Guided Backpacking in Yellowstone National Park

Top three reasons to backpack through Yellowstone

World’s largest collection of geysers, deep-cut canyons, and wildlife
Witnessing Old Faithful erupt is an unforgettable experience
Features over 1000 miles of hiking trails to explore

To experience all that America’s first national park has to offer, Yellowstone guided backpacking trips are the way to go. Away from the crowds, you’ll learn about the rich history of the park from a certified guide who will lead you safely during the day and help you set up camp under the stars at night. On this 20-mile, four-day adventure, your group will experience Yellowstone the way few others do — off the beaten path and into the majestic backcountry wilderness. If photographing wildlife is your thing, this is the best way to ensure you’ll have the most action in front of your lens! Find out more about some of the best (and most photo-worthy) hikes in Yellowstone.

Season

Spring through fall; shoulder seasons less crowded

Nearest city

Bozeman, Montana is a two-hour drive

Duration

4 days

Skill level

Intermediate

Book This Adventure

Tent along the banks of the Yellowstone River on this four-day point-to-point guided backpacking adventure. Traverse Black Canyon, hike past cascading waterfalls, and get up close and personal with the park’s abundant wildlife. There’s also a day to relax at camp and fish, or take on an extra day-hike to the impressive Knowles Falls. Every night, you’ll camp with views of the impressive Yellowstone River, and every day, you’ll hike between four and six miles taking in the park’s impressive geological features. Crevice Lake, Knowles Falls and Blacktail Deer Creek are just some of the highlights on this multi-day guided hike!

Itinerary

Meet your guide in Bozeman, Montana and drive 2 hours to the trailhead where your 4-day adventure officially begins! The hike begins with a 600-foot drop in elevation to a suspension bridge across the magnificent Yellowstone River. Take a 3-mile detour up the scenic Hellroaring Creek Valley to access the bridge and continue to the basecamp on the banks of the Yellowstone River and the mouth of the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone!

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and hike downstream over a beautiful knoll 400 feet above the Yellowstone River. Continue on to Crevice Lake and make camp near the lake on the shores of the Yellowstone River where you will spend the night. Today is the prime day to see wildlife — spot bison, elk, deer, wolves, coyotes, black bears and grizzly bears! Be sure your camera is ready and enjoy the views.

This is a layover day — take in and enjoy your surroundings! Rest around camp or if you feel up to it take on an additional day hike exploring downstream to Knowles Falls and steeper parts of Black Canyon. Enjoy your evening with your group and guide and relax under the starry skies.

Use all the energy you stored yesterday and hike upstream along Blacktail Deer Creek to the trailhead. Pass through cascades, beautiful valleys of huge meadows and isolated stands of trees. Once you reach the canyon, enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding area! In the afternoon, return to civilization and start planning your next adventure!

Meet your guides

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Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yellowstone please refer to the National Park Service’s website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

- An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Four full days of hiking in Yellowstone
- Tents
- Meals
- Cookware
- Stoves and fuel

What’s not included:

- Transportation to Bozeman/Yellowstone
- Transportation to the trailhead — can be arranged by the guide
- Accommodations prior and after the trip
- Personal clothing and camping gear
- Snacks
- 3.5% land use charge

The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. Advanced hikes are full day treks with steep descents and challenging switchbacks. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- River crossing shoes
- T-shirt/Sport shirt (synthetic)
- Long sleeve base layer (synthetic or wool)
- Long sleeve cotton shirt for insects
- Medium-weight polar fleece
- Puffy jacket (down or synthetic fill, light to medium-weight)
- Rain jacket (lightweight)
- Bottom base layer (lightweight synthetic or wool)
- Hiking pant (synthetic/nylon)
- Hiking short (synthetic)
- Rain pant (lightweight)
- Gaiters — through mid July
- Down Coat (lightweight but warm) — early and late season
- Fleece Pants — early and late season
- Balaclava or neck gaiter — early and late season
- Spare clothes for layering
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Bowl, spoon, and insulated mug
- Drink mixes
- Snacks (nuts, dried fruit, snack bars, etc.)
- Water treatment: tablets or filter — provided by the guide, but it’s always good to carry extra
- Bear spray
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

- The guest to guide ratio for private hiking tours is usually five guests and one guide.
- Pricing is per person, and the cost decreases as your group grows, making it the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family.

If your hiking party is larger than five people, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

- Anyone over the age of 18 can join these day-hiking tours
- Minors younger than 18 may join these day-hiking tours, but only on a case-by-case basis

If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The park has five entrances, depending on the direction you’re traveling from.

- If you plan to enter through the south entrance, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the closest airport.
- If you plan to enter on the north side, Bozeman, Montana is the closest airport.
- To the west, it’s Idaho Falls, Idaho and to the east, it’s Yellowstone Regional Airport near Cody, Wyoming.

Here’s a map of Yellowstone from the National Park Service to make planning your trip easier.

Specific meeting time and location will depend on the itinerary you choose. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your trip, your guide will suggest the best place to meet.

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