Meet the Wildlife of Paradise Valley, Montana

If North American wildlife viewing crowned a dream destination, it might be Yellowstone National Park. Bison, elk, wolves, grizzly bears and even the occasional moose all mingle in this majestic natural landscape.

Yet many wildlife lovers have found equally impressive and even more serene experiences outside of the gates of the national park, where a natural experience awaits adventurers without the crush of the crowds.

Paradise Valley is one of those places. The Yellowstone River flowing through the valley and the rugged Absaroka mountains create a natural wildlife corridor used by wild herds of elk, mountain goats, bear, wolves and more.

If you’ve been intrigued by Yellowstone National Park and its reputation as “America’s Serengeti,” neighboring Paradise Valley and the Auster at Dome Mountain property are definitely worth exploring for its rich biodiversity and spectacular wildlife viewing.

Field Guide

• Where to See Wildlife
  • Bear
  • Elk
  • Bison
  • Bighorn Sheep
  • Wolves
• Seasons of Wildlife
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Other Wildlife at Auster
• FAQs

The Short Version

• Wildlife at Auster
  • Watch for elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, wolves, bison, moose, and other iconic Montana wildlife.
• Best Time to See Wildlife
  • Wildlife can be seen year-round, but spring brings new life, summer offers abundant activity, fall showcases elk migration and bugling season, and winter creates stunning snow-covered viewing opportunities.

Where Can You See Bear, Elk, Bison, Bighorn Sheep, and Wolves?

Some wildlife steal the show. Seeing a wolf in the wild, watching a herd of elk migrate, or gazing upon a grizzly in its natural habitat are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for many wildlife lovers.

Fortunately, Paradise Valley serves up these stunning experiences regularly.

Bear

Both black bear and grizzly bear can be seen in Paradise Valley and on the Auster at Dome Mountain property.

Elk

Paradise Valley is a critical wintering habitat for Yellowstone elk herds. In the fall, watching migrating elk pass through Auster or hearing a bull elk’s bugle is a spellbinding Montana experience.

Bison

While bison are not regularly seen deep into Paradise Valley, some Yellowstone bison do venture into the Auster area from time to time. Yellowstone bison regularly migrate into the Gardiner Basin upriver from Auster, especially in the late fall and winter for winter forage.

Bighorn Sheep

These majestic mountain animals love rocky terrain and high places. Look for them in the vertical world, where they seek out outcroppings and airy outposts.

Wolves

The remarkable comeback of the gray wolf began in Yellowstone National Park, and even though the resurgence of this top-line predator comes with conflict and controversy, seeing a wolf in the wild is a bucket list experience for many wildlife viewers. Wolves are elusive and most active during dawn and dusk hours, so temper expectations for seeing them in midday or in exposed natural settings.

Which Season is Best for Seeing Wildlife?

Summer

Summer is a season that teems with wildlife. This is when most travelers see wildlife and take the time to travel, and it is a beautiful season to experience Montana’s natural beauty. Yet some of the most spectacular wildlife events happen during seasonal transitions.

Fall

Fall migration is a time when elk herds move to valley floors. If you catch this migration in person, the crisp mountain mornings against a backdrop of yellow, orange and reddening fall foliage make it a particularly impressive experience.

The fall “rut” mating season for elk is when you could catch bull elk bugling and challenging each other in clashes of antlers. The powerful, mysterious bugle of a bull elk in the quiet wild of Montana is a sensation unlike anything else.

Winter

While winter can be a quieter time for wildlife, and some species like bear are denned up and inactive, there is something particularly beautiful about observing or photographing Montana wildlife against a backdrop of fresh snow. Paradise Valley provides winter habitat for many species, including elk, and there are ample opportunities to view wildlife and birds throughout the winter. Some species, like lynx, are particularly active during the Montana winter, even at higher, snowy elevations.

Spring

Spring brings its own change as wildlife moves higher to summer feeding grounds. Late spring and early summer is also fawning season, an active time for the herd and also a period when predators like wolves are increasingly active.

Bison and other grazing herds follow similar patterns from higher elevation summer foraging grounds to lower-elevation wintering grounds, while pronghorn and mule deer typically travel even further for forage.

More Wildlife at Auster

While bison, bear, elk, wolves and moose are the most high-profile Montana wildlife, there are many other beautiful species to observe around Auster.

Birds in particular capture travelers’ imagination, with majestic birds of prey like bald eagles, owls, hawks and osprey prevalent throughout the area. But sandhill cranes can often be seen during migration seasons, as well as waterfowl along the Yellowstone River.

Although unlikely, there are also rare chances to see elusive species like wolverine or river otters on the banks of the Yellowstone. The Auster area teems with wildlife, and staying observant during hikes, while fly fishing or when driving can yield delightful and captivating wildlife surprises.

Explore the Wild Side