10 Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park in 2024
SEARCHING FOR THE BEST BINOCULARS FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK?
You’ve landed on the right page! We visit Yellowstone often and one of our favorite pastimes there is marveling at the stunning wildlife. We can tell you from experience that if you are headed to Yellowstone National Park a set of binoculars are a must-have and the best way to see animals at a distance.
It’s worth it to make sure you have the best binoculars for Yellowstone National Park. And we’re here to help make sure you do!
If you are bird watching, looking for other small animals, looking for the elusive wolf or a large elk in the distance there are important factors and price variations that can make a big difference.
But don’t stress about the details, we have outlined some of our favorite binocular options we like for Yellowstone Park and think you will too!
Best Binoculars for Spotting Wildlife
1. Swarovski 12×42 NL Binoculars
The Swarovski binoculars are amazing binoculars. They are the best binoculars you will find. Much of this is because of the roof prism they use in their binoculars.
They have a great field of view and a great zoom of 12x magnification with a 42mm objective lens diameter. These have a brighter image than the other binoculars and have great features. An impressive add-on for these is the forehead rest.
Because these have such a good field of view with high magnification, you will spend ample time searching for all the awesome wild animals Yellowstone has to offer. The forehead rest helps steady your binoculars while you are using them. A good tripod can do this also.
Pros
✅ Great field of view (339 feet at 1000 yards)
✅ Great color rendering
✅ Roof Prisms
Cons
❌ Very expensive
2. Bushnell Legacy WP
Bushnell has been making great products for many years now. The Bushnell Legacy WP binoculars are very competitive and reliable. These have twist-up eyecups for those who wear glasses.
These are also waterproof binoculars and have a shock-absorbent rubber armor body that helps with those accidental drops and makes them very easy to handle.
Pros
✅ Waterproof
✅ Shock absorbent
✅ Fits well with larger hands
✅ Fog proof
Cons
❌ Large size
❌ Field of view 199 feet at 1000 yards
▶ SHOP Bushnell Legacy Binoculars
3. Vortex Diamondback
Vortex has become one of our favorite optics brands. They create quality products with a great warranty that does not break the bank. The Vortex Diamondback binoculars are an excellent choice for binoculars, with over 6,000 reviews and almost a perfect 5-star rating.
These come in many different configurations. You can get configurations anywhere from 8×28 to 10×50 to 15×56. They are waterproof with outside rubber armor for protection and grip.
These are a good set of binos and the best binos for what they offer. They also work great for tri pods or car window mounts in case the weather conditions are not optimal.
Pros
✅ Lightweight
✅ Lifetime Warranty
✅ Field of view range (depending on the configuration 271 to 426 feet per 1000 yards)
✅ Great price point
Cons
❌ Colors may not be as good as others
▶ SHOP Vortex Diamondback Binoculars
4. Nikon Aculon Binoculars
These Nikon Aculon Binoculars are made for heavy zoom. They have a zoom range of 10x to 22x magnification. They are designed to be lightweight but do weigh around 3 pounds.
These are a good starter pair of Binoculars and are not too expensive.
Pros
✅ Good product for the money
✅ Good range with high zoom
Cons
❌ Field of view 199 feet per 1000 yards
❌ Light fringes, especially at high zoom
▶ SHOP Nikon Aculon Binoculars
5. Celestron UpClose
These Celestron binoculars are great for hiking. They are only 11 ounces and are very small. They can fit in your purse or a larger pocket.
These basic binoculars are very economical and will get the job done if you want a closer view of the surrounding wildlife.
These binoculars are also a great option if you want some binoculars for your kids to use in Yellowstone because they are not very expensive.
Pros
✅ Compact design
✅ Solid build
✅ Small size, easy to store
Cons
❌ A small field of view
❌ Not the best picture
Check Prices for Celestron Upclose Binoculars Here!
6. Celestron Nature
Celestron makes a variety of binoculars and price points. The Celestron Nature has an 8x magnification and a good field of view with a great picture.
They are waterproof and very easy to handle. Many people enjoy these binoculars and recommend them to first-time buyers.
Pros
✅ A good field of view
✅ 1.75 pounds
✅ Easy to use
✅ Great Value
Cons
❌ Complaints about customer service
▶ SHOP Celestron Nature Binoculars
7. Leica
If you are looking for binoculars with supreme waterproofing and compact binoculars, Leica is for you. They are waterproof for up to 16.5 feet of water. These can be fully submerged and not damaged.
They fit entirely in one hand and have a great zoom. If you need good binoculars for small spaces like a glove box or a backpack, these should be considered.
Pros
✅ Only weight 9.4oz
✅ Flawless quality with little to no fringing or chromatic aberration
✅ Easy to focus
✅ Field of view 273 feet at 1000 yards with 10X zoom
✅ Best compact binoculars
Cons
❌ Expensive
8. Occer
The Occer Compact Binoculars are the #1 selling binoculars on Amazon. They have over 19,000 reviews with a 4.4-star rating. These are compact and low-cost.
These work well for adults and kids. These are great for your outdoor adventures or sporting events where you want to get a little closer look.
Pros
✅ Excellent quality for the price.
✅ Compact with high zoom
✅ Field of view 273 feet at 1000 yards
✅ Best value and price range
Cons
❌ Focus is not the best
9. Opticron Savanna
The Opticron Savanna binoculars are a good midgrade binocular set. They have one of the best fields of view but they trade off with their 6x zoom. If you are wanting to see a lot of territory with a little less zoom, these would be a good option.
They are lighter weight and cause very little eye strain giving long eye relief. This makes them great for those who use glasses.
Pros
✅ Lightweight
✅ Excellent for kids
✅ The field for view 420 feet at 1000 yards
✅ Porro prisms
Cons
❌ The focus mechanism can be stiff
▶ SHOP Opticron Savanna Binoculars
10. Best Spotting Scope For Yellowstone
If you think a spotting scope might be a better option for your needs, Vortex again shows its high-quality gear with the Vortex Optics Razor HD spotting scope. These are expert-quality scopes that will satisfy your needs for years to come. All of your national park adventures will love this scope.
Accessories for the Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park
If you already have a great pair of binoculars or are looking for some great accessories, these are our favorites. These accessories will make it so much easier to use the best binoculars for Yellowstone National Park.
Universal Binocular Tripod Mount: If you are going to do a lot of wildlife spotting in Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley this will give your arms a much-needed rest from holding the binoculars up.
Forehead Rest: A forehead rest will greatly improve the comfort of using the best binoculars for Yellowstone National Park.
Window Mount for Binoculars: If you don’t want to carry around a full tripod, this window mount is a great option and is very easy to use.
Binocular Harness Strap: This is the most convenient way of carrying your binoculars as you are hiking or looking for wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
Cell Phone to Binocular Mount: If you are traveling with young kids who have a hard time looking through binoculars or you want to capture your images on your phone, this is a must-have when going to Yellowstone. It makes it so easy to see what is in the frame of the binoculars on a phone screen.
FAQ About the Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park
Should I Bring Binoculars to Yellowstone?
Yellowstone has an abundance of wildlife. Some of that wildlife is easily seen up close. Other wildlife is not as common to see and can be found at farther distances. Because of this, it is recommended you have a set of good binoculars for Yellowstone.
We always have binoculars with us when we travel to the national parks. We don’t use them all the time, but we have run into enough opportunities to use them, as well as plenty of opportunities where we wish we had them.
Therefore, we travel with them. A good pair of binoculars will last you a lifetime, and many of them have excellent warranties.
What Type of Binoculars is Best for Yellowstone?
There are multiple different binocular sizes, and depending on how you will use them can determine what binoculars are best for your Yellowstone trip or combination Grand Teton National Park trip since they are so close together.
Your best binoculars for Yellowstone will generally be an 8x or 10x magnification with an objective lens of 30mm or larger. This will allow for greater light intake, making it easier to see in the morning and evenings.
Your overall best option for 90% of people would be the Vortex Diamondback binoculars. They have a great lifetime warranty on all their products, and they offer great products. We have used Vortex binoculars for years and have dragged them around to many national parks, and they have served us very well.
If you are the type of person wanting a pair of the greatest binoculars of all time or you will use them often for years, you will want the Swarovski pure binoculars. These are the GOAT (greatest of all time) in terms of binoculars.
We have many friends who are avid outdoorsmen, and they swear by these binoculars. These have a higher price tag, but you will be very satisfied with them for years to come.
What Are the Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park for Seeing Long Distances?
If you are purely looking for the best binoculars for seeing long distances and the cost is not a huge factor, you would be very satisfied with the Swarovski 12×42 NL Pure binoculars. These are great binoculars that offer a very clear picture and let in vast amounts of light into the objective lens giving you one of the best views you will find.
If you think you will spend a long time searching for animals in the Lamar Valley, your eyes will thank you when using these.
However, if you are looking to purely see long distances and you will be stationary for a bit, you might want to look into purchasing a spotting scope. The Swarovski 20×60 spotting scope is an amazing product and is incredible for birdwatching and seeing crystal clear at long distances.
What Magnification is Needed for Wildlife Viewing?
The type of wildlife you are looking at, and the distance you will be trying to see them at can determine the amount of magnification you will want in your binoculars.
While some binoculars might offer high magnification, they do so in exchange for a lower field of view. A low field of view with high magnification can make it very hard to find the animals in their natural habitat because you are looking at such a small area.
In general, your best magnification for viewing wildlife would be around 8 to 10x magnification unless you are purchasing the Swarovski or similar quality binoculars. With high-quality binoculars, you can get a great field of view with high magnification.
It is so great to be able to get a closer view of animals in the wild that are farther away. Many times, we have left our binoculars in the trunk of our car or our motorhome to later wish we had that amazing zoom to see the black bear cubs chasing their mother, the grizzly bears, and her cub foraging for food or mountain goats high on the mountain cliffs.
Best Binoculars For Yellowstone National Park for Kids
Binoculars for kids can be tricky. Young kids have a hard time keeping them still and finding objects or wildlife when they use them. Because of this, kids do better with less zoom and a wider field of view. The Opticron binoculars are a great choice for kids, and we would consider them the best binoculars for kids because of their large field of view making them easy to find wildlife.
If you have little kids and want to give them something fun to try and use. When our kids were little, they would love to play with their Celestron binoculars or Occer. They are economical, fun, and easy to use. Because of their low pricing, you also don’t have to worry much about them getting lost or broken.
Renting Binoculars in Yellowstone
Renting binoculars or spotting scopes in Yellowstone National Park is a great way to experience Yellowstone. Many of the locations that rent this equipment rent Swarovski, Vortex, or other very reputable brands.
If you are going to be near West Yellowstone, the Yellowstone Camera Store rents everything you need. They rent camera lenses, spotting scopes, and binoculars. At 45 dollars a day or less, you can definitely save some money by renting a fantastic spotting scope.
Many of the RV parks have rental options if you are not close to West Yellowstone. It would also be a good idea to ask the manager where you are staying if they rent binoculars or if they know of a place that does close by. Don’t forget to rent or purchase some bear spray while you are at it, just in case.
Conclusion: Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park
Your experience in Yellowstone is going to be a great one. We have traveled to Yellowstone National Park many times and are glad we have a set of good binoculars every time. They are an important thing to have in order to get clear views of the animals that don’t wander right next to the road.
They also help with seeing animals in low light conditions if they have a larger objective to help bring in the light. Whatever pair of binoculars you decide on, you are sure to have a stunning experience.
Yellowstone is the right place to be to see wildlife, and your binoculars will help you view all that amazing scenery Yellowstone has to offer. If you want to learn more about binoculars, check out this great article from REI.
More Yellowstone Resources
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17 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone with Kids + Essential Tips for Visiting
The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
17 Best RV Parks Close to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park RV Length Restrictions
22 Best Choices for Where to Stay at Yellowstone National Park
