Explore the park's wildlife and geology with professional naturalist guides on a Yellowstone safari. Choose from private or small-group tours that provide binoculars and adjust routes based on real-time animal sightings.
Free Cancellation Explore Yellowstone’s landscapes and wildlife on a flexible, naturalist-led safari tailored to current conditions.
Free Cancellation A private, naturalist-led safari through Yellowstone tailored to your interests and the day's best wildlife sightings.
Free Cancellation A private, customizable wildlife safari through Yellowstone’s Upper Loop and Lamar Valley with expert local guides.
Free Cancellation Track Yellowstone’s wildlife in real-time with a guide who moves where the animals are actually active.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Yellowstone — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A Yellowstone safari tour takes you deep into the world's first national park, guided by professional naturalists who know the terrain, geology, and animal habits. Instead of just driving past landmarks, you'll use high-end spotting scopes to safely observe wildlife and learn the science behind the park's famous geysers and hot springs.
Witness the predictable eruptions of Old Faithful and marvel at the rainbow-colored thermophilic bacteria of Grand Prismatic Spring.
Guides track current animal movements to find grizzly bears, wolves, and elk, especially in the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley.
Experience iconic 'bison jams' as herds of these massive mammals cross the roads. They've lived here continuously since prehistoric times.
Look out over the 20-mile long Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, featuring striking yellow walls and the massive 308-foot Lower Falls.
Top-tier tours provide UHD binoculars and spotting scopes, allowing you to watch distant wolf packs without violating the 100-yard safety rule.
Walk the boardwalks over intricate travertine terraces, formed by limestone deposits that look like an inside-out cave.
Planning a safari in a 3,500-square-mile wilderness requires a bit of preparation. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot on a Yellowstone tour.
You can choose between small group tours (capped at 8 guests) or fully private safaris. Group tours are great for budget-conscious travelers, while private tours allow you to customize the pace and itinerary.
If you are traveling with young children, book a private safari. Group wildlife safaris typically have a strict minimum age requirement of 8 years old, whereas private tours have no age limits.
Check if your tour includes the park entrance fee. Standard entry is $35 per vehicle. Note that starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older face an additional $100 surcharge per person.
Most full-day safaris include a packed lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Some early departures even provide a light breakfast. Professional optics like Vortex binoculars are almost always provided by the guide.
Safaris start early to catch peak wildlife activity. Expect pickups between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM. Tours typically depart from Jackson, Teton Village, or West Yellowstone, so book a tour that aligns with your lodging.
Most operators offer a full refund if you cancel 24 to 48 hours before a single-day tour. Multi-day safaris or groups of 15+ usually require 14 to 30 days notice for a refund.
These tours are suitable for all fitness levels. Most major viewpoints have flat boardwalks. However, the park sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet, which can cause fatigue or shortness of breath.
| Guided Group Safari | Private Safari Tour | Lamar Valley Upper Loop Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Size | Max 8 guests | Private to your group | Private to your group |
| Best For | Solo travelers & couples | Families with kids under 8 | Serious wildlife & wolf watchers |
| Included Perks | Lunch, snacks, binoculars, hotel pickup | Custom itinerary, lunch, binoculars, private transport | Lunch, snacks, Vortex optics, West Yellowstone pickup |
| Price From | $299.00 | $597.50 | $424.99 |
Park Hours: Yellowstone National Park is technically open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, access is heavily dependent on the season.
Seasonal Road Closures: Most park roads are completely closed to wheeled vehicles from early November to late April due to heavy snow. During this time, travel is restricted to guided snowmobiles or snowcoaches.
Year-Round Access: The only road that remains open to regular cars year-round is the road connecting the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) to the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City, MT).
By Air: The closest major airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), located about 90 miles (1 hour 45 minutes) from the North or West entrances.
Shuttles & Buses: Shuttle buses run from Bozeman to West Yellowstone for around $175 per person. You can also catch the Salt Lake Express public bus from Salt Lake City, UT (7-8 hours, $76-$95).
From the South: If you are staying in Jackson, WY, the South Entrance is about 57 miles away. Taxis and private transfers from Jackson Town Square cost around $257 flat rate.
Summer (July - August): The best time for full road access, warm weather, and family trips. Expect heavy crowds at major attractions like Old Faithful.
Fall (September): Excellent for wildlife viewing, specifically the elk rut. The crowds thin out, but weather can be unpredictable.
Mud Season (April & November): These are the worst months to visit. The park is transitioning between seasons, meaning most roads, facilities, and trails are closed to both cars and snow-vehicles.
Wheelchair Access: Yellowstone is highly accessible. Major attractions like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring feature extensive, flat boardwalks. Viewpoints like Artist Point are also accessible.
Rentals: Wheelchairs can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis at medical clinics in Mammoth, Lake, and Old Faithful for $10 per day.
Altitude Warnings: The park sits between 7,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation. Elderly visitors or those with respiratory issues should take it slow, as the thin air can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.
Food & Drink: Dining options inside the park are limited and often have long wait times in the summer. It is highly recommended to pack a cooler with your own food and water.
Gas Stations: There are 6 gas stations inside the park, but they are spread far apart and prices are 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 works in developed areas like Canyon Village or Mammoth. Wi-Fi is restricted to registered lodge guests and is very slow (around 1.5mbps). Download the NPS app for offline use.
Generally, no. You will need to pay the park entry fee, which is $35 per private vehicle. Keep in mind that starting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older must pay an additional $100 surcharge per person.
Yes, but age restrictions depend on the tour type. Group safaris usually have a minimum age requirement of 8 years old. If you have younger children, you will need to book a private safari, which has no age limits.
You don't need to. Professional safari tours provide high-quality UHD binoculars and spotting scopes (like Vortex optics) for guests to use throughout the day.
Pickup locations vary by operator. Many tours pick up directly from hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM. Others depart from West Yellowstone. Be sure to confirm your lodging location when booking.
While sightings are never 100% guaranteed, guides constantly adjust their routes based on recent animal movements and weather. Tours heading to the Lamar Valley offer the highest chances of seeing wolves and grizzly bears.
Most safaris are full-day experiences, typically lasting around 8 hours. This includes travel time to and from the park, with frequent stops for wildlife viewing and short walks at major landmarks.
There is no formal dress code, but layering is essential. The park sits at an average elevation of 8,000 feet, making weather unpredictable even in summer. Wear moisture-wicking synthetic layers and bring a hat and sunglasses.
No. Drones are strictly prohibited in Yellowstone and all other U.S. National Parks to protect the wildlife and ensure a quiet experience for other visitors.
Yes, most full-day safaris include a packed lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Some early morning departures also provide a light breakfast, but it's always smart to eat something before you get picked up.
For most single-day safaris, you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Larger groups (15+ people) or multi-day tours usually require 14 to 30 days notice to avoid penalty fees.
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This safari through Yellowstone National Park is led by professional naturalist guides who specialize in the region's ecology and geology. Rather than following a rigid script, the tour focuses on the park’s natural history and active wildlife sightings, adapting the route to follow the best viewing opportunities available that day. Guides from Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris customize each itinerary based on seasonal changes, current road closures, and weather patterns. They also adjust the pace and focus of the trip to match your specific interests, ensuring you see the park's major highlights while spending time on the areas that matter most to you. The tour includes frequent stops whenever wildlife is spotted or a significant geological feature is reached. This flexible approach allows for a more immersive look at the park's ecosystem, with ample time for photography and observation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Explore Yellowstone National Park on a private safari led by a professional naturalist. This tour focuses on the park’s wildlife, geology, and natural history, with an itinerary that is fully customizable based on your group’s interests. You can set the pace for the day, allowing for more time at specific sightings or geothermal landmarks. The guides at Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris adjust each trip to account for seasonal changes, current weather, and road conditions. By monitoring recent wildlife activity and park access, they work to ensure you see the most relevant highlights during your visit. The experience is designed to be informative and flexible, catering to both first-time visitors and dedicated wildlife enthusiasts.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This private tour departs from West Yellowstone for a full day exploring the wildlife and geology of the park’s Upper Loop. Traveling in a Toyota Sienna, you’ll head into the Lamar Valley—one of the best places in North America to see wolves, grizzly bears, and bison. We provide high-end Vortex optics for every guest to ensure clear views of the animals from a safe and respectful distance. Your guide will share insights into the park’s ecology and conservation history throughout the trip. Because we frequent the same areas as local biologists, guests occasionally have the chance to meet field researchers like Rick McIntyre for real-time updates on wolf pack activity. The experience includes a catered lunch with options for all dietary requirements, as well as snacks and bottled water to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This safari skips the rigid schedules of standard tours to focus on where the animals are moving right now. Your guide constantly adjusts the route based on recent sightings, weather shifts, and seasonal behavior patterns. By prioritizing current activity over a fixed loop, you spend less time driving to empty locations and more time observing wildlife in their natural habitat. The flexible pace is designed to accommodate different interests, whether you are a photographer waiting for the right light or a watcher interested in specific animal behaviors. Because the route is dictated by the movement of the animals themselves, each outing offers a different look at the park’s ecosystem as it changes throughout the day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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