Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour: Old Faithful & Grand Canyon

Nine hours covering Yellowstone's thermal crown jewels and two waterfalls

A private nine-hour Lower Loop tour from Gardiner, Montana covers the park's most iconic thermal features and waterfalls with a live English-speaking guide, high-powered optics, and a made-to-order lunch. You'll visit Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful in the morning, cross Craig Pass to Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Thermal Basin, then head through Hayden Valley to the Upper and Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with wildlife viewing possible throughout.

The experience

The route starts in Gardiner and heads south into the park, flexible enough to go either direction around the loop depending on conditions, guide recommendation and what you want to prioritize. The morning focuses on thermal basins between Midway and Lower, building toward Old Faithful: the park's most recognizable feature. From there the tour crosses Craig Pass to Yellowstone Lake, stops at West Thumb Thermal Basin to see its unique thermal structure, then passes Fishing Bridge and moves through Hayden Valley toward the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Your guide carries bear spray and provides high-powered binoculars and spotting scopes for wildlife viewing, which is always a possibility along the route. Coffee, hot water for tea or hot chocolate, healthy snacks like Kind bars and trail mix, and plenty of water come with the day. Lunch is a made-to-order gourmet box sandwich (turkey, roast beef, ham, BLA or veggie) served with pickle, fresh fruit, potato salad, a giant cookie and chips. The tour covers more mileage than the operator's other standard options, so the itinerary can be customized if certain stops matter more to you or if timing needs to shift.

Private transportation is included from start to finish, and the route returns to Gardiner by day's end. The Yellowstone entrance fee is separate and not included in the tour price. A valid NPS pass or America the Beautiful pass covers entry for U.S. citizens, and international visitors pay the additional fee at the gate.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Gardiner.
• coffee, hot water for tea or hot chocolate, and plenty of water.
• high-powered binoculars and spotting scopes.
• healthy snacks including Kind bars and trail mix.
• made-to-order gourmet box lunch with your choice of sandwich, pickle, fresh fruit, potato salad, cookie and chips.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 07:00Last departure this season: 3 Nov

Book up to2d before

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 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Yellowstone Dreamin Adventures

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and carries all the optics and gear, so you can focus on the landscape and wildlife rather than managing equipment or navigating the route. The nine-hour day suits travelers comfortable with a full day in the vehicle and ready for the most mileage of the operator's standard tours.

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Top questions

What are the main stops on the Yellowstone Lower Loop tour from Gardiner?

The tour visits Grand Prismatic Spring and other thermal basins in the Midway and Lower Geyser areas in the morning, then Old Faithful, West Thumb Thermal Basin on Yellowstone Lake, and finishes at the Upper and Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with a stop at Artisan's Point for views.

Is wildlife viewing included on this Yellowstone tour?

Wildlife viewing is always a possibility along the Lower Loop route, especially through Hayden Valley. Your guide carries binoculars and spotting scopes for you to use, and will help you spot animals if they appear, though sightings are never guaranteed.

What's included in the lunch on this nine-hour tour?

Lunch is a made-to-order gourmet box sandwich (your choice of turkey, roast beef, ham, BLA or veggie) served with a pickle spear, fresh fruit, potato salad, a giant cookie and chips. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, healthy snacks and water are provided throughout the day.

Can the tour route be changed based on what I want to see?

Yes. The tour can go either direction around the Lower Loop depending on external conditions, guide recommendation and your preference. Additional destinations may be possible, and the itinerary is customizable to your priorities and timing.

Do I need to pay the Yellowstone entrance fee separately?

Yes, the NPS entrance fee is not included in the tour price. A valid Yellowstone NPS pass or America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry for U.S. citizens. International visitors pay the additional international fee at the gate.