Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park in Winter: Wildlife and Landscapes

January 23 – 30, 2024

Yellowstone National Park is the world’s oldest and most picturesque National Park. It is home to a vast number of unique hydrothermal wonders and contains 67 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Winter in Yellowstone means fewer crowds, cold temperatures, steaming geyser basins, and closed roads. But that’s OK! We travel by private snow coach through this quiet, pristine wilderness with only six guests and one pro from Muench Workshops. You’ll always be able to get out of our vehicle quickly and efficiently when seconds count. Sometimes we even shoot from inside our vehicle, where you always have your own window seat. You will have plenty of room for yourself, plus your winter and photo gear.

Our photo targets are many! We spend time with groups of bison and sometimes a single bison. Each day, the winter conditions can change the look and behavior of these giant mammals, and you will learn to shoot “snowy” bison, “frosty” bison, and even “frozen” bison. Other mammals may include moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, and elk. There are also predators in the park. Coyotes are usually found and photographed well, as is the red fox. Somewhat more difficult to find and capture on camera, and requiring a bit of luck, are Yellowstone’s wolves, bobcats, and the tiny long-tailed weasel. We hope to photograph otters, ducks, swans, and other birds in the rivers.

We have many favorite locations to photograph, but we’re always looking for interesting compositions in great light. We’ll also seek out sweeping vistas and smaller, more intimate scenes. We’ll have access to thermal features, travertine terraces, geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles. We can shoot long exposures of moving water, clouds, and steam.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced shooter, we’re there with you every step of the way. We’ll help you with technical settings, composition, and shooting techniques to get the best exposure in challenging environments. We’ll ensure you get sharp shots of the wildlife, both fast and slow movers. And we can work on advanced techniques like motion blur, panoramas, image blending, and focus stacking. We’ll have our signature image reviews and post-processing sessions when our schedule allows.

Everything is all-inclusive, including your ride from Bozeman airport to the park. We will work hard, and you should expect each day to be filled with photography.

Muench Workshops is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.