Lamar River Private Hike
Yellowstone National Park
5.0 (10 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Abundant Wildlife Habitat
- Idyllic River Valleys
- Top-of-the-line Gear
- Vast, Open Meadow Systems
- Diverse Flora & Fauna
- Wonderful Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
If wildlife is your passion, let us lead you through the “American Serengeti” on the Lamar River Trail. The Lamar Valley is renowned for its abundant wildlife. This trail in particular, lets you leave the roads and crowds behind you to follow the footsteps (often literally) of the animals into the backcountry. This out and back hike will lead us over a footbridge across Soda Butte Creek where ducks, loons, and swans abound. From there, we continue across the meadows through thriving bison habitat. We’ll scan the tree lines for big horn sheep, pronghorn, and the famous grey wolf as we continue through the valley. We will find a scenic spot for a nutritious picnic. Based on your goals for the day, we will gradually climb up toward Specimen Ridge or turn around earlier for a lighter hike. No matter how far we hike or how many animals we see, this trail is always rewarding with mountain views, wildflowers, and solitude.
Please note: this hike is operated by Wildland Llamas, a separate company from Wildland Trekking, but with shared management and guide teams. Wildland Llamas is a licensed stock outfitter and guide company in Yellowstone National Park.
$190-$550 Per Person
Season: May 15-Sept
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
The trail for this day hike is well maintained, with light elevation gain. Bison can sometimes be an issue (and highlight), especially as they start to congregate in Lamar Valley for the rut.
Hiking Distances:
4-8 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 750 ft
Heights Exposure:
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 4-7 hours
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
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Rates
- 1 person: $550
- 2 people: $290 per person
- 3 people: $260 per person
- 4-5 people: $215 per person
- 6-7 people: $190 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include gratuity for your guide
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Tour dates reflect general availability. You will select your desired hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is May 15-September.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone
What's Not Included (Required)
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall)
- Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
- Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
- Sunhat
What's Not Included (Recommended)
- A cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Sunglasses
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Gratuity for your guide
Food: What To Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
We will meet at the parking area south of the gas station at Tower Junction. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in Yellowstone
Being a Northern mountain environment, Yellowstone is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Yellowstone. On the Spring/Fall Trekking Adventure in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures in Yellowstone:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 70° | 42° |
| July | 80° | 47° |
| August | 78° | 45° |
| September | 68° | 37° |
Trip Reviews
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Joseph B
Amazing Hike
Sara was an amazing guide with a wealth of knowledge. I asked 1 question that she wasn't sure of, within 2 hours after our hike, she texted with the answer
Eric H
Truly Enjoyable Trip
I recently returned from a day trip with Wildland Trekking and had an incredible time on our hike through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone! Our guide, Sara, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable of the area and made the trip truly enjoyable. Looking forward to doing another trip with Wildland Trekking in the future!
Heather R
Wouldn't hesitate to do another!
We did the Lamar Valley and Bunsen Peak hikes with Sara as our guide. We had such a great time on both! Sara was so knowledgeable about the area, wildlife, geology, etc.. she even went home with some homework after our son found a fossil and asked some questions that she didn't have the answers to - she had all the answers and then some when we met her 2 days later for the Bunsen Peak hike! We wouldn't hesitate to do another guided trip/tour with Wildland!
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