Spring at Yellowstone, A Special Time and Place

Spring is a special time at Yellowstone National Park. It is a time of rebirth as what has been dormant throughout winter becomes alive again.

In March Grizzly bears will begin to emerge from their winter hibernation, an activity that is viewed as one of the first signs that spring has arrived.

The Park’s higher elevation accounts for average daily temperatures that can range from the 30s to the 60s(F), with overnight lows well below freezing at this point in spring.

But, as days grow longer and air and soil temperatures begin to warm, trees and bushes that lost their leaves over winter begin to grow new leaves. Flowers begin to bloom with their colors brushed across the hilly meadows.

“The Yellowstone is a wild-flower garden. Wander where you will, you have the ever-new charm, the finishing touch, the ever-refreshing radiance of the wild flowers.”

—Enos Mills, Your National Parks, 1917

The Park’s two million plus acres are home to 67 species of mammal and roughly 300 species of bird, all of which enjoy spring’s new energy.

May might just be the perfect time, especially for photographers, to visit Yellowstone. A photograph of a mother bear with her cubs playing nearby tells a unique story, and with fewer crowds and increased animal activity, the chance to capture such an image increases exponentially. Because of this Backcountry Journeys times the Spring Comes to Yellowstone & Grand Teton tour for early May, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s in store for this year’s adventure! In fact, we’re so excited that we’ve scheduled two trips back to back, which we’d love for you to join so as to witness all this magic together

And it’s not just the wildlife and dramatic vistas covered in flowers! Remember, Yellowstone contains over 10,000 hydrothermal features that include hot springs, mud pots, travertine terraces and fumaroles. Over half of the world’s known geysers are here, including Old Faithful which is the most famous geyser in the world! These features are all amazingly photogenic, as Grand Prismatic Spring (seen below) proves.

These two parks offer a natural wildness that is unrivaled and should not be missed, especially by wildlife and landscape photographers. There is a particular treasure in the experience of being able to photograph completely wild and free roaming wildlife like elk, bear, moose and wolves, but also iconic locations, like the Tetons behind the Snake River and geologic features like Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. 

All of these things we’ll see on our Spring Comes to Yellowstone & Grand Teton tour, and we’d love for you to join us this year.