Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National Park, United States
Yellowstone National Park, United States

Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch

Outty Ranking 83 4.8 · 223 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $182
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Outty Ranking

83/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 223 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch worth booking?

Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch is a 6-hour experience in Yellowstone National Park, United States, from $182 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 223 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
83 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (223)
Duration
6 hours
From
$182 per person

Yellowstone Hiking Guides safely leads hiking groups into the Lamar Valley on a wildlife viewing day hike tour. Our guides are well versed in Yellowstone's unique wildlife. Safety and fun are our top priorities. Regularly, we spot wolves, bears, and other rare wildlife from the trail in the backcountry of Yellowstone. Our tours are off the beaten path, traveling on bison trails for the majority of the hike. Most tour providers in Yellowstone spend the majority of the day on the road, or very close to the road. Our guides take you into the backcountry for unique views of the Lamar Valley that you cannot see from the roadway. Frequently, our guests tell us that they could not do this hike on their own through the massive bison herd and unpredictable wildlife.

What you get

    About this experience

    Yellowstone Hiking Guides safely leads hiking groups into the Lamar Valley on a wildlife viewing day hike tour. Our guides are well versed in Yellowstone's unique wildlife. Safety and fun are our top priorities. Regularly, we spot wolves, bears, and other rare wildlife from the trail in the backcountry of Yellowstone. Our tours are off the beaten path, traveling on bison trails for the majority of the hike. Most tour providers in Yellowstone spend the majority of the day on the road, or very close to the road. Our guides take you into the backcountry for unique views of the Lamar Valley that you cannot see from the roadway. Frequently, our guests tell us that they could not do this hike on their own through the massive bison herd and unpredictable wildlife.

    What's included

    Included

    • Breakfast
    • Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
    • Tea and coffee
    • Lunch

    Not included

    • Admission to Yellowstone National Park: $35 per vehicle, good for one week
    • Bottled water
    • Rain jacket and fleece layer
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Lamar Valley

      This six-mile tour through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is the best place to hike and view wildlife in North America. Your expert guide will safely lead you to wildlife viewing locations and scenic vistas that you cannot see from the road. Your guide will help you navigate the large bison herds. We sometimes spot wolf and bear, at a distance. Your guide will carry a scope for viewing these animals safely. We also see pronghorn, elk, moose, badger, ground squirrels, and an array of birds. We take a break for a picnic lunch with river or valley views.

      360 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Yellowstone National Park

    Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September. THIS IS NOT THE SPECIMEN RIDGE TRAILHEAD. Our website has very good directions and a pin drop.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September. THIS IS NOT THE SPECIMEN RIDGE TRAILHEAD. Our website has very good directions and a pin drop.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Yellowstone Hiking Guides

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Hiring a tour guide, like Yellowstone Hiking Guides, can greatly increase your chances of spotting a grizzly bear on your vacation in...The guide explains the area's history, flora, and fauna., Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National ParkLamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National Park, photo 4Hikers observing and taking photos of bison crossing the Lamar River., Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National ParkLamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National Park, photo 6Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch in Yellowstone National Park, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 222 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Physical effort

    7 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    222 verified traveler reviews for Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    198
    4 star
    12
    3 star
    4
    2 star
    3
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    garyrA3904QF · October 2026

    Wealth of information

    Our guide, Max, was amazing. He took us off trail to find points of interest that we would never find on our own. The scenery was wonderful. And Max's depth of knowledge about the park and the natural and cultural history kept us engaged for the entire trip.

    via Tripadvisor

    mhasselman3964 · October 2026

    Family Safari In Lamar Valley, Yellowstone

    We had an amazing hike!! We got to see so many animals: bison, bald eagles, trout, pronghorn, tons of birds and more. It was the highlight of our trip!! Our guide was outstanding and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the animals and area of Yellowstone. Our adventure was perfect for all ages. My daughter who is 10 loved it. As did my son who is 22. We can’t wait to book our next adventure.

    via Tripadvisor

    greghS2577HO · October 2026

    Lamar Valley hike

    Our guide, Max, was wonderful, very knowledgeable and fun to talk with. The 6 mile hike through the valley was beautiful and easy, mostly flat. We saw lots of bison, some pronghorn, antlers from moose and elk, and even a bison skull. There were wolves in the area just before we met.

    via Tripadvisor

    Expedition743222 · September 2026

    Wonderful Guided Hike through Lamar Valley!

    The hike was wonderful! Our guide Max was very experienced, informed, and attentive to the group. We were all good hikers so he kept up an appropriate pace, but he clearly was gauging our abilities. We would highly recommend it!

    via Tripadvisor

    T1876CMsarak · September 2026

    Peaceful Backcountry Hike

    Our guide Tim was incredibly knowledgable and passionate about the area and wildlife. Hike was challenging but rewarding! Beautiful views of mountains and plenty of Bison - it was our favorite part of our week long trip to the park!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    78
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Yellowstone Hiking Guides, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 79.6.

    See everything Yellowstone Hiking Guides runs

    Why this scores 83

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)89
    Booking momentum (14% weight)86
    Value for money (12% weight)72
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)43
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yellowstone National Park.

    How much does Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch cost?

    +

    Prices start at $182 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Yellowstone National Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch take?

    +

    Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Yellowstone National Park is not rushed.

    Is Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 223 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Yellowstone National Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Around 78 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Yellowstone National Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Yellowstone National Park and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Yellowstone National Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park?

    +

    Yellowstone tours run geyser basins and Grand Prismatic, Lamar Valley wolf and bison watching at dawn, photography workshops and winter snowcoach trips. Distances inside the park are enormous, so itinerary honesty matters more than anything else. On Outty we rank every Yellowstone National Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful, Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features, 4-Hour Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

    +

    May to September, plus December to March for snowcoach tours. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Yellowstone National Park?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Included: Breakfast; Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary); Tea and coffee; and Lunch. Not included: Admission to Yellowstone National Park: $35 per vehicle, good for one week; Bottled water; Rain jacket and fleece layer; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September. THIS IS NOT THE SPECIMEN RIDGE TRAILHEAD. Our website has very good directions and a pin drop. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Across 223 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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