We ranked these by a simple test: if a friend were coming to Yellowstone for the first time, what would we tell them to book? Highly reviewed day tours that cover the essentials come first, then the wildlife trips that most improve a visit, then the activities and multi-day options.
Ratings and review counts are from GetYourGuide at the time of writing; prices are indicative “from” prices in US dollars and will be shown in your own currency when you click through.
- Best overall
West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fee for US Residents
The geyser basins, the canyon and Hayden Valley in one well-reviewed day from the closest town.
A first visit without driving
Check price & availability
- Best from Jackson
From Jackson: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fees for U.S. Residents
Excellent reviews, and it covers the essentials of the lower loop.
A first look at Yellowstone from Jackson
Check price & availability
- Most complete day from Jackson
From Jackson: Yellowstone National Park Day Trip with Lunch
Old Faithful, Midway, Fountain Paint Pot, the canyon and Hayden Valley, with lunch.
Visitors based in Jackson Hole
Check price & availability
- Highest rated day tour
Yellowstone: Old Faithful, Waterfalls, and Wildlife Day Tour
A perfect five-star average across hundreds of reviews.
Wildlife lovers staying in Jackson
Check price & availability
- Best from Cody
Full-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour from Cody, WY
The lake, Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley, Artist Point and Old Faithful.
Travellers staying in Cody
Check price & availability
- Best from Bozeman
From Bozeman: Express Yellowstone Tour (1 Day)
A long day, but it solves the no-car problem.
Flying into Bozeman without a rental car
Check price & availability
- Best wildlife tour
From West Yellowstone: Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour by Van
Lamar Valley with a naturalist and proper optics.
Seeing wolves and bears without a car
Check price & availability
- Best wildlife on foot
Lamar Valley: Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch
A guided safari hike in the Lamar Valley.
Active travellers
Check price & availability
- Best multi-day trip
Yellowstone & Grand Tetons: 4-Day/3-Night Wildlife Adventure
Four days in both parks with outstanding reviews.
A complete, stress-free trip
Check price & availability
- Best two-day tour
Jackson: 2-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour with Lunches
Both loops of the park from Jackson.
Seeing the whole park from Jackson
Check price & availability
- Best Grand Teton tour
From Jackson: Half-Day Grand Teton National Park Tour
The most-reviewed tour in the region, in half a day.
Grand Teton in a morning or afternoon
Check price & availability
- Best hike
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Loop Hike with Lunch
The canyon rim on quieter trails with a naturalist.
Hikers who want a guide
Check price & availability
- Best on the water
Grant Village: Yellowstone Lake Guided Kayak Tour with Lunch
Kayaking by the West Thumb hot springs.
A different view of the park
Check price & availability
- Best short rafting trip
Gardiner: Yellowstone River Half-Day Whitewater Rafting
A splash down the Yellowstone River in two hours.
An afternoon of fun in Gardiner
Check price & availability
- Best northern range day
Yellowstone Iconic Sights Tour - West Yellowstone & Big Sky
Scenery and wildlife in a small group.
Wildlife and scenery in one day
Check price & availability
- Best evening out
From West Yellowstone: Private Guided Sunset Wildlife Safari
Wildlife at the best hour of the day.
An evening after a self-drive day
Check price & availability
- Best private day
Yellowstone: Full-Day Private Guided Tour by Car with Lunch
Your own guide, with meals included.
Couples and families who want a private guide
Check price & availability
- Best private safari
Yellowstone: Privately Guided Safari/Scenic Tour with Lunch!
A full day focused on wildlife.
Photographers and keen wildlife watchers
Check price & availability
- Best two-park short trip
From Jackson: 2-Day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Tour
Yellowstone and Grand Teton in two days.
Two parks in a short trip
Check price & availability
- Best sunrise
Jackson: Grand Teton Sunrise Safari with Naturalist Guide
First light on the Tetons with a naturalist.
Early risers and photographers
Check price & availability - Most relaxing
Jackson Hole: Snake River Scenic Float Tour with Chairs
A gentle float with chairs on the Snake River.
All ages
Check price & availability
- Best whitewater in Jackson
Jackson: Snake River Class 2-3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Class 2–3 rapids with an instructor.
Active travellers in Jackson
Check price & availability - Best winter day in Jackson
Jackson: Grand Teton and National Elk Refuge Winter Day Trip
Wildlife, lunch and a sleigh ride among the elk.
Winter visitors to Jackson
Check price & availability
- Best winter wolf trip
Yellowstone: Private Winter Wolf-Watching Safari
Lamar Valley in the snow with a wolf guide.
Wolf enthusiasts in winter
Check price & availability
- Best winter day from Big Sky
From Big Sky and Bozeman: Yellowstone Winter Wildlife Tour
Lamar Valley wildlife with scopes and lunch.
Winter visitors based in Big Sky or Bozeman
Check price & availability
- Best snowmobile day
Jackson Hole: Grand Teton Full-Day Snowmobile Tour
Snowy trails with Teton views.
Winter adventure
Check price & availability
- Best family rafting
Gardiner: Half-Day Whitewater Raft Trip on the Yellowstone
Splashy water and swims in the calm stretches.
Families and groups
Check price & availability - Gentlest river trip
Gardiner: Scenic Raft Float on the Yellowstone River
A scenic float with no whitewater.
A gentle river trip
Check price & availability - Best longer rafting trip
From Gardiner: Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting & Lunch
Yankee Jim Canyon and a picnic lunch.
Rafters who want more river time
Check price & availability - Best private tour from Gardiner
Gardiner: Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Guided Tour
Priced per group — good for families.
Families staying in Gardiner
Check price & availability
- Most flexible departure
Bozeman & West Yellowstone Round-Trip 1-Day Tour
Leaves from Bozeman or West Yellowstone.
Flexible departure towns
Check price & availability
- Most ambitious day
Yellowstone: Private One-Day Grand Loop Tour
The whole Grand Loop for a private group.
Groups who want to see everything
Check price & availability
- Best private lower loop
Wonders of Yellowstone: Private Lower Loop Tour with Lunch
Old Faithful, the canyon and the lake.
A private lower-loop day
Check price & availability
- Best small-group hike
Gardiner: Yellowstone National Park Half Day Guided Hike
Trails away from the road with a guide.
Small groups who want to hike safely
Check price & availability
- Best after dark
Jackson: Grand Teton National Park Stargazing Experience
Telescopes under Grand Teton’s skies.
A different evening in Jackson
Check price & availability - Alternative from Bozeman
From Bozeman: Classic Yellowstone Tour (2 Days & 1 Night)
Two days — read recent reviews first.
Bozeman arrivals without a car
Check price & availability
- Winter wildlife expedition
Bozeman: Yellowstone Wolves & Winter 4-Day/3-Night Adventure
Four days following the wolves.
A dedicated winter wildlife trip
Check price & availability - For winter photographers
Wild Yellowstone 3 Day | Wildlife Photography Tour
Three days of snowy landscapes and wildlife.
Photographers in winter
Check price & availability
- For wildlife photographers
Wild Yellowstone 1 Day | Wildlife Photography Tour
Sunrise shooting with a specialist.
Serious photographers
Check price & availability
- From Salt Lake City
Grand Teton, Yellowstone National Park 5-Day Tour from SLC
Five days by coach; no airport transfers.
Starting from Salt Lake City
Check price & availability
How to combine them
If you are driving yourself, the tours that add most are the ones that do what a car cannot: a dawn wildlife tour in Lamar or Hayden Valley, a guided hike at the canyon, or an afternoon on the water. Book the wildlife trip early in your stay, so the guide can teach you what to look for on your own drives.
Without a car, base yourself in West Yellowstone and take a lower-loop day tour plus a Lamar Valley tour, or base yourself in Jackson and combine a Yellowstone day with a half-day in Grand Teton.
What we left out
We have left out near-duplicates, tours with very poor reviews, and transfers. The live widget on the tours page shows everything currently on sale.