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 biologist 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!
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.
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!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone is that there are incredible options for everyone. Since the tours are private, the route will be customized having in mind your group’s activity level. 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.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
If you’re sensitive to bug bites, bring loose clothing that covers the lengths of your arms and legs. Also, bring lots of sunscreen no matter the season. You’ll be at a high base elevation (about 5,000 feet) and may go over 9,000 ft in the course of the day.
Don’t wear any fragrance as it might attract bears and keep in mind that smoking is strictly forbidden within Yellowstone. Another thing that is stipulated by your guide is that it is not allowed to bring guns on their tours.
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:
Hiking in Yellowstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
To get to the Yellowstone National Park, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is between 1.5 and 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 and Canyon Visitor Center.
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!
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.
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!