Yellowstone & Grand Teton in Spring Photo Workshop
- 8 Days
From $7,195 - Interests
- Landscape, National Parks, Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- 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 seasons for photography. 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.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
May 22–29, 2027
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 Gardiner. We’ll have a welcome dinner with the group to get to know one another and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Hotel in Gardiner.
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Day 2: Lamar Valley & Mammoth Hot Springs
Today, we’ll seek wildlife encounters in Lamar Valley and the Blacktail Plateau. We’ll also visit the photogenic Mammoth Hot Springs.
Hotel in Gardiner.
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Day 3: Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley
Today we’ll rise early to take another pass through Lamar Valley looking for wildlife. We’ll then cross over Dunraven Pass, along our way through Hayden Valley, another prime location for spectacular wildlife in Yellowstone.
Overnight at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.
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Day 4: Yellowstone Lake & Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
We’ll wake up early to seek wildlife along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. We’ll also journey through Hayden Valley again and visit the picturesque viewpoints of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Overnight at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.
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Day 5: Geyser Basins, Firehole & Madison Rivers
We’ll head out early today on our visits to the geyser basins of West Thumb, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic. We’ll, of course, also be looking for wildlife encounters in places along the Firehole and Madison rivers.
Overnight at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.
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Day 6: Transfer to Grand Teton
At sunrise, we’ll take one last look for wildlife along Yellowstone Lake, then head south to Grand Teton National Park.
While in the Tetons, we’ll visit iconic viewpoints like Oxbow Bend, Signal Mountain, Schwabacher Landing, and more.
We’ll also visit wildlife hotspots, especially looking for moose, which are much easier to spot in the Tetons.
Overnight at Jackson Lake Lodge.
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Day 7: Grand Teton National Park
We’ll rise early for an epic sunrise in the Tetons, followed by more wildlife drives and breakfast. We’ll head out for a spectacular yet easy hike to take in the scenery and wildlife.
Overnight at Jackson Lake Lodge.
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Day 8: Sunrise & departure
We’ll end our time in the Tetons with one last sunrise photo session at the iconic Moulton barns. After our photography, we’ll grab breakfast.
Departure from Jackson Hole AIrport (JAC). Book your departing flight no earlier than 12:00 PM on this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
Lodging in Yellowstone and Grand Teton is expensive this time of year, but we must stay close to the best locations for photography. Based on our years of photographing in these parks, we have selected the optimal lodging that will minimize our drive times to get to the action.
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 22–29, 2027$7,195 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$1,495 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaGroup Size: 5Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,000 USDBalance Due: Jan 22, 2027
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.
- Snacks and water between meals.
- 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.
- Our group will dine together, but the cost of most meals is not included.
- 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.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.