Grand Teton National Park covers 310,000 acres at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Moose, elk, mule deer, bison and pronghorn can all be seen from roadside viewpoints, and both grizzly bears and black bears live in the park.
Uinta ground squirrels, least chipmunks and red squirrels are common on the valley floor, while badgers, pine martens, long-tailed weasels and wolverines are much harder to find. More than 300 bird species can be found in Grand Teton, including great horned owls, golden eagles and ospreys. Keep reading to see featured photos of Grand Teton’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Grand Teton National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Grand Teton Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Grand Teton National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Grand Teton National Park Species List
The wildlife at Grand Teton National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Grand Teton National Park:
Grand Teton National Park Mammals
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Badger (Taxidea taxus) | Common |
| American Beaver (Castor canadensis) | Common |
| American Bison (Bos bison) | Common |
| American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) | Common |
| American Mink (Mustela vison) | Uncommon |
| American Pika (Ochotona princeps) | Common |
| Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) | Common |
| Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) | Uncommon |
| Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) | Common |
| Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) | Occasional |
| Coyote (Canis latrans) | Abundant |
| Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) | Abundant |
| Elk (Cervus elaphus) | Abundant |
| Ermine (Mustela erminea) | Common |
| Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) | Rare |
| Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) | Common |
| Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) | Uncommon |
| Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) | Common |
| Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius) | Unknown |
| Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) | Uncommon |
| Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) | Common |
| Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) | Abundant |
| Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) | Uncommon |
| Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans) | Common |
| Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) | Abundant |
| Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) | Common |
| Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus) | Common |
| Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) | Abundant |
| Montane Shrew (Sorex monticolus) | Unknown |
| Montane Vole (Microtus montanus) | Abundant |
| Moose (Alces alces) | Common |
| Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) | Common |
| Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) | Common |
| Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) | Unknown |
| Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides) | Common |
| Pine Marten (Martes americana) | Uncommon |
| Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) | Common |
| Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) | Common |
| Raccoon (Procyon lotor) | Uncommon |
| Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) | Uncommon |
| Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) | Common |
| River Otter (Lontra canadensis) | Uncommon |
| Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) | Common |
| Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) | Common |
| Southern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) | Common |
| Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) | Common |
| Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) | Rare |
| Uinta Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus armatus) | Abundant |
| Vagrant Shrew (Sorex vagrans) | Uncommon |
| Water Shrew (Sorex palustris) | Uncommon |
| Water Vole (Microtus richardsoni) | Uncommon |
| Western Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps) | Uncommon |
| White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) | Uncommon |
| Wolverine (Gulo gulo) | Rare |
| Yellow Pine Chipmunk (Neotamias amoenus) | Common |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) | Common |
Grand Teton National Park Birds
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) | Rare |
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | Uncommon |
| American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) | Common |
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Common |
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Common |
| American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) | Common |
| American Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) | Common |
| American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) | Common |
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Common |
| American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Uncommon |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Abundant |
| American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) | Uncommon |
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Common |
| American Wigeon (Anas americana) | Common |
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Common |
| Barn Owl (Tyto alba) | Rare |
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | Common |
| Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) | Common |
| Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) | Common |
| Black Rosy-finch (Leucosticte atrata) | Common |
| Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) | Rare |
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Common |
| Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) | Common |
| Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) | Common |
| Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) | Uncommon |
| Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) | Uncommon |
| Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) | Uncommon |
| Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Abundant |
| Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) | Common |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) | Common |
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Common |
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Common |
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | Common |
| Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) | Rare |
| California Gull (Larus californicus) | Common |
| Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) | Common |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Abundant |
| Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) | Common |
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Uncommon |
| Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) | Uncommon |
| Cassin’s Finch (Carpodacus cassinii) | Common |
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Common |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Common |
| Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) | Common |
| Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) | Uncommon |
| Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) | Common |
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Common |
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Uncommon |
| Common Loon (Gavia immer) | Uncommon |
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Common |
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) | Common |
| Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) | Common |
| Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) | Uncommon |
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | Common |
| Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Uncommon |
| Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis) | Uncommon |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Abundant |
| Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) | Common |
| Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) | Common |
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | Common |
| Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) | Uncommon |
| Eurasian Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Common |
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Uncommon |
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Common |
| Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) | Rare |
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | Common |
| Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) | Common |
| Gadwall (Anas strepera) | Common |
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Uncommon |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Uncommon |
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Uncommon |
| Gray-crowned Rosy-finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) | Uncommon |
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Common |
| Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) | Uncommon |
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Common |
| Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) | Uncommon |
| Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) | Common |
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Common |
| Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) | Common |
| Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondi) | Uncommon |
| Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) | Uncommon |
| Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) | Common |
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Common |
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Uncommon |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Common |
| House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) | Common |
| House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | Common |
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Common |
| Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) | Common |
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Uncommon |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Common |
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | Uncommon |
| Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) | Uncommon |
| Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) | Uncommon |
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Uncommon |
| MacGillivray’s Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) | Common |
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Abundant |
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | Common |
| Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) | Common |
| Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) | Common |
| Mountain Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) | Uncommon |
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Common |
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Common |
| Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) | Uncommon |
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Uncommon |
| Northern Raven (Corvus corax) | Abundant |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) | Common |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) | Uncommon |
| Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) | Common |
| Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) | Uncommon |
| Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) | Rare |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) | Common |
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) | Uncommon |
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Common |
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Uncommon |
| Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) | Uncommon |
| Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) | Common |
| Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) | Uncommon |
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Uncommon |
| Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) | Occasional |
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Common |
| Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) | Uncommon |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Common |
| Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) | Common |
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Common |
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Abundant |
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Uncommon |
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Uncommon |
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Common |
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Occasional |
| Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) | Common |
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Uncommon |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) | Abundant |
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Uncommon |
| Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) | Common |
| Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) | Common |
| Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) | Uncommon |
| Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) | Common |
| Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) | Common |
| Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) | Common |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Uncommon |
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Uncommon |
| Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) | Uncommon |
| Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) | Rare |
| Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) | Uncommon |
| Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) | Uncommon |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Common |
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | Common |
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) | Uncommon |
| Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) | Common |
| Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Common |
| Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | Common |
| Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Common |
| Townsend’s Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) | Rare |
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | Abundant |
| Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) | Common |
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Common |
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | Rare |
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Common |
| Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) | Common |
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | Uncommon |
| Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) | Abundant |
| Water Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | Uncommon |
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | Uncommon |
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Common |
| Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) | Common |
| Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) | Common |
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Uncommon |
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Abundant |
| White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) | Uncommon |
| White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) | Rare |
| Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) | Uncommon |
| Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) | Uncommon |
| Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) | Common |
| Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) | Common |
| Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) | Common |
| Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) | Rare |
| Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) | Abundant |
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Common |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) | Abundant |
Grand Teton National Park Reptiles
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Intermountain Wandering Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans vagrans) | Common |
| Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae) | Rare |
| Northern Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus graciosus) | Rare |
| Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi) | Uncommon |
Grand Teton National Park Amphibians
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) | Common |
| Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata) | Common |
| Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) | Common |
| Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) | Common |
| Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) | Uncommon |
Grand Teton National Park Fish
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus) | Common |
| Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) | Common |
| Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) | Common |
| Convict Cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) | Common |
| Finespotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii behnkei) | Unknown |
| Goldfish (Carassius auratus) | Uncommon |
| Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) | Common |
| Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) | Common |
| Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) | Abundant |
| Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) | Common |
| Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) | Abundant |
| Mountain Sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) | Common |
| Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) | Abundant |
| Northern Leatherside Chub (Lepidomeda copei) | Uncommon |
| Paiute Sculpin (Cottus beldingii) | Abundant |
| Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) | Uncommon |
| Redside Shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) | Common |
| Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus) | Common |
| Tadpole Madtom (Noturus gyrinus) | Uncommon |
| Utah Chub (Gila atraria) | Abundant |
| Utah Sucker (Catostomus ardens) | Abundant |
| Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) | Abundant |
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Grand Teton National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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