franbires

Lots of very good suggestions from everyone from UHH but I didn’t see one very important item - bear spray. Be sure to purchase bear spray and learn how to use it. While in the Lamar Valley area, pull in the road that leads to Slough Creek Campground. In the evening, you’ll always find people in pull offs looking for wolves in particular. This is a great spot for them.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I used to be a big city boy so are you driving all the way from Queens? How do you plan to protect yourself against a more realistic danger than being attacked by a bear; I'm referring to rest room stops and overnight accomodations.

You can hike alone if you carry one of these:
https://thehikingadventure.com/best-personal-locator-beacon-satellite-messenger

FuzzyDan

Any intention I may have had to get close to the animals was snuffed out on a trip through Yellowstone in the late 1990s. A grizzly attacked and killed a bison along the side of the road from Cody, very near the Fishing Bridge Visitors Center. That had far more impact than seeing thousands of "don't feed the bears" signs! According to the rangers, that's a rare occurrence, but possibly due to the lateness of the season and the need for the female bear, with two cubs, to quickly pack on calories.

I've never ceased to be amazed at how stupid some people can be around animals, large or small. I've not only witnessed quite a few folks in parks walking right up to elk or bison so they can pose with them, but also people stopping along pasture fences, and thinking nothing of placing their kid on an unknown horse for a photo op. Sometimes they get a great picture, but at other times they end up as the unfortunate subject of someone else's u-tube video.

ChackbayGuy Loc: South Louisiana

Petunia: Most dangerous thing about being out in the wild is not knowing what you don't know! You were smart enough to ask and there is lots of good advice prior to my post. I did extensive backpacking in my earlier days, usually at high altitudes and often up to a week at a time. Even got married in a backpack wedding at my gold mine claim in the California mountains. My wife is an former animal trainer and worked often with big cats. Now for some tips from our experience.
1. For "early", look at the definitions for nautical twilight. That will give you a good start time for photography as it usually co-incides with animals becoming active mornings or still active evenings.
2. Don't hike alone. Advice on asking to accompany another hiker is good advice. A couple is your best bet. Most experienced hikers don't mind a "tag along" to help mentor you.
3. Bears -- If you don't need a telephoto lens to get a good view, you are too close! Don't be quite when moving. Surprising a bear is a bad idea. If you are confronted, DO NOT turn and run. If attacked, try to play dead.
4. If you do hike a trail away from road access, do carry a minimum survival backpack. Some thermal underware, at least a quart of water, a handfull of energy bars (sealed in ziplock bags), an LED flashlight, and fire starter tools, and whistle.
5. Food - Best bet is to wear clothes that have not seen a meal with you in them. Seal all food you carry (see above). Animals have really keen sense of smell and will be attracted by even small amount of food smell. Look up "camping with bear rules" for tips to help you understand.
6. Even if you plan to find a "trail buddy", follow the advice to notify your hotel or a ranger where you are going and when you plan to be back.
7. Check if there are guided photo tours where you'd like to go. That puts you in a crowd with similar minded folks.
8. Enjoy and keep on learning. The outdoors are amazing and just sitting and listening to the nature around you can be a great stress relief.

Be safe and have a great vacation... John

Carlosu

You may be able to book a tour or a hike with a private party, not a ranger. Google it. Bears are an issue. If you hike, you should carry bear spray, at least that’s what we were told in Glacier and I know that there are lots of bears at Yellowstone.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

My buddy lives on the shore of Lake Henry right on the edge of Yellowstone. He is professional wildlife photographer, but he avoids the bars. He's been visiting, hiking and photographing in the park for something like 20 years. He is leading groups for hiking and wildlife viewing and can give you all the advice you will need for a decade of trips. His FB page is @wildsidegalleries, and you can see his work on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsidegalleries/ although I don't think he's posting his recent wildlife photos there.
He said to call him any time. I will private msg you his number. His name is Chris and his "wife" is Laura. And as a second thought - you will LOVE them and the time you spend with them will be magical.

jteee Loc: Montana

Gloria:
Please, please, please read and listen to MTShooter rather than most of the others. Like him, I have and do live in the shadow of Yellowstone, and visit regularly to photograph wildlife, etc. The vast majority of those trips are solo, and although I don't hike much anymore (I'm a bit over 70), I consider Yellowstone much safer than, say NYC You will be overwhelmed with photo ops from your car, as there are plentiful pull outs, in addition to the various "touristy places such as geyser basins, etc.". If you choose to, there are many short hikes, and most likely other folks that you can simply ask to tag along with. Again, you are at higher risk of being mugged in the city, than running into a bear. It is simply a matter of being "bear aware" as they say.
Obviously the hours around sunup and sundown are best for viewing wildlife, but don't quit too early. Most wildlife in the park can be seen at virtually all hours of the day. Early September crowds are starting to thin, but as a photographer I have found the following to be true regardless of the season. You will be with other photographers before 9 or 10, then the "others" start to show up. Same goes with after 5pm, the "others" will start to disappear.
You are spot on with regards to the Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley being prime wildlife viewing areas. The Lamar is on the highway to Cooke City, and is thereby traveled regularly (so don't worry about being alone). There are numerous spectacular options for vast Astrophotography opportunities along this route (although the park in general is great for these shots). In September the elk are starting to rut and bugle, and frankly, one of the best places to see that behavior up close and personal is at Mammoth Hot Springs, as a large herd seems to live there year round. If you work at it you can actually get some photos without other people in them.
September in Yellowstone, or Montana in general, is probably different than back east regarding the weather. Historically we will get our first major snow storm the week of the 15th. It typically doesn't last long, but it can be nasty for the short term. Makes for awesome landscape photography. Your clothing therefore needs to address the possibility of temperatures ranging from 15 to 85 (which could happen in the same day ).
All that being said, September is THE most spectacular month to visit Yellowstone and/or Montana.
This will be a trip of a lifetime, so plan accordingly, and expect to be awed. I am every time I visit, as the park is an extraordinary piece of America.
Please don't fear traveling alone, you will soon see that you aren't, and don't plan your trip fearing an encounter with a bear. I have been attempting to get a decent grizzly photo for years, and am still 0 for 1000. Maybe you will have that great opportunity.
Have an awesome trip.

ELNikkor

Great that you are going in September rather than in August! My son was just there and didn't like the crowds. By September, many will be back home. Heed all the advice from the Hoggers and have a fine time. Let us know how it went!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Yellowstone was my first try at a solo camping trip. I camped in the forest east of the park and spent every day hiking by myself. I never even saw a bear! Last year I did Glacier - again alone. I hiked alone. The only place where I decided against a hike was in the Smokies. It was a long hike and there wasn't even another car in the little parking spot. Usually there are people on the trail, so I always thought if I yelled really loud someone would hear. Most people are friendly. But do be careful.

ELNikkor

ok

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

I was there two years ago this September. You are going at a good time of the year. In ordinary times, crowds are brutal before September. I suggest you google Yellowstone photography. A lot of good tips and book suggestions. Take a look at Darryl hunter’s Grand Teton Photography and Field guide. Definitely carry bear spray for bears and humans!

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

You asked some great questions and have gotten a wide array of advice. I'll add a few nuggets myself:
The elk at that time of year are amazing to view, but also dangerous and unpredictable. Keep your distance, but be prepared to that once in a lifetime shot of a bull elk bugling. The Mammoth area is a great place to see this, as is Madison, especially in the morning fog by the river. Drive the roads and look for cars that have stopped. Chances are very good that somebody has already spotted wildlife. Checking with the rangers on your way into the park is also a great way to find out where the most recent wildlife sightings have occurred.

Astrophotography can be another amazing experience, as can getting the sun setting behind one of the geysers. Pink Cone is a good spot, as it erupts on a regular basis and is easy to frame in the sunset. Old Faithful is also nice, especially as the crowds thin out. The entire Norris basin offers excellent sunset opportunities.

As far as night skies go, the Tetons are a good bet. There are several pullouts off the main road that will offer views of the sky above the mountains.

Be aware of your surroundings. Have a plan in case something does wander close by. Know where you will escape to. Keep the Snicker's bar back at the hotel. But most of all, enjoy your time in this magical place. Once the Yellowstone bugs bites you, you WILL return.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Above all do not carry a gun. The rangers frown on it.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

Sounds like a huge bucket list travel destination. You will NOT be disappointed.

I will also suggest you consider the advise of MTShooter. If I were hiking alone, I consider 3 things a MUST HAVE in addition to the normal water/food/clothing. 1) A Personal Locator Beacon - in the event of an emergency, it allows you to get help anywhere in the world. REI can help you understand this device better. 2) A small first aid kit for those minor scrapes/cuts/bumps. I would also add an antiseptic with the kit. And 3) bear spray in area where bears are known to exist. But like others, I've been looking for bears in all my hiking and have never seen one out on the trails. You may see them along the roadway in Yellowstone, but you'll need to be prepared for the bear-jam (traffic jam) that follows.

As far as hiking alone, I hike with my wife, but wouldn't hesitate to hike alone. Yes, you increase your risk but your probably more likely to die in a traffic accident, cycling, illness,.. etc. than by a bear. We see lone hikers regularly, even in remote areas where hiking traffic is almost non-existent. If you have the Personal Locator Beacon, you can get help any where you are in the event of a severe injury or other significant emergency.

Have a great trip and be safe.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

I would suggest that you would get the most reliable answers to your questions from the NP rangers. According to the Yellowstone NP website ( https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm ) you can contact them via the following:

Social Media
Post questions to us via Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to learn about our other social media channels.

By Email
Email Us

Due to the large volume of emails we receive, responses may take five to ten business days.

Press Inquires
If you're a reporter working on a story, please email our Public Affairs Office.

By Mail
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

By Phone
Camping & Lodging Reservations: contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
Recorded Park Information: 307-344-7381
Information for the Hearing Impaired (TTY): 307-344-2386
Road Updates: 307-344-2117 (sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777)
Geyser Predictions: 307-344-2751 (option 2)
Emergencies: 911
Report a crime: 307-344-2132

By Fax
307-344-2014

Have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park.