Yellowstone Day Hiking Tours
Explore Yellowstone on Foot with Guided Day Hikes
Yellowstone National Park is home to more than 1,200 miles of trails, stretching across valleys, forests, geyser basins, and mountain passes. While most visitors stick to the roads and boardwalks, joining one of our Yellowstone day hiking tours takes you into the park’s true wilderness. Led by professional guides, these single-day trips are designed to give you safe, exciting, and personalized access to Yellowstone’s backcountry. Many guests also combine a day hike with our Yellowstone Vacation Packages or Backpacking Tours for a more complete outdoor adventure.
Whether you are a family looking for a half-day adventure, a couple wanting a scenic trek, or an experienced hiker interested in wildlife-rich valleys, our guided hiking tours in Yellowstone National Park are built to match your ability and interests. You can also explore our Guided Tours for sightseeing options that pair perfectly with a hiking itinerary.
Why Choose a Guided Yellowstone Day Hike
- Access to Hidden Trails: Experience areas most visitors never see.
- Safe & Educational: Guides carry bear spray, provide instruction, and share knowledge of Yellowstone’s wildlife and geology.
- Custom Itineraries: Hikes tailored to your group’s fitness and interests.
- Flexible Distances: Options from 4 to 8 miles, perfect for families or adventurous hikers.
- Convenient Starting Points: Trips depart from Big Sky, West Yellowstone, or Bozeman.
Travelers searching for hiking tours in Yellowstone National Park often choose our day hikes because they provide the best combination of adventure and safety. To prepare for your hike, read our blog Hiking in Yellowstone: Here’s What You Need to Know for expert tips on trails, gear, and wildlife safety.
What to Expect on a Yellowstone Hiking Tour
Our guides will select the best trail based on conditions, wildlife activity, and your group’s goals. For ideas on where to go, check out our Top 5 Hikes in Yellowstone National Park article, featuring some of the park’s most scenic routes. We travel up to two hours from Big Sky or West Yellowstone to reach one of Yellowstone’s 96 trailheads, ensuring every hike provides variety and solitude.
- Trail Variety: From geyser basin boardwalks to alpine meadows and forested valleys.
- Wildlife Encounters: Safe opportunities to see bison, elk, birds, and even bears from a distance.
- Instruction & Safety: Bear spray provided for hikers aged 13 and older, with full training before entering the backcountry.
- Professional Guides: Experienced in Yellowstone’s terrain, wildlife, and history.
- Group Size: Maximum of six people for personalized attention.
Guests who enjoy these hikes often expand their adventure with overnight trips featured in our backpacking packages. Learn more about our Backpacking Tours to see how you can extend your Yellowstone experience beyond a single day.
Popular Yellowstone Hiking Excursions
Geyser Basin Hikes
Explore thermal features far beyond Old Faithful. These hikes bring you to colorful hot springs, mud pots, and lesser-known geysers tucked away in Yellowstone’s wilderness.
Waterfall Treks
Yellowstone is home to hundreds of waterfalls, many of which are only accessible by trail. Our guided waterfall hikes offer incredible views and excellent photography opportunities. You can get inspired by our post Photographers’ Paradise: Capturing Yellowstone’s Iconic Landscapes and Wildlife, which showcases some of the best locations to photograph during your hike.
Wildlife & Valley Walks
Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are world-famous for wildlife. Hiking in these areas increases your chances of spotting bison, elk, or even wolves, while enjoying wide open views of Yellowstone’s prairies. For more insights into animal behavior, read our guide Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone: What to Expect on a Summer Tour.
Forest & Mountain Trails
For those who want a challenge, forested and alpine hikes provide elevation gain, solitude, and panoramic views. These trails showcase Yellowstone’s diverse landscapes and plant life.
Family-Friendly Routes
Shorter hikes are available for families with children or guests looking for a more relaxed pace. Our guides ensure these trips are educational, safe, and enjoyable for all ages.
Rates for Yellowstone Day Hikes
- 1–2 People: $850
- 3–6 People: $950
Rates do not include park entrance fees, meals, guide gratuities, or the 4% lodging tax for Big Sky guests.
Highlights of Yellowstone Hiking Tours
- Stepping away from crowded boardwalks into true backcountry wilderness
- Learning about Yellowstone’s geology, wildlife, and ecosystems from professional guides
- Experiencing geothermal features, meadows, rivers, and mountain trails on foot
- Photographing landscapes and wildlife in areas most visitors never reach
- Building confidence and skills in safe backcountry hiking
Guests who want to combine day hikes with a longer vacation often add them to customized vacation packages, which include lodging and multi-day itineraries. Our 7-Day Yellowstone Vacation Package and 8-Day Grand Teton & Beartooth Package are both popular options for travelers who want to blend hiking with sightseeing.
Why Travelers Choose Our Guided Hiking Tours
Visitors consistently tell us that hiking is the most memorable part of their Yellowstone trip. Unlike sightseeing tours by vehicle, a guided Yellowstone hiking tour provides immersion in the sights, sounds, and solitude of the park. Families enjoy the safe, educational aspect, while adventurous hikers value the chance to reach remote areas with expert support.
With decades of experience, our guides know the safest trails, seasonal highlights, and wildlife behavior. This ensures that every hike is both safe and rewarding. To see which season suits your interests best, visit our post Yellowstone for All Seasons: Best Time to Visit Based on Your Interests.
Book Your Yellowstone Hiking Trip Today
If you want to see Yellowstone beyond the roads, our Yellowstone hiking trips are the perfect choice. From geyser basins to wildlife valleys, our guided hikes offer adventure, education, and unforgettable scenery in just a single day.
Contact us to reserve your spot and let our guides create a backcountry experience tailored just for you. You can also browse our full lineup of Yellowstone Guided Tours for other unforgettable ways to explore the park.