18 ABSOLUTELY Best Yellowstone Tours for 2024

Post Summary: Best Yellowstone Tours

Yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park in 1872 and attracts over 3 million visitors a year. It’s packed with unique geological and hydrothermal features including the famous Old Faithful geyser. However, it’s not just the incredible scenery here that makes this park so popular. Yellowstone National Park offers unparalleled opportunities to witness an array of wildlife in their natural habitat, and this includes grizzly bears, bison, elk, wolves, and eagles amongst others.

This article is going to go through the 18 BEST Yellowstone tours for 2022, so you can make the most out of your visit. That includes the best day tours for summer, the best day tours for winter, and the best multi-day tours if you’re planning to spend a couple of days in the national park. There is a lot to see at Yellowstone, and it can be pretty overwhelming if you don’t know where to start!

That’s why taking a guided tour is a great option, as they will show you all the best places and teach you about the local area. It also takes the stress out of organizing your own transport and planning a route.

So let’s dive right in, here are the BEST Yellowstone tours of 2024.

Best of Yellowstone National Park in a Nutshell

THINGS TO KNOW: 25 Things to Know Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park

BOOKS TO READ: 11 Books to Read Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park

GETTING THERE: How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

TOURS: Best Yellowstone Tour

ONE DAY: One Day in Yellowstone National Park

CAMPING: Camping in Yellowstone National Park

NEARBY PARKS: Badlands, Glacier, Grand Teton, Wind Cave

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Best Yellowstone Day Tours for Summer

Yellowstone Park Tour with Local Guide

• Departure/Return Point: All hotels in West Yellowstone
• Tour Length: 9 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 10 people
• Tour Highlights: The famous Old Faithful geyser, tour the Lower Loop and stop off at highlights. Visit Lower Falls & get to see wildlife in their natural habitat

This Yellowstone tour departs at 8:30 am from the departure point and enters the national park through the West Gate. You will then go on a tour of the Lower Loop and stop at the many highlights including the Old Faithful geyser and the Geyser basins.

Throughout the tour, you’ll get to see many of Yellowstone’s popular sights including Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake. The Fountain Paint Pots and Artist Point are also included in the tour.

Your guide will teach you all about the park including its geology, unique geothermal features, and of course, the wildlife.

This tour includes:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• The National Park entrance fee
• Use of binoculars to spot wildlife
• Breakfast and lunch
• A local guide

>>> Check prices and book here.

Yellowstone Wildlife Watching Tour with Meals

• Departure/Return Point: Gardiner, MT Chamber of Commerce
• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Tour Type: Private – up to 6 people
• Tour Highlights: Using top of the range equipment to spot bears, bison, moose, wolves and other wildlife, and exploring with a knowledable guide who observes these creatures daily

If you’re heading to Yellowstone National Park primarily to see wildlife, then this is a great tour option. The local naturalist guide on this private tour will use top-of-the-line equipment to spot wildlife and help you learn about the animals that reside here.

The guides have an intimate familiarity with Yellowstone and its wildlife, so they are the best way to discover some of the park’s iconic species. During your tour, the guide will discuss observed behaviors to help you learn about the various species you see. They will also tell stories about the individuals they’ve come to know over the years including bears and wolves.

This tour includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off
• Binoculars and high-powered scopes
• Breakfast pastries, full picnic lunch spread and snacks
• Local naturalist guide
• Transportation via an equipped touring vehicle

>>> Check prices and book here.

Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entrance Fee

• Departure/Return Point: Accommodation in Teton Village and Jackson
• Tour Length: 12.5 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 14 people
• Tour Highlights: Learn about Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in one day, and experience wildlife in their natural habitat. See popular sights inlcuding the Old Faithful geyser, Lower Falls and tour the Lower Loop

If you’re looking for an action-packed Yellowstone tour, then look no further. This day tour departs between 6:15 am and 6:45 am and lasts for around 12.5 hours.

First of all, you will head north past Hayden Valley so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife! Then you’ll drive through Grand Teton National Park, before entering Yellowstone through the South Gate. This means you’ll get to see two national parks on this day-tour, making it a brilliant choice.

After entering the park, you’ll tour the Lower Loop and see all the popular points of interest including Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Geyser Basin, and the Lower falls among other sights.

Your guide will educate you on Yellowstones’ endless unique features including its geology, wildlife, and history.

This tour includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off
• National Park entrance fee
• Local Guide
• Breakfast and lunch
• Use of binoculars

>>> Check prices and book here.

Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour

• Departure/Return Point: Jackson, Wyoming
• Tour Length: 10 – 12 hours
• Tour Type: Private or small groups available – up to 8 people
• Tour Highlights: Travel through Grand Teton National Park on the way to Yellowstone. See popular sights inlcuding Old Faithful and the upper Geyser Basin, and take short hikes throughout the day

This full-day Yellowstone Loop Tour is another great way to see the national park. The departure point is Jackson, which means you’ll travel through Grand Teton National Park to reach Yellowstone.

The tour will take you along the Lower Loop so you’ll get to see many of the famous sights including Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots, and the Midway Geyser Basin. Other sights included on this tour are the Firehole Lake loop, the Firehole River Canyon, Gibbon Falls, and the Virginia Cascades.

Throughout the tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to take short hikes along the many boardwalks within the geyser basins. This is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of Yellowstone.

This tour includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Jackson
• Transportation in luxury vehicles
• Lunch, drinks and snacks
• Binoculars
• Experince guide

>>> Check prices and book here.

6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch

• Departure/Return Point: Biscuit Basin Trailhead parking lot, Yellowstone
• Tour Length: 6 hours (approx)
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 15 people
• Tour Highlights: The Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, Diasy Geyser and Biscuit Basin

If you want to do a bit of hiking in Yellowstone National Park but don’t feel confident enough to do it on your own, then this tour is perfect.

The tour departs at 8 am and is a 6-mile (9.6 km) loop that will show you the best spots in Yellowstone. The hike starts from the Biscuit Basin Trailhead and takes you through the entire Upper Geyser Basin before returning to the trailhead.

Along the hike, you’ll get to see the famous Old Faithful, the Old Faithful Inn, and Daisy Geyser before hiking up the Observation Point Trail. Once you get to the top you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Yellowstone Caldera so don’t forget your camera!

During the hike, you may also encounter wildlife including bison and bears, so your guide will have bear spray on them at all times.

This tour includes:

• Professional guide
• Lunch and snacks
• Trekking poles
• Optical gear to spot wildlife
• Backpacks

>>> Check prices and book here.

Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch

• Departure/Return Point: Lamar River Trailhead, Yellowstone
• Tour Length: 6 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 15 people
• Tour Highlights: Hike to a variety of wildlife viewing locations and scenic vistas that can’t be seen from the road

This is another great hiking tour in Yellowstone and is perfect for people who want to spot wildlife. Wolves and other rare wildlife are spotted regularly in this area, so make sure you bring your camera.

The tour departs at 8 am and is a 6-mile (9.6 km) loop that will take you through Lamar Valley. Lamar Valley is one of the best places to spot wildlife not only in Yellowstone but in the world.

The guide will take you to all the top wildlife viewing locations within the valley to give you the best chance to see some of the park’s native animals. You’ll also hike to viewpoints that you can’t see from the road, which offer incredible views of Yellowstone.

This tour includes:

• Professional guide
• Lunch
• Trekking poles and backpacks
• Binoculars
• Bear Spray

>>> Check prices and book here.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch

• Departure/Return Point: the pavilion next to the Upper Falls Parking Area, Yellowstone
• Tour Length: 6 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 15 people
• Tour Highlights: Ribbon Lake, Clear Lake, the Wapiti Meadows and of course walking along the Canyon Rim

The Grand Canyon Rim Hike is one of the best hikes in Yellowstone and is a must during your time in the park.

The tour departs at 8 am so hotel pickups will commence before this time. The trail is a 6-mile (9.6 km) loop that will take you along the Canyon Rim and through the forest out to Ribbon Lake. From there you’ll head past a Geyser Basin and then further along you will see Clear Lake.

However, one of the highlights of this tour (and the trail) is going past Wapiti Meadows. At this spot you’ll get incredible views of Hayden Valley, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.

If you don’t fancy an early start, multiple hiking times are offered throughout the day.

This tour includes:

• Hotel pick-up
• Professional guide
• Lunch and snacks
• Trekking poles and backpacks
• Binoculars

>>> Check prices and book here.

4-Hour Morning Sea Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch

• Departure/Return Point: parking lot at the end of Grant Marina Road, Wyoming
• Tour Length: 4 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 9 people
• Tour Highlights: Seeing Yellowstone from a whole new angle, as you paddle through Yellowstone Lake.

If you’re looking for a more unique Yellowstone tour, this kayaking tour may be for you!

This tour departs at 8 am, as morning is the best time to spot wildlife along the lake. It also means you won’t encounter the strong winds that occur later on in the day.

Before you head out onto the lake, your instructor will acquaint you with the kayak and paddle strokes, before the adventure gets underway. You’ll then head out from the marina to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, and paddle close to the shore. From the comfort of your kayak, you’ll get scenic views of the Absaroka Range, and you might even spot bear or elk on the lakeshore.

This tour includes:

• Kayak instructor
• Use of kayak and paddle
• Use of personal floatation device
• Lunch
• Coffee/tea

>>> Check prices and book here.

E-Bike Tours in Yellowstone National Park

• Departure/Return Point: Glen Creek Stock Trail, Yellowstone
• Tour Length: 3 – 4 hours
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 9 people
• Tour Highlights: Cycling past Swan Lake Flats, Golden Gate Canyon and Bunsen Peak

An e-bike tour is another unique way to see Yellowstone, as the terrain of the national park makes for a thrilling adventure.

If you’re looking to head off the beaten path, then this tour is perfect. You’ll be cycling through the backcountry trails of Yellowstone, and you’ll also get to experience remote viewpoints where you can enjoy the scenery without the crowds.

One of the highlights is Swan Lake Flats which is a great area to look out for and photograph wildlife. You’ll also be treated to incredible views of Golden State Canyon and Bunsen Peak.

Exploring Yellowstone by electric mountain bike requires a good fitness level, so make sure you’re up to the task before you book.

This tour includes:

• Professional guide
• Use of electric mountain bike
• Helmet and bike lock
• Bottled water

>>> Check prices and book here.

Yellowstone National Park Self Driving Audio Tour

• Departure/Return Point: the tour can begin at any of the park entrances
• Tour Length: 5 – 6 hours
• Tour Type: Private
• Tour Highlights: This self-driving audio tour consists of 34 different stops including Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pot, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake.

If you’d prefer to tour Yellowstone by yourself but don’t know where to start this is a good option.

Viator offers a self-drive audio tour for your individual vehicle, that can begin at any entrance to the national park. Make sure to download it before arrival and use it in offline mode.

The tour consists of 34 different stops and takes to you all the best spots in Yellowstone. This includes Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pots, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.

Another great thing about this audio tour? There is no expiration date so you can use it again and again.

This tour includes:

• Live GPS map
• Email, chat and call support
• Audio, images and text that work offline

>>> Check prices and book here.

Best Multi-Day Yellowstone Tours

Grand Teton & Yellowstone 2-Day 1-Night Tour

• Departure/Return Point: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Tour Length: 2 days, 1 night
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 10 people
• Tour Highlights: Wildlife viewing at Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, and plenty of popular sights including Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and Fountain Paint Pots

If you’re looking for a multi-day Yellowstone tour, then this is one of the best choices. The tour starts early in the morning and heads through Grand Teton National Park before heading into Yellowstone.

You’ll get to see Yellowstone Lake, the West Thumb Geyser Basin, and the magnificent Lower Falls before heading into the upper loop to spot some wildlife. During the afternoon you’ll spend your time in Lamar Valley, which is famous for wildlife viewing.

On day two, you’ll spend some more time in Lamar Valley, before you visit some of the most famous sights in the park. That includes Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, and Mammoth Hot Springs. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit Hayden Valley during this tour too!

This tour includes:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Jackson Hole
• 1 night’s accommodation in Cooke City
• National Park entrance fees
• Picnic lunch in Yellowstone National Park
• Naturalist guide, and use of binoculars and scopes

>>> Check prices and book here.

Grand Teton & Yellowstone: 4-Day Nature Tour

• Departure/Return Point: Parkway Inn or Lexington Hotel In Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Tour Length: 4 days, 3 nights
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 10 people
• Tour Highlights: dawn and dusk wildlife tours in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, driving the Upper Loop in Yellowstone and seeing some of the park highlights like Lower Falls

This is one of the longer multi-day tours at Yellowstone and is another great choice for wildlife watching. Day one of the tour starts with a 4-hour dusk wildlife tour in Grand Teton National Park before staying the night in Jackson Hole.

Day two will see you explore Grand Teton National Park and then head out to Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley which is famous for wildlife viewing. You’ll also get to see some of the park’s most famous landmarks.

You’ll be driving along the Upper Loop on day three, and departing early to make the most out of your day. The final day of the tour will primarily focus on Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley which is famous for its wildlife. Your guide will be on the lookout for bears and wolves here, but you also might spot coyotes, elk, bison, and deer among other animals.

To finish the tour off you’ll see some of the park’s popular sights including Old Faithful, the Geyser Basins, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

This tour includes:

• 3 night’s accomodation
• National Park entrance fee
• Naturalist guide
• Use of binoculars and scopes
• Breakfast on days 2, 3 and 4 aswell as snacks and refreshments

>>> Check prices and book here.

7-Day Yellowstone National Park Rocky Mountain Explorer

• Departure/Return Point: Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
• Tour Length: 7 days, 6 nights
• Tour Type: Private or small groups available – limited to 14 people
• Tour Highlights: Getting to see Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Bryce Canyon. Salt Lake City, Provo Lake and the Rocky Mountains are also included!

If you’re after the ultimate national park adventure, then why not go for this 7-day tour? You’ll get to see three of the best national parks in America – Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Bryce Canyon.

Day one will see you travel from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National park, and day two will take you to explore Salt Lake City. After an overnight stay in a hotel, you’ll explore Grand Tetons National Park on day three.

On days four and five, you will tour Yellowstone National park, before heading to the Rocky Mountains on day six. On the last day of the tour, you will visit the Valley of Fire State Park before arriving back in Las Vegas late afternoon.

Five out of the six nights are camping, so make sure you come well equipped in terms of clothing. There are also two optional day tours you can add to the package which are the ‘Death Valley Day Tour’ and the ‘Wild West Ghost Town Explorer’.

This tour includes:

• All park entrance fees
• All camping equipment needed
• Expert guide
• Transportation throughout

>>> Check prices and book here.

Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Rockies 11-Day Tour

• Departure/Return Point: Meeting point in Las Vegas varies
• Tour Length: 11 days, 10 nights
• Tour Type: Private or small groups available
• Tour Highlights: Bryce Canyon National Park, Salt Lake City, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Death Valley and San francisco

Now, this is the ultimate American adventure! This 11 day-tour takes to you a wide variety of U.S bucket list destinations starting in Las Vegas.

On day one of the tour, you’ll head to Bryce Canyon National Park, and then onto Salt Lake City for day two. During day three you’ll explore Grand Tetons National Park. On days four and five, you will tour Yellowstone National park, before heading to the Rocky Mountains on day six.

Day seven will see explore Snow Canyon State Park before heading back to Las Vegas. After exploring the city at night, you’ll wake up early to have a guided tour of Death Valley National Park. On day nine you’ll cross the Tioga Pass en route to Yosemite. Day ten will see you explore Yosemite for a full day, before taking a city tour of San Francisco on day eleven.

This tour includes:

• All park entrance fees
• Guided tour of Death Valley National Park
• City tour of San Francisco
• Yosemite, Bryce, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons hikes
• Guided jeep tour of Monument Valley
• All hotel or camping accommodation (whichever option you pick)

>>> Check prices and book here.

Best Yellowstone National Park Tours for Winter

Yellowstone Snowcoach Tour to Old Faithful

• Departure/Return Point: Jackson or Teton Village
• Tour Length: 12 hours
• Tour Type: Private
• Tour Highlights: Explore Yellowstone National Park in winter and enjoy views of the Grand Tetons and Old Faithful

Exploring Yellowstone in a snow coach has to be one of the best ways to see the park in winter. A snow coach is simply a specialized vehicle designed to operate in snow, which means you can be warm and comfortable whilst witnessing the incredible scenery.

The tour starts from Jackson or Teton Village and passes through Grand Teton National Park, so you can get a winter wonderland view of the Grand Tetons. From there, you’ll head to the South entrance of Yellowstone and drive through the park for 45 miles.

There will be plenty of stops along the way for you to get out and explore before you reach Old Faithful. Points of interest on this tour include the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Moose Falls, Lewis Canyon, and Lewis Falls.

This tour includes:

• Pick up from hotels in Jackson or Teton Village
• Experienced guide
• Breakfast and lunch.

>>> Check prices and book here.

Best Multi-Day Yellowstone National Park Tours for Winter

Yellowstone National Park Winter 4-Day Tour

• Departure/Return Point: Bozeman
• Tour Length: 4 days
• Tour Type: Public – maximum of 12 people
• Tour Highlights: Viewing Lamar Valley in winter and getting to observe wolves in their natural habitat. Visiting popular spots like the Old Faithful Geyser and Old Faithful Inn.

If you fancy exploring Yellowstone in winter on a multi-day tour, then this one is for you!

After being picked up in Bozeman you’ll head into Yellowstone National Park and spend the day searching for wildlife. Afterward, you’ll stay in Gardiner, before spending day two searching for wolves.

Day three will see you head to Lamar Valley to look for the Lamar Canyon pack. Your guide will be in communication with other guides and wolf researchers in the area to make sure you have the best sightings possible.

On day four you’ll spend the morning searching for wildlife before making your way to see the popular sights of Yellowstone.

This tour includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off in Bozeman
• 3 nights accommodation
• National Park entrance fees
• Expert adventure guide
• Use of binoculars and scopes

>>> Check prices and book here.

Yellowstone Tours Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tour Yellowstone on your own?

You can absolutely tour Yellowstone on your own if you wish! All you’d need to do is hire a car or use your own vehicle to explore the park. If you want to know more about visiting this incredible national park, you can read my complete guide on visiting Yellowstone National Park here.

However, if you want some more guidance, Viator offers a self-drive audio tour for your individual vehicle, that can begin at any entrance to the national park. The audio tour consists of 34 stops and takes you to all the best places in Yellowstone. This includes Old Faithful, Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, the Fountain Paint Pots, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Lake. All you need to do is download it before arrival and use it in offline mode.

Are there guided tours of Yellowstone?

This article discusses 18 of the best Yellowstone Tours for 2022. All of these tours (except for one) are all guided tours with a professional, experienced guide.

They offer the chance for you to learn about Yellowstone’s unique geological and thermal features, as well as the wildlife of course. Guided tours are also a great way to take the stress out of planning an itinerary. All the work is done for you so you can simply sit back and enjoy the adventure.

Where do Yellowstone tours start?

Yellowstone tours start in a variety of locations, with many offering hotel pick-up services.

The majority of tours on this list depart from Jackson Hole, Teton Village, or from other pick-points within West Yellowstone. Some tours also depart from hiking trailheads within the park depending on the type of tour you’ve chosen.

Is it worth visiting Yellowstone if you only have one day?

It’s definitely worth heading to Yellowstone National Park, even if you do only have one day!

There are so many incredible sights to visit in the park and the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife. Going on a tour is a great way to see Yellowstone if you’re only there for one day, as the guides will take you to all the most popular locations.

You won’t have to organize your own route or itinerary, and you can simply enjoy the views as they drive you around. You can’t get much better than that!

To help you plan your visit, here is my guide on how to make the most out of one day in Yellowstone National Park.

Final thoughts on the Best Tours of Yellowstone

When it comes to choosing the best Yellowstone tours, it can be a difficult decision. There are so many incredible options, and it all depends on what you want from your visit. There are specific tour options for hiking, wildlife watching, and even multi-day tours that will take you to a variety of other parks as well as Yellowstone. Just make sure you take into account your timescale, budget, and fitness before making a decision, and also research the itinerary in depth! Which tour out of this list do you think you’ll pick?

Do you have any questions about Yellowstone National Park or need help planning your National Park trips. Let me know in the comments or join me in my National Park Trip Planning Community!

More Information for your trip to Wyoming

• DEVILS TOWER: The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Devils Tower National Monument
• GRAND TETON: Visiting Grand Teton National Park: The Complete Guide
  • The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Grand Teton National Park
• YELLOWSTONE: Visiting Yellowstone National Park: The Complete Guide
  • 25 Things to Know Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park
  • How to Get to Yellowstone National Park
  • 11 Books to Read Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park
  • The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National Park
  • 19 ABSOLUTELY Best Yellowstone Tour
  • One Day in Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Highlights Driving Tour

More Information for your trip to Montana

• MONTANA: National Parks in Montana: Explore the 8 Montana National Parks
• GLACIER: Visiting Glacier National Park: The Complete Guide
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road: Everything You Need to Know
  • The Ulitmate Guide to Camping in Glacier National Park
• YELLOWSTONE: Visiting Yellowstone National Park: The Complete Guide
  • 25 Things to Know Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park
  • How to Get to Yellowstone National Park
  • 11 Books to Read Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park
  • The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National Park
  • 19 ABSOLUTELY Best Yellowstone Tour
  • One Day in Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Highlights Driving Tour

Pin for Later: 18 ABSOLUTELY Best Yellowstone Tour for 2022