A bison grazing nearby a geothermal mud pit in Yellowstone National Park Aaron Weiss
Are you planning a family safari in Wyoming? Here's a suggested three-day trek through Northwest Wyoming, where you can see everything from bison (for sure) and bears (maybe) to little critters playing near your picnic table.
Day 1: Get an early start in Cody with a visit to the Draper Museum of Natural History at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. This interactive, kid-friendly museum offers visitors a virtual walk through the Yellowstone ecosystem – great for knowing what to expect before you get to the park, which is 52 miles west of Cody via U.S. Highway 14/16/20.
The Storm Point Trail three miles east of Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park is a good spot to stretch little legs and possibly get your first glimpse of bison. Have a picnic on the rocky outcrops overlooking Yellowstone Lake, and watch for yellow-bellied marmots playing nearby. Walk beneath Fishing Bridge and
A bull elk lounging in the grasslands Aaron Weiss
look for animal and bird tracks in the sand. Remember to keep at least 300 feet away from large animals.
Check into your campground or park lodging (the Canyon and Lake areas are good central locations) and head to the Hayden Valley between Fishing Bridge and Canyon Village at twilight or sunrise for some of the West's best wildlife viewing. You'll definitely see bison and birds, and you may get a far-off glimpse of bears or wolves. If you have an extra day, explore the Lamar Valley in the park's northeast corner. It's another prime wildlife watching area.
Day 2: Head south to Grand Teton National Park via your choice of the Old Faithful area or – if time is short – the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Your destination is the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Young Naturalist Activity Guides are available here and can be completed and returned to any park visitor
It's not uncommon to see grizzly bears in the Wyoming outdoors Aaron Weiss
center. Ask about ranger-led activities, which are offered daily in summer.
Continue south, stopping at some of the numerous pullouts for Teton photo opportunities and glimpses of wildlife. The Moose-Wilson Road, a back road from the park to Jackson, can be an excellent place to see, yes, moose and the occasional bear – from the safety of your vehicle!
Jackson Hole has two great wildlife-related activities. In winter, sleigh rides are offered into the National Elk Refuge. Year-round, the National Museum of Wildlife Art has an inspiring collection of works by such masters as Ansel Adams, George Catlin and Charles M. Russell, along with a fun children's play area.
Day 3: Finish your Young Naturalist activities and claim your patch at any Grand Teton National Park visitor center. Depending on which way your travels take you next, you might enjoy a scenic or whitewater float on the Snake River (south) or a visit to the National Bighorn Sheep Center in Dubois (east), near where the nation's largest bighorn sheep herd lives.
No matter which way you travel in Wyoming, watch for pronghorn, North America's fastest land animals. They shouldn't be hard to find, since there are more pronghorn than people in Wyoming!
The chiseled profile of the Teton Range - there is no more dramatic panorama in Wyoming. Craggy and snowcapped, these battleship-gray mountains with their glacial spars harbor a realm of world-class mountain climbs as well as moderate hikes that invite you into the landscape. read more
Surrounded by fantastic, mountainous scenery, the park offers camping, picnicking, excellent trout fishing and is Wyoming’s premier wind surfing reservoir. read more
