Just returned from an 8 day trip to Grand Tetons + Yellowstone. I've been there many times in past 20 yrs. We stayed at Colter Bay cabins - rustic but nice. If you truly want to see wildlife - get on the road at sunrise + drive along Willow Flats, Oxbow Bend, + our favorite for moose = Wilson Road (access in Moose Jct). Also drive to these places at dusk. Saw @13 moose, 5 grizzlies, 1 blk bear, 4 coyotes, 200+ bison, 100+ elk + lots of other animals. Trumpeter swans (+ cygnet!) in wetlands by the Visitor Center in Jackson. Last week of June/1st week of July is the best time of year - wildlife have young, wildflowers blooming, weather nice, things are green. Any earlier = weather issues. Any later = things are brown/dry. If short on time, skip going to Mammoth Hot Springs but don't miss the Canyon (Yellowstone). Recommend Bar-T-5 Chuckwagon show + dinner in Jackson - it's a blast. Float trip wasn't that impressive (saw more wildlife on my own). If anyone has specific questions on our trip, just post here and I'll try to answer.

wisconsin - you've done a really good job with your reporting. I've been to this area many times, but the last time we were sad not to see any moose. It seemed like the Willow Flats road was becoming too busy for them. Oh, how I remember the trumpeter swans by the Visitor Center. And of course all the elk! Have you ever been there in the winter when they are all in town? Pretty cool to take a sleigh ride ride in the middle of thousands of elk.

For future reference, you'll probably have better luck with responses to your reporting if you put at least a state in the title, or something like "Trip Report to Grant Tetons and Yellowstone". Just having "Trip Report" could be anywhere in the U.S., or even just a question about writing a trip report.

You might even try re-posting with a new title and let this one fall to the bottom.

It's such a nice report. I think lots of people would be interested.

wisconsin,
Sounds like a great trip! We're taking our first trip there in Sept. Where in Yellowstone did you find the best wildlife viewing? We have 2 nights each in Old Faithful, Mammoth & Canyon & a few days for Tetons at Signal Mtn. Any advice on great day hikes, exceptional photo spots & backroads is greatly appreciated.

I posted my Trip Report to "US - Wyoming", so I thought that is where it would show up. And it looks like it did.
Regarding best wildlife areas in Yellowstone - I'd say Hayden Valley. Sorry to repeat myself, but you must truly be driving/hiking at dawn or dusk to see large groups of animals. A good day hike in Yell. is the Upper Geyser Basin. The hike all the way to Morning Glory pool is worth it (stand on bench to get best photos). Mystic Falls (Yell.) hike ok too. Hike or take boat across Jenny Lk in Tetons + hike to Hidden Falls. Extra special photo spots - Oxbow Bend in Tetons in morning when river is extremely calm - the mts reflect in the river. Also Snake River overlook along outer loop in Tetons (this is a photo seen on many postcards/posters). Also Old Faithful when the sky is dark, due to rain clouds in the background.

Forgot to say yes! I've seen all the elk in the refuge in the winter - great sight. I was told the moose population has been reduced by 1/3 due to wolves + a 5-year drought.

Thanks so much for the info, wisconsin. I'm really looking forward to this trip.

If you want a closeup view of wolves, check out The Howlers Inn, near Bozeman, MT. Lovely B&B with a pack of six wolves right there next to the B&B, in a 3-acre enclosure!

During the night, sometimes, they'd start "crooning" -- one would start softly and others would join in for a minute or two before they all went back to sleep. Not howling, mind you; just communicating.

Very interesting creatures, and this was a nice chance to see them up close!

Vermonter