Your Ultimate Guide to a Guided Tour of Yellowstone
Exploring Yellowstone National Park is a dream come true for many, and one of the best ways to soak it all in is with a guided tour. In this blog, we’ll look at where you can find guided tours of Yellowstone, why they’re such a great option, and some of the top tours available from different park entrances.
Where Can I Find a Guided Tour of Yellowstone?
Yellowstone National Park has plenty of guided tours that fit different interests and entry points. Catch all the park’s highlights, whether you’re coming in from Bozeman, Gardiner, Cody, Big Sky, or West Yellowstone.
Why Choose a Guided Tour?
Opting for a guided tour of Yellowstone comes with several advantages:
- Expert Knowledge: Guides are well-versed in the park’s history, geology, and wildlife.
- Safety: Navigating Yellowstone’s vast wilderness can be daunting. Guides will always ensure you stay safe and on the right path!
- Convenience: No need to worry about planning your route or missing key sights. Guided tours cover many must-see attractions.
- Wildlife Spotting: Guides know the best spots and times to see wildlife, increasing your chances of sightings.
Layout of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is massive, spanning over 2.2 million acres with multiple access points. Not sure where to start? Read on for a breakdown of each entrance’s closest and most common highlights!
- North Entrance (Gardiner): Open year-round, Yellowstone’s north entrance leads to Yellowstone’s famed travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs and the adjacent hotel and cabins. This entrance also leads to the Boiling River, one of two sanctioned swimming areas in the park. Interested in wildlife? From here, you can access Lamar Valley, known as the Serengeti of North America, to see packs of wolves, bears, bison, pronghorn, and many more species.
- West Entrance (West Yellowstone): The west gate, also known as Yellowstone’s busiest entrance, leads to the park’s most iconic attractions, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Morning Glory Pool. With over 150 geysers in one square mile, there is plenty to be wowed by. We especially love the Norris Geyser Basin, the park’s oldest and hottest thermal area, with two walkable zones. It’s home to the Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest at 300-plus feet!
- East Entrance (Cody): The nearest attraction to the east entrance is Yellowstone Lake, the largest lake at a high elevation of 7,733 feet. If you’re lucky, you might spot moose around the shoreline, which is dotted with geothermal features. If you travel between Cody and Lamar Valley, you’ll drive along the Beartooth Highway (named a National Scenic Byways’ “All-American Road”) with breathtaking views of alpine vistas and vibrant wildflowers.
- South Entrance (Grand Teton National Park & Jackson): If you choose the south entrance, prepare to tackle two parks in one day. See the soaring snow-capped Teton mountains on your way to Yellowstone, where the Continental Divide will greet you! Tours from the south entrance are offered with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris.
Signature Tours Available from All Entrances
Yellowstone Wildlife Safari
This tour is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts. You’ll have the chance to see bison, bears, wolves, and more. Guides use their expertise to find and safely observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.
Best of Yellowstone National Park Tour
Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour covers the park’s iconic landmarks, including Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s a comprehensive tour that ensures you experience the park’s diverse beauty.
Best Tours from Each Entrance
Bozeman / Paradise Valley / Gardiner Tours
- Yellowstone Wildlife Safari: As mentioned, this tour offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Walking Safari: Explore Yellowstone’s trails on foot, led by guides who share insights about the park’s ecology and geology.
Cody
- Beartooth Highway Tour: Experience one of America’s most scenic drives, with breathtaking views and chances to spot wildlife.
- Mustang Tour: Discover the wild mustangs of the McCullough Peaks, a unique and unforgettable experience.
West Yellowstone
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Day Tour: This tour combines the best of both parks, perfect for those short on time but wanting to see it all.
- Best of Yellowstone: Focused on the park’s top attractions, this tour ensures you see Yellowstone’s highlights efficiently.
Maximize Your Time with Multi-Day Tours
For those who want a deeper dive into Yellowstone’s wonders, multi-day tours are the way to go.
Two and Three-Day Bear and Wolf Safari
Yellowstone Safari Company offers an awesome two or three-day Bear and Wolf Safari, perfect for anyone who wants to dive deep into the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Get ready to explore valleys, mountains, meadows, and woodlands for a variety of wildlife. With binoculars, high-powered spotting scopes, and your expert guide, your chances of spotting wolves and grizzly bears go way up. Plus, you’ll see unique geothermal features, stunning landscapes, and an incredible range of wildlife.
Two-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Tour
Explore the highlights of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. On this two-day tour, our professional naturalist guides will take you to see volcanic hydrothermal features, glacial lakes, impressive mountain ranges and many of America’s most memorable wildlife. You’ll learn how the unique geology shaped human history and how over a century of conservation has preserved a nearly intact ecosystem with diverse wildlife.
Book Your Guided Tour Today
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a first-time visitor, or someone looking for an in-depth exploration, there’s a guided tour that’s perfect for you. Book your tour with Yellowstone Safari Company today and get ready to explore one of the most incredible natural landscapes in the world!
