Best Yellowstone National Park Tours & Holidays 2022/23

With rainbow-colored hot springs, gurgling geysers and bubbling mud pools, it’s no wonder no one believed the early explorers' tales of Yellowstone National Park.

Brimming with half of the world’s hydrothermal features and landscapes that'll have you wondering if you’re still in the US (or earth), Yellowstone National Park is just as extraordinary for explorers today. Uncover the beauty and mystery of the world's oldest national park with your local guide. Whether you want to marvel at the vivid colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, watch steamy geysers erupt high into the sky, follow a local wolf-tracking expert or search for buffalo, bison, elk and grizzly bears in the lush Lamar Valley, you'll discover why Yellowstone is truly a national park like no other.

Our Yellowstone National Park tours

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Adventure

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A 6-day discovery of Wyoming’s highlights, with plenty of wildlife-spotting and vista...

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South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer

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Explore South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana Parks on a 6-day small group tour which...

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Yellowstone and Grand Teton Family Holiday

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Highlights of Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park

Watch Old Faithful erupt

There are over 10,000 thermal features in Yellowstone, but Old Faithful is the biggest superstar. Watch safely from the sidelines as this mighty cone geyser erupts and shoots 14,000 litres of hot water into the air. Old Faithful can be unpredictable but it usually erupts about 20 times per day – don’t worry, your guide will take you there just in time. Make sure you listen out for the powerful roar as it erupts. It’s also worth checking out the gurgling plughole sounds of other geysers nearby.

The colorful Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park

See the rainbow colors of Grand Prismatic Spring

We bet you never thought you’d be hypnotised by bacteria (stay with us on this one). Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone NP is full of heat-loving microbes that give it the electric colours of blue, green, yellow, orange and red. It might not look like it from the surface, but it’s bigger than a soccer field and deeper than a 10-story building. Get up close and stare into the abyss by taking the boardwalk, or hike to the overlook for an impressive bird's eye view.

The Yellowstone River running through the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Hike the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Yellowstone's hot springs, geysers and mud pools might steal the limelight, but after tackling the trails in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone you'll soon discover why it's one of the most gorgeous areas of the park. From winding through its deep rocky chasms and gazing at the rust-coloured canyon walls towering above you to witnessing the Yellowstone River plunge 308 feet (98 metres) over the Lower Falls, your eyes (and camera) will be busy every step of the way.

A bull elk standing in Boiling River near people who are bathing

Enjoy a natural hot tub in Boiling River

Take a relaxing dip after a big day of hiking in this natural hot tub. Unlike most thermal hot springs in Yellowstone which are forbidden to swim in, this designated bathing area is where the hot spring water mixes with the cold mountain water of Gardener River, making it comfortable enough to soak in. Some areas of the river are hotter than others and the fun part is moving around to find your sweet spot. When you’re done soaking, enjoy a picnic with a view of Mt. Everts in the background.

The upper and lower terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

Explore Mammoth Hot Springs

Spread over two terraces that look a bit like tiers of cake dripping with icing, Mammoth Hot Springs are a sight to behold. These otherworldly travertine formations have formed over thousands of years by snowmelt that seeps into the earth and passes through an impressive underground plumbing system. The water is then heated and mixed with hot gases in a molten magma chamber before rising through small crevices to create the unique shapes, colours and smells you see today. Be warned, the eggy sulfur smell is quite strong!

A herd of bison grazing in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park

Spot wildlife in Lamar Valley

Did you know Yellowstone is the only place in the US where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times? Lamer Valley is one of the best places to see herds of bison, deer and elk. If you’re lucky, you might see grizzly bears, black bears and wolves. Driving through Lamar Valley is an experience in itself with spectacular views of the park. You can also join a real-life wolf tracker for the day to learn the secrets of these mysterious animals and hopefully spot one in their natural habitat.

Yellowstone National Park tour reviews

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Yellowstone National Park FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip in Yellowstone?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

Where is Yellowstone National Park?

Most of Yellowstone is located in northwestern Wyoming, but some areas of the park also spread across southern Montana and eastern Idaho.

How to get to Yellowstone National Park

You can get to Yellowstone by flying into one of the nearby airports, driving or taking a bus. The closest airports are Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (north entrance), Yellowstone Regional Airport (east entrance), and Jackson Hole Airport (south entrance). It’s also possible to fly into other nearby airports like Chicago, Salt Lake City, Utah or Denver where you can then rent a car. If you're driving, you can access Yellowstone via one of five entry points. It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Salt Lake City, 1.5 hours from Idaho Falls, 1.5 hours from Jackson and 1.5 hours from Bozeman. It’s possible to catch a bus from Bozeman in Montana to West Yellowstone all year, and you can also go directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone via bus during the summer months. There is no direct train into Yellowstone, but you could catch a train to southeast Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah and Northern Montana and go from here.

Getting around Yellowstone National Park

You will need a car as there is no public transport. Most roads are closed to vehicles during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, except the road to Mammoth Hot Springs. There are five entrance points that loop around the park’s main landmarks and it can take hours to drive between them. Always check road and park conditions before you set off.

When should I visit Yellowstone National Park?

The best time of year to visit Yellowstone is spring through to early fall as the weather is mild and perfect for hiking. There are also fewer road closures. There is limited access to the park during winter due to weather conditions, but the cooler months can be a great time to see wildlife in the Lamar Valley.

What should I pack for Yellowstone National Park?

You’ll be doing lots of walking so bring comfy clothes, hiking boots or sneakers, and thick socks that prevent blisters. The weather can change quickly so pack a warm fleece or jacket, waterproof layers, a sun hat, a warm hat, and gloves. Also make sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, a daypack, water bottle, basic medications and plenty of snacks to refuel throughout the day. Last but not least, don’t forget your camera!

What animals live in Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is a wildlife lover’s paradise with an abundance of small animals and large predators. Some of the animals you might get to see include:

Bison
Elk

Moose
Deer (mule deer, pronghorn deer, white-tailed deer)
Bighorn sheep
Mountain goats
Black bears

Grizzly bears
Canada lynx
Coyote
Wolves
River otters

Is Yellowstone National Park accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. The National Park Service is assessing Yellowstone and removing barriers to accessibility. They have a free app that has up-to-date information for park facilities and trails and accessibility features for your device. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid