#VisitGardinerMT

Written by YW Lead Naturalist Matt D. It’s well known that Yellowstone is the world’s first and arguably, greatest national park. What’s less well known is that Gardiner, Montana, is the first and arguably greatest gateway town. Yellowstone has five entrances: North, Northeast, East, South, and West. Three of those entrances are in Montana, two…

Blog written by Parker Napolitano Peregrine Falcons are the fastest bird on Earth, full stop. Reaching diving speeds of more than 200 miles per hour while pursuing prey, this remarkable raptor has fascinated observers for thousands of years, and it’s still showing off today. A peregrine falcon in a “stoop”. Image courtesy of USFWS Evolution…

Trip Report by YW Photo Naturalist Kyle Moon One of the things I love most about Yellowstone is its unpredictability. Every day presents new opportunities, and spring is especially rewarding because nearly every species that calls the park home is active and available to photograph. Yellowstone Wild Spring 2026 Photo Workshop: Hours old bison calves…

There comes a time in every guide’s life when they look themselves in the mirror, strap their binocular harness to their chest, and ask themselves one question: am I ready to be a guide? As the saying goes, if you have to ask, you already know. The four new guides at Yellowstone Wild, supported by…

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…

Which Yellowstone Park Pass Should I Purchase? UPDATED 11/26/2025: New / Additional Fee Structure Starting January 1, 2026 As of late November 2025, the federal government — via the National Park Service (NPS) / U.S. Department of the Interior — announced fee changes for international (non-U.S.) visitors to several heavily visited national parks, including Yellowstone. What changes:…

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…