Yellowstone
January 14 – 21, 2026
Happening Now!
Beartooth Mountain Ranch
3 Spots Left
At a Glance
Location
Wyoming
Tuition
$6,995
Dates
September 22 – 28, 2026
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Beartooth Mountain Ranch Photography Workshop
Landscapes and Wildlife in the fall season of Wyoming
September 22 – 28, 2026
- Serene landscape photography in the Beartooth Mountains
- Wildlife photography in Yellowstone National Park
- Join this workshop beforeYellowstone and Tetons workshop
In the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, autumn arrives in color and quiet. Aspen groves ignite in gold and orange, alpine peaks rise above winding valleys, and cool mountain air carries the scent of pine and wood smoke. The private ranch in which we stay offers both serenity and access, placing you close to the wild drama of Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley and the scenic sweep of the Beartooth Highway—one of the most breathtaking drives in the United States.
Each day, we’ll balance early morning wildlife excursions with immersive landscape photography, working in the crisp light that defines this season. You’ll photograph roaming elk, moose, and pronghorn in open meadows, and explore reflections, forests, and ridgelines shaped by changing light and weather. Evenings at the ranch bring home-cooked meals, camaraderie, and time to review images.
Throughout the workshop, we combine real-time coaching with focused practice in approaching wildlife, photographing wildlife, landscape photography, and more. You’ll leave with stronger photographic instincts and long-lasting skills in composition, camera technique, and post-processing that will improve your photography well beyond the workshop.
Beartooth Mountain Ranch can be bundled with our Yellowstone and Tetons workshop for an extended week of creativity, exploration, and camaraderie in one of nature’s most picturesque landscapes!
This is a week of learning, exploration, and connection—a chance to slow down, refine your skills, and photograph the heart of the Rocky Mountains at their most splendid.
Muench Workshops is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
Your Pro
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
September 22, 2026: Touchdown in Bozeman, Scenic Drive to Mountain Ranch, Photographic Itinerary Unveiled
Arrive at Bozeman Airport by 1:00 PM. You will be driven to our ranch in the mountains. Everyone will check in and get settled for the week in their suites. We’ll have our first home-cooked meal and discuss the coming week’s photography plans.
September 23, 2026: Sunrise Photography at the Lake, Day Trip to Sunlight Basin, Sunset at Swamp Lake
Everyone will meet early and leave for our first sunrise at a lake only a short drive away. We’ll return for breakfast and make sack lunches for our day out in the mountains. We’ll visit Sunlight Basin up in the Absarloka Mountains and stay out until the afternoon. After dinner, we’ll head out for sunset and stars at Swamp Lake.
September 24, 2026: Wildlife Spotting in Lamar Valley, Scenic Views of Tower Falls, Evening Image Review
We’ll leave early to drive into Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. We’ll look for Moose, Elk, Coyotes, and landscapes such as Tower Falls and Slough Creek. After a great day in the field, we’ll return for another home-cooked meal. After pie, we’ll review images from the trip so far.
September 25, 2026: Extended Exploration of Lamar Valley, Flexible Itinerary Based on Weather, Evening Image Sharing
We’ll leave early again to spend the day in Lamar Valley and visit a few other locations we did not get to the previous day. This day depends on the weather, as we can always switch it to the following day. Again, we’ll be back for another home-cooked meal and image review.
September 26, 2026: Sunrise at Creek, Wildlife Photography on Beartooth Plateau, Neon Lichen Landscapes
This morning, we plan to visit a beautiful location along a creek for sunrise. We’ll be back at the ranch for a hot breakfast. After a quick break, we’ll pack up for the day and head to the Beartooth Plateau to photograph wildlife and landscapes. This is where we can find the incredible little Pikas preparing their homes in the ground for the long winter ahead. We also plan to hike to one of two lakes in the beautiful alpine country, where the lichen and moss cover the granite boulders in neon green.
We’ll return for a hot dinner and possible star shoot following.
September 27, 2026: Return to Beartooth Plateau, Encounter Mountain Goats and Pikas, Final Night Festivities
We’ll enjoy a hot breakfast before returning to the Beartooth Plateau to photograph mountain goats and more pika. After our cards are full, we’ll head back for our final home-cooked meal and, depending on the conditions, a possible star shoot or image review.
September 28, 2026: Departure from Mountain Ranch, Return Journey to Bozeman, Connection to Yellowstone and Tetons Workshop
Following a great breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Bozeman for flights home. For those guests joining us for our Yellowstone and Tetons workshops, they will be dropped of at our hotel in Gardener for the night.
Fitness
Moderate: Hiking up to 3 miles on trails and uneven ground
Flights
Arrive Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana before 12:00 PM on September 22, 2026. Flights out can be made after 4:00 PM on September 28, 2026. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Single or double rooms included
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from Kathy Lichtendahl.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Bozeman, Montana.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $2,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than June 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
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