2-Day Yellowstone Tour: Both Loops with Old Faithful & Wildlife

See both loops and the park's most active geysers in a single two-day push

A two-day guided tour of Yellowstone National Park covering both the Upper and Lower loops, with stops at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lamar Valley. The tour includes transportation, one meal per day, a park map, and binoculars. Groups stay under 14 people. Your guide times visits to catch eruptions and prime wildlife activity, and you'll walk boardwalks at multiple geothermal basins and hike to overlooks for aerial views of the park's most colorful features.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lower Loop Highlights

• Watch Old Faithful geyser erupt
• Walk among Castle, Grand, Daisy geysers
• Hike to Grand Prismatic Spring overlook
• Visit Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk
• Walk past Excelsior Crater hot springs
• Explore Fountain Paint Pot geothermal features
• See bubbling mud pots and fumaroles
• Visit West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Drive through Hayden Valley wildlife corridor
• Stop at Artist Point overlook

Day 2: Upper Loop + Wildlife

• Walk through Norris Geyser Basin
• Explore Mammoth Hot Springs terraces
• Visit Yellowstone historic stone arch
• Wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley
• Walk to waterfall viewpoint

The experience

Two full days lets you hit the major attractions without rushing through them. Day one covers the Lower Loop: you'll watch Old Faithful erupt up to 180 feet skyward from the best vantage points, walk the boardwalks at Norris Geyser Basin past hundreds of geothermal features, and hike to the overlook above Grand Prismatic Spring for an aerial view of its vibrant rainbow rings before descending to ground level for a close encounter with the steam and mineral-tinted water. You'll also explore Fountain Paint Pot's bubbling mud pots and hissing fumaroles, and drive through Hayden Valley, a wildlife corridor where bison herds, elk, eagles and sometimes bears congregate.

Day two tackles the Upper Loop and wildlife-focused timing. Norris Geyser Basin shows you Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, along with acid pools and constantly shifting geothermal vents. Mammoth Hot Springs reveals travertine terraces that grow and transform year to year, their mineral-rich water flowing over formations named Minerva Terrace and Canary Spring. The highlight is Lamar Valley, often called America's Serengeti, where your guide times the visit for peak animal activity and helps you spot pronghorn, coyotes, bison herds and possibly wolves through provided binoculars.

Transportation between stops is included, as is one meal per day and a complimentary park map. The group stays under 14 people, which means you move at a relaxed pace and have room to linger at boardwalks and viewpoints without feeling crowded. Booking this two-day version saves $100 compared to booking each loop separately.

What’s included

• Two full days of transportation between all stops.
• one meal per day.
• complimentary park map.
• binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• live English-speaking guide throughout both days.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to FridayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (19 to 55 years) · Senior (56 and older) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Great American Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this two-day tour if you want to see both the Upper and Lower loops without splitting your visit across separate bookings, and prefer a guided pace over driving yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What time do we watch Old Faithful erupt on the first day?

Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes, and your guide times your arrival so you can watch from the best vantage points and learn how eruptions are predicted. The exact time depends on the day's schedule and current geyser behavior, which your guide will confirm when you meet.

How much walking is involved each day?

You'll walk multiple boardwalks at each geothermal basin (Norris, Grand Prismatic, Fountain Paint Pot and Mammoth Hot Springs) plus a hike to the Grand Prismatic overlook. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and boardwalks are paved and easy to navigate, though the overlook hike involves some elevation gain.

What wildlife might we see in Lamar Valley?

Lamar Valley is known for large herds of bison, pronghorn, coyotes, and elk. Bears and wolves are possible but less frequent. Your guide will help you scan the valley with binoculars and stop at key viewpoints where animals are most likely to appear, especially during early morning and evening hours.