Wolves, Coyote, Bison, and Elk – The mountains that surround the valley offer a picturesque backdrop for viewing packs of wolves and coyote, and herds of bison. You’ll also see grizzly and black bears, as well as elk and moose, earning Lamar Valley its name as “North America’s Serengeti.”
The best times for viewing wildlife is both at dawn and dusk, when you’ll have both beautiful lighting for pictures, and a greater opportunity to see rare wildlife sightings. Bald eagles, beaver, mountain goats, pronghorn sheep, ducks, great horned-owls and other birds can all be spotted with ease; however, you will enjoy closer viewing with use of binoculars or a spotting scope.
Lamar Valley is more than just a Pretty Picture
While many visit Yellowstone for the scenery and wildlife, Lamar Valley also offers wonderful fly fishing in the summer, and ski trails in the winter. The Lamar River is known for fishing cutthroat and rainbow trout; and the Spring snow melt in late June and July offers the best time for fishing. The Lamar Valley Trail is a gorgeous 5.3 mile that begins four miles east of the Lamar Ranger Station that should not be missed, and the Slough and Pebble Campgrounds offer beautiful campsites for those visitors who want to stay overnight.
Lamar Valley is located in the northeast section of Yellowstone Park between Tower Junction and the park’s Northeast Entrance near Cooke City. Vehicles enter between Gardiner (North Entrance) and Cooke City (Northeast Entrance.)
If you would like a guided tour to see the Lamar Valley we recommend to consider the “2-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Wildlife Adventure,” or the “4-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Wildlife Adventure.”