Sold Out - Winter Wonderland in Yellowstone National Park Tour, Jan. 25- Feb. 1, 2025
Sold Out - Winter Wonderland in Yellowstone National Park Tour, Jan. 25- Feb. 1, 2025
$6,100
Experience the magic of Yellowstone National Park in the quiet of winter with acclaimed National Geographic photographer, Barrett Hedges.
Yellowstone National Park is the best place to photograph wildlife in the winter in North America! With its relatively easy access, and such a diversity of wildlife, winter in Yellowstone is a must for any wildlife photographer! In Yellowstone’s unique winter environment, bison wander across vast snow-covered fields and drink in streams sparking with ice crystals, fox jump head first into the snow for hidden rodents, wolves wander the valleys and howl from the ridges, bobcats hunt along the edges of rivers; and elk, river otter, big horn sheep, moose, eagles, snowshoe hare and coyote all call Yellowstone home in the winter, a wildlife photographer’s dream! Not only will we see incredible wildlife, but also the frozen landscape makes for dramatic wintry scenes. Hoar frost will cover the trees and glisten in the morning light, steam rises thickly from the hot springs, geysers and fumaroles, and snow will cover the entire landscape. Come experience this incredible opportunity with us as we discover and unveil the magic of Yellowstone in the winter together!!
There are numerous photographic techniques used in the winter, and we will discuss those as we go along. Though this is a tour rather than a workshop, I will give instruction on how to shoot the variety of subjects we encounter, answer any questions you have, always available to talk about technique, and be alongside you photographing the beauty of Yellowstone. During downtimes, and most of the time we will be out in the field shooting, I will be giving tips and instruction on whatever needs you have the help you bring home great images and have new techniques to use in the future to capture great shots. I am great at capturing the image correctly the first time in the field, and that is what I am going to help you accomplish too!
The best part about winter in Yellowstone is that you just never know what you will encounter. One day it might be a bobcat along a river, the next day a pack of wolves in the valley, or the temperature might be really cold and we will find a frosty bison. One of the best parts of the winter in Yellowstone is the diversity. We will have plans on where we want to go each day, but those plans can easily change depending on what we discover. There is so much to see, which is why we have planned for a full week in the park.
Why come with Barrett??
Barrett has tour guided in the park two full summers, and driven a photo tour snow coach one winter. On his own he has photographed in Yellowstone every winter, spring, and fall since 2011, and has spent days searching for and finding the best places where wildlife hang out in the winter. He is a National Geographic Creative photographer and his experience with wildlife is unmatched! Come with him to learn different ways to shoot a scene from a top end wildlife photographer, who is highly experienced in the Yellowstone area.
This is a winter trip you will never forget, and you will walk away with more photographic knowledge and great shots!! A full list of gear recommendations, including clothing, will be provided once you sign up, and we will send a more detailed itinerary. Barrett looks forward to leading you this winter!
Trip Details:
- Dates: January 25 - February 1 (8 days, 7 nights)
- Deposit: $1,250 (due upon signing up to hold spot) payable by credit card or check
- 50% due by October 15th, 100% due by December 31st
- Participants: 6 Maximum
Price Includes:
- 4 nights lodging at The Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, West Yellowstone, MT
- 3 nights lodging at a hotel in Gardiner
Price is based on double occupancy (there will be a $500 extra charge if you want a single room)
- 3 days on a private snow coach from West Yellowstone into the park
- All transportation to and from Bozeman, and the Yellowstone area
- Box lunches each day while we are out in the field
Not Included:
- Travel to and from Bozeman, MT, or any lodging or meals while in Bozeman
(please arrive the day before the workshop starts as I will pick you up at 1:30 p.m. on the 25th to travel to West Yellowstone )
- All suppers, we will go out to eat as a group each night
- Tips for Driver/Guides on the snow-coach
Brief Trip Itinerary:
Day 1: We will meet in Bozeman on January 25th at 1:30 p.m., and then ride together in an SUV to West Yellowstone that evening. We will gather that evening for dinner, and go over what the next few days look like and answer any questions.
Day 2-4: Ride into the interior of Yellowstone by private snow-coach. What we see will dictate where we stop, but we will make it too Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for sure. This will be a private coach, so we can stop where we want and for however long we want at each place!
Day 5: Drive to the north of the park and Gardiner, MT. Explore the northern range that afternoon.
Day 6-7: Drive our own vehicles in search of the wildlife that call the northern range home.
Day 8: Drive back to Bozeman in the morning. Please book your flight for no earlier that 12 p.m.
Cancellations: All cancellations must be must be confirmed in writing, and due to costs incurred by BearHead Photography in arranging a tour, deposits are non refundable. If I am able to fill your spot you will get refunded, but if the spot remains empty, I cannot refund you.
**WAITLIST
- A waitlist is available for any of my Photo Tours that are currently sold out. In the event of a confirmed guest cancelling their Tour spot, I will contact people on the waitlist in the order they have been added. Cancellations can and do happen and spots have opened up on previous photo tours.
Testimonials
I recently had the opportunity to participate in Barrett’s Winter Yellowstone Photo Tour. Since first meeting Barrett at his gallery in Skagway in 2018, I dreamed about taking this trip to Yellowstone to photograph wildlife in America’s first National Park. The information and instruction Barrett provided in advance of the tour was so helpful. I found his tips and suggestions especially valuable when preparing for the cold weather and potentially difficult shooting conditions. Barrett’s first-hand knowledge of Yellowstone, photography experience, and understanding of animal behavior collectively elevated the tour beyond what I could have ever imagined. While on-site, Barrett’s eyes are focused on finding wildlife of all kinds. And, when we stopped to photograph the animals, he’s there to assist with recommended camera settings so that you get the most out of your photo composition. He listens attentively and verbally prepares you in advance so that you can get in the best position for what might be a once-in-a-lifetime shot. In one instance, we were stopped on a pack of wolves about a half-mile out from our location. As the wolves came closer in, he said to us in advance “Now, if they start moving along that ridge we’re picking up and moving.” Sure enough, the wolves moved as he predicted, and we grabbed our gear to get repositioned within 120 yards of the pack’s path. We were some of the first photographers to get set up in the prime location, resulting in great photos and a memorable experience. Every day in Yellowstone was unique and provided a wide range of subjects to photograph. The memories and images I have from this experience will last a lifetime and would not hesitate to return with Barrett to Yellowstone or any other of his photo tours.
- Eric Gee
“Go! The fox leapt into the air, pointed its self-straight down like an arrow and crunched through the ice crusted snow, caught the vole, carried it off and buried it. Amazing to watch, but more than that I caught it all on film. The leap, the stab through snow, and the victorious catch. The contrast of the vibrant orange of the fox and the bright blue white of the snow. I arrived in Yellowstone as a novice photographer and left with skills that would have taken years on my own to call my own. Each day offered surprises to photograph - a pack of wolves on a futile chase after massive bison, big horn sheep, otters, owls, coyotes, eagles, elk, moose, and more. A fresh bison kill became less each day as the Yellowstone animals survived the winter making use of all of it, until it was completely gone. We got to photograph them all, honing photographic skills every day. Barrett was easy going, approachable, and advised on any photographic challenges - settings, lighting, lenses, how to keep your camera going in the cold, and challenging me to move out of my comfort zone with camera settings. The group was amiable and the group dinners in the evening brought shared observations, challenges, and a chance to discuss the amazing dynamics of Yellowstone in the winter. There was NO competitiveness, only comradery, the only thing required is to stay warm in the elements and enjoy photographing the wildlife. Early in the morning, the howl of the wolves inspired us for another day of all Yellowstone in the winter offered to us. The logistics were spot-on. We were dressed for the cold, stayed in comfortable lodging, and ate well. All in all, the trip of a lifetime. Go! Thank you, Barrett, for a most enjoyable winter vacation!”
- Larry Loder
“About a year ago, a friend of mine told me that he had booked a photo tour in Yellowstone for the winter of 2021 and thought I might want to go also. Ironically, I had been seeing and admiring wildlife images taken in Yellowstone during the winter. There are some very talented photographers who shoot there. Before making a decision about booking the trip, I had two reservations. The first was, were my expectations too high? And the second, had to do with my beginner skill level as a photographer in a setting where the others probably much more skilled. It didn’t take long before I realized this was a great opportunity for me to go to another place on my bucket list. Not long after putting a deposit down on the trip, Barrett was in personal contact with me with all of the needed information. Also making himself available for any other needs or concerns I may have had. I didn’t know anything about Barrett as a photographer prior to booking this trip. Many of the Yellowstone trips I had seen, were with some high profile photographers that use social media to its’ max potential. I’ve since learned, that advertising is more their skill set. Barrett seems to be a modest guy. It is very apparent that he is a very skilled and passionate wildlife photographer. The tour………WOW!!!!! My high expectations were not only met, but exceeded. Barrett has spent an enormous amount of time in and around Yellowstone over the years taking different jobs, so that he could pursue a dream. To me….That says a lot about him. During his time spent there, he has acquired a vast amount of knowledge and resources that are vital to leading such great photo tours. I was aware of the many species of animals that inhabit Yellowstone, but never could have imagined how many we were able to see and get close enough to photograph. As far as the others in the group, they were of varied skill levels as photographers. What a great group. After the first day, I felt like we were a team. Each and every one of us had a shining moment spotting wildlife for the group. Having gone on this trip has definitely boosted my photo skills up a couple of notches and I have already booked another trip with Barrett to Lake Clark, AK.”
- David Ellsworth
“I was fortunate to be able to attend a Yellowstone National Park photography workshop with Barrett Hedges in 2018 and 2019. The experiences I received provide me with memories of a lifetime and knowledge that I can use to pursue my photography hobby. Barrett’s expertise and knowledge of Yellowstone is impressive. He worked our entire trip to ensure we experienced everything Yellowstone has to offer for both wildlife and scenic photographs. Throughout the workshop, Barrett assisted participants with their camera settings, photography techniques and Lightroom editing. His knowledge, patience and teaching skills are excellent for all levels. Barrett’s extensive wildlife knowledge becomes obvious as you work with him. His ability to spot wildlife and anticipate their movements presented us with opportunities for photographs that many photo groups would not get.”
“If you want to experience Yellowstone and spend a week learning from a great person and skilled photographer, Barrett’s workshops will provide you a trip of a lifetime.”
- Tom Clickner
“I have known Barrett now for several years. First I met him in Alaska at his famous brown bear photography workshop. I was overwhelmed by his passion and knowledge about bears. So it is no surprise that I decided to join him again on his winter wonderland Yellowstone trip. I was happy to meet his beautiful spouse Twila, who helped Barrett manage all the difficulties related to COVID 19. We were wearing masks in the vans, and Barrett provided excellent hygiene concept for the safety of all of us. We spent 3 full days photographing in West Yellowstone on a private Snow Coach and 3 days photographing Lamar Valley in a van driven by Barrett. Barrett was exactly as I expected very familiar with the shooting locations and the wildlife in the area. He was helpful with camera settings, frame design and answered all questions of his clients. As we were only a small group it was an overwhelming experience. We saw wolves chasing bison herds, frozen bison, bighorn sheep, moose, deer, marten, pronghorns, bald eagles, ducks and swans.”
Conclusion: “Would you like to have an unforgettable experience and get tons of excellent pictures?... join Barrett Hedges on his photography tours! “
- Thank you Barrett and Greetings from Bavaria! Nedko
"Before this trip, I didn't have much experience with wildlife photography and I never had the opportunity to photograph in the snow. I found Barrett to be a great guide, a true professional, full of enthusiasm, and definitely someone I could ask for advice. Everything worked out perfectly. I took home with me wonderful memories and fantastic photographs. Thank you for this unique experience."
- Fiorenza