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Hayden Valley

Yellowstone Park

Yellowstone Park

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park

Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park

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The Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park is one of the premier places to see wildlife in the entire park.  This vast area is over 50 square miles in size, and is approximately 7 miles long and 7 miles wide.  The Hayden Valley is located directly between Canyon and Lake Village, and is known for it's lush, green meadows that surround one of the prettiest stretches of the Yellowstone River you'll ever see!

The variety of animals in the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park seems endless.  Buffalo, grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, otters, pelicans, harlequin ducks, Canada geese and Yellowstone cutthroat trout all call the Hayden Valley home, as well as many other species of wildlife.

The most prominent animal in the Hayden Valley is the buffalo, and it's unlikely that you'll get through this magical place without experiencing a classic Yellowstone National Park "buffalo jam".  If you end up in one, just be patient, they will always resolve themselves sooner or later.

You never know what to expect when driving through the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park, and that is what's so exciting about it.  You may see a grizzly bear swimming the Yellowstone River, or a family of otters fishing.  You just never know!
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Grizzly bears love to hang out in the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

While driving through the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park, we strongly recommend that not only you have your camera ready, but you may also want to bring along some binoculars or spotting scope in case there is a grizzly or wolf hanging out a fair distance off the highway.  This way you can still enjoy watching them even though they aren't up close.  And whenever you see a bunch of cars pulled off the side of the road or in a pullout, STOP and find out what they're looking at!  DON'T BE SHY!

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Watching a herd of buffalo crossing the Yellowstone River in the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park is always a treat!

If you're wanting to see wildlife, then the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park is one of the best places to be.  Take your time as you drive through the valley, and stop at the turnouts and look around.  Not only is the scenery unbelievably gorgeous, but the chances of seeing some really unique animals is so good that it's worth the effort to take the time to find them!

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You might even see a grizzly bear crossing the road in the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park!

LeHardy Rapids

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LeHardy Rapids, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park

Even though technically the LeHardy Rapids are not in the Hayden Valley, they're just a few miles south of it along the Yellowstone River right off the main highway.  So for all practical purposes, we'll mention them in this section. 

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Native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout swim up the LeHardy Rapids during their spawning season, which is late June, early July.
The LeHardy Rapids are absolutely wonderful, and we strongly recommend that you take the time to check them out because you'll never know what you'll see.  In the spring you might see Harlequin Ducks mating, or a grizzly bear fishing, or in late June you may see native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout jumping into the air while attempting to climb the rapids.  Or you might see a pelican fishing for it's supper. There is a wonderful boardwalk built right along the side of the rapids, so you can get right up close and personal to much of the wildlife that shows up here.
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Harlequin Ducks come to LeHardy Rapids in Yellowstone National Park for a few weeks during the spring of the year to mate.

The Hayden Valley in Yellowstone Park is a beautiful valley that is known for its abundant wildlife.  If you like seeing animals, you really need to spend some time in Hayden Valley...  And by the way, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!
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Look for river otters fishing for cutthroat trout in the Yellowstone River throughout the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

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Does it appear that this duck may be in trouble?

Mud Volcano Area

Also along the main highway just south of Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park is another great stop that you really need to check out and enjoy.
The Mud Volcano Area is a fascinating place that is full of hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles.  Because of the make-up of the surrounding soil, everything appears to be muddy.  This makes for an extremely unique hydrothermal experience.  The Dragon's Mouth and Black Dragon's Caldron are loud, volatile features that are really fascinating to watch.   We strongly recommend that you take a few minutes and explore this incredible area- you'll be glad that you did!
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You will see huge herds of buffalo in the Hayden Valley of Yellowstone National Park.
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You'll definitely see American White Pelicans fishing in the Yellowstone River during your drive through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone Park. 

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You may even see a gray wolf while driving through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park

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It's a common sight to see buffalo crossing the Yellowstone River while you are driving through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

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A Classic Hayden Valley Buffalo Jam.

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Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park Map
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