Go to Blacktail Ponds Overlook – Lucky Spot for Wildlife

There is no guarantee that you will see wildlife in the park.

And that is a bummer.

We all like guarantees.

But there are places in the Grand Teton National Park that can increase your chances of seeing wildlife.

Blacktail Ponds Overlook is one of them.

Don’t Be Fooled

Blacktail Ponds turnout doesn’t look like much from the road, or where the turnout sign is. On first glance, it doesn’t look like anything is there worth seeing. You may be tempted to skip it.

Don’t.

(Do skip Blacktail Ponds if you are short on time and/or wildlife isn’t a priority – no judgement, we understand!)

After turning in, drive down a little way (paved road less than 1/2 a mile) to get to the overlook. Park your car (chances are there won’t be many cars here) and walk over to the overlook.

Read the Information Sign

When you arrive, read the information sign first!

Information signs are always helpful but this one is really helpful!

Extremely useful information board at Blacktail Ponds Overlook

It lists the five different biological communities found in the park.

Did you know there were five different ones?

No worries, nobody else did either.

And while that is interesting, the most important take away from this is the different wildlife specific to each community.

At Blacktail Ponds Overlook, you can see every one of the five communities.

Well, almost all, the Alpine one may be a stretch – read on.

Five Biological Communities at Blacktails Pond Overlook

The sign lists each of the five communities, and shows you where to look from exactly where you are standing. This just gets better and easier all the time…

• Alpine – Look to the Tetons, above the treeline. Pikas and Marmots frequent here. And while you probably can’t see them from this far away, you can see what is meant by the Alpine Community.
• Forest – Look to the groups of tall trees. These are good places for elk, deer and black bears.
• Meadows – The grasslands found in front of the forests here. Good for elk and bison.
• Wetlands – Aquatic plants and shrubs, look for the ponds and streams. Good for beaver and moose.
• Sagebrush – Those rough looking shrubs and grasses that look like they’d scratch you to pieces if you walked through them (they would). You see a lot of it by the side of the road and trails. Good for sage grouse and antelope.

Please note that you can see any animal, anywhere.

Animals don’t stick strictly to one area or community. They are free to roam anywhere in the park and do. This sign just tells you which animals are more frequent in these areas. So always be aware of your surroundings and always carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Seeing Wildlife

The following tips may improve your luck:

Go early morning or evening

In the summer, animals are a little more active in the cooler parts of the day, which are early morning and evening.

Teton View from Blacktail Ponds Overlook

Now, with that being said, these two times usually increase your chances, BUT the last time I went to Blacktail Ponds Overlook, I came here at 1:00 pm and saw three moose. It was 83 degrees, which is warm for GTNP. The moose stayed close to the shrubs for shade, and ventured out to the north pond to eat and drink.

So feel free to stop here any time of day.

Stay awhile

As much as we’d like animals to appear right when we get there, they don’t. If they do for you, then you are lucky and probably don’t need any tips to see wildlife.

Teton View from Blacktail Ponds Overlook

If you have time, plan to hang out for a while. Bring some chairs and set up by the information sign. Kill two birds with one stone by eating a meal here (bring your own) and watching for animals. That way you are saving time by skipping the restaurant and giving more time to see wildlife.

If you are looking for a way to spend an evening, come set up here and watch for animals and the sunset. BRING BUG SPRAY!!

Bring Binoculars

Not only are binoculars good for seeing animals at a distance up close, but they are good for scanning the thick brush and grasses for animals. Also, bring a telephoto lens if you want close up pictures. As you can see from the photo below, I wish I had had mine with me.

Two Moose at Blacktail Ponds Overlook

Blacktail Ponds Turnout is Ideal for:

• If you are hoping to see wildlife (see all info above)
• You are seeking a quieter, less busy area
• Having a picnic and/or snack – you’ll have to bring your own food, but if you are here in hopes to see wildlife, staying a while will increase your chances, might as well have a snack
• You are coming from or going to Mormon row, it is right across the street from the north end of antelope flats road

Know Before You Go

• No bathrooms (no worries, you are close to Moose, Dornan’s Village)
• Plenty of parking, easy for big motorhomes to maneuver in and out
• You may hear airplanes, often. They are high up, but you can still hear them as they fly into Jackson
• Cell service is spotty in GTNP, but I got a good signal here with AT&T, four bars
• If coming from Mormon Row, you’ll be amazed at the different landscape. Mormon Row with the flat, barren prairie land with the Tetons jutting up behind barns, to overlooking a green, lush, marshy pond area perfect for moose. These two vastly different environments are within 5 miles of each other!

Good Luck! If you can, comment below after going and tell us if you saw wildlife. We are rooting for you!

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP