Spend a full day exploring Yellowstone’s wildlife hotspots on a private safari from Cody. Naturalist guides tailor the route—Lamar Valley, Slough Creek, Shoshone Canyon—to maximize sightings and teach the ecology behind each encounter.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The road rises out of Cody before the first light has fully settled on the Absaroka Range. You feel the vehicle settle into a rhythm—a slow, intentional pace that lets the landscape reveal itself rather than rush past. Elk stand like bronze sentries on ridgelines, and in low river flats elk and pronghorn move with a watchful ease. Your guide, a naturalist who has spent seasons reading animal tracks and weather patterns, narrows the binoculars and points: a distant dark shape, then another, the valley offering up its private theater.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
10–12 hours
Fitness Level
Low-impact: comfortable sitting for long stretches with short, optional walks; basic mobility is sufficient
Wildlife
History
Yellowstone was designated the world’s first national park in 1872 and its valleys have been travel corridors for Native nations and settlers for centuries.
Conservation
Visitors must follow park regulations to minimize disturbance to wildlife; guides enforce safe viewing distances and promote leave-no-trace practices.
Reserve your spot on the Private Yellowstone Wildlife Safari Tour From Cody, WY today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Layer for changing conditions
Temperatures vary with elevation and time of day—mornings can be cool and afternoons warm; bring a windproof midlayer.
Bring optics and binoculars
Guides supply spotting scopes, but a personal pair of binoculars lets you scan while the guide sets up scopes for the group.
Respect wildlife distances
Always follow your guide’s instructions—approaching animals can stress wildlife and is unsafe for people.
Hydrate for altitude and long days
Drink water steadily; long vehicle hours at 6,000+ feet can dehydrate you faster than you expect.
Layered clothing
Insulated midlayer and windproof shell keep you comfortable across morning chill and afternoon sun.
Binoculars
A personal pair speeds up wildlife spotting before the guide arranges scopes.
Sturdy walking shoes
Supportive shoes handle short grassy or rocky walks at viewing stops.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated at altitude is essential during a long, full-day outing.