Explore the geothermal wonders of America's first national park on a guided trip around the Lower Loop. Visit iconic sights like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring while your local guide handles the driving.
Free Cancellation See Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Hayden Valley wildlife on this guided Lower Loop tour.
Free Cancellation A full-day guided tour from Jackson Hole to see Yellowstone’s geysers, waterfalls, and wildlife like bison and bears.
Free Cancellation Spot wildlife and visit Yellowstone’s most famous landmarks on a guided day tour starting from West Yellowstone.
Free Cancellation Discover Yellowstone's geysers and wildlife on a guided full-day tour from West Yellowstone or Island Park.
Free Cancellation Experience Yellowstone’s Upper and Lower Loops at a relaxed pace on this two-day wildlife and geothermal tour.
Free Cancellation A private full-day tour of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop featuring Old Faithful, Hayden Valley wildlife, and lunch.
Free Cancellation Yellowstone Hot Spots Lower Loop Tour From Cody Wy!
Free Cancellation Experience Yellowstone’s Lower Loop at your own pace with a private guide and a vehicle reserved just for your group.
Free Cancellation Custom Yellowstone tours for all ages, featuring private pickups and itineraries built around your family's pace.
Free Cancellation A guided small-group tour of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop icons, including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Yellowstone — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Touring the Lower Loop of Yellowstone National Park offers a front-row seat to some of the world's most famous geothermal wonders and breathtaking landscapes. Expect a full day of exploring bubbling hot springs, towering waterfalls, and spotting incredible wildlife from the comfort of a guided vehicle.
Witness the world's most famous geyser erupt. Your guide will time your visit to catch one of its predictable water columns shooting up to 180 feet in the air.
Marvel at the largest hot spring in the United States. You will walk the boardwalks or hike to the overlook to see its vivid, rainbow-colored waters caused by thermophilic bacteria.
Take in the views of this massive 20-mile-long canyon. Stops typically include viewpoints to see the yellow-tinted walls and the roaring 308-foot Lower Falls.
Walk among a diverse collection of geothermal features. You will see bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and smaller geysers all in one concentrated area.
Experience the park's abundant wildlife safely. Guides provide spotting scopes and binoculars to help you look for bears, elk, and navigate the famous 'bison jams' along the roads.
Planning a trip to Yellowstone requires a bit of preparation, especially when booking a guided tour of the expansive Lower Loop. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
You can choose from small group van tours, private SUV excursions, or even comprehensive 2-day trips that cover both the Upper and Lower loops. Private tours offer flexible pacing and are great for families needing car seats.
Tours depart from various gateway towns including West Yellowstone, Jackson, Cody, and Bozeman. Pay close attention to the meeting point, as some require you to meet at a central visitor center if you are staying outside the immediate pickup zone.
The standard park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle or $20 per individual, which is excluded from many tour prices. Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older must pay a $100 surcharge per person.
Lower Loop tours are full-day commitments, typically lasting between 8 and 13 hours depending on your departure town. Tours from Jackson tend to be the longest (12-13 hours) due to the driving distance to the park.
Most full-day tours include bottled water, snacks, and a deli-style lunch (like turkey or veggie sandwiches). Some early departures from Jackson even include breakfast burritos. Binoculars and spotting scopes are almost always provided by the guide.
Tours require a moderate amount of walking, mostly on flat, well-maintained boardwalks. Keep in mind the park sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet, which can cause fatigue or shortness of breath for some visitors.
Pets are strictly prohibited on these tours and on park trails due to the toxic nature of the geothermal areas and wildlife risks. Only recognized service animals are permitted.
The vast majority of tour operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Travel insurance is highly recommended due to unpredictable mountain weather or flight delays.
| Small Group Van Tour | Full-Day Tour from Jackson | Private SUV Tour | 2-Day Loop Exploration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8-9 hours | 12-13 hours | 8-10 hours | 48 hours |
| Best for | Couples and budget-conscious travelers | Visitors staying south of the park | Families, mobility needs, custom pacing | Comprehensive park exploration |
| Includes | Guide, lunch, binoculars, hotel pickup | Guide, breakfast, lunch, park fees (sometimes) | Private vehicle, custom itinerary, lunch, scopes | Guide, lunch, water, 2 days of touring |
| Price from | $249 | $325 | $424 | $650 |
Park Hours: Yellowstone National Park is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, access heavily depends on the season.
Road Closures: Most roads are completely closed to wheeled vehicles from early November to late April due to heavy snow. During this winter period, travel into the park is only possible via guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours.
Year-Round Access: The only road that remains open to regular cars year-round is the route from the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) to the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City, MT).
Airports: The most convenient major airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), located about 90 miles (1 hour 45 minutes) from the North or West Entrances. Car rentals here run about $50-$150 per day.
Shuttles & Transfers: Shuttle buses operate from Bozeman to West Yellowstone for around $175 per person. If you are coming from Jackson, WY, a taxi or private transfer to the South Entrance takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs roughly $257 flat rate.
Public Transit: Public bus options are limited, but the Salt Lake Express provides daily service from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone (7-8 hours) for $76-$95.
Peak Season: July and August offer the warmest weather and full access to all roads and facilities. However, this is also when the park is most crowded, so arriving at popular spots like Old Faithful before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM is highly recommended.
Shoulder Season: September is an excellent time to visit. The crowds thin out, and wildlife activity peaks with the annual elk rut.
Months to Avoid: April and November are known as 'mud season.' Most roads, visitor centers, and trails are closed as the park transitions between winter and summer operations.
Wheelchair Access: Yellowstone is highly accessible for a wilderness park. Major Lower Loop attractions like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring feature extensive, flat wooden boardwalks. Viewpoints like Artist Point and Lookout Point are also accessible.
Rentals: Wheelchairs can be rented at medical clinics in Mammoth, Lake, and Old Faithful for just $10 per day.
Elderly & Children: The park is excellent for all ages, with drive-up viewpoints minimizing the need for strenuous hiking. However, visitors should be aware of the high altitude (7,000-8,000 ft), which can easily cause shortness of breath. Drink twice as much water as usual to avoid altitude sickness.
Food & Drink: Dining options inside the park are limited and often have long wait times during the summer. It is highly recommended to pack a cooler with food and water for the day.
Gas Stations: There are 6 gas stations located inside the park boundaries. However, they are spaced far apart and prices are notably higher than outside the park. Always fill your tank before entering.
Connectivity: Do not rely on your phone. Cell service is extremely limited and only available in developed areas like Canyon Village and Old Faithful. Wi-Fi is restricted to certain lodges for registered guests and is very slow (average 1.5mbps). Download the NPS app for offline use beforehand.
Wildlife Safety: It is illegal and highly dangerous to approach wildlife. You must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Bison can run 35 mph and injure more people in the park than any other animal.
Thermal Dangers: You must stay on designated boardwalks at all times in geyser basins. Stepping off can result in falling through thin crusts into boiling, acidic water, which is often fatal.
Prohibited Items: Drones are strictly prohibited everywhere in the park. You also cannot remove any natural items, including rocks, antlers, or wildflowers. Swimming in hot springs is illegal.
It depends on the specific tour. Some include the entrance fee, while others require you to pay it separately ($35 per vehicle or $20 per individual). Note that starting in 2026, non-U.S. residents must pay an additional $100 surcharge per person.
Tours typically depart from gateway towns surrounding the park, including West Yellowstone, Jackson, Cody, and Bozeman. If you are staying outside the immediate pickup zones, you will usually meet your guide at a central visitor center.
Yes, almost certainly. Old Faithful erupts predictably every 60 to 110 minutes. Tour guides are highly experienced at timing the park's driving routes so you arrive with plenty of time to watch the eruption.
Most tours involve a moderate amount of walking, primarily on flat, well-maintained wooden boardwalks around the geothermal areas. It is suitable for most physical fitness levels, though the 8,000-foot altitude can cause fatigue.
No. Pets are strictly prohibited on tours and on all park trails for their own safety. The geothermal areas contain toxic elements like arsenic and silica, and wildlife encounters pose a major risk. Only recognized service animals are allowed.
The majority of full-day Lower Loop tours include a deli-style lunch, bottled water, and snacks. You can often request specific sandwich types (turkey, ham, veggie) when booking. Some longer tours from Jackson also include a breakfast burrito.
Dress in synthetic, moisture-wicking layers. The park sits at a high altitude, making weather highly unpredictable even in the middle of summer. Bring a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses.
While Lamar Valley in the north is best for bears, it is still very possible to spot grizzly or black bears on the Lower Loop. Guides provide professional spotting scopes and binoculars to help you view them safely from a distance.
Your guide will carry bear spray and is trained to use it, so it is not strictly necessary for you to buy your own if you stay with the group. However, if you plan to explore the park on your own before or after the tour, carrying bear spray is highly recommended.
The tour vans and SUVs do not have onboard restrooms. However, guides make frequent stops at park visitor centers, lodges, and designated rest areas which have public restroom facilities.
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This tour covers the primary landmarks of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop. You will visit key geothermal areas including Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and Fountain Paint Pots. The route also stops at the Upper and Lower Falls, providing views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The itinerary continues through Hayden Valley and along the shores of Lake Yellowstone. These areas are known for frequent sightings of bison, elk, and bears, so keep a camera ready. A lunch is provided for all guests during the trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 12-13 hour guided trip departs from the Jackson Hole area to explore the highlights of America's first national park. You will visit iconic sites like Old Faithful and the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Throughout the day, your guide will help you spot local wildlife, including grizzly bears, bison, and wolves. The tour price covers your park entrance fees, a light breakfast, and lunch, and we provide binoculars for everyone to use. Route availability depends on the time of year. For tours departing before the second Friday in May, the South Entrance is closed. On these dates, the tour travels through West Yellowstone to enter via the West Gate, which bypasses the drive through Grand Teton National Park. Once the South Entrance opens later in May, the tour returns to its standard route.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Starting from West Yellowstone, this tour heads into the park early to search for bears and elk along the Madison River in Shadow Canyon. The morning includes a hike to the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs overlook for a bird's-eye view of the colorful pools. For those who prefer not to hike, a scenic waiting area is available while the group completes the trail. Next, the tour visits the Old Faithful area with time to explore the geyser basin and the historic Old Faithful Inn. After crossing the Continental Divide, the group stops at West Thumb Geyser Basin to see thermal features situated right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. The drive continues past the lake toward the Mud Volcano and the Hayden Valley, where bison are frequently seen grazing near the river. The day ends at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with a stop at Artist Point to view the Lower Falls. After taking in the canyon views, the van returns to West Yellowstone to conclude the trip.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 8-9 hour tour departs from West Yellowstone or Island Park, Montana, for a full day of exploring America's first national park. Led by a local guide, you will visit major landmarks including Old Faithful and the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Between stops, your guide will help you search for the park's resident wildlife, such as grizzly bears, bison, and gray wolves. Binoculars are provided to ensure a clear view of animals in the distance. The tour is fully inclusive, covering park entrance fees along with a light breakfast and lunch.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This two-day tour covers the full expanse of Yellowstone National Park, visiting both the Upper and Lower Loops. By spreading the trip over two days, the itinerary allows for more time at each stop. You can expect to see the park’s major geothermal features and canyons while having enough time for wildlife watching and walking the various boardwalks and short trails throughout the park. The trip includes an overnight stay in Gardiner, Montana, or at Chico Hot Springs Resort in Pray. This layout avoids the rush of a single-day visit, giving you a better chance to encounter the park’s resident animals and explore the thermal basins without feeling hurried between locations.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This private tour focuses on the geothermal wonders and diverse wildlife of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop. Led by a naturalist guide from Sky’s the Limit Tours, you will visit iconic landmarks like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the park’s major waterfalls. The itinerary is customizable, allowing you to spend more time at the features that interest you most while learning about the geology and history of the area. Wildlife viewing is a priority, with dedicated time spent in Hayden Valley to look for grizzly bears and the Wapiti wolf pack. Your guide will also navigate the shores of Yellowstone Lake, using their knowledge of seasonal migration patterns to find animals in their natural habitats. The day is designed to balance the park's famous sights with its quieter, wildlife-rich corridors. The tour includes a catered picnic lunch, snacks, and drinks. To help you stay in the moment, your guide also provides professional-quality photography of your group and the landscape at no extra charge. You will travel in a comfortable vehicle with all logistics handled, from route planning to expert interpretation of the park's unique ecosystem.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Explore the iconic sights of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop with a private guide and vehicle. This tour follows the park's most famous route but allows you to move at your own speed, skipping the crowds and constraints of a standard bus tour. Because this is a private booking, we can tailor the day to your specific interests. Whether you want to spend extra time photographing wildlife or take a longer walk through the geyser basins, your guide will adjust the itinerary to suit your needs. Tours are available seven days a week.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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We provide private, guided tours of Yellowstone National Park with pickups available in Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstone, and Gardiner. Our trips are designed to accommodate multi-generational families; we provide car seats for young children and can adjust routes to meet the mobility needs of older guests. We also manage specific dietary requirements for your group with advance notice. Your itinerary is flexible based on your interests. We can lead hikes through the park's interior or help you integrate activities like whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and fishing into your schedule. For those looking for a more relaxed pace, we can also coordinate fine dining stops throughout the region.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day small-group tour covers the major geothermal and geological highlights of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop. You will visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Lower Falls, and the Grand Prismatic Lake. The route also includes the Fountain Paint Pots and Old Faithful, with dedicated time for wildlife viewing. Throughout the trip, guides provide information on the park's history and the science of the supervolcano. The tour departs at 7:00 AM with pickup from your lodging in West Yellowstone and lasts between 7 and 8 hours. We provide snacks and a variety of beverages. You will have time to purchase lunch at the Old Faithful village while waiting for the geyser to erupt. Please note that pets are not allowed on this tour; those traveling with animals should book the Private Pet Friendly Tour instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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