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Outdoors Northeast, Yellowstone

Lamar Valley

An outdoor spot in Northeast, Yellowstone, free to visit and worth about 4 hours. Best time to go: Dawn.

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Lamar Valley in Northeast, Yellowstone
Photo: YellowstoneNPS · Public domain

Why go

Wide valley in northeast Yellowstone with bison, elk and the park's best chances of seeing wolves in winter.

It is one of 7 curated places we feature in Yellowstone, alongside 2 outdoor spots, 2 sights and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, 11 mi away as the crow flies. Set aside about 4 hours here; it works best as the anchor of a day rather than a quick stop.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Northeast
Price
Free
Time needed
4 hr
Best time
Dawn

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Yellowstone. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

    Yellow-walled canyon where the 308-foot Lower Falls builds a huge cone of ice in winter.

    Outdoors · 11 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Lamar Valley

    Broad northern valley known as the best wolf-watching area in the park.

    Activity · Yellowstone National Park · 12 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Artist Point

    Classic viewpoint of the Lower Falls and the yellow walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

    Sight · Yellowstone National Park · 15 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

    Travertine terraces built by hot springs, with boardwalks and elk around the village.

    Sight · Yellowstone National Park · 15 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Mammoth Hot Springs

    Travertine terraces near the North Entrance, steaming and frosted in winter, with boardwalks you can walk on your own.

    Outdoors · 15 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Lamar Valley is a stop on our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Yellowstone

Lamar Valley is our only outdoors pick in Yellowstone; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Yellowstone guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Yellowstone run from 19°F in December to 72°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For Lamar Valley itself, we suggest: Dawn.

Modelled monthly averages for Yellowstone from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Yellowstone weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Lamar Valley, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
44.92917, -110.40194
Destination
Yellowstone, Wyoming

Lamar Valley: quick answers

How much time do you need at Lamar Valley?

Plan on about 4 hours at Lamar Valley. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Lamar Valley?

Our pick: Dawn. Insider tip: Drive out at first light and stop wherever you see people with spotting scopes.

Is Lamar Valley free?

Yes, we list Lamar Valley as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Lamar Valley?

Lamar Valley appears on Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Lamar Valley to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Yellowstone.

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Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.