ATV Riding Island Park: Black Canyon Peak at Sunset

Your guide drives the ATV while you sit back and watch wildlife from 9,000 feet.

A guided ATV tour through Island Park's Black Canyon Loop, departing 20 minutes south of West Yellowstone, where a local guide operates the vehicle while you ride as a passenger. The tour lasts around two hours and includes stops at the Headwaters of the Buffalo, steep climbs on the Poleline, and views over the Yellowstone Valley and railroad tracks. Air-conditioned ATVs and helmets are provided. Groups stay small at four adults or five with children.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided ATV tour through Island Park

• Drive Black Canyon Loop
• Stop at Headwaters of the Buffalo
• Ascend Poleline hills
• View Island Park Railroad Tracks

The experience

The Black Canyon Loop is built around one core difference: you don't operate the ATV. Your guide handles the vehicle so you can hold your kids' hands, spot wildlife, and frame photographs without managing terrain or traffic. This matters because the trails here (steep climbs on the Poleline, tight switchbacks through the canyon) are the kind most rental shops won't let you near. The route reaches 9,000 feet and opens onto views across three states at sunset.

The tour hits three named stops. You start with a scenic drive through the Black Canyon Loop itself, which runs along overlooks above the Yellowstone Valley. Then you stop at the Headwaters of the Buffalo, where the Buffalo River begins: a small, specific place most visitors never find. The climb up the Poleline comes last, steep enough that the guide's skill matters. From the top, you see the Island Park Railroad Tracks cutting through the landscape below. The whole loop takes around two hours, which leaves room to linger at each stop without rushing.

The vehicles are air-conditioned, which changes how the ride feels in the afternoon heat. Helmets are included. Groups max out at four adults or five when children come along, so you're never crammed in with strangers. The tour runs in English or Spanish, and children from age three can ride: infants sit on an adult's lap. The drive from West Yellowstone takes only 20 minutes, so this fits easily into a day that includes other plans.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned ATV with a professional guide who operates the vehicle.
• helmets for all passengers.
• scenic stops at the Black Canyon Loop overlooks, the Headwaters of the Buffalo, and the Poleline viewpoint.
• guide services in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 13 Jan 2027

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Guided ATV Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see remote Island Park terrain without driving yourself or managing an unfamiliar vehicle. The guide handles all the navigation so you can watch for wildlife and take photographs. It's built for families with young children, photographers, and anyone who wants the landscape without the stress of operating an ATV on steep terrain.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (3 to 9 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Headwaters of the Buffalo and why is it a stop on this tour?

The Headwaters of the Buffalo is the source point where the Buffalo River begins, located along the Black Canyon Loop. It's included as a stop because it's an off-the-beaten-path landmark most visitors miss, and the guide uses it to show you terrain and wildlife habitat that the main park roads don't reach.

Can I bring my three-year-old on this ATV tour?

Yes, children from age three are welcome. Infants under three can come if they sit on an adult's lap during the ride. The routes are family-friendly, and the guide adjusts pace and stops based on who's in the group.

How long does the tour take from start to finish?

The tour runs for around two hours, which includes the drive through Black Canyon Loop, the stop at the Headwaters of the Buffalo, and the climb up the Poleline. This timing leaves time to pause at viewpoints without feeling rushed.

What's included in the ATV tour price?

The air-conditioned ATV, helmets, and the guide's expertise are all included. You don't pay extra for the vehicle or safety gear, and the guide handles all navigation and driving so you can focus on the landscape and wildlife.

Is Island Park different from Yellowstone National Park itself?

Island Park is a separate area located just 20 minutes south of West Yellowstone. It's where this tour operates (on trails and overlooks that bus tours and rental shops can't access), so you see a different landscape and avoid the traffic at famous Yellowstone stops like Old Faithful.