Tourist Activities

UNDER DEVELOPMENT – Some details are pending announcements from vendors.

In addition to driving around the park, exploring thermal areas, watching the wildlife, and viewing the scenery, there are several organized activities for park visitors to engage in.

Ranger-Led Programs

Coming soon for the 2010 Summer Season.

Horseback Rides

There are three stables in the park that offer public riding:  Mammoth, Roosevelt, and Canyon.  Operating dates for them can be found HERE.  One hour rides are $37, and two hour rides are $56 (ages 8 and up).  Check with your hotel or campground office for specific times (which vary depending on the time of year and the location).  Reservations are recommended during the summer peak season.

There are also several businesses licensed to provide horseback/llama tours within the park.  You can find the list of those businesses HERE.

Stagecoach Rides

Stagecoach rides are offered daily from Roosevelt Corrals.  Rides are offered several times per day, beginning around 9:45am from early June through early September.  Last ride is at 3:15pm (2:15 from mid August through mid September).  Adults are $10, children 2-11 are $8 (under 2 is free).

Old West Dinner Cookout

Head out from Roosevelt Lodge for some cowboy grub and tall tales.  Feast on steak, baked beans, potato salad, corn, cole slaw, corn muffins, watermelon, and fruit crisps, all served with music, storytelling, wranglers, horses and wagons – just like the old west.

  • Wagon:  Early June through early September.  Check in is at 4:45pm through mid August, or 3:45pm from mid August through early September.  Adults $45, children 5-11 are $45 (under 5 is free, but must sit on a parents’ lap)
  • 1-Hour Horseback Ride:  4:30pm check-in through mid August, and 3:30pm from mid August through early September.  Adults $66, children 8-11 are $56.
  • 2-Hour Horseback Ride:  3:45pm check-in through mid August, and 2:45pm from mid August through early September.  Adults $80, children 8-11 are $70.

Boat Rentals/Tours/Cruises

All park boating tours and related activities are conducted from the Bridge Bay Marina.

  • Scenicruise on Yellowstone Lake:  A one hour tour of Yellowstone Lake, including Stevenson Island where the remains of the SS E.C. Waters rests.  Tours depart several times a tday from late May through mid September.  Adults are $14.25, children 2-11 are $9.00, and kids under 2 ride for free.
  • Guided Fishing or Sightseeing Charters:  You can go on a private fishing or scenic tour of the Lake on your own personal, chartered boat.  Available mid June though early September.  Boat rentals are $76/hour for the 22′ Cabin Cruiser, and $96/hour for the 34′ Cabin Cruiser.  Two hour minimum rental required for 1-6 people.  Prince includes rods and tackle.
  • Boat Rentals:  Take a self-guided tour of Lake Yellowstone with a 16-foot rowboat ($9/hr) or an 18-foot motorboat ($47/hr).  Boats rented on a first-come, first-served basis.  Prices include life jackets and gas/oars.
  • Slip Rentals:  Bring your own boat to Yellowstone and park it at Bridge Bay while you’re there.  Rentals are $16/day for 16′ and under, or $22/day for those over 16′.

Guided Tours

There are a variety of guided tours offered within the park.

  • Mammoth
    • Yellowstone in a Day Interpretetive Tour:  A one day basic overview tour of the park’s main features, including Old Faithful, Lake, and the Canyon areas.  Tours depart from Gardiner and Mammoth daily from the first of June through the middle of August.  Price is around $70 for adults and $35 for children under 15 (under 8 is free).  Departs around 7:30 in the morning and returns around 6:30 pm.
    • Nature of the Northern Range:  Tour of the north country and the Canyon areas.  Daily tours depart from Gardiner and Mammoth each day from the middle of August through the middle of September.  Price is $70 for adults, $35 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).  Depart around 7AM and return around 5:30pm.
    • Across the Northern Range.  Stagecoach ride through Yellowstone’s Northern Range.  Tours depart from Mammoth Hotel, and then onto Roosevelt Corrals, daily, from the first of June through the first of September.  Daily, from 10:45am until around 2:00pm.  Price is around $46 for adults and $23 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Wake up to Wildlife.  Early morning tour through Lamar Valley; tour includes a continental breakfast.  Departs from Mammoth Hotel at 6:15 each day from the first week of June through the middle of September, returns around 10:30am.  Price is $67 for adults and $33 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Evening Wildlife Encounters.   Take an open-air tour in one of the park’s famous Yellow Bus vehicles of prime critter country.  Tours depart each evening around 4:45 or 5:15 from Mammoth Hotel, and returns around 8:00 or 8:30pm (check hotel desk for specific times).  Tours are offered from the end of August through the middle of September, and cost $46 for adults, $23 for childredn 8-15 (under 8 is free).
  • Roosevelt/Tower
    • Wake Up to Wildlife: Early morning tour into the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley.  Tour departs Roosevelt Lodge at 7:00am, returning around 10:00am daily from early June through early September.  Includes Continental breakfast.  Adults are $67, children 8-11 are $33.50 (under 8 is free).
  • Old Faithful
    • Circle of Fire:  Tour of the Fountain Paint Pots, the Grand Canyon area, West Thumb, and Old Faithful.  Departs from Old Faithful Inn daily at 8:15am, returns around 4:30pm.  Prices are $63 for adults, $31.50 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).  Tours take place from middle of May through the middle of August. 
    • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:  Tour of West Thumb, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon.  Departs from the Old Faithful Inn daily at 8:15 am, returns around 4:30pm.  Price is $63 for adults, $31.50 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Teton Vista Rendezvous:  Tour through the south entrance along the Lewis and Snake Rivers, into Grand Teton National Park. Stop for lunch at Dornan’s along the Snake (lunch not included in the price).  Tour departs the Old Faithful Inn at 7:15am, and returns around 5:15pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from the middle of August through the middle of September.  Price is $92 for adults, $46 for children 815 (under 8 is free).  (Tour picks up a group at Grant Village enroute)
    • A Village of Hot Springs & History:  A tour of the historic structures in the Old Faithful Village, including the old Frank Haynes photo shop and the old bear feeding grounds.  Departs fromt he Old Faithful Inn at 11:15 and returns around 12:15 pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from the first week of June through the first week of August.  Price is $14.50 for adults, $7.25 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Firehole Basin Adventure:  Three hour tour of the upper geyser basin and its plumbing system.  Departs from the Old Faithful Inn daily from the first week of June through the second week of October.  Departur times differ by day, so check with the hotel or campground office for specifics.  Price is $46 for adults, $23 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Picture Perfect Photo Safari:  Explore the thermal and scenic areas along the Firehole River with a photographer guide who knows the photo hot spots.  Specific destinations will vary based on reported wildlife sightings and seasonal conditions.  Continental breakfast provided.  Tour departs the Old Faithful Inn around 5:45 or shortly thereafter (see hotel desk for specifics) and returns around 11:30am, from the last week of May through the last week of September.  Price is $81 for adults, $40.50 for 15 and under.
  • Canyon
    • Circle of Fire Tour: See above for tour description.  Tour group departs Canyon Lodge Registration Building at 7:45am and returns around 4:15pm, late May through mid August.  Prices are the same.
    • Where Gush The Geysers:   Tour takes you through the thermal basins in West Thumb and along Firehole River, from the Old Faithful area up through the Fountain Paint Pots.  Tour departs Canyon Lodge at 7:45am, returning around 5:00pm daily, mid August through mid September.  Prices are $92 for adults, $46 for children 8-15 (under 8 is free).
    • Across the Northern Range:  Travel to the Roosevelt Corral where you’ll board a stagecoach for a one-hour tour of the Northern Range.  Tours offered daily, and depart from the Canyon Lodge Registration Building at 10:45 am, returning around 2:00pm.  Second week of June through mid August.  Adutls are $46, children 8-15 are $23 (under 8 is free).
    • Wake Up to Wildlife:  Early morning excursion into Lamar Valley for some serious wildlife viewing opportunities.  Tour departs Canyon Lodge Registration Building at 6:15am, returning around 10:30am (via open air Yellow Bus).  Continental breakfast is provided.  Adults are $67, children 8-15 are $33.50 (under 8 is free).  Early June through mid August.
    • Washburn Expedition:  Cross the Northern Range on early the same route as its namesake, then explore Mammoth Hot Springs.  Tour departs the Canyon Lodge Registration Building at 9:00am, returning to the area around 3:00pm.  Late May through mid September.  Adults are $51, children $25.50 (under 8 is free) between early season and mid August.  From mid August through the end of the season, tours are conducted via open air Yellow Buses – Adults are $92, children 8-15 are $46 (under 8 is free).
    • Lamar Valley Wildlife Excursion:  Early evening tour of the wildlife rich Lamar Valley, with chances to see bears, bison, elk, wolves, eagles, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep.  Tours depart Canyon Lodge Registration Building at 5:15pm from mid June through mid August, and at 4:15 from mid August through mid September.  All return approximately 4 hours later.  Adults are $39, children 8-15 are $19.50 (under 8 is free) until mid August.  Mid August through end of season, tours are conducted via open air Yellow Bus – Adults $92, children 8-15 are $46 (under 8 is free).
    • Evening Wildlife Encounters:  Early evening excursion via open-air Yellow Bus make for a perfect wildlife viewing opportunity.  Tours depart the Canyon Lodge at 5:15 pm each evening, returning around 8:30pm.  Early June through mid August.   Adults are $46, children 8-15 are $23 (under 8 is free).
  • Lake Village/Fishing Bridge/Bridge Bay
    • Circle of Fire Tour: See above for tour description.  Tour group departs the Fishing Bridge RV Park at 9:15, Lake Hotel at 9:30, and Bridge Bay Campground at 9:45.  Group returns to the area around 6:00pm each evening.  Prices are the same.
    • Where Gush the Geysers:  Tour takes you through the thermal basins in West Thumb and along Firehole River, from the Old Faithful area up through the Fountain Paint Pots.  Tour departs Lake Hotel at 8:30am, Fishing Bridge RV Park at 8:30am, and Bridge Bay Campgroun at 9:00am, returning around 4:00pm each day.  Mid August through mid September.  Adults are $92, children 8-15 are $46 (under 8 is free).
    • Picture Perfect Photo Safari:  Explore the north shore of Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone areas with a photographic guide.  Specific destinations will vary based on reported wildlife sightings and seasonal conditions.  Departs daily from Lake Hotel at 5:45am or 6:15 am (check with hotel desk for specifics), and returns around 11:30am.  A continental breakfast is provided.  Late May through late September.  Adults are $81, children 15 and under are $40.50.
    • Washburn Expedition:  Cross the Northern Range on early the same route as its namesake, then explore Mammoth Hot Springs.  Tour departs Bridge Bay Campground at 7:45am, Lake Hotel at 8:00am, and Fishing Bridge RV Park at 8:15am, returning to the area around 3:30pm.  Late May through mid September.  Adults are $57, children $28.50 (under 8 is free) between early season and mid August.  From mid August through the end of the season, tours are conducted via open air Yellow Buses – Adults are $92, children 8-15 are $46 (under 8 is free).
    • Yellowstone Lake Butte Sunset Tour:  Enjoy the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake and breathtaking views from the Lake Butte Overlook – a ride through hstory and nature.  Tours depart Lake Hotel in the early evening (between 5:45 and 7:15pm, depending on time of year), and Fishing Bridge RV Park about 10 minutes thereafter, and return approximately two and a half hours later.  Check with the Hotel registration desk or campground office for specific times.  Adults are $32, children 15 and under are $16.  First week of June through end of September.
    • Lamar Valley Wildlife Excursion:  Early evening tour of the wildlife rich Lamar Valley, with chances to see bears, bison, elk, wolves, eagles, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep.  Tours depart Bridge Bay Campground between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, Lake Hotel between 3:15 and 4:15, and Fishing Bridge RV Park between 3:30pm and 4:30pm based on time of year.  See the campground office or hotel registration desk for specific times.  Tour returns to the area approximately six hours later.  Available from mid June through mid September.  Adults are $46, children 8-15 are $23 (under 8 is free) through mid August.  Tours after mid August are conducted in open air Yellow Buses – Adults $92, children 8-15 $46 (under 8 is free).
  • Grant Village
    • Circle of Fire Tour:  See above for tour description.  Tour group departs the Grant Registration Building at 9:15am and dropped off around 6:30pm.  Prices are the same.
    • Teton Vista Rendezvous:  See above for tour description.  Tour group is picked up at the Grant Registration Building at 8:00am and dropped off around 4:30pm.  Prices are the same.

Building Tours

  • Old Faithful Inn.  A docent in period dress will take you on a 45-60 minute tour of the incredible Old Faithful Inn, four times a day (9:30AM, 11:00AM, 2:00PM, and 3:30PM).  Meet by the fireplace in the lobby.  The tour is free.
  • Lake Hotel Tour:  Free one-hour tour departs from the hotel lobby each day.  Check with the registration desk for specific details.
  • Fort Yellowstone Walking Tour.  You can pick up a flyer to guide your walk, or there is a ranger-led tour once a day that starts from the Albright Visitor Center.
  • Museum of the National Park Ranger.  This museum is located at Norris, and is staffed by a seasonal ranger.  It provides a look at the history of the rangers in the national parks.  Free.

Fly Fishing Guide Service

Full day guide service is available through Xanterra (1-877-GEYSERLAND).  Available from Mammoth, Madison, Norris, and Tower/Roosevelt.  A park fishing permit is required for anyone who will be fishing.  Prices range from about $400 and up (depending on the number of people), ad you can rent fly fishing gear for $26 per person.   Offered from early June through early October.  Check with your lodge or campground office for details.

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