Yellowstone National Park Hiking Tour

Price: $3,495+

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Level: Easy / Moderate

Level: Flat / Rolling

Each day we will head out explore Yellowstone National Park in search wildlife while enjoying the unique geological formations that make this park one of a kind‍‍. Our first day of the Yellowstone Tour is full of thermal features including the Lower, Midway, & Upper Geyser basins as well as time at Old Faithful and the 20 geysers that surround it. Wildlife viewing is the name of the game the next two days before we spend two nights at Mammoth Hot Springs and it’s iconic limestone terraces. Throughout the journey there will be plenty of opportunities to lace up your boots and explore some of the trails.

ITINERARY

Day 1 — Bozeman, MT Arrive in time for a welcome orientation this evening before a group dinner together to get you ready for the adventure ahead. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 — Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful & Lake Yellowstone A scenic one-hour drive through Gallatin Canyon passes by the cliffs of Castle Mountain and winds along Gallatin River before reaching the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We spend the day exploring many of the thermal features of the park including the Lower, Midway & Upper Geyser Basins including painted pots and Grand Prismatic Spring. In the afternoon, we walk the boardwalks surrounding Old Faithful and over 20 other geysers to get a sense of the power under the surface of the park. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 — Hayden Valley & Grand Canyon of Yellowstone We will have breakfast early this morning to enjoy the best chance for wildlife viewing in Hayden Valley at first light which may include bison, moose, pronghorn antelope, and possibly even grizzly and black bears. Enjoy lunch in the field while taking breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone including a short walk to the Upper and Lower Falls viewpoints. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 —Norris Geyser Basin & Mammoth Hot Springs Our morning drive north will provide another opportunity to spot wildlife along the Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley before heading west to Norris Geyser Basin. We will make stops at Roaring Mountain, Obsidian Cliff, and Sheepeater Cliff before arriving at Mammoth Hot Springs. A network of boardwalks allows us to explore the travertine terraces formed over thousands of years of geothermal activity this afternoon. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 — Lamar Valley & Cooke City First thing this morning we will head to Lamar Valley for our best chance to see wildlife. The valley has been called “America’s Serengeti” with a high diversity of animals including some of the largest herds of bison and home to several of Yellowstone’s wolf packs. We will enjoy lunch in Cooke City just beyond the eastern border of the park to get a taste of local life. A number of easy hikes will be offered this afternoon as we make our way back to Mammoth Hot Springs. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 — Yellowstone Hike & Chico Hot Springs One last opportunity to go for a wildlife drive this morning before visiting Tower Fall and driving through the famous Roosevelt Arch at the North entrance of Yellowstone. We will continue north along Old Yellowstone Trail providing ideal conditions to see pronghorn antelope. Our mid-afternoon arrival to Chico Hot Springs allows time for a pre-dinner hike and a soak in the hot springs steps away from your room. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 — Departures from Bozeman After enjoying breakfast at the hotel we will make our way back to Bozeman for afternoon flights. Meals included: Breakfast

LODGING

Springhill Suites Bozeman or lodging nearby – 1 night Not an ordinary Springhill Suites, this hotel was custom built for Bozeman that features studios with a semi-divided living and sleep area, workspace, pantry with microwave and mini-fridge, sofa sleeper, plush bedding, and a flat-screen TV. Enjoy a dip in the heated indoor pool, get a workout at the fitness center, grab a drink at the bar, or stay connected with free WiFi.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel or lodging nearby – 2 nights Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins is an elegant getaway reminiscent of the 1920s. It is listed on the park’s Register of Historic Places as the oldest standing Yellowstone hotel. The hotel is situated on the shore of dazzling Yellowstone Lake, which radiates through the picturesque windows. Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins has stayed true to its old-fashioned roots by incorporating charming interior furnishings with a colonial-style exterior. The building is painted a fitting golden yellow inside and out.

Best Western Mammoth Hot Springs or lodging nearby – 2 nights Adjacent to the Yellowstone River at the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, this hotel has classic rooms feature free Wi-Fi and cable TV, along with microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers as well as an indoor pool, whirlpool, and two saunas.

Chico Hot Springs Resort or lodging nearby – 1 night In the heart of Paradise Valley just north of Yellowstone this hotel sits right below the Absaroka Mountain Range. With natural hot springs feeding two pools a few steps from your room this hotel makes for a great ending to a Yellowstone tour.

PRICING & INCLUSIONS

PRICE INCLUDES:‍‍

Lodging as outlined in lodging section above based on double occupancy
Meals as noted in itinerary above
Snacks and beverages
Park admission and museum admissions for all included activities
Services of professional trip leader(s)
Ground transportation for all included events during the trip & porterage service
Black Sheep Adventures reusable water bottle, wool (baaaah) socks & luggage tags