Winter brings a magical landscape to Yellowstone Park and might be the best season of the year to find and observe wolves. Dramatic behaviors intensify with competition between packs for territory and within packs for mating opportunities. Among daily sightings, you might see frosted bison wandering, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep gathering on snowy ledges, large elk nibbling on leafless branches, and coyotes prowling in search of unsuspecting prey. But beware—winter participants must be prepared to endure freezing conditions!
Our premium activity with Yellowstone Wolf Tracker includes:
The trip will be hosted and guided by Luigi Morabito, owner of the LUPO Wolf Sanctuary.
Dates: March 23 to 28, 2025
Available spots: 12
Cost*: $3,000.00 US (American dollars)
Required deposit: $500.00 US per person (American dollars)
*The cost is per person for double occupancy. An additional $300.00 US (American dollars) is required for a single room, plus applicable taxes.
Discover the daily schedule:
Join us for an incredible experience with wolves and other wildlife in the wilds of Yellowstone!
Yellowstone Wolf Tracker (The Wild Side, LLC) is an authorized tour and transport provider (CUA 13-133) in Yellowstone National Park.
March 23, 2025
The trip to Bozeman, Montana, serviced by major airlines (BZN), is arranged independently. Check in at the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn in Bozeman starting at 3 PM (stay included in the package). The GranTree Inn offers complimentary shuttle service to/from the airport and for visiting downtown shops or the famous Museum of the Rockies. Dinner is on your own.
March 24, 2025
Have breakfast at the GranTree with a voucher for the visit, then after checking out, meet our staff at 11 AM in the lobby for transport to Yellowstone National Park. The journey is through the picturesque Paradise Valley, flanked by steep mountain peaks. A dinner stop is planned en route to the park. In Yellowstone, the group will visit the famous Roosevelt Arch as an official entry into the park and explore the area rich in winter wildlife, including pronghorn antelope, elk, and deer.
Check-in follows at the Absaroka Lodge in Gardiner, where the group will stay until the last night. From your room, the views of the Yellowstone River, rolling hills, and snow-capped mountains are stunning! The Absaroka Lodge has Wi-Fi, cable TV, and balconies in each room overlooking the Yellowstone River. Our evening meal will be prepared and served by a local chef. Dinner is accompanied by an orientation for the coming days.
March 25, 2025
An early morning departure gives us the best chances of observing active wildlife. Wolves will be our priority, but many animal species are seen along the way. We will search for wildlife in the park's northern area. We may observe bison, bears, badgers, and bald eagles.
The search areas include the Blacktail Plateau, Slough Creek Valley, and the famous wildlife haven, Lamar Valley, home to resident wolf packs. Our search will be in collaboration with rangers, scientists, and devoted wolf watchers in a mutual effort to find and observe wildlife. Lunch will be at Mammoth Hot Springs, followed by a walk through the terraced boardwalks to discover the incredible travertine hot springs, some of Yellowstone’s most beautiful thermal features. An evening presentation accompanies the gourmet dinner at the Track Education Center in Gardiner.
March 26, 2025
Our program will be similar to the previous day as the goal is to search for multiple wolf packs and observe various behaviors and activities (hunting, playing, moving, feeding, sleeping, etc.). This period corresponds to the beginning of the wolf mating season, so courtship behaviors may offer exceptional observation and learning opportunities. Lunch will again be in Gardiner, followed by an optional short hike. There will be an evening session after dinner at the center in Gardiner, featuring one of our special guest speakers, to be announced. Past speakers have included Dr. Douglas Smith, filmmaker Bob Landis, canine geneticist Dr. Dan Stahler, and other distinguished experts in wolf biology and behavior.
March 27, 2025
To maximize our chances of observing wolves, bears, and many other animal species, we will return to Lamar Valley. Lamar is one of the best areas in the park for wolves, bears, and large herds of bison and elk. The abundance of sightings gives this region its well-deserved nickname, the Serengeti of North America. Lunch will be with our good friends, Dan and Cindy Hartman, who live in Silver Gate, a small and charming mountain town outside the park's northeast entrance. They are exceptional naturalists who share their extensive knowledge of the region's wildlife. After an afternoon return drive through the park, a final celebration dinner follows.
March 28, 2025
After breakfast, we will head to Bozeman Airport for midday airline departures.
Notes: The best-laid plans are always subject to change based on weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and unforeseen circumstances. Please stay flexible to make the most of this experience. If you have any questions regarding the provisional itinerary, please do not hesitate to contact us!
General Conditions:
Cancellations
To reserve a package in the multi-day group program, a deposit per person is required in advance to secure a spot. The balance will be due before the program starts, typically 30 to 60 days in advance, depending on the specific program. A full refund minus a $45 processing fee will be granted for all cancellations made more than 45 days before the trip. For cancellations made less than 45 days before departure, the deposit is non-refundable. We accept personal or bank checks made payable to THE WILD SIDE, LLC, and sent to PO BOX 769, Gardiner MT 59030. You can also sign up here on the Yellowstone Wolf Guides web pages.
Health and Safety
The trip requires good physical condition and mobility. Visitors must be able to walk up to 1.5 km on uneven terrain. The trip is suitable for all ages. Children under 14 must receive prior approval. If you have health questions, consult your doctor for more information. Tour leaders must be informed in advance of any special healthcare needs. Weather conditions can change without notice, and it is the traveler's responsibility to have appropriate clothing and equipment. We will provide a list of recommended clothing and equipment for the trip.
Responsibilities and Conditions
We act solely as an agent in the fields of transportation and tour operation. We are not responsible for delays, inconveniences, accidents, expenses, or incidents of any kind resulting wholly or partly from the negligence of others or causes beyond our control. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in air or other services, illness, weather conditions, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses must be borne by the participant as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute accommodations or modes of transportation and make any necessary changes to the itinerary if deemed necessary or caused by changes in transportation schedules. We take no responsibility for special arrangements or problems incurred by persons physically unable to participate in the planned activities. No refund can be made for failure to join the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. We reserve the right to refuse, accept, or retain any person as a tour member for any reason affecting the tour's operation or the rights and well-being or enjoyment of other tour members. We do not discriminate against any individual because of race, gender, belief, or nationality.
Canceled Trips
We reserve the right to cancel any trip if conditions arise that are beyond our control and negatively affect the well-being of trip members. In such cases, a full refund of the trip cost is granted, but we are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by members in preparing for the trip, including flights and other travel costs.
