Private Yellowstone Wildlife Tour: Lamar Valley & bears, wolves
Track bears and wolves through Lamar Valley with a guide who knows where to find them
A private Yellowstone wildlife tour focuses on the Northern loop, with time spent in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley searching for bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and river otters. The guide adjusts the route based on where animals are active that day, and a spotting scope and binoculars come with you. Lunch, drinks, and snacks are included; you choose your sandwich at booking. A park pass is required at the gate.
Step-by-step itinerary
Wildlife viewing in Yellowstone
- Travel across Lamar Valley
- Look for bison, elk, pronghorn, wolves, bears
- Optional short hike to Tower Falls
- View wildlife and scenic locations en route
The Experience
The day centers on Lamar Valley, the stretch of Yellowstone known as the American Serengeti. Your guide drives you through the valley and surrounding habitat, stopping to glass for wildlife with the spotting scope and binoculars provided. The itinerary is not fixed—the guide spends more or less time in each area depending on where animals are active that morning and afternoon. You'll look for bison, elk, pronghorn, wolves, and bears in the valley itself, then explore river corridors, forests, and other zones for bighorn sheep, mountain goats, river otters, and other species. No sightings are guaranteed, but this route gives you the best odds of seeing a bear or wolf.
The vehicle is air-conditioned and equipped for the full day. A picnic-style lunch arrives mid-trip with a sandwich (roast beef, turkey ham, veggie, or PBJ; wrap available for gluten-free), chips, granola bar, fruit, cookie, and your choice of bottled water or soft drink. You also get a basket with extra snacks to graze on between stops. The tour runs 7 to 9 hours depending on where the wildlife takes you and whether you choose the optional short hike to Tower Falls along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone—wildlife sightings take priority, so that hike only happens if time and conditions allow.
You'll need a Yellowstone park pass to enter; purchase it at the gate on arrival. The guide is live and speaks English. Pickup is included in at least one option, so confirm your location at checkout. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels; infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.
What’s included
- Spotting scope and binoculars.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- picnic-style lunch with sandwich (roast beef, turkey ham, veggie, or PBJ), chips, granola bar, fruit, and cookie.
- basket of snacks including chips, granola bars, and crackers.
- bottled water and soft drink options (Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Sprite).
- live English-speaking guide.
- pickup included in at least one option.
Operated by Tied To Nature
Is this one for you?Your guide tracks where bears and wolves are moving that day and adjusts your route to find them—your private group stays together while chasing real sightings across Yellowstone's Northern loop.
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What animals am I most likely to see on this Yellowstone tour?
Lamar Valley is your best chance for bears and wolves, the animals most travelers hope to spot. You'll also see bison, elk, pronghorn, coyotes, and likely bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and river otters depending on the season and where the guide finds activity that day. No sightings are guaranteed, but the Northern loop route maximizes your odds.
How does the guide decide where to spend time during the day?
The guide adjusts the route based on where wildlife is active on the morning you tour. You may spend more time in Lamar Valley if that's where animals are moving, or shift focus to Hayden Valley or river corridors if sightings are better there. The flexibility is what makes this a wildlife tour instead of a fixed scenic drive.
What's included in the lunch, and can you accommodate dietary needs?
Lunch is a picnic-style meal with a sandwich (roast beef, turkey ham, veggie, or PBJ), chips, granola bar, fruit, cookie, and your choice of bottled water or soft drink. Gluten-free options are available as a wrap. A basket with extra snacks—chips, granola bars, and crackers—travels with you for grazing between stops.
Do I need to bring my own binoculars and spotting scope?
No. A spotting scope and binoculars are provided with the tour, so you arrive with nothing but yourself and leave with photos and sightings.
What size group will I be in?
You choose at checkout: private tour for up to 4 people, up to 7 people, or up to 14 people. All are private groups, not shared with strangers.
Is Tower Falls part of the tour, or do I have to hike it?
Tower Falls is an optional short hike along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but wildlife sightings take priority. The hike only happens if time and conditions allow and the guide thinks it won't cut into your chances of seeing animals.
Private Yellowstone Wildlife Tour: Lamar Valley & bears, wolves
7h–9h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 1,200 per group
★★★★★★★★★★4.98109 reviews












