Wolf Watching Adventure with Yellowstone Wildlife Profiles

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 in-depth presentations with renowned wolf experts, updates about the current status and social dynamics of Yellowstone's wolves, field-based discussions about wolf biology and behavior, and plenty of time afield in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley and environs - the best place in the world to study wild wolves.

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.

Itinerary

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.
• Possible short hike or snowshoe excursion (1-2 miles)

Day 3

• Full field day with an early-morning start for the best wolf viewing opportunities.
• Guest presentation

Day 4

• Full field day with an early-morning start for the best wolf viewing opportunities.
• Possible short hike or snowshoe excursion (1-2 miles)
• Program concludes by 3-4 p.m.

2026 Dates

January 25 - 28 February 1 - 4 (Special Wolf & Cougar Combo Program!) March 2 - 5

Rates

$795 per person

Your Program Includes:

• 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
• Snowshoes (if needed for short hikes)
• Hot beverages for each field day
• Light snacks for each field day
• An engaging, educational experience

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

How Fit Do You Need To Be?

This program may include short hikes or snowshoe excursions of 1-2 miles per day, mostly over level terrain. If you have any questions or concerns about the activity level of the program, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss with you!

The Special Wolf & Cougar Combo Program will include more extensive hiking or snowshoeing to access cougar habitat. Hikes on this program may be up to 5 miles per day over steep terrain.

About Your Guides

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.

What Other Travelers are Saying:

"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." -John N

"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." -Sally & Tom

"I went on a Yellowstone Wildlife Profiles Wolf Watching Tour in March, guided by Brad. The whole trip was fabulous. Brad is a great naturalist who has an almost uncanny ability to spot wildlife. Brad would stop the car and point out eagles, pronghorns, elk, and of course the ubiquitous bison. We even saw fox, moose and a mountain goat among others. Every day, we would go out before dawn to arrive deep in Yellowstone as the sun came up. The beautiful scenery and variety of wildlife was astonishing. While no one can make sure the wolves will actually show themselves, we saw wolves every day. It is an incomparable feeling to hear wolf howls in the clean, clear air of early morning against a backdrop of snow- covered mountains. Excellent binoculars were provided to everyone in the group, and Brad quickly set up sighting scopes that gave us a great close view of the animals. Our trip included interesting and informative lectures with local wildlife experts. I highly recommend Yellowstone Wildlife Profiles and Brad."

"If you want to see Yellowstone with a true expert then Brad is your guide. I was on a wolf trek of a lifetime this past March and Brad did not disappoint. He was highly skilled with spotting wolves, discussing their behavior, habitat and the work within Yellowstone to follow these marvelous animals. Not just wolves mind you but we saw all the other glorious creatures in Yellowstone: bison, ravens, golden eagles, pronghorn, a mama bear peeking out of her den with cubs, elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, red fox and mountain goat. We saw a fresh kill and analyzed and old one. Fabulous learning experience. Brad knows every inch of that park and has an eagle eye to match. He provided superb equipment for us to use for viewing. My advice, go with Brad and read his book 'The Grand Lady of Yellowstone.'"