
Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 213 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch worth booking?
Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch is a 8-hour experience in Yellowstone National Park, United States, from $248 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 213 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (213)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $248 per person
This Wildlife Viewing Van Tour is a great way to see the unique animals of Yellowstone National Park. We begin in the fun gateway town of West Yellowstone. The early morning part of the tour explores wildlife haunts in the famous Shadow Canyon of the Madison River. This area is home to bear and elk. Later we scope for wildlife on the shoulders of one of Yellowstone's tallest peaks, Mount Washburn. Next we explore the Lamar Valley, known as the Serengeti of North America. We will use spotting scopes to look for wolves, bears and other wildlife. Enjoy a hot drink and morning snack while watching wolves. Next we visit the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces for a short walk. If you don't feel like walking we find a safe, scenic spot for you to wait for the group near the van. Finally, we head back toward West Yellowstone stopping for additional wildlife sightings along the way. The day concludes back at West Yellowstone.
What you get
About this experience
This Wildlife Viewing Van Tour is a great way to see the unique animals of Yellowstone National Park. We begin in the fun gateway town of West Yellowstone. The early morning part of the tour explores wildlife haunts in the famous Shadow Canyon of the Madison River. This area is home to bear and elk. Later we scope for wildlife on the shoulders of one of Yellowstone's tallest peaks, Mount Washburn. Next we explore the Lamar Valley, known as the Serengeti of North America. We will use spotting scopes to look for wolves, bears and other wildlife. Enjoy a hot drink and morning snack while watching wolves. Next we visit the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces for a short walk. If you don't feel like walking we find a safe, scenic spot for you to wait for the group near the van. Finally, we head back toward West Yellowstone stopping for additional wildlife sightings along the way. The day concludes back at West Yellowstone.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Snacks
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Tea and coffee
- Spotting Scope for viewing wildlife at a safe distance
- Lunch
- Binoculars for personal use to view wildlife
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Madison River
Scope for wildlife along the Madison River in the early morning light. Bears and elk frequent this valley.
30 minutes here
Mount Washburn
Scope for wildlife on driving up Mount Washburn. This area is home to grizzly bears and elk herds.
30 minutes here
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is home to more than 60 species of mammal. Known as the Serengeti of North America, we will use spotting scopes to look for bears, wolves, bison and more! This is the richest wildlife valley in Yellowstone with the largest bison herd in North America. Wolves abound throughout the valley where they were reintroduced in 1995. This valley is also home to mountain goats, moose, big horn sheep, and other rare wildlife.
60 minutes here
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
We will take a short stroll on the boardwalks near the Liberty Cap thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs.
20 minutes here
Gibbon Meadows
Scope for wildlife along the Gibbon River where elk and bison roam.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Yellowstone National Park
We meet in the parking lot in between the Madison Amphitheater and the Restrooms at 6:45AM. There is no cell service at this location.
Meeting point
Yellowstone National Park
For guests staying outside of West Yellowstone, we meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center during a window of 6AM to 6:15AM. Please do not pick a hotel that you are not staying at as your meeting location.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
We meet in the parking lot in between the Madison Amphitheater and the Restrooms at 6:45AM. There is no cell service at this location.
Ends at
For guests staying outside of West Yellowstone, we meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center during a window of 6AM to 6:15AM. Please do not pick a hotel that you are not staying at as your meeting location.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 213 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
213 verified traveler reviews for Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful Wildlife Tour
I had a wonderful time on this tour! We were lucky enough to see a grizzly bear, mountain goats, and plenty of bison from a distance. Our guide, Tim, was knowledgeable, kind, and dedicated to helping us see as much wildlife as possible. He also set up a spotting scope so we could get a better view of the animals. I really appreciated his enthusiasm and effort, it made the experience even more memorable. Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
A wonderful upper loop tour with exceptional guide at Yellowstone tours
Tim our tour guide was an exceptional teacher and guide . It started with a text announcing his impending arrival time and place. Knowledgeable and attentive are adjectives that do not come close to the those that adequately describe him and our tour. He is a born teacher who thoroughly understands the information, explains everything in details like the best teacher out there, but not boring at all. Added amenities maybe taken for granted were a step stool for assisting on and off the bus, binoculars at hand at each seat all day, a bag of snacks, a great lunch with selection of beverages, attention to need for bathroom breaks. He stopped at every opportunity which were multiple to see the many animal species who came into our view. My only regret is that I didn’t tip him enough for his value. He deserved more. Thank you Tim, and be well. Best wishes.
via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend this tour!
The tour was wonderful and we really enjoyed it. Our driver, Rory, was incredibly knowledgeable and had great stories and insight. It was so relaxing to just sit back and look out the window as someone else navigated driving and parking. It was also fun to meet other travelers from around the country. We saw a lot of wildlife, including a black bear, pronghorn sheep, and a ton of bison. We decided to explore the south loop on our own and I regret not using this tour company to explore the south loop as well.
via Viator
Outstanding tour with well timed narration
Tim gave us an outstanding tour with timely commentary. The pacing was perfect and he was willing to take as long as we wanted at a stop. Lunch and snacks were very good. We will recommend your company to friends.
via Viator
Outstanding tour with will paced commentary
Tim gave us an outstanding tour with timely commentary. The pacing was perfect and he was willing to take as long as we wanted at a stop. Lunch and snacks were very good. We will recommend Yellowstone Hiking Guides to friends.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $248 to $292
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 75
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
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 runsWhy this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yellowstone National Park.
How much does Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $248 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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 213 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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch?
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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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch?
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Around 75 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?
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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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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 Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour, Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful, Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features. 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?
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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?
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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?
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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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; Snacks; Carbonated beverages; Bottled water; and Tea and coffee. Not included: Entrance fees; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 42 listed pickup locations in and around Yellowstone National Park. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch offered in?
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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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch?
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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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch if the weather is bad?
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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 Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch?
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Across 213 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.
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