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One of the most frequently asked questions when planning a trip into Yellowstone is: “Should I use a tour guide or just drive myself?” And, the answer varies widely depending upon who answers.

Understanding Yellowstone Park,and digesting all the information about it, can be overwhelming. There are many sources, and just as many different opinions, explaining how to experience what Yellowstone has to offer.

If you have the type of personality that likes to research and plan, there is a wealth of information about location of favorite sights and activities, basic road information, and best places to take pictures or view wildlife. One of the best resources is Yellowstone National Park’s own website . Or, if you prefer unstructured travel and schedules, stopping where and when you would like, a guided tour may not be for you. Guiding a group of any size requires coordination and discipline to a schedule.

On the other hand, there are also good reasons to take a guided tour of Yellowstone. More and more international visitors are coming to Yellowstone and prefer a guided tour complete with driver. This eliminates the stress of acquiring an international license and driving in a foreign country.

Other people are just not comfortable (or experienced) with driving in mountainous areas or on narrow roads. Or, others would prefer someone else deal with the park’s perennial road construction. Approximately 80% of main park  roads (about 185 miles) are in a structurally deficient state. In general, park roads have either been recently repaired or reconstructed, or are scheduled for repair or reconstruction.

Taking a guided tour can also enhance a longer vacation. If you are going to be staying for several days, a guided tour on your first day will give you the opportunity to learn about the roads and locations within the Park. . The tour driver/guide does all the driving, points out the best places to see wildlife, offers information & history on  the Park, etc. It takes a lot of pressure off you to drive and entertain your family at the same time while trying to read a map and figure out where to gonext. Use the Park Service's newspaper, which includes a general map and program locations. On your tour, make notes on your map of areas that you want to go back and visit, or circle ranger programs at that location.

“Yellowstone is such a diverse and history-enriched area. While driving on your own allows you the opportunity to view the wondrous geothermal activity, and animals, you do miss much of the hidden wonders and history that goes along with it. Guided tours allow you to have a much more personal experience to (take home) or make the memory of a lifetime” explains Randy Roberson, owner (and guide) at Buffalo Bus Tours in West Yellowstone, Montana.

I have always recommended tours for families or groups. Often, the driver doesn't have a good quality experience. You are too busy dodging traffic,bison, people, and potholes to sit back and relax. Plus, it is hard to juggle talking, taking photos, and still finding a safe place to pull over when encountering a bear jam. Many tour companies offer options of custom or chartered tours. You hire the tour vehicle and guide for the day (usually eight hours). Then, you can coordinate the route and stops.

It is important to know that road construction is perennial in Yellowstone National Park. Approximately 80% of main park roads (about 185 miles) are in a structurally deficient state. In general, park roads have either been recently repaired or reconstructed, or are scheduled for repair or reconstruction. This summer, there will be several places within the park where you will encounter pilot cars, traffic stops, or one-way traffic.

A good Yellowstone guide can turn your Yellowstonedrive into an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet holds them back, seven days a week, including every major holiday. A wedding planner would envy their emergency supply kits with band-aids, hand warmers, toilet paper, duct tape, candy, Kleenex, maps, and spare socks. They are expected to be part-geologist, biologist, volcanologist, and historian.

Guides, through daily experiences, knowledge, and an invaluable network of peers, learn the best places for spotting wildlife, the best photo opportunities, or simply the best routes to take and places to park. They are passionate about Yellowstone and generously pass on their knowledge to others.

Meet Doug Kehl who works as a Yellowstone Vacations snowcoach guide in the winter and interpretative Yellowstone park ranger in other seasons. Like many guides in the park, Doug chooses to guide over other careers. “The main reason is that over the years I have acquired a fascination and appreciation for Yellowstone and all its wonders in those boundaries,”reflects Doug. “It definitely is a personal gain, not a monetary one.” Hisrewards come from “the great enjoyment others find in Yellowstone.I like to tweak their fascination, create that spark of interest, and share Yellowstone with others.”

Amy Beegel, a summer tour guide (and winter snowmobile guide) for SeeYellowstone Tours, echoes that  sentiment. Guiding in Yellowstone is a long way from her Pittsburgh roots and the opposite end of the spectrum from her former fast-paced corporate career in San Diego.Amy started guiding in 1990 from the south entrance and says that she guides because she loves working with people and the opportunity to share with them herpersonal Yellowstone. “You have to have a sense of humor when guiding,” advises Amy. She injects her own brand of humor into each tour along with her formidable knowledge that comes from interacting  with Yellowstone on a daily basis.

Perhaps the greatest outcome from a guided tour is that it allows you to increase your personal knowledge and experience of the park. Randy Roberson explains, “Guided tours offer an opportunity to truly get an in-depth and personal experience the history, geothermal activity, and animals rather than scratching the surface so to speak.”

Our family always tries to take a guided tour in both the warm and the winter season, sharing it with a new group of friends or family members each time. And no matter how many tours we have taken, we still walk away each time with more information or a new, unique experience.

“The best reason I know for taking a guided tour is the education you receive about the uniqueness of Yellowstone and having your own person to share that information with you and allows you tosee it through your eyes as well,” emphasizes Rick Keats, of Yellowstone Yearround Adventures in Gardiner Montana.

“You leave knowing why Yellowstone is an active volcano and at the same time developing a deeper understanding of the fragile balance of the geology and wildlife, sharing in their respective ways this place like no other place in the world, Yellowstone.”

Tips for selecting a great tour:

• Look for information about the tour company or just ask:Is this a local company? How long havethey been in business? Do they offer tours throughout the year or just inthe summer months? Is the tour company locally owned and operated? (You can also check travel blogs like tripadvisor.com for past customer experiences.)
• What different types of tours are offered?Where do the tours go within the park?Where are the stops?What does the tour feature …wildlife watching, geyser and thermal areas, waterfalls, good photography spots? How long is the tour?Are there restroom breaks and a lunch break? Some tours may cover a full day; others may start mid-day and go into early evening (best time for spotting wildlife). Does the tour company offer pick-ups & drop-offs or do you need to be at a certain location at a specific time?
• What type of activity can you expect on the tour?Will the tour stop at different locations to hike around boardwalks or explore visitor centers? Yellowstone Park offers different types of permits (general tours, off-boardwalk and backcountry hiking. special photography permits, etc.). You will want to match the activities offered with your expectations and abilities.
• A good tour guide is essential. Ask for information about the guides themselves. How long have the guides lived and worked in the Yellowstone area?Do they have a special passion or knowledge that might match yours (geology, history, birding, photography, wildlife watching, etc.)?What do they do when they’re not guiding?You may find that your guide is also a Yellowstone park ranger, school teacher, or even a doctor in their ‘off-season.’
• Take time to explain your expectations and needs. Maybe your family or group includes children or seniors with special needs (e.g., more frequent bathroom stops).
• Does the guide or tour provide any equipment? This could include maps, binoculars, optic scopes, etc.
• What is the cancellation policy?What are the lunch arrangements?What is the price including tax? What is the cost (and options) for Yellowstone park passes? Is a gratuity included forthe guide?