Yellowstone Grand Loop Ultimate Self-Guided Driving Tour

4.8 (10 reviews) 8–10 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

10 reviews

4.8

Thumb Geyser — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Yellowstone Grand Loop Ultimate Self-Guided Driving Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park on a self-guided audio tour that takes you along the scenic 140-mile Grand Loop. Experience the dramatic landscapes of erupting geysers, majestic waterfalls, and wildlife-rich meadows, all narrated by GPS technology. Discover fascinating stories about Old Faithful, the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, and the transformative role of wolves in the ecosystem. Unearth hidden gems like Sylvan Lake and Dragon’s Mouth Spring while enjoying the freedom to travel at your own pace. This immersive journey connects you to the park's rich history and natural beauty, making every moment memorable.

Scenic 140-mile Grand Loop with GPS-triggered narration
Learn about iconic sites like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring
Discover lesser-known spots and unique natural features
Get insider tips on what you can safely skip and what not to miss
Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Car Tours

At a glance

Duration: 8–10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Audio guide: German, English, Spanish
Written guide: German, English, Spanish
Operated by: Drives & Detours

What is included

Included

Included: App & Tour Download
Included: Audio Guide
Included: Route Map (in app)
Included: Flexible Usage (unlimited access within 1 year)

Not included

Not included: Smartphone (bring your own)
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Artists Paintpots

30 min

Watch bubbling mud pots and colorful mineral pools create a living canvas of shifting textures and hues.
Firehole Canyon Drive

30 min

Follow a scenic side road through a narrow volcanic canyon, past waterfalls and one of Yellowstone’s few legal swim spots.
Sheepeater Cliffs

15 min

Pause at this striking columnar basalt cliff — a frozen reminder of ancient lava flows and the people who once called this area home.
Old Faithful

45 min

Watch Yellowstone’s most famous geyser erupt with clockwork precision — a timeless symbol of nature’s power and rhythm.
Grand Prismatic Spring

one hour

Marvel at a rainbow-colored hot spring so large and vibrant it looks like a living painting seen from above.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

one hour

Stand in awe of the park’s namesake canyon, where waterfalls plunge through bands of gold, red, and rust-colored rock.
Hayden Valley

45 min

Experience one of North America’s best wildlife-viewing areas, where bison herds and elk roam across misty morning meadows.
Lamar Valley

one hour

Known as the “Serengeti of North America,” this broad valley offers prime chances to spot wolves, bears, and other predators in the wild.
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

30 min

Walk among ever-changing terraces of white and orange travertine that seem sculpted by both heat and time.
Norris Geyser Basin

45 min

Explore Yellowstone’s hottest and most active geothermal area, where geysers bubble, hiss, and erupt unpredictably.
Dragon's Mouth Springs

30 min

Encounter a landscape that roils, steams, and growls — a reminder of the restless forces beneath your feet.
West Thumb Geyser Basin

30 min

Discover a rare thermal area on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, where geysers erupt beside cold, blue water.
Yellowstone Lake

15 min

Take in the vast expanse of North America’s largest high-elevation lake — serene on the surface, volcanic at heart.
Tower Fall

30 min

Admire a striking waterfall framed by eroded rock spires that lend this scenic stop its distinctive name.
Obsidian Cliff

15 min

See the glassy black rock once prized by Indigenous peoples and explorers alike — a monument to both geology and history.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.

End point

Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.
Open the app and tap "Start Tour" just after you pass the entrance station. Tour can be started from any entrance station.

Using your ticket

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: To access your tour, you will need to download the Drives & Detours app and enter your 6-character access code to unlock it. Your access code will be sent separately the day before your travel date. Access codes for same-day bookings will be sent within minutes after purchase.

HOW TO PREPARE: We recommend downloading the Drives & Detours app in advance so you are ready to go when you arrive.

DOWNLOAD THE APP:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drives-detours/id6443681888

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytoursapp.android.app6506

WATCH FOR YOUR ACCESS CODE: Your access code will arrive as a message through the booking platform. They should notify you by email, but if you don’t see it, check your spam folder or directly in the platform’s message center.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Priced per-vehicle so everyone in your car can listen and enjoy
Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
Get the Drives & Detours app and download the tour ahead of time
Wheelchairs: travelers use their own vehicles, and most stops along the route offer accessible viewpoints and facilities