Lamar Valley Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Lamar Valley. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Yellowstone and Grand Teton 4-Day 3-Night Wildlife Adventure

• 2-Day Yellowstone National Park Upper and Lower Loop Exploration

• Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour With Lunch

• Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley From West Yellowstone With Lunch

• Private Yellowstone Wildlife Sightseeing Tour

Lamar Valley doesn’t have an admission fee. However, it’s in Yellowstone National Park which requires an entrance pass that costs US$20 per person for those entering on foot or bicycle, and US$35 per vehicle. Each pass is valid for a week. Non–US residents are charged an additional US$100 per person. If you visit Lamar Valley as part of a full-day guided tour, expect to pay between US$250–$450 per person.

Yes, Lamar Valley is worth visiting if you're in Yellowstone National Park, especially if you want to increase your chances of seeing wolves, which were reintroduced here beginning  in 1995. Known as the park's northern range, it's also commonly referred to as North America's Serengeti because of its high concentration of wildlife. While it doesn't offer as many attractions, visitor centers, and shops as other areas, you also won't find the crowds or traffic.

Per one customer who booked the Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour With Lunch, "We had a wonderful experience from start to finish. Our guide, Emily, was exceptionally knowledgeable and well-prepared, and all the logistics were handled seamlessly. When a bear closure required her to adjust the route, she turned it into an opportunity—leading us across two beautiful creeks and then to an unforgettable moment watching a large herd of bison crossing nearby. Emily's deep understanding of bison behavior helped us fully enjoy the encounter, stay safe, and continue our hike without any issues."

Yes, you can visit the Lamar Valley area of Yellowstone National Park. Located in the northeastern corner of the park, the region is known for its grassland ecosystem and its wealth of wildlife, which has earned it the nickname the American Serengeti. It is an accessible place to explore.

The easiest way to explore the Lamar Valley is by car, and it takes about one hour to drive the stretch of Route 212 between Tower Junction and Cooke City, roughly the valley's endpoints. Set aside a minimum of two hours if you want to drive there and back.

Old Faithful is at Yellowstone National Park's center, while Lamar Valley is in its northeast. It's about an hour and 45 minutes by car from Old Faithful to Tower Junction (the valley’s western endpoint) via US 89-N and Grand Loop Road, making it possible to do both in one day.

Cooke City, located at the northeastern edge of the Lamar Valley, is a good place to base yourself: It offers options for accommodation and amenities. Alternatively, Gardiner—located at Yellowstone National Park’s northern entrance and a 45-minute drive from the valley’s western edge at Tower Junction—is also a good base.

The Lamar Valley offers special scenery and wildlife-viewing opportunities throughout the year, although snowstorms can limit access in winter. For the best chance to spot wolves, bison, and other wildlife, aim for dawn or dusk, when the valley’s resident animals are likely to be most active.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Lamar Valley. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Yellowstone National Park:

• Hayden Valley

• Old Faithful Geyser

• Fountain Paint Pot

• Grand Prismatic Spring

• Mammoth Hot Springs

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Yellowstone National Park.