#VisitGardinerMT

Blog & photos by Evan Watts On a cool morning, an eerie noise, sounding almost prehistoric, echoes through the crisp mountain air. An elk bugle… the first heard in nearly a year. The aspens, willows, and cottonwoods, all of which are full of vibrant green leaves, begin to yellow. Where a month ago, it was…

Blog by YW Lead Naturalist Laura L. Featured image courtesy of Rob Harwood. We are all Earthlings, fellow passengers on a living planet spinning through the vastness of space. The Earth remembers its story in stone. Rocks hold the record of upheaval and renewal, of oceans that came and went, of creatures long gone…

For most visitors to Yellowstone National Park, spotting an owl is a rare and unforgettable experience. These elusive birds, cloaked in secrecy and stealth, are masters of camouflage and often go unnoticed by the casual observer. Their primarily nocturnal habits, keen senses, and shy disposition only add to their allure. While many people hope to…

By YW Naturalist Laura L. Old Faithful is not the tallest geyser in the world. It’s not the most frequent. It may not even be the most exciting. And yet, it’s undeniably the most famous. Why? The answer can be found in a combination of factors working in sync to create its signature “faithfulness”. For…

There is a reason that winter is the time of year that draws more photographers to Yellowstone than any other. Winter is a time of extremes, when the landscape is covered in a calming blanket of white and all of the wildlife is pushed to the limits of survival. Winter is drama, and trying to…

To learn the story behind the photos, check out Evan’s full trip report HERE!  All photos and text courtesy of Yellowstone Wild Photo Naturalist Evan Watts. Due to high demand, Evan is offering 2 workshops in winter 2026.  There are still a few spots left!  Learn more and book your spot HERE. To learn more…

“That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River,… is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the…

TRIP REPORT: 6-Day Winter Wolf Watching Package Feb 2-7, 2025 Our adventure together began and ended with some epic winter weather.  After picking up the group from the hotel in Bozeman and maneuvering the van through semi-plowed streets, we began our journey—driving with minimal visibility— south towards Yellowstone National Park. Our hopes were high;…

TRIP REPORT: Wolves & Winter Wonders January 2025 Day 1: The guests arrived in Bozeman, where they had what I can only imagine was an exciting and memorable evening. I didn’t know this absolutely as I didn’t join the adventure until Day 2, but Bozeman is a great town, and the guests were about…

If you are visiting Yellowstone during its most beautiful and harrowing season, simply look to the “experts” for inspiration. The park’s wildlife are naturally equipped for frigid weather in many ways, including growing thick underlayers of fur or insulating downy feathers and packing on layers of fat during times of feast. While we may not…