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

Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch

Outty Ranking 83 4.8 · 206 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $182

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$182
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Outty Ranking

83/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 206 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 206 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 (206)
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. Regula

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 Yellowstone.The guide explains the area's history, flora, and fauna.Lamar 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 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 203 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Physical effort

    9 mentions

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

    The guide

    8 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    3 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Pace and timing

    3 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

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

    5 star
    180
    4 star
    11
    3 star
    4
    2 star
    3
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    2travelingtexan · August 2026

    Lamar Valley is heavenly. Loved our tour

    Overall enjoyable experience with our knowledgable and good humored guide Maddie. Any animals you may see are likely to be at considerable distance. Binoculars and long distance scope were provided. We saw bison and pronghorn. We saw Moose and Elk antlers, and all manner of animal's effects on the natural world up close. While I believe guides tailor the hike to their assessment of the clients in their group, as a casual hiker, and the least fit in our group, I would rate the hike MODERATE for me, not easy. I found the changes in elevation challenging, although we stopped often along the way, maybe more than usual, so I could catch my breath. The day overall was wothwhile and interesting. The meet up spot was convenient, and I saw a bald eagle while waiting for the tour to begin.

    via Tripadvisor

    CorinneI61 · August 2026

    Great way to start your trip

    We had Parker as our hiking guide in lamar valley. He was super knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. We ended up being the only ones on our tour because they had a last minute cancellation. Parker was able to take us through less explored areas we probably wouldn’t have ventured out to on our own, and we came across a large bison herd! It was a great way to start our trip because there were many tips he gave us to stay safe (like looking at animal behavior) and he taught us to look out for things (like bison hair stuck on trees) that we wouldn’t have picked up on without an expert guide. Also the snack bag was epic, all the best snacks and a variety. Thank you Parker!

    via Tripadvisor

    C9666FZsusano · August 2026

    Guided hike with Max

    This was a great hike, highly recommend it. There can’t possibly be a better guide than Max, he was beyond terrific. We had a beautiful day even though traffic was a nightmare getting to the meeting spot. We all were late and Max waited for everyone to get there. No bear sighting but we were out among the bison and saw other wildlife. Hike ended up being 7 miles but mostly flat. Great experience worth the cost.

    via Tripadvisor

    sherryo596 · August 2026

    Lamar Valley Hike

    We really enjoyed our hike in the Lamar Valley in August 2026. The guide Conner did a good job of answering questions and guiding us around the bison as they crossed our path. He was friendly and outgoing. We saw a lot of bison and pronghorns. We walked about 6 miles, we went up hills and through the valley to the river for lunch. Luckily it was cool outside. We were late to the meetup due to bison on the road and people stopping their cars to watch for long periods of time. There is construction that slowed things down as well. We drove from Gardiner and it took about an 1.5 hours to get to the meetup spot. The website says that you have to go over a bridge at the beginning of the trailhead. You don’t, the guide meets you in the parking lot. There were 6 of us all adults plus two other parties on the hike.

    via Tripadvisor

    Blessy_T · August 2026

    Beautiful Lamar Valley

    My family (kids 11 and 8) had a great time on this hike. We got very close to some bison, but Max, our guide kept us out of harms way. Max was very knowledgeable and understanding of everyones needs. The pace of the hike was perfect.My kids had a great time talking with him along the way. We had a great (suprsingly big) lunch by the river.

    via Viator

    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
    72
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    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)91
    Booking momentum (14% weight)89
    Value for money (12% weight)68
    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 206 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 72 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 Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch, 250th Anniversary Yellowstone 55+ Adults Only Deals,gifts & 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.

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