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Not sure whether you should visit Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley on your Yellowstone trip?
Have a limited amount of time to wildlife spotting in Yellowstone and want to make sure that you hit up the right valley? I have some good news for you–both Hayden and Lamar Valleys are solid options and if you can’t visit both, you’re still likely to have a great time. On our trips to Yellowstone as a child, I almost always could spot a herd of bison or two in either one.
However, there are certain perks to each that you might want to be aware of when choosing which option would be right for you–as well as some cons. If you have a limited amount of time, knowing which valley would be best suit your needs depending on where you are staying can also be a factor in which you choose.
I’ll help you decide which might be the valley for you, as well as provide some information on what you should know about visiting each so you can make an informed decision for your Yellowstone National Park itinerary.
In summary: This article covers the pros and cons of Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, as well as includes some FAQs to help you plan your trip.
Quick tip: Be on the lookout for pulled-over vehicles in each valley–that’s a sign there might be some wildlife to spot!
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is located in the northern area of Yellowstone, and it’s known as one of the best places in the world to spot wildlife. There’s a reason it’s known as “America’s Serengeti.” I think I have seen bison almost every time I’ve driven through here, and I almost always spot pronghorn antelope, as well.
If you are looking to see some of Yellowstone’s predators, you’re probably more likely to see them here than Hayden Valley. Wolves are almost always seen here–that doesn’t mean you will see them since they are pretty elusive, but you’re more likely to than other areas of the park! Bears are often visible here to.
I also tend to find it less popular than Hayden Valley since it is in a more remote location farther away from the other main sights of the park. This can be a great if you are searching for animals, but less great if you’re hungry and need to get to a restaurant or you only have one day in the park.
Because it is not located on the Grand Loop road, Lamar Valley stays open all year–and winter is often the best time to see animals without the crowds. If you are considering visiting Yellowstone during the colder months, you won’t really have a choice between the two valleys since Hayden will be closed down.
Pros of Lamar Valley
Here are some of the pros I see of visiting Lamar Valley and why it might be the better choice for you:
- Greater variety of wildlife: You’re more likely to see predatory species and a great variety of animal types.
- Fewer crowds: Since you’re farther away from the main attractions, you’re not competing for turnouts and animals are more likely to be active with fewer people around.
- It remains open in the winter: You can still visit during those snowy months if that’s when you plan on being there.
Cons of Lamar Valley
Here are some of the cons I see of visiting Lamar Valley over Hayden Valley:
- It’s farther away from the main attractions: It can be a full day to get there and back, meaning you might have to skip out on other sights like the Grand Prismatic Spring or Old Faithful.
- Not the best if you have limited time: It might be better to stick to Hayden Valley if you are trying to pack in more within a short window.
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Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is located almost smack-dab in the middle of Yellowstone National Park, which is part of the reason why it’s such a popular spot for many visitors over Lamar Valley. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worth visiting–you’re definitely not compromising by choosing Hayden!
Personally, if you are looking at grabbing some pictures of the scenery as well as of wildlife, I think Hayden gives you a better bang for your buck. I love how expansive it is, and you’ll likely see plenty of herds of bison wandering throughout.
However, you are a little less likely to see some of the stars of the Yellowstone show: wolves and grizzly bears. That doesn’t mean that they don’t hang out here–they’re free to roam wherever they would like–it’s just less common to spot them than in Lamar Valley.
But you are a lot closer to the other attractions that Yellowstone has to offer, including the Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This means you can fit almost all of it into one day if you need to.
Pros of Hayden Valley
Here are some of the reasons I see why visiting Hayden Valley might be better than Lamar:
- You’re located near other attractions: This doesn’t have to be the main thing you do that day–you can check out some of the other things to do in Yellowstone too!
- More impressive scenery: Personally, I find the scenery in this area to be a bit more photogenic than Lamar.
Cons of Hayden Valley
Here are some reasons why you might want to consider Lamar Valley over Hayden Valley:
- More people: There’s typically more crowding around wildlife, meaning it might be harder to get a picture.
- Less variety of wildlife: Wolves and grizzlies tend to hang out in Lamar more, but don’t think you won’t see them here!
- Closes in winter: If you plan on visiting Yellowstone in the winter, you won’t be able to visit Hayden Valley because the road will be closed.
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Lamar Valley versus Hayden Valley FAQs
Here are some frequently-asked questions I get from visitors looking to choose between Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley.
Conclusion
While I definitely believe you should visit both if you can, you might be limited by the amount of time you have or because of the time of year you are visiting Yellowstone. Sometimes, I have to choose seeing one or the other on my trips down there, but I’m never disappointed by either! Basically I say: Lamar Valley if you have several days or you are headed there in the winter, Hayden Valley if you have a short amount of time.
Have any questions about visiting either Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley? Let me know in the comments!
