The Lower Loop tour in Yellowstone National Park is our top-rated excursion. This full-day guided adventure begins in the morning from Jackson Hole, and we make our way through many of the scenic highlights of Yellowstone. Explore Yellowstone in a high end van with a knowledgeable guide.
Description
Yellowstone’s Lower Loop is our most popular excursion. It is a full-day tour. We leave
Jackson Hole early in the morning and travel through Grand Teton National Park on our way to
Yellowstone enjoying the early morning sun as it shines on the Teton Mountains. The Teton Mountains
are among the world’s most photographed majestic ranges, and you will see why. Once in Yellowstone
we circle the Lower Loop which encompasses several of Yellowstone National Park’s most famous
geothermal features such as the Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Norris Geyser Basin, and
Volcano Mud Pots.
The Lower Loop includes beautiful natural wonders like Yellowstone Lake, the Upper and Lower
waterfalls, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
The tour will take you to the Hayden Valley, home to one of the largest herds of bison (buffalo) in the
park. Along with bison, other wildlife such as elk, eagles, bighorn sheep, moose, wolf, mule deer live in
the Hayden Valley.
The Lower Loop is one of the best ways to see many of the park’s most popular sites in one day. It takes
may trips to explore the Yellowstone ecosystem so if your time is limited, the Lower loop is the ideal
tour to maximize your time in America’s first National Park.
Cost
$425.00 per person (Minimum of 3 people). The tour maximum is 8 guests.
Meeting Time : 7 AM
Return Time : 7 PM
Season
Season dates : May15th through October 31st
Points of Interest/Itinerary
Here is an example of a typical Lower Loop Tour.
Pick up in Jackson Hole designated meeting place
Drive through Grand Teton National Park – we stop Oxbow Bend for a quick coffee and
spectacular views of the Teton peaks and Mt Moran. If it is sunny, you will see the morning sun
cascading across the simmering granite peaks
Entrance to Yellowstone National Park
West Thumb Geyser Basin – located on the banks of Yellowstone Lake this basin geysers and
hot springs such as the Abyss, Black Pool, and Fishing Cone Hot Springs.
Mud Volcano – the Mud Volcano thermal area has muddy hot springs and fumaroles located
near one of the Yellowstone Volcano vents. Here is the Sulfur Cauldron, one of the most acidic
features in the park with a pH of battery acid, and the Dragon Mouth Spring. The Mud Volcano
stop is quite unique.
Hayden Valley – here we often see large herds of bison, grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, and
elk. This is one of the few places in the world where wolves, grizzlies and bison coexist in an
area easily accessed by paved roads.
Upper/Lower Yellowstone Falls – We stop at Artist Point and Uncle Tom’s trail which are the
best places to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, home to the Upper and Lower
Falls. At 308 feet, the Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall in Yellowstone. It’s more than double
the height of Niagara Falls
Canyon Village – this is a good mid-way point to stop. We have lunch here. Visitor area shops,
restrooms and facilities are at this stop.
Artist Paint Pots – this is a group of 50 springs, geysers, vents, and mud pots exhibiting varying
shades of blue, gray and brown which have a variety textures.
Norris Geyser Basin – Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of
Yellowstone’s thermal areas. The highest temperature yet recorded in any geothermal area in
Yellowstone was measured in a scientific drill hole at Norris: 459°F and is home to Steamboat
Geyser, the world’s tallest , currently active geyser
Grand Prismatic – Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstone’s most colorful and largest hot spring at
200-330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep.
Old Faithful lodge and visitor center – the average interval between eruptions of Old Faithful
Geyser is around every 90 minutes which makes it the most predictable geyser in the park.
Seeing Old Faithful is one of the must-do activities in Yellowstone. The historic lodge and visitor
center make it easy to spend time exploring the midway geyser basin while you wait for Old
Faithful’s next exhilarating eruption.
Exit Yellowstone National Park – t he return ride to Jackson at sunset in Teton National Park is a
relaxed way to wind down your day of exploration in the parks.
Teton Your Guides are experts on getting the most out of your experience in the parks. It
takes several weeks to see everything. Things can occur that are out of our control such as
weather, traffic, and guest needs which may require us to alter times and itinerary.
Included in your experience
- Coffee.
- Breakfast snacks.
- Lunch and snacks.
- Transportation and guide for the day.
- Hotel or meeting place pick up and drop off.
- Use of binoculars and spotting scope.
- Use of available Nikon camera bodies and telephoto lenses
Not Included in the tour
- Parks entrance fees
- SD cards for loaner cameras
- Guide gratuity.