Elk regularly roam around Gardiner, and pronghorn can often be spotted in the hills and meadows near town. You will likely hear coyotes yapping in the foothills during the evening. Black and grizzly bear are year-around inhabitants of the Park and surrounding areas. In the winter, bald eagles and osprey are plentiful in the vicinity of the Yellowstone River. Bighorn sheep come down to graze within your view. The ever-cautious moose will be seen occasionaly above town, and you will view the ever-present deer and bison. Yellowstone National Park brings you the best of wildlife-watching. Remember to keep your camera close at hand.

There are 7 species of native ungulates, 2 species of bears, and approximately 50 species of other mammals. Additionally, there are 311 recorded species of birds (148 nesting species), 18 species of fish (6 non-native), 6 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, 5 species protected as "threatened" (bald eagle, grizzly bear, lynx) or "endangered" (whooping crane and gray wolf).  Click here for phone numbers for Gardiner area recreation.