Private Yellowstone National Park Tour (Upper Loop)

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Discover Yellowstone’s beauty on an all-day private tour, with options for the Lower Loop, Upper Loop, or a complete Grand Loop Tour. Call to customize your adventure and arrange the best meeting location. The Lower Loop includes iconic sights like Old Faithful, the vibrant Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Lake Yellowstone, and the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The Upper Loop takes you to Lamar Valley, a prime spot for viewing bison, wolves, and other wildlife, as well as the fascinating Mammoth Hot Springs. Book a multi-day tour to fully explore both loops and enjoy more time to relax, absorb the sights, and appreciate the park’s wonders. Call us today to explore how we can make your Yellowstone adventure truly unforgettable!

   2 h

2. Guests touring Lamar Valley with Obsidian Experience can expect breathtaking scenic vistas and unparalleled wildlife viewing. Known as the "Serengeti of North America," this area is famous for its diverse animal population, including bison, elk, and the elusive wolves. The stunning landscapes, framed by rugged mountains and rolling hills, provide a perfect backdrop for photography and nature appreciation, making it a highlight of any Yellowstone adventure.

   2 hAdmission included

3. In Cooke City, visitors will experience a charming mountain town steeped in history, once a bustling mining hub. Surrounded by stunning winter landscapes, guests can enjoy cozy local cafes and shops while soaking in the picturesque views. The area serves as a gateway to Yellowstone, offering opportunities for wildlife sightings, including moose and deer, against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, enhancing the overall experience of this unique destination.

   30 min

4. Calcite Springs offers guests a stunning overlook of the Yellowstone River and the surrounding canyon, showcasing the park's dramatic geological features. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Bleached Cliffs and the river's swift currents, making it a perfect spot for photography and appreciating the natural beauty of the area. The overlook is also rich in historical significance, as it provides insight into the geological processes that shaped Yellowstone. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot various species, including bighorn sheep and eagles, adding to the allure of this breathtaking location. The combination of scenic vistas and wildlife makes Calcite Springs a memorable stop on any tour.

   30 minAdmission included

5. The Mount Washburn/Dunraven Pass area offers guests a scenic drive through some of Yellowstone's most breathtaking landscapes. As one of the highest points in the park, it provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This area is rich in history, having been a vital route for early explorers and settlers. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot bighorn sheep and eagles soaring overhead, making it a perfect stop for those looking to connect with nature and learn about the park's fascinating past.

   Passes by

6. At the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, guests will be captivated by the dramatic landscapes and vibrant colors of the canyon walls, carved by the Yellowstone River. This iconic site features stunning viewpoints, such as Artist Point, where visitors can witness breathtaking waterfalls and the interplay of light on the canyon's rock formations. The area is also rich in wildlife, with opportunities to spot bald eagles and deer, making it a perfect blend of natural beauty and wildlife observation.

   1.5 h

7. Norris Geyser Basin is a geothermal wonderland that showcases the park's dynamic geothermal activity. Guests can explore a network of trails that lead to impressive geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles, including the famous Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world. The unique landscape, with its colorful mineral deposits and steam vents, provides a fascinating glimpse into the Earth's geothermal processes, while the surrounding area is home to diverse wildlife, including bison and coyotes.

   45 minAdmission included

8. Roaring Mountain is known for its unique geothermal features, including fumaroles that emit steam and create a roaring sound, hence its name. Guests can enjoy scenic views of the surrounding landscape while learning about the geothermal processes that shape the park. The area is also a great spot for wildlife viewing, with chances to see elk and grizzly bears in their natural habitat, making it a memorable stop on any tour.

   15 minAdmission included

9. Obsidian Cliffs offers a glimpse into Yellowstone's volcanic past, showcasing stunning black obsidian rock formations that are both beautiful and historically significant. Guests can learn about the Native American use of obsidian for tools and the geological processes that created these striking cliffs. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, providing opportunities to spot animals like foxes and deer, all set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery.

   Passes by

10. Mammoth Hot Springs is a must-visit destination, featuring stunning terraced formations created by mineral-rich hot springs. Guests can stroll along boardwalks that wind through the vibrant travertine terraces, witnessing the unique colors and shapes formed by geothermal activity. The area is also home to a historic district with buildings dating back to the early 20th century, adding a layer of historical relevance. Wildlife is abundant here, with frequent sightings of elk grazing in the area.

    1 hAdmission included

11. The Roosevelt Arch serves as the iconic entrance to Yellowstone National Park, symbolizing the park's historical significance as the first national park in the world. Guests can admire the impressive stone structure, which was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. The arch offers a perfect photo opportunity and a chance to reflect on the park's rich history and commitment to conservation. The surrounding area is also a great spot for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to see bison and antelope.

    15 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 102 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Yellowstone was amazing

  Stanley was fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable about the park. He made sure to ask about any allergies and dietary preferences in advance, sending out a form to ensure everyone had suitable meal options. We truly enjoyed every minute of our tour and would highly recommend Stanley to anyone visiting the park!

  vernesa_wOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Upper Loop Adventure

  Spent a full day exploring the upper loop With our guide Rowan. He is extremely knowledgeable in the park history and geological formations. We had many wildlife sightings including mountain goat, big horn sheep, elk and Bison. I would highly recommend this tour.

  Resort193255October 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Fabulous tour in Yellowstone

  We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed Rhone. He was knowledgeable and flexible. We learned a lot about the area and were grateful that we took the tour.

  Kristen_LSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Epic tour in Yellowstone

  Mark is animated, thoughtful, and knowledgeable and we covered a lot of ground. We stopped at key spots and Mark was patient in finding animals far away or on ledges, which was amazing. We would not have spotted many of the things on our own. The history and animals facts about the park made this a memorable experience.

  Eileen_FSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Greatest Tour Ever!

  This was a First Class Tour, absolutely everything was thought of, and exactly as described in the Viator App. We had a very experienced and thoroughly knowledgeable guide, Rose, who was fascinating, and had a degree in environmental science, and was clearly passionate about her job. We did the lower loop tour, it was perfectly paced, starting with the hot/mud springs, over to Grand Prismatic, Wildlife viewing (we got really lucky with a Bison herd) the Geyser (Old Faithful) and a few other interesting sights (Yelowstone Lake) that she fit in along the way. On the score of 1 to 10 this Tour was an 11! We can’t wait to come back and do the upper loop or the Tetons!

  smparnassSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5How to tour the upper loop in style: book with Mark

  Having a knowledgeable guide like Mark who knew where to look for animals and had binoculars and telescope to facilitate the viewing was fantastic. He also knew how to facilitate seeing all the terrific sites unique to the upper loop. Mark thoughtfully brought tasty snacks , breakfast muffin and fruit, lunch . We chuckled about his reputation as knowing where all the flushing toilets are located. We had a great time.

  Curtis_BAugust 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in West Yellowstone

• Its from-price is 50% above the median of the 52 day trips we list in West Yellowstone.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 14 of 52.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone is a small Montana town at the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, ringed by forested mountain country and rivers.

West Yellowstone sits at about 2,000 metres on the Montana side of the Idaho border, right at the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Its streets of log-fronted shops, motels and restaurants serve the park, and a museum in the old railway depot tells how early visitors arrived by train. A wildlife centre cares for grizzly bears and wolves that cannot be returned to the wild.

See all 77 experiences in West Yellowstone