Hiking and Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, WY, please refer to the Yellowstone National Park Website and Wyoming Department of Health.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local naturalist hiking guide or biologist with extensive knowledge of the area
  • A half-day or full-day of hiking, or a full-day of wildlife watching
  • Snacks (half-day hikes), lunch (full-day hikes), brunch and hot drinks (wildlife watching)
  • Bear spray for hikes
  • Water refills 
  • High quality scopes and binoculars

What’s not included:

• • Transportation 
  • Accommodations
  • Park entrance fees ($20 per person, $35 per family)

The best thing about hiking and wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley is that people of all ages and abilities can participate. On easier hikes, you’ll cross gentle and mostly flat terrain with minimal elevation gain. Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation (up to 700 feet) and the trails include sections of rocky terrain and other obstacles. Moderately strenuous hikes have uneven rocky terrain and other obstacles with up to 1,000 ft of elevation gain. On advanced hikes, you’ll encounter steeper, rocky terrain, possibly off-trail, with steep inclines and possibly over 1,000 ft in elevation gain. The minimum starting elevation is about 6,000 ft above sea level and you’ll go up from there. Keep in mind that you’ll carry a daypack and that you’ll need to drink lots of water in this environment.

For wildlife watching, you won’t need to stray too far from the vehicle as wildlife watching is most effective from the road (with short walks to vantage points, up to about a half-mile each). Daily departures are at dawn (5 to 6 am in the summer, 7 am in the winter) and the duration of the tour is typically 7 to 8 hours.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder with at least 2L of water
  • Waterproof insulated shoes (with slip-resistant soles)
  • Warm layers
  • Spare clothes for layering
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Lightweight hiking pants
  • Warm hat
  • Insulated gloves
  • Sunhat
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this private wildlife watching tour, the max. client to guide ratio is 6:1.
  • For the private hiking tours, the max. client to guide ratio is 10:1. 
  • Cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike or watch wildlife with friends and family!

Hiking and wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 are welcome, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

• • Cancellations up to 30 days before your trip date will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee.
  • Cancellations between 29 and 5 days before your trip date will receive a 50% refund.
  • For cancellations within 5 days of booking refunds will not be provided.

To get to the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana just under 3 hours away from the Lamar Valley. From there, you can rent a car to get to the Lamar Valley.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet your guide at the trailhead in Lamar Valley for the hiking tours or at Lamar Buffalo Ranch for the wildlife watching tour.

When it comes to the wildlife watching tour, you’ll depart at dawn (5-6 am in the summer; 7 am in the winter) and the tour duration is typically 7 to 8 hours. Half-day hikes last up to 5 hours, while full-day hikes last up to 8 hours. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.