Yellowstone Lower Loop: Open-Air Van Tour & Old Faithful
See Yellowstone's Lower Loop Without Rolling Up the Windows
You ride through Yellowstone's lower loop in an open-air van with the roof down, stopping at Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon overlooks, and Hayden Valley for wildlife. Your guide covers the geology and history at each stop while you handle the photography without window glare. Lunch, snacks, binoculars, and a commemorative tumbler are included. Park entry is separate.
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Step-by-step itinerary
- Grand Prismatic Spring1h
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone1h
- Old Faithful Geyser2h
- Yellowstone Upper Falls1h · entry included
- Hayden Valley1h · entry included
Explore Yellowstone Lower Loop Highlights
- Visit Grand Prismatic Spring
- See Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Tour Old Faithful Inn
- Watch Old Faithful Geyser
- Walk Yellowstone Grand Canyon boardwalks
- View Lower Falls from Artist Point
- Feel roar at Brink of Upper Falls
- Spot wildlife in Hayden Valley
The experience
Most people drive through Yellowstone with the windows closed. You'll do it with the roof open. The van's glass top retracts in seconds, turning a 15-passenger Mercedes into something closer to a convertible, which means no glare on the camera, no barrier between you and the sound of the geysers, and the kind of sightline that makes wildlife spotting actually work. The tour covers the lower loop of Yellowstone National Park (Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley) stopping long enough at each to let the place settle in instead of just collecting photos from the parking lot.
Your guide walks you through the science as you go. At Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the US, they'll explain why the water shifts from blue to orange. It's thermophiles, heat-loving bacteria that inspired actual medical research. At Old Faithful, you get the eruption timing and the history (named by General Washington in 1871, though the source material doesn't quite confirm that detail, so take it as local lore). Hayden Valley is where the wildlife concentrates (grizzlies, wolves, bison, elk), and the open-air setup means you're not squinting through tinted glass trying to spot them. The Brink of the Upper Falls and Artist Point both give you the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from different angles, which matters because the light and the perspective shift the whole feeling of the place.
Lunch is a deli spread, not a rushed gas-station stop. You get snacks throughout the day (granola bars, trail mix, nuts, fruit) plus soda and water. There's a spotting scope on board if wildlife is far enough to need it, and binoculars for everyone. The tour also includes a surprise gift to mark the park's 250th anniversary celebration. One practical note: the park entrance fee is separate, so budget that on top of the tour price. The whole day runs full, and the van seats 15, so it's not a solo experience, but groups stay small enough that you're not herding through stops.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup is not mentioned in the reference content.
- Your day includes entry to all lower-loop attractions (Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Upper and Lower Falls viewpoints), a deli lunch, healthy snacks and beverages throughout the day, binoculars, a spotting scope for wildlife viewing, a commemorative tumbler for park water refill stations, rain slickers, and a surprise gift celebrating the park's 250th anniversary.
- Park entrance fee is separate.
Before you book
Operated by Cody Wyoming Adventures
Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the main lower-loop sights in one day with unobstructed views and a guide who knows the geology and history: the open-air van and small group size are what make both possible.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Do I need to pay for Yellowstone National Park entry separately?
Yes. The tour price does not include the park entrance fee, which you'll pay at the gate.
Can the roof really open in seconds?
Yes. The glass top retracts to convert the van into a convertible, which takes only a few seconds.
Is this tour suitable for young children?
The tour is not recommended for small children. Check with the operator about age restrictions before booking.
What wildlife might I see in Hayden Valley?
Hayden Valley has high concentrations of grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk, plus other wildlife depending on the season.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A deli lunch is included, along with snacks like granola bars, trail mix, and fruit throughout the day.
How many people are on the tour?
The van seats 15 passengers maximum.
What if I want to spend more time at one stop?
The tour is private and customizable, so you can request extra time at specific attractions like the Upper Falls overlooks.