Shared tour, run by Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful
From $248.20 per adult Dates and prices
Starts in West Yellowstone: Pickup in West Yellowstone, or meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Center.
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Price and dates
From $248.20 per adult
Checked 21 October 2026 for Saturday 24 October
Monday to Saturday until 30 October. You can pick only days with a departure.
Above is what the date and travellers shown would cost. Adjust either to look up another price.
Check Availability- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Instant confirmation
- A tour the operator cancels because of poor weather can be moved to another date or fully refunded.
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At a glance
- Length
- 8 hours, starts 7 a.m.
- Runs
- Monday to Saturday until 30 October
- Group
- Shared, up to 12 people
- Ages
- 6 and over
- Guide
- In English
- Park entry
- Park entry not included
Before you book
Visitors who live outside the US pay an added $100 each to get into Yellowstone once they turn 16, and joining a tour does not change that. Holding an annual or America the Beautiful pass does. 31 October 2026 is the last day cars can drive in from West Yellowstone, so tours using that road finish then.
Where it starts
Pickup in West Yellowstone, or meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Center. Pickup is offered, or you can make your own way to the start.
The 38 West Yellowstone lodgings on the pickup list
- 1872 Inn
- Al's Westward Ho Motel
- Alpine Motel
- Arrowhead Lodge by Arrowhead Properties
- Best Western Desert Inn
- Best Western Weston Inn
- Big Western Pines Motel
- Brandin' Iron Inn
- City Center Motel
- ClubHouse Inn West Yellowstone
- Crosswinds Inn
- Dude/Round Up Motel
- Elkhorn Cabins and Inn
- Evergreen Motel
- Explorer Cabins At Yellowstone
- Golden West Motel
- Gray Wolf Inn and Suites
- Holiday Inn West Yellowstone By IHG
- Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
- Lazy Duck Inn
- Moose Creek Inn
- One Horse Motel
- Pine Shadows Motel
- Pioneer Motel
- Pony Express Motel
- Sleepy Hollow Lodge
- Stage Coach Inn
- Starlite Yellowstone, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- The Historic Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel
- Three Bear Lodge
- Traveler's Lodge
- Westwood Motel
- White Buffalo Hotel
- Yellowstone Inn
- Yellowstone Lodge
- Yellowstone Park Hotel
- Yellowstone Townhouses
- Yellowstone West Gate Hotel
Pickup details
The guide meets you in the lobby of any hotel, or at any vacation rental, inside West Yellowstone’s town limits. If you are staying outside town, meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center. Please choose only the hotel where you are actually staying.
This is not Madison Campground. It is the parking lot with restrooms near the Madison Amphitheater. The group meets here at 7:45 a.m. There is no cell signal at this spot.
Staying outside West Yellowstone? Meet in the West Yellowstone Visitor Center parking lot between 7 and 7:15 a.m. That is after the hotel pickups are done.
About this tour
This active van tour is an easy way to see Yellowstone, starting in the lively park town of West Yellowstone. Early in the morning you look for wildlife in the Madison River’s well-known Shadow Canyon, where bears and elk live.
Later you hike to a viewpoint above Grand Prismatic Spring. If you would rather not walk, the guide finds a safe, pretty spot where you can wait for the group.
Next comes the Old Faithful area, with some time at the historic Old Faithful Inn.
Then you cross the Continental Divide and drive down to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, where colorful hot pools sit right beside Yellowstone Lake.
The road follows the lake to the Mud Volcano near Hayden Valley. Watch for bison along the Yellowstone River.
Last, you reach the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and see the Lower Falls from Artist Point. The day ends back in West Yellowstone.
The route
This is the operator's own order of stops. Each time given is theirs, and wildlife sightings and traffic can shift it.
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Madison River
Drive beside the Madison River and look for wildlife in the early light.
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Grand Prismatic Spring
Hike to a viewpoint above Grand Prismatic Spring. The trail follows an old stagecoach road, then climbs 200 feet to look down on one of the biggest hot springs anywhere. The group gets there early to avoid the heat and the crowds. The company calls it a must-see.
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Old Faithful
See Old Faithful erupt, close to the historic Old Faithful Inn. With time to spare, you can explore the Inn, or learn about the park at the visitor center.
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Continental Divide
A short stop at the Continental Divide. Water on one side ends up in the Gulf, and water on the other side in the Pacific Ocean.
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West Thumb Geyser Basin
Hot springs, geysers and mud pots line the shore of Yellowstone Lake at this geyser basin. Walk the boardwalk to see the Fishing Cone and Black Pool.
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Yellowstone Geysers: Mud Volcano Area
A short walk to the Mud Volcano and Dragon’s Mouth. Here you can hear the supervolcano “breathe” as mud churns and steam pours out.
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Hayden Valley
Stop to look for wildlife in one of the park’s best-known valleys. The company says more bears live here than anywhere else in the park. Wolves, elk and trumpeter swans are sometimes seen along the Yellowstone River.
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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
See the bright colors and roaring waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A short stop at Artist Point shows you the 308-foot Lower Falls.
What is included
Included
- Binoculars and a spotting scope, so you can watch wildlife from a safe distance
- A van with big windows for spotting wildlife
- A bag lunch: a sandwich (turkey, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free), an apple, nuts and snacks. Tell the company about any food allergies or special diets.
- Soda and bottled water
- Hot coffee, tea or cocoa
Not included
- Park entry, unless someone in your party has an annual pass, which covers 4 people
- A tip for your hiking guide
Cancellation and good to know
You get all your money back if you cancel 24 hours or more before the start. After that, there is no refund.
A tour the operator cancels because of poor weather can be moved to another date or fully refunded.
The tour needs enough bookings to run. If it is cancelled for that reason, the operator offers another date or your money back.
Good to know
- The company advises against this active van tour if you have heart or circulation problems.
- Otherwise people of any fitness can join, and anyone who skips the overlook hike waits at a safe spot.
Reviews
4.9 out of 5 from 478 reviews.
Questions about this tour
Where does Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour start?
Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour begins in West Yellowstone; pickup in West Yellowstone, or meet at the West Yellowstone Visitor Center.
Does Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour include the Yellowstone entrance fee?
No. Park entry is extra on Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour.
How long is Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour?
Plan on 8 hours for Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour, starting at 7 a.m.
Can I cancel Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour for a refund?
Yes, as long as you cancel Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour 24 hours or more before it begins. Cancelling later gets no refund.
Can children go on Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour?
Children aged 6 and over can go on Yellowstone Hiking Guides' Lower Loop van tour.