Day tours, small-group safaris, private tours, and self-guided audio, sorted by where you're starting.
An experienced guide knows where to go for wildlife watching — Here in Hayden Valley
During both of our trips, we drove ourselves, and that's the reason we wrote this guide to Yellowstone tours. Many people don't want to drive that much and would rather look at the landscape, and a guide is useful especially for wildlife watching.
If you're still deciding where to stay first, our Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park: Where to Stay goes entrance by entrance, and our Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary for Non-Hikers shows what a self-drive week looks like.
🛌 Where to stay:
• Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, West Yellowstone — Contemporary cottages with kitchenettes, less than a mile from the West Entrance.
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn, Gardiner — Two minutes by car from the North Entrance, next to Gallatin National Forest.
• The Cody, Cody — A base for the East Entrance, with an indoor pool and a microwave and refrigerator in every suite.
🇺🇸 Top experiences:
• Full-day Yellowstone wildlife safari in Lamar Valley from Bozeman — A guided day in the part of the park known for wildlife watching.
• Lamar Valley wildlife van tour from West Yellowstone — The same valley as a van tour, leaving from the West Entrance town.
🚗 Compare car rentals at Bozeman airport — Every gateway town here is a drive from the airport, and you will want a car inside the park too.
Jump to: Tour or drive · Jackson · West Yellowstone · Bozeman and Big Sky · Gardiner · Cody · Wildlife · Private · Winter · Multi-day and self-guided · FAQ
Best Yellowstone tours: quick answer
Pick a tour by where you're staying. Jackson and West Yellowstone have the most day tours, Bozeman and Gardiner have good small-group options, and Cody has fewer. Most day tours cover one half of the park. On these listings, the Lower Loop means the geyser basins, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, and the canyon, and the Upper Loop means Mammoth, Mount Washburn, and Lamar Valley. In winter, snowcoach and snowmobile tours are the way in, and we also cover them below. A guided day is a good fit if you don't want to drive the park roads, and a private tour is fantastic if your group needs its own pace. Just bear in mind that park entrance fees and meals aren't always included. For what to do once you're inside, see our Things to Do in Yellowstone Without Hiking: Easy Walks, Geysers, and Wildlife.
Do I need a guided tour in Yellowstone?
These little geysers at Porcelain Basin are constantly erupting!
A tour makes sense if you don't want to spend hours at the wheel and would rather look at the landscape, if you want a guide who knows where the wildlife is, or if you only have one day. Driving yourself makes sense if you want to stop where you want.
Winter is a different kind of trip. We've only been in late September, so the winter section below is based on research for a future trip. We love Iceland in winter, and the contract between the geothermal areas and the snow must be spectacular in Yellowstone too!
Yellowstone tours from Jackson Hole: the long way to the Lower Loop
Did anybody say bison? Here in Hayden Valley
Distance: the South Entrance is about 57 miles from Jackson. Expect a long day.
Jackson is a long way from the geyser basins, and the tours from there drive through Grand Teton on the way to Yellowstone. That makes for a long day. We visited both parks during our last trip (on different days), as covered in our itinerary.
Yellowstone National Park Full-Day Lower Loop Tour from Jackson
Lower Loop, full day.
Park fees, breakfast, and lunch are included. The route passes through Grand Teton, then stops at Old Faithful, the canyon falls, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, and Grand Prismatic Spring. The minimum age is 6.
Best of Yellowstone - Guided National Park Safari Tour
Small group, up to 8 guests per vehicle.
A naturalist guide, breakfast, lunch, spotting scopes, and hotel pickup are included, but park fees are not. The minimum age is 8.
Yellowstone National Park Small-Group Wildlife Safari by Jeep
Small group, enclosed air-conditioned vehicle.
A picnic lunch and hotel pickup are included. Children 5 and younger aren't allowed.
From Jackson: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fees for U.S. Residents
Full day, entry fees included for U.S. residents.
As the title says, park entry fees are included for U.S. residents. If you’re not from the U.S., check the listing for how the fee works.
Yellowstone National Park Tour from Jackson Hole
Larger group, popular option.
If you're searching for bus tours of Yellowstone, this is the biggest group on our list. The listing has three pickup locations instead of lodging pickup. Lunch isn't included, and the minimum age is 3.
Yellowstone tours from West Yellowstone: closest to the geysers
The grand, Grand Prismatic from the viewpoint
Distance: West Yellowstone sits at the West Entrance, the nearest gateway town to the geyser basins.
West Yellowstone is the easiest base for a Lower Loop day, because you're already at the entrance. We stopped there for souvenirs on the way to Idaho, as described in our itinerary. Our West Yellowstone Hotel Guide covers where to sleep.
Yellowstone National Park Full-Day Lower Loop Tour from West Yellowstone
Lower Loop, group tour with hotel pickup.
Park fees, breakfast, lunch, and pickup and drop-off at select West Yellowstone lodgings are included. Stops include Old Faithful, Artist Point, the Upper Falls, Hayden Valley, and Fountain Paint Pot. The minimum age is 6, and it's unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch
Small group, up to 12 travelers.
This is the tour for people who want wildlife over geysers. The route covers the Madison River, Mount Washburn, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs, with lunch, snacks, binoculars, and a spotting scope provided.
Yellowstone Tour Lower Loop Active Van Adventure from West Yellowstone
mall group, up to 12 travelers.
A van tour of the Lower Loop, with stops at Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Hayden Valley, and the canyon. Lunch and spotting scopes are included.
Full Day Yellowstone National Park Tour from West Yellowstone
Small group, up to 8 travelers, ages 8 and up.
A naturalist guide and lunch are included. The group meets at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce instead of getting hotel pickup.
Yellowstone tours from Bozeman and Big Sky: if you’re flying into Montana (we did)
Artist Point behind us, Lower Falls in front of us!
Distance: Bozeman is about 90 miles from West Yellowstone, so these are the longest days on the list.
We landed late in Bozeman, picked up a rental car, and drove to Ennis, as described in our itinerary. If you'd rather not drive at all, these tours start in Bozeman or Big Sky instead. Most meet at a set point instead of picking up from your hotel, so check where before you book. They also pair well with the Ennis and Madison Valley hotels on the road to the West Entrance.
Best Of Yellowstone Full Day Park Tour from Bozeman
Small group, up to 8 travelers, meets in Bozeman.
Lunch is included, and the group meets at Cafe M in Bozeman. The route covers Mammoth Hot Springs, the canyon and Artist Point, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. The minimum age is 8.
Full Day Yellowstone National Park Tour with Lunch Included
Up to 13 travelers, pickup included.
A full day with pickup and lunch included… as the title says!
Yellowstone Wildlife Safari in Lamar Valley from Bozeman
Small group, up to 8 travelers.
A wildlife day in Lamar Valley, meeting at Cafe M in Bozeman.
From Bozeman: Express Yellowstone Tour
GetYourGuide. Express day trip, one day.
A shorter, express version of the Lower Loop from Bozeman. Check the listing for the stops and the meeting point.
Full Day Best Of Yellowstone National Park Tour from Big Sky
Small group, meets in Gallatin Gateway.
The group meets behind the BASE Community Center in Gallatin Gateway, not at your hotel. Our itinerary ends with a drive through Big Sky, covered in Day 7.
Yellowstone tours from Gardiner: the North Entrance
Mammoth Hot Springs on a hot fall day!
Distance: Mammoth Hot Springs is about 5 miles from the North Entrance.
Gardiner is the best gateway for Mammoth and the northern part of the park, and the North Entrance stays open to regular vehicles through winter. We did Mammoth as a long day from Ennis. Our Gardiner hotel picks are in the hotel guide. The tour choices from there are limited.
Best Of Yellowstone Full Day Park Tour from Gardiner
Small group, up to 8 travelers.
Full day tour of the park with stops at the main highlights.
Yellowstone Hayden and Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour from Gardiner
Small group, up to 10 travelers.
A wildlife tour of Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, the two best area for animals, with lunch and snacks included. Park fees aren't included.
Zoom in and out on the map below to find hotels, cabins and lodges around Yellowstone:
Yellowstone tours from Cody: the East Entrance
Distance: about 52 miles from Cody to the East Entrance.
Cody is the gateway for the East Entrance, and the tour choices are more limited than from Jackson or West Yellowstone. The East Entrance road is seasonal, so check its status before you plan. Our Cody hotel picks cover where to stay.
Full-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour from Cody, WY
Full-day guided tour.
It's the only Cody tour with a strong rating and consistently positive reviews. Check the listing for the the detailed route and inclusions.
Wildlife tours in Yellowstone: where each one goes
Bison in Hayden Valley in September
Lamar Valley is the part of the park most people recommend for wildlife, and three tours above go there: the Upper Loop tour from West Yellowstone, the Lamar Valley safari from Bozeman, and the Hayden and Lamar tour from Gardiner. Every Lower Loop tour passes through Hayden Valley, which the Park Service calls one of the best places in the lower 48 to see grizzly bears, bison, and elk. Several of the small-group safaris list spotting scopes, which means you can watch animals from a safe distance.The wildlife section of our things-to-do guide covers what we saw from the car.
Whatever tour you pick, the safety rules stay the same. Stay at least 25 yards from bison and elk and 100 yards from bears and wolves (if you’re lucky enough to see one!), and never stop in the roadway.
Compare Yellowstone tours with prices and reviews:
Private Yellowstone tours: your pace, your route
A private our is great for wildlife watching
Obviously, a private tour costs more than a group seat. But if you’re traveling with other people, the price per person might be lower than you’d think. And it solves the biggest problem with group tours, which is that everyone has to move at the same speed.
Private Yellowstone National Park Tour, Upper Loop
Private, in a 4WD Suburban or van. Listed under West Yellowstone.
The Upper Loop route lists Lamar Valley, Cooke City, Calcite Springs Overlook, the canyon, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Roosevelt Arch. Park fees aren't included. The listing describes the tour as wheelchair accessible, which is unusual among the tours we found.
Yellowstone National Park Private Tour from Jackson Hole
Private, full day.
Hotel pickup and lunch are included, according to the listing.
Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour
Private group, wildlife focus.
A private wildlife tour inside the park. Check the listing for the departure point and inclusions.
Yellowstone: Full-Day Private Guided Tour by Car with Lunch
Private, by car, with lunch. Listed under West Yellowstone.
A private full-day guided tour by car, with lunch included.
Winter Yellowstone tours: snowcoach, snowmobile, and wildlife
Most of Yellowstone's roads close to regular vehicles from early November to late April, so in winter a tour is often the practical way in. Season dates change, so confirm them on each listing before you plan. Snowmobile tours are sometimes available and published seasonally. Check Viator and GetYourGuide for your dates.
Yellowstone Winter Wildlife Safari from Bozeman
Small group, up to 8 travelers, ages 8 and up.
A naturalist guide, a locally sourced picnic lunch, snacks, and binoculars and spotting scopes are included, and transportation from Bozeman is covered.
Private VIP Wildlife Winter Safari of Yellowstone
Private group, listed under Gardiner.
The itinerary lists Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs. Breakfast, snacks, water, scopes and binoculars, and private transportation are included, and the operator can pick up anywhere from Bozeman to Gardiner. Check the listing for how park entrance fees are handled.
Multi-day and self-guided Yellowstone tours
You can visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton on the same tour!
Our itinerary covered the park in two days, and it was a lot of driving. If you want a guide for the whole thing, a two-day tour is a better fit than a one-day rush. If you'd rather drive yourself with some help, an audio tour is the middle option. And you can also combine Yellowstone and Grand Teton on the same guided tour.
2 Day Yellowstone National Park Upper and Lower Loop Exploration
Small group, up to 9 travelers, departing Jackson.
Covers the Upper and Lower Loops over two days. Hotel pickup and two lunches are included, and lodging isn't.
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons: 4-Day/3-Night Wildlife Adventure
Small group, up to 10 travelers, departing and returning to Jackson.
This one adds Grand Teton to the Yellowstone days. A naturalist guide, three nights of lodging, breakfast on days 2 through 4, snacks, binoculars and spotting scopes, and hotel pickup in Jackson on day 1 are included. The park entrance fee is included only for U.S. residents. Stops include Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Oxbow Bend, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone National Park
App-based, GPS-triggered, works offline.
You drive yourself, and the app plays stories and directions as you reach each stop. It works without cell service. Park entry isn't included.
🐧 Penguin tip: Check what each listing includes before you compare. Two tours that look the same can differ by a lunch, a hotel pickup, and the park entrance fee, and that changes the final cost. Also check reviews.
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FAQ: Best Yellowstone tours
What are the best Yellowstone tours?
It depends on your starting town and what you want to see. The Lower Loop tours from Jackson and West Yellowstone cover the geysers and the canyon, the Upper Loop and Lamar Valley tours focus on wildlife and Mammoth, and private tours let you set the pace.
Which entrance is best for a Yellowstone tour?
West Yellowstone is the closest to the geyser basins, Gardiner is the best for Mammoth and the northern part of the park, and Jackson means a long day. Bozeman and Big Sky are the farthest, and Cody has fewer options.
How long is a Yellowstone day tour?
Most are full-day tours, and the ones from Jackson and Bozeman are the longest because of the drive to the park. Our own Mammoth day took about three and a half hours each way by car before any stops. Check the listing for the hours on your date.
Is the park entrance fee included in Yellowstone tours?
It varies. Some tours, like the Lower Loop tours from Jackson and West Yellowstone, include park fees. Many small-group tours don't, and non-U.S. visitors may pay an extra park fee. Read the inclusions on each listing before you book.
Can you take a Yellowstone tour from Jackson Hole?
Yes, and Jackson has a lot of options. The Lower Loop tours pass through Grand Teton on the way to Yellowstone, so expect a long day. Jackson is also where the winter snowcoach and snowmobile tours in this guide start.
Are there Yellowstone tours for seniors or people who don't hike?
Yes. Most day tours are vehicle-based with short stops, though several listings mention a moderate amount of walking. Private tours can follow your pace, and one of the private Upper Loop listings describes the tour as wheelchair accessible. The Jackson and West Yellowstone Lower Loop listings we read say they aren't, so confirm with the operator.
Are there self-guided Yellowstone tours?
Yes. The Viator audio driving tour is app-based, uses GPS to play stories as you reach each stop, and works offline. You drive yourself, and park entry isn't included.
Can you take a snowmobile or snowcoach tour in Yellowstone?
Yes, in winter. Winter tours are published seasonally, so check the dates on each listing.
Pick the tour with pick up near the base you’re staying at, and then decide how much you want to see in a day. Jackson and West Yellowstone for the Lower Loop, Gardiner and Bozeman for Mammoth and wildlife, a private guide if your group prefrs its own pace, and an audio tour if you'd rather drive yourself. A guide is a good answer for anyone who'd rather spend the day looking out the window.
And if you need a place to stay, read our guide to Yellowstone Hotels & Cabins by Entrance. Want to continue on to Grand Teton? Read our Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary.
Finally, explore all of our USA Travel Guides here.
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