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Cancel 24h prior to tour for full refund.
Cancel within 24hr before the scheduled start time to receive a 100% refund! Same policy as Trip Advisor/Viator so you can book with confidence!
No — we do not offer snowcoach tours. Our winter tours are fully private and use SUVs or mini‑vans. Snowcoaches are specially permitted vehicles that travel over snow‑covered roads when the park is closed to regular cars. We drive only on roads that have been plowed and cleared.
If you are interested in a snowcoach experience, there are commercial tour companies that offer them. Some of the better-known providers:
Backcountry Adventures — offers public snowcoach tours to destinations like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Yellowstone Expeditions — based in West Yellowstone, with snowcoach tours and seat‑based winter excursions.
Yellowstone Alpen Guides — another permitted snowcoach operator out of West Yellowstone.
See Yellowstone Tours — they also run winter snowcoach trips from West Yellowstone.
Do note: these are public tours (i.e. you share the snowcoach with other guests), not private or custom‑tailored trips.
We provide fresh, locally made lunches from a trusted catering partner. Options typically include sandwiches, wraps, and salads, and they’re prepared each morning before your tour. The caterers can accommodate most dietary needs—Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan, and more.
If you have any allergies (especially severe or anaphylactic), please let your guide know when placing your order. You’re also welcome to contact us before booking if you’d like to see the full menu.
For our summer tours, the Upper Loop typically includes 1–2 miles of walking, while the Lower Loop usually involves about 3–4 miles. These distances are spread throughout the day at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops.
In winter, the amount of walking or snowshoeing is completely up to you. We can keep things close to the vehicle for a warm, mostly car-based tour, or venture out for more snowshoeing if conditions and timing allow.
Since every tour is fully private, we’re able to tailor the day to your comfort level—whether that’s minimal walking or a more active experience.
On our Lower Loop Tour, we cover about 125 miles and spend roughly 3 hours of the day driving.
The Upper Loop Tour covers around 160 miles with approximately 4 hours in the vehicle.
These driving times are spread throughout the day, and we make frequent stops—bathroom breaks, short walks to scenic viewpoints, and plenty of time out of the car to observe wildlife and explore key sights.
For our Winter Tour, the drive from Bozeman to Yellowstone’s North Entrance is about 1.5 hours, and reaching Lamar Valley is another hour. In total, winter outings usually include around 6 hours of drive time, broken up with regular stops for wildlife viewing, walking, and warming up when needed.
Your comfort depends on the season and how active you want to be during the tour.
Summer Tours:
Weather can be unpredictable—mornings are often chilly, and it can snow even in July!
We recommend layering: a base layer, a warm mid-layer, and a light waterproof jacket.
Tennis shoes or comfortable walking shoes are fine for walking on boardwalks around thermal features.
Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for sun protection.
Winter Tours:
Dress in warm layers, including a base layer, insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer.
If you want to go snowshoeing, be sure to bring waterproof boots and snow pants.
Even if you prefer a more car-based tour, having warm winter jackets, hats, and gloves will keep you comfortable during stops and wildlife viewing.
Tips for All Tours:
Your guides usually start the day with a hot coffee, a beanie, and a jacket, and can help you adjust layers as needed.
Check the weather forecast before your tour—conditions can change quickly in Yellowstone.
Layering is key: you can remove or add clothing depending on activity level and the day’s weather.
Both summer and winter tours are fully private and can be as active or relaxed as you like, so your clothing choices should match how much walking or snowshoeing you plan to do.
Where you stay depends on the kind of experience you want! Summer guests most often stay in hotels in West Yellowstone, which makes mornings easy and allows you to be picked up directly from your lodging. If you’re looking for a more remote Montana feel, one of our favorite options is booking an Airbnb in Island Park. There are also campgrounds in and around West Yellowstone for those who enjoy camping.
For winter tours, the tour typically starts in Bozeman. Staying in Livingston or Gardiner can be convenient if you want to skip the morning commute with your guide and enjoy a bit more sleep before the day begins.
No matter your choice, there are accommodations to match every style—from cozy and rustic to convenient and comfortable—so you can tailor your stay to the experience you want.
Explore More National Parks
Grand Teton National Park – Directly connected to Yellowstone and our #1 suggestion. It’s about 2.5 hours away and can be reached by driving through Yellowstone or via Idaho into Jackson Hole, WY.
Glacier National Park – A stunning option for those looking to extend their trip. Glacier is about 6 hours from West Yellowstone, so it’s best suited for multi-day travel, but it’s absolutely worth it for its dramatic peaks, glaciers, and pristine lakes.
Outdoor Activities
Guided fly fishing
Whitewater rafting
Horseback riding
Dirt biking or side-by-side riding on trails and forest roads in Island Park
Lazy river floats on the Madison River (near Bozeman) or Snake River (Island Park)
Tandem skydiving in Bozeman
Paragliding or hot air balloon rides in Jackson Hole
Helicopter tours from West Yellowstone Airport for a breathtaking aerial view of Yellowstone and the surrounding mountains
Nature & Relaxation
Explore crystal-clear lakes, lush forests, waterfalls, and natural hot springs
Guest favorites include Yellowstone Hot Springs and Norris Hot Springs
Visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
Hiking & Exploring
If you want to explore off the beaten path, the AllTrails app is a great way to find hikes and adventures that fit your activity level.
Music & Nightlife
Enjoy live music in Big Sky on Thursdays, including the summer concert series Music in the Mountains at Town Center Park and acoustic sets at local venues. Shows are family-friendly, free, and often feature food trucks.
Summer Rodeo Entertainment
Attend the West Yellowstone Rodeo, which runs evenings 5–6 days a week from mid-June through the end of August.
Shows begin at 7:00 PM and last until around 9:00 PM.
For a full Western experience, consider combining a daytime trail ride with the evening rodeo.
Local Tourism Resources
For more ideas on dining, nightlife, events, and activities in the area, check out:
VisitGardiner
VisitBozeman
VisitYellowstoneCounty
The BoZone (Bozeman’s local events and entertainment calendar)
Yes! And we highly recommend it. Your guide can suggest where to go based on your interests and how much time you have. Yellowstone is open 24/7, so you can explore at your own pace.
If you purchase a day pass ($20 per person), you can enter Yellowstone as many times as you like for one week with that receipt.
If you purchase an annual pass, it allows you to enter Yellowstone and other national parks in the area as often as you like throughout the year.
Reentering the park is a great way to catch wildlife you may have missed, explore different areas, or return to favorite spots for photography or relaxation.
No — you do not need to buy a pass in advance. Your guide can easily help you purchase one at the park entrance, it is quick and easy. Here’s a summary of the main pass options:
Day Pass: $20 per person — allows unlimited entry to Yellowstone for 7 days with the same receipt.
Annual Pass (America the Beautiful): $80 — grants unlimited access to all U.S. national parks and federal recreational lands for one year.
Senior Pass: Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62+ — $80, grants unlimited access to all national parks. There is also an annual senior pass for $20 per year.
Veterans & Gold Star Families: Free entry to all national parks.
Access Pass: Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
4th Grade Pass / Every Kid Outdoors Pass: Free for U.S. 4th graders and their families, valid for one year.
Volunteer Pass: Free lifetime pass for volunteers who have completed 250 service hours with federal agencies participating in the Interagency Pass Program.
Buying a pass at the gate is quick and easy, and your guide will make sure everyone has the proper pass so your tour can start smoothly.
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