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Yellowstone Geyser & Hot Spring Tour
- Private Tour
- 1-6 People
- 7-10 Hours
- Photographer Friendly
- Late April - October
Private Yellowstone Tour: Geysers and Hot Springs
Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the largest volcanoes in the world, with a chamber of partially molten magma that creates the incredible thermal activity in the park. Explore the other-worldly volcanic features of the park on this full-day, private Yellowstone tour, offered April through October.
You’ll visit several famous features, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and other geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Our expert naturalist guide will use their local and geological knowledge to help you understand the complex geothermal and volcanic system in Yellowstone.
We prioritize your safety while allowing you to follow your interests in this private, personalized trip. Bring a camera to capture the rainbow-colored springs and soaring geysers you won’t find anywhere else!
Sample Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour Itinerary
Our guided Yellowstone tours last a full day of 7-10 hours and can accommodate groups of 1-6 people. Please contact us directly to request a larger group size. This tour is available between mid April and late October, whenever roads are open to regular vehicles. Start times vary from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. depending on where you stay in or around Yellowstone National Park.
Morning
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces: Near the park’s North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, we’ll give a crash course on the science behind these unique hot springs. You’ll learn about what’s happening underground, and the microscopic organisms that create the rainbow of colors you’ll find in the hot springs.
Spontaneous Exploration: On the road to our next feature, we may stop to see wildlife or take photos of the spectacular morning light across Yellowstone’s landscape.
Fountain Paint Pots: This colorful geyser basin is home to all four different kinds of geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Take in the greens, blues, and oranges of the pools, along with inspiring views of the surrounding open landscape.
Midday
Picnic Lunch With a View: Stop for a hearty picnic lunch—prepared by us—to fuel the rest of the day. This is a great time to relax and ask your guide questions about the world’s first national park.
Afternoon
Grand Prismatic Spring: This is Yellowstone’s biggest and most colorful hot spring you’ve seen in countless photographs. Walk along the boardwalk around the springs for an up-close look. If you’re up for a short hike, we’ll take you to the overlook to get a bird’s-eye view of the tie-dye-like colors.
Old Faithful: Watch the world’s most iconic geyser spout off and learn why its ‘regular’ eruptions are so unusual. With plenty of other geysers and springs nearby, we’ll take our time here.
Final Stops: Now that they’ve gotten to know you a bit, your guide will decide what stops you would most enjoy on the route back. From waterfalls to wildlife, there’s always more to see in Yellowstone.
Please note: We adapt our itineraries based on your pick-up location, geyser eruption times, seasonal conditions, and your interests. Old Faithful departures will be a reverse of this itinerary.
Departure Times & Locations
6:30 AM - Yellowstone's North Entrance at Gardiner MT or Mammoth WY Choose this option if your are staying in Emigrant, Pray, Paradise Valley, Livingston MT. Duration: 9 to 10 hours.
7:00 AM - Norris Geyser Basin
Choose this option if you are staying at Canyon, Lake, Fishing Bridge or Bridge Bay
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
7:30 AM - Madison Junction
Choose this option if you are staying at West Yellowstone or Island Park
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
8:00 AM - Old Faithful
Duration: 6 to 7 hours
This trip is only available as part of a multi-day tour package.
Please contact us directly with any questions at info@in-our-nature.com
Why Book With Us?
Simple: Better quality experience at a lower price
How? We are local, so we know Yellowstone intimately and you're not paying some out-of-the area guide's lodging costs or big corporate overheads.
Trips are private, so we can adapt to your interests and needs. You won't be packed in a van with a bunch of people you don't know and might not like.
This is our passion, and that shows up in everything we do!
What's Not Included
Gratuity Natinal Park entrance fees: $20/person Weekly, annual, veteran, 4th grader & senior passes also accepted.
Payment Options
We will gladly accept online payment by credit card or by check if mailed in advance.
Have a Question?
Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.
Book Your Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour Now
What’s Included in Your Private Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour
Our tours are adaptable to all ages and abilities. They can be family-friendly, accessible, or include a moderate hike to incredible areas farther from the road. We’ll customize your tour experience to fit the needs of your group and adjust the pace and itinerary to match your interests. Be sure to inform us of any dietary exclusions, physical limitations, and the age of anyone under 18 when booking.
Here’s what’s included in the Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour:
Private Yellowstone Tour Experience
This personalized tour gives you the full attention of your expert guide. Small groups of 1-6 make for an intimate, fun experience.
Comfortable Travel
Sit back and relax in one of our comfortable SUVs or minivans while we handle the navigation and parking for you.
Picnic Lunch
We'll have hot drinks and baked goods for you in the morning, a hearty picnic lunch, and water refills on your trip. Please bring your own water bottle. We happily accommodate most dietary needs.
Expert Naturalist Guide
Our local naturalist guides bring a holistic and in-depth lens to Yellowstone National Park. They’ll make sure you don’t miss things you might not see on your own. Plus, you’ll know you’re safe with an experienced local.
Flexible Stops & Optional Hikes
See something you want to take a closer look at? This private tour offers multiple flexible stops so you can follow your interests, along with optional hikes to picture-worthy viewpoints. Your expert guide will have plenty of suggestions.
Family Friendly + Accessible
Tours can be adapted to accommodate all ages and abilities. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have specific needs or disabilities.
What to Bring on Your Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour
Here’s what to bring to make your Yellowstone experience even more comfortable:
Warm Clothing & Layers
Weather in Yellowstone can change quickly, and temperatures vary widely. Bring plenty of layers no matter the forecast. (A wind layer can come in handy as well.)
Sunscreen & Sunglasses
Regardless of temperature or sun exposure, bring sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and sunglasses to shield yourself from Yellowstone's strong UV rays throughout the day.
Comfortable Shoes
Wear sturdy, closed-toe sneakers or hiking boots for walking on uneven terrain. In early spring, waterproof shoes with good traction can also be helpful.
Cameras
Bring any camera or video recording device you like! Between geysers and wildlife, you’ll want to capture these moments.
Water Bottles
Yellowstone has a dry, high-elevation climate. Bring your own water bottle and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. We’ll provide refills while we’re out and about.
Please Do Not
Smoke, bring firearms, or wear fragrance on our tours
Reviews - Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour
I cannot say enough about using this guide service! We had Hannah as our guide and did a wildlife tour (incredible!) a geology tour and then did a 1 day full hike in Gallatin National Forest! So knowledgeable, energetic and professional we all had a wonderful time and so did our two teenage daughters! My husband was impressed as we were all with her knowledge of animals, plants, the land and history! This trip would have been 1/10th as good if we hadn’t booked with Cara and Hannah was fantastic! If I could give higher than 5 stars I would!
Alison S
June 2023
We had two days of absolutely wonderful trips with Nancy and In Our Nature. This was the first time in Yellowstone for our family of three (2 adults and a nine year old). We did a geology tour and a wildlife tour. Both were the best guided tours we’ve ever had. The trails, the routes, and Nancy’s expert, wise, and funny commentary were invaluable. I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Dan N
August 2021
Cara was all we could have asked for in a nature guide in Yellowstone. Very knowledgeable on everything from the history, geology and animals of the area. What we also liked was we were never lectured on this information, she just shared it with enthusiasm like it was the first time she was telling it. Each day and each guest was clearly a fresh start for Cara that she looked forward to. The thrill of finding any animal was very apparent and she did find us many more then we would have found wandering around the massive area on our own. We will be going back for a different part of the winter season and look forward to having Cara guide us again through an area she clearly loves.
Gerry S
November 2020
Your Tour Questions Answered
What time does Old Faithful erupt?
Old Faithful erupts approximately every hour or hour and a half. The National Park Service posts predicted eruption times regularly on its website. However, Old Faithful is a natural phenomenon and may not always erupt exactly on schedule. Your guide will take you to the viewing area at least 30 minutes before the predicted time to secure a good spot.
Can you touch or go into Yellowstone’s hot springs?
Touching or disturbing the hot springs is strictly prohibited in Yellowstone National Park. It’s also for your safety, with hot spring temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Submerging any part of your body in the hot springs can result in severe burns.
How many geysers are in Yellowstone?
Yellowstone has more than 500 geysers – a small portion of the 10,000 hydrothermal features in the park. Yellowstone is home to more geysers than any place in the world.
Are bathrooms available during the tour?
Restrooms are available at designated locations throughout Yellowstone National Park. Your guide will factor in comfort breaks when planning the tour route and ensure regular stops at areas with restroom facilities.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel more than 30 days before your trip date to get a full refund minus a 10% credit card and processing fee. Cancel 5-29 days before your trip date to get a 50% refund. We typically do not issue refunds if you cancel within 5 days of your booked tour. However, please contact us if exceptional circumstances keep you from attending as we may be able to make alternative arrangements.
Book Your Geyser Basin and Hot Springs Tour Now
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