Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Van with large windows for wildlife sightings
Brown Bag with snacks
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Hot coffee/tea/cocoa while watching wildlife
Spotting Scope for viewing wildlife at a safe distance
Sandwich, apple, nuts, snacks (Turkey/Veggie/Vegan/Gluten Free Options) Please notify YHG with any food allergies or dietary restrictions
Binoculars for personal use to view wildlife
Yellowstone Entrance Fee: Unless You Have an Annual Pass, which is good for 4 people in your party
Gratuities
What To Expect
Madison River
Scope for wildlife along the Madison River in the early morning light. Bears and elk frequent this valley.
Mount Washburn
Scope for wildlife on driving up Mount Washburn. This area is home to grizzly bears and elk herds.
Options
Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch
Pickup included
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brilliant
gary d,
Jul 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Amazing day out , seen animals that we wouldn't have seen without our guides , knowledge was brilliant
Yellowstone Upper Loop Tour w:Michelle
Jan H,
Jul 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00My husband and I had a wonderful time with our guide Michelle. She was so so knowledgeable about the whole park, that it was great to talk with her. She even hand made our lunches! We got to sit and eat with her, so that made it even more fun for us. We saw lots of different wildlife. The tour company provides everyone with field glasses, but my husband brought his own, which told us all how many yards out the animals were. So that made it fun! I think the most interesting thing we saw was the “chocolate geyser”. I wish that we could have stopped on the side of the road and taken a picture through the windows. It was amazing! We wouldn’t hesitate to book again with this Company!
Did not disappoint
Sharon M,
Jul 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00Oliver was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable, aware of safety at all times, excellent driver and very personable. We saw 6 bear, prong horn deer, big horn sheep, a golden eagle and more bison than we could count. 10/10 recommend.
Animal Adventure
Theodore M,
Jun 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our two guides were great, and we were very fortunate to be the only three people on the tour. The upper loop tour is mostly about wildlife viewing (while the lower loop is more about geothermal features, with plenty of wildlife included). We seemed to have an unusually successful day. We saw: 9 bears (about half at a long distance and half reasonably close), 1 moose (close), 3 badgers (close), an antelope giving birth, as well as plenty of bison and elk and some mountain goats. We went in late May which seemed to be a good time to have decent weather but avoid big crowds. This was a great way to see a lot of Yellowstone without having to plan. Plus, the guides talk with other guides, so if one spots an animal, they often share locations.
We had an exciting day...
Crystal R,
Jun 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had an exciting day touring the upper loop. Oliver, our guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We saw so many animals i (1000’s of Bison, herds of elk and pronghorn, bald eagle, 2 gold eagles and it’s nest, a red fox, hundreds of ground squirrels, a grizzly bear and a black bear, a coyote with 5 pups, several snowhill crane, several mule deer, swans, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep) The views of the landscape was just breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour company.
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Operated by Yellowstone Hiking Guides