The Magic of Lamar Valley - A Highlight of Yellowstone’s Upper Loop
- Yellowstone Day Tours
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 27
In the far northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park lies one of the best wildlife viewing areas in North America, Lamar Valley. Stretching for miles along the Lamar River and surrounded by sweeping grasslands, this valley is often called the “American Serengeti” for its abundance of wild animals.
If spotting wildlife is on your Yellowstone bucket list, Lamar Valley is a must. And when you book an Upper Loop Yellowstone tour with Yellowstone Day Tours, you don’t just visit, you experience it alongside expert guides who know exactly where and when to look.
The “American Serengeti”
Much like its African namesake, Lamar Valley is a wide-open space where animals roam in plain view, far from Yellowstone’s busiest tourist areas. Massive bison herds graze in the morning sun, pronghorn antelope sprint across the grasslands, and bald eagles soar overhead. Since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995, Lamar Valley has become one of the best places in the world to see them in the wild. Grizzly bears, coyotes, and other predators also call this valley home.
The reason Lamar Valley teems with life? It offers a rare combination of open range, fresh water, and protected wilderness. Predators and prey thrive here, creating one of the most complete ecosystems left on Earth.
A “Must See” on Yellowstone's Upper Loop
Lamar Valley’s remote location in the northeast corner of Yellowstone is part of what makes it so special. Many visitors never make the trip, but those who do are rewarded with scenery so pristine it feels as though it has been untouched for thousands of years.
Whether you’re watching a wolf through a spotting scope, hearing the thunder of a bison herd, or catching a glimpse of a grizzly, the moments you experience here will stay with you long after you’ve left. On an Upper Loop guided tour, you won’t just see Lamar Valley, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of it. Our guides share the valley’s history, the balance between predator and prey, and the conservation efforts that keep this wild place thriving.
Wildlife You Have the Best Chance to See in Lamar Valley:
• Bison Herds
• Wolf Packs
• Grizzly and Black Bears
• Coyotes
• Pronghorn Antelope
• Bald Eagles
• Osprey
A Complete Yellowstone Experience: The Upper Loop
A guided Upper Loop tour of Yellowstone is the best way to experience the park’s wildlife, scenery, and geothermal wonders in a single day. This route passes through the Gallatin, Absaroka, Washburn, and Beartooth mountain ranges, all offering stunning views and incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Along the way, we visit Yellowstone’s geological highlights, including Norris Geyser Basin, home to the park’s hottest springs and the tallest active geyser in the world, and the travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. Scenic stops at Tower Fall and the summit of Mt. Washburn offer the perfect chance to take in panoramic views and photograph Yellowstone’s grandeur.
Because our guides know the best locations and times for sightings, you’ll have the greatest chance of seeing the park’s most iconic animals, especially in Lamar Valley, the crown jewel of the Upper Loop.
Make Your Trip Unforgettable with Yellowstone Day Tours
A visit to Yellowstone is often a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The Upper Loop, with its stop in Lamar Valley, delivers some of the most authentic and awe-inspiring experiences the park has to offer.
Book your Upper Loop Yellowstone tour with Yellowstone Day Tours today and let us guide you deep into the park’s wildest landscapes. From the sweeping plains of Lamar Valley to hidden corners most visitors miss, we’ll make sure you see, learn, and experience more than you ever imagined.
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