Yellowstone hiking tour from Jackson: Wildlife guarantee

Hike past the crowds to geysers and wildlife most visitors miss

A full-day guided hike departing Jackson takes you through Grand Teton National Park and into Yellowstone's backcountry, with stops at Old Faithful, Fairy Falls, Imperial Geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook. Your naturalist guide carries bear spray and provides professional binoculars and spotting scopes for wildlife observation. If you don't see wildlife, the tour is free. The hike is customized to your fitness level, and a picnic lunch is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Grand Prismatic Spring20m
2. Old Faithful Geyser1h
3. Grand Teton National Park2h

Full day guided hike in Yellowstone

• Drive through Grand Teton National Park
• Stop to observe wildlife and scenery
• Visit Old Faithful geyser
• Hike to Grand Prismatic Spring overlook
• Hike to Fairy Falls waterfall
• Continue hike to Imperial Geyser
• Picnic by Imperial Geyser
• Learn about Yellowstone's history and wildlife

The experience

The day starts with a drive through Grand Teton National Park, where you stop to watch for wildlife and photograph the Tetons at sunrise if conditions allow. Once inside Yellowstone, your guide chooses the route based on your fitness and interests: most guests hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser in the Midway geyser basin, a relatively flat 6.7-mile out-and-back trail. The hike takes you off the park's crowded loop road into a wilder landscape where you can actually feel remote, though your guide carries bear spray and holds wilderness first aid certification. You'll have time to stop at Old Faithful on the way back and watch the geyser erupt, typically every 90 minutes.

What sets this tour apart is the backcountry access: Fairy Falls is a 200-foot waterfall you can reach on most trails, but Imperial Geyser, a working geyser in the backcountry, is the kind of geothermal feature most park visitors never find. The small climb to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook puts you above the crowds at ground level and lets you see the whole spring at once, its colors shifting from deep blue to green and orange. Your guide discusses Yellowstone's geology, wildfires and wildlife throughout the day and stops frequently so you can use the provided Vortex binoculars and spotting scopes to watch animals without disturbing them.

Lunch is a picnic by Imperial Geyser with your choice of sandwich, plus sparkling water, chocolate, trail mix, fresh fruit and granola bars. Coffee, hot chocolate and tea are available throughout the day. Park entrance fees are separate. The most economical option is an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80), which covers all U.S. national parks and monuments. Once you're inside, all activities are free.

What’s included

• Picnic lunch with your choice of sandwich.
• sparkling water, chocolate, trail mix, fresh fruit and granola bars.
• coffee, hot chocolate and tea.
• professional-grade Vortex binoculars and spotting scopes for wildlife viewing.
• hotel or Jackson-area pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

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.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Guides of Jackson Hole (GoJH)

Is this one for you?The 12-hour commitment leaves little room for other activities that day, so book this if Yellowstone is your main focus and you have a full day free. The hike is customized to your fitness level, so families and mixed-ability groups can go together. Just note that it's not recommended for children under 8 or travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

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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's the hike to Imperial Geyser actually like for someone who's fit but not a serious hiker?

The most popular route to Imperial Geyser is a relatively flat 6.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Midway geyser basin, with a small climb added if you want the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook. Your guide customizes the exact trail to your fitness level before the day starts, so you can choose a shorter option like Fairy Falls alone (4.8 miles roundtrip) or add the geyser extension (1 additional mile). Moderate cardiovascular fitness is recommended.

Do I need to pay for park entry separately, or is it included?

Park entrance fees are not included in the tour price and must be paid directly to the National Park. An America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 and grants entry to all U.S. national parks and monuments for a year. A single-day Yellowstone pass is less if you're only visiting once. Once you're inside the park, all hiking and activities are free.

What does the wildlife guarantee actually mean?

Jackson's only "See Wildlife or Your Tour is Free" refund policy means if you don't observe wildlife during the day, you get your tour price back. Your guide uses professional binoculars and spotting scopes to help you spot animals, and stops frequently throughout the drive and hike to watch for them.

How long is the full day, and what time does pickup happen?

The tour runs 12 hours total. Pickup is included from your Jackson location. If you'd like an alternative pickup or drop-off point, contact the operator at least 72 hours ahead to arrange it.

Can I do this hike if I have dietary restrictions?

Yes. The operator accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary needs. Just note your requirements in the special requests field at booking so they can prepare your picnic lunch accordingly.

What's the difference between Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser on this hike?

Fairy Falls is a 200-foot waterfall on the trail to Imperial Geyser, a 4.8-mile roundtrip on its own. Imperial Geyser is a working backcountry geyser (a uniquely Yellowstone experience you can't find at most tourist destinations), and adds 1 mile to the hike. Most guests do both, making the full trail 6.7 miles roundtrip.