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Upper Loop Tour and Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone with Lunch

West Yellowstone, USAby Yellowstone Hiking Guides

  • 8 hours
  • Free cancellation
  • Instant confirmation
  • Up to 12 travelers
  • Mobile or paper ticket accepted
  • Guide: English

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Overview

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

  • 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

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Madison River

    30 min

    Scope for wildlife along the Madison River in the early morning light. Bears and elk frequent this valley.

  2. 2

    Mount Washburn

    30 min

    Scope for wildlife on driving up Mount Washburn. This area is home to grizzly bears and elk herds.

  3. 3

    Lamar Valley

    1 hour

    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.

  4. 4

    Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

    20 min

    We will take a short stroll on the boardwalks near the Liberty Cap thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs.

  5. 5

    Gibbon Meadows

    Pass by

    Scope for wildlife along the Gibbon River where elk and bison roam.

Meeting and pickup

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.

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.

We will meet at the lobby of any hotel in West Yellowstone of any or any vacation rental within the boundaries of West Yellowstone. Pick ups begin at 6AM.

End point

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.

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.

Good to know

  • 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.

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from $292per person

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