What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local naturalist or biologist hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Half-day of hiking in a chosen area of Yellowstone Snacks What’s not included: Transportation to the trailhead Accommodations Park entrance fees ($20 per person, $35 per family)

How fit do I need to be?

The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk up to 5 hours (with plenty of breaks) with little elevation gain and sections on boardwalks and stairs, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation (up to 700 ft / 220 m) and include sections of rocky terrain—with a possibility of scrambling. Advanced hikes will include more sections with rocky terrain, bigger elevation gains (+1,000 ft / 305 m) and more obstacles. Keep in mind that the minimum starting elevation is at 6,000 ft above sea level, that weather in summer can be very hot, and that you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. Your guide will always be by your side, making sure hiking is suitable to your level and adjusting the route if necessary. If half-day hikes seem too short for you, check out our full-day hiking adventures in Yellowstone.

What do I need to bring?

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 Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Bear spray — provided by the guide 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.

What about accessibility?

These hikes can be adapted to accommodate most ages and abilities. If you are a wheelchair user or have some other specific needs, this shouldn’t stop you from experiencing Yellowstone! Make sure to contact us if you’re considering a tour and we will make an arrangement with your guide. They have experience guiding people with more specific needs and they’ll be happy to help you navigate the obstacles in this wild and remote area. You can visit the Yellowstone National Park website to find out more about the accessibility in Yellowstone .

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For these private hiking adventures, the maximum client to guide ratio is 10:1. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! Hiking in Yellowstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. Cancellations up to 30 days before your trip date will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations between 29 and 5 days before your trip date will receive a 50% refund. For cancellations within 5 days of booking refunds will not be provided.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the Yellowstone National Park, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is 3 hours away. From here, you can rent a car to get to the park. Your guide can meet people at the following locations: Gardiner MT or Mammoth Hot Springs WY, Tower Junction, Norris Geyser Basin, Canyon Visitor Center While the price remains the same, the duration of the trip changes depending on our meeting location. Durations are not exact because wildlife jams and other unplanned circumstances can delay our end time. We suggest you lodge in Gardiner or somewhere else by the north entrance to the national park as it is the closest one to the hiking areas you can choose from. Once you and your guide agree on the details of the itinerary, they will suggest the exact meeting time and place, whether at the trailhead or a predetermined location.

Safety measures in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Wilderness can get dangerous if you don’t have the proper skills and experience, but don’t worry — your guides carry bear spray and are trained in trail safety in Yellowstone’s bear country. They take grizzly bears seriously! 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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yellowstone, WY, please refer to the official guidelines for air travel into the US and Yellowstone National Park’s COVID-19 guidelines. 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!

Half Day of Private Guided Hiking in Yellowstone

Bison crossing a river at Lamar Valley, Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with a massive waterfall and conifers growing on the walls of the canyon.

A hiker observing the landscapes in Yellowstone with a small lake, a plain, forest and mountains in the background

Three hikers hiking in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley

Mammoth hot springs terraces with a waterfall

Full Day of Private Guided Hiking in Yellowstone

A hiker following a path in a pine forest in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park | Montana

Half-Day Hiking Adventures in Yellowstone

5.00 ()

Season

May through October

Nearest city

Bozeman, MT is less than 3 hours away

Duration

1 day

Skill level

Beginner to intermediate

Guides

Cara McGary, Ben Buescher, In Our Nature

From $550 / 1 day

Got any questions?

Overview
Itinerary
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Yellowstone is any hiker’s dream destination. With almost 1,000 miles of trails spread over 2.2 million acres of highly varied landscapes, the only question is: where to start? If you want your Yellowstone hike to be short and sweet, yet highly rewarding—we’ve got you covered. Explore the dramatic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone or bison-speckled plains of the Lamar Valley; otherworldly Mammoth Hot Springs or the crowdless paths near the Tower Junction. Join your naturalist hiking guide on a half-day hike and explore some of the most fascinating areas in one of the most diverse and biodiverse areas in the US!

Get close and personal with some of the wildest areas in the US
Learn about Yellowstone on customized hikes with a private guide and choice of location
Make the most of your time spent in this wilderness recreation area located atop a volcanic hot spot

Choose itinerary

Meet your guides

5.00

Cara McGary

Cara is a qualified biologist (B.S. Aquatic Biology and M.S. Biology) who wants to help others develop and feed their fascinations with the natural world in Yellowstone. When not in Yellowstone, she likes to explore places where there are good tidepool...

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5.00

Ben Buescher

Ben developed his passion for wildlife while working as a zoo educator in his hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri. He later moved to Fort Collins, earning his bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University, before taking his studies a...

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5.00

In Our Nature

In Our Nature is an eco-friendly guiding service specializing in private wildlife watching, day hikes, backpacking trips, birding, and night sky tours in Yellowstone National Park. Whether you’re looking to see some world-class wildlife, enjoy a scenic...

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5.00 (4 reviews)

Deborah G. about In Our Nature on Tripadvisor

We had the best afternoon with Mike! He took us on a gorgeous trail where we only encountered 5 other people in 4 hours. We learned about the geology, topography, flora, and fauna — and got to listen to some amazing elk bugling! After four hours and about 7-8 miles, we were exhausted and yet still invigorated. Don’t miss this experience!

Macy about In Our Nature on Tripadvisor

Me, my husband, and our 14 yr old daughter had an amazing experience on our hike with Cara. We saw several animals including a close encounter with a bear. It was definitely an experience we will never forget. We would recommend Cara to anyone who wants a guided hike in Yellowstone.

Jeff L. about In Our Nature on Tripadvisor

My wife, 9-year-old son, and 11-year old daughter were with Cara for two days last week, one day for wildlife watching and one day for a hike. It was a pleasure spending two days with Cara. She has an enthusiasm for the wildlife of the park and clearly enjoys sharing that enthusiasm and her wealth of knowledge. She has good relationships with other guides and wildlife watchers, and they cooperate to improve all of their chances of finding wildlife. She spotted many animals for us and worked hard to do so. And she took us on a beautiful hike. For the rest of our trip, my son kept saying that he wished we could have spent every day with Cara. Thank you, Cara, for the fantastic two days! They were the highlight of our two-week vacation!

Half Day Tour in Canyon Area and Hayden Valley

sandiegotravelers about In Our Nature on Tripadvisor

We had a great half day tour with Nancy! Originally, we had planned to go on a hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but steady rain was forecasted. Nancy came prepared with alternatives, and instead we drove to a variety of overlooks and went on several shorter walks (with an opportunity to dry off and warm up in between). The highlight was seeing three Grizzly bears eating and playing in the distance. Nancy set up two scopes, and we had an incredible viewing opportunity. We all had a great time and we would highly recommend Nancy and In Our Nature Guiding Services!

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- An experienced, local naturalist or biologist hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Half-day of hiking in a chosen area of Yellowstone
- Snacks
What’s not included:
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Accommodations
- Park entrance fees ($20 per person, $35 per family)
The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk up to 5 hours (with plenty of breaks) with little elevation gain and sections on boardwalks and stairs, you are good to go! Intermediate hikes will see a little more change in elevation (up to 700 ft / 220 m) and include sections of rocky terrain—with a possibility of scrambling. Advanced hikes will include more sections with rocky terrain, bigger elevation gains (+1,000 ft / 305 m) and more obstacles.

Keep in mind that the minimum starting elevation is at 6,000 ft above sea level, that weather in summer can be very hot, and that you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. Your guide will always be by your side, making sure hiking is suitable to your level and adjusting the route if necessary.

If half-day hikes seem too short for you, check out our full-day hiking adventures in Yellowstone.
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
- Spare clothes for layering
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Bear spray — provided by the guide
- 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.
These hikes can be adapted to accommodate most ages and abilities. If you are a wheelchair user or have some other specific needs, this shouldn’t stop you from experiencing Yellowstone! Make sure to contact us if you’re considering a tour and we will make an arrangement with your guide. They have experience guiding people with more specific needs and they’ll be happy to help you navigate the obstacles in this wild and remote area. You can visit the Yellowstone National Park website to find out more about the accessibility in Yellowstone.
Group sizes and prices:
- For these private hiking adventures, the maximum client to guide ratio is 10:1.
- The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!
Hiking in Yellowstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- Cancellations up to 30 days before your trip date will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee.
- Cancellations between 29 and 5 days before your trip date will receive a 50% refund.
- For cancellations within 5 days of booking refunds will not be provided.
To get to the Yellowstone National Park, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is 3 hours away. From here, you can rent a car to get to the park.

Your guide can meet people at the following locations: Gardiner MT or Mammoth Hot Springs WY, Tower Junction, Norris Geyser Basin, Canyon Visitor Center

While the price remains the same, the duration of the trip changes depending on our meeting location. Durations are not exact because wildlife jams and other unplanned circumstances can delay our end time.

We suggest you lodge in Gardiner or somewhere else by the north entrance to the national park as it is the closest one to the hiking areas you can choose from. Once you and your guide agree on the details of the itinerary, they will suggest the exact meeting time and place, whether at the trailhead or a predetermined location.
Wilderness can get dangerous if you don’t have the proper skills and experience, but don’t worry — your guides carry bear spray and are trained in trail safety in Yellowstone’s bear country. They take grizzly bears seriously!

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, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yellowstone, WY, please refer to the official guidelines for air travel into the US and Yellowstone National Park’s COVID-19 guidelines.

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!