Meet the Locals: 10 Yellowstone National Park Animals You Might See

Yellowstone National Park draws visitors from all over the world, with some people coming specifically for the wildlife. And we don't blame them: from bison, to grizzlies, to gray wolves, Yellowstone National Park's animals are pretty dang cool.

The park is also home to nearly 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, five species of amphibians, six species of reptiles, and 67 species of mammals — including seven native ungulate (mammals with hooves, like elk) species and two bear species. Yellowstone is a truly magical place to see wildlife you might not see anywhere else! And fortunately, getting to Yellowstone from Bozeman is pretty easy.

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When you visit Yellowstone, just remember that the park is their home — not yours. For your safety, federal regulations require you to stay at least 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 meters) from all other wildlife. Bring binoculars and scopes for a closer look — and if you don't own them, you can rent gear at Rental Optics near the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.

Pro tip: Pull over when you see a crowd of people — that usually means they've spotted an exciting animal, and will often let passerby look through their scopes.

Here some of our favorite Yellowstone National Park animals to keep your eye out for!

Bison, Wolves, and Bears, Oh My: 10 Yellowstone National Park Animals You Might See

Bison

Bison are arguably the most iconic of the Yellowstone National Park animals — they may as well be the park’s mascot! You're almost guaranteed to see them no matter when you visit the park, and will probably experience a bison "traffic jam", when a group of them block the road. As the only place in the U.S. where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times, it makes sense that they're so prevalent in Yellowstone — over 4,500 bison call the park home.

Even though these "fluffy cows" may look adorable, they're not an animal you'd want to mess with! They can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and be as tall as 6 feet, and have been known to charge visitors who get too close.

While people often use the terms “bison” and “buffalo” interchangeably, the scientific name in North America is bison (Bison bison, to be exact). You’ll often see them roaming slowly in herds in grassy areas (they eat grass, so it makes sense). You'll probably spot some baby calves in the spring, affectionately nicknamed "red dogs" for the reddish color of their coats.

Grizzly Bears

Researchers estimate over 900 grizzly bears live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, making it one of the few areas south of Canada with large grizzly bear populations.

Grizzlies can weigh up to 700 pounds and gain around 3 pounds per day in the fall, when they're eating as much as possible (called hyperphagia) to prepare for winter hibernation. They emerge in the spring, and you'll most likely spot them in Hayden and Lamar Valley at dawn and dusk until the winter. In the spring, you might see a mom walking with cubs.

Not sure if you're seeing a grizzly or black bear? Look for the grizzly's signature shoulder hump (a mass of muscle that helps with digging), short and round ears, and noticeably large size.

Black Bears

Black bears are the most common bear species in North America. They frequently climb trees, and like grizzlies, enter a period of hyperphagia, when they eat extreme amounts of food before hibernation.

Black bears differ from grizzlies with a smaller stature (weighing up to 300 pounds), pointier ears, and a longer snout. Contrary to their name, black bears aren't always black — they can be brown, blond, and cinnamon too.

Gray Wolves

Gray wolves have made an incredible comeback in the last 20 years after they were eradicated from the area in the early 1900s. In the 1990s, 41 wolves were released into the Yellowstone area. As of January 2024, there are at least 110 wolves in the park observed in 9 packs.

Gray wolves are highly social animals and travel in packs, cooperating to raise their young and hunt large prey such as elk, deer and bison. The largest of the dog family, gray wolves are known for their distinctive howl and other communications that include barking and growling. They can be found in many areas of the park, especially at dawn and dusk. Wolves are more active in winter, making that an ideal time for wolf watching in Yellowstone.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are marked by their impressive, curled horns. But their horns are more than fashionable crowns — they’re a symbol of rank, with larger horns commanding more authority. Male horns can weigh as much as 40 pounds (now that’s a strong neck).

They travel in herds and like to hang out near foothills and rocky bluffs, often blending in with their surroundings. Their split hooves allow them amazing balance, so they can scramble easily on rugged mountain terrain. They’re known to engage in head-to-head combat to show who’s boss, which is why their horns are so important. 

Bobcats

These beautiful cats are elusive and rarely seen, so consider yourself lucky if you happen to spot a bobcat in the park! Look for their signature short tails and ear tufts.

Like most cats, they’re incredibly agile, hunting a variety of rodents and birds, and even take down deer and pronghorn from time to time. Bobcats are generally solitary and oversee their own territories. They’re so cool, Montana State University in Bozeman decided to elect them their mascot!

Elk

As the most common large mammal in Yellowstone National Park, you can almost certainly expect to see herds of elk wandering around the park in the summer. In the winter, they'll usually move to lower elevations outside of Yellowstone. Sometimes you'll spot them snacking on grass in the small town of Gardiner, where the North Entrance is located.

About 10,000–20,000 elk make up six to seven herds that summer in Yellowstone National Park. In September and October, the Mammoth area is a popular spot to see the elk rut — aka mating season. You'll hear the males, or bulls, bugling, trying to get attention from the female cows. It's truly a unique experience!

You'll see antlers on bulls, which begin growing in the spring and typically fall off in March or April of the next year. Remember it's illegal to take sheds — antlers that drop off the males — in the park, but they're really cool to see!

Moose

There aren't as many moose in Yellowstone as other animals — there's less than 200 — which makes it extra exciting when you spot one. You'll most likely to see them in marshy areas during the summer months since aquatic plants make up a large part of their diet. In the winter, they often move to lower elevations outside of the park, or to higher elevations where subalpine fir and Douglas fir grow.

Moose are the largest animals in the deer family in the park — bull moose (males) weigh up to 1,000 pounds, while cow moose (females) weigh up to 900 pounds. While they may seem unassuming, they can be dangerous, especially cows with calves.

Similar to elk, bulls typically lose their antlers in December and January, and begin growing them again in April and May. It's also illegal to take discarded antlers from the park.

Bald Eagles

What better place to see Bald Eagles than in Yellowstone, the United State's first national park? You'll usually spot them near water since fish and waterfowl make up a large part of their diet.

Like most birds of prey, females are bigger than males. Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs, which usually hatch after just after a month. Young can fly after 10 to 14 weeks, and are light gray when born, then streaky brown until about four to five years old.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn are smaller ungulates you'll see around Lamar Valley and near the North Entrance in summer, and between the North Entrance and Reese Creek in the winter. You'll see them hanging out in herds in grassland areas, where they're usually resting, eating, or running from a perceived threat.

Both males and females have horns, but the male's are much larger. The female's are quite small, and oftentimes just a small bump on their head.

When they sense danger, they'll flare their white rump patches to the others in the group, which tells them to run away. Fortunately, they're well-equipped for this: they can easily sprint 45–50 mph, making it easy for them to get out of harm's way quickly.

Ready to look for Yellowstone National Park animals? Check out our blog on planning the perfect day trip to Yellowstone from Bozeman. 

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