Posted by Mike Maples on December 13, 2006 at 10:28 AM
My wife and I are trying to start preliminary planning for a "photo safari" to Yellowstone next year. We are going to plan for a week at the park and another week for the travel to and from the destination. Our focus would be wildlife more than scenery but we would be shooting lots of both. This my be a "once in a lifetime" type thing or at least something we couldn't do very often so with that in mind...
When would you plan to go if you knew it would be your only opportunity? In other words, what is the best time of year to visit Yellowstone with nature photography as the primary reason for the visit? We will be driving and we have 4 wheel drive (Hummer H3) so a little to moderate snow is OK. Any info on a driving route (to/from central Tennessee) with other interesting stop-over locations along the way there and back home (different routes)? Also, what are the best places to stay with park access in mind?
All info and suggestions appreciated.
Posted by Grace Blair on December 13, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Mike, I would probably go in early May or September to avoid the summer crowds. Lots of birds in May, buffalo rut in August, however. I would travel through the Colorado National Grasslands area, especially if you go in May, then hit Rocky Mt. National Park then up to Yellowstone. Then I would go home via the Black Hills in SD. Try to get to the Custer Battlefield en route to the BlackHills. That should give you a year's worth of photograps to edit! I susually travel these routes in my motorhome, so don't have recommendations for places to stay.
Grace's suggestion is great. If it's wildlife you're after, September, after Labor Day is wonderful. The crowds are gone for the most part. Elk rut is in September. The weather is still relatively mild. We stayed for a night at the Lodge in the NW of Yellowstone not far from Gardner. Wildflife all around. Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Nat'l Park adjoin and Grand Tetons is not far from Jackson Hole, WY. It's a glitzy town, but fun, lots of places to stay and more wildlife not so far from town. Good scenics, too. Once in a lifetime trip? You need at least a month! Really, if you can, there's so much to see. Hope you get lots more tips. Happy trails.
There is a photographer's guide to Yellowstone/Tetons that I'd highly recommend.
BUT, if you want to be assured of spectacular photos from something other than the same old tourist places, I'd go on a photo safari with a professional. They are not inexpensive, but worth every second. These guys know the best spots, and get you there in the good light. If it's truly "once in a lifetime", you don't want to be driving all over fairly randomly, looking for a good place. Then, if you happen to be able to get back there again, you'll have a great idea of an itinerary.
Check out the "Workshops and expeditions" forum here for the guys who lead these wonderful workshops - where you will also be improving your technique as well as meeting other dedicated photographers. Sandy R
Posted by William Brozy on December 13, 2006 at 4:17 PM
Mike - I lived in Jackson and in Grand Teton NP for a couple years and would be happy to assist. I'll email you by tomorrow with a bunch of info. I suggest travel fast and stay longer.
We went for a week in February 2006 on a photo tour with Jess Lee, and it was an incredible experience. We stayed in Gardiner, right outside the entrance to the park on the only road open in the winter. Got some good wolf shots (see my article in Winter 2006 Nature Photographer). Lots of other wildlife along the road, plus Jess got us into some unique opportunities to shoot some birds close-up. There was also one day on a snow coach to get through a lot of the park that is otherwise inaccessible in winter. Lots of incredible scenery, lots of incredible wildlife!
We'll undoubtedly go back again for a spring trip for calves and cubs, and would definitely go again with Jess.
You should visit Jess' web site at www.jessleephotos.com to check out his photo tours at different times of the year, along with some images from recent trips.
Charlie
Posted by Kent Staubus on December 13, 2006 at 8:10 PM
Go in mid September. Take time to see some of the great waterfalls such as Tower. Take time to see the thermal features--no other place you can do that. Stay at Old Faithful Lodge at least a couple of nights if not all. Wildlife is everywhere, you can catch it as you go to the more interesting locations such as geysors.
Kent in SD
Posted by Doug Andrews on December 13, 2006 at 9:54 PM
If you want to concentrate on wildlife photography then the best time to go is the last week of May to first week of June. Here's why. By that time all roads will almost certainly be open including Dunraven Pass. Elk and Bison calves will have dropped or be dropping and all the large predators (wolves & bears) will be eager to hunt after the long winter. Plus, bear cubs and wolf pups will be out as well. This time period is still before the summer vacation crowds appear. September is nice for the Elk rut, but the Bison rut will be over by then (they rut in August) and the wolves and bears are typically still in the higher country. In other words I have better luck seeing a variety of critters in late May/early June than in September.
Others have given good suggestions of what to see along the way. I typically stay in either West Yellowstone or Gardiner (gateway towns) as they are cheaper lodging.
The last two weeks in May and the first two in June will give you more wildlife opportunities than any other time of the year. More species and more sightings. Mainly because of the calves/fawns being born and the high country still having snow ((provided we get some). The middle two weeks in September are good, but that's mainlly the elk rut. Your chances for bears and wolves aren't as good as in the spring. You can get lucky any time, but your odds are better in the spring. Don't go in the summer. Winter is interesting and unique, but the photography can be real inconsistent. I wouldn't go in the winter unless you do the snow coach thing for most of your time there. I did a book on Yellowstone (Incredible Vsion, Riverbend Publishing, Helena) that will give you some natural history background and photography ideas if you're interested. I'm always down there, so contact me before you go and I'll try and let you know what's going on.
Posted by Jess Lee on December 16, 2006 at 9:53 PM
Mike,
As you see, you have several peak periods. Winter would be tough just from the stand point of possible lost time do to driving.
Late May early June is good for baby animals but it is early for many other thing along the way.
I generally suggest the very middle to the last half of june for a couple of reasons.
One is that any "one chance trip" should include the Tetons just to the south of Yellowstone. The flowers in the Tetons are really getting started during the latter part of June and there are usually moose calve to be seen there then. Also while there are bison calves around the end of may the elk calves are generally not as visible then as they will be in a couple of week from then. Also Mid june should bring better chances for greening up and flowers along the way if you choose to stop Rocky Mountain for the high alpine views and the goats of Mtn evans..
Good Luck
Discussion
9 repliesWhen would you plan to go if you knew it would be your only opportunity? In other words, what is the best time of year to visit Yellowstone with nature photography as the primary reason for the visit? We will be driving and we have 4 wheel drive (Hummer H3) so a little to moderate snow is OK. Any info on a driving route (to/from central Tennessee) with other interesting stop-over locations along the way there and back home (different routes)? Also, what are the best places to stay with park access in mind?
All info and suggestions appreciated.
BUT, if you want to be assured of spectacular photos from something other than the same old tourist places, I'd go on a photo safari with a professional. They are not inexpensive, but worth every second. These guys know the best spots, and get you there in the good light. If it's truly "once in a lifetime", you don't want to be driving all over fairly randomly, looking for a good place. Then, if you happen to be able to get back there again, you'll have a great idea of an itinerary.
Check out the "Workshops and expeditions" forum here for the guys who lead these wonderful workshops - where you will also be improving your technique as well as meeting other dedicated photographers. Sandy R
We went for a week in February 2006 on a photo tour with Jess Lee, and it was an incredible experience. We stayed in Gardiner, right outside the entrance to the park on the only road open in the winter. Got some good wolf shots (see my article in Winter 2006 Nature Photographer). Lots of other wildlife along the road, plus Jess got us into some unique opportunities to shoot some birds close-up. There was also one day on a snow coach to get through a lot of the park that is otherwise inaccessible in winter. Lots of incredible scenery, lots of incredible wildlife!
We'll undoubtedly go back again for a spring trip for calves and cubs, and would definitely go again with Jess.
You should visit Jess' web site at www.jessleephotos.com to check out his photo tours at different times of the year, along with some images from recent trips.
Charlie
Kent in SD
Others have given good suggestions of what to see along the way. I typically stay in either West Yellowstone or Gardiner (gateway towns) as they are cheaper lodging.
The last two weeks in May and the first two in June will give you more wildlife opportunities than any other time of the year. More species and more sightings. Mainly because of the calves/fawns being born and the high country still having snow ((provided we get some). The middle two weeks in September are good, but that's mainlly the elk rut. Your chances for bears and wolves aren't as good as in the spring. You can get lucky any time, but your odds are better in the spring. Don't go in the summer. Winter is interesting and unique, but the photography can be real inconsistent. I wouldn't go in the winter unless you do the snow coach thing for most of your time there. I did a book on Yellowstone (Incredible Vsion, Riverbend Publishing, Helena) that will give you some natural history background and photography ideas if you're interested. I'm always down there, so contact me before you go and I'll try and let you know what's going on.
As you see, you have several peak periods. Winter would be tough just from the stand point of possible lost time do to driving.
Late May early June is good for baby animals but it is early for many other thing along the way.
I generally suggest the very middle to the last half of june for a couple of reasons.
One is that any "one chance trip" should include the Tetons just to the south of Yellowstone. The flowers in the Tetons are really getting started during the latter part of June and there are usually moose calve to be seen there then. Also while there are bison calves around the end of may the elk calves are generally not as visible then as they will be in a couple of week from then. Also Mid june should bring better chances for greening up and flowers along the way if you choose to stop Rocky Mountain for the high alpine views and the goats of Mtn evans..
Good Luck