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Overview
The coldest days of winter are almost behind us. Bison and elk are feeling the cumulative effect of winter's grip. 30 below still happens, but is not as common as mid-January.
Wolves are the most visible in the Tetons during February. We see them almost every day on the Elk Refuge while they are found in select places in and around Grand Teton. Early mating activity is just beginning in both the Tetons and Yellowstone.
The Elk Refuge is as full as it will be all year. The bulls still have their antlers. The bighorn sheep are well past their rut, but the big rams continue to laze about in their bachelor groups.
Mountain Lions are most visible in February in our experience.
With the accumulated snow this time of year is the most wintry.
We only take 6 guests in two SUVs on this all-inclusive private adventure. Everyone gets a window and door that opens. You get a guide to guest ratio of no more than 3:1, ensuring that you have a fantastic time.
If you are a photographer we will give you as much or as little instruction as you want.
Note that this tour starts in Jackson and ends in Bozeman.
Grand Teton National Park
On our Grand Teton winter tour, earlier in the season finds moose everywhere, elk migrating south, bison still grazing, grizzly bears occasionally still about, swans heading for lower elevations and otters feeding on a late season trout run.
Landscape and wildlife viewing and photography abound. Much of the park is still open ensuring you have access to and incredible experience.
National Elk Refuge
Adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge was created in 1913 to feed elk whose migration route was blocked by the growing town of Jackson. At some 26,000 acres up to 7000 elk make their home here every winter. Miller Butte hosts a migratory bighorn sheep population and is also home to badgers, coyotes, elk, wolves, golden eagles and mountain lions.
West Yellowstone
On our way to Yellowstone from the Tetons we will stop in to the Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center to visit the grizzly bears, wolves and otters. You have to meet Bo.
Yellowstone National Park
Our oldest national park, Yellowstone was created in 1872. At 3471 square miles one can never see it all.
The one open road takes us across the Northern Range where we will find wolves, bison, elk, moose, golden eagles, coyotes and foxes.
We'll talk about the human and natural history of the place we call “Wonderland.” At 50 or so miles across the Northern Range we take several days to ensure we see everything Yellowstone has to offer.
Details
We start in Jackson and end in Bozeman.
Winter in Yellowstone can be pretty sharp. Bring the warmest clothes you own, have waterproof and insulated boots. Leave any clothing made of cotton at home.
We will discuss clothing options in detail at your prompting and might change advice depending on the weather forecast.
Our rooms in Gardiner have full kitchens. We generally buy groceries at the local market and allow guests to prepare their own breakfast. We bring lunch with us to maximize time in the field.
The dining options are limited in winter so we usually buy groceries and either prepare a family style meal or allow guests to cook on their own.
We can accommodate almost any special dietary requirements with advance notice.
There will be some light walking and you may spend some time standing in the February weather, but the vehicles are never far.
itinerary
February 4
Pickup at Jackson Airport. Grab lunch and spend afternoon looking for wolves and moose. Dinner in Jackson. Lodging at Elk Country Inn.
February 5
Spend the day looking for moose, elk, bighorn sheep and wolves. Breakfast in the field. Lunch in Jackson. Dinner in Jackson. Lodging at Elk Country Inn.
February 6
Head north looking for bison, wolves, coyotes, foxes and otters on remaining open water. Breakfast and lunch in the field. Dinner in Jackson. Lodging at Elk Country Inn.
February 7
Spend morning revisiting any favored locations. Breakfast in the field. Lunch in Jackson. Head over Teton Pass in the afternoon for a bit of owling. Dinner in Victor. Lodging at Cobblestone Inn.
February 8
Head north to Yellowstone stopping at the Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Continue to the northern entrance of Yellowstone, stopping for elk and pronghorn along the way. Check in to Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Local wildlife drive and then stock up on supplies for days ahead.
February 9
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone's Northern Range. We will have plans but go to where the wildlife is. Lunch in the field. Dinner in Gardiner. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn.
February 10
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone's Northern Range. We will have plans but go to where the wildlife is. Lunch in the field. Dinner in Gardiner. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn.
February 11
Private snowcoach in to Yellowstone's interior conditions permitting. Lunch in the field. Dinner in Gardiner. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn.
February 12
Wildlife viewing and photography along Yellowstone's Northern Range. We will have plans but go to where the wildlife is. Lunch in the field. Dinner in Gardiner. Lodging at Yellowstone Gateway Inn.
February 13
Check out of Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Morning wildlife viewing along Northern Range. Revisit any last spots. Head to Bozeman in afternoon. Lunch in the field. Stay at Belgrade Holiday Inn and Suites. Farewell dinner.
February 14
Transport to Bozeman airport for flight home.
Price
Key Areas Visited
- Yellowstone National Park
Group Size
Included
- All meals from lunch on February 4 – breakfast on February 14
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, drinking water
- 10 nights lodging
- Parks passes
- Transportation
- Photography instruction
- The use of binoculars, spotting scopes
- Private snowcoach
Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Souvenirs
- Flights
vehicles
