within the presence of people, however Nat Hab Expedition Leaders are skilled trackers who can train you about wolf conduct and share info from scientists who conduct analysis on wolves within the area. Wolf watchers even have good luck at close by Slough Creek, simply east of Lamar Valley, and the valley of Little America.

Elk Creek

In Elk Creek, close to Tower Junction, you could spot the Wapiti Lake pack, identified for its lovely white alpha feminine (presently the oldest wolf within the park). The pack roams broadly, shifting round Hayden Valley in Yellowstone’s inside and shifting, within the winter, up onto the Northern Vary for higher looking alternatives. Search for them, too, from Hellroaring Overlook, just a few miles east of Tower Junction.

Blacktail Plateau

The 8 Miles pack lives right here on Blacktail Plateau, a wide-open stretch of land west of Lava Creek between Mammoth and Tower Junction. Take into account establishing your recognizing scope on the parking space for the Forces of the Northern Vary nature path, which is the best level on the Blacktail Plateau.

Hayden Valley

As winter turns to spring, the park’s inside roads begin to open, offering extra probabilities for wolf viewing in Hayden Valley. Grizzly Overlook is likely one of the most opportune spots to drag over and search for elusive grey wolves, significantly these of the Wapiti Lake pack.

When Is the Greatest Time to Spot Wolves within the Park?

Bundle up! Winter is the best time of yr to see wolves in Yellowstone, as you may extra simply spot their darkish coats in opposition to a snowy backdrop. They have a tendency to get a bit lazy in the course of the heat summer season months, due partly to these thick coats of fur. Scorching and sluggish, they have a tendency to remain within the shade all day, making them more durable to search out.

As soon as the snow falls, the wolves turn into extra lively, significantly throughout their breeding season from January to March. You’ll additionally hear them howl extra throughout this time, speaking their measurement and standing for breeding functions. While you do spot them, they’ll probably be looking the elk who dwell at decrease elevations. Whereas the park’s bears are hibernating, the wolves come out to play and prey.

Professional tip: Discover wolves by searching for elk, which make up about 90% of the wolves’ winter weight-reduction plan. Search for birds, too. Should you see scavenging birds circling a kill, there are possible wolves close by.

The most effective wolf-watching alternatives won’t solely require you to bundle up but additionally get up—early. Wolves are usually crepuscular, which suggests they’re most lively at daybreak and nightfall. Get out early and also you’ll catch them looking within the twilight.

© Eric Rock

Extra Yellowstone Winter Wildlife

Lest you suppose wolves get all of the glory throughout a Yellowstone winter, we guarantee you there’s far more to see. Winter safaris, like these with Nat Hab, throughout which we journey on specialty North American Safari Vehicles, put you inside simple viewing distance of bighorn sheep, coyote, bison, mule deer, moose, elk, and bald and golden eagles.

Exterior the park, you may glide on a horse-drawn sleigh by means of the close by Nationwide Elk Refuge, photographing the huge herd that winters right here. Within the Lamar Valley, particularly, you’ll discover plentiful bison, their shaggy coats encrusted with lots of of tiny icicles, and their breath steamy within the frosty air.

Able to wolf watch? Our Nat Hab wolf excursions in Yellowstone and the encompassing space offers you the chance to witness these majestic creatures for your self as they roam free in certainly one of America’s best parks, completely happy to be house once more.