Yellowstone Wildlife Hike: Explore Lamar Valley

Embark on an exciting Lamar Valley Safari with Yellowstone Hiking Guides. Explore the backcountry of Yellowstone, spot rare wildlife, and make unforgettable memories.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Lamar Valley - Embark on a six-mile journey through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, renowned as the premier spot for hiking and wildlife observation in North America. An experienced guide will expertly lead the way to wildlife viewing areas and breathtaking vistas inaccessible by road. The guide will assist in navigating the…
What's Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Tea and coffee
  • Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
What's Not Included
  • Admission to Yellowstone National Park: $35 per vehicle, good for one week
  • Bottled water
  • Rain jacket and fleece layer
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Yellowstone Hiking Guides expertly escorts hiking groups into the Lamar Valley for a wildlife viewing day hike tour.
The guides possess extensive knowledge of Yellowstone’s distinctive wildlife. Ensuring safety and enjoyment are their top priorities. Often, participants observe wolves, bears, and other rare wildlife from the trail in Yellowstone’s…

Location
Lamar River Trailhead
Specimen Ridge Trail
Meet at 8 AM at the Lamar River Trailhead from May-September.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(143 Ratings)
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1 star
573phillipr
Jul 13, 2025
Early morning sunrise to meet Oliver was Totally Worth It. - So when I grow up, I want to be just like Oliver and have a job that lets me walk around the coolest part of Yellowstone and teach the participants much more than they anticipated. We woke up at 4:30 to make this trek and I would do it over and over. From where we were based we entered Yellowstone at sunrise, had the place to ourselves while going to the meeting spot to find Oliver. We saw a bear and awesome sunrise scenes along the way. After reaching Oliver at the hiker trailhead (do not stop at the horse trailhead), the real journey began. We hiked (safely) around two large herds of bison and saw scores of other animals. Oliver talked with all participants in a personal way and answered EVERY question thrown his way—history and environmental themes alike. Lunch was too much for me but I ate the leftovers in the car later. We drank more wanted than was recommended but we needed it. Our companions were great, entertaining, and examples of why our national parks are so special in different ways than you might expect. I would do this trip with Oliver every year if that were possible.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marissabg6934bs
Jul 13, 2025
Loved Lamar Valley Hike - The hike was amazing! It was a once in a lifetime chance to see a variety of diverse animals. We sighted and photographed badgers, bison, prong horns, osprey, Sandhill cranes, ravens and ground squirrels. Our personable and knowledgeable guide Oliver relayed real time information about the animals, the park and answered every question posed. We saw two different buffalo herds from a safe distance giving a perspective not available from the road.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_p
Jul 11, 2025
Great guided hike! - This was a great hiking tour! The guide was so knowledgeable about everything, friendly, and accommodating. It was a wonderful morning hike and opportunity to see Lamar Valley through an experts eyes!
Review provided by Viator
Jeffku3891op
Jul 9, 2025
Bison and awe!! - Only if you want a once in a lifetime experience…read on! On a beautiful sunny day we embarked on our tour of the Lamar Valley. We met Oliver in the parking area described in the confirmation who was ready with hot drinks on the cool morning. On our journey we saw bison, pronghorn and deer while enjoying amazing vistas and fascinating views from near the river or on the hillside. Along the way Oliver demonstrated deep knowledge of our surroundings, the park history , animal behaviors then we debriefed during the tour provided lunch break. This was as an amazing and inspiring experience. Thank you for a memorable experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jziegeptc
Jul 6, 2025
Great Hike / Great Time. Thank you Emily! - Emily was our leader and she was super knowledgeable and helpful!! She showed us a lot of different things/ sites/ animals and helped us a lot with a couple trails that were a little rough!! It was an awesome opportunity!! She brought great snacks and lunches!! Yellowstone Hiking Guides sent us GPS pins so we would know exactly where to meet for the hike!! Great Hike and Great time!! Highly Recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robertcp4504bh
Jul 3, 2025
Saw tons of wildlife!! - We took the Lamar Valley wilderness safari. Dallas, our tour guide, did an amazing job guiding us through the valley. He pointed out numerous plant and landscape features. He was very knowledgeable and positioned us perfectly to see a large herd of bison crossing the Lamar River. A great experience overall.!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_l
Jun 25, 2025
Not too strenuous. Good... - Not too strenuous. Good way to explore Lamar Valley a little bit deeper and see wildlife beyond the road.
Review provided by Viator
Mark_h
Jun 23, 2025
Went first week of June-... - Went first week of June- area was beautiful with lots of bison, prong horns, and other animals. Our guides (Emily Jo and Michelle) were very knowledgeable in the area’s history and wild life. We didn’t encounter a bear but if we did they prepped us greatly for it.
Review provided by Viator
Leslie
Jun 21, 2025
Interesting Hike - Was very interesting to be “right in” the eco-system of Lamar Valley…near herds of bison, seeing baby pronghorns pop out of low sage bushes where they have been hidden by their moms from predators, and learning about bear, wolves bison, pronghorns behaviors. Walking at safe distances from bison herds was very cool. Keeping safe distance from lone males was interesting. Learned a lot. Then when we were done we drove past lots of people on the road viewing Lamar valley through binoculars that looked so far away and where we just hiked! Lunch and snacks were a nice addition and our guide was very pleasant, knowledgeable and answered many questions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Callie
Jul 9, 2025
Informative and full of nature - The tour itself was great, tour guide was very informative and we got to see a lot of animals. However, instructions on where to meet weren’t very clear.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $182
up to 14 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).