Yellowstone & Grand Teton in Spring Photo Workshop
- 8 Days
From $6,595 - Interests
- Landscape, Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- Max 5
Spring brings prolific wildlife and epic scenery at two of America’s best national parks
Spring in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is one of our favorite photography seasons. The land is green and lush, waterfalls run strong, and snow caps remain on the mountain ranges. Spring means peak wildlife activity and newborn animals. Grizzly and black bears emerge from hibernation, some with cubs in tow. Bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and moose will all have new calves this season, with the cute and rambunctious bison “red dogs” being a highlight. Also, the crush of summer visitors has yet to arrive this early in the year.
But it’s not just about the wildlife. Yellowstone and Grand Teton also boast breathtaking landscapes. We’ll photograph the sunrise on the majestic Teton Range, its peaks bathed in golden light, and explore the unique geothermal features of Yellowstone.
Akari Photo Tours is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service.
Highlights
- Wildlife photo drives Yellowstone and Grand Teton, including Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and other wildlife hotspots.
- Sunrise photo shoots of the magnificent Teton Range.
- Photograph the otherworldly geothermal features of Yellowstone, including Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful.
- We will seek a variety of wildlife species, including bison, grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, pronghorn, wolves, and coyotes. Other possible encounters include bighorn sheep, badgers, martens, bobcats, and foxes.
- Photo guiding, instruction, and image reviews from a professional photographer with years of experience in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
- Limited to five guests.
- Includes meals, lodging, and transportation.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
May 31–Jun 7, 2025May 16–23, 2026
Activity Level
Most of our photographs will be taken in close proximity to the vehicle. Still, you should be able to walk up to a mile carrying your camera gear over level ground, boardwalks, uneven ground, and short inclines. Both parks are quite large, and we will spend long days in the car seeking wildlife activity and landscape photo opportunities, either packing a picnic lunch or stopping for lunch along the way.
This tour has an activity level of Easy. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in Bozeman
Arrive at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) before 2:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
We’ll pick you up from the Bozeman airport and transfer you to our lodging in West Yellowstone. We’ll have a welcome dinner with the group to get to know one another and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Hotel in West Yellowstone.
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Day 2: Mammoth Hot Springs, Upper and Middle Geyser Basins, & Grand Prismatic
We’ll rise early for sunrise at Mammoth Hot Springs. After breakfast, we’ll explore the areas around the Gibbon River and Upper Geyser Basin, seeking wildlife and photographing waterfalls and geothermal features. We’ll photograph the sunset over Grand Prismatic Hot Spring.
Hotel in West Yellowstone.
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Day 3: Paintpots, Old Faithful, and wildlife
Today, we’ll explore geothermal features and waterfalls and seek wildlife encounters along the Madison and Firehole Rivers.
We’ll also visit Old Faithful for an eruption of the world’s most famous geyser.
Hotel in West Yellowstone.
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Day 4: Hayden Valley, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and drive to Grand Teton
We rise early today to seek wildlife in Hayden Valley. After our wildlife session, we’ll have breakfast and visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
We’ll then drive to Grand Teton National Park, stopping for wildlife and landscape photo opportunities.
Hotel in Jackson.
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Day 5: Sunrise at Tetons and wildlife
We wake early for sunrise at one of the iconic locations along the Tetons. We’ll grab breakfast, then head out looking for wildlife, including moose, elk, bears, and bison.
Before dinner, we’ll scout our location for sunrise the following day so everyone is prepared with a composition during daylight hours.
Hotel in Jackson.
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Day 6: Sunrise at Tetons and drive to Yellowstone
We have another early morning with sunrise over the Tetons, followed by breakfast.
We’ll check out of our hotel in Jackson, then head north through Yellowstone, stopping for wildlife and landscape photos along the way.
Hotel in Gardiner.
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Day 7: Lamar Valley
Today, we’ll seek wildlife encounters in Lamar Valley and the Blacktail Plateau.
Hotel in Gardiner.
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Day 8: Lamar Valley & departure
We’ll start the day with one last early morning wildlife drive through Lamar Valley. We’ll then return to our lodge, have breakfast, checkout, and drive back to the airport in Bozeman.
Book your departing flight no earlier than 2:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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May 31–Jun 7, 2025$6,595 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$1,400 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDRemainder Due: Jan 31, 2025
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May 16–23, 2026$6,845 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$1,400 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDRemainder Due: Jan 16, 2026
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- All transportation during the tour.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.