Yellowstone National Park Animals: Best Family Guide

If you’re planning a family trip to Yellowstone National Park, get ready for an unforgettable experience!

This remarkable park is a haven for wildlife lovers and offers a fantastic chance for your family to bond with nature while discovering the most iconic animals of North America in their natural habitat.

In this extensive “Yellowstone National Park Animals” guide, we’ll explore the incredible wildlife awaiting your family in Yellowstone, along with the best times and places to catch sight of these magnificent creatures.

And grab a copy of the free printable wildlife Bingo card for your family, too!

Yellowstone National Park Animals

Alright! Let’s meet the Yellowstone National Park animals that are a part of this favorite (and first!) US national park!

Bison: The True Symbol of Yellowstone

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round, best during spring and summer
Best Time of Day: Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: North Entrance, Lamar Valley

As you enter the park, you might be greeted by one of the most iconic mammals of the United States, the bison, also (somewhat incorrectly) called buffalo. These magnificent creatures roam freely throughout the park, and you can spot them all year round.

However, for the best sightings, head to Lamar Valley during the summer months when they gather in large herds for the rut, which lasts from about June-early September, the peak typically being in August.

During the rut, it’s almost uncommon to see a bison outside of Lamar Valley…perhaps just a stray male every once in a while.

Remember, they may look calm, but these are wild animals – so always keep a safe distance, especially if you have little ones with you. At least several people each and every year are gored, thrown, and sometimes even killed by Yellowstone bison. Do not tempt fate.

Mornings and late afternoons are great times for bison viewing.

Elk

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round, but best during the fall rut
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk
Best Places to Spot Them: Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower areas and at Old Faithful

Elk are a common sight in Yellowstone and are often spotted in the Tower and Mammoth areas and at Old Faithful.

Spring and early summer are ideal for seeing elk, as this is when they give birth to their calves, baby elk.

Remember to keep your distance from these large mammals and use binoculars or a zoom lens to get a closer look.

Dawn and dusk provide the best lighting for photography.

Black Bears and Grizzly Bears

Best Time to Spot Them: Spring through Fall
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk
Best Places to Spot Grizzly Bears: Lamar Valley, Swan Lake Flats, Gardiners Hole, Hayden Valley, and between Fishing Bridge and the East Entrance
Best Places to Spot Black Bears: Between Elk Creek and Tower Falls and between Mammoth Hot Springs and Indian Creek

Yellowstone is home to both black bears and grizzly bears, and while they are awe-inspiring, they should be observed from a safe distance.

Grizzly bears are most commonly seen in Lamar Valley, Swan Lake Flats, Gardiners Hole, Hayden Valley in West Yellowstone, and between Fishing Bridge and the East Entrance.

Black bears are usually seen in the northern portion of the park between Elk Creek and Tower Falls and between Mammoth Hot Springs and Indian Creek.

Spring through early fall is the optimal time to see them, with dawn and dusk being the best times for sightings.

Bears come out of hibernation in spring, making this a fantastic opportunity to witness their activities.

Mountain Lions

Best Time to Spot Them: Rarely seen, but possible year-round

Mountain lions are secretive and elusive creatures, making sightings quite rare.

They are often seen in the northern parts of the park, near Gardiner and Lamar Valley, but don’t count on it. These big cats tend to avoid human contact.

Bighorn Sheep

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round, but best during the fall rut
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Higher elevations near Gardiner/the North Entrance, Lamar Valley

Bighorn sheep are expert climbers and are often found in higher elevations in the northern parts of the park, near Gardiner (the North Entrance) as well as Mount Washburn.

The north entrance road washed out in 2022 due to historic flooding. It used to be that along this road, which snaked its way from Gardiner to Mammoth Hot Springs, you could often spot Bighorn Sheep on the Gardiner Canyon slopes.

Visit during the fall to witness the bighorn sheep rutting season, or mating season, when males compete for dominance. Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for spotting them.

Bald Eagles

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round, but most common in the winter
Best Time of Day: Early Morning
Best Places to Spot Them: Madison River, Hayden Valley, Fishing Bridge, and Yellowstone Lake

Bald eagles are a common sight in Yellowstone, and they’re often spotted near rivers and lakes. Look for dead trees! They love those.

While they are present year-round, they are particularly abundant in the winter when they congregate to feast on carrion, or carcasses.

Early mornings provide excellent opportunities for eagle watching.

Mule Deer

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk
Best Places to Spot Them: Madison River and near Blacktail

Mule deer are a common sight in the park, and you can spot them throughout the year. They are often seen along the Madison River, in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, and near Blacktail between Mammoth and Tower, so keep your eyes peeled during your visit.

Dawn and dusk are great times to observe their activities.

Trumpeter Swans

Best Time to Spot Them: Spring and early summer
Best Time of Day: Morning
Best Places to Spot Them: Swan Lake, Madison River, Yellowstone River

Yellowstone is home to a population of trumpeter swans, and you can see these elegant waterfowl during the spring and early summer.

Head to the park’s many lakes and rivers for the best sightings, especially in the morning. Ironically, one of the best spots to see them is called Swan Lake!

You can also spot them on Madison River and on the Yellowstone River below Fishing Bridge.

Coyotes

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk
Best Places to Spot Them: Open areas like Hayden Valley

Coyotes are adaptable animals often seen in open areas like Hayden Valley.

They’re active year-round, so you have a good chance of spotting them during your visit. Dawn and dusk are when they are most active.

River Otters

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round, but most active in spring and summer
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Madison River, Yellowstone River, and Yellowstone Lake

River otters are a playful bunch and are often seen near lakes and rivers, especially in the spring and summer.

Yellowstone River, Madison River, and Yellowstone Lake are great places to look for these aquatic acrobats. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best opportunities for otter sightings.

We’ve never been lucky enough to spot these guys in the wild. But if you have the same experience, don’t despair. There’s an awesome display at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone where you can see these fun creatures up close.

Gray Wolves

Best Time to Spot Them: Spring through Fall
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk
Best Place to Spot Them: Lamar Valley

Yellowstone is renowned for its wolf packs, and they’re a true testament to the park’s conservation efforts.

To see these elusive creatures, visit Lamar Valley, especially during the spring and early summer. The presence of wolves often attracts a crowd of wildlife enthusiasts hoping to witness their behavior.

Dawn and dusk are prime times for wolf watching.

Or, take a shortcut and go check out these guys up close at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. It’s a fabulous place that everyone in your family will love!

Peregrine Falcons

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Late Morning and Early Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Cliffs throughout the park

Peregrine falcons are incredibly fast and agile birds of prey. While they can be seen year-round, they are often spotted near cliffs and steep terrain, so look up when exploring the park.

Late mornings and early afternoons are ideal for falcon watching.

Cutthroat Trout

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Anytime
Best Place to Spot Them: Soda Butte Creek

Cutthroat trout are native to Yellowstone’s waters, and you can spot them year-round in the park’s lakes and rivers. Fly-fishing enthusiasts will find this a fantastic opportunity.

Also, if you plan to fish in or around the park, be aware of current regulations regarding non-native fish species. The park is in an epic battle against non-native fish in the park. If certain fish (like lake trout) are caught, they must be killed and cannot be released.

Mountain Goats

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Sepulcher Mountain

Mountain goats are often seen in the high-altitude areas of the park, particularly in the northern regions. Look for them on Sepulcher Mountain, outside Mammoth Hot Springs. Their impressive climbing abilities make them a fascinating sight to behold.

Mornings and late afternoons are when they are most active.

White-Tailed Jackrabbits

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Dusk
Best Places to Spot Them: Any grassy areas

White-tailed jackrabbits are common in Yellowstone and can be seen all over the park year-round.

These large hares are often found in grassy and open areas. Early mornings and dusk are when they are most active.

Bats

Best Time to Spot Them: Nighttime

Bats are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen during the day. If your family is camping in Yellowstone, keep an eye out for them while stargazing in the park.

Pika

Best Time to Spot Them: Spring through Fall
Best Time of Day: Morning
Best Places to Spot Them: High elevation near rock fall

Pikas are small, rabbit-like creatures that live in the high alpine regions of Yellowstone.

They are most active in the warmer months and can be spotted near rocky outcrops. Mornings are a great time for seeing these small mammals.

Yellow-Bellied Marmots

Best Time to Spot Them: Spring through Fall
Best Time of Day: Mid-Morning and Mid-Afternoon
Best Place to Spot Them: Sheepeater Cliffs

Yellow-bellied marmots are often seen near rocky outcrops and cliffs like Sheepeater Cliffs. They are most active during the warmer months, so spring through fall is the ideal time for sightings.

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are when they are most active.

Pronghorns

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Place to Spot Them: Higher elevations/slopes between Gardiner (north entrance) and Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley

Pronghorns are known for their incredible speed topping out just over 60mph, making them the fastest land animals in North America.

While they can be spotted year-round, spring is a great time to see them, especially in Lamar Valley.

Mornings and late afternoons offer the best chances to witness their lightning-fast sprints.

Bobcats

Best Time to Spot Them: Rarely seen
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk

Bobcats are elusive and rarely seen in the park. They are solitary animals and tend to avoid human contact.

If you’re lucky, you might spot one during dawn or dusk when they are most active.

Badgers

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Lamar and Hayden Valleys

Badgers are known for their digging prowess and are often seen in open areas. They are active year-round, so you have a good chance of spotting them during your visit.

Early mornings and late afternoons are when they are most active.

Martens, Red Foxes, Long-Tailed Weasels, Wolverines

Best Time to Spot Them: Rarely seen
Best Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk

These elusive predators are rarely seen in the park. They are known for their secretive nature and tend to avoid human contact.

If you’re patient and observant, you might catch a glimpse of them during dawn or dusk when they are most active.

Moose

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Late Afternoon
Best Places to Spot Them: Willow Park, Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, and Hayden Valley

Moose are impressive animals often seen near water…swamplike areas, lakes and rivers, especially in the northern regions of the park. They are active year-round, so you have a good chance of spotting them.

Early mornings and late afternoons provide excellent lighting for moose photography.

The big fires of 1988 burned a significant portion of their habitat. And an increasing elk population has meant more competition for some favorite food sources like willow.

So moose have been moving outside of the park, and it’s becoming more rare to see these animals inside Yellowstone. Nearby Grand Tetons NP is actually a better moose sighting park.

We were told by a park ranger on our trip to Yellowstone in 2023 that there are currently less than 100 moose known to be in the park boundaries. Although sites like this one from NPS still give 200 or less as the official figure.

Different sources I found regarding numbers of moose in Grand Tetons ranged from 400-800 (the 800 figure included those in Yellowstone).

Beavers

Best Time to Spot Them: Year-round
Best Time of Day: Early Morning and Dusk
Best Place to Spot Them: Beaver Pond Loop Trail

Beavers are remarkable builders and can be found near lakes and rivers throughout the year.

They are most active during early mornings and dusk, so plan your sightings accordingly.

Remember, while observing these incredible animals, safety and respect for wildlife are paramount. Keep a safe distance, use binoculars or a zoom lens for close-up views, and never feed or approach the animals.

The Yellowstone National Park animals are part of what makes the park so special, and by following these guidelines, you can ensure a safe and unforgettable experience for your family.

Don’t forget to print some copies of the Yellowstone wildlife bingo cards. And try one of these fabulous audio tours so you can learn while driving through the park! Enjoy your wildlife adventure in Yellowstone!