9 June 2025

RFI: Glacier NP and Yellowstone North Entrance

Hi All,

I’m going to a conference in Bozeman, MT next month, and I’m planning to spend a week looking for wildlife afterwards. Just how crowded are Glacier NP and the north entrance of Yellowstone in July — will searching for wildlife feel like a zoo?  I’ve heard it’s bad, even at the east entrance of Glacier.  Besides getting up as early as possible, do you have any advice of locations (roads or trails) or strategies to avoid crowds? Are any sites outside the national parks OK for carnivores and ungulates?

Thanks,
Ben
www.tremarctos.com

 

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Ben S
Amateur wildlife photographer/enthusiast focusing on rainforest fauna. Based in Northern Virginia. www.tremarctos.com.
Post Views: 245

2 Comments

  • 9 June 2025
    Miles Foster

    Yes, Ben, it can feel like a zoo, at least as far as Yellowstone is concerned. Friends who live in Bozeman say, ‘Since Covid our National Parks are being loved to death’. That is very well put. They are very experienced wildlife-watchers (she works for Fish and Wildlife and he has written books about Yellowstone) and they say Glacier is much the same. You are quite right though – be in the park at dawn. If coming from the north entrance of Yellowstone head for Lamar Valley stopping en route at Slough Creek. You will find the Wolf-watchers are generally friendly once they know you are serious. But once the general run of tourists have had their breakfast things really start to heat up. Then around supper time it quietens down. Those are the best times to avoid the rout. The trails can be pretty busy too – choose the less popular ones. I am sure you will still have a great time! Miles.

    1
    • 20 June 2025
      Ben S

      Thanks for the advice, Miles! We opted for Glacier NP on this trip, on the hope that some of the areas on the eastern side of the park are less crowded.

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