Grand Teton & Yellowstone 2-Day Tour: Wildlife & Geysers

Two days chasing moose, elk and bison across two national parks

A 2-day private tour departing Jackson that covers Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone's Lower Loop with a live English-speaking guide, park entrance fees and lunch included. Day one focuses on Yellowstone's geothermal features (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone), and Hayden Valley's wildlife. Day two explores Grand Teton's tectonic history, Mormon Row, Signal Mountain at 8,000 feet and the Snake River at Oxbow Bend. The tour includes binoculars, sandwiches and water. Pickup from your Jackson or Teton Village hotel is built in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Yellowstone Lower Loop Wildlife and Scenery

• Depart from Jackson or Teton Village
• Wildlife search and geological overview
• Visit Lake Yellowstone and learn about magma
• See Grand Prismatic Spring
• View Old Faithful geyser
• Explore Grand Canyon of Yellowstone at Artist Point
• Wildlife watching in Hayden Valley
• Stop at Mud Volcano

Day 2: Grand Teton Wildlife and Scenic Tour

• Depart from hotel in Teton Village or Jackson
• Wildlife watching for moose, elk, and bears
• Stop between Jackson Hole Airport and Moose Junction for geology talk
• Visit historic Mormon Row for photos
• Photo stop at Oxbow Bend Turnout
• Drive up Signal Mountain for valley views

The experience

The tour starts before dawn from Jackson or Teton Village and heads straight into wildlife country. Within minutes of leaving your hotel you're scanning the valley floor for moose, elk, foxes, coyotes, pronghorn and bison, and the guide knows where to look. The first day runs the Yellowstone Lower Loop, a circuit that strings together the park's signature stops: Lake Yellowstone, where the guide explains the magma chamber beneath it; Old Faithful and its predictable eruptions; Grand Prismatic Spring in its impossible blues and greens; the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone viewed from Artist Point; Hayden Valley, where herds move across open grassland; and Mud Volcano's hissing thermal features. Stops for restrooms and photos break up the drive, and lunch is included.

Day two stays in Grand Teton, starting with a geological detour near Moose Junction to understand how tectonic plates and glaciation carved the Tetons into their current shape. Mormon Row, the park's early settlement, offers the kind of framing views photographers plan trips around. Signal Mountain's 8,000-foot summit gives you the full Jackson Hole Valley spread below, and Oxbow Bend Turnout on the Snake River is where the Tetons and water line up for the shot. The guide carries binoculars for everyone and knows which valleys and ridges hold bears, which meadows hold elk. The tour wraps by early afternoon.

This is a private booking, so the pace and stops adjust to what your group wants to linger on. The guide speaks English and has the park knowledge to explain what you're seeing: the supervolcano beneath Yellowstone, why certain animals favor certain valleys, the history baked into the landscape. You're not herded through. You're driven through with someone who knows it.

What’s included

• Park entrance fees for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
• lunch and sandwiches.
• water.
• binoculars for wildlife spotting.
• hotel pickup from Jackson or Teton Village.
• expert guide speaking English throughout the two days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Yellowstone Safari Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to cover both parks' highlights in one trip without driving yourself and without the pace of a large group. The private format means the guide adjusts stops to what your group wants to see, and the two-day span lets you move through Yellowstone's geothermal circuit and Grand Teton's scenic overlooks without rushing either one.

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Top questions

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 wildlife might I actually see on this 2-day tour?

Moose, elk, bison, pronghorn, mule deer, black bears and grizzlies are all possible, along with wolves, bald eagles, foxes, coyotes and swans. Hayden Valley on day one is a premier wildlife-watching area where herds often move across open grassland. Sightings depend on season and time of day, but the guide knows where to look and carries binoculars for the group.

How much driving is involved, and where do we stop?

Day one covers Yellowstone's Lower Loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artist Point, Hayden Valley and Mud Volcano) with stops for restrooms and photos throughout. Day two in Grand Teton runs about five hours and includes Mormon Row, Signal Mountain at 8,000 feet elevation and Oxbow Bend Turnout on the Snake River.

What's included in the tour price?

Park entrance fees, lunch, sandwiches, water and free use of binoculars are all included. Pickup from your hotel in Jackson or Teton Village is also built in. Gratuities are appreciated but not required.

Is this tour physically demanding?

Most of the tour happens from the vehicle, with short stops for photos and viewing. Signal Mountain involves a drive to 8,000 feet but no strenuous hiking. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

Can I do a hike during this tour?

The itinerary focuses on scenic drives and short stops rather than extended hikes. If you want to add a hike like the one to Hidden Falls at Jenny Lake, that would be arranged separately and is not included in the standard tour.