Author: Jim Holstein

You May Now Add Glacier National Park or the Black Hills and MT Rushmore to Multi Day Packages

Jim Holstein |

Here at Yellowstone Tour Guides, we are always listening to our clients’ feedback to enhance the experiences we offer. Over the past few years, we’ve had numerous requests from our multi-day package clients asking if we could expand our tours to include Glacier National Park, the Black Hills, and the iconic Mt. Rushmore. After careful consideration and research, we are thrilled to announce that we will be expanding our offerings to include these incredible destinations in our multi-day private tours.

If you’re seeking a personalized, seamless experience to explore these natural wonders, you’re in the right place. We now offer thoughtfully designed routes that complement your Yellowstone adventure, with flexible itineraries and the same exceptional service we’re known for. Let’s dive into the details of our new offerings for Glacier National Park and the Black Hills, along with Mt. Rushmore!

Explore Glacier National Park (Available June 20 through September 31)

We knew right away that Glacier National Park had to be part of our new packages. One of our experienced guides, Scott, spent several years guiding in Glacier, and his expertise has been invaluable in creating an unforgettable experience. Glacier National Park is a dream destination for adventurers who crave dramatic landscapes, pristine wilderness, and some of the most awe-inspiring mountain views in the United States.

A Three-Day Add-On to Your Yellowstone Adventure

Glacier National Park can now be added as a three-day extension to your Yellowstone tour. For those flying in or out of Kalispell, MT, we also offer a two-day version of the tour to suit your travel plans.

The journey between Yellowstone and Glacier is packed with scenic routes, unique stops, and incredible natural beauty. While the trip itself is breathtaking, we’ve also curated several activities to break up the drive, offering a mix of history, culture, and outdoor fun. Here are some of the optional activities you can experience along the way:

  • Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour: A spectacular boat tour through towering canyon walls where history and geology come to life.
  • Montana Historical Society Museum: A fascinating dive into the state’s rich history, from indigenous cultures to pioneering explorers.
  • Montana State Capitol: A beautiful piece of architecture and history in Helena.
  • Pintler Scenic Route: A breathtaking drive showcasing the best of Montana’s wilderness.
  • Snowbowl Ski Lift Ride: Enjoy scenic views from above as you ride the ski lift at Snowbowl.
  • Butte Historic District: A step back in time to explore this former mining boomtown.
  • Virginia City National Historic Landmark: A living ghost town offering a glimpse into the Old West.

Of course, the highlight of this tour is your visit to Glacier National Park itself. Depending on your travel itinerary, you’ll have either one or two full days to explore Glacier, including the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is one of the most scenic drives in the world (weather permitting). We handle all logistics, including park entrance reservations, lodging, and any additional activities you’d like to include, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: The Crown Jewel of Glacier

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is Glacier’s most famous attraction, and for good reason. Winding through the park’s rugged landscape, this 50-mile road offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, sparkling lakes, and lush forests. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, we’ll make stops for short hikes, wildlife viewing, and jaw-dropping vistas that will leave you speechless.

Whether you want to explore Glacier’s iconic attractions or venture off the beaten path, we tailor the itinerary to your preferences. And, as always, our private tours ensure that you’re never rushed, with the flexibility to linger at spots that capture your heart.

The Black Hills, Rapid City, and Mt. Rushmore

In addition to Glacier National Park, we’re now offering transportation to and from the Black Hills, Rapid City, and Mt. Rushmore. While we are currently in the process of establishing relationships with local tour operators in the area to enhance your experience, we have already developed three incredible scenic routes to get you from Yellowstone to the Black Hills, with stops at some of the region’s most exciting landmarks.

Route Options to the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore

We understand that no two travelers are the same, which is why we’ve created three different route options to transport you between Yellowstone and the Black Hills area. Each route offers a unique combination of scenic drives and unforgettable experiences.

I-90 Route

This option follows the I-90 corridor, with stops at historic sites and breathtaking landscapes. Highlights of this route include:

  • Pompey’s Pillar Historic Site: An iconic sandstone formation etched with the signature of Captain William Clark from the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
  • Battle of the Bighorn National Battlefield: Step into history at the site of Custer’s Last Stand and explore the visitor center for more in-depth stories of this pivotal battle.
  • Devil’s Tower National Monument: An optional stop to see this awe-inspiring geologic wonder, a sacred site for many Native American tribes.

Highway 14 Route

For a more scenic route, we offer the Highway 14 option, which travels through the majestic Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Here, you can marvel at stunning canyon views and even spot wild horses. Additional stops include:

  • Bighorn Mountains Northern Route: A journey over one of Wyoming’s most scenic mountain passes.
  • Shell Falls: A hidden gem with cascading waterfalls set against a picturesque backdrop.
  • Devil’s Tower National Monument: This optional stop can also be added to this route, allowing you to visit one of America’s most iconic landmarks.

Highway 16 Route (2-Day Option)

If you prefer a more leisurely pace, our Highway 16 route is a two-day option that includes an overnight stay in Thermopolis, WY. On this journey, you’ll experience:

  • Grand Teton National Park: We’ll drive through the outer road of the Grand Tetons, offering magnificent views of these towering peaks.
  • Towogtee Pass: A stunning mountain pass with remarkable scenery.
  • Thermopolis Hot Springs: Unwind after a day of travel with a relaxing soak in the world’s largest mineral hot springs. You’ll also have time to explore the colorful terraces of this geological wonder.
  • Bighorn Mountains Southern Route: After a restful night, we’ll cross the southern route of the Bighorn Mountains, with beautiful views of rolling hills and expansive wilderness.
  • Devil’s Tower National Historic Landmark: Finish the trip with a visit to Devil’s Tower before arriving in Rapid City.

This two-day journey is ideal for those who want to savor each stop without feeling rushed. Like the other routes, this one can be done in reverse as well.

Start Planning Your Next Adventure

With the addition of Glacier National Park, the Black Hills, and Mt. Rushmore, your Yellowstone adventure just got even better. Whether you want to combine the rugged beauty of Glacier with the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone or explore the historic and scenic sites of the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, we have the perfect itinerary for you.

Our multi-day private tours offer the flexibility, customization, and personal attention you deserve. We take care of everything—lodging, park reservations, transportation, and unique activities—so all you need to do is enjoy the journey.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your next vacation with us. Contact us today to craft a private tour that includes these new, exciting destinations!

Winter Wildlife Weekend Getaways

Jim Holstein |
Available from November 1st through Mid-April
Are you looking for a quick Yellowstone vacation to spend a weekend to look for wolves and other wildlife?  We offer a 2 or 3-day package, where you fly into Bozeman and we take care of your ground transportation and hotels from there.  No need to rent a car or worry about winter roads, our longtime local guides will give you a safe enjoyable tour.
Fly into Bozeman and transfer to your lodging (If you have an early arrival before 1 pm, for $700 more, you can add another day of touring after your plan lands, same if you have a late flight after 2 pm, you may add a morning of extra touring for $700).  Otherwise, the first and last night will be in Bozeman.
Once you fly in, you will have a complimentary airport shuttle to your hotel.  Your guide will pick you up first thing in the morning, traveling over the Bozeman Pass to Livingston, then south into Yellowstone Park.  We will visit the Stephen’s Creek District of the park first, then a visit to the Roosevelt Arch and Mammoth Hot Springs before an evening of wildlife in the Lamar Valley.  Overnight in Gardiner or Cooke City.
You will begin the next day with an early morning wildlife adventure to the Lamar Valley.  You will then visit another trail at Mammoth Hot Springs, Undine Falls before you head to your hotel in Bozeman before your flight the next day.
Rates for the 2-day, 3-night package are $2600 (or $1300 per person double occupancy).  Add an additional room for $800 (3 nights) per room (up to 6 people total).
If 2 days isn’t enough and you want to increase your odds of great wildlife sightings, our 3-day 4-night package is $3500 (or $1750 per person double occupancy).  Add $1100 per additional room (6 people total).

It’s Not Too Late for a Last Minute Multi Day Vacation to Yellowstone.

Jim Holstein |
October is a great time to visit Yellowstone, the crowds are down, most of the attractions are still open through the end of the month and the wildlife is starting to move again as the seasons change.  The smoke from the summer fires will start to clear, fresh snow on the mountain tops against a crisp blue sky…there are so many reasons Yellowstone in October is a great time to visit.
At Yellowstone Tour Guides, we are offering discounted multi day vacation packages.  The hotel rates begin to drop, which allows us to offer a more affordable experience.
Multi Day packages are different, you will not need to rent a car as we will pick you up and drop you off at the airport, we will help you plan the tour, the lodging and more.  You will have a true yea- round Yellowstone expert for your guide.
We recommend 2 or 3 days to explore Yellowstone, another day for the Beartooth and/or the Chief Joseph highways, and maybe another day or two for Grand Teton National Park.  We can also explore the Cody, WY area, Virginia City National Historic Landmark and more.
We will take up to 6 people per tour, rates are based on double occupancy.  If you require more than 1 room, add $300 for each additional room.  Add $400 per day for Grand Teton National Park.
Multi day rates (double occupancy):
2 days, 3 nights   $2200
3 days, 4 nights   $3100
4 days, 5 nights   $4000
5 days, 6 nights   $5000
6 days, 7 nights   $6000
7 days, 8 nights   $7000

Downhill Ski Vacations

Jim Holstein |

Yellowstone Tour Guides also offers great downhill ski packages, combined with your Yellowstone Adventure.   You can take advantage of your IKON Pass at Big Sky and Jackson Hole Resort.  You can also take advantage of your INDY Pass at Snowking Resort, Red Lodge, MT. 

Big Sky Jackson Hole Adventures perfect for your IKON PASS 

Fly into Bozeman on day one, transfer to your lodging.  On Day two, you will visit Yellowstone’s Northern Range, looking for wolves and other wildlife, Mammoth Hot Springs, Undine Falls and more.  Overnight at Big Sky Resort.  Stay and ski as many days as you would like. 

Next travel from Big Sky to West Yellowstone.  Tour to Old Faithful (add a second day to snowcoach to the Canyon.  Your guide will then drive you down to Jackson, WY or for an additional charge, we can have you switch snowcoaches at Old Faithful, where you can continue on snowcoach to the South Entrance, then through Grand Teton National Park on your way to Jackson, WY for your lodging.   

You can stay and ski as many days in Jackson as you would like.  You may fly out of Jackson, WY or you may add another day and we can take you back to Bozeman, skiing Grand Targhee along the way, with more wildlife in the Madison Valley before arriving in Bozeman. 

You will have to inquire with us for rates. 

INDY Pass tours 

We do have a couple of tour options for those with an INDY PASS and who would like to explore some of the local INDY hills in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.  These tour may or may not visit Yellowstone. 

The Grand Yellowstone Ecosystem Tour 

7 days, 8 nights 

Resorts in Bold Print are INDY PASS ski areas. 

Day 1:  Fly into Bozeman, MT transfer to your lodging 

Day 2:  Visit Yellowstone’s Northern Range, looking for wildlife, wolves and a visit to Mammoth Hot Springs, stay in Red Lodge, MT 

Day 3:  Ski Red Lodge, MT, after skiing you will travel to Cody, WY.  Visit the Buffalo Bill Museum (optional) 

Day 4:  Ski Meadowlark Ski Area, WY, after skiing you will stay at Thermopolis, WY and you can walk the colorful hot spring terraces, and take a soak a one of the hot spring plunges in town. 

Day 5:  Travel through the Wind River Canyon, to Dubois and Jackson, WY.  You can ski in the afternoon at Snowking Resort.  

Day 6:  Ski Kelly Canyon Ski area, ID.  After skiing you may take an optional soak at Hiese Hot Springs before transferring to Idaho Falls for your last night’s lodging. 

Day 7:  Fly out of Idaho Falls, or if transferring back to Bozeman, you may ski Grand Targhee or Big Sky on the way. 

Rates: 

$350 per person per day for 1 or 2 people. 

$100 per person per day for each additional person 

Rates Include: 

All ground transportation, tours and transportation to and from the ski areas. 

Rates do not include: 

Lodging, park entrance fees, meals, guide’s gratuities, lift tickets, hot spring soaks, museums or any other extras. 

From the Rockies to the Black Hills 

Resorts in bold print are INDY PASS ski areas 

Day 1:  Fly into Billings, MT transfer to your hotel 

Day 2:  Ski Red Lodge, MT, travel to Cody, WY for lodging.  Optional visit to the Museum. 

Day 3:  A quick tour to the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to see the Canyon and possibly some wild horses. Ski Antelope Butte, WY overnight in Sheridan, WY 

Day 4:  Travel east, Ski Terry Peak, SD.  Stay in Buffalo, WY 

Optional Plan this is for those who wish to see some of the sites in the Black Hills: 

Day 4:  Visit the Devil’s Tower National Monument in the AM, ski Terry Peak, SD in the afternoon. Stay in Deadwood, South Dakota 

Day 5:  Ski Terry Peak in the AM.  Visit Mt Rushmore then travel to Buffalo, WY for your lodging. 

(Optional Day 6:  Visit Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park with a night at Hot Springs, SD for a soak and lodging.) 

Day 5:  Ski Meadowlark Ski Area, WY stay at Thermopolis, WY.  Enjoy walking through the colorful hot springs, and a soak in the hot spring pools. 

Day 6:  Ski Red Lodge, MT.  Stay in Billings, MT 

Rates: 

$400 per person per day for 1 or 2 people 

$200 per additional person up to 5 people 

Rates include: 

Ground transportation, tours and transportation to and from the ski areas and lodging. 

Rates do not include: 

Park Entrance fees, meals guide’s gratuities, lift tickets, lodging or any extras (soaks, museums, etc.) 

Touring Yellowstone in the Winter

Jim Holstein |

Between November 1st, and the third Friday in April is Yellowstone’s winter season.  It is during this time you can visit Yellowstone’s Northern Range, home of about 70% of Yellowstone’s wintering wildlife.  This section offers access in the fall when many of the park’s roads are closed to allow the snow to accumulate for the winter snowmobile and snowcoach season.  This section also adds access in the spring, when the park’s Interior roads close to snowmobiles and snowcoaches for the spring snowplowing.  

Yellowstone Tour Guides offers some great winter wildlife weekend getaway packages during this time.   Spend 2 or more days exploring for wildlife.  Enjoy a quick trip by flying into Bozeman, MT and we will take care of things from there, including lodging, ground transportation and tours. 

The Northern Range offers great wildlife, with elk, bison, bighorn sheep, wolves, mule deer, bald eagles, whitetail deer and coyotes viewed on most trips.  We do have a good number of trips also viewing moose, fox, mountain goats and even grizzly and black bears as we get closer to spring. 

These tours also offer great walks through the hot spring terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, which in winter are transformed into a winter wonderland of snow, frost, colors with the hot water flowing over the unique terraces.  The Roosevelt Arch, Undine Falls and Stephen’s Creek District are also a part of the 2, or more day adventures. 

Winter Wildlife Adventure Packages 

2-day, 3-night or 3 day 4 night Winter Adventures 

Fly into Bozeman, MT, transfer to your hotel. 

Start bright and early for your tour to the Northern Range to look for wildlife Mammoth Hot Springs, the Roosevelt Arch.  Lodging will be in Gardiner or Cooke City, MT- your choice. On day 2, you will head out for early morning wildlife and wolf watching, you will visit Undine Falls, Yellowstone’s Stephen’s Creek District, and more.  By touring a third day, this will really increase your chances for great wildlife sightings and to see more of the area. 

Tours between December 15th and March 15th may add on a day or two snowcoach trip to Old Faithful or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  Contact us for rates as they may vary. 

Private Tours may also build in a visit to Yellowstone Hot Springs or Chico Hot Springs, or cross-country skiing or snowshoeing as additional options (any extra charges are not included). 

Rates for a 2-day; 3-night adventure: 

$1450 per person, double occupancy.   

$250 per additional person up to 6 people 

$900 per additional room. 

What’s included:  Airport transfers from the Bozeman Airport, lodging for 3 nights (2 nights in Bozeman and 1 night in either Gardiner or Cooke City), 2 full day tours (up to 8 hours per day) and all taxes. 

What’s not included:  The Park Entrance fees, meals, guide’s gratuities, along with any alternate activities such as soaking at Chico Hot Springs or Yellowstone Hot Springs, cross-country ski rentals or museum visits. 

Rates for 3 or more day (rates are based on each additional day): 

$1000 per day for the first person 

$200 per each additional person 

$300 for each additional room 

For 1 or 2 day snowcoach option (December 15th through March 15th only): 

Please inquire with our office as the rates may vary.