2-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure: Old Faithful, Lamar Valley & Oxbow Bend
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 days (≈48 hours)
Fitness Level
Light activity level; participants should be comfortable standing and walking short distances on boardwalks and gentle trails.
Overview
This two-day, small-group loop through Grand Teton and Yellowstone compresses the parks’ top wildlife viewing and geothermal highlights into an accessible itinerary. Expect Oxbow Bend reflections, Lamar Valley wildlife, Old Faithful eruptions, and expert naturalist commentary—plus one overnight in Cooke City or West Yellowstone.
2-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Wildlife Adventure: Old Faithful, Lamar Valley & Oxbow Bend
Select participants and date
The bus hums before dawn as the Tetons cut a serrated silhouette against a cold, pale sky. By the time the first light pools on the Snake River, a handful of bison are already grazing at Oxbow Bend, their breath steaming in the chill. On a two-day loop that threads Grand Teton and Yellowstone, wildlife is the reason you come, but the trip is stitched together with geysers, canyon rims and human stories that explain how this wild country came to be protected.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start before sunrise
Wildlife is most active in the early morning—be ready at pick-up and bring a headlamp for pre-dawn loading.
Carry optics and keep distance
Use binoculars or a telephoto lens rather than approaching animals; guides will maintain safe viewing distances.
Layer for rapid weather changes
High plateaus can go from warm sun to snow; pack a waterproof outer layer and insulating mid-layer.
Respect thermal features
Stay on boardwalks and marked paths—thermal ground is fragile and dangerously hot beneath thin crusts.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bison
- Gray wolf
History
Yellowstone was established as the world’s first national park in 1872; nearby Mormon Row preserves early 20th-century homesteading history in the Teton Valley.
Conservation
Stay on designated trails and boardwalks—thermal features are fragile and human-wildlife interactions strain animal behavior. Support Leave No Trace practices to protect corridors and critical habitat.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Jackson, WY
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Binoculars (8–10x)
Essential for safe, long-distance wildlife viewing without disturbing animals.
Layered jacket (waterproof shell + insulation)
Protects against sudden weather changes at elevations between 6,000–8,000 ft.
Sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots
Support and traction for boardwalks, short hikes, and uneven parking-area terrain.
Bear spray (carry and know how to use)
Recommended in bear country—store accessibly and follow guide instructions.