Private Yellowstone Wildlife Tour: Lamar Valley with Expert Guide

Track wildlife through Lamar Valley and leave with HD video of what you saw

A private guided wildlife tour through Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley, where you travel with an expert guide looking for bison, pronghorn, wolves and bears across seven to eight hours. The tour includes binoculars and a high-powered spotting scope for each guest, bottled water, snacks and lunch at a scenic location in the park. You also receive an HD video of all wildlife spotted during the day. Pickup is available from Mammoth, Madison Junction, the park's west entrance or Old Faithful/Canyon area.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife tour and short hike

• Guided wildlife tour in Lamar Valley
• Short hike to the falls if time allows

The experience

Your guide drives you through Lamar Valley, the park's prime wildlife corridor, stopping where animals are visible and explaining the ecosystems that support them. You'll have binoculars and access to a high-powered spotting scope to watch for pronghorn, bison, and the wolves and bears that sometimes appear in the valley. The tour runs seven to eight hours, which gives the guide time to move between viewing areas and take a short hike to a waterfall if the day allows.

Lunch comes from a local deli and is eaten at a scenic spot inside the park. Bottled water and snacks are provided throughout the day. At the end, you receive a copy of HD video showing all the wildlife your group encountered, so you have a record of what you saw. The guide speaks English and knows the park's animals and habitats well enough to answer questions as they come up.

Pickup happens from one of four locations depending on which option you choose: Mammoth, Madison Junction, the park's west entrance (I.P./W.Y.), or Old Faithful/Canyon. National Park entry fees may apply for international visitors and are collected at the destination, not at booking. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram.

What’s included

• Binoculars for each guest.
• high-powered spotting scope.
• bottled water and snacks throughout the day.
• lunch from a local deli at a scenic location in the park.
• HD video of all wildlife spotted during the tour.
• expert English-speaking guide.
• pickup from your choice of four locations.

Options for this experience

4 options

Pickup at I.P. and W. Y.Guide in English · 06:30Pickup from the Island Park / West Yellowstone area. Starting points: 30 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, USA; 3402 US-20, Island Park, ID 83429, USA. Pickup is included.

Madison Junction PickupGuide in English · 06:30Pickup from Madison Junction. Starting point: Madison Junction - Flush Toilets, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA. Pickup is included.

Pickup for Old Faithful and CanyonGuide in English · 06:30Pickup in the Old Faithful Area / Canyon Village Area. Starting points: Canyon Visitor Education Center, Canyon Villiage, Yellowstone National Park, Parking lot, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA; Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center, View Avenue, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA. Pickup is included.

Mammoth PickupGuide in English · 06:30Pickup from the Mammoth Hot Springs area. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 49 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Island Park Expeditions

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to spend a full morning or afternoon focused on finding and watching animals rather than covering multiple park attractions. The seven to eight hour commitment and the guide's expertise in wildlife spotting make it suited for nature enthusiasts and families who prioritize seeing bison, wolves and bears over visiting geysers or other landmarks.

Traveler reviews

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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 am I likely to see in Lamar Valley?

Lamar Valley is home to pronghorn and bison, which you'll spot regularly. Wolves and bears appear sometimes depending on the season and time of day. Your guide knows where animals have been seen recently and adjusts the route to find them.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs seven to eight hours and includes binoculars for each guest, a high-powered spotting scope, bottled water, snacks and lunch at a scenic location in the park. You also get an HD video of all wildlife seen during the day.

Which pickup location should I choose?

You can pick up from Mammoth, Madison Junction, the park's west entrance (I.P./W.Y.), or Old Faithful/Canyon depending on where you're staying. Choose the one closest to your accommodation.

Is there a short hike included?

Your guide will take you on a short hike to a waterfall if time allows during the tour, though it depends on how much time is spent watching wildlife and traveling between viewing areas.

Are there any fees I need to pay beyond the tour price?

National Park entry fees may apply for international visitors and are collected at the destination when you arrive, not when you book. U.S. residents may have different fee requirements depending on their park pass status.