Yellowstone Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake
by Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$584Overview
This 8-hour van tour starts early from West Yellowstone and focuses on the park’s Lower Loop. The morning begins with wildlife viewing along the Madison River in Shadow Canyon, known for bears and elk. The tour then includes a hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs along an old stagecoach road, climbing 200 feet to see one of the park’s largest hot springs. For those who prefer not to hike, a safe waiting spot is provided. Next, the group visits the Old Faithful area, watching an eruption near the historic Old Faithful Inn, with time to explore the Inn or Visitor Center if available. The route continues with a short stop at the Continental Divide before reaching West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake, where a boardwalk trail leads past hot springs, geysers, and mud pots including Fishing Cone and Black Pool. The tour also includes a walk to the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth, where visitors can hear mud churning and see steam from the super volcano. In Hayden Valley, the van stops for more wildlife observation, including bears, elk, wolves, and trumpeter swans near the Yellowstone River. The day ends with a visit to Artist Point for views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the 308-foot Lower Falls before returning to West Yellowstone. Included are binoculars and a spotting scope for wildlife viewing, snacks, carbonated drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, and lunch. The van is air conditioned for comfort throughout the day.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Madison River
The tour begins with a drive along the Madison River during the early morning light, offering opportunities to watch local wildlife such as bears and elk in their natural habitat.
30 min
Grand Prismatic Spring
Participants hike along an old stagecoach road, ascending 200 feet to reach a viewpoint over the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, scheduled early to avoid heat and crowds.
45 min
Old Faithful
The group observes the eruption of Old Faithful near the historic Old Faithful Inn. There is approximately one hour here, allowing time to explore the Inn or the Visitor Center if desired. Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes.
60 min
Continental Divide
A brief 5-minute stop at the Continental Divide highlights the geographical point where waters flow toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
5 min
West Thumb Geyser Basin
A 30-minute walk on a boardwalk trail along Yellowstone Lake takes visitors past hot springs, geysers, and mud pots such as Fishing Cone and Black Pool.
30 min
Yellowstone Geysers - Mud Volcano Area
A short 10-minute stroll leads to the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth, where visitors can hear the mud churn and see steam rising from this active geothermal area.
10 min
Hayden Valley
The van stops for about 30 minutes in Hayden Valley, one of the park’s prime wildlife areas, home to many bears, and occasionally wolves, elk, and trumpeter swans near the Yellowstone River.
30 min
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The final stop is at Artist Point for about 20 minutes to view the colorful walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and the 308-foot Lower Falls.
20 min
Meeting point
This is not the Madison Campground. This the parking lot where the restrooms are located near the Madison Amphitheater. We meet here at 7:45AM. There is no cell reception at this location.
End point
This is not the Madison Campground. This the parking lot where the restrooms are located near the Madison Amphitheater. We meet here at 7:45AM. There is no cell reception at this location.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Yellowstone Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake
by Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$584Overview
This 8-hour van tour starts early from West Yellowstone and focuses on the park’s Lower Loop. The morning begins with wildlife viewing along the Madison River in Shadow Canyon, known for bears and elk. The tour then includes a hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs along an old stagecoach road, climbing 200 feet to see one of the park’s largest hot springs. For those who prefer not to hike, a safe waiting spot is provided. Next, the group visits the Old Faithful area, watching an eruption near the historic Old Faithful Inn, with time to explore the Inn or Visitor Center if available. The route continues with a short stop at the Continental Divide before reaching West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake, where a boardwalk trail leads past hot springs, geysers, and mud pots including Fishing Cone and Black Pool. The tour also includes a walk to the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth, where visitors can hear mud churning and see steam from the super volcano. In Hayden Valley, the van stops for more wildlife observation, including bears, elk, wolves, and trumpeter swans near the Yellowstone River. The day ends with a visit to Artist Point for views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the 308-foot Lower Falls before returning to West Yellowstone. Included are binoculars and a spotting scope for wildlife viewing, snacks, carbonated drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, and lunch. The van is air conditioned for comfort throughout the day.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Madison River
The tour begins with a drive along the Madison River during the early morning light, offering opportunities to watch local wildlife such as bears and elk in their natural habitat.
30 min
Grand Prismatic Spring
Participants hike along an old stagecoach road, ascending 200 feet to reach a viewpoint over the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, scheduled early to avoid heat and crowds.
45 min
Old Faithful
The group observes the eruption of Old Faithful near the historic Old Faithful Inn. There is approximately one hour here, allowing time to explore the Inn or the Visitor Center if desired. Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes.
60 min
Continental Divide
A brief 5-minute stop at the Continental Divide highlights the geographical point where waters flow toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
5 min
West Thumb Geyser Basin
A 30-minute walk on a boardwalk trail along Yellowstone Lake takes visitors past hot springs, geysers, and mud pots such as Fishing Cone and Black Pool.
30 min
Yellowstone Geysers - Mud Volcano Area
A short 10-minute stroll leads to the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth, where visitors can hear the mud churn and see steam rising from this active geothermal area.
10 min
Hayden Valley
The van stops for about 30 minutes in Hayden Valley, one of the park’s prime wildlife areas, home to many bears, and occasionally wolves, elk, and trumpeter swans near the Yellowstone River.
30 min
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The final stop is at Artist Point for about 20 minutes to view the colorful walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and the 308-foot Lower Falls.
20 min
Meeting point
This is not the Madison Campground. This the parking lot where the restrooms are located near the Madison Amphitheater. We meet here at 7:45AM. There is no cell reception at this location.
End point
This is not the Madison Campground. This the parking lot where the restrooms are located near the Madison Amphitheater. We meet here at 7:45AM. There is no cell reception at this location.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.