Go Wild – Safely – in Cody Yellowstone This Spring

CODY, Wyo., February 7, 2022 – Although the first official day of spring this year is Sunday, March 20, for most area residents the season truly begins when the first bear cub is spotted in the wild.

Even if there’s feet of snow still on the ground, a bear cub spotting means that the long northwestern Wyoming winter is winding down.

It also means that the next generation of bison, wolves, elk, moose and even river otters will soon make their debut.

“Spring is traditionally a time of rebirth, and many wildlife species embrace that tradition literally,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone. “When the babies are spotted, word gets around fast, and the entire town seems to celebrate because it means that spring is coming.”

An Elk with large horns standing a top of a mountain

Cody Yellowstone is the marketing arm of the region that includes the towns of Cody, Meeteetse and Powell, a large swath of Yellowstone

National Park and the valleys and forests to the east of park boundaries.

“It also means that it’s a good idea to review wildlife viewing safety tips like keeping safe distances from wildlife,” said Hauck. “Wildlife can be unpredictable at any time, but especially if they are protecting their young.

National Park Service wildlife watching guidelines can be found here.

The town of Cody features access to two of Yellowstone National Park’s five entrances. The East Entrance opens to private vehicles on May 6 and the Northeast Entrance opens to private vehicles May 11.

A wolf and her cute cubs lounge on a rocky surface

Pro tips for safe spring wildlife viewing

Keep your distance from wildlife and humans alike. The National Park Service recommends staying at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife.

Drive carefully and keep and binoculars handy. Throughout the spring, visitors are almost as likely to see wildlife like bighorn sheep lambs along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway – the 52-mile road to the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park – as they are inside the park.

Use pullouts. There are numerous places to pull off the main roads inside and outside the park. Never stop in the middle of the road.

Early morning and dusk are the best times of the day to spot animals in the wild.

Bison jams happen. Bison survive the harsh Yellowstone winter by avoiding unnecessary exertion, and that frequently means that herds will lumber down paved, cleared roads instead of through deep snow. Lucky travelers who encounter a so-called bison jam should savorthe up-close view of these mighty creatures as they slowly pass stalled traffic. Visitors should stay in their vehicles, keep windows rolled up and not try to touch or speed up the animals.

Never feed the wildlife.

Know where you’re going. Visit the Cody Visitor Center for maps and other information about the region.

An image of a large bison through a car window

About the next generation of wildlife in Cody Yellowstone

Bison calves are often the first of the young ones to make their debut. Reddish-colored, fuzzy-furred bison calves are quick studies, and they can keep up with their mothers as soon as two hours after birth. It takes a village to protect a bison calf, and all adult bison surround young calves when predators such as wolves and bears are nearby.

Black bear cubs were born during the winter, and they spend the first couple of months of their lives nursing and dozing while their semiconscious mamas continue to slumber in their dens. The bear cubs finally see daylight around the month of April. Mothers spend the next 16 to 18 months teaching their babies how to survive in the wild.

Moose cows aren’t quite as patient with their young. Once they give birth to a new calf – typically in May or June – they chase away the previous season’s calves. While not known for their intelligence, moose are predictably unpredictable, particularly when protecting a calf. Moose cows will chase human observers and other wildlife if they perceive a threat. Moose are frequently spotted near the Northeast and East entrances to Yellowstone.

Bighorn sheep produce one or two lambs annually. Born in May or June, the lambs immediately begin the multi-year process of growing their horns. For this species, size matters. The horns on male Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep can weigh as much as 40 pounds, and the size of horns can influence a ram’s rank in the herd.

Elk thrive throughout the region, particularly in East Yellowstone Valley along the North Fork of the Shoshone River. Usually born in late May and June, elk calves like most ungulates can walk within an hour or two of birth. An elk cow’s protective strategy when predators are near is to run away in hopes the predator will follow her and not notice the newborn lying motionless in the grass.

Wolf pups begin appearing in April and May, and their packs will remain with them for three to 10 weeks as they learn bit by bit how to be a wolf in Yellowstone. Their playful antics with their littermates make wolf-watching in spring especially fun. While wolves roam throughout the Greater Yellowstone region, the best sightings are often in the Lamar Valley inside the park.

River otters are also born with an entertainer’s spirit, but they are a little harder to spot. Born in March and April, these aquatic nomads stay with their moms for a year as they learn how to find fish and other food and swim underwater for minutes at a time.

Eagles emerge in mid-April and fly from their nests three to four months after that. This remarkable once-endangered bird is one of 19 raptor species in the park. Northwestern Wyoming is home to bald eagles and golden eagles. Bald eagles feed on fish, and their nests can often be found in trees close to water. Golden eagles are more frequently spotted in valleys where they can accommodate their preference for rabbits and other small mammals.

What else to know

Plan inside fun when the weather isn’t cooperating. Cody is home to numerous museums including the Smithsonian-affiliated Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center and By Western Hands Museum & Gallery.

Book accommodations now. Cody’s many hotels, lodges and inns are accepting reservations for spring travelers now. There are options for every budget and preference.

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Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as areas inside of Yellowstone National Park and the valley east of the entrance. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.

Related hashtags:

#YellowstoneCountry

#CodyWyoming

#CenteroftheWest

#BuffaloBill

#Yellowstone

#ThatsWY

Media contact:

Mesereau Travel Public Relations

720-284-1512

[email protected]