Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest in the world, located in the Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone’s lower loop. It’s roughly 370 feet across and 160 feet deep.

What makes it famous is the color. The spring’s surface ranges from deep blue in the center to brilliant green, yellow, orange, and red around the edges. The colors come from heat-loving microbial mats (different bacteria thrive at different temperatures), with the cooler outer rings hosting the more vivid orange and red species.

The best view is from the Fairy Falls Trail overlook, a short uphill walk that puts you above the spring and lets you see the full color spectrum. The boardwalk at ground level is closer but doesn’t show the colors as dramatically because you’re looking across rather than down. Our Old Faithful, Waterfalls & Wildlife day tour and most multi-day tours include a stop here.

Old Faithful’s eruptions reach 100 to 180 feet tall and occur roughly every 90 minutes. The eruption itself lasts 1.5 to 5 minutes and releases between 3,700 and 8,400 gallons of boiling water.

The “faithful” name comes from the predictability, not the consistency. Park rangers can predict the next eruption within a 10-minute window based on the length of the previous eruption: longer eruptions are followed by longer intervals. Current predicted eruption times are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and on the NPS Yellowstone app.

For the best experience, arrive 20-30 minutes before the predicted eruption to claim a spot on the boardwalk. The Upper Geyser Basin surrounding Old Faithful contains the highest concentration of geysers on Earth, with over 150 within a one-square-mile area, so plan to walk the boardwalks before or after the eruption to see Castle, Grand, and Riverside geysers.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a 24-mile-long, up to 1,200-foot-deep canyon carved by the Yellowstone River, famous for its dramatic yellow, orange, and red walls (which is where the park’s name actually comes from, not the more famous Grand Canyon in Arizona).

Two waterfalls anchor the canyon. The Upper Falls drops 109 feet. The Lower Falls drops 308 feet, nearly twice the height of Niagara, and is the most photographed feature in the park after Old Faithful.

Key viewpoints include:

• Artist Point on the south rim, made famous by Thomas Moran’s 1872 paintings that helped convince Congress to create the park
• Lookout Point for the classic Lower Falls view
• Brink of the Lower Falls trail on the north rim, a short steep hike that takes you to the very edge of the cascade

The canyon is accessible year-round, with different experiences in each season. Summer shows the colors at their most vivid. Winter, when the falls partially freeze, offers a completely different and quieter experience. Our winter snowmobile tour accesses Artist Point and the falls overlooks when most visitors can’t reach them.

Most visitors stick to the major pullouts and overlooks, leaving the rest of the park’s 3,500 square miles relatively quiet. A few spots worth knowing about:

• Mystic Falls in the Upper Geyser Basin, a 70-foot waterfall reached by a 2.4-mile loop trail. Walkable in an hour and almost always empty.
• Lone Star Geyser, accessed by a flat 5-mile round trip on an old service road. Erupts roughly every three hours with crowds in the single digits.
• Pebble Creek Trail in the northeast, offering genuine backcountry feel within walking distance of the road.
• Point Sublime on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, a quiet viewpoint with the same dramatic views as Artist Point and a fraction of the visitors.

Timing matters too. Even the famous spots feel completely different at off-hours. Grand Prismatic at 7 a.m. is a different experience than Grand Prismatic at noon. For more, see our insider’s guide to Yellowstone’s hidden gems.

Yellowstone covers 2.2 million acres, or about 3,500 square miles, making it roughly the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

The park spans three states, with the majority in Wyoming (96%), a small portion in Montana (3%), and a sliver in Idaho (1%). The main road system, called the Grand Loop, is a figure-eight covering 142 miles. Driving the full loop without stopping takes 4-7 hours depending on traffic and wildlife jams.

Distances inside the park are larger than most visitors expect. Old Faithful to Lamar Valley is over 2 hours one way. The North Entrance to the South Entrance is roughly 3 hours of driving. This is why we recommend at least 2-3 days for a meaningful visit, and why guided multi-day tours typically outperform self-driving for wildlife viewing: guides know where to position guests at the right times of day without wasting hours behind the wheel.

Mammoth Hot Springs is a complex of terraced travertine formations in the park’s northwest corner, created over thousands of years by hot water depositing calcium carbonate as it cools on the surface.

Unlike the more famous geyser basins in the park’s interior, Mammoth’s features are constantly changing. Springs shift, dry up, and erupt in new locations on a year-to-year basis, which means the terraces look different every visit. The site is also home to a resident elk herd that frequently grazes around the historic Fort Yellowstone buildings.

Mammoth is worth visiting if:

• You’re entering or exiting through the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT)
• You’re already touring the northern range and Lamar Valley
• You’re visiting in winter, when Mammoth is one of the few areas accessible by car

For visitors entering through Jackson or West Yellowstone, Mammoth requires a significant detour. Most BrushBuck multi-day itineraries include Mammoth when the route naturally passes through. For a quick reference on Yellowstone’s full lineup of attractions, see our stunning attractions guide.

Yellowstone is generally divided into five regions based on the Grand Loop road system, each with its own character and signature features:

• Mammoth & the Northern Range: Travertine terraces, the resident elk herd, and access to the Lamar Valley
• Lamar Valley & Northeast: “America’s Serengeti,” the wildlife capital with wolves, bison, grizzlies, and elk
• Canyon Village: Anchored by the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley wildlife viewing
• Lake Country & Yellowstone Lake: The largest high-elevation lake in North America, plus West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Old Faithful & the Geyser Basins: The highest concentration of geothermal features on Earth, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins

Most first-time visitors prioritize Old Faithful and Canyon Village for the iconic landmarks, plus Lamar or Hayden Valley for wildlife. The Grand Loop is a figure-eight, so it’s possible to see all five regions in 3-4 days at a reasonable pace.

All BrushBuck tours include an expert wildlife guide, transportation in a comfortable vehicle, high-powered optics (binoculars and spotting scopes), and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Day tours additionally include snacks and a picnic lunch. Multi-day tours add:

• Hotel lodging for each night of the tour
• Breakfast each morning
• Park entrance fees
• All in-park transportation between sites
• Snacks and refreshments throughout

What’s not included on any tour:

• Personal travel to and from Jackson Hole (your flight, etc.)
• Alcohol and most dinners on multi-day tours
• Guide gratuity (10-15% of tour price is standard)
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional meals not listed)

Specific tour details are listed on each tour page. For full multi-day packages, browse our multi-day tour options for what each itinerary covers.

A private tour is just your party, with a guide and vehicle dedicated entirely to you. A small group tour is shared with up to 9 other guests on a fixed itinerary.

The key differences:

• Group size: Private tours range from 1 to 10 people in your party. Small group tours cap at 9 other guests plus yours.
• Flexibility: Private tours can adjust pacing on the day, linger at wildlife sightings, or make small route variations. Small group tours follow a set schedule to keep the group together.
• Age restrictions: Most small group multi-day tours require guests to be 6 or older. Private tours are open to all ages, including young children.
• Cost: Small group tours offer lower per-person rates. Private tours cost more per person, but the per-person rate drops as your party grows.
• Experience: Small group tours add a social dynamic with other travelers. Private tours feel more personal and customizable.

Both options follow the same core itineraries with the same level of guide expertise. Choose private if you have young kids, want maximum flexibility, or are traveling as a larger family or group of friends. Choose small group if you’re solo or a couple wanting the best value, and you enjoy traveling with other like-minded guests.

Pack for layers, weather variability, and walking on uneven terrain. Yellowstone weather can swing 40+ degrees in a single day, so flexibility is essential.

Essentials for any season:

• Layered clothing (base layer, insulating mid-layer, waterproof outer shell)
• Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat (sun is intense at altitude)
• Refillable water bottle
• Camera and extra batteries (cold drains them fast)
• Personal medications and any specialty items

Season-specific additions:

• Spring/Fall: Warm jacket, gloves, beanie, layered approach
• Summer: Rain jacket for afternoon thunderstorms, hat, sunscreen
• Winter: Insulated parka, snow pants, insulated boots, gloves, hand warmers, balaclava or face covering

BrushBuck provides binoculars, spotting scopes, water, snacks, and on multi-day tours all meals listed in the itinerary. Specific gear recommendations are sent to guests after booking, including a detailed seasonal packing list.

Tours run rain or shine. Weather is part of the experience, and many of the best wildlife viewing days happen in less-than-perfect conditions.

Wildlife is often more active in cooler, overcast, or rainy weather. Guides know how to position guests safely and comfortably regardless of conditions. Tours are only canceled or modified in cases of genuine safety concerns, such as:

• Lightning storms in exposed areas
• Heavy snowfall closing roads
• Extreme cold (below -20°F) affecting safety
• Wildfire smoke or evacuation orders

In these cases, BrushBuck will reschedule the tour, modify the itinerary to safer areas, or issue a refund according to the cancellation policy. Decisions are made based on real-time NPS road conditions and weather alerts, not forecasts.

For guests booking in shoulder seasons (April-May, October-November), check weather trends before traveling but don’t let a forecast deter you. Some of the most rewarding tours happen in conditions that send self-driving visitors back to their hotels.

Yes for both, with some tour-specific considerations.

For kids:

• Private tours are open to all ages
• Most public small group multi-day tours require guests to be 6 or older
• Day tours vary; check each tour page for specific age requirements
• Private tours are recommended for families with very young children for flexibility and pacing

For seniors:

• All BrushBuck tours are accessible to active seniors
• Tours involve some walking, primarily on boardwalks and short trails
• Mobility limitations should be discussed at booking so guides can plan accordingly
• The vehicles are comfortable with multiple stops, and most viewing happens from the road or short walks

Wildlife tours are by nature low-impact compared to backcountry hiking trips. You’re not summiting mountains or covering miles of difficult terrain. If you can walk a quarter-mile on a flat boardwalk and get in and out of a vehicle, you can enjoy a BrushBuck tour. For specific accessibility questions, contact our team before booking.

Yes. Private tours can be customized within reasonable limits, and specialty tours are available for specific interests.

Customization options on private tours include:

• Itinerary adjustments to focus on specific wildlife (wolves, bears, photography)
• Pacing changes (longer days, shorter days)
• Special photography schedules around sunrise and sunset
• Adding or removing specific stops based on guest preferences

Specialty tours we run year-round:

• Wolf-watching tours: Dedicated to wolf viewing in Lamar Valley
• Winter snowcoach tours: Heated, tracked vehicle access to the park’s interior
• Snowmobile tours: Guided rides to Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon
• Photography-focused tours: Slower pacing, sunrise/sunset positioning, optical support

For requests that fall outside our standard offerings (multi-week trips, large group charters, corporate retreats), reach out to our team directly to discuss what’s possible.

Day tours: 50% of the tour price is withheld for cancellations outside 48 hours; within 48 hours, 100% is charged.

Multi-day tours: 50% is withheld outside 60 days; within 60 days, 100% is charged.

The longer notice window for multi-day tours reflects the lodging, guide scheduling, and resource commitments those tours require. We recommend travel insurance for multi-day bookings, especially during peak summer dates.

In rare cases of BrushBuck-initiated cancellation (severe weather, road closures, safety concerns), the policy is different: guests receive a full refund or the option to reschedule at no cost.

Specific terms are confirmed at booking. If you need to change dates rather than cancel outright, contact us as early as possible – we can often accommodate date changes more flexibly than outright cancellations.