Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch

4.8 (223 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

223 reviews

4.8

Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Hiring a tour guide, like Yellowstone Hiking Guides, can greatly increase your chances of spotting a grizzly bear on your vacation in Yellowstone. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Yellowstone Hiking Guides safely leads hiking groups into the Lamar Valley on a wildlife viewing day hike tour.

Our guides are well versed in Yellowstone's unique wildlife. Safety and fun are our top priorities. Regularly, we spot wolves, bears, and other rare wildlife from the trail in the backcountry of Yellowstone.

Our tours are off the beaten path, traveling on bison trails for the majority of the hike. Most tour providers in Yellowstone spend the majority of the day on the road, or very close to the road. Our guides take you into the backcountry for unique views of the Lamar Valley that you cannot see from the roadway.

Frequently, our guests tell us that they could not do this hike on their own through the massive bison herd and unpredictable wildlife.

Day Trips Hiking Tours Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Safaris Likely to Sell Out Small Group Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Yellowstone Hiking Guides

Ages: Adults (8–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A light breakfast snack
Included: Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
Included: Tea and coffee: Hot Coffee/Tea/Cocoa
Included: Lunch: Sandwich, apple, nuts, snacks (Turkey/Veggie/Vegan/Gluten Free Options) *Please notify YHG with any food allergies or dietary restrictions*

Not included

Not included: Admission to Yellowstone National Park: $35 per vehicle, good for one week
Not included: Bottled water: Please bring 2 liters of water per person
Not included: Rain jacket and fleece layer
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Lamar Valley

6 hours Admission not included

This six-mile tour through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is the best place to hike and view wildlife in North America. Your expert guide will safely lead you to wildlife viewing locations and scenic vistas that you cannot see from the road. Your guide will help you navigate the large bison herds. We sometimes spot wolf and bear, at a distance. Your guide will carry a scope for viewing these animals safely. We also see pronghorn, elk, moose, badger, ground squirrels, and an array of birds. We take a break for a picnic lunch with river or valley views.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September.

THIS IS NOT THE SPECIMEN RIDGE TRAILHEAD.

Our website has very good directions and a pin drop.

End point

Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September.

THIS IS NOT THE SPECIMEN RIDGE TRAILHEAD.

Our website has very good directions and a pin drop.

Using your ticket

Please meet the Yellowstone Hiking Guides tour guide at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead. Printed tickets are not necessary. Give the guide your name and party info at arrival.

●From Tower Junction: The trailhead is 14.8 miles from Tower Junction (25 minutes). Turn onto Highway 212 at Tower Junction toward Cooke City.

After driving through the Lamar Valley, you will pass the Lamar River Stock Trailhead. This trailhead is for horse users (with hitching posts). There are two latrines at this location. This is your last civilized bathroom location. On the trail there are many “facili-trees”.

The hiker trailhead is another 0.25 mile upstream. This large parking lot for the Lamar River Trail has no latrines.

EXIT YOUR VEHICLE AND YOU WILL NOTICE A SMALL FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE CREEK. (THIS IS NOT A BRIDGE YOU DRIVE OVER, IT IS A FOOTBRIDGE FOR WALKING OVER THE CREEK.) You cannot see the bridge from the road or your vehicle. You must get out of your vehicle to see the bridge.

If you pass the trailhead, your nearest turnaround spot will be Soda Butte (a dormant thermal feature) on your right. Turn around here and go back to the last parking area you passed.

●From Cooke City: The trailhead is 18.3 miles from Cooke City (30 minutes). It is located approximately 0.5 mile past the small, white Soda Butte thermal formation. You will smell this if you don’t see it! The parking lot for the Lamar River Trail is on the left. There is a small footbridge here if you get out of your vehicle and look. If you arrive at a parking lot with two latrines you have gone too far. This is the Lamar River Stock Trailhead. The hiker trailhead is 0.25 mile back upstream.