Yellowstone National Park Tours

Yellowstone National Park is located 80 miles from Red Lodge, Montana along US 212, also known as the Beartooth Highway. Sign up for a guided tour through Yellowstone National Park to make the most of your visit.

After descending from the scenic highway, you'll pass through the tiny towns of Cooke City and Silver Gate before you enter the park through the northeast entrance. These quiet mountain towns are definitely authentic and rustic with log cabins nestled at the foot of majestic peaks. There aren't a lot of shops in the area, but the Cooke City General Store is worth checking out. It was built in 1886 and is the oldest building in town. Open only in the summer, you can purchase groceries, t-shits, gifts, and even a fishing license.

The northeast entrance is the least traveled entrance, making it a good choice if you are looking to escape the summer crowds. This entrance will lead west and bring you to Trout Lake, named for its large population of cutthroats, and Soda Butte, the only thermal feature in this side of the park. Eventually you'll enter Lamar Valley. Lamar Valley is considered one of the most beautiful parts of Yellowstone and is an excellent place to view wildlife. Bison, elk, and mule deer are commonly seen roaming about this glacial-carved valley. Although rare, wolf sightings are more common in Lamar Valley than anywhere else in the park.

The northeast entrance is open to automobiles year round. However, US 212 east of Cooke City it closed from November through May. Chains may be required for vehicles entering through the northeast entrance in the winter.

Tours

Once inside Yellowstone National Park, the opportunities are endless. There are many tours offered by the park service as well as by private companies.

The park offers a variety of ranger led programs in all areas of the Yellowstone. These programs are offered several times a day and activities range from nature walks, geology talks, history lessons, and behind the scenes storytelling. With the absence of city lights, astronomy lessons are held at night. Rangers also offer 8 different adventure hikes. All are half-day hikes with some being more strenuous than others. Fees apply. These hikes fill up quickly so make reservations early. If you are traveling with children, the park also offers ranger led programs designed for kids. There are two junior ranger courses: a winter course and a spring/summer course. Children will learn in-depth information about the natural wonders that make up Yellowstone.

Many private companies offer a wide variety of tours and programs that range from wildlife viewing to Yellowstone educational courses. There are tour companies for almost every recreational activity you can think of: fly-fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hiking. Some companies offer combination tours such as a horseback riding and fishing trip, or a hiking and wildlife photography adventure.