DATES: JANUARY 2 – 8, 2026
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $6,617 | ALL-INCLUSIVE
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $5,855 | ALL-INCLUSIVE
LOCATION: MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS & OLD FAITHFUL
GROUP SIZE: 8*
*In order for this course to run, we must meet a minimum of 8 participants.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Come along on a winter photography journey into the heart of Yellowstone! Class participants will retrace the 1887 Schwatka-Haynes Winter Expedition, where park photographer F.J Haynes and a few other men completed a 200-mile, 29 day ski trip through the interior of Yellowstone. However, this course will be a 6-day journey (6 days of touring + 1 day evening orientation) in the cozy confines of a heated snowcoach led by local photographer Lisa Culpepper who will offer photographic opportunities and instruction along the way while also sharing the detailed story about the amazing feat of Lt. Frederick Schwatka and Frank Jay Haynes during their exploration of Yellowstoneâs Winter Wonderland during the record winter of 1887. This course will explore the interior of Yellowstone by snowcoach including the Norris Geyser Basin, Gibbon River, Firehole River, Old Faithful area, Madison River and Grand Canyon, as well as traveling the Northern Range by a wheeled vehicle on our last day. Yellowstone in the winter is a wonderful time to capture spectacular wildlife images as well as stunning landscapes in the land of fire and ice.
DAY 1
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.
DAY 2
Today will kick off the Reflections of a Historical Winter Photography Expedition, retracing and learning the details of the first 50 miles of the Schwatka-Haynes Winter Expedition of 1887. This will be an 8-hour snowcoach tour with many stops along the way taking advantage of photography opportunities such as Swan Lake Flats, Norris Geyser Basin, Gibbon Falls, Firehole Canyon, and any wildlife sightings that may be encountered! Guests will enjoy an evening together in the dining room and overnight at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
DAY 3
SNOWCOACH WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
On todayâs adventure, participants will travel by snowcoach exploring the scenic and wildlife opportunities along the Firehole and Madison River areas of the park. Photographic opportunities include geysers and hot springs, waterfalls, river landscapes, bison, trumpeter swans, waterfowl and many other wildlife subjects are sure to be seen in this breathtaking Winter Wonderland. Lunch will be provided along the way, with dinner in the dining room and an overnight at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
DAY 4
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND SNOWSHOE ACTIVITIES
Today, participants can enjoy all the wonders of the Upper Geyser Basin traveling by foot just as Frank Jay Haynes did in 1887 and they will also have the option of a guided interpretive snowshoe tour, to allow them to experience the winter travel methods used by the Haynes Winter Expedition of 1887. Frosty trees, geysers and rainbows, local wildlife and beautiful winterscapes are just a few of the possible photographic opportunities of the day. Lunch and Dinner will be in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge dining room and an overnight at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
DAY 5
SNOWCOACH FROM OLD FAITHFUL TO MAMMOTH
Participants will have yet another opportunity to thoroughly explore this winter wonderland while they travel north to Mammoth Hot Springs via an 10-hour snowcoach tour including a bonus side trip over to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. The guide will share more stories about the challenges and triumphs of the Haynes Winter Expedition and the route they chose, while also providing photography skills and compositions in order to capture the magic of Yellowstone. Dinner and overnight at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
DAY 6
EXPLORING THE NORTHERN RANGE BY BUS
To complete our adventure, participants will travel by bus across the Northern Range and explore the Lamar Valley looking for more great wildlife and landscape photography opportunities. Upon returning, the historic tale will continue regarding the final stretch of the successful Haynes Winter Expedition of 1887 and the completion of their amazing 29-day, 200-mile photographic journey while on skis! Dinner and overnight at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
DAY 7
After our final breakfast in the dining room, we will offer the opportunity to explore the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces together as we strive to compose and capture the beauty of this intriguing winter landscape that is accented by the land of fire and ice. This will be our final activity for our tour.
Check out will be at 11:00am.
Dates & Times:Â The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, and goes through Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Lodging Check-in & Check-out:Â Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, and lodging check-out is at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Meals:Â This course is all-inclusive. Meals begin with dinner on the first evening, Friday, January 2, 2026, and continue through breakfast on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Optional Airport Shuttle: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides an optional airport shuttle for those interested. The shuttle service is provided on the first day of the program with a 1:30 p.m. pickup and the last day of the program with a departure from the Mammoth Hot Springs hotel at 8:00 a.m. Please visit this link for more information on the airport shuttle: Winter Transportation | Yellowstone National Park Lodges
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Pickup Location: Â Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
1st Day of Program | Shuttle Drop off Location: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Check-out Day | Shuttle Pickup Location: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Check-out Day | Shuttle Departure Location: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
If you opt-in to the shuttle service, please ensure that your flight booking will allow for you to be picked up and dropped off during the above timeframes.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 2
- Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
- Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
- To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
- All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
- To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
- Hough and Herring (2013) Rough Trip Through Yellowstone. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
- Preferred camera equipment
- Telephoto zoom
- Extra batteries
- Battery charger
- Camera weather protector
Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:
- Lodging, food, and airport shuttle, please contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges at [email protected] or 307-344-7311
- Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
- Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOW
Lisa Culpepper
Lisa Culpepper has had the wonderful opportunity of living and working in Yellowstone National Park for the past 25 years. She has held the dream job of a photographer-interpretive guide since 2005, which has enabled her to develop and pursue her passion for nature photography, while forming a deeper bond with the natural world and becoming an environmental advocate of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She enjoys teaching the skills of ‘Becoming the Artist Behind the Lens’ and helping others capture the beauty of the natural wonders while also providing a deeper understanding of the subject matters at hand. She currently leads photography tours and workshops in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Alaska.
