Take a Scenic Safari near Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Find a new way to experience the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with Scenic Safaris. From the trails of Bridger-Teton National Forest near Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone’s snowy trails, mechanized tours or rentals allow you to see more than you could in your car.

Summer ATV and Side-by-Side Tours Near Grand Teton

In the summer, book an ATV or side-by-side tour through the beautiful Bridger-Teton National Forest. Butting up to Grand Teton National Park, you’ll still get incredible mountain views and be perfectly poised to spot wildlife, but unlike the national park, many of the national forest trails are open to off-road vehicles. Spot wildlife, see wildflowers in bloom, splash across creek crossings and take in the beauty of Wyoming on tours that are a good fit for the whole family.

ATV tours are five hours door to door and are offered twice daily. You’ll meet your guide at the Scenic Safaris offices in Jackson, Wyoming before being transported by van to the trailhead where you’ll climb aboard your ATV to explore the trails. Drivers must be over 16 with a valid license, but ATVs can seat two people so kids eight and up can ride with a parent. The trails you’ll encounter are all dirt. There’s no rock crawling involved and you’ll be feeling confident maneuvering your vehicle in no time.

Side-by-side tours and rentals leave straight from the Scenic Safaris offices as these two-to-four seater vehicles are street legal. Opt for a guided tour on national forest trails, or get maps and advice from Scenic Safaris’ staff to explore on your own. Drivers have to be over 21 with a valid license, but kids can ride alongside parents.

Guests are often surprised by how much wildlife can be spotted from an ATV or side-by-side. While the vehicles do make some noise and therefore are unlikely to result in close encounters, getting off the main roads allows you to see so much more.

“I’ve seen everything from bears feeding next to the river to bighorns climbing the cliffs,” says Scenic Safaris’ Mandie Rossberg. “No matter what time of year you go it’s beautiful. In summer the wildflowers are stunning and in the fall everything is red and gold.”

All Scenic Safaris guides are trained wilderness first responders and they’re all living locally. Their experience and knowledge sets them apart from many other tour companies. You know you’re in good hands when you set off with your guide. Don’t forget cash for gratuity on all tours.

Winter Snowmobile and Snowcoach Tours in Yellowstone and Beyond

When winter rolls around, Yellowstone’s roads close to passenger vehicles. The only way to access the park’s interior is via snowmobile or a snowcoach (a shuttle on special, giant snow tires). With Scenic Safaris, you can opt for a tour of our nation’s first national park on either one. Bring your national park pass, or cash to cover your park entry fee.

Snowmobile tours are full day adventures. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the Jackson area early in the morning and transported to Flagg Ranch at Yellowstone’s South Entrance where the snowmobiles are parked. Your final destination is Old Faithful, more than 40 miles away. Along the route, you’ll stop at thermal features, spot wildlife like bison, moose and elk and take a warm-up break at West Thumb Geyser Basin. When you arrive at Old Faithful, you’ll get another chance to warm up over lunch along with the park’s most classic show: Old Faithful erupting. The beauty of visiting in the winter is you’ll get to watch the spectacular display with a fraction of the crowds of the summer months.

While this tour is beginner friendly, you should be prepared to spend six hours on your snowmobile in the cold. Drivers must be over 16 with a valid license, but kids can ride on the back of their parent’s machine. Since it’s a long day, it’s only recommended for kids 10 and up. Scenic Safaris provides guests with a snowsuit, snow boots and a helmet but you should be prepared with ski gloves, warm layers, a balaclava or neck gaiter and a small backpack with your personal items for the day like a reusable water bottle and your phone and camera.

If you’d rather experience Yellowstone while staying a bit warmer, opt for a snowcoach tour. These tours cover the same area, but you’ll be inside a snowcoach with big windows that allow for optimal viewing. The coach does make stops at thermal features, geysers, to watch any wildlife that appear and, ultimately, at Old Faithful for lunch and to watch the geyser erupt. This tour is great for all ages.

Snowmobile and snowcoach tours are also available to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is a longer day, especially on a snowmobile, but it’s worth it to see the gorgeous waterfalls in the snow.

If you’ve made reservations to stay in the park at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, you can book a shuttle from Scenic Safaris to get there and back starting from $165. They are the only snowcoach operator from the South Entrance. Shuttles run from the South Entrance to the Old Faithful area twice each morning and return twice each afternoon. The first shuttle of the day offers service between Jackson and Old Faithful. The second shuttle only runs between Flagg Ranch and Old Faithful, so guests need to make their own way back to Jackson. Flagg Ranch has a large parking lot where cars can be left for the duration of your stay in the park. Shuttles don’t include any scenic stops and while your driver will give some interpretation as you make your way through the park, it’s more transportation than tour. Guests can bring a carry-on-sized piece of luggage, a personal item like a small backpack or purse and cross-country skis or snowshoes. Additional luggage costs extra.

If you want to get out in the snow but don’t want to commit to a full-day tour, Scenic Safaris also offers guided half-day snowmobile tours in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. You can ride out to Granite Hot Springs where you’ll change into your swimsuit and spend a blissful 45 minutes soaking amidst a winter wonderland before drying off and returning to Jackson. Or, opt for the Togwotee Pass trip where you’ll get up above treeline for a truly mesmerizing view of the Tetons with lunch at a mountain lodge.

The easiest way to book tours is online at scenic-safaris.com where availability is updated real-time. If you have particular dates in mind, especially for winter and holiday tours, it’s best to book three to six months in advance. Summer tours typically have more last minute availability. If you’re interested in private, custom tour options, call to book at 888-734-8898.

Scenic Safaris
888-734-8898
1255 US 89
Jackson, WY 83001
scenic-safaris.com