picture perfect photo safari yellowstone

• May 23, 2019

Yellowstone's Picture Perfect Photo Safari

Updated: Oct 14, 2019

Friday, May 17, 2019

One of the tours offered through Yellowstone National Park Lodges was the "Picture Perfect Photo Safari". After five days of warm and beautiful weather, the safari started at 5:45 AM with a brisk temperature of 36 degrees and chances of snow. As the day progressed, the weather turned from rain into full blown snow with some of the largest flakes we have seen. There were a few minutes of no precipitation where we could get outside the vehicle and take pictures.

The tour originated at the Old Faithful Inn which was a short walk across the parking lot from where we were staying at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

Our mode of transportation was a historic 1936 Yellow Bus named Cripple Creek. Eric, a retired policeman and volunteer fire fighter, was our driver/guide. He provided wonderful information during our drive. Eric told us how the people in the park celebrate Christmas on August 25th. There is a scrawny pine tree growing out of the rock in the middle of a fast moving cold river. Some how some way the tree is decorated with ornaments. It is against park rules, however, to do this. A park ranger then has to take down the ornaments. It is tradition to leave a couple cases of beer for the ranger's effort.

Snow...snow....snow....

There is a story with this picture. We could hear a rumbling sound. Then, rocks and dead tree logs slid down the hillside.

The bison did not care if it rained or snowed.

You certainly can tell it was cold! Check his breath!

Spent some time watching and photographing this bison. Interesting discussion on what happens to injured animals in the park. It is survival of the fittest!

The front right leg looked to be injured. The bison was either attacked or hit by a vehicle.

The poor animal made quite a few attempts to stand.

The bison would rest and then attempt to stand again. For its survival, it must be able to move to search for food.

Heading toward Gibbon Falls, we came across a small herd of bison.

Snow starting to taper off.

The two bison butting heads. Each wanted to rub against the tree.

Gibbon Falls has a drop of approximately 84ft. The falls are located roadside.

We stopped for a snack, blueberry muffins and an assortment of drinks, a couple hours into the trip.

I didn't take a picture of the snacks but, instead, I took pictures of the snow melting off the nearby pines.

Yellowstone is home to over 70 species of birds.

Canadian Goose

Mountain Bluebird

Loved the rings the trumpeter swan made!

A few steps to the right and the color of the water changed from black to silver.

Firehole Canyon Drive was the next stop. The Firehole Canyon Drive is a hidden gem among the pine trees. This 2 mile one-way drive took us through the beautiful canyon where the Firehole River flows, past Firehole Falls, and up to a swimming area. Firehole Falls is a 40 foot waterfall carving its way into the hard rhyolitic rock that the canyon is made of.

Climbed back up the hill and moved over a few yards. Wondered how this hole was carved out.

I could hear a bird but it took a few minutes to locate it as the robin was so well camouflaged against the rocks and the reddish brown decaying pine needles.

As we drove back toward the Old Faithful Inn, the weather improved. Able to take the best bison pictures of the day.

An elk is grazing across the river.

A raised tail means the bison is getting ready to poop or it is anxious.

A bird is hitching a ride.

The bison is annoyed with the bird.

With a quick flick of its head, the bison was rid of the bird.

The fur looks so soft.

"Bobby Sock" lodge-pole pines died from drowning. The dead trees soak up the mineral laden water. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind, turning the lower portion of the trees white.

I wish I had time to set up my tripod and take these pictures. Unfortunately, I had to roll down the crank window and take the pictures from the bus. Off in the distance, we could see what we believe was a coyote eating his kill, high upon a rock.

It would eat for a minute or so and then stop, listen and look around. Once it felt safe, it went back to eating.

Even though it was not the best weather, it was still a fun experience!

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Fantastic adventure on Picture Perfect... - Historic Yellow Bus Tour

• United States    
• Wyoming (WY)    
• Yellowstone National Park    
• Yellowstone National Park - Attractions    
• Historic Yellow Bus Tour

Guide was great. Kept us entertained with lots of facts and stories. We spent some extra time at... read more

We took the 5-hour Photo Safari with guide Noah, who was really great. My son and I had IPhones and... read more

Fantastic adventure on Picture Perfect Photo Safari

We met our guide, Eric, in the lobby of Old Faithful Inn at 5:45 a.m. After a brief intro, we headed out in the historic 1937 yellow bus. It was surprisingly comfortable and provided a great view. Eric provided entertaining and informative commentary about the park as he drove along. At stops along the way, he provided photo composition and exposure tips on how to get the greatest photos. He patiently helped people sort out the controls on their own cameras. Best of all, he quickly adapted to the changing situations. When the fog rolled in, he took us to an eery forest of dead trees. He found a large herd of bison with babies right beside the road where we could safely get close up photos from the bus. His quick thinking guided us to a good viewpoint where we got photos of a coyote hunting. Eric also shared tips about where to explore on our own, which turned into wonderful adventures (and photos) for us later in our park visit. I highly encourage you to take one or more of the historic yellow bus tours early in your visit to Yellowstone. Helpful hint: we also took the Wake-up to Wildlife Tour, which uses the same 1937 buses. The photo tour takes a maximum of 10 guests, versus the wildlife tour takes 13. The photo tour offers landscape photography opportunities, as well as animals. We saw a wider variety of animals on the wildlife tour. Both tours are great and had no overlap, so do both if you can.

We weren't in the Historic Bus but one of its modern cousins. Yellowstone NP was very busy and we were told this is quite normal. A scary feeling seeing it is due to blow up any time as it is overdue for such an event. One travels throughout the cauldron of this super volcano. We visited a number of sites with thermal activity present, including Old Faithful. He was a bit late in blowing but another geyser, in the same area was putting on a great display. Due to forest fires visibility was restricted. A highlight was driving through a large herd of Bison. We saw some deer but no bears. If you are game I suggested that you hire a car and take a few days to fully explore the park.

The Yellow Bus Tour from the Old Faithful Inn was a fun experience. We saw a lot of highlights in the area and were able to get out a various points. Our driver/guide was knowledgable and friendly. We also did the Lamar Valley Tour and had a similar experience. It was a great way to see a few sights. The buses only fit a few people so you aren't with a large group.

We booked the early (6.00 a.m) photo safari from Old Faithfull Inn in the first week of September. Our guide was Sherri Camperchioli. She is a professional wildlife photographer (daisywolfstudio.com). Sherri was great. She took us to some special places with great morning scenery. We where with 8 people of different age and just one had a professional camera. The rest of us had iPad, iPhone or another mobile device to take pictures with. Sherri taught us how to use the mobile devices in a professional way to make the most of the photography functions and take beautiful pictures. And showed us some simple tips and tricks (lenses, apps etc). That was a really nice surprise. Because a lot of us don't have professional camera's and take our mobile device everywhere. She took time for every single person in the group, even if you're not super knowledgeable about your mobile device. The historic bus is a nice bonus. We had sunny weather so when it heated up (later that morning) the roof could be removed and we sat in an open bus. A few days after the tour Sherri sent us some nice pictures she had taken on the tour with us and on paper the tips and tricks she had given during the tour. I think the Picture Perfect Photo Safari is worth the money, the historic bus is a great bonus en Sherri was the best.

We took the tour from Canyon Village on Sept 12th in the Historic Yellow Bus - it turned out to be a GREAT decision! The Yellow Bus was fun to ride in and on our way back our Guide rolled back the roof so we had the thrill of touring in open air through the mountains - an awesome experience! We saw lots of wildlife on this tour as we hoped - mostly in Lamar Valley. Our Guide had a spotting scope and we were able to watch 3 grey wolves feast on a carcass - never would have seen this rare sight otherwise. The spotting scope was also used to see mountain goats which couldn't be seen with the naked eye. Having a Guide who knows where to look for wildlife is priceless. Another great experience was hearing an elk bugling! We also saw buffalo, elk, and Pronghorn. Got an awesome sunrise photo too. Our Guide was very good about granting us lots of photo ops and explaining what we were seeing in detail during our stops as well as during the drive. This tour was worth every penny and I would do it again in a heartbeat. BUT RESERVE EARLY!!!!!

If you are into Yellowstone history and love photography, this is the tour for you! Historic Yellow Bus departs Old Faithful Inn at an early 6am to give you the best possible views and access to the more interesting venues and parts of the geyser basin. Our tour guide (Sherri) was fantastic, allotting some extra time of special points of interest as well as providing assistance to people for photo/camera tips to achieve the best possible results!.

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Photo Safari Old Faithful (2)

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Wildlife & Landscapes

Yellowstone photography tour & wildlife safari.

Destination

Explore the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park through a photographer’s lens. This private safari is an opportunity to practice and enhance your photography skills while you travel through Yellowstone National Park’s incredible landscapes, all with the guidance and keen attention of your professional photography guide.  This region offers diverse photo opportunities you’ll only find here in Yellowstone. Mountains, rivers, snow and ice, sunshine and shadow, wildlife from North America’s greatest apex predators, like wolves and bears, to the smallest mammals and birds, like red foxes, and birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons, marsh birds and waterfowl. On this private wildlife and landscape photography tour,  you will have the best chance to capture the many changing scenarios of weather, wildlife and mystery that the National Park has to offer.

• Premium Private Safari
• Personalized Photography Instruction
• Yellowstone National Park Landscapes & Wildlife Sightings

Our professional photography tours are led by one of our passionate wildlife photography guides who are there to maximize your photography goals and build upon your skills. These tours are tailored to each guest and will benefit both amateur and professional photographers alike. Throughout the day, your guide will work with you to advance your skill set covering topics such as gear, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, framing, lighting, composition, editing, and more.

It’s important to keep in mind that landscape photography opportunities are subject to change due to weather conditions and wildlife photography is dependent on, well…wildlife, and there are no guarantees for close shots or perfect opportunities. Regardless of the conditions of the day, your guide will be happy to help you with your photography gear, answer any questions you may have about photography, and share some of their best photography practices.

This tour is van-based with ample time out of the vehicle for photography and instruction.  We ask that our guests come prepared for a variety of weather conditions and terrain.

A full day private photography tour begins with an early-morning pick up in the Bozeman or surrounding areas in order to maximize wildlife and lighting opportunities. Pick up time will vary slightly depending on these factors, and our photography guides will cater the trip to your creative interests and goals. Whether you are looking to practice your landscape shots in a variety of light and perspective, or are hoping to home in on wildlife habits and behavior, this experience will afford you plenty of ways to practice and explore your photography amidst the wildly diverse setting of Yellowstone National Park.

Your guide will navigate you through the vast terrain and road systems of Northern or Southern Yellowstone, depending on your interest and starting point, paying mindful attention to elements conducive to successful photography conditions. Yellowstone is known for its protected ecosystem, roadways that have strategically placed pullouts offering dramatic vistas of sweeping valleys, winding rivers, crystalline bodies of water that mirror open sky, craggy, alpine peaks and the potential for spectacular wildlife sightings.  Working in this wild space also results in no two pictures being the same; the weather, clouds and lighting vary on a near daily basis. Our guides are well-versed in popular photography spots and will also help encourage you to experiment at each location and challenge you to produce unique work.

The unpredictability of wildlife enhances the experience as well.  While many animals, like bison, elk, moose and pronghorn, wolves and bears have distinct habitats they are typically found amongst during certain seasons, there is always the chance of finding them in unexpected places that could create the set up for an entirely unique photo.  Then there are less frequently seen species, such as otters, fox, pika, badger, or great gray owls. These animals keep you on your toes, potentially darting along a river bank or dashing through an open field and vanishing before the click of a shutter.

Yellowstone’s wildlife and scenery change in every season of the year. We encourage you to book this unique photography experience specific to your landscape and wildlife of interest. Our office and guide staff are available to discuss these options at length.

To finish out our photography tour, your guide will accompany you to a local coffee shop to review your images, discuss successes, comment on areas of improvement, and expand your knowledge of Adobe Lightroom. Our guides will not only put you in the right habitat to get your dream shot, but also help bring your creative vision to life during our editing workshops. One goal of the tour is to see you go home with several successful images that demonstrate your growth and understanding of photographic concepts covered on the tour.

It is important to note that appropriate gear for the season is necessary to accommodate for times when we will need to walk short distances in variable weather conditions.

Your Photography Guides

Grant johnson.

Grant has nearly 20 years of experience as a photographer, filmographer and wildlife guide. He assisted the team filming Shark Week for over a decade while based in Bimini, The Bahamas, where he also offered eco-tours in the Caribbean Sea. He has worked for Yellowstone Safari Co. for 7 years and has extensive experience finding wildlife, especially our wild wolves. He is our Social Media Manager and is responsible for many of our highlighted photos on the web.

What's Included

• Hotel pickup
• Professional naturalist guide
• Private safari
• Catered picnic lunch
• Assorted snack basket
• Non-alcoholic beverages (hot and cold)
• Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
• Guide gratuities
• National Park entrance fees
• Camera equipment

Private Safari (Summer)

Private safari (winter), pickup information.

For all private tours , all of our guests are picked up (and dropped off) at their lodging location.  We pick up in Bozeman , Paradise Valley , Gardiner , and Mammoth .  At the time of reservation, we’ll confirm your exact pickup time, based on the season, as well as your exact pickup location.

Please allow your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled pickup time in case of weather delays or traffic conditions.

Approximate pickup times include:

Summer (April – October)

• 5:30AM Bozeman
• 6:15AM Paradise Valley
• 7:00AM Gardiner
• 7:15AM Mammoth

Winter (November – April)

• 6:30AM Bozeman
• 7:15AM Paradise Valley
• 8:00AM Gardiner
• 8:15AM Mammoth

Our guide was excellent and spotted things that neither my wife or myself would have found or seen on our own. We had a three dog day on day one and saw 14 moose on day two. On day three we saw large herds of pronghorn antelope, bighorned sheep, and both golden and American bald eagles. He was courteous and ensured we were always in position to take the best images possible and did not hurry or rush us to move on. As an amateur photographer and my 6th trip to the park, I took some of the best images I have taken in Yellowstone National Park.

Safari Tour Gallery

All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides .

How close are we going to be to the wildlife on this tour?

Wildlife are unpredictable and are often wary of the roads, but that is not always the case. We do sometimes see mammals and birds within distance for most lenses to capture, even if we walk to better viewing places not near the road. For those guests interested specifically in wildlife photography we recommend bringing or renting the longest lens you feel comfortable using.

Do you provide any photography equipment for this tour?

We do not provide any photography equipment for you on this tour, but do work with a local camera shop in Bozeman, MT where you can rent bodies and lenses for reasonable day-use rates.  If you’d like to have camera gear reserved for your tour, you can rent a pro level kit and it will be ready and waiting for you when we pick you up from your lodging.  Each rental package has a top of the line camera body (Canon, Sony, Nikon or similar) and two lenses, a telephoto zoom for capturing wildlife and a standard zoom (24mm-70mm) for shooting everything from landscapes to historical architecture and thermal features.  **Rentals are subject to availability with our partner.

Will we see any geysers or thermal basins on this tour?

Most of Yellowstone’s geysers such as Old Faithful and hot springs such as Grand Prismatic Spring are located in the southern half of Yellowstone National Park. Our photography safari focuses mostly on the northern range, however if you are interested mostly in the volcanic region of the park we are happy to build a specific itinerary for you!

Photography Specialists

Guide staff.

Local, experienced photography guides.

Naturalist Guide

Elizabeth Parkin

Photography and naturalist guide, further reading, north america’s awe-inspiring wildlife on the northern range, nov 28, 2022.

Yellowstone National Park is widely regarded as the best place in the United States to view and experience our country’s native wildlife, and there is nowhere in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with better access to this abundance of biodiversity than the Park’s awe-inspiring Northern Range…

Yellowstone in Winter

Feb 27, 2023.

The route between Gardiner, MT and Silvergate, MT remains open year-round; this incredible drive will take you by the novel travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, through the iconic Lamar Valley, and eventually to the foothills of the steep beauty that is the Beartooth Mountain Range.  Aside from the scenery, this park region is also rich with wildlife, even during the winter months, so you can get your fill of geothermal features, views, and the opportunity to observe the glorious fauna that Yellowstone is known for…

More Adventures

Keep exploring.

3 Day Bear and Wolf Safari

3 Day Winter Wolves and Wildlife Safari

Yellowstone Multi-Day Photography Tour

Yellowstone Tours

• Hotels & Lodging
• Vacation Planning
• Points of Interest

Popular Yellowstone Tours

Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Since the mid-1960s, at least 2 million tourists have visited the park almost every year. Find some great ideas for tours in winter and summer. Many of the hiking tours can be done on your own.

Yellowstone Association Institute Each year, thousands of people join the park’s official educational partner for a closer look at wildlife, plants, geology, and history. Programs are perfect for curious adults and families who want to spend a day or more exploring the park with a local expert. Their goal is to help you understand and enjoy this remarkable place. To find out more, visit www.YellowstoneAssociation.org or call 406-848-2400.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts Yellowstone’s lodging concessioner also offers a wide variety of park tours and activities during the summer. Visitors can enjoy photo safaris, partial or full day tours, horseback and stagecoach rides, and boating and fishing adventures. For more detailed information pick up an Experience Planner at any hotel or visit YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.

Other Certified Guides & Outfitters Many authorized guides and outfitters are ready to show you the wonders of Yellowstone, and each has a unique approach. To learn about these authorized providers, write to Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, call 307-344-7381, or visit www.nps.gov/yell.

• Guided Backpack and Day Hike
• Boat Tours and Rafting
• Photography Tours
• Fishing Tours
• Wildlife Tours
• Outfitted Tours
• Horseback Riding Tours

Top Tour Companies

• Far and Away Adventures
• Wooden Boat River Tours
• Arrick's Fly Shop
• Yellowstone Adventures
• Yellowstone Arctiv Yamaha
• Jackson Hole Llamas
• Lone Mountain Ranch
• Triangel X Rach

In The Winter: Snowcoach Tours

Snowcoaches have become a popular mode of transportation for anyone traveling inside Yellowstone Park during the winter. Commercially guided snowcoaches travel over snow covered, groomed roads to popular destinations including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Snowcoach tours stop along their routes for a chance to see winter wildlife, experience the smells and sounds of a rushing, icy river, or grab the perfect photo opportunity. Tours leave each day from cities on the edge of Yellowstone such as West Yellowstone, Montana.

Start your Yellowstone Tours here:

Featured tour, firehole basin adventure.

This three-hour exploration will take you to where the action is “steamulating.” Your guide will help you leave with a new appreciation and understanding of Yellowstone’s underground plumbing.

Picture Perfect Photo Safari

Explore the thermal features and scenic areas from the Firehole to the Madison with a photographer-guide who knows the photo hot spots and prime times. Our specific destinations will vary based on reported wildlife sightings and seasonal conditions. Whether you’re an experienced shutterbug or a point-and-shoot novice, you’ll enjoy this experience. Since tours leave early in the morning, please dress warmly. A muffin, coffee and juice will be provided.

Whoa partner! Take the time to “slow down and smell the sagebrush” as you and your horse mosey along the trail below Bunsen Peak. Hour- long horseback rides are offered throughout the day at the Mammoth Corral, less than a mile from the hotel. (To ride a horse a person must be at least 8 years old, 48 inches tall, and weigh under 240 lbs). Reserve in advance.

Geyser Gazers

A 1.5-hour adventure in the Fire Hole, a name bestowed by mountain men of the early 19th century. Enjoy expansive views in the Historic Yellow Bus (top down if the weather’s nice) and take in the sights along Firehole Lake Drive, where Firehole Spring, Surprise Pool, Great Fountain Geyser, and other wonders lie adjacent to the road. From here, this tour plans its major walking stop at Midway Geyser Basin.

Lake Yellowstone Photo Safari: What to Expect

• Post last modified: September 17, 2022
• Post author: Nicole

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Not wanting to miss a spectacular photography opportunity, we booked onto Yellowstone National Park’s Photo Safari Tour to get tips from an expert park photographer.

Typically, we don’t do tours, but occasionally, we make an exception. In this case, personal circumstances kept us from doing our own research before heading off to one of the wildest, most breathtaking areas in the US. Leaving without great photos would have haunted us forever.

To help you choose if Yellowstone’s Photo Safari is right for you, here’s our break down on what to expect from this park offered tour.

This post is not sponsored, we are sharing our experience to help others make the most of their time in Yellowstone National Park.

Table of Contents

The Basics - Yellowstone Photo Safari

• Operating season : Mornings, daily from late May through the end of September
• Pick up points : Lake Yellowstone Hotel or the Old Faithful Inn (both tour different areas of the park)
• Costs : Around $108 per person, but check the Xanterra website for current rates
• Length of tour : 5 hours
• Tour size : Bus seats up to 13 passengers
• Who is the tour best suited for : All levels of photography and wildlife lovers

Booking a Yellowstone Photo Safari

We heard about the photo safari when booking our three night stay at Lake Yellowstone Hotel . We had the choice of adding on the photo safari, along with a dozen other park activities including, horseback rides, cruises, and other tours.

Staying at one of the Yellowstone hotels is not required to book a tour. Though, the morning safaris start around 6 am to catch the sunrise. Don’t underestimate the distances in Yellowstone and how long it takes to reach the pick up location from outside the park.

Costs of the Yellowstone Photo Safari

We felt the cost was very reasonable at $108 per person.

For a little perspective, we looked into private companies with photography tours in Yellowstone. Most only did larger full day or multi-day tours starting from $650+.

For only two of us, these private photography tours were too expensive. Nonetheless, if you have a large group (6-8 people), some private tours allow you to buy the day for a set fee, which may work out reasonable for you.

For everyone else, we feel the Yellowstone Photo Safari offers great value.

Pick up at Lake Yellowstone Hotel

The hotel was stunningly silent as we made our way to the Lake Yellowstone Hotel lobby just before our 6 am pick up. Our group of eight, still half asleep, listened quietly as Doug, our professional photographer and guide, gave us the crucial details of the day; two bathroom breaks and a snack break with muffins and juice.

With another couple, a trio of friends, and a solo woman, our group made a good representation of different types of travelers in the park.

We also had a good mix of camera ability. The solo woman and I were ready with our tripods, full framed cameras, and changeable lenses. Most of the group had nice point and shoots, but we also had two with only camera phones.

Throughout the tour, Doug gave us lots of insight into the park, tons of photo tips, and even instruction on how to use our camera phones and more advanced cameras. There was something for everyone.

Our hot ride for the day was a bright yellow vintage White Motor Co. bus waiting out front of the hotel. With heavy wooden doors, a tarp roof, and a 1920’s look, it’s definitely a memorable part of the experience. When the weather warmed up, we even got to roll back the top.

What to Bring on the Yellowstone Photo Safari

During the Yellowstone Photo Safari from the Lake Hotel, you’ll photograph a sunrise, lake reflections, and a waterfall at the perfect time of day. To make the most of the opportunity, here are some things you will want.

• Tripod : Tripods help get that steady shot for low light situations and long exposures. Heavy tripods work the best when you’re going for perfection, but they are not always practical to carry around. Most of the time, unless we are in windy conditions, a travel tripod works just fine.
• Polarized filter : Filters go on the front of your lens to help filter out unwanted light. If you’ve ever worn polarized sunglasses, then you know polarizers help reduce glare, especially on the water. Even camera phones have polarized filters , but you may struggle to find them for a point-and-shoot. Oh, and no, you can’t fake a good polarization in post-processing software.

Photography Tip

If you have a relatively modern DSLR or mirrorless camera, check your manual for HDR (High Dynamic Range) or bracketing capabilities.

These functions take multiple shots of the same scene very quickly and at different exposures. Combining these photos into one, allows you to pick up all the colors in a scene.

Practice these functions before your trip, so you can use them correctly on the day.

We Started with Sunrise

After piling in our yellow limousine, Doug whisked us off to his favorite sunrise spot in the park. As I respect Doug as a photographer, I won’t give away his trade secret, so you’ll have to take the tour. What I can say, it was a stunning spot that gave me a perfect double sunburst.

As a consolation prize, I can tell you the beach area in front of Yellowstone Lake Lodge was another favorite area for us. First thing in the morning, fog tends to roll over this section of the lake, making lovely, moody photos with beautifully diffused light.

Safari Time

Following sunrise, our guide’s expertise of the park went into overdrive, as he scouted the areas he knew wildlife was recently hanging out.

We tracked down large elk causing a bit of commotion in a campground, a solitary bison wandering the beaches of Lake Yellowstone, and a colony of marmots calling their morning meeting to order.

Of course, no wildlife tour of eastern Yellowstone is complete without a stop in the magnificent Hayden Valley for photos of bison herds.

Disappointingly, the infamous grizzly was too illusive for us. Though our guide knew roughly where a mama grizzly and her cubs were hanging out, we weren’t lucky enough to spot her this time.

More than Just Wildlife

Though the Yellowstone Photo Safari focused on wildlife spotting, the tour also took us to a few easily overlooked, but picture-perfect landscape opportunities.

A little tip, cool mornings turn the air around the hot springs to steam, making it the perfect time for photos.

The last photography tip on the tour is also our favorite. We can share this one with you, as it, along with a lot of other priceless tips can be found in the book Photographing Yellowstone National Park: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them (The Photographer’s Guide) .

Some things in nature are a little more predictable than others. Unlike our illusive grizzly, the rainbow at the base of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon Lower Falls shows up on sunny summer days between 9:30 – 10:15 am. Early summer is closer to 10:15, while by September it’s closer to 9:30.

Make your way to Artist Point to photograph the show.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

• We stayed in the park , at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel , for our first three nights. Sitting right on Lake Yellowstone, we couldn’t have asked for a better location; Hayden Valley sits right between Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Canyon Lodge.
• The nearest town to the center of the park is West Yellowstone . On our forth night exploring Yellowstone, we stayed at Yellowstone Park Hotel , which we felt was a good choice. The rooms were clean, and the location was excellent for something outside of the park.
• The town of Cody is a good choice for exploring the east side of Yellowstone, but we feel it’s too far out to explore the majority of the park. Before entering Yellowstone, we stayed at the Cody Legacy Inn & Suites . We really enjoyed this hotel as we felt it had a lot of character.

Books on Yellowstone National Park

• Guidebook : We picked up the Lonely Planet Travel Guide for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks . Since we visited both parks on this trip, we felt it was good value.
• Photography & Guide Book : Whether you’re into photography or not, the book Photographing Yellowstone National Park: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them (The Photographer’s Guide) makes a great guidebook if you want to be at the right place, at the right time.
• Hike Finder : With detailed descriptions, Best Easy Day Hikes Yellowstone National Park makes picking the best hike for you easy.

More on Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

More posts you may enjoy on Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks:

• Yellowstone National Park: There’s More to the Upper Geyser Basin Than Old Faithful
• Yellowstone National Park : Hayden Valley – Where the Wild Things Are
• Grand Teton National Park’s Hike to Inspiration Point is Popular for a Reason

We recommend and use these companies to arrange our travel plans; they make travel planning easy and affordable. If you have questions on our experiences, feel free to ask us !

• Book Flights: Skyscanner
• Book Accommodation: Booking.com
• Book Rental Cars: Rentalcars.com
• Buy Travel Gear: Amazon

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Stunning photos. Really good job. Thanks for sharing

Thanks so much. We’re glad you enjoyed the photos.

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Picture Perfect Photo Safari - Historic Yellow Bus Tour

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• Wyoming (WY)    
• Yellowstone National Park    
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• Historic Yellow Bus Tour

Guide was great. Kept us entertained with lots of facts and stories. We spent some extra time at... read more

We took the 5-hour Photo Safari with guide Noah, who was really great. My son and I had IPhones and... read more

Picture Perfect Photo Safari

I took the 5:45 am photo safari from the Lake Hotel. It was early to get up while on vacation, but I really wanted to take one of the yellow bus tours and get some good photos. Our guide was Doug and he was great. There were 6 people on this tour and that seemed to be a good number. Most of the people on the tour had serious camera equipment and I only had a point and shoot, but Doug showed me settings on my camera that I didn't know about. I was able to get some really great photos. I would definitely recommend taking this tour.

We took the evening wildlife bus tour with Trevor, and we learned a lot about the history of Yellowstone and its animals. Riding in the open top yellow bus was a lot of fun, and we were able to see bison, a black bear, and pronghorns. The bison on the side and in the middle of the road were wild! Trevor shared a lot of knowledge about many aspects of the park, and made this a meaningful and worthwhile tour.

I would highly recommend the open top Historic Bus tour. It is a small setting with only about 12 people on the bus. Take the evening tour, wildlife seems more active at night. Our guide was fun, made sure we saw wildlife. Saw 4 grizzlies, 2 black bears, coyote, pronghorn, bison, bison and bison. The open top bus really made the trip fun. Took the trip out of Canyon Village and it took us to Lamar Valley for the wildlife tour.

We did the ‘Twilight on the Firehole’ version……..This tour leaves from the Old Faithful Inn……you’re riding in a ‘old yellow bus’ build originally back in the 30’s, but updated a few years ago with a modern drive train and frame…….You’re in a small group (max 13, we had 9 or 10) and our guide (Adam) was very knowledgeable about the park, wildlife, and geology………You leave about a hour or so before sunset….drive north to Fire Hole Canyon Drive and start back toward the hotel stopping at a set of ‘paint pots’ and end at Fountain Geyser….We were lucky enough that it erupted right at sunset (it goes off every 12 hours +\-2 hours, so it’s hit and miss)……You could do this whole tour ‘on your own’ but you don’t get the personal attention and insight the guide provides……..

We took the Historic Yellow Bus half day afternoon tour of Fire Hole basin. Jason was our tour guide and has a contagious love affair with Yellowstone National Park and as a result was a wonderful guide. He even entertained us with lots of Yellowstone information as we sat in a buffalo jam for almost an hour of creeping along behind one lone buffalo who refused to leave the roadway. The tour is excellent and well worth the time and the cost. Had we had more time in the park, I would have booked another tour.

First, the White Automobile (yellow bus) is itself something to behold. The story of how these automobiles came to popularity, eventually went away, and then were resurrected, makes for a great start to a tour. We started at Mammoth, toured the lion's share of Lamar Valley, and returned. I'm sure tripadvisor will tell you that the Lamar Valley is the place to be for wildlife viewing, and that was certainly our experience. Not only on this tour, but throughout our visit to the park. During our tour we saw some mountain goats, a badger, some white goats (I'm not using the proper nomenclature here), tons of bison, and a black bear. Pretty good! And because the vehicle can go topless, you can stand right up (once movement stops) and take photos from your seat. Pretty cool! Here's my caveat: if you aren't that excited about the bus then just take an evening drive out the Lamar yourself. As the other reviewer said, binoculars are helpful and a scope is best if you want to have the best view of hard-to-see wildlife. If, like us, you were staying outside the NE entrance of the park (Cooke City entrance) then you'll do this drive every time you enter/exit the park and you're likely to see the same wildlife from your own vehicle.

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Elektrostal

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