This Scenic Drive within the U.S. Is Known as the ‘Serengeti of North America’ for Its Ample Wildlife Sightings

There’s nobody method to expertise Yellowstone Nationwide Park. Spanning 2.2 million acres with 5 entrances—North, Northeast, East, South, and West—the park provides numerous routes by means of its pure wonders. Some vacationers begin from Jackson Gap, Wyoming, to drive the Decrease Loop, whereas others base themselves in West Yellowstone or Gardiner, Montana, staying in a single day in certainly one of 11 campgrounds.

Irrespective of the precise path they took to succeed in the park, one factor’s for certain: tens of millions of vacationers from world wide come to this a part of Wyoming and Montana to see the whole lot from geysers and sizzling springs to waterfalls, dramatic canyons, and the most important high-elevation lake in North America, Yellowstone Lake. Additionally they make the journey to get a glimpse of the unbelievable, various wildlife that calls Yellowstone residence—elk, wolves, moose, bison, pronghorn, and grizzly bears, amongst dozens of different species.

Though the probabilities of recognizing the elusive wolverine or a mountain lion are typically low, many different mammals make extra frequent appearances in extremely trafficked areas. You simply need to know the place (and when) to look.

Should you’re hoping to see wolves, for example, you’ll wish to persist with the northern vary of Yellowstone. Right here, you’ll discover Lamar Valley, a primary wildlife viewing space alongside the Lamar River. Situated off the Higher Loop of the park, this stretch of land is commonly billed as “the Serengeti of North America,” a nickname stemming from its abundance of wildlife. Though you can too see bison in locations like Hayden Valley, a extra central location inside the park, these highly effective, furry creatures are commonly noticed in Lamar Valley, together with bears, pronghorn, coyotes, and the occasional bald eagle.

These touring to Lamar Valley by means of the North entrance will drive alongside Grand Loop Highway towards Tower Junction earlier than turning onto the Northeast Entrance Highway (US‑212), which brings you straight into Lamar Valley. Getting into by means of the Northeast entrance can also be an choice, though the North entrance is the one Yellowstone entrance that’s open year-round to autos.

And winter is definitely among the best instances to drive alongside the Lamar Valley; the white snow makes it simpler to identify wolves, and also you’ll nonetheless have the ability to see elk, bison, and foxes. Bears, in fact, hibernate from October or November by means of mid-March or early April.

Bear in mind, although, in the event you plan on venturing to the “Serengeti of North America,” there are a number of park guidelines and rules to observe. For starters, by no means feed the animals. You additionally want to remain a protected distance away. In line with the Nationwide Park Service, guests should keep at the very least 300 ft from wolves and bears and greater than 75 ft from bison, elk, and different animals.