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About Our Company
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Yellowstone's Lamar Valley in Winter
Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Upcoming Departures
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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]
Single Supplement: +$700.00
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Deposit: $1,500.00
Start/End
Bozeman, MT / Bozeman, MT
Length
5 Days / 4 Nights
Fitness Level
Level 1 - What's This?
Group Size
Up To 7 Guests
Highlights
Explore the peaceful snow-covered landscapes of Yellowstone's Lamar Valley in winter where the frozen hills and valleys provide stunning backdrops to every photograph.
Capture stunning images of the iconic and charismatic wildlife species that thrive in this frigid winter wonderland. From the rugged bison trudging through deep snow to the elusive wolf pack roaming the land in search of their next meal to the powerful elk with its piercing bugle traveling across the land there is an abundance of life in the Lamar Valley.
Experience the best wildlife locations in the park without the crowds in the winter.
Enjoy the comfort and warmth of a cozy lodge located in the quaint mountain town of Cook City, Montana, where you can relax by the fire, review your photography with fellow adventurers, and revel in the magic of Yellowstone's winter wonderland.
If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Coordinators are available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:
As winter sweeps across the expansive landscape of Yellowstone National Park, an enchanting transformation unfolds. Backcountry Journeys invites you to join us on a remarkable expedition into the beating heart of this frozen wonderland: Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. This specially curated workshop offers photographers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the ethereal beauty of winter in one of Yellowstone’s most iconic locations.
Witness foxes as they gracefully bound through the snow, chasing hidden prey. Majestic elk traverse the wintry landscape, their presence a testament to nature's resilience. Bison, with their colossal heads, shovel aside snow to uncover nourishing grass beneath, creating an almost surreal sight. Wolves, ever elusive, frolic against the backdrop of pristine white snowfields, offering captivating opportunities for wildlife photography.
Exclusive Access and Expertise
Our journey takes you beyond the ordinary, thanks to our extensive local knowledge. With over 15 years of experience exploring and photographing Yellowstone, our guides are adept at positioning you in the right place at the right time, ensuring unparalleled experiences and photographic opportunities.
Comfort and Camaraderie
After exhilarating days in the field, retreat to our warm, rustic lodge in remote Cooke City, Montana where the crackling fire and the camaraderie of fellow adventurers await. Review your photographic treasures, share stories, and bask in the warmth of both the fire and the memories you're creating.
Wildlife! Pure & Simple
This trip is about wildlife photography. We’ll use extensive local expertise to hopefully locate & photograph the wolves of Lamar Valley in addition to the other denizens of this North Eastern Corner of the park. Early winter is a fantastic (and least crowded) time to photograph wildlife – Moose, Elk & Bison abound in the lower valley thus creating ample opportunities for predators. Your experienced trip leader will be constantly on the lookout to have a “three dog day” in which we can photograph all three species of Yellowstone’s canine’s (wolf, fox, and coyote) in a single day! Canada Lynx & Bobcat are a possibility as well but far more difficult to locate.
Join us in Lamar Valley this winter for a truly unique & remarkable experience!
What's Included
All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
All transportation during the workshop
All lodging during the workshop
All permits and park fees
Professional photography guiding and instruction
Gratuity for service staff
What's Not Included
Transportation to and from Bozeman, Montana
Meals not listed as included on the itinerary
Lodging outside workshop dates
Alcoholic beverages
Souvenirs and personal items
Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities
Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.
Trip Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 1 (Travel Day) (D)
Plan to arrive in Bozeman, Montana today for an orientation and welcome dinner.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
We will depart Bozeman early this morning and head straight for Yellowstone’s northern entrance in Gardiner, Montana. Our first day will include photographing wildlife in the northern regions of the park and throughout Lamar Valley. We will be out early this morning in search of Elk, Bison, Moose, Bighorn sheep and possibly Lamar Valley’s wolves. We will spend the day searching for wildlife in some of the absolute best and lesser known hotspots. Wildlife chances are fantastic in Lamar Valley . After a full day of shooting in the field we will retire to our cozy lodge in Cooke City, Montana.
Days 3-4 (B,L,D)
Over the next two days we will head out early again making the most out of the shorter days during winter in Montana. We will spend these days exploring the absolute best locations throughout the northern parts of the park and especially the Lamar Valley. We will travel through this winter wonderland searching for Yellowstone's iconic wildlife species. After an evening shoot we will return to our cozy lodge in Cooke City, Montana where we can relax by the fire, review images, and do some post processing.
Day 5 (B,L)
This morning we will have one more session of wildlife photography before departing for Bozeman. Chances of spotting Bison, Moose and Elk are fantastic in Yellowstone’s Northern Range. We will be back in Bozeman by 1pm that afternoon.
Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys?
UNPARALELLED
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
PHOTOGRAPHY
TRIPS
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Explore over 100 worldwide photo tours and workshops tailored to photographers of all skill levels, from iconic U.S. National Parks to Africa's untamed savannahs.
THE BEST TEAM
IN THE
BUSINESS
IN THE
BUSINESS
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We're proud to offer unmatched photography trips led by exceptional instructors who not only excel in photography but also serve as expert guides.
WORLD-CLASS
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMMUNITY
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Join the Backcountry Journeys Tribe, where shared adventures in breathtaking locations foster lasting connections with fellow photographers in a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
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Verified Guest
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
Worry Free Travel Guarantee!
HERE’S THE DEAL
We offer one of the most rock solid guarantees in the travel industry - our worry free travel, peace of mind guarantee to you!We’re so confident that the Photography Trips we offer will not only meet but exceed the lofty expectations set forth on our website – if your trip experience does not 100% match the promises laid forth on our website we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip.
Natural events such as wildlife & weather are certainly out of our control but every aspect of the trip including logistics, accommodations, vehicles, itinerary & your expert trip leaders will match the lofty promises we’ve made on the site – we guarantee it!
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025