America's first national park is essentially a drive-through wildlife documentary: bison jams on the road, elk on the lawns and — with a dawn start in the Lamar Valley — a genuine chance of wolves. Geysers provide the interval entertainment, Old Faithful erupting on a schedule no animal would respect. Book park lodges up to a year ahead, or stay in Gardiner just outside the north gate. June brings bison calves; September brings elk bugling.
Featured in Ten wildlife holidays that beat any screen · Family