Yellowstone Tours & Vacation Packages

Four days is the shortest trip that works from Salt Lake City or Denver, and most of that is covered by distance rather than time at each stop. The park is large enough that the main thermal areas sit hours apart, and Grand Teton is a separate park to the south. Five and six day routes add time inside the park rather than more destinations. From the coast the same trip needs a week or more, because two of those days are spent reaching Wyoming.

The two parks share a boundary, and the road south from Yellowstone runs straight into Grand Teton and on to Jackson Hole. Adding it costs little in driving time and changes what you see — Yellowstone is thermal features and wide valleys, while Grand Teton is a mountain range rising directly from flat ground with no foothills in front of it. Tours from Salt Lake City pass through this way in both directions.

Tours run from around May to September, which is when the park's roads are open to coaches. Roads close for winter and reopen in stages in spring, so early-season itineraries can differ from mid-summer ones. July and August are the warmest and busiest months; the shoulder weeks at either end are quieter. Departure dates for each tour are listed on its page, and those are the definitive answer for any given year.

Often, but never on a schedule. Bison are the most commonly seen and sometimes cross the road in front of traffic. Elk, deer and pronghorn are widespread. Bears and wolves are possible but far less predictable, and sightings depend on where the group happens to be and when. Guides know which valleys and times of day give the best chance. Animals are viewed from the coach or from a distance on foot — approaching them is not permitted anywhere in the park.

Hotel accommodation, coach transport and a guide throughout the route. Park entrance is arranged as part of the tour rather than bought separately at the gate. Some itineraries include a cabin stay in or near the park, which is stated on the tour page — accommodation elsewhere on the route is in the gateway towns outside the boundary. All activities are optional, and the advertised price includes every mandatory fee.

Not always. Several routes are one-way — Denver to Salt Lake City is the most common, and routes from the coast sometimes finish in a different city again. The ending city is stated on each tour page. On one-way routes, return transport to the starting city is not included, so book your outbound and return flights to match before confirming the tour.

Thermal areas are crossed on raised boardwalks rather than trails, and the main viewpoints are short walks from the parking areas. The harder part is the driving — Yellowstone routes involve long stretches on the road each day, and days start early to reach the park. The park also sits at altitude, higher than any of the departure cities, which travelers arriving from sea level sometimes notice. Small-group options in vans carry fewer travelers than full coaches.

Meals are not usually included, and groups stop where travelers order individually. Food options inside the park are limited to lodges and visitor facilities, and the distances between them are long, so carrying water and something to eat is worth doing. Many tours carry a Vegetarian-Friendly label, meaning vegetarian options are available at the planned stops. Note dietary requirements when you book rather than on the day.