Yellowstone backpacking trips give you the opportunity to experience the wonders of America’s first national park firsthand. Up to 97 percent of Yellowstone is backcountry, i.e., areas where the average visitor doesn’t get to venture into. Very few people get to see the park’s incredible backcountry and all the wildlife that call it home, but you get to see it all when you book a backpacking tour for the summer.
Black Canyon of the Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure
Traversing one of Yellowstone’s great remote canyons, this adventure backpacking trek takes you into the heart of the Northern Range, which is full of wildlife. You’ll have the opportunity to view bison, black bears, coyotes, elk, grizzly bears, pronghorn, wolves and more. Enjoy gorgeous scenery every step of the way.
Gardner’s Hole Fishing or Day Hiking Adventure
This easy-to-moderate trek includes a stop at Gardiner’s Hole and a free day for fishing or hikes up Fawn Pass. You’ll take in incredible scenery along the way and wrap up the journey at Mammoth Hot Springs.
Wapiti Lake/Pelican Valley Adventure
One of the best Yellowstone backpacking trips you can take is the Wapiti Lake/Pelican Valley Adventure trek. This trip is long in terms of miles, but the terrain is easy to traverse. This trip takes you through one of the most heavily-populated areas of the park for bears, offering great backcountry thermal areas and wildlife habitats to explore.
Thorofare/Snake River Adventure
Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Thorofare in this long trek totaling 65 miles. You’ll traverse one of the park’s biggest and most remote valleys, trekking past large streams and the Yellowstone River to take in the scenery and spot wildlife in their natural habitat. You’ll also visit the Snake River Canyon, following the river from its source to Yellowstone’s South Entrance.
Bechler Adventure
If you’re looking for a backpacking trip that has it all, book your spot in a Bechler Adventure trek. You’ll visit Old Faithful and the Lone Star Geyser and then hike over the continental divide to take in the stunning scenery of the Bechler River Canyon and the Ferris Fork Thermal Area.
Heart Lake/Snake River Adventure
This trek begins at Heart Lake and the Heart Lake Geyser Basin, both of which offer great scenery. As the journey continues, you’ll hike to Mt. Sheridan and the Snake River to enjoy a hot spring soak.
Lava Creek Adventure
Backpacking with little ones? Take the two-day Lava Creek Adventure trek. You’ll visit Undine Falls with the option to visit Lake Falls. You’ll take an easy hike to your campsite for the night, featuring unmatched views of Undine and Lower Undine Falls. To wrap up the trip, you’ll stop by Boiling River to enjoy a comfortable soak surrounded by incredible scenery.
Ready to book guided Yellowstone backpacking tours? Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides today. Those looking for backpacking trips in 2022 should contact us before February 1 to secure your dates—we’re filling up fast for the summer. Make your reservation today.
Want to get up close and personal with the vibrant wildlife in and around Yellowstone National Park? Late fall and early winter is an ideal time to book Yellowstone National Park tours, since crowds are low and wildlife is still active. Here’s what you can expect to see on Yellowstone guided tours this winter.
Wolves
Wintertime is the best time of year for viewing wolves in their natural Yellowstone habitat. When a deep snowpack covers the ground of the park, it’s easier to spot the wolves going about their daily activities. Their beautiful, dark coloring makes them stand out in stark contrast against the white snow.
Lamar Valley is a particularly good spot to view wolves, and with Yellowstone guided tours, you have access to a knowledgeable guide for the duration of your trip. An experienced naturalist answers all your questions about these magnificent creatures, including unique insights into their habits and habitats.
Bison
Lamar Valley is a particularly good spot to view wolves, and with Yellowstone guided tours, you have access to a knowledgeable guide for the duration of your trip. An experienced naturalist answers all your questions about these magnificent creatures, including unique insights into their habits and habitats.
Owls
Owls are birds of prey, and it’s a regular occurrence for winter visitors to the park to catch them in flight as they search for rodents on the ground. They’re usually spotted in the woods of the Northern Range, swooping into lower elevations to find their next meal.
Elk
The largest elk herds in Yellowstone spend the winter along just north of the park’s winter boundary. These icons of the West form large herds, giving winter visitors an incredible look at how these animals coexist together.
Trumpeter Swan
Named for its distinctive call, the trumpeter swan is North America’s largest wild waterfowl. They mainly nest in wetlands and form larger groups in winter. You may catch them migrating in search of a new habitat to brave the cold temperatures of the winter together.
American Bald Eagle
The symbol of the nation, the American bald eagle lives year-round in Yellowstone National Park. This unmistakably-large, dark bird with a white head is always searching for food in winter, and you’ll usually spot them near rivers or streams looking for fish. They’re commonly spotted on the northern border of the park in lower elevations where food is more available during the cold winter months, and they’re often joined by other species including rare golden eagles.
Now is the best time to book Yellowstone National Park tours that allow you to get a unique glimpse of the area’s incredible wildlife. Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides today to book a journey of a lifetime.
You’ll fly into Bozeman for two or more days, touring the Northern Range and Lamar Valley. Since now is the quietest time to visit the park, you’ll get an undisturbed look at nature’s wonders. For those arriving after December 15, we can even build a snow-coach trip to Canyon or Old Faithful
Our winter wildlife weekend getaways are available through the end of May, so reach out today to start your journey.
In the mood for a fall getaway you’ll never forget? Yellowstone National Park tours are ideal for year-round travel, but they’re especially breathtaking in the fall and early winter. The Northern Range remains open for you to enjoy.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to see and do on Yellowstone guided tours to the beautiful Northern Range.
Scenic drives
Most of Yellowstone National Park is closed to vehicular traffic during winter, but routes between Cooke City and Gardiner remain open. These scenic drives are beautiful in all seasons, especially during winter when snow blankets the ground.
Starting from Gardiner, you’ll take the park’s northern entrance road to Mammoth Hot Springs. Then you’ll follow east on Grand Loop Road, taking in Yellowstone’s beautiful high country. As you continue, you’ll see the impressive canyon between the 11,000-foot Abiathar Peak and the 10,200-foot Amphitheater Mountain.
The total distance of this scenic drive is 57 miles, and guided Yellowstone National Park tours help you take in this beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace. Let professionals do all the guiding and driving, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone.
Photography opportunities
Want to get in touch with your inner Ansel Adams? You can do just that with a tour of the Northern Range. You can take impressive shots of colorful hot springs, bubbling pools and geysers set against the dramatic backdrop of snowcapped mountains, waterfalls and active wildlife during winter.
Hot springs
Most of the hot springs in Yellowstone are too hot for you to safely interact with them, but you can at the Boiling River, also known as Gardiner River. You’ll enjoy the unique sensation of hot and cold water mixing in pools along the river’s edge. The access point to this location is located between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs. After a short hike, you’ll arrive at the hot springs for a sensory experience like no other.
Wildlife
There’s never a bad time of year to experience Yellowstone’s vibrant and varied wildlife. While many animals hibernate during the winter season, you’ll still have a chance to see wolves, coyotes and mountain goats going about their day set against the dramatic winter scenery.
Yellowstone is particularly rich in avian life, with over 330 species documented in the park. It’s highly likely you’ll encounter a variety of birds during your visit, from graceful raptors to majestic bald eagles. You may even catch a glimpse of the rare peregrine falcon, osprey or great horned owl.
Although winter weather is settling in, there’s still time to get in a last-minute weekend getaway. While the park’s roads have closed, the Northern Range remains open. Enjoy it without the crowds by reaching out to the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides today. Contact us, and all you have to do is fly into Bozeman. We’ll take care of you from there, coordinating Yellowstone guided tours, transportation and lodging. Reach out to us today to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Hot and dry weather make this the worst time of year for wildfires in the Western United States, and Yellowstone National Park is in danger of going up in flames each summer. The risk of massive wildfires increases each year due to the ongoing climate crisis. For this reason, there are many Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions in place to help keep wildlife and tourists safe from wildfires. The rules change throughout the year depending on the weather, but this post will cover the regulations in place when the fire danger level is “very high,” as it is most summers.
Backcountry
Be sure to check out the backcountry if you’re up for a real adventure, but be mindful that the untamed backcountry can be more prone to wildfires. Currently, all charcoal and wood fire campfires are prohibited in the backcountry, even in established fire rings. Smoking is also banned throughout the backcountry and on all trails, except in designated areas. Smokers may light up next to the designated fire rings in campsites or within a three-foot diameter area barren of all flammable materials. You don’t have to live without heat in the dark, though. Portable gas stoves and lanterns are currently allowed. However, the area must be barren or cleared of overhead and surrounding materials. Be sure to double-check your surroundings before starting your stove or lantern.
Frontcountry and developed areas
The first restrictions are a bit more lax in developed areas. However, they’re still in place and must be followed. Campfires are only allowed in established campgrounds and day-use picnic areas. If you start a fire, it must be extinguished and cold to the touch before you leave the site. Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle, a single-family dwelling or a day-use picnic area.
Why must you follow these rules?
Some tourists have the faulty thinking that their small fire can’t possibly do any harm, so they think Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions don’t apply to them. That’s far from the case. These are the reasons you need to follow all posted rules:
Stay safe: A single spark from a campfire or cigarette is enough to start a wildfire in an instant. Not only does that jeopardize your safety, but it puts all of the other Yellowstone tourists in danger.
Protect the park: A wildfire will completely destroy all of the plants and animals in its path. What’s worse is that it can take decades for the park to return to the state it was in before the fire. Do your part to protect Yellowstone by following all of the fire regulations.
Avoid fines: As you can imagine, the authorities take these fire regulations very seriously. Starting fires in unauthorized zones can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and even jail time.
Book a tour with us
There’s still plenty of time to see Yellowstone this summer, but don’t do it alone—book a tour with Yellowstone Tour Guides. Contact us today to book a trip or to learn some more about the current Yellowstone National Park fire restrictions..
In May, a Yellowstone tourist attempted to get an up-close cellphone picture of a mother grizzly bear and her three cubs. Not only is that dangerous, but it’s also in violation of one of the Yellowstone National Park laws. The tourist is now facing federal charges for attempting to approach and take photos within 100 feet of wildlife. The Illinois woman is also faced with one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife. U.S. Park Police were able to find the woman because another tourist witnessed and recorded the event. In the video recording, the defendant appears to get within 15 feet of the bear before backing off when the grizzly briefly charged at her. The woman will go in front of a magistrate judge on August 26 to answer to her charges. If she is convicted, she could be sentenced to a year in prison and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Other laws you need to follow
Other laws you need to follow Taking photos of grizzly bears isn’t the only rule in Yellowstone. Here are a few of the Yellowstone National Park laws that keep you, other visitors and wildlife safe:
Animals: Whether it’s an 800-pound bear or a two-pound rabbit, park rangers do their best to protect all of the animals in Yellowstone. After all, the park is designed in part to be a sanctuary for them. But don’t worry, you won’t need to study all of the laws before your trip. Policies are posted throughout the park in an intent to ensure everyone is well aware of the laws.
Fires: Hot and dry conditions make summer the worst season for wildfires in Yellowstone. While we can’t do anything to prevent wildfires started by lightning strikes, tourists can do their part by adhering to posted fire laws. Additionally, you should never start a fire or smoke outside of a designated area.
Trails: We know it’s tempting to do a little off-road driving or biking to get a better look at the beautiful surroundings, but don’t do it—leaving the trails can result in some hefty fines. We promise you can get a great view of everything from the safety of the road.
Hot springs: The thermal hot springs are a major attraction in Yellowstone, but there are rules in place to protect the springs and visitors. Swimming is prohibited in the springs, as is walking off designated trails to get a better look at the hydrothermal areas.
Camping: Sleeping under the stars in Yellowstone is an experience you’ll never forget, but you can’t just set up your tent anywhere you please. In addition to obtaining the right permits, all campers must stay within designated camp sites during their stay.
See Yellowstone with our team
Book a trip with Yellowstone Tour Guides instead of attempting to experience the park on your own. From day hikes to multi-day vacation packages, we offer a package for everyone. When you book with us, you can rest easy you’ll stay in good standing with all of the Yellowstone National Park laws and have a great time during your visit!
