Tour Info
A big day in Grand Teton and Yellowstone, we leave Jackson very early, touring through the Tetons on our way to Yellowstone. We spend up to 14 hours exploring Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Lower Yellowstone Falls, the Hayden Valley and Lake Butte all while searching for wildlife.
We’ll have artisan muffins for breakfast on our way out of town, enjoy a picnic lunch when weather allows and are out from dawn to dusk. We will have snacks and refreshments all day long. You will also have access to reference materials, spotting scopes and binoculars.
You will have a chance to see moose, elk, bison, bears, wolves, otters, osprey and more wildlife on this adventure.
We will have plenty of time to stop and take photos along the way as we talk about the human and natural history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem throughout the day. You will come away enlightened and entertained.
Because this is a private tour we can tailor our destinations and stops to your specific interests without having to worry about keeping a schedule.
Our private Yellowstone Lower Loop safari starts at $1200 for the first two guests. Each additional guest is $100 up to a maximum of 12. You will also need a parks pass for every four guests.
Itinerary
Flexibility is key to a lower loop safari.
We’ll leave Jackson in the pre-dawn, but have some 90 minutes of driving through Grand Teton National Park just to get to Yellowstone. If we see something great, we’ll want to stop and have a look.
Once we get in to Yellowstone we will go with the latest information we have on wildlife sightings. If, for example, we have information that wolves are out somewhere we might divert from our regularly scheduled route.
We will typically drive the loop in a counter-clockwise pattern, getting provisions for a picnic lunch at Fishing Bridge after checking for grizzly bears. We have a couple of favored picnic spots on either end of the Hayden Valley.
Then it is on to Lower Yellowstone Falls and around to Old Faithful. We try to get there late enough in the afternoon that the crowds are beginning to thin out. We will factor in time to see Grand Prismatic.
Then it is back through the Tetons to Jackson. We’ll leave some daylight on the table for any wildlife viewing or photographing opportunities as we wind our way back to town in time for you to have a late supper.
How to book
Fill in the form below to submit a booking inquiry. Once we receive your request we will check availability and get in contact with you to confirm.
FAQ
Q: What wildlife will I see on a tour?
Wildlife is, well, wild. We know the specific area and movement patterns of wildlife in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but we can’t make wildlife appear. An entire herd of bison can pick up and move a mile or more in 30 minutes. Bears often move in and out of timber several times a day and so forth. The seasons are also a consideration. Contact us if you have specific questions.
Q: What will the weather be like?
Winter is never far away in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We are at higher altitude where 50 – 60 degree temperature swings are not uncommon in the summer. You can get frostbite and sunburned on the same day. We will check the weather before your tour and give specific recommendations.
Q: How cold does it get in winter?
We have seen it get down in to the negative 40 degree Fahrenheit range in recent years. If it gets that cold we will not be very far from the vehicle at any time and we will recommend that you bring the warmest clothes you can find.
Q: What should I wear?
We recommend dressing in layers. Long pants, long sleeved shirts and headwear will help protect you from the sun. It is not much above freezing most mornings so a fleece or coat is a good idea. We recommend waterproof footwear. Light hiking boots are great, but closed-toe shoes are a must. Avoid cotton socks if you can.
Q: Where will you pick us up?
We will pick you up at your lodging in the Jackson area, further north in the Teton Valley as far as Colter Bay, Victor, Idaho, and can talk about special arrangements if you are staying elsewhere. On occasion, we have picked up in Island Park and West Yellowstone for a Yellowstone Tour.
Q: Are your tours open to non-photographers?
Yes, you don’t need to own a camera to enjoy one of our tours. Smartphones are fine as well. With two guides on most tours, we are perfect for couples where one person is a photographer and one is not. We will give you as much or as little photographic instruction as you need.
Q: Do we need bear spray?
You will not need bear spray on one of our tours.
Q: Can we bring small children on your tours?
You may bring children of any age you are comfortable with, but we do not provide or install a child safety seat so you must bring yours.
Q: How much hiking will we do on one of your tours?
Our permit specifically prohibits us from going more than 1/2 mile on a trail. We may walk a few hundred yards in places over mostly level ground, but this all of our tours are road-based.
Q: Do I have to worry about snakes?
There are no poisonous snakes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Q: Can I bring marijuana on a tour if it is prescribed?
Marijuana possession remains illegal at the federal level. It is not allowed in the national parks.
Terms & Conditions
Our single day tour terms and conditions are easy:
Tell us you are coming and we will put you in the book. We don’t take any money down and you are not committed. We’d appreciate it if you let us know as soon as possible if something comes up or your plans change, but we get that things happen.
If the roads are open we go, so be prepared for potentially inclement weather. Imperfect weather often makes for a better experience.
We take full payment by check, cash or credit card on the day you go out with us.
Price
$1200 for the first 1 or 2 guests.
$100 for each additional guest up to a maximum of 12.
Contact us for a custom quote if you have a bigger group.
Duration
Key Areas Visited
Yellowstone
Included
- Breakfast
- Hot coffee, tea and chocolate
- Drinking water and snacks
- Use of binoculars, spotting scopes and reference materials
- Transportation
- Photography instruction
- A great experience
