Yellowstone in May

I am planning a trip when the park south entrance opens during the second Friday in May. I have heard that the bears are out in the south end of the park. Has anyone had any experience with photo opportunities of Bears in early May? Where are the best locations? What about Bison and other wildlife during this time. Where do you stay, in the park or in Jackson. This will be my first trip there. I appreciate your recommendation and guidance.

Thanks,

Tim

Oh yeah, I've seen bears in May. Right from the road. It's really a matter of luck, and I wouldn't know exactly where to send you. But Lamar Valley is a GREAT idea. Bring a really long telephoto, if not a spotting scope. I've also seen bears in Midway Geyser Basin - especially near the Fairy Falls trailhead area. In fact, I watched a pack of dumb tourists shadow a grizzly along this trail. I couldn't believe it. You'll see warning signs and NPS roadblocks in the bear hot spots. Hang around these areas, and you're chances of seeing a bear are good. Morning and evening.

You'll see plenty of wildlife everywhere in May - bison, elk, coyote, etc. No worries there. Again, Lamar Valley is probably your best bet.

But I've only been around the area for a year. Some of the long-time visitors and pros may have better advice. I have no experience with lodging. I have stayed in Gardiner a few times, which makes a nice basecamp during the off-season.

Try the Fishing Bridge area for Bears and Lamar Valley for a varity of wildlife. When I was there two years ago there was pack of wolves even. It was great!

Excellent, Sounds like there will be plenty of action to see and you both provided areas to go view and what to look out for.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay? Looks like Jackson Hole is 50 miles away. Anything closer in between those two?

Tim

I highly recommend staying in the park. There are a number of options and it makes activities a lot more accessible. I would recommend the Mammoth Cabins for easy access to the Lamar Valley area (there is lodging in the Roosevelt area that is closer, but was not open in late May when I was in Yellowstone last). If you are up for camping, the Slough Creek area is another place close to Lamar Valley. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is nice and gives excellent access to the geyser basins and some possible bear sightings. It is also less crowded than the Old Faithful area. I would caution against the Canyon cabins - complete dumps as of two years ago. The Yellowstone Association offers affordable lodging in cabins to participants in their courses, so you should check that option out if you are interested in that kind of thing. Their location offers the best lodging access to the Lamar Valley (except for camping and backpacking).

We saw a number of bears (including a grizzly and two cubs) on the Obsidian Cliff area and around the Roosevelt area. As everyone else has said, the Lamar Valley is spectacular for wildlife sightings and beautiful scenery (river, flats, rolling hills, mountains - stunning).

If you want to stay in the park, make your reservations ASAP (like tomorrow).

Several grizzlies have been sighted in the Roosevelt area in the last week or so including this one taken last week by me!
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I have my reservations at Mammoth Hotel/Cabins. The Roosevelt was not available to reserve. I did find this URL http://www.alandsuejohnson.com/ynp_itineraries_roosevelt_top.htm that has examples of itineraries to follow or at least guide to areas to look for. Has anyone used these in the past? How accurate are they? Would you recommend anything different?

How far away were you from the Grizzle?

Tim