Wolves of Lamar Valley Expedition

Photo of participants searching for wolves courtesy of Shauna L. Hart, www.byhartphotography.com

406-223-6269

3-Day Wolves of Lamar Valley Small-Group Expedition

Small-Group

Join a small group of like-minded Yellowstone enthusiasts

3.25 Days

$795

Per Person

Departs From

Gardiner, MT

Immerse yourself in Yellowstone's world of wolves with wildlife biologists who have been observing wolves in Lamar Valley for 20+ years.

This small-group experience includes plenty of time afield in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley and environs – the best place in the world to study wild wolves – plus in-depth presentations with renowned wolf experts, updates about the current status and social dynamics of Yellowstone’s wolves, and engaging field-based discussions about wolf biology, behavior, and conservation.

Winter is the best time to view wolves, when snow provides a white backdrop against which to look and drives prey to lower elevations where they and their predators – the wolves – are most visible to us. February is wolf breeding season, and March marks Yellowstone’s Late Winter Study period, a hallmark of wolf research in Yellowstone. You’ll learn first-hand about the world-class research taking place in Yellowstone while searching for wolves from some of the same vantage points as the researchers.

2025 Dates:
January 17 – 20
February 1 – 4
March 3 – 6

If these dates don’t work for your group, please contact us to discuss planning a private program just for your group!

This small-group experience includes plenty of time afield in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley and environs – the best place in the world to study wild wolves – plus in-depth presentations with renowned wolf experts, updates about the current status and social dynamics of Yellowstone’s wolves, and engaging field-based discussions about wolf biology, behavior, and conservation.

Winter is the best time to view wolves, when snow provides a white backdrop against which to look and drives prey to lower elevations where they and their predators – the wolves – are most visible to us. February is wolf breeding season, and March marks Yellowstone’s Late Winter Study period, a hallmark of wolf research in Yellowstone. You’ll learn first-hand about the world-class research taking place in Yellowstone while searching for wolves from some of the same vantage points as the researchers.

2025 Dates:
January 17 – 20
February 1 – 4
March 3 – 6

If these dates don’t work for your group, please contact us to discuss planning a private program just for your group!

2025 Dates:

January 17 – 20
February 1 – 4
March 3 – 6

If these dates don’t work for your group, please contact us to discuss planning a private program just for your group!

Itinerary

This itinerary is carefully designed to give you the best possible wolf-watching experience in Yellowstone; it is subject to change based upon current wildlife activity, weather conditions, and the expertise of your naturalist guide(s).

Day 1
– Evening welcome dinner (catered), orientation, and introduction to Yellowstone’s wolves

Day 2
– Full field day with an early-morning start for the best wolf viewing opportunities.
– Guest presentation with a local wolf expert

Day 3
– Full field day with an early-morning start for the best wolf viewing opportunities.
– Possible snowshoe excursion, depending upon group interests

Day 4
– Full field day with an early-morning start for the best wolf viewing opportunities.
– Program concludes by 3-4 p.m.

$795 / person

Evening welcome dinner (catered) & orientation

3 full field days in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley and environs with some of the most experienced wolf guides & educators in this ecosystem

Local expert guest speaker

Transportation for each field day in our comfortable touring vehicle

High-powered, high-quality binoculars and spotting scopes

Hot beverages for each field day

Light snacks for each field day

An engaging, educational experience with a small group of other Yellowstone enthusiasts

Lodging is not included with your registration. We are happy to provide local lodging recommendations upon request.

Depending upon group size, 1-2 of the following experts will lead your group.

Brad Bulin has been guiding, teaching, and watching wolves in Yellowstone for 20 years. He is a trained wildlife biologist who specializes in bringing the wolves of Yellowstone to life for guests in the field, through virtual presentations, and in writing in his book “The Grand Lady of Yellowstone and Other Yellowstone Wolf Stories.” He is also a wildlife videographer and has had several wildlife videos broadcast on national and international television. Brad has conducted many wildlife presentations throughout the country, and he is a certified trainer of interpretive guides through the National Association for Interpretation, which he enjoys as a way of passing on his experience as a Yellowstone guide. Brad loves to entertain as well as educate people in this fantastic park he now calls home.

Shauna Baron saw her first wild wolf while volunteering for the Yellowstone Wolf Project in 1996, just one year after the reintroduction, and has been working to protect wolves and wild places ever since. For over 25 years, she has focused her career on outdoor education and wildlife conservation, including work as a biologist for the USFWS Red Wolf Recovery Program in North Carolina, a forest carnivore researcher for the University of Vermont, and as a volunteer at the Colorado based Mission:Wolf program. Having a B.S. in Biology as well as a Master’s Degree in Science Education has led her to not only to being a published author but also, to developing nature therapy programs for disabled veterans, inner-city youth and autistic groups. Recently, she was the editor for the Yellowstone Wolf Charts and Genealogy publications as well as launching Yellowstone Trip Planning, an online venue for visitors wanting to make the most of their time vacationing in Yellowstone. When Shauna isn’t in the field guiding or helping others plan their trips, she can be found with a scope to her eye or a book on her lap.

Carolyn Bulin‘s first wolf sighting had her hooked: In 2002, she watched the Druid Peak pack successfully hunt an elk in Lamar Valley. In 2009, she began working in Yellowstone, and shortly thereafter began her naturalist career as a field instructor with the Yellowstone Institute, teaching multi-day field courses focusing on wolf research and management and university courses about environmental policy. Carolyn holds a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management with emphases in ecology and cultural anthropology from Northern Michigan University. As a certified trainer of interpretive guides through the National Association of Interpretation, she also teaches in-depth classes that share the art and skill of naturalist guiding. Carolyn’s volunteer experience in Yellowstone includes snow tracking surveys for the Yellowstone Cougar Project, carcass surveys with the grizzly bear research team, and assisting with trapping ravens and fitting them with GPS harnesses for research. During her free time, Carolyn enjoys exploring the GYE with her husband and two small children.

Your park pass, if you have one. Park entry is not included in your program registration fee. 

Layered clothing. Your confirmation email will include a detailed, seasonally-appropriate clothing and equipment list. If you have questions about clothing prior to booking, please just contact us!

Food. We provide hot beverages and light snacks for each field day. Please bring your field-friendly lunches.

Reusable water bottle. Your guide will have a large cooler of water from which you can refill your bottle.

Camera (if desired).

Small backpack to carry water and snacks while away from the vehicle.

Lots of questions, enthusiasm, and curiosity! This is a participatory program, and discussions will evolve from your and your fellow participants’ questions and interests.

In order to reserve your spot, a $200 deposit is due at the time of booking. If you should need to cancel your reservation with us more than 30 days prior to your program start date, your payment is fully refundable. At 30 days prior to your program start date, the balance due will be charged to your card on file, and all payments become non-refundable.

Should we need to cancel your program due to low enrollment, we will notify you 30 days in advance of the program start date, and we will provide a full refund. We are not responsible for reimbursing you for airline reservations, lodging, or other travel costs.

As a small business, we regret that we are rarely able to make exceptions to our cancellation policy. We strongly recommend that you purchase third-party travel insurance that will protect you in case of unforeseen cancellations or changes to your travel plans.

Contact Us to start planning your Yellowstone experience today!

See what other travelers are saying...

Next Level Experience
John N.
Yellowstone Wildlife Profiles is the next level. They provide courses to train guides in other companies, which says a lot. Brad, a co-owner, was our guide. He knew all the spots and all the history. We noticed that legendary wolf spotters and current Wolf Project folks went out of their way to greet Brad. His thesis was on wildlife research and he recently wrote a book on Yellowstone wolves. I’m a biology teacher and my wife has a degree in geology. We both learned tons from Brad. He’s a humble walking encyclopedia. And he’s the nicest and most accommodating guy you could meet! Plus, we saw everything we hoped to see and more.
Incredibly Rich Experience
Jackie M.
Wonderful trip! The focus was on wolves, but we learned and saw so much more! Brad and Shauna were great guides, always having us in the right place at the right time for another sighting. Their depth of knowledge on wolves and Yellowstone flora and fauna, in addition to bringing in experts on tracking and wolf behavior, made for an incredibly rich experience. The Packing List prepared us well for the cold temperatures, making it possible to be outside for hours. Highly recommended!
Extremely Knowledgeable Crew
Sally & Tom
Brad and his crew are extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of YNP. Brad has walked many of the animal trails that cannot be seen from the road, so he knows where animals are likely to show up and where they might be headed. The guides are very personal and patient with questions at all levels. Their enthusiasm for Yellowstone and their wish to inspire others rubs off on everyone who takes the tour. We will remember our adventures with Yellowstone Wildlife Profiles forever.
Very Deep Learning Experience
Kim L.
Brad and Shauna were our guides for a 3-day tour of the wild residents of Yellowstone. Their knowledge and familiarity with animal tracking, behavior and the natural landscape created a very deep learning experience that I completely enjoyed. It was cold but clear every day. Hot chocolate and coffee were perfect . My whole group of 6 guests are eager to come again at another time of year.
Wolf Trek of a Lifetime
Cheryl P.
This past March, I went on the Wolf Trek of a lifetime with Brad as the guide. What a fabulous experience! Brad is highly skilled and knowledgable about wolves, their history, behavior, habitat and preservation. He knows every inch of the park and has an eagle eye at spotting wolves and all the other majestic creatures in the park. Many times we were the first group on site. Each day was a feast of wildlife and learning with photos and memories to last a life time. Brad also provides excellent transportation and equipment to compliment such a trek. That and delicious goodies to nibble on. The scones were to die for! He and his wife Carolyn (equally knowledgeable in the field) and daughter little Kate make this adventure so pleasant that you feel right at home in Gardiner and in Yellowstone. Check out his book, "The Grand Lady of Yellowstone." It's a must read by a master biologist and guide.

Wildlife Code of Ethics

We believe in a strict code of ethics. The animals of Yellowstone face enormous pressure from the sheer number of visitors coming every day to observe them. The park has set forth certain rules that we will adhere to. Mainly, we must not disturb wildlife and we should maintain a good distance to ensure that the animals can carry on with their day-to-day lives and that we stay safe. The current rules include 100 yards from bears, wolves, and cougars (mountain lions) and at least 25 yards from everything else. We appreciate your understanding and so will the animals.

406-223-6269

yellowstonewildlifeprofiles@gmail.com

We are an officially licensed commercial use operator in YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Share this:

BOOK NOW