Yellowstone is expected to open mid-April. As conditions allow, sightings will begin expanding there as well.

Wildlife Safety & Ethics

WILDLIFE SAFETY & ETHICS​

Wildlife is wild. Your safety—and the animals’ safety—come first.

Non‑negotiable rules:

1

Keep your distance. Use binoculars, spotting scopes, or zoom lenses instead of approaching wildlife.

2

Never feed, touch, chase, crowd, or surround wildlife.

3

Stay on legal routes and respect all closures.

4

Never place yourself between an adult animal and its young.

5

If an animal changes behavior because of you, you are too close. Back away immediately.

6

Do not share sensitive wildlife locations such as nests, dens, newborn animals, or rare species hotspots.

Why Wildlife Ethics Matter

Wildlife that becomes stressed by crowds can abandon feeding areas, separate from young, or become habituated to people.

Responsible wildlife viewing protects animals, protects visitors, and helps ensure these places remain wild for future generations.

Distance guidance (examples):

Many parks require minimum wildlife viewing distances such as 25 yards from most animals and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves. Requirements may vary depending on the park and situation.

Always follow posted signs, park regulations, and instructions from rangers or land managers.

Park examples (verify signage on site):

Grand Teton National Park
Maintain at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife.

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone guidance commonly emphasizes distances such as 25 yards from animals like bison and elk and 100 yards from predators such as bears, wolves, and cougars.

Always verify distances on park signage or official park guidance when visiting.

Our map safety approach:

We do not publish wildlife sightings in real time.

Observations are posted after fieldwork and delayed by at least 24 hours.

Location details may be generalized, reduced, or removed when necessary to protect wildlife and habitat.

Some sensitive wildlife activity may not be published at all.

This website provides informational wildlife observations only. It is not a safety service, navigation system, or wildlife locating tool. Visitors are responsible for following all park rules, posted regulations, and ranger guidance when viewing wildlife.