Private Yellowstone Tour: Old Faithful, Grand Canyon & Wildlife

A wildlife biologist drives the tour, not a generalist guide.

A private Yellowstone National Park tour led by a professional wildlife biologist covers Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and hidden geothermal sites in a modern air-conditioned Suburban. The day starts in the park's best wildlife valley, moves through major landmarks and lesser-known hot springs and geysers, and ends with a gourmet picnic lunch on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. High-resolution spotting scopes and binoculars are provided for the entire group. Pickup is included, and the guide speaks English, French or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Hayden Valley25m
2. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone30m
3. Mud Volcano Area20m
4. Old Faithful Geyser20m
5. Grand Prismatic Spring25m
6. Fountain Paint Pot25m

Explore Yellowstone's Iconic Sites and Wildlife

• View wildlife in Hayden Valley
• See Yellowstone Falls (308 feet)
• Visit Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
• Tour Old Faithful Geyser area
• Hike hidden geyser basin trail
• Walk Mud Volcano Area
• Walk Fountain Paint Pot thermal area
• Visit Grand Prismatic Spring (optional)
• Stop at historic Old Faithful Inn
• Picnic lunch by Yellowstone Lake
• See additional waterfalls and geysers

The experience

The tour begins in Hayden Valley, one of the world's best places to spot black bears, wolves, bison and grizzlies. From there you move through Old Faithful and its geyser basin, then to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, where Lower Falls plunges 308 feet into a canyon up to 4,000 feet wide and 1,200 feet deep. Along the way you stop at Fountain Paint Pot, where at least one geyser erupts at all times, and at the Grand Prismatic Spring: the park's largest hot spring and third largest in the world, measuring 370 feet across. The itinerary includes a family-friendly hike to an obscure geothermal area that few tourists find, accessed from an entry point most visitors never discover.

What sets this tour apart is the equipment and the expertise. You get high-resolution spotting scopes and Vortex binoculars for the entire group, so animals and distant geysers come into view without needing to be close to the road. The guide is a professional wildlife biologist, not a general tour operator, which changes what you notice and what you understand about what you're seeing. The vehicle is a modern Suburban with air conditioning, and the day includes a gourmet picnic lunch from a local deli at a secluded spot along Yellowstone Lake: the largest lake in North America above 7,000 feet of elevation.

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours and includes drinking water, sparkling water, sodas, rain jackets and umbrellas. At the end of the day you receive a free HD video of all the wildlife captured during your tour. Pickup is included, and the guide is available in English, French or German. The Suburban is wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels. Specialized infant seats and booster seats are available.

What’s included

• The tour includes pickup.
• a modern air-conditioned Suburban.
• a professional wildlife biologist as your guide.
• high-resolution spotting scopes and Vortex binoculars for everyone.
• drinking water, sparkling water and sodas throughout the day.
• rain jackets and umbrellas.
• a gourmet picnic lunch from a local deli at Yellowstone Lake.
• and a free HD video of all wildlife seen on your tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

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 24h 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 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Yellowstone Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?The 7- to 9-hour commitment means you see Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley's wildlife, hidden geothermal sites and a scenic lunch without rushing any of it, but it also means the rest of your day is spoken for. If you want to explore the park at your own pace or combine Yellowstone with other stops, a shorter activity or a self-guided visit would work better.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

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 24h before the start.

What wildlife am I most likely to see on a Yellowstone private tour?

Hayden Valley, where the tour begins, is one of the best places in the world to spot black bears, wolves, bison and grizzlies. The biologist guide and spotting scopes increase your chances of seeing animals at a distance and understanding their behavior.

Does the tour include the Grand Prismatic Spring?

The Grand Prismatic Spring is included by request. It is the park's largest hot spring and third largest in the world, measuring 370 feet across and over 121 feet deep, and sits in the Midway Geyser Basin.

What happens at Old Faithful on this tour?

Old Faithful is one of the main stops. You see the geyser itself and have time to rest and take in the historic Old Faithful Inn, built in 1903, before moving on to other parts of the park.

Where is lunch, and what is included?

Lunch is a gourmet picnic from a local deli served at a secluded spot along the shore of Yellowstone Lake, the largest lake in North America above 7,000 feet of elevation. Drinking water, sparkling water and sodas are provided throughout the day.

Are binoculars and spotting scopes really included?

Yes. High-resolution spotting scopes and Vortex binoculars are provided for the entire group so you can view animals and geysers that are far from the road without needing to leave the vehicle or get close.