Make your reservations now?! West Yellowstone would be a good place to check out. Although pricey, the Jackson Lake Lodge is awesome! I told my husband we were going to pay up for a view. He was quite grumbly about it. We got into our room, opened the curtains and there were the Grand Tetons, the river all for us. He turned to me and said, “Worth it.” There’s a photo tour in one of the antique Yellowstone buses that is well worth doing if it’s running. Do bring some warm clothes as you could encounter snow. I took an 18-70, 55-300 and a 120-400 and my d7000. I used the 55-300 most of the time. Have a blast! It’s magical!

We were visiting in late spring. Bison were shedding and looked like moth-eaten old rugs. A group was thinking about crossing the road. (They seem to do their best thinking in the middle of the road.) A bunch of us idled in our vehicles, waiting. A youngish one was meandering along, checking out the cars, seemingly looking for something. He got to our car -- a nice CRV but no Hummer or armored vehicle. After scrutinizing us, he carefully maneuvered his scruffy body around just so, and then proceeded to vigorously rub the side of his shaggy rump against our front fender/headlight housing. Must have felt good because he rubbed more and more enthusiastically. The car rocked and rolled, and we prayed he didn't tip us over. Then it was time for the other side. Equally as itchy! I tried popping up through the sun roof to get photos but the angle was all wrong and we were facing into the sun. One of the most exciting animal encounters I've ever had!

I went to college in Bozeman, Montana which is north of Yellowstone Park. Traveling u to o Yellowstone as a film and tv major was a real kick. There are two major entrances that I used. West Yellowstone is a community that has rental homes and motels. The north entrance was the “main” President Theodore Roosevelt used to “open” the park. All my years there, I can only say that it made me go back to still imaging. Try have changed so much. I’ve driven up from Oregon years ago with my grand kids. Walking along a trail at dusk I was followed by a bison
(don’t call them buffalo) going to dinner.
So don’t pet the animals don’t feed them. Respect is the key. Have fun.

All good advice given above. I've been there all times of year too many times to count. There are basically two seasons in the Rocky mountains, Winter and August. Be prepared for both, they can happen back to back days. As a wild life photo guy myself, Lamar Valley is the most dramatic in terms of variation and possibles with as long lens. Do bring good glass to spot and shot with. Many wolves are a mile or more, occasionally close. I've seen wolves mostly there, but once along the Madison and several times at the Firehole/Gibson confluence junction. Don't dismiss the landscape. Yellowstone Falls from the North side is great, especially the lower view point. Artist Point on the South side is even more dramatic, especially with variable clouds/lighting. Site of Thomas Moran's Yellowstone Falls Painting, opening the debate for Senate Approval for its designation as our First National Park. Coming in from Red Lodge, you may see Mountain Goats near the NE Entrance and moose on Soda Cr Drainage into Larmar Valley. Do be careful of Bison, they will kill you if you get too close. The griz can be seen any where, but more commonly in Lamar Valley and between Mammoth Spr. South to the Geyser Basin. Check in with Yellowstone Forever folks in Gardiner or Canyon Village for most recent sitings. I've also seen Griz between Fisherman's Bridge along the North Shore of the Yellowstone Lake. Its a long drive from Jackson to YNP, so if time is short, keep that in mind. I stay at Gardiner and West Yellowstone on my trips. I look for modest quarters because I don't spend time in the facility, I'm in the Park. Finally, there is a facility in West Yellowstone to observe Captured Wolves and Griz in a nature setting that have been rescued. I was pleasantly surprised with its professional care and extent of information. Its worth an hour or two on your way.