Day Trips from West Yellowstone to Lamar Valley

If you're hoping to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, increase your chances of spotting magnificent animals like wolves, elk, pronghorn sheep, birds of prey, and even bears on this private wildlife tour. It can be daunting to navigate the massive park on your own, but your dedicated driver and guide knows all the best habitats to increase your chances of wildlife sightings on this full-day tour.

Go beyond the crowds and follow a wildlife biologist/ecologist into the true wilds of Yellowstone. Visiting the Lamar Valley—the “Serengeti of Yellowstone”—and beyond, you’ll spy on bison, wolves, bears, coyotes, and more, all between witnessing geysers erupt and waterfalls cascade. Stop for a picnic lunch and take an easy hike or two for a bit more scenic exploration before ending your private, documentary-worthy adventure.

Yellowstone Hiking Guides is a long-time, local tour operator that offers top-rated experiences in Yellowstone National Park. Our Winter Wildlife Tours start run from February to April. Winter in Yellowstone is a magical time. Be sure to bundle up in layers as we put wolves and other rare animals in the spotting scope. Use our binoculars to see foxes hunting in the snow and bison weathering the winter conditions. We pack the lunch, snacks, and the hot and cold beverages. Please allow us to host you at the highest level on one of our group tours. We pick up guests in West Yellowstone (6AM), Big Sky (7AM), and Bozeman (8AM). Top destinations in the Park include the Roosevelt Arch, the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, and the Old Gardiner Road. We also drive through the scenic Paradise Valley, home to winter wildlife outside of Yellowstone National Park. We look forward to hosting you and your group to show you Yellowstone's winter wildlife and stunning scenic beauty.

A great opportunity for those who don't wish to be tied down to a structured tour, this self-guided driving tour lets you explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park at your own pace. Leisurely drive from place to place or see as much as you can in one day, from geysers and peaks to hot springs and glacial lakes.

Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! Experience the raw power and beauty of nature at Yellowstone National Park. This enormous volcanic caldera has captured the American imagination for decades thanks to its explosive geysers, prismatic hot springs, and astonishing waterfalls. Home to some of the only wild bison and wolves on the continent, this park can’t be missed. The tour can begin at any of the park’s entrances. Due to poor signal in the park, download BEFORE arrival & use OFFLINE MODE. Note road closures on park website. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, & enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Yellowstone National Park showcases some of the best and most diverse wildlife in North America. Our full day wildlife safari endeavors to highlight the hundreds of species of animals and birds that thrive in this protected ecosystem. We will visit valleys, river systems, and forests throughout central and northern Yellowstone, a region lovingly referred to as America’s Serengeti. Throughout the Northern Range especially, we will search for predators, like wolves and bears, as they hunt through herds of bison and elk. Each eco tour is led by a professional naturalist who will use high powered optics to find and observe wildlife at a distance as well as show you animal tracks and sign right at your feet.

See the highlights of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park without worrying about going with a tour group. This private self-guided audio driving tour lets you navigate the way to see what you’re interested in most, or you can use a planned-out itinerary. Plus, this audio tour works even if your smartphone doesn’t have service or Wi-Fi. Note that additional National Park entrance fees may apply for non-U.S. residents.

Explore the Upper Loop attractions of America's first national park with an adventure guide who knows where the local wildlife like to hang out. You'll visit the "Serengeti of Yellowstone" to seek wolves, coyotes, grizzly and black bears, eagles, badgers, bison, elk, moose, and many other animals. Binoculars and spotting scopes, as well as breakfast, snacks, and lunch, will be provided. Single travelers are welcome to join groups for this tour.

Max out your sightseeing time in Yellowstone National Park and discover its famous landmarks and wildlife species with ease in a private air-conditioned vehicle. But don’t just see the sites; understand them with in-depth commentary on the park’s history, geology, and unique ecosystems along the way. Key highlights of the upper loop tour include the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park on a self-guided audio tour that takes you along the scenic 140-mile Grand Loop. Experience the dramatic landscapes of erupting geysers, majestic waterfalls, and wildlife-rich meadows, all narrated by GPS technology. Discover fascinating stories about Old Faithful, the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, and the transformative role of wolves in the ecosystem. Unearth hidden gems like Sylvan Lake and Dragon’s Mouth Spring while enjoying the freedom to travel at your own pace. This immersive journey connects you to the park's rich history and natural beauty, making every moment memorable. - Scenic 140-mile Grand Loop with GPS-triggered narration - Learn about iconic sites like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring - Discover lesser-known spots and unique natural features - Get insider tips on what you can safely skip and what not to miss - Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families

Discover Yellowstone with your self-guided tour, exploring America’s first national park at your pace. Begin at Old Faithful, where the world’s most famous geyser erupts with stunning regularity every 90 minutes. Drive to Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, its rainbow rings of thermophilic bacteria creating colors visible from the overlook trail above. Stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone as the Lower Falls plunge 308 feet into a golden-walled gorge. Explore Mammoth Hot Springs where travertine terraces build living sculptures of mineral deposits. Watch bison herds roam the Lamar Valley, known as America’s Serengeti for its unmatched wildlife viewing. Visit Norris Geyser Basin, the park’s hottest and most dynamic thermal area. Marvel at Yellowstone Lake, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. This 2.2-million-acre wilderness sits atop an active supervolcano, creating a landscape found nowhere else on Earth.

Discover the wildlife-rich Northern Loop of Yellowstone with a comfortable transportation experience. This tour is a must for animal enthusiasts and nature photographers, offering the chance to explore iconic sites like Lamar Valley, known as "America’s Serengeti," and the scenic Tower-Roosevelt region. Enjoy views of the Yellowstone River and a visit to the unique Mammoth Hot Springs. With professional drivers and binocular rentals included, this full-day adventure lasts between 8-10 hours, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of Yellowstone's natural beauty. - Explore Lamar Valley, a prime spot for wildlife photography - Visit the scenic Tower-Roosevelt region and enjoy Yellowstone River views - Stop at Mammoth Hot Springs to witness geothermal wonders - Professional drivers provide transport for up to 13 guests, ensuring an intimate experience

What makes this tour truly unique is its flexible, adaptive approach to wildlife viewing. Instead of following a strict schedule, your guide adjusts the route based on active sightings, behavior patterns, weather changes, and time‑of‑day movement. This method provides a far more rewarding wildlife experience, ensuring that your time is spent where animals are actually present. Whether your priority is photography, learning about animal behavior, or simply witnessing Yellowstone’s wildlife up close, this safari offers the best chance for meaningful and memorable encounters.

Explore the stunning landscapes of Yellowstone National Park on a guided wildlife tour through the iconic Lamar Valley. Witness the diverse wildlife that calls this park home, from majestic bison to elusive wolves, while learning about the unique ecosystems from knowledgeable guides. This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts and families alike, offering an immersive experience in one of America’s most celebrated national parks. - Guided wildlife tour through Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley - Expert guides provide insights into local wildlife and ecosystems - Ideal for nature lovers and families seeking adventure - Enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone with ample wildlife spotting opportunities Please note that new National Park fees may apply for international visitors. If applicable, this fee is collected at the destination, not when you book.

Skip the hassles of navigating Yellowstone’s traffic, hoping you’ll spot some incredible wildlife off the road. On this small-group tour, your driver’s at the wheel, taking you from bear hotspot to elk hangout and beyond—aka the Madison River, Lamar Valley, and more. With warm drinks, lunch, binoculars, and spotting scopes provided, you’ll get a guaranteed adventure with a touch of ease.

Today we'll be touring Yellowstone's upper, or northern loop, including visiting the best location in the lower 48 states to see wildlife! There are frequent stops along the way! Starting in West Yellowstone, we'll travel along the Grand Loop Road until we get to Canyon Village, where we'll head north, climbing up Dunraven Pass towards Mount Washburn. The tour passes through good grizzly bear terrain before stopping at Tower Falls. The Lamar Valley, Yellowstone's prime area for wildlife viewing, is the next major destination, followed by Mammoth Hot Springs. There is almost always an elk herd to be seen at Mammoth, along with the famous terraces and historic Fort Yellowstone. Roaring Mountain is on the way to Norris Geyser Basin, which is made up of two separate geyser basins and includes the world's highest active geyser. Time permitting, other locations at which we may stop include Calcite Springs, Undine Falls, and Obsidian Cliff.

Explore Yellowstone's northern range and Upper Loop on this full-day nature and wildlife tour. Enjoy abundant wildlife sightings, aided by provided scopes and binoculars, and breathtaking landscapes throughout the tour. See Chief Joseph Scenic Byway's beauty, wildlife-rich Lamar Valley, the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and much more. Your tour includes lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cody for added convenience.