2026 Yellowstone in Winter Wildlife and Landscapes NANPA Photo Tour (Jan 26-29, 2026)

Registration is now open

PRICE: 

$3,595 NANPA/ASMP Members, $ 3,895 non-members

The registration fee includes 3 full days in the National Park on snowcoaches with box lunches each day, and snowcoach driver tips.  Tips for the two NANPA guides are at your own discretion.

If you are not currently a member, you may want to consider joining NANPA to take advantage of member pricing on all NANPA Photo Tours (1 year membership $100)

Max # of Participants: 12 (split between two leaders and two snowcoaches) or if we have a smaller group, 6-7 (with one leader and one snowcoach)

Last date to register: December 20, 2025

DATES:

• Monday, January 26, 2026 (6:00 pm orientation) – Thursday, January 29, 2026 (end late afternoon ~ 5 pm).Do not make post-event plans before 6 pm on January 29 as the snowcoach may not return to the hotel until 5 pm. Since winter weather can impact travel plans, we recommend staying in West Yellowstone on January 29^th, booking flights out of Bozeman on January 30. Keep in mind there are only two shuttles a day between the hotel to Bozeman Airport. (See the Airport section below for more details.)
• February 16, 2026, 7-9 pm (Eastern Time) (optional) Post-event Image Sharing and Feedback Webinar for participants

• On-site event check-in and Meet & Greet will take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6 pm at the hotel.

DESCRIPTION:

Many of America’s best winter landscape photographs are found in Yellowstone National Park.  Yellowstone’s geysers, hot springs and other geothermal features, mountain peaks, sprawling vistas, and impressive waterfalls are even more magical in winter’s snowy conditions.  Plus, this time of year often creates a bonus—especially for those who enjoy wildlife photography. Snowy landscapes and rivers often produce an advantageous contrast that enables photographers to easily locate their subjects.  We may see wildlife such as bison, elk, fox, coyote, wolves, otters, eagles and snow geese. It’s not uncommon to see a predator-prey situation unfold or both Bald and Golden Eagles on a carcass

The event will be based in the town of West Yellowstone, and our group will have exclusive access to two 13-passenger snowcoaches with local guide/drivers provided by Yellowstone Vacations. Attendees will travel into the park by snowcoach for 3 full days allowing for photography of landscapes and wildlife that are not accessible without a snowcoach.

The size of our group will be limited to 12 participants to allow ample room for attendees and their photography equipment on the snowcoaches, as well as more individual interaction with the tour leaders.

This is one of our post popular NANPA Photo Tours—typically, selling out quickly.  So, it is advisable to register early to secure your spot.

NANPA is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service; and the Jividens are both commercially licensed Yellowstone guides with many years of experience in this area.

PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS:

Our photography locations have been chosen to explore the amazing diversity and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. Some of the locations that we will most likely photograph include:

• Canyon Area
• Hayden Valley
• Firehole River Area
• Madison River
• Norris Geyser Basin

Leaders are familiar with the areas that you’ll be visiting, and locations will be based on what’s most photogenic at the time, wildlife activity, weather conditions, etc.

Note, we will not be going to Lamar Valley. Snowcoaches do not go to Lamar Valley in the winter. The road through the Lamar Valley is the only road that is open to vehicular traffic in the winter (preferably with 4-wheel drive and snow tires).  Year round, that route is open (weather permitting) from Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City, MT; so, it is not an option from where we are based in West Yellowstone. If you are interested in visiting the Lamar Valley, you should make arrangements to drive there on your own before or after this tour. Your tour leaders may offer suggestions upon request.

Your Tour Leaders

Jerry & Barb Jividen

This year’s tour leaders are the accomplished husband and wife team of the Jividens – Jerry and Barbara. Jerry and Barb Jividen are nationally and internationally published nature and wildlife photographers, whose work appears in/on hundreds of books, magazine pages and covers. They also won two of three top photos in the 2019 NANPA Nature Photography Day Facebook photo contest.

The Jividens have been working together professionally since 1991, producing and selling stock photography and working side by side photographing and writing for magazines and travel planners.  Both are professional photography guides and instructors, holding several federal permits to lead photography tours and workshops inside of select US National Parks and federal lands.  Both are also state certified photography instructors and teach their craft from their Ohio offices. They offer a wide variety of photography topics to photography organizations, groups and clubs—both virtually and in-person.

The Jividens’ publication credits include the following cover photos: National Geographic Books Division, National Geographic Kids Magazine (in 6 languages), National Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Magazine, Falcon Press Birder’s Dictionary, SkyWest Magazine, Hang Gliding Magazine, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s WOW Magazine, Ohio State Parks, Ohio Magazine. Their published and commercial work also includes images printed on hundreds of interior pages—many with accompanying articles.  This list includes: Rocky Outdoor Gear, Gates Gloves and Gear, Gortex, The North Face, Bob Evans Farms, Kenworth Trucking, United Way, Bugle Magazine, Animal Watch, Handloader Magazine, Nature Photographer, Outdoor Photographer, Photographer’s Market by Writer’s Digest (featured as success story); Majestic Whitetails by Voyager Press, Hot Springs & Geysers by O’Rourke Publishing, Wildlife Conservation Society for display at the Bronx Zoo, Field & Stream, Adventure Publications (numerous state field guide books), Owls–The Silent Fliers by Firefly Publishing, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, US Department of the Treasury, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and scores of travel planners and visitors guides.

You can find more details at www.TheJividens.com.

AIRPORT:

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Belgrade, MT

We will be based in West Yellowstone, Montana for this event.

Transportation to/from the Hotel and Bozeman Airport
Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from the hotel in West Yellowstone. Once in the town of West Yellowstone, it is not necessary to have a car for this event. The shuttle company Karst Stage offers transportation between airport and hotel.

Karst Stage offers airport shuttle service between Bozeman Airport and West Yellowstone, http://karststage.com/, Phone (406) 556-3540 or (800) 287-4759.

Be aware that at this time of year the Karst Stage shuttle only runs 2 shuttles a day from the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to West Yellowstone stopping at the Holiday Inn (airport departures at 4:30 am and 2 pm). The shuttle makes multiple stops at different West Yellowstone hotels, the trip takes approximately 2 hours and costs are usually $305 round trip or $170 one way. For the return trip from West Yellowstone to the airport it departs the hotel at either 8:30 am and 4:40 pm and takes 3.5 to 4 hours due to multiple stops.

Please remember to allow time for checking into your airline for a departing flight, which as a rule is typically 2 hours in advance.  Consider this when allowing for the estimated 2-hour shuttle service.

EVENT TRANSPORTATION:

In the winter, only authorized vehicles are allowed inside the National Park. For our tour, NANPA has organized daily snowcoach transportation between the hotel and the National Park (included in the event fee). Snowcoach transportation in the park will be provided by Yellowstone Vacation Tours, an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service. We will use 13-passenger snowcoaches, and our goal is to allow just one driver/guide, one NANPA tour leader, and 6-7 attendees per snowcoach—to allow plenty of room for people and photography equipment, and to comply with National Park Service requirements. Participants generally have a seat next to them or adjacent to their seating location for gear which includes clothes and camera gear.  Tripods are stored in a storage box on the back of the snowcoach.

Snowcoaches will pick up our photographers at the hotel each morning and return us to the hotel at the end of the day. Coaches are heated, and are comfortable when wearing winter apparel.  Participants can return to the coach at any time to warm up should they become chilled or tired if we are stopped and are out photographing.

RIDE SHARING:

Note that NANPA does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them.  Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar to/from or around West Yellowstone is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

LODGING: 

A block of rooms is being held for event participants for the nights of January 26, 27, 28, and 29 at a newly renovated West Yellowstone, MT hotel – the same place we’ll be meeting and getting picked up /dropped off by the snowcoaches.

Check in time 3 pm, Check out time 11 am.

2 queen bed or 1 king bed, non-smoking rooms ($159 per night plus tax and fees)

Lodging details will be made available to registered participants.

Check in time 3 pm, Check out time 11 am.

MEALS:

Boxed lunches for January 27, 28, and 29 are included in your registration fee and will be provided on the snowcoach by Yellowstone Vacation Tours, an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service.

Breakfasts, dinners, and snacks are not provided and are attendees’ responsibility. The hotel has a restaurant. Additional restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores are located within a few blocks walking distance of the hotel.

PARK PASS:

Anyone entering the National Park will be required to have a park pass.  Attendees are responsible for their own park entrance fees (National Park Annual Passes, Senior Passes, etc. may be used).  You should purchase a pass in advance to expedite the entry process. More information about entrance fees and passes may be found here:   https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm If purchasing an annual national park pass, it is often much faster to purchase via REI.com.

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:

You will spend 3 full days (January 27, 28, and 29) on the snowcoaches exploring and photographing Yellowstone National Park.  All of the drivers and your NANPA photo leaders have extensive experience with winter photography in this area.

Monday, January 26, 2026

Arrival and check into hotel.  Registration, Meet & Greet and orientation at 6:00 pm in the hotel.  Other topics and questions will be answered at the Meet & Greet.

January 27 – 29, 2026

NANPA has contracted with Yellowstone Vacation Tours who will be providing the snowcoaches and drivers for our group.  The snowcoaches will pick you up at the hotel each morning at 7 am and return everyone to the hotel at the end of the day (typically by 5 pm). The snowcoaches provide transportation that takes us into the interior of Yellowstone and into the heart of winter to view the park’s magical light, geysers, waterfalls and winter wildlife.  In recent years the coaches have moved from tracked to wheeled vehicles which are more efficient, faster and most importantly quieter.  As conditions allow, we will visit the regional geyser basins with one day planned for the east side of the park around Hayden Valley. Schedules are fluid due to weather conditions, wind, and other variables.

The event wraps up late in the afternoon on January 29. Do not make post-event plans before 6 pm on January 29 as the snowcoach may not return to the hotel until 5 pm. Since winter weather can impact travel plans, we recommend staying in West Yellowstone on January 29 and booking flights out of Bozeman on January 30, 2026.

RESTROOM BREAKS:

There will be restroom breaks in Yellowstone National Park during the day while you’re on the snowcoaches.

HEALTH AND FITNESS AT HIGH ALTITUDE

Yellowstone National Park is located on the Yellowstone Plateau and has an average elevation of 8,000 ft (2400 M).  We will be predominantly traveling at this elevation up to near 10,000 ft.  Altitude is a concern for some people traveling from lower to higher elevations in a short amount of time.  If you suffer from heart, lung or other disorders or you think you may be impacted in a way that may affect your health you should consult your doctor prior to departure.  One should be in decent physical health and prepared for higher altitude and extreme weather conditions.  Precautions are to walk slower than usual, watch your breathing and drink plenty of water.  Water is an important factor at this altitude and hydration is a key component in the west and at higher altitudes.  DRINK WATER!  If you think you are having issues after arrival, please inform one of the leaders.

Add sunscreen to your list as the UV can be very intense on bright sunny days and reflective snow can add to the intensity.

WEATHER:

Average temperatures range from zero to 20° F (-20° C to 5° C) during the day and sub-zero temperatures at night.  However, temps can be anywhere from 30° F to -40° F, depending on weather conditions.

CLOTHING:

Please come prepared for extreme weather conditions including snow and possible blizzard conditions.  We suggest you dress in layers for bitterly cold morning, but warmer temps as the day goes on.  Layering is a means of adjusting the body temperature by taking layers on and off to maintain a comfort level that keeps energy retention and prevents sweating.  Therefore, the best way of keeping warm in extreme temperatures is using this philosophy. Additional clothing recommendations will be given to registered participants.

CAMERA GEAR: 

During the Yellowstone Photo Tour, there will be diverse opportunities for wildlife and scenic photography. More detailed recommendations will be given to registered participants, but here is a summary of recommended gear:

• 1 or 2 camera bodies
• Extra camera batteries
• More than enough memory cards for at least one-day at a time, based on your shooting habits/style
• Long telephoto lens in the 400-500mm range
• Medium telephoto lens (70-200mm range)
• Wide angle lens for scenic shots
• High-quality teleconverters (1.4 or 2x) would help increase your focal length
• Be sure to bring a good sturdy tripod (marked well with ribbons, bands, or unique tags)
• A lens cover and body cover help to protect your expensive gear from falling snow and/or sleet
• Backpack to put your camera/lens in on the snowcoach.

Since space in each coach is limited, and winter coats can be bulky, we ask that you try to contain your gear to one or two small-to-medium bag(s), rather than bringing a super large bag or case.  Also, mark or flag your bags well.  It seems like most photographers carry bags that look similar or identical.

Consider bringing soft-sided bags or backpack-style bags that can contain a variety of lenses, along with 1-2 bodies.  Unfortunately, there is no room for large Pelican type cases and super large items.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

• laptop, card reader, and chargers for all
• cords and cables that will be needed
• anti-fog cloth
• rechargeable warmers or chemical warmers for hands and feet
• binoculars
• sunglasses
• lip balm
• sunscreen (especially if you burn easily)
• motion sickness medication
• absorbent microfiber towel for rain, sleet, snow
• sunglasses
• easy-to-carry and no-mess type of snacks
• refillable water bottle (Staying well hydrated at altitude is critical. There is a grocery store and convenience stores in West Yellowstone where you can purchase miscellaneous items, such as on this list.)

GENERAL:

This event is designed for nature photographers at all levels of experience. For the best experience, please know the basic settings and features of your camera before you arrive, and bring your manual in case we need to look up something for your make and model if/when assisting you.

Assistance will be available in the field for those who wish to improve their photographic skills. If you already a skilled photographer with experience, our guides can help ensure you get to the best locations at the best times to capture those perfect shots. If you prefer not having assistance, that’s fine too.  We realize that some photographers prefer working alone but enjoy these events for the fellowship and for convenient travel arrangements with easy access to the park.

Please keep in mind this NANPA Event is designed to be a photo tour, not a photo workshop. In other words, there are no formal instruction sessions planned, there are no assignments, and no editing sessions.  You will not be receiving any handouts or materials—printed or electronically. That being said, the Jividens have experience as photography workshop leaders and as photography instructors. They are there to answer questions and give you guidance upon request. If you need help, please advocate for yourself and speak up and ask for help – both Jerry and Barbara are capable and happy to help. It’s also worth mentioning that many of your fellow participants may also be accomplished photographers in their own right and may be able and happy to help you as well.  Part of the NANPA Photo Tour experience is the camaraderie that comes from sharing experiences and lessons learned among participants—so we encourage conversations and collaboration. If you notice someone with the same or similar camera, perhaps they can help you with a special camera/lens issue you’ve been wondering about, and maybe you can return the favor.

Attendance and participation at NANPA Photo Tours is limited to registered attendees only—this includes spouses.  Anyone wishing to participate in any portion of, or travel with a registered attendee during the group event must contact the NANPA office and pay the full registration fee.

RESOURCES:

Yellowstone National Park Link https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

PHOTO TOUR CANCELLATION AND NO-REFUND POLICY:

NANPA will not offer any refunds for registrations for this event regardless of when the cancellation is made or the reason for the cancellation. NANPA reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. NANPA will offer refunds if NANPA has to cancel the event. It also has the right to substitute guides and leaders if those originally scheduled cannot attend.

If you choose to purchase travel insurance separately (not at the time of registration), you can do so with your own insurance carrier, or NANPA members can receive a special travel insurance rate through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services.