PROGRAM START DATES: Dec 2024, Jan & Feb 2025
PRICING: See below.
LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs
GROUP SIZE: 13
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 2
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Winter Wolf Discovery Lodging & Learning package focuses learning about wolves, and other exciting wildlife, along Yellowstone’s famous northern range. Winter is prime time to view wolves in Yellowstone, and this package is designed to take advantage of this rare opportunity. A Yellowstone Forever field educator will share up-to-date information about Yellowstone wolf biology, behavior, and ecology throughout daily outings. Each evening, participants will return to their comfortable accommodations at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
The first evening includes an informative orientation with a Yellowstone Forever field educator. The following three full days involve getting up early and traveling to viewing points in hopes of observing wolves in the wild. Afternoons are spent exploring wildlife habitats and traveling on snowshoes to examine tracks and other animal sign. Participants will likely encounter many other wildlife species during daily outings, where field educators will discuss the role these other species play in the ecosystem in relation to wolves.
Most sightings of wildlife occur at a distance; the field educator will provide high-powered spotting scopes and binoculars for group use. However, participants are encouraged to bring additional scopes and binoculars if they have them.
Session Start Dates:
2024
December – 12/15, 12/18, 12/22, 12/25, 12/29
2025
January – 1/1, 1/5, 1/8, 1/12, 1/15, 1/19, 1/22, 1/26, 1/29
February – 2/2, 2/5, 2/9, 2/12, 2/16, 2/19, 2/23, 2/26
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
Participants are welcome to check into the mammoth Hot Springs Hotel beginning at 4:00 p.m. After checking in, guests will meet a Yellowstone Forever field educator for an orientation. Education staff will go over the program itinerary, discuss clothing and equipment needed for daily outings, and answer any questions participants may have. After the orientation, guests will have dinner at the Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room.
5:30 p.m. Orientation at Mammoth Hot Springs Conference Room
7:15 p.m./7:30 p.m. Participant Dinner at Mammoth Dining Room
DAYS 2 – 4
WILDLIFE WATCHING & HABITAT EXPLORATION
Each day begins early to catch morning wildlife activity. After viewing wildlife, participants will be led on a short snowshoe hike in search of tracks and signs while discussing ecology, behavior, recent research, and management.
This evening, guests are responsible for dinner on their own and will be spending this night at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
6:30 a.m. Depart Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
- Hot beverages and box breakfast in the field
- Morning & afternoon roadside animal viewing
- Afternoon snowshoe hike in wildlife habitat
- Deli lunch in the field
3:30 p.m. Return to Mammoth Hot Springs
- Dinner Reservations have been prebooked for your convenience.
- Day 2 | Reservations at 6:45 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
- Day 3 | Reservations at 6:00 p.m. & 6:15 p.m.
- Day 4 | Reservations at 5:45 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
DAY 5
CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE
Breakfast at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room
Dates & Times: The program begins at 5:30 p.m. on Day 1 and goes through 3:30 p.m. on Day 4.
Lodging:
- 4 nights lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – Deluxe Room
- Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Day 1
- Lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Day 5
Most meals, to include:
- 4 breakfasts (3 box breakfasts & 1 dining room breakfast)
- 3 lunches (to-go)
- 1 dinner (Dinner at Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room on Day 1)
Transportation: In-park transportation via a 14-passenger minibus or transit van
World class educational programming with a Yellowstone Forever field educator
A Nalgene water bottle (gift item) and a Snow Card
Baggage handling is provided throughout the entire stay
Field equipment (trekking poles and snowshoes)
Access to ice skating rink and free ice skate rentals
Optional Airport Shuttle: Daily shuttles (winter season only) are offered from the Bozeman Airport to/from Yellowstone. You can reserve your seat(s) when making your lodging reservations by phone.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Be prepared for to hike or snowshoe up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 250 feet.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information, please contact the following:
- Reservations, lodging, food, and payment questions, please contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges at [email protected] or 307-344-7311
- Program itinerary, health forms, and activity questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
- Road updates, park conditions, and general park information, please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
TESTIMONIALS
“We had a wonderful time! We’ve been on enough animal-based adventures that we know there are never any guarantees. Sam did an incredible job trying to make sure we all saw what we wanted to see and made the educational part engaging and thorough. Would definitely recommend YF to anyone else looking for a similar adventure.” – John & Linda, NY
“I loved this experience and hope to do it again next year!” – Ann, NC
“We would recommend this trip to anyone. Five stars and two big thumbs up!” – Janet, MA
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YF Institute | Field Educator
Yellowstone Forever field educators are among the best experts in Yellowstone. Educational staff are passionate professionals with significant training who are dedicating their careers to this vital work. They live in the Yellowstone ecosystem, they work and train alongside park researchers and educators, and thus can provide accurate and exciting behind-the-scenes perspectives on the park’s natural and cultural history. They know where to go and when, and they handle all the details to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
***Review our Cancellation & Refund Policies here.