Are you thinking about taking a trip to Yellowstone in the near future? As you may know, Yellowstone’s interior roads close in mid-March, then reopen in April and May—which means that if you want to see that portion of the park sooner rather than later, you need to act fast. However, you can still enjoy wolf and wildlife viewing tours throughout the late winter and early spring.
Even though the Interior of Yellowstone closes on March 15 for spring snowplowing, we will continue to offer our one- to three-day wolf and wildlife viewing tours throughout Yellowstone’s Northern Range. During this quiet shoulder season, we tend to see the first of the bears coming out of hibernation, the first bison calf (in April) and few crowds. If you love nature and wildlife—especially baby wildlife—this is a great opportunity to see the park like you never have before.
What kind of wildlife will I see?
According to the United States National Park Service, Yellowstone is home to “300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, five species of amphibians, six species of reptiles and 67 species of mammals—including seven native ungulate species and two bear species.”
If you take an early spring trip, you’re likely to see wolves and bears, along with the first bison calf. As the snow melts and the wildlife reappears, you may also see foxes, martens, weasels and deer or elk.
Birds also come back to Yellowstone during the spring, so avid bird watchers should not miss this opportunity. Raptors, owls, eagles and songbirds are all prevalent throughout the park. Bring your binoculars and your best camera lenses to capture each special moment.
What kind of tours are available?
Our wildlife tours can be booked for two or three days, starting in early November and continuing through June. This is a prime opportunity to book a tour, since the crowds are usually much lighter in the winter and early spring. Once the summer months arrive, school is out and visitors start crowding the landscape.
You can start your tour by flying into Bozeman, MT, where we will pick you up and take you through the Northern Range. You’ll enjoy lodging at Chico Hot Springs, Gardiner or Cooke City, MT, where you can also cross-country ski and soak in the hot springs.
Our trips are customizable and can be combined with some of our other tours, so feel free to call us and let us know what you’re most interested in seeing. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to relax in the evenings at your resort, including the famous hot springs.
If you’ve been dying to see what Yellowstone National Park has to offer, there’s no better time to book your vacation. Yellowstone Tour Guides has been offering exciting trips for two decades. Come explore with us. Call us today and book your wolf and wildlife viewing tour, or learn more about combining vacations.
Planning on a Yellowstone visit this spring or summer? If so, get your plans made now, because our tours book up quickly!
That’s right, now is the best time to set up a multi-day tour package if you’re interested in one of our extended Yellowstone adventures in 2021. This is the time of year when we’re able to get the best hotel rates and campsites.
You can get a hold of our staff at [email protected] for assistance in planning your Yellowstone adventure this year. Keep in mind that Yellowstone is a massive park, so it’s best to stay in different locations to get the best experience. This will help you make a more active trip, and cut out some of the backtracking and driving you have to do.
Our team can help you plan out your entire trip, including lodging, backpacking, tour routes, alternate activities to take on and more. Fly into Bozeman, and we’ll handle the rest from there!
Here are a few examples of some of the multi-day Yellowstone tour packages we offer:
Simple two-day Yellowstone trips: Just here for a weekend or a quick visit? We can get you a great experience packed into a short timeframe to help you make the most of your limited time at the park. On day one, you’ll depart Big Sky or Bozeman and visit such sites as Firestone Falls, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Upper and Lower Falls, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Dunraven Pass, Crystal Falls and then stay overnight in Cooke City. On day two, you’ll see some early morning wildlife, take in Tower Falls and the Mammoth Hot Springs, see the Petrified Tree and enjoy a short day hike in the backcountry.
Seven-day Yellowstone trips: If you’re interested in a longer visit, we can plan out an entire seven-day adventure for you in Yellowstone that will give you extended time in the park that includes some of the must-see items and plenty of time for you to get into the backcountry and enjoy some of the solitude and wildlife of the park. Rates start at $1,500 per day for double occupancy and $2,000 per day for quad occupancy. We also offer seven-day trips that include short backpacking excursions.
Eight-day Yellowstone trips: Our eight-day trips add in Grand Teton National Park and Beartooth Highway, which are not usually included in our seven-day trips. You still have opportunities to add in time for backpacking, and you’ll have plenty of time to visit all the must-see sites in the park. Starting rates are the same as for the seven-day trips.
10-day Yellowstone trips: Our 10-day trips spread out the adventure possibilities, including time in Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, WY, adding in many of the elements of the seven- and eight-day trips, with more adventure time and more time for you to relax and enjoy nature.
For more information about our multi-day tour packages or to book your visit in 2021, contact the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides today.
Interested in setting up a Yellowstone backpacking trip this season? Make sure you get your reservations in now, and don’t delay! The best campsites fill up quickly, so advance planning is necessary to make sure you get an ideal spot.
We’re encouraging all guests to make their reservations by Monday, February 15, 2021. We will be putting in our first round of campsite requests on February 20, so please be prompt with your reservations!
Hiking in the time of COVID-19
We’re still expecting to be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic throughout much of the year, so if you’re looking for a fun, socially distant outdoor adventure to enjoy, look no further than a Yellowstone backpacking trip.
If you’re wondering about the safety of hiking and backpacking during the time of COVID-19, here are a few tips to help you enjoy your journey responsibly:
Behave like you have the virus: This is a good general rule for your interactions when out in public. You might not have any symptoms or be aware of an exposure, but that doesn’t mean you absolutely are not carrying the virus asymptomatically. Be considerate in your interactions, leave plenty of space, keep groups small and limited to people who are in your bubble and do not behave recklessly when you encounter other groups of people on the trails or at campsites.
Stick to your campsite: It’s true that one of the great parts of backpacking or camping is coming across other groups of people at campsites and bonding around the fire. But this time around, you’re probably better off staying at your own campsite and keeping socialization limited to the group of people you’re traveling with.
Don’t congregate in areas: Avoid congregating in the parking lot at the trailhead, and don’t carpool with anyone who’s not in your bubble or your group.
Be smart on the trail: It’s important to practice social distancing while out on the trail. Try to keep at least six feet of distance from other hikers and groups. Step off the trail to let people pass, and pick wider trails whenever possible.
Keep your groups small: Try to keep your groups small. You’ll probably get more enjoyment out of the solitude of nature this way anyway, but remember that the more people you bring along with you, the greater the chances you’re camping with someone carrying the virus. Try to stick to traveling only with people in your household.
Bring a mask: Even though you are outdoors, it is still polite to have a mask or face covering with you if you’re going to be on busy trails. Putting on a mask briefly while passing others is polite during the pandemic, and simply the responsible thing to do.
These are just a few examples of some of the ways you can adjust your hiking habits to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Backpacking trips in Yellowstone are still safe, fun adventures to take on, so make your plans now to get your campsite, and get yourself ready for a fun time!
If you’re looking to avoid crowds during ski season, skiing through the Yellowstone area is just the ticket. Your ski trip with Yellowstone Tour Guides will turn into an outdoor vacation when you enjoy the breathtaking views and wildlife, all while taking advantage of remote ski resorts throughout Yellowstone and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Our rates include ground transportation, lodging and lift tickets—all you have to do is show up and enjoy what this spectacular area has to offer. It’s the best way to enjoy the outdoors, especially during COVID-19.
Here is a brief overview of our YTG ski trips. Could this be your next family vacation?
Big Sky to Jackson Hole
Big Sky is one of the best ski areas, with the shortest lift lines, thanks to its remote location. You’ll enjoy views of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons as you zip through hundreds of miles of empty slopes. Look out for moose, bull elk and wolves as you ski through the Gallatin District.
Bighorn Basin
This trip includes four different ski areas in Montana and Wyoming. If you’re a beginner or intermediate skier (or just haven’t had a chance to go in a while), this is the perfect tour for you. There’s a great range of beginner through expert slopes, so everyone will be able to find a trail to enjoy. You can also opt to enjoy nearby hot springs, the Buffalo Bill Museum and other local attractions. (These are not included in the trip price.)
Montana Highline
Take the worry out of traveling remote winter roads—but enjoy some of Montana’s most hidden ski slopes—when you book a Montana Highline trip. Our guides will do the driving so you can sit back and relax on the way to the resorts. The northern ski areas are far less crowded than southern Montana, which is ideal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plan carefully—not every ski area is open seven days per week, but we can offer substitution suggestions if your favorites are closed.
Montana Hot Springs
Skiing and hot tubs are a perfect combination. After a long day out on the slopes, you can come back to enjoy the nearby hot springs, like Fairmont, Jackson, Elk Horn, Lost Trail, Lolo and Quinn Hot Springs. It’s the best way to relax (and recuperate) after a physically exhausting day. Prices include lodging, ground transportation, lift tickets and hot spring passes, but not ski rentals, food, alternate activities and gratuity.
Your Yellowstone Tour Guides ski trip is guaranteed to show you a brand-new part of the Yellowstone area, all without the stress of driving yourself. When you’re looking for a COVID-19-safe, socially-distanced vacation for the whole family, you can’t beat a skiing and hot springs adventure. Call us today to learn more about our trips.
2021 is a year of milestones for all of us at Yellowstone Tour Guides. We’re celebrating 10 years on Facebook, our 20th anniversary and our founder’s 30th year guiding in the park. Come celebrate with us when you book a trip today!
If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably going a little stir crazy after almost a year of lockdowns. Backpacking trips in Yellowstone are a great way to travel, enjoy the outdoors and get away from it all for a few days. It’s a safe choice, too. With a vaccine still a few months away for most folks, backpacking is one of the best vacations for social distancing. We start applying for campsite permits on February 15, so now is the best time to lock in your trek for the summer of 2021. The best campsites fill up fast—if you’re thinking about taking a trip in the warmer months, now is the time to act.
What kind of backpacking trips are available?
We offer a variety of backpacking trips throughout Yellowstone National Park. Did you know that the vast majority of Yellowstone (97 percent) is considered “back country,” and only a fraction of visitors ever sees or spends the night off the beaten path? If you want a one-of-a-kind backpacking experience, the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides is here to help.
Our group backpacking trips can be private and customizable. We offer eight different group treks, including through the Black Canyon, Lava Creek, Thorofare and Snake Creek and more. Our trips are appropriate for everyone from novices to experts—we’ll teach you everything you need to know to enjoy the scenery, including proper bear etiquette, how to use your gear and what to watch for as you explore the back country with us. Our trips can be day tours or multi-day and night adventures. If the tour areas are unexpectedly closed, our expert guides will make sure there are other breathtaking alternatives that everyone will love.
Who can go on a backpacking trip?
We pride ourselves on offering trips that everyone can enjoy, including children or people who use wheelchairs. When you book your trip, just let us know whether you have any specific physical challenges or if age is a factor. We can make recommendations about the best trips for your group. After all, Yellowstone should be enjoyed by everyone, and we want to do everything we can to make that possible.
Now is the time to book a trip
When you’re thinking about booking a summer backpacking trip, visit our website to look through the current offerings. If nothing strikes your fancy, let us know. We have also been putting together group treks for those who want to join a group. Just look on our Facebook page and check out our events. We plan to add a couple more trips by the end of January. If you have an idea, please let us know and we would be happy to get another group trek going.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see Yellowstone like you’ve never seen it before. For more information, or to sign up for your Yellowstone backpacking trip, reach out to Yellowstone Tour Guides today. Make sure to ask about our special COVID-19 deals!
