
moderate
5 days
Moderate fitness for repeated short hikes and long vehicle days; should be comfortable walking 1–3 miles on boardwalks or uneven trails.
Sleep inside Yellowstone at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, watch eruptions at dawn and pair geothermal wonders with the jagged skyline of the Tetons on this curated 5-day small-group tour. Practical routing, in-park lodging, and guide-led stops make it a compact way to see the parks without the driving stress.
The day begins before most hotels in the valley have brewed their first coffee: fog lifts off meadows, and a Mercedes-Benz van hums east from Salt Lake City, carrying a small group toward a landscape that breathes steam and stone. By late afternoon the road narrows, lodge chimneys puncture the skyline and Old Faithful’s regular heartbeat—an eruption—reminds everyone how close they are to the planet’s plumbing. Sleeping two nights at Old Faithful Snow Lodge gives this run-of-the-park tour a rare advantage: you’re inside the geothermal theater rather than viewing it from the highway.

Old Faithful sits around 7,300 ft—drink extra water the day you arrive and carry 1–2L on hikes to avoid altitude fatigue.
Pack a windproof shell and mid-layer—temperatures can swing 20–30°F between morning and afternoon.
Binoculars are provided—use them; remain at least 25 yards from wildlife and stay in the vehicle if animals block the road.
Dinner at Old Faithful Snow Lodge is limited—book at check-in or bring snacks for late arrivals.
Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the first national park; the Snow Lodge began operation to give visitors an immersive inside-the-park lodging experience.
Visitors are urged to stay on boardwalks to protect fragile thermal features; the tour operator follows park rules to minimize human impact and manages group sizes to reduce congestion.
Support and traction for boardwalks, muddy paths, and rocky overlooks.
Quickly adjust to cold mornings, warm afternoons, and wind at high viewpoints.
Carry water, snacks, camera, and a light first-aid kit during on-foot stops.
Useful for wildlife in Hayden Valley and scanning distant thermal features from overlooks.