Private Yellowstone Upper Loop Experience and complimentary lunch
No need to stress about driving, finding the best routes and stops, and navigating parking lots. Your guide has all the first-class knowledge needed to make the most out of the day so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. We'll explore the entire upper loop, with visits to Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Norris Geyser Basin. Lunch and snacks will be provided, and you'll be able to experience the world's first National Park the way it was intended, with eyes on the landscape instead of the road.
Your experience
Stop 1
Explore Mammoth Hot Springs, a remarkable landscape of steaming springs and cascading travertine terraces formed by Yellowstone's geothermal activity. You will walk through the thermal area with your guide while learning how mineral-rich water creates the distinctive terraces and constantly changing formations.
Stop 2
Stop at 60-foot (18 m) Undine Falls for scenic views of Lava Creek cascading through a rugged canyon. You will have time to enjoy the waterfall and take photos.
Stop 3
Lamar Valley has been called the Serengeti of the West, as it's one of Yellowstone's premier wildlife-viewing areas, with expansive views of open valleys and surrounding mountains. You will have time to watch for bison, elk, pronghorn, wolves, bears, and other wildlife while your guide helps locate animals and shared insights about Yellowstone's wildlife and ecosystem. We will spend a good amount of time here, stopping at different pullout areas to look for wildlife.
Stop 4
A must-see wildlife stop, where mountain goats are frequently seen. From the roadside viewpoint, your guide will help you spot mountain goats high on the rugged cliff faces of Barronette Peak. We'll take time to scan the cliffs, look for goats, take photos, and enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery.
Stop 5
A quick stop at 132-foot (40 m) Tower Fall, one of Yellowstone's most iconic waterfalls, where Tower Creek plunges through a dramatic, forested canyon before meeting up with the Yellowstone River. Also a great restroom stop, as it has running water, as well as a gift shop and ice cream counter.
Stop 6
Marvel at the scenic views as we drive over Dunraven Pass and pass Mount Washburn, one of Yellowstone's prominent mountain peaks. You will see the rugged landscape and pass stands of "skeleton trees", dead and burnt tree trunks from the 1988 fires that still stand watch over the new growth forests.
Stop 7
Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, famous for its dramatic yellow, pink, and orange canyon walls and spectacular views along the Yellowstone River. You will also be able to see the stunning 308-foot (94 m) Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River from Artist Point. Your guide will share the geology and history of the canyon while giving travelers time to enjoy the viewpoints and take photographs of this iconic Yellowstone landscape.
Stop 8
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest, most acidic, and most dynamic geothermal areas of Yellowstone. Here, you will walk along the boardwalk to experience colorful hot springs, steam vents, and active geysers while your guide explains the area's unique features and volcanic geology. Norris is also home to Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser. It reaches heights of up to 300 feet (92 m) (more than twice the height of Old Faithful's average), but Steamboat is infamously unpredictable, with eruption intervals ranging from days to decades.
What’s included
- In-person English Guide
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Use of the guide's binoculars and spotting scope. If you have your own, the more the merrier.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
Before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If you have an annual parks pass or a 7-day pass, please bring it along.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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