Planning a Trip

Hi all! I'm planning a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons most likely this coming fall. I'm hoping to do both mostly wildlife photography but hoping to work in a bit of landscape and I was wondering if I could get some advice as to the best time to go (I'm open to going in the spring as well, but I had heard the fall was better for wildlife) and where would be the best place(s) to stay and if it's worth hiring a guide.

Thanks in advance

Hali

Mid-Sept to early October can be great for wildlife and landscapes. Early to mid-May is also good for bears and wolves.
Hiring a guide would be a good thing to do for you since I would think, based on your location in Rhode Island, you don't get many chances to visitYellowstone. So when you do, you would be able to better maximize the time with a guide. Jess Lee (jessleephotos.com) and D. Robert Franz (franzfoto.com) are two of the best!
That said, if you have the time to study the many books on the park and frequent the photo forums, and research the net, you might do well on your own as well. A guide can be more up to date with wildlife activity on the week you visit, and some use NPS radios to monitor bear and wolf sightings.

Thanks Don! I appreciate the information. I'm pretty good at my pre-trip research but it's nothing like having someone who knows the area and it's inhabitants to get us where we wouldn't otherwise know to go, I thank you for the names since that's the hardest part - finding someone! Happy Holidays!

If you want to get in on the calving season come in the spring around Memorial Day. Lots of bison with calves between West Yellowstone and Madison Junction. Along Trout Creek in Hayden Valley you have your best chance at seeing Grizzlies, and on the slopes of Mount Washburn. Alot of Bison inherit the valley also and there's always bird life along the Yellowstone River. Lamar Valley is also great for wolves, elk and bison. Spring is a great time to shoot landscapes but most of your shooting would take place at sunrise because Yellowstone is a big cloud attracter in the afternoons causing alot of overcast. I think early summer is the best for landscapes when the water is still flowing heavy and the foliage is still green. Great Fountain Drive, Midway Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Geyser Basin are some of my favorite places. If you have some more specific questions, I can try to answer them.

BTW West Yellowstone at the West Entrance and Gardiner at the north entrance have plenty of motels and campgrounds to stay at. If you need a guide Tom Murphy is the best in the business. He is a pro photographer from Livingston, MT. I shoot on the weekends in the afternoon to evening. I may be able to help you out if I'm available. Other than that you can't go wrong by renting a car and just driving the roads. It's very easy to find your way around. Get the park map and study it and you got it made.

Thanks Dean, you've given me a lot to think about now I was almost set on a fall trip but now I'm waffling again . I guess I just wonder about the weather in the spring, is it much more unpredictable than in late September? I really appreciate the information and the advice, I'll be in touch with more questions I'm sure!

You are going to have more blue sky days in September and it's a great time to visit. The wildlife this fall weren't as active this year so I guess it depends on what you are going to shoot. Are you more of a wildlife photographer or landscape photographer? I've gotten beautiful shots in both the spring, summer, and fall, so I wouldn't get caught up to much on when to come. Do what works out for you best. You're going see wildlife regardless of what season it is. You'll definitely come away with something. Yellowstone is an unbelievable place.

Thanks Dean! I shoot both landscape and wildlife, although I prefer landscape but my husband pretty much only shoots wildlife so I am putting the emphasis on that for this trip. It sounds like any time is a good time although there is a better chance of good weather in the fall. I think it might come down to a toss of the coin and trying to decide where else we are going to go this year.

If you come in the fall make absolutely sure you make it to the Tetons. 3rd weekend of Sept. is the best.