YELLOWSTONE GUIDED BACKPACKING TOURS
Backcountry - Hiking - Camping
BLACK CANYON OF YELLOWSTONE
-
The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone is a classic Yellowstone backcountry hiking tour.
This is the best early season spring backpack in Yellowstone. The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone River is a famous route known for its wildlife and scenic beauty. In June, the wildflowers are in bloom and the wildlife is calving. Snow lingers in the high mountains, while the herds graze in the valley grasses. We camp on the banks of the swollen Yellowstone River near wild rose, rare Bitterroots, and other wildflower bouquets. We cook over the fire when permitted (otherwise stoves) and practice Leave No Trace camping techniques.
3 or 4 Day Backpacking Trips
-
●Easy/Moderate (depending on your personal physical fitness)
●3 Days/ 2 Nights or 4 Days/ 3 Nights
●20-30 miles
●4-6 miles per day
●1,000-foot gain on hardest day
-
3 Day: $1,125 per person
4 Day: $1,550 per person
-
Trip meets in West Yellowstone, MT the evening before departure date.
-
●May 28-30
●June 4-7
●June 11-14
Meeting Location: West Yellowstone, MT 6PM evening before trip departure
We meet in West Yellowstone, Montana at 6PM for the pre-trip meeting the evening before departure date. We hand out gear, food bags, and conduct a briefing before the trek.
●Day 1:
After an 8AM meeting in West Yellowstone, we drive two hours to the trailhead. We conduct a final check before we hit the trail to descend into the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone River, a wildlife haven. We will camp on the river’s edge near Crevice Lake listening to the roaring runoff of the Yellowstone River throughout the night.
Distance: 4 miles
●Day 2:
This morning, after hot coffee and breakfast, we will continue our trek up the Yellowstone River. Along the way we will watch for wildlife including: bison, bear, wolf, cougar, pronghorn, elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. The spring migration is underway as the wildlife moves up the river to their summer feeding grounds. Tonight, we camp along the river’s edge again.
Distance: 4 miles
●Day 3:
Begin another morning on the Yellowstone River. After breakfast, we leave the river’s edge and climb over a hill that separates the Black Canyon from Hellroaring Basin. Tonight, we camp at the confluence of Hellroaring Creek and the Yellowstone River or on the banks of the raging Hellroaring (campsite permits depending). These are two of the best camps in Yellowstone with good evening wildlife viewing perches. We will spend one final night out on the trail, near the water’s edge.
Distance: 4-8 miles
Three Day Treks hike out to the Hellroaring Trailhead to conclude the trip: 4-5 miles
●Day 4:
We will have our last breakfast by the raging spring runoff before the trek out! We will hike out of the Hellroaring Basin, one of the best spots for wildlife viewing in one of Yellowstone’s best backcountry locations. Say goodbye to life beneath the Big Sky, and also the bears, bugs, and mud. Get ready for a hot shower and a million amazing memories to reflect on!
Distance: 3-5 miles
GALLATIN SKY RIM TRAIL
-
The Sky Rim Trail in the Gallatin Mountains of Yellowstone National Park is a stunner.
This tour is a famous Yellowstone route. The summer sun melts the snow on the big mountain peaks. Now is the time to access the fabled alpine “high country.” Big blooms of wildflowers reflect in dazzling lakes atop Yellowstone’s Gallatin Range. It adds up to a feeling of being on top of the world. Rich wildlife sightings abound in this rarely visited corner of the park. Let Yellowstone Hiking Guides show you a favorite local trek. This tour is in the northwest corner of Yellowstone near Big Sky and West Yellowstone.
-
●Moderate to Strenuous (depending on your personal physical fitness)
●4 Days/ 3 Nights
●35+ miles
●4-10 miles per day
●1,500-foot gain on hardest day, and 3,000-foot elevation loss on most strenuous day; 500-foot gain on easiest day
-
4 Day: $1,550 per person
-
Trip meets in West Yellowstone, MT the evening before departure date.
-
●July 20-23
●July 27-30
Meeting Location: West Yellowstone, MT 6PM evening before trip departure
We meet in West Yellowstone, Montana at 6PM the evening prior to trip departure. We hand out gear, food bags and conduct a pre-trip briefing.
●Day 1
We meet at 8AM for a 45-minute drive to the trailhead at Specimen Creek. The first day’s hike takes us up Specimen Creek giving us a chance to acclimate. Tonight’s camp will be located at the famed Crescent Lake, a subalpine gem. This area is home to grizzly bear and moose amongst other unique Yellowstone wildlife.
Distance: 7 miles
●Day 2:
This is one of the great hikes out of all the tour routes in Yellowstone National Park. We traverse along the North Fork of Specimen Creek in the Gallatin Mountains before dropping down into Shelf Lake, peeking up at the Sky Rim. This is the staging point to begin the Sky Rim Trail of Yellowstone National Park.
Distance: 4 miles
●Day 3:
Today we depart at first light to hike the high, exposed Sky Rim Trail. Explore fields of wildflowers surrounded by big Montana mountain peaks. We will cross over Big Horn Peak and continue on the Sky Rim Trail to Daly Creek at Yellowstone’s northern boundary. We drop down off of the Sky Rim to Daly Creek’s only camp.
Distance: 9 miles
●Day 4:
Today we will have our last breakfast over the fire before we hike out along Daly Creek. We are not out of the woods yet. This part of Yellowstone is home to a lot of rare wildlife. Once we hit the trailhead say goodbye to the bears, bugs, and mud. It’s been fun, but time for a hot shower!
Distance: 4 miles
LAMAR RIVER TRAIL
-
The Lamar River Trail in Yellowstone National Park is called the Serengeti of North America for a reason: epic wildlife!
This trek takes us along the famous Lamar River Trail where we have chances to see bears, wolves, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose and many more! Named the Serengeti of North America, this valley is full of diversity and wonder. Hike among herds of bison and camp along the shores of the Lamar River. We cook over the fire when permitted (otherwise stoves) and practice Leave No Trace camping techniques.
3 or 5 Day Backpacking Trips
-
●Moderate to Easy (3 Day); Moderate to Strenuous (5 Day) (depending on your personal physical fitness)
●2 Days/ 3 Nights or 5 Days/ 4 Nights
●35+ miles (5 Day)
●12+ miles (3 Day)
●4-11 miles per day (4 Day)
●2-6 miles per day (3 Day)
●1,500-foot gain on hardest day, 500-foot gain on easiest day
-
3 Day: $1,125 per person
5 Day: $1,950 per person
-
Trip meets in West Yellowstone, MT the evening before departure date.
-
●July 14-18
●July 20-24
Meeting Location: West Yellowstone, MT 6PM evening before trip departure
We meet in West Yellowstone, Montana at 6PM the evening prior to trip departure. We hand out gear, food bags and conduct a pre-trip briefing.
●Day 1
We meet at 8AM for a two and a half hour drive to the Lamar River trailhead. The first day’s hike takes us up the Lamar River giving us a chance to spot wildlife in the Serengeti of North America. We camp near the Lamar River with the sounds of rushing water running down the mountains. This area is home to bison, grizzly bear, wolf, pronghorn, moose, elk and other unique Yellowstone wildlife.
Distance: 3-5 miles
●Day 2:
Enjoy a hot breakfast over the crackling morning fire, before we pack up camp and backpacks to proceed into Yellowstone’s wild backcountry. We will hike up the Lamar River to our next campsite, watching for bears and wolves.
Distance: 2-6 miles
●Day 3:
After breakfast, continue up the Lamar River to our next campsite.
Distance: 6-10 miles
3 Day Backpacking Trips hike out to the Lamar River Trailhead to conclude the trip. 6 miles
●Day 4:
Today we continue up the river to Mist Creek Pass for our final night on the trail. Enjoy hot coco and cookies next to the campfire, tomorrow’s hike is the longest of the expedition.
Distance: 5-7 miles
●Day 5:
Hike through the Pelican Valley, stopping for wildlife watching opportunities along the way. This is a Bear Management Area with no campsites, so it makes for a long day; but, epic wildlife abounds! Once we hit the trailhead say goodbye to the bears, bugs, and mud. It’s been fun, but time for a hot shower!
Distance: 10 miles
BECHLER RIVER CANYON
-
The Bechler River Trail is a Yellowstone Hiking Guides favorite for many reasons.
This hike has everything Yellowstone has to offer: from geysers and hot springs, to waterfalls and wildlife. Identify wild berries and sleep under the Rocky Mountain sky on the Continental Divide. Immerse yourself in a backcountry geyser basin and soak in a bubbling hot spring. Spend a week in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park with Yellowstone Hiking Guides. Enjoy a rare wilderness experience in Yellowstone’s Cascade Corner. This is a Rocky Mountain Rainforest Trek.
-
●Moderate (depending on your personal physical fitness)
●4 Days/3 Nights
●30+ miles
●6-8 miles per day
●1,500-foot gain on hardest day
-
4 Day: $1,550 per person
-
Trip meets in West Yellowstone, MT the evening before departure date.
-
●August 10-13
●August 17-20
●August 24-27
Meeting Location: West Yellowstone, MT 6PM evening before trip departure
We meet in West Yellowstone, Montana at 6PM the night prior to trip departure for a pre-trip briefing. We will hand out food bags and gear.
●Day 1:
We meet at 7:30 AM and drive 1 hour to the Old Faithful area. We begin this Yellowstone hiking trek at the Howard Eaton Trailhead, one mile from Old Faithful. It doesn’t take long to disappear into the endless pines as we hike up over a hill into the Firehole River. We camp next to the river near Lone Star Geyser, which erupts routinely.
Distance: 4 miles
●Day 2:
This morning we continue our hike up the Firehole River and over the Continental Divide to the shores of Shoshone Lake. We set up camp on the largest backcountry lake in the Lower 48 and explore the nearby Shoshone Geyser Basin. This a well-known, but rarely visited, backcountry location in Yellowstone.
Distance: 6 miles
●Day 3:
After a hot breakfast, we pack up camp and hike up and over the Continental Divide (again) into the Bechler River Canyon. The Bechler is famous for waterfalls and hot springs. We will encounter both throughout the day! We will also hike up the Ferris Fork a little way to Yellowstone’s best backcountry soaking hot spring, Mr. Bubbles. You’ll see why! Don’t forget your suit. We camp with a spectacular view of Albright Falls.
Distance: 10 miles
●Day 4:
After coffee and breakfast, we’ll pack up for our last trek to the Bechler River Ranger Station Trailhead. We will leave the Bechler River Canyon behind and enter the expansive Bechler Meadows. We will get our feet wet a few more times before leaving the trail, but it’s worth it!
Distance: 10 miles
HEART LAKE TRAIL
-
The Heart Lake Trail in Southern Yellowstone is a late season specialty.
On this hike, we ford the Snake River, camp on the shores of Heart Lake, climb Mount Sheridan and soak in a Yellowstone Hot Spring! We will look for bears, moose and otter along the way. Bag a Yellowstone Peak and soak in a backcountry hot spring with Yellowstone Hiking Guides. This tour is in the southern part of Yellowstone near the South Entrance.
-
●Moderate to Strenuous (depending on your personal physical fitness)
●5 Days/ 4 Nights
●35+ miles
●4-10 miles per day
●1,500-foot gain on hardest day, 500-foot gain on easiest day
●2,500-foot gain climbing Mount Sheridan on a layover day day hike
-
5 Day: $1,950 per person
-
Trip meets in West Yellowstone, MT the evening before departure date.
-
●September 1-5
●September 8-12
Meeting Location: West Yellowstone, MT 6PM evening before trip departure
We meet in West Yellowstone, Montana at 6PM the evening prior to trip departure. We hand out gear, food bags and conduct a pre-trip briefing.
●Day 1
After an 8AM meeting in West Yellowstone, we drive two hours to the trailhead. We conduct a final check before we hit the trail and ford the Snake River. We will eat dinner next to the crackling fire and camp in a gorgeous meadow. This area is home to bears and moose.
Distance: 5-10 miles
●Day 2:
Enjoy a hot breakfast over the morning fire, before we pack up camp and backpacks. We continue up the Snake River before heading north toward Heart Lake.
Distance: 5-10 miles
●Day 3:
After breakfast, hike to Heart Lake. We will camp along the shore of this backcountry lake teeming with bird life. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for otter and bear along the lake.
Distance: 5-10 miles
●Day 4:
Today we bag a Yellowstone peak! Drop your heavy pack and go light. This mountain stands 10,300 feet above sea level and 2,500 feet above Heart Lake. We’ll enjoy an afternoon in camp recovering from our feat.
Distance: 3 miles 2,500 ft elevation gain
●Day 5:
We will have our last breakfast next to Heart Lake before heading off to a backcountry hot spring for healing. Pack your bathing suit! We’ll enjoy this natural feature before heading back to the trailhead. Get ready for a hot shower and a hot meal!
Distance: 7 miles
BOOK BEFORE MARCH 1 TO SECURE PRIME CAMPSITES
Yellowstone Hiking Guides Backpacking Photos
-
![Black Canyon of the Yellowstone]()
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone
-
![Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon]()
Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon
-
![Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail]()
Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail
-
![Lamar River Trail Backpack]()
Lamar River Trail Backpacking
-
![Heart Lake Backpack]()
Heart Lake Backpack
-
![Black Canyon of the Yellowstone]()
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone
-
![Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon]()
Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon
-
![Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail]()
Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail
-
![Lamar River Trail Backpacking]()
Lamar River Trail Backpacking
-
![Heart Lake Backpack]()
Heart Lake Backpack
-
![Black Canyon of the Yellowstone]()
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone
-
![Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon]()
Backpacking the Bechler River Canyon
-
![Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail]()
Backpacking the Gallatin Sky Rim Trail
-
![Lamar River Trail Backpacking]()
Lamar River Trail Backpacking
-
![Heart Lake Backpack]()
Heart Lake Backpack
FAQs
-
Backpacking in Yellowstone National Park is challenging. We advise hikers to prepare for their trek months before the trip departure.
Yellowstone is at high elevation; making it more difficult than other treks around the world. But, being in shape before your trip will help you enjoy it to the fullest.
We are happy to assist with expert knowledge.
If you suffer before the trip, you won’t have to suffer on the trip.
-
●We meet at 6PM the evening before our scheduled departure date in West Yellowstone, MT (exact location TBD)
●We return to the trailhead around 12PM the last day of the scheduled trip. This gets you back to West Yellowstone before the crowds leave the Park.
-
Yellowstone Hiking Guides provides all necessary gear ●Backpack
●Tent/Sleeping Bag/Sleeping Pad
●Trekking Poles
●Bear Spray
●Meals/Snacks
●Cup/Bowl/Spoon
We issue top-of-the-line equipment for maximum comfort. We will provide you with a clothing/personal items list that you will need to bring.
-
We will provide you with a detailed clothing/personal items list that you will need to bring. This list must be followed exactly.
-
The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on your interests. Each backpacking trip has something completely different to offer.
The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone Backpack is best for seeing wildlife and wildflowers.
The Gallatin Sky Rim Trail is best for seeing big alpine views and wildlife.
The Bechler River Canyon Backpack is best for seeing waterfalls and soaking in the famous Mr. Bubbles Hot Spring.
Unpredictable weather frequents Yellowstone. Snow storms and extreme thunderstorms can happen in Yellowstone any time of the year.
-
Restrooms are primitive on the trail in Yellowstone National Park. Your guide will carry a trowel for your use in camp.
Ladies, please bring paper and a zip loc to pack out your paper. Fellas, please bring paper for your duites.
Your guide will be reminding you to drink water. Restroom breaks will be necessary.
-
4-8, including your guide.
-
YES!
We have found over the years that 12-years-old and older is the perfect age to join our backpacking tours.
We do not offer child discounts, sorry!