Visit Yellowstone in autumn with THE WILD SIDE to behold the wonder of fall in the nation’s first national park.  The golden leaves of aspen and cottonwood shimmer on the landscape but once a year—the late weeks of September and early October.  Crisp, frosty mornings give way to some of the most glorious days of the year with deep blue skies and sunny warm weather.  It rarely rains and the bugs of summer are gone!  This is an ideal time for wolf and wildlife viewing in Yellowstone.  The elk rut is at its peak--bellowing bugles echo from the hills as huge bulls busy themselves fighting off their rivals and herding large harems of cows.  Amid this annual spectacle, the wolf is ever present following the herds.

After the tourist hordes of summer have faded, we embark on a 6-day, 5-night adventure through Yellowstone’s richest wildlife habitats.  We search among the territories of 5 wolf packs for excellent, extended opportunities viewing wild wolves in their element.  We will spend most mornings and some evenings viewing in prime habitats, seeing a multitude of other wildlife species like moose, bison, pronghorn, bighorn, mountain goat and more.  In the mid-day we explore the famous locations of Yellowstone while  touring throughout the park.  We will enjoy short (1-3 miles) hikes on some days to wilderness areas, meet and visit with local naturalists, and relax with exceptional dining and comfortable lodging.  Don’t miss this chance for a memorable wildlife viewing trip while basking in the glorious autumn weather and scenery!

THE AUTUMN WOLF AND ELK ADVENTURE,  Details:

September 27 to October 2, 2013

HOSTS:  The Wild Side's founders, wildlife biologists Nathan Varley and Linda Thurston.

Outfitters:  THE WILD SIDE, LLC, and A Naturalist’s World, LTD.

Group size:  6-13 guests

Price:  $1780 per person based on double occupancy, $200 supplement for singles requesting private room.   $500 deposit due at time of booking, payable by check, remainder due 30 days prior to trip.  See policies.  Price includes all transportation to/from Bozeman airport (BZN), lodging, meals, spotting scopes, and guide services.

To make reservations, contact us or sign-up online using a credit card at Yellowstone Wolf Guides web page.

2013 Itinerary:

Day 1  Travel on your own to Bozeman, Montana, served by Bozeman Yellowstone Airport at Gallatin Field (BZN). Take the free airport shuttle provided by Best Western GranTree to the Best Western Grantree Hotel in Bozeman, and check in as part of your package traveling with The Wild Side. Check in anytime after 3 PM. Dinner is on your own that evening.

Day 2   Meet transport at 11 AM at the Grantree hotel lobby for transfer from Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park, enjoying the scenery of Paradise Valley along the way. Entry into the park will be at the historic Roosevelt Arch followed by an exploration of the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. Wildlife viewing this time of year is amazing as the elk congregate during the breeding season by Mammoth Hot Springs. The elk are in "the rut," wherein bull elk exhibit their dramatic courtship and guarding behavior. Outdoor picnic dinner at Mammoth concludes the day with lodging in Gardiner, Montana, at the Absaroka Lodge with modern amenities including wifi and tv, as well as, a balcony for every room overlooking the Yellowstone River.

Day 3  We rise early for our best chances for wildlife sightings, and tour along the famous northern range of Yellowstone to Lamar Valley. We will transect roughly 5 wolf pack territories on this route, and so will stop frequently to look and observe lots of wildlife. We’ll have lunch at the tiny mountain town of Cooke City nestled into the stunning Absaroka Mountains. At the Gallery of our friend, renowned naturalist and wildlife photographer Dan Hartman, we will see amazing wildlife photography and hear Dan's many stories of exploring the woods for his craft. After the return trip through the park, dinner will be served by our amazing chef Zac Kellerman of Zac's Montana Kitchen,, who will do each of our dinners for the mid-week, in the privacy of the Track Education Center.

Day 4  We will tour the scenic wilderness setting en route to Hayden Valley for search and observation time in one of Yellowstone’s most scenic wildlife viewing areas. Huge herds of bison still thunder over open grasslands in Hayden’s vast expanses where wolves, elk, and grizzlies roam. The return trip will include stops at the famous Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the park's most famous scenic attractions. After a break, dinner will follow at the Track Education Center with more of Zac's culinary delights.

Day 5  Our final wildlife watching session will return to areas where sightings have been best, including Lamar Valley, the Tower Junction, and Blacktail Plateau. We will return to the Gardiner for lunch, and then after lunch, we depart Yellowstone for our final destination, historic Chico Hot Springs resort lodge nestled in the foothills of Montana's gorgeous countryside. Our last night features a tradition on The Wild Side trips: gourmet cuisine in the exclusive wine cellar dining room (minimum 8 guests required). You will also have the opportunity for a refreshing soak in the natural mineral hot pool before a restful night at the cozy inn.

Day 6   After a hearty breakfast buffet at Chico Hot Springs, we will transport back to Bozeman for airline departures no earlier than 11:00 AM.