Explore America's first national park with guided day trips and multi-day adventures departing from Jackson Hole. Discover iconic geothermal landmarks like Old Faithful, spot diverse wildlife, and take in the scenic views of the Lower Loop with an expert local guide.
Spot grizzly bears and wolves while exploring Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone on a small-group tour.
Free Cancellation Spend 12 hours exploring Yellowstone's highlights, from Old Faithful to grizzly sightings, with a local guide.
Free Cancellation See Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on a guided coach tour departing from Jackson Hole.
Free Cancellation Explore Yellowstone’s Lower Loop and prime wildlife habitats on a guided tour tailored to your specific interests.
Yellowstone Grand Teton & Jackson Hole 5-day Fully Guided Tour
Free Cancellation Explore Yellowstone’s wildlife and geysers with expert guides, high-end optics, and a flexible, custom itinerary.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Yellowstone — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Taking a tour to Yellowstone from Jackson Hole is a massive, full-day adventure, typically spanning 11 to 13 hours. Because you are starting down south, your route naturally takes you through the stunning scenery of Grand Teton National Park before you even reach Yellowstone's South Entrance. Once inside, expect a mix of driving through vast wilderness, walking along flat boardwalks to view geothermal features, and pulling over for spontaneous wildlife sightings.
You will stop to watch the world's most famous predictable geyser shoot boiling water up to 180 feet into the air. Tours time their visits to catch one of its eruptions, which happen every 60 to 110 minutes.
Walk the boardwalks around the largest hot spring in the United States. The vivid rainbow rings of orange, yellow, and green are created by heat-loving bacteria living in the water.
Stand at the rim of this 20-mile-long canyon with its dramatic yellow-tinted walls. Most tours stop at viewpoints to see the massive 308-foot Lower Falls crashing into the river below.
Guides provide spotting scopes and binoculars to help you safely view wildlife. You are highly likely to experience a 'bison jam' on the road and might spot elk, grizzly bears, or wolves.
Because Jackson Hole is south of Yellowstone, your tour doubles as a scenic drive through Grand Teton National Park. You will enjoy views of the jagged peaks and places like Oxbow Bend along the way.
Booking a Yellowstone tour from Jackson Hole requires understanding the logistics of a very long day trip. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
Day tours from Jackson Hole are a marathon, generally lasting between 11 and 13 hours. You will spend a significant amount of time in the vehicle covering the 57 miles just to reach the South Entrance, plus navigating the expansive park roads.
You can choose from small-group van tours, private VIP tours customized to your pace, or multi-day excursions that include hotel stays. Group tours are cost-effective, while private tours allow you to avoid crowds and focus on specific interests like wildlife photography.
Check your tour's inclusions carefully. While some include the standard National Park entry fee, many require you to pay the $35-$40 fee separately. Crucially, starting in 2026, non-U.S. residents must pay a $100 per person surcharge, which is almost never included in the base tour price.
Most full-day tours take care of your food, providing breakfast (like a breakfast burrito), a picnic lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Guides also typically provide high-quality binoculars or spotting scopes for the group.
Tour operators usually offer front-door pickup at hotels in Jackson, Teton Village, and Wilson. If you are staying in an Airbnb outside these zones, you will likely need to meet the van at a central location like the Home Ranch Parking Lot in Jackson.
Policies vary wildly between operators. Many offer a full refund if canceled 24 hours in advance, but some strict operators state that all sales are final with no refunds. Always check the specific policy before booking.
While the boardwalks are flat and accessible, the day is long. Some group tours restrict children under 3, 5, or 6 years old. If you have toddlers, booking a private tour is usually the required workaround.
Yellowstone sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet, making weather unpredictable. Dress in synthetic, moisture-wicking layers and bring a jacket even in the middle of summer. Sturdy walking shoes are a must.
| Small-Group Lower Loop Tour | Private VIP Tour | Multi-Day Yellowstone & Tetons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 11 - 13 hours | Flexible (Full Day) | 5 Days |
| Best For | Couples and first-time visitors wanting to see the major highlights. | Families with young children or photographers wanting a custom pace. | Deep explorers wanting to see Utah, Wyoming, and both national parks. |
| Includes | Hotel pickup, guide, breakfast, picnic lunch, binoculars. | Private vehicle, custom itinerary, guide, meals, scopes. | 4 nights hotel, transport from SLC, guide, park admissions, breakfast. |
| Starting Price | $329 - $389 | $350 - $887 | $1,038 |
Yellowstone National Park is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, access is heavily dependent on the season and weather conditions.
During the winter closure, the interior of the park is only accessible via commercially guided snowmobiles or snowcoaches.
If you are traveling from Jackson Hole to Yellowstone, you will be entering through the South Entrance. The drive from Jackson Town Square to the South Entrance is about 57 miles and takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes, taking you directly through Grand Teton National Park.
Alternative Transport Options:
The ideal time to visit Yellowstone depends on what you want to experience:
Months to Avoid: April and November are considered 'mud season.' The park is transitioning between summer and winter operations, meaning most roads, visitor centers, and facilities are closed.
Yellowstone is highly accessible for visitors with mobility needs. Many of the park's most famous geothermal features, including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Grand Prismatic Spring, feature extensive, flat wooden boardwalks.
Key viewpoints like Artist Point and Lookout Point at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are also wheelchair accessible. If you need a wheelchair, they can be rented at the medical clinics in Mammoth, Lake Village, and Old Faithful for $10 per day.
Note on Altitude: The park sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet. Elderly visitors or those with heart/lung conditions should take it slow, as the thin air can quickly cause shortness of breath and fatigue.
While Yellowstone is a massive wilderness area, it has developed 'villages' (like Canyon Village, Old Faithful, and Mammoth) that offer basic amenities.
Yellowstone has strict rules in place to protect both the delicate ecosystem and the visitors. Violating these can result in heavy fines or fatal accidents.
It depends on the operator. Some private and multi-day tours include the standard park entry fees. However, many day tours require you to pay the $35-$40 vehicle fee separately. Additionally, starting in 2026, non-U.S. residents must pay a $100 per person surcharge, which is almost never included in tour prices.
Because Jackson Hole is located about 57 miles south of Yellowstone, day tours are quite long, typically lasting between 11 and 13 hours. You will spend a good portion of the day driving through Grand Teton National Park to reach the Yellowstone loop.
While wildlife is wild and unpredictable, guides communicate with each other to track animal movements. You are almost guaranteed to see bison and elk. Seeing bears or wolves is possible, especially in the early morning, and guides provide binoculars and spotting scopes to help you see them safely.
Yes, the vast majority of 11 to 13-hour tours from Jackson include food. You can usually expect a breakfast item (like a breakfast burrito or yogurt), a picnic-style lunch (sandwiches or salads), snacks, and bottled water throughout the day.
Many small-group tours have age restrictions, often requiring children to be at least 3, 5, or 6 years old due to the long hours in a van. If you are traveling with an infant or toddler, you will likely need to book a private VIP tour, which can accommodate car seats and strollers.
Most tour operators offer front-door pickup at hotels and lodgings in Jackson, Teton Village, and Wilson. If you are staying at a remote cabin or an Airbnb outside these specific areas, you will be asked to meet the guide at a central location, such as the Home Ranch Parking Lot.
Yes, as long as you stay on the designated boardwalks. The park has built extensive wooden pathways around major geothermal features like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. Stepping off the boardwalk is illegal and highly dangerous due to the thin crust over boiling water.
Even in July or August, the park's 8,000-foot elevation means mornings can be freezing and afternoons hot. You should dress in moisture-wicking synthetic layers and bring a warm jacket. Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes are essential for the boardwalks and viewpoints.
No. The use of drones is strictly prohibited in Yellowstone and all other U.S. National Parks. This rule is heavily enforced to protect wildlife from stress and to preserve the natural experience for other visitors.
You should expect to be without cell service for almost the entire day. Signal is extremely limited and usually only available in heavily developed areas like Canyon Village or Old Faithful. Guides have radios for emergencies.
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