Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone, United States

Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop”

Outty Ranking 73 4.6 · 25 traveler reviews12 hoursFrom $249

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$249
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Outty Ranking

73/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.6/5

Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” worth booking?

Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” is a 12-hour experience in West Yellowstone, United States, from $249 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
73 / 100
Rating
4.6/5 (25)
Duration
12 hours
From
$249 per person

Enjoy an amazing all-inclusive small group Upper Loop Tour of YNP with our experts guides from Cody WY.You’ll enjoy a newer model 15 passenger Transit van (With a Max of 9 Guests) while traveling to Yellowstone’s most po

What you get

    About this experience

    Enjoy an amazing all-inclusive small group Upper Loop Tour of YNP with our experts guides from Cody WY.You’ll enjoy a newer model 15 passenger Transit van (With a Max of 9 Guests) while traveling to Yellowstone’s most popular attractions.This tour is filled with stunning scenery,fascinating history as well as hoping to view Yellowstone’s vast variety of wildlife for those amazing photo opportunities.This day will bring you to sites such as:The Roosevelt Arch,The Yellowstone Grand Canyon,The Travertine Terraces at Fort Mammoth,Lamar Valley(for spectacular views and wildlife)and more.On this full day tour you’ll be provided with all of your essentials with a variety of beverages,delicious snacks and you’ll be given plenty of time to grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants or delis in the historic town of Mammoth.

    What's included

    Included

    • Snacks
    • Tour Guide
    • Binoculars for the day
    • Beverages
    • Spotting scope for the day

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Lunch
    • Entrance fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Mammoth Hot Springs

      Visit this historic town located right inside of Yellowstone National Park.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Tower Fall

      Bask in the beautiful views of the Tower water falls

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

      Yellowstone Grand Canyon

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Lamar Valley

      Visit the most sought after Lamar Valley for beautiful scenery and tons wildlife.

      60 minutes here

    5. Obsidian Cliff

      Geological wonders

      30 minutes here

    6. Roosevelt Arch

      Visit the famous first entrance to our country’s first National park.Stand where kings and queens have stood since 1902 enjoying the views and grandeur of our Yellowstone National Park

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    7. Cody

      Your CWA tour specialist will share a vast amount of interesting fun facts with you while you’re heading up to YNP.This stunning ride is fill with fun old mountain man tales about Jim Brdiger,John Colter,Jeremiah Johnston,and “Mummy Joe”You’ll be enjoying the ride that Theodore Roosevelt called “The most scenic 50 miles in the lower 48”Your specialist will also be sharing in depth information with you about our amazing rock formations and how they were created.The orogeny of our mountain ranges will fascinate you.Not only will you be discussing wide variety of topics on this ride you’ll also have many chances to see a variety of Wyoming’s wildlife!

      60 minutes here

    8. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

      Enjoy the stunning views of Wyoming where Lewis and Clark first came through the mountainous terrain many years ago.Take a step back in time with fun old mountain man tales and the history of the many indigenous tribes that once called this area home.

      45 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.

    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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Cody Wyoming Adventures

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • If you have a service animal please follow the rules and no animals in thermal areas.

    Photos

    Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 2Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 3Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 4Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 5Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 6Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” in West Yellowstone, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    10 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

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

    Traveler reviews

    25 verified traveler reviews for Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop”. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    22
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Nancy_K · July 2026

    Great information. Our...

    Great information. Our tour guide Mike went above and beyond. Added a few interesting site he thought we would want to see.

    Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed your tour with Mike. He is a great guide. Safe travels.

    via Viator

    683beverlyd · September 2025

    Yellowstone's upper Loop

    We met Adam, our guide, and another couple, in front of the Cody Walmart at 6AM for a tour of Yellowstone's Upper Loop, including the Serengeti of North America, the Lamar Valley. We did see a black bear and a herd of bison, the latter quite near the road. He took us to Davey Hill to see wolf pups but even with a spotting scope, they looked like little black rocks. We had a nice picnic lunch with hero sandwiches, chip and cookies and every effort was made to find rest rooms with running water. Our tour encompassed sights from both Yellowstone's north and northeast entrances.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the nice reply. Safe travels

    via Tripadvisor

    michaelhX2622QY · August 2025

    Yellowstone upper loop

    Took the upper loop into Yellowstone with Ken as our guide. He was very knowledgeable about the park and we had a great time. Seen all kinds of bison and the views north of Cody are incredible. Highly recommend taking this tour. Lamar valley is a can’t miss spot.

    Response from the operator: Glad you got some great memories on your trip. Thank you.

    via Tripadvisor

    Charles G · June 2025

    Great tour

    Saw plenty of wildlife(bison, moose, coyotes, pronghorns) in beautiful settings with a knowledgeable and friendly guide.

    Response from the operator: Wildlife has been plentiful this year. Glad you enjoyed your tour. Thank you 😊

    via Tripadvisor

    Ward_B · September 2024

    The vehicle was great for viewing the beautiful scenery. Our driver seemed to be in a hurry so we all felt a bit rushed.

    We wanted to stop at the town with all the Elk and fun shopping. Driver said he couldn’t find a place to park. One of the other passengers requested he go back so he did but instead of letting us out for a designated time he parked so far away that only one person got out. Walking that far would have been too difficult for the rest of us. We were a bit disappointed for the price of the trip.

    Response from the operator: I’m so sorry that the extra upgrade at another 150$ per person value in an Open Air Mercedes wasn’t enough for you.I don’t see why you couldn’t have seen them from the full glass top van but I’m sorry about that and that you couldn’t walk but we can not control the parking situation in Yellowstone and we are only legally allowed to drive for 12 hours and your guide was late returning to Cody which is against federal regulations.I think that as a company that we did everything in our control to ensure that you would have a great tour from upgrading you to a glass top vehicle at no extra charge and your tour guide spending extra time on the tour to accommodate your needs for no extra charge.And like I said unfortunately we can not control parking but you didn’t need to get out of the vehicle to take the photo since you were in a glass top convertible Mercedes at no additional charge and then you give us a bad review.Its sad.I hate it when we go out of our way to go above and beyond and have someone that’s still not happy.This is sad.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    12 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Price range
    $249 to $299
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    9
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 73

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)60
    Booking momentum (14% weight)53
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)35
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop”: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” cost?

    +

    Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in West Yellowstone usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” take?

    +

    Plan for about 12 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 West Yellowstone is not rushed.

    Is Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 25 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in West Yellowstone, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop”?

    +

    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 Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop”?

    +

    Around 9 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 West Yellowstone 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 West Yellowstone and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Yellowstone Wildlife and Photo Tours “Upper Loop” 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 West Yellowstone 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 West Yellowstone?

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    West Yellowstone is the busiest park gateway: guided Yellowstone loops to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, wildlife safaris at dawn, and snowcoach or snowmobile tours once roads close. On Outty we rank every West Yellowstone experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Yellowstone National Park - Full-Day Lower Loop Tour from West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour | Wildlife & Hot Springs | PRIVATE, Full Day Private Tour and Hike from West Yellowstone. 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 West Yellowstone?

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    June to September for driving tours, December to March for snowcoach access. 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 West Yellowstone?

    +

    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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