2-Day Yellowstone National Park Upper and Lower Loop Exploration

Explore both the Upper and Lower Loop of Yellowstone National Park in two days. This is one of our most popular tours of Yellowstone; both loops in two days with an overnight stay at Chico Hot Springs, in Pray Montana (given availability at time of booking). Two unforgettable days in the world’s first National Park and a night enjoying the hospitality of Chico Hot Springs Resort. 

We secure lodging, while guests pay for rooms upon checki-in.  If lodging at Chico Hot Springs is not available at the time of booking, lodging will be arranged in Gardiner, MT, specific property dependent on availability. 

The two day format allows for ample time to enjoy the many wildlife encounters, as well as numerous short hikes and boardwalk excursions throughout the tour.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day one, heading north from Jackson, WY.

Pass By: Grand Teton National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
We will travel through Grand Teton National Park as we head north towards Yellowstone. We will have a couple of short stops for photo opportunities along the way. Park entrance fees will be collected at the entrance gate.

Pass By: Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
We will approach the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Park entrance fees to Yellowstone will be collected at this time.

Stop At: Old Faithful, Center Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
We will make a stop at Old Faithful to witness the eruption of Old Faithful Geyser, will also have the opportunity to witness various other geysers and thermal features.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY
We will stop to explore Midway Geyser Basin, including Grand Prismatic Spring.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Fountain Paint Pot, Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY
We will stop to explore Lower Geyser Basin, various thermal features to explore.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, WY
We will explore the Firehole Canyon, beautiful scenery, photo opportunity with waterfalls.
Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Gibbon Falls, Along the Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY
A beautiful waterfall on the Gibbon River, enjoy the view as we drive by.

Pass By: Gibbon Meadows, Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the chance at spotting wildlife.

Pass By: Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Loop Road at Norris, Yellowstone National Park, WY
This is an optional stop to explore Norris Geyser basin, time constraints do not always allow us to stop here.

Stop At: Golden Gate Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Enjoy the scenery and photo opportunities as we start to descend off the Yellowstone Plateau towards Mammoth Hot Springs.
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
We will explore the Mammoth Hot Springs terrace formation. Short boardwalks and scenic drive.
Duration: 45 minutes

Pass By: Gardiner, Gardiner, Montana
Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we descend the Gardiner River Canyon towards the north entrance of Yellowstone, Gardiner Montana.

Pass By: Chico Hot Springs, #1 Old Chico Road, Pray, MT
Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Yellowstone River and Paradise Valley as we drive north towards Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Meals included:
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Day 2 heading south from Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Pass By: Paradise Valley, Montana
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone River as we head south towards Gardiner, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Pass By: Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
We will have another opportunity to explore Mammoth if we did not have time on day one. Then off towards Lamar Valley.

Stop At: Undine Falls, Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
A quick stop at a beautiful waterfall, some geological points of interest here as well.
Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Blacktail Plateau Drive, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Enjoy the scenery and the chance at viewing wildlife as we travel through the Blacktail area of Yellowstone.

Stop At: Petrified Tree, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
A quick stop to view and discuss one of the few Petrified trees accessible by road in the Park.
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Enjoy the scenery and the chance at viewing wildlife as we travel towards and into Lamar Valley. Great opportunity to spot Grizzly Bears, wolves, bison, big horn sheep and more!
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tower Fall, Yellowstone National Park, WY
We will stop to view and explore the Tower Falls area, some photo opportunities and short walks, as well as the chance to view big horn sheep, beautiful views, and engaging geology.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Canyon Village Area, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel over Dunraven Pass towards the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. A couple photo opportunities and the chance at viewing wildlife.

Stop At: Lower Yellowstone River Falls, Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY
We will stop at various viewpoints and short walks to view the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, as well as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone river as well. Beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and engaging geology.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Upper Falls, Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
A quick stop and short walk to the Brink of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. Beautiful waterfall viewing opportunity.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and varied wildlife viewing opportunities as we travel through Hayden Valley. Bison, wolves, and grizzly bears are commonly spotted in the valley. A couple of photo opportunities and a stop or two to view wildlife.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Yellowstone Geysers - Mud Volcano Area, Yellowstone National Park, WY
If we have time to stop we will spend a few minutes exploring the Mud Volcano area, otherwise we will pass by given timing. Interesting thermal features and a short walk on the boardwalk.
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Yellowstone Lake, Grand Loop Road Between Fishing Bridge and Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel past Yellowstone Lake, a few photo opportunities and the chance for viewing wildlife.

Pass By: Jackson, Jackson, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
We will head south from Lake Yellowstone towards Jackson, WY, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the South end of Yellowstone and Grand Teton as we head back to Jackson, WY. Some photography opportunities as well as the chance to view wildlife on our way south.

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: We typically lodge at Chico Hot Springs in Pray MT. We sometimes will lodge in Gardiner MT if no availibiltiy at Chico.