Private tour, run by Sky's the Limit Tours
Yellowstone Upper Loop Wildlife Safari: Lamar Valley, PRIVATE
From $899.98 for 2 adults Dates and prices
Starts in West Yellowstone: Front-door pickup within 2 miles of the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center; from further out, meet the guide in West Yellowstone.
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Price and dates
From $899.98 for 2 adults
Checked 2 October 2026 for Sunday 4 October
Daily until 31 October. Only days the tour runs are listed.
The price above is for the date and travellers shown. Change either to check a different one.
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At a glance
- Length
- 8 hours, starts 6 a.m.
- Runs
- Daily until 31 October
- Later dates
- Some dates on sale between 1 May 2027 and 1 November 2027
- Group
- Private: only your group
- Guide
- In English
- Park entry
- Park entry not included
Before you book
Each non-US resident aged 16 or over pays an extra $100 to enter the park, on a tour too, unless the group has an annual or America the Beautiful pass. The road from West Yellowstone into the park is open to cars until 31 October 2026, and tours that drive in stop when it closes.
Where it starts
Front-door pickup within 2 miles of the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center; from further out, meet the guide in West Yellowstone. You can be picked up, or meet the group at the start point.
The 47 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
- Faithful Street Inn
- Golden Stone Inn
- Golden West Motel
- Gray Wolf Inn and Suites
- Hibernation Station
- Ho Hum Motel
- 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
- Tao's Inn
- The Historic Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel
- Three Bear Lodge
- Traveler's Lodge
- Wagon Wheel Hotel
- Wagon Wheel RV Campground and Cabins
- Westwood Motel
- White Buffalo Hotel
- Yellowstone Country Inn
- Yellowstone Inn
- Yellowstone Lodge
- Yellowstone Park Hotel
- Yellowstone Townhouses
- Yellowstone West Gate Hotel
- Yellowstone Wildlife Cabins
In Sky's the Limit Tours' words
Front-door pickup is included for guests staying within 2 miles of the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center. If you are staying outside of town (such as Under Canvas, Island Park, Big Sky, Bozeman, etc), please plan to meet your guide in West Yellowstone.
Guests staying inside Yellowstone National Park, in Gardiner, the Tetons, or Jackson may meet us at a central meeting location inside Yellowstone. Please call to inquire.
Your guide will contact you by 7:00 PM the evening before your tour to confirm pickup or meeting details. If you have not heard from your guide by that time, please call or text us to confirm your pickup.
Please remember to dress in layers (hat and sunglasses recommended) and eat breakfast before or bring it with you. Your guide will have drinks and an assortment of healthy snacks to hold you over until lunch if you would like, but please keep in mind that we do not provide breakfast.
Plan to meet your guide in West Yellowstone at a convenient meeting spot with safe/free parking for the entire day.
The route
The stops in the order the operator lists them. Times at each stop are the operator's; wildlife and traffic change them.
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Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley "the Serengeti of North America" is located in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park and is well known for its incredible landscape, flora, fauna, and abundance of wildlife. Our safari makes several stops here in search of wildlife. Your guide will educate you on its historical or geological significance.
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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The canyon is 800 to 1,200 feet deep and 1,500 to 4,000 feet wide. Enjoy the awe-inspiring view of Yellowstone River raging through the canyon and dropping as a 308-foot waterfall.
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Slough Creek
Slough Creek is a tributary of the Lamar River and originates in the Absaroka Range. The watershed supports a variety of flora and fauna. Our wildlife safari makes multiple stops in the Slough Creek area to track and spot wildlife. Your guide will educate you on its historical or geological significance.
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Tower Fall
Located in the northeastern part of the Upper Loop near Tower Junction, this fall features a 132 foot drop. The unusual rock columns north of the fall (columnar basalt) were created by lava cracking as it cooled.
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Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is a collection of thermal features at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, MT. It is known for the travertine terraces that form from mineral deposits. The algae living in the pools creates the distinct brownish and reddish colors.
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Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls is a 84 foot high drop of the Gibbon River along the rim of the Yellowstone caldera.
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Norris Geyser Basin
Here, you can take an amazing walk through the most geothermically active area in Yellowstone. You will have the opportunity to see the famous Steamboat Geyser and the Porcelain Basin Hot Springs. There are a variety of trails here ranging from 0.2 miles to 3 miles.
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Mount Washburn
We have several favorite pull offs around Mount Washburn that are wildlife viewing hotspots! Enjoy having your professional guide help you spot animals with binoculars and spotting scopes.
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Undine Falls
This easy to view waterfall is a must see three step fall! Once called the "Cascade Falls of the East Gardiner," it was renamed to Undine by geologist Arnold Hague. He named it Undine after the wise, female water goddess from German mythology who was said to live around waterfalls and who could gain souls by marrying mortal men. Sound familiar? Think Little Mermaid.
What is included
Included
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Spotting Scope & Binoculars
Not included
- Gratuities
- Park Entrance Fees
Cancellation and good to know
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Later than that, nothing is refunded.
From the operator
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Total duration of the tour includes the travel time
- Please call with any clarifying questions if you are staying outside of our pickup zone
The operator's description
Read Sky's the Limit Tours' own description
Join Sky’s the Limit Tours for an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscapes and wildlife-rich terrain of Yellowstone’s Upper Loop. This fully private, customizable safari is ideal for nature enthusiasts & photographers, guided by expert storytellers who bring the park’s wonders to life.
From your hotel pickup in West Yellowstone, our passionate guides lead you through Yellowstone’s most iconic areas: including the renowned Lamar Valley, a hotspot for wolves, bears, bison, and more. With high-end Vortex optics, you’ll enjoy close-up views of wildlife, and may even cross paths with renowned researchers like Rick McIntyre for unique, real-time insights.
Throughout the day, we provide catered lunches with options for every diet, plus healthy snacks and bottled water to keep you energized.
Experience Yellowstone’s remarkable ecosystems while learning about our commitment to conservation, ecology, and responsible ecotourism in a comfortable tour vehicle, Toyota Sienna mini-van.
Reviews
4.9 out of 5 from 114 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, as Viator reported them on 2 October 2026.
Questions about this tour
Where does Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari start?
Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari starts in West Yellowstone: front-door pickup within 2 miles of the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center; from further out, meet the guide in West Yellowstone.
Does Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari include the Yellowstone entrance fee?
No. Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari does not include the Yellowstone entrance fee.
How long is Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari?
Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari lasts 8 hours and starts at 6 a.m.
Can I cancel Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari for a refund?
Yes. You can cancel Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari for a full refund up to 24 hours before it starts; later than that, nothing is refunded.
Can children go on Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari?
Travellers of any age can go on Sky's the Limit Tours' private Upper Loop safari.
Sources
- Viator: the listing for this tour (product code 366772P5), read 2 October 2026. Prices, dates, ratings, pickup lodgings, the itinerary and what is included come from it.
- National Park Service: Current Conditions (park alerts), checked 3 October 2026
- National Park Service: Fees & Passes, checked 3 October 2026
- National Park Service: Park Roads: 2026 road opening and closing dates (projected), checked 3 October 2026
- National Park Service: Seasons, checked 3 October 2026
Written and checked by West Yellowstone Tours. Tour photographs are the operator's, shown as Viator supplies them.