Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls & Wildlife Day Tour from Jackson Hole
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
13 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels—requires ability to stand and walk short boardwalk sections multiple times during the day.
Overview
Spend the day traversing Yellowstone’s famed Lower Loop from Jackson Hole: Old Faithful erupts, painted mud pots bubble, and Hayden Valley offers world-class wildlife viewing. A naturalist guide, scopes and a picnic lunch turn hype into a high-quality, full-day introduction to the park’s geology and fauna.
Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls & Wildlife Day Tour from Jackson Hole
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You start before sunrise, the Tetons a low-black ridge to the east while the van eases onto U.S. 26 and the road that leads into Yellowstone. The air tightens with cold and expectation: steam rises ahead from boiling pools, and in the wide, watery valleys, bison silhouettes move like weather. Guides hand out scopes and binoculars and the group falls quiet the way a forest does when something alive passes through.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Dress in layers
Temperatures swing widely—mornings are cold, geothermal zones are steamy, and afternoons can warm quickly; pack a lightweight insulated layer.
Bring a telephoto lens
Wildlife viewing is mostly roadside—use a 200–400mm lens or good binoculars to capture animals without approaching.
Stay on boardwalks
Geothermal features are fragile and scalding—always remain on marked paths for safety and conservation.
Hydrate and snack
It’s a long day with limited services; bring a refillable bottle and light snacks even though a picnic lunch is provided.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bison
- Grizzly bear
History
Yellowstone was established as the world’s first national park in 1872; early park infrastructure like Old Faithful Inn reflects the turn-of-the-century park development era.
Conservation
Stay on trails and boardwalks—thermal features are fragile and off-trail footsteps destroy microbial mat communities; use provided optics rather than approaching wildlife.
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Adventure Hotspots in Jackson, WY
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Good traction and ankle support for boardwalks and short dirt paths.
Layered jacket (windproof/insulated)
Spring mornings are cold and wind can be sharp at overlooks.
spring specific
Telephoto lens or binoculars
Bring optics for safe, detailed wildlife viewing from the roadside.
Sun protection and water bottle
High-altitude sun is intense and hydration stations are limited.
summer specific