Yellowstone Sightseeing Tours

Looking to spend your summer making memories that last a lifetime? Explore one of our nation’s treasures with sightseeing tours in Yellowstone National Park. Specialty sightseeing tours offer personalized experiences that allow you to explore all that Yellowstone has to offer.

Here’s what you can expect when you book guided Yellowstone sightseeing tour trips.

Private tours

Private sightseeing tours in Yellowstone give you an up close and personal look at the wonders of one of our country’s premier national parks. You’ll travel in small vehicles and SUVs, allowing you to travel Yellowstone’s smaller backroads that large buses and other vehicles can’t travel. You’ll be able to stop and pull over for any wildlife sightings of interest, and you’ll also avoid the crowds that flock to Yellowstone during the summer—and all the traffic that accompanies them.

You’ll be accompanied by experienced guides on your tour. They’ll be able to answer your questions and provide you with expert insight of the park and the wildlife who call it home.

Lower Loop Tours

There’s no other place in the world quite like Yellowstone, and private Lower Loop tours let you see some of the park’s major sites in all their glory. During a private Lower Loop tour, you’ll visit the Fountain Paint Pots, Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone Lake, the Lake Hotel, Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Crystal Falls and Gibbon Falls.

Upper Loop/Wildlife Adventure Tours

While most people come to Yellowstone just to visit Old Faithful in the park’s Lower Loop, there’s plenty to see and experience in the north side of the park. Yellowstone’s Upper Loop shows the full diversity of the area’s terrain and wildlife. You’ll visit Rustic Falls, Mammoth Hot Springs, Undine Falls, the Lamar Valley, Tower Falls and Dunraven Pass. You’ll also visit two locations that are closed to large vehicles, Upper Terrace Drive and the Petrified Tree.

One of the best parts about the Upper Loop tours is the ability to see wildlife in their natural habitat. You’ll likely spot bison, black bears, elk, grizzly bears, mule deer and wolves, as well as plenty of avian species. Summer is a special time of year to visit this alpine environment, as the animals are out and fields are filled with wildflowers.

Personalized tours

You can also schedule private day tours according to the elements of the park you want to see most. Just let your guide know what you’d like to see and do, and he/she’ll tailor your trip to your specifications. Whether you want to take a day hike, view wildlife, watch geysers, swim or simply sightsee, you’ll be able to experience Yellowstone in a way that’s most meaningful to you.

Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Guided Yellowstone sightseeing tour trips are the ultimate outdoor experience in America’s first national park. Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides to book your trip today. Now is a great time to set up your multi-day vacation package for the summer—we’ll help you plan everything from hotels, tours and alternate activities to customize your trip to your interests.

2022 Yellowstone Backpacking Trips

Yellowstone backpacking trips give you the opportunity to experience the wonders of America’s first national park firsthand. Up to 97 percent of Yellowstone is backcountry, i.e., areas where the average visitor doesn’t get to venture into. Very few people get to see the park’s incredible backcountry and all the wildlife that call it home, but you get to see it all when you book a backpacking tour for the summer.

Here’s an introduction to the variety of guided Yellowstone backpacking tours.

Black Canyon of the Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure

Traversing one of Yellowstone’s great remote canyons, this adventure backpacking trek takes you into the heart of the Northern Range, which is full of wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to view bison, black bears, coyotes, elk, grizzly bears, pronghorn, wolves and more. Enjoy gorgeous scenery every step of the way.

Gardner’s Hole Fishing or Day Hiking Adventure

This easy-to-moderate trek includes a stop at Gardiner’s Hole and a free day for fishing or hikes up Fawn Pass. You’ll take in incredible scenery along the way and wrap up the journey at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wapiti Lake/Pelican Valley Adventure

One of the best Yellowstone backpacking trips you can take is the Wapiti Lake/Pelican Valley Adventure trek. This trip is long in terms of miles, but the terrain is easy to traverse. This trip takes you through one of the most heavily-populated areas of the park for bears, offering great backcountry thermal areas and wildlife habitats to explore.

Thorofare/Snake River Adventure

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Thorofare in this long trek totaling 65 miles. You’ll traverse one of the park’s biggest and most remote valleys, trekking past large streams and the Yellowstone River to take in the scenery and spot wildlife in their natural habitat. You’ll also visit the Snake River Canyon, following the river from its source to Yellowstone’s South Entrance.

Bechler Adventure

If you’re looking for a backpacking trip that has it all, book your spot in a Bechler Adventure trek. You’ll visit Old Faithful and the Lone Star Geyser and then hike over the continental divide to take in the stunning scenery of the Bechler River Canyon and the Ferris Fork Thermal Area.

Heart Lake/Snake River Adventure

This trek begins at Heart Lake and the Heart Lake Geyser Basin, both of which offer great scenery. As the journey continues, you’ll hike to Mt. Sheridan and the Snake River to enjoy a hot spring soak.

Lava Creek Adventure

Backpacking with little ones? Take the two-day Lava Creek Adventure trek. You’ll visit Undine Falls with the option to visit Lake Falls. You’ll take an easy hike to your campsite for the night, featuring unmatched views of Undine and Lower Undine Falls. To wrap up the trip, you’ll stop by Boiling River to enjoy a comfortable soak surrounded by incredible scenery.

Ready to book guided Yellowstone backpacking tours? Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides today. Those looking for backpacking trips in 2022 should contact us before February 1 to secure your dates—we’re filling up fast for the summer. Make your reservation today.

Now Is the Best Time to Book Your Winter Wildlife Weekend Getaway

Want to get up close and personal with the vibrant wildlife in and around Yellowstone National Park? Late fall and early winter is an ideal time to book Yellowstone National Park tours, since crowds are low and wildlife is still active.
Here’s what you can expect to see on Yellowstone guided tours this winter.

Wolves

Wintertime is the best time of year for viewing wolves in their natural Yellowstone habitat. When a deep snowpack covers the ground of the park, it’s easier to spot the wolves going about their daily activities. Their beautiful, dark coloring makes them stand out in stark contrast against the white snow.

Lamar Valley is a particularly good spot to view wolves, and with Yellowstone guided tours, you have access to a knowledgeable guide for the duration of your trip. An experienced naturalist answers all your questions about these magnificent creatures, including unique insights into their habits and habitats.

Bison

Lamar Valley is a particularly good spot to view wolves, and with Yellowstone guided tours, you have access to a knowledgeable guide for the duration of your trip. An experienced naturalist answers all your questions about these magnificent creatures, including unique insights into their habits and habitats.

Owls

Owls are birds of prey, and it’s a regular occurrence for winter visitors to the park to catch them in flight as they search for rodents on the ground. They’re usually spotted in the woods of the Northern Range, swooping into lower elevations to find their next meal.

Elk

The largest elk herds in Yellowstone spend the winter along just north of the park’s winter boundary. These icons of the West form large herds, giving winter visitors an incredible look at how these animals coexist together.

Trumpeter Swan

Named for its distinctive call, the trumpeter swan is North America’s largest wild waterfowl. They mainly nest in wetlands and form larger groups in winter. You may catch them migrating in search of a new habitat to brave the cold temperatures of the winter together.

American Bald Eagle

The symbol of the nation, the American bald eagle lives year-round in Yellowstone National Park. This unmistakably-large, dark bird with a white head is always searching for food in winter, and you’ll usually spot them near rivers or streams looking for fish. They’re commonly spotted on the northern border of the park in lower elevations where food is more available during the cold winter months, and they’re often joined by other species including rare golden eagles.

Now is the best time to book Yellowstone National Park tours that allow you to get a unique glimpse of the area’s incredible wildlife. Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides today to book a journey of a lifetime.

You’ll fly into Bozeman for two or more days, touring the Northern Range and Lamar Valley. Since now is the quietest time to visit the park, you’ll get an undisturbed look at nature’s wonders. For those arriving after December 15, we can even build a snow-coach trip to Canyon or Old Faithful

Our winter wildlife weekend getaways are available through the end of May, so reach out today to start your journey.

Last Chance for a 2021 Fall Season Weekend Getaway

In the mood for a fall getaway you’ll never forget? Yellowstone National Park tours are ideal for year-round travel, but they’re especially breathtaking in the fall and early winter. The Northern Range remains open for you to enjoy.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to see and do on Yellowstone guided tours to the beautiful Northern Range.

Scenic drives

Most of Yellowstone National Park is closed to vehicular traffic during winter, but routes between Cooke City and Gardiner remain open. These scenic drives are beautiful in all seasons, especially during winter when snow blankets the ground.

Starting from Gardiner, you’ll take the park’s northern entrance road to Mammoth Hot Springs. Then you’ll follow east on Grand Loop Road, taking in Yellowstone’s beautiful high country. As you continue, you’ll see the impressive canyon between the 11,000-foot Abiathar Peak and the 10,200-foot Amphitheater Mountain.

The total distance of this scenic drive is 57 miles, and guided Yellowstone National Park tours help you take in this beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace. Let professionals do all the guiding and driving, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone.

Photography opportunities

Want to get in touch with your inner Ansel Adams? You can do just that with a tour of the Northern Range. You can take impressive shots of colorful hot springs, bubbling pools and geysers set against the dramatic backdrop of snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and active wildlife during winter.

Hot springs

Most of the hot springs in Yellowstone are too hot for you to safely interact with them, but you can at the Boiling River, also known as Gardiner River. You’ll enjoy the unique sensation of hot and cold water mixing in pools along the river’s edge. The access point to this location is located between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs. After a short hike, you’ll arrive at the hot springs for a sensory experience like no other.

Wildlife

There’s never a bad time of year to experience Yellowstone’s vibrant and varied wildlife. While many animals hibernate during the winter season, you’ll still have a chance to see wolves, coyotes and mountain goats going about their day set against the dramatic winter scenery.

Yellowstone is particularly rich in avian life, with over 330 species documented in the park. It’s highly likely you’ll encounter a variety of birds during your visit, from graceful raptors to majestic bald eagles. You may even catch a glimpse of the rare peregrine falcon, osprey or great horned owl.

Although winter weather is settling in, there’s still time to get in a last-minute weekend getaway. While the park’s roads have closed, the Northern Range remains open. Enjoy it without the crowds by reaching out to the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides today. Contact us, and all you have to do is fly into Bozeman. We’ll take care of you from there, coordinating Yellowstone guided tours, transportation and lodging. Reach out to us today to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

What You Should Know About Yellowstone National Park Fire Restrictions

Hot and dry weather make this the worst time of year for wildfires in the Western United States, and Yellowstone National Park is in danger of going up in flames each summer. The risk of massive wildfires increases each year due to the ongoing climate crisis. For this reason, there are many Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions in place to help keep wildlife and tourists safe from wildfires.
The rules change throughout the year depending on the weather, but this post will cover the regulations in place when the fire danger level is “very high,” as it is most summers.

Backcountry

Be sure to check out the backcountry if you’re up for a real adventure, but be mindful that the untamed backcountry can be more prone to wildfires. Currently, all charcoal and wood fire campfires are prohibited in the backcountry, even in established fire rings.
Smoking is also banned throughout the backcountry and on all trails, except in designated areas. Smokers may light up next to the designated fire rings in campsites or within a three-foot diameter area barren of all flammable materials.
You don’t have to live without heat in the dark, though. Portable gas stoves and lanterns are currently allowed. However, the area must be barren or cleared of overhead and surrounding materials. Be sure to double-check your surroundings before starting your stove or lantern.

Frontcountry and developed areas

The first restrictions are a bit more lax in developed areas. However, they’re still in place and must be followed. Campfires are only allowed in established campgrounds and day-use picnic areas. If you start a fire, it must be extinguished and cold to the touch before you leave the site.
Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle, a single-family dwelling or a day-use picnic area.

Why must you follow these rules?

Some tourists have the faulty thinking that their small fire can’t possibly do any harm, so they think Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions don’t apply to them. That’s far from the case. These are the reasons you need to follow all posted rules:

Book a tour with us

There’s still plenty of time to see Yellowstone this summer, but don’t do it alone—book a tour with Yellowstone Tour Guides. Contact us today to book a trip or to learn some more about the current Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions..