Seasonal tour: This tour operates only from November through March.
Charge up your camera batteries and make sure you’ve got plenty of storage cards! We will spend a day observing and photographing bighorn sheep in their winter range. In November, you will have the opportunity to see rut behaviors!
This tour is in a location that takes about 3 hours to get to from Big Sky, Montana. I will also pick up for this tour anywhere in Bozeman or in the Paradise Valley between Livingston and Gardiner, from which travel times to the location will be much shorter. Although I normally pick up from West Yellowstone, I will not for this tour, as the travel time to the location would be unreasonable.
If sheep activity levels are low, we can venture into Yellowstone via the north entrance for a bit, then come back later to see if the sheep are more active. Park entrance fees will apply only if we enter Yellowstone.
| Cost | $1,075 for 1-3 people +$50 for each additional person over 3 * |
| Maximum capacity | 6 people |
| Duration | 10 hours |
* Park entrance fees and gratuity are not included.
What’s included
Tours include the following for no additional charge:
- A professional photographer as your tour guide
- Certified Yellowstone Master Naturalist
- Certified Montana Master Naturalist
- Certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid, and will carry a first aid kit, bear spray, and GPS with emergency SOS capability for safety
- Box lunch
- Snacks
- A reusable water bottle and a supply of water for refills
- Use of a limited selection of equipment
- Transportation in a Cadillac Escalade
Equipment that is available for your use on a photography tour:
- Tripods, with ball heads with Arca-Swiss quick release
- Monopods, without heads
- Arca-Swiss plates for your camera
- Binoculars and spotting scope
- Head lamps
- Low-level lighting units with stands
Not included:
- Park entrance fees
- To streamline entry, your fees can be pre-paid through us, or you can bring an America The Beautiful Pass and an ID to cover your entry
- Only required if your tour enters Yellowstone
- Gratuity
- Not required, but always appreciated
What you should bring
Any photo tour is based on the assumption that you will be using a DSLR camera. Here are some basics you’ll need to go along with your camera:
- A long lens for wildlife
- A zoom is ideal. You may have trouble with a prime lens, as there may not be opportunities to move very far towards or away from your subject.
- A mid-range zoom for scenics, closer wildlife, etc
- A zoom that covers mild wide angle to mild telephoto is ideal.
- Plenty of storage cards for your camera
If you need a particular lens, or some other piece of expensive photo equipment, but don’t have it, we can help you get a rental from a local camera shop. (Availability may be limited.)
For any children under 60 lbs, you will need to bring a car seat.
Other needs
Beyond photography needs, there are some basics you’ll need for any trip to this area.
- Good shoes
- If hiking, wear wool socks and a good pair of comfortable shoes or boots.
- Layers!
- No matter what time of year you visit, layers of clothing you can add or remove are crucial. Even in the summer, mornings can be in the 40s or 50s (in degrees Fahrenheit), while afternoons can be in the 80s or 90s.
- Sun protection
- Long sleeves/pants, sunscreen, hat, etc. The sun is powerful out here!
- Rain gear
- Rain can spring up out of nowhere, so having a raincoat and rain pants available is important.
Reserve my tour
We’re having technical issues with our booking plugin. We’re looking for a replacement, but in the meantime, please e-mail help@backroadsbear.com or call 406-298-4300.

