Wolves: A Famous Part of Yellowstone’s Ecosystem
Visitors who get to see wolves in Yellowstone are fortunate to lay eyes on these social, yet elusive, predators.
Nearly three decades since their reintroduction, it’s difficult to imagine Yellowstone National Park without wolf packs.
The northern Rocky Mountain wolf was listed as an endangered species in 1973, and in the mid-1990s, biologists released 41 wild wolves in Yellowstone. As of 2021, authorities estimated the park was home to roughly 100 wolves living in eight distinct packs.
Gray wolves were federally delisted in 2020.
It certainly isn’t easy to get a glimpse of Yellowstone’s gray wolves, but if you know where to look — and have a little luck on your side — an opportunity to see wolves in Yellowstone can be an experience that defines your entire trip to America’s first national park.
If you want to see these wolves for yourself, here’s a list of the top five places to see wolves in Yellowstone.
Lamar Valley
It’s almost universally agreed upon that the Lamar Valley is the best place to see wolves in Yellowstone.
Here, you’ll find the Junction Butte pack. Because the Lamar Valley is wide open and a great place for bison, elk, and other wildlife, it’s one of the easiet places to spot Yellowstone wolves.
Especially if you’re a first-time Yellowstone visitor, it’s unlikely that you’ll be the first to spot a wolf. Your best bet is to drive slowly and look for groups of people with spotting scopes or cameras.
Usually, if you’re on your best behavior, you can inquire about what they’re looking at, and they’ll tell you whether they’ve managed to spot wolves.
Hayden Valley
The Yellowstone River runs through the Hayden Valley and, like the Lamar Valley, there’s often a variety of wildlife in this area that attract wolves.
The north end of the valley is where the Wapiti Lake Pack often makes their dens, so Hayden Valley is a prime place to cruise along at a moderate place and make sure everyone in your group keeps their eyes peeled for wolves or wolf enthusiasts along the roadside.
Hayden Valley is a common place for buffalo jams that slow traffic, so drive carefully and don’t be afraid to use the pullouts on the side of the highway.
Tower-Roosevelt
Because the territories of several different packs overlap in this area, Tower-Roosevelt is a great region to explore if you really want to see wolves in Yellowstone.
Based on the National Park Service’s 2021 Yellowstone pack territory map, you could see wolves belonging to the Wapiti Lake, Junction Butte, or Rescue Creek packs in this area.
Not far from Tower Junction is Elk Creek, which is a great place to look for Yellowstone wolves.
If you’re really invested, you can also checkout Hellroaring Overlook, just a little ways east of Tower Junction.
Blacktail Plateau
Members of the 8 Mile, Rescue Creek, Wapiti Lake, or Junction Butte packs might be visible on the Blacktail Deer Plateau in the park’s northern reaches.
You can access this area from the Grand Loop Road running between Mammoth and Tower.
The highest point on the plateau is the parking area for the Forces of the Northern Range trail, so this is a prime place to set up your camera or spotting scope and scan for wolves.
Canyon Village Region
Wolves do just about everything they can to avoid people, so a concerted effort to see wolves in Yellowstone will require you to get off the beaten path.
Because Canyon Village sits well within the territory of the Wapiti Lake pack, the surrounding area is a great place to get out of your vehicle and hit the trail, hoping to spot wolves.
You could check out the Washburn Hot Springs Overlook, Cascade Lake or Grebe Lake, or even make the trek to Observation Peak.
Of course, with an elusive species like the gray wolf, there are no givens when you’re tryint see wolves in Yellowstone. But the more explore, the more you increase your odds.
See Wolves in Yellowstone Safely
Always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from wolves, and never feed them.
Keep your dog leashed at all times while in wolf country, and in general, treat wolves with respect.
Before you visit Yellowstone, check out our helpful guide to being a responsible visitor.
