Explore the geothermal wonders and diverse wildlife of Yellowstone National Park with full-day excursions departing directly from Cody, Wyoming. These guided tours cover major highlights like the Lower Loop, Lamar Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Free Cancellation Yellowstone Hot Spots Lower Loop Tour From Cody Wy!
Free Cancellation Track wolves and bears across Yellowstone’s northern range using professional optics on this Upper Loop safari.
Free Cancellation A comprehensive full-day safari through Yellowstone, featuring iconic geysers, the Grand Canyon, and wildlife viewing.
Free Cancellation A guided small-group tour of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop, visiting Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Lake, and the Grand Canyon.
Free Cancellation Explore Yellowstone’s diverse wildlife on a full-day safari led by expert naturalist guides with professional optics.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Yellowstone — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Tours departing from Cody, Wyoming offer a full-day immersion into the world's first national park, entering through the scenic East Entrance. Expect early morning departures to maximize wildlife viewing and beat the crowds at the park's iconic hydrothermal features and vast valleys.
Walk the boardwalks around the world's largest concentration of active hydrothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful and the vibrant, rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring.
Often called 'America's Serengeti,' this northern region is the prime spot for dawn and dusk sightings of grizzly bears, wolf packs, and massive herds of bison.
Marvel at the 20-mile-long canyon with its striking yellow-tinted walls and the thunderous 308-foot Lower Falls.
Most guided safaris from Cody provide high-end UHD binoculars and professional spotting scopes so you can safely view distant wildlife.
Explore unique travertine terraces created by limestone deposits that look like inside-out caves.
Experience the classic Yellowstone traffic jam where herds of hundreds of bison casually cross or walk directly down the park's main roads.
Planning your Yellowstone excursion from Cody requires some foresight, especially regarding park fees, pickup logistics, and the specific focus of your chosen tour.
Yellowstone is massive (nearly 3,500 square miles). Tours from Cody typically split into two types: 'Lower Loop' tours focusing on thermal features and the Grand Canyon, or 'Northern/Upper Loop' safaris focusing heavily on Lamar Valley wildlife.
National Park entrance fees are generally not included in the tour price. You will need to pay the $20 per person individual fee, or use an existing America the Beautiful pass. Starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents (16+) will also face a $100 per person surcharge.
To cover the driving distance from Cody (about an hour to the East Entrance) and catch peak wildlife activity, tours start early. Expect pickups from Cody hotels, Airbnbs, or the local Walmart parking lot between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Most full-day safaris include non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and the use of professional spotting scopes and binoculars. Some $275-$289 tours include a full lunch, while $249 tours might require you to buy lunch at park stops like Old Faithful.
While many tours are suitable for all ages, some specific wildlife safaris require children to be at least 8 years old. If you are bringing a younger child on a permitted tour, you must provide your own car seat.
Pets are strictly prohibited on tours and park trails. Thermal areas contain toxic arsenic and silica, and thin crusts pose a fatal burn risk. Only recognized service animals are allowed.
The majority of Cody-based tour operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Always check the specific provider's terms.
| Lower Loop 'Hot Spots' Tour | Northern Wildlife Safari | Full-Day Naturalist Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Focus | Thermal features, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic | Lamar Valley, Bears, Wolves, Bison | Major landmarks & thermal areas |
| Duration | 8-10 Hours | Full Day | Full Day |
| Includes | Snacks, Drinks, Slickers, Optics | Lunch, Snacks, Drinks, Pro Optics | Lunch, Coffee/Tea, Pro Optics, Guide |
| Price from | $249 | $289 | $275 |
Yellowstone National Park is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, access is heavily dependent on the season.
Cody, Wyoming is located about 50 miles (a 1-hour drive) from Yellowstone's East Entrance via the scenic Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (US-14/16/20).
Nearby Airports:
The optimal time to visit depends on what you want to experience:
Avoid April and November, known as 'mud season,' when unpredictable weather forces widespread road and facility closures.
Yellowstone is highly accessible for visitors with mobility needs. Many of the park's major attractions, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Mammoth Hot Springs, feature extensive, flat wooden boardwalks.
Due to the park's massive size, planning ahead for food, gas, and communication is essential.
Yellowstone enforces strict rules to protect both visitors and the delicate ecosystem:
Usually, no. Most tour operators from Cody exclude the park entrance fee. You will need to pay the $20 per person individual fee or show a valid America the Beautiful national park pass to the guide.
Operators typically pick up directly from hotels and Airbnbs within the Cody city limits. If you are staying outside the city limits, a common meeting point is the local Walmart parking lot at 6:00 AM.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but booking a 'Northern Safari' or Lamar Valley tour gives you the best chance. Lamar Valley is known as 'America's Serengeti' and is the prime location for spotting grizzlies and wolf packs.
You don't have to. Most guided safaris departing from Cody provide high-quality UHD binoculars and professional spotting scopes for the group to use throughout the day.
It depends on the specific tour you book. The $275-$289 full-day safaris usually include a packed lunch, snacks, and drinks. The $249 Lower Loop tours often provide snacks but plan a stop at Old Faithful where you can purchase your own food.
No. Domestic pets are strictly prohibited on tours and on park trails/boardwalks for their own safety, as thermal areas contain toxic arsenic and boiling water. Only recognized service animals are permitted.
Many of the sights visited on the Lower Loop tours, such as Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, have extensive flat boardwalks. However, you must check with the specific tour provider to ensure their vehicle can accommodate a wheelchair.
Dress in synthetic, moisture-wicking layers. The park sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet, meaning mornings can be near freezing even in summer, while afternoons can get very warm. Some tours provide rain slickers just in case.
Expect to have no cell service for the majority of the day. Signals are extremely limited and only available in heavily developed areas like Canyon Village or Old Faithful.
Yes, it's a great experience for kids, but safety is critical. Children must be kept on the boardwalks at all times near thermal features. Note that some specific wildlife safaris require children to be at least 8 years old.
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This tour focuses on the northern range and the "Upper Loop" of Yellowstone National Park, areas renowned for their open vistas and high concentration of large mammals. We navigate the high-elevation roads and valleys where bison, elk, and predators are most frequently active. Our approach emphasizes observation over transit. We provide high-powered spotting scopes and binoculars to help you see wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. By spending more time at key overlooks, we maximize the chances of spotting wolves, bears, and other elusive species that inhabit the northern circuit.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day safari covers the major landmarks of Yellowstone National Park, including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, and various volcanic thermal areas. You will travel by vehicle along scenic park roads, stopping to walk historic boardwalks and view the landscape. Your guide serves as both driver and navigator, using high-quality optics to help you spot and observe the park's diverse wildlife from a safe distance. The itinerary is flexible and changes based on seasonal road closures, weather, and current wildlife activity. Typical stops include the Lower and Upper Falls, Old Faithful, and the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring. Throughout the day, you will see a variety of geothermal features such as geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Guides tailor the route to your specific interests while ensuring you see as many highlights as possible.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day tour covers the highlights of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop, also known as "The Volcano." Starting with a 7:00 AM pickup from your West Yellowstone lodging, you will travel in a spacious vehicle to the park’s most iconic sites. The itinerary includes the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Lower Falls, and the vibrant Grand Prismatic Lake. You will also visit the Fountain Paint Pots and spend time at Old Faithful, where you can watch the geyser erupt and grab lunch at one of the nearby restaurants or delis. Throughout the 7-8 hour trip, your guide will share details about the park’s geological history and the supervolcano system. We provide a selection of beverages and snacks to keep you fueled during the day. Please note that while we offer a separate private tour for those traveling with animals, this specific small-group tour is not pet-friendly.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Spend a full day exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with a professional naturalist guide. This safari focuses on the park’s diverse wildlife, from bison and elk to wolves and grizzly bears. As you travel between high-activity areas in a comfortable vehicle, your guide will explain the biology of the species you encounter and the history of the landscape they inhabit. The itinerary is flexible, allowing your guide to adjust the day based on current animal sightings and your personal interests, whether that involves short walks, quiet observation, or finding a scenic spot for a picnic. We provide high-quality binoculars and spotting scopes to ensure you get a clear view of animals from a safe distance. Your guide handles all the logistics and navigation so you can focus on the scenery and wildlife.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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