Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour: Old Faithful & Grand Prismatic

Old Faithful erupts, then you walk the thermal basins while the guide names what you're standing in front of.

The Yellowstone Lower Loop is a guided full-day tour of the park's most active geothermal sites and wildlife valleys, with hotel pickup, lunch, and an expert guide who interprets the geysers, hot springs and canyon views as you move through them. The tour covers 10 to 12 hours and includes stops at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and Fountain Paint Pot, with short walks at each. Binoculars and a spotting scope are available. Park entrance fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Grand Prismatic Spring30m
2. Old Faithful Geyser30m
3. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone30m
4. Hayden Valley30m
5. Fountain Paint Pot30m

Explore Yellowstone Lower Loop

• Witness Old Faithful eruption
• Walk boardwalk or overlook Grand Prismatic Spring
• Drive along Lake Yellowstone
• View Lower Falls of Yellowstone River
• Walk Midway Geyser Basin
• See Upper and Lower Falls viewpoints
• Travel through Hayden Valley and wildlife viewing
• Walk Fountain Paint Pot geyser basin

The experience

The day starts with a pickup at your hotel and a drive into Yellowstone National Park. You'll witness Old Faithful erupt (the timing depends on the geyser's schedule that day), and then move to either a short boardwalk through the geyser basin or a longer walk to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring, scaled to what your group can manage. The guide carries binoculars and a spotting scope, so you can see detail in the thermal features and scan Hayden Valley for wildlife without squinting.

The route covers the Lower Loop's major stops: you'll drive along Yellowstone Lake, return to Old Faithful for a second viewing window, walk among the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River from various viewpoints, and move through the Midway Geyser Basin on foot. Lunch is included, and the guide will point out elk, bison, and bear when they appear: sightings are common in Hayden Valley, where the valley floor opens up and animals are visible from the road. At Fountain Paint Pot, a short walk takes you through paint pots, hot springs and fumaroles, the smaller thermal features that sit between the geysers.

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours depending on wildlife sightings, eruption timing, and how long your group spends at each stop. You'll return to your hotel by late afternoon or early evening. The vehicle is air-conditioned. Bring a camera and dress for weather that can shift: the park operates in all conditions. Children as young as 4 are welcome on group tours, and infants can ride in a stroller.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and dropoff in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• expert guide in English.
• lunch and bottled water.
• snacks.
• binoculars and a spotting scope for wildlife viewing.

Information

Lasts 10h–12h, from US$ 325 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 9 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 8 May 20271 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 9 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

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 19 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Teton Scenic Floats and Fly Fishing

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour with a set route and schedule, so the day is planned and the stops are timed around Old Faithful's eruptions and the guide's knowledge of where to find wildlife. Choose it if you want the park's highlights without navigating the roads yourself or deciding where to stop. The guide handles the route, the timing, and the interpretation of what you're seeing.

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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 exactly happens when we stop at Old Faithful?

Old Faithful Geyser erupts on a predictable schedule, and the tour times a stop to witness the eruption. Depending on when the geyser is due and how the day unfolds, you may see it twice during the tour, and possibly other geysers as well.

How much walking is involved on this Yellowstone tour?

The tour includes short walks at most stops: a boardwalk through the geyser basins, viewpoints at the falls, and a walk through Fountain Paint Pot. At Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin, the guide offers a choice between a short boardwalk or a longer walk to an overlook, so you can pick based on how you're feeling that day.

What wildlife might we see in Hayden Valley?

Hayden Valley is known for elk, bison, and bear sightings. The tour travels through the valley and stops at a scenic viewpoint where the open landscape makes animals visible from a distance. Sightings are common but not guaranteed, and the guide will have binoculars and a spotting scope to help you see detail.

Is lunch included, and what about water and snacks?

Lunch is included in the tour price. Bottled water and snacks are also provided throughout the day, so you won't need to pack food or stop to buy it.

Do we need to pay for Yellowstone National Park entry separately?

Yes, park entrance fees are not included in the tour price and must be paid separately at the park gate or in advance.

What's the difference between the boardwalk and the longer walk options?

At Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin, the guide offers two routes depending on your physical ability. The short boardwalk keeps you on a paved path through the thermal features, while the longer walk goes to an overlook with a wider view. You choose which one suits you on the day.