Yellowstone Day Hikes

Hike in Yellowstone with a Biologist

Yellowstone has over 900 miles (1,450 km) of trails in a variety of landscapes, from lush pine forests to stark thermal basins. Hikes can be steep mountain treks or casual strolls along boardwalks. Take a closer look at Yellowstone by getting off the beaten path and onto a trail with a biologist as your guide. Your expert guide will customize your half-day (up to 5 hours) or full-day (up to 8 hours) privately guided hike in Yellowstone according to your preferences, abilities, time of year, weather, and trail conditions. Location Options: We can guide you on trails in Yellowstone near Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction, Canyon, Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley. We also guide day hikes near Gardiner, Paradise Valley or Cooke City-Silver Gate in the Gallatin National Forest. We carry bear spray and are trained in trail safety in Yellowstone's bear country. We take grizzly bears seriously! We can also enhance your knowledge of Yellowstone's natural history, ecology, scientific studies, and conservation efforts. As guides, we get excited about all kinds of observations, so let us know if you have a particular interest.

Biologist Guide

We love using our expert local ecological knowledge to help you see and learn about the aspects of Yellowstone that you are interested in. We'll also help you stay safe while you go wild!

Picnic

We provide delicious snacks on half-day hikes, or picnic lunch on full-day hikes

Weather and Elevation

Yellowstone has a dry, high-elevation climate. Weather varies A LOT! We can have 60 degree (F) temperature changes in a day. Bring clothing layers. Thunderstorms and snow can happen in any month.

Amazing Optics

Binoculars are provided on your hike, so you won't miss out on the action!

Family Friendly + Accessible

Hikes can be adapted to accommodate most ages and abilities. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have specific needs.

Stay Hydrated!

BYO water bottle or hydration pack and drink plenty of water to have your best day. You'll need 2 liters per person for half day hikes or 3 liters per person for full day hikes.

Choose Your Adventure!

When booking a hike, please specify the level of difficulty you prefer. Remember! Yellowstone is in the Rocky Mountains. The minimum starting elevation will be about 6000 feet above sea level, and we go up from there.

Easy
Gentle and mostly flat terrain, with minimal elevation gain. May include boardwalks or stairs.
Moderate
Trails that include sections of rocky terrain or sections and other obstacles with up to 700 feet elevation gain.
Moderately Strenuous
Uneven rocky terrain and other obstacles with up to 1000 feet elevation gain.
Strenuous
Steeper, rocky terrain, possibly off trail, with steep inclines and possibly over 1000 feet in elevation gain

Tour Pricing

All hikes are private Meet at Trailhead Please contact us directly for groups larger than 10

Half Day Hike
near Mammoth WY, Gardiner MT or Paradise Valley MT
$500/day
  • + $30 per hiker, after the first
Half Day Hike
near Tower Jxn or Lamar Valley
$600/day
  • + $30 per hiker, after the first
Half Day Hike
near Grand Canyon of Yellowstone or Hayden Valley
$625/day
  • + $30 per hiker, after the first
Full Day Hike
near Mammoth WY, Gardiner MT or Paradise Valley MT
$700/day
  • + $50 per hiker, after the first
Full Day Hike
near Tower Jxn or Lamar Valley
$800/day
  • + $50 per hiker, after the first
Full Day Hike
near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or Hayden Valley
$825/day
  • + $50 per hiker, after the first

Reviews

Cara was our guide on our recent family vacation to Montana and Yellowstone. She met us at the park and guided us on a hike off the beaten path. We got to see things the average tourist would never see. She truly loves what she does and is so in tune with nature and her surroundings! I feel like I made a lifelong friend. If you are in need of a guide set please do yourself a favor and book with Cara. She is fantastic and you won't be disappointed!
Debbie
September 2017
Brief summary: In Our Nature provided two fantastic hiking trips for my dad and for me in Yellowstone National Park. Their communication was excellent before the trip, their knowledge of both the landscape and the wildlife was exceptional, and their guiding service was by far the best I’ve ever experienced. The details: I recently took a vacation with my father to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with the goal of both hitting the “top sites” in each park, and of getting off the roads and boardwalks into the back country. Knowing that he has some physical limitations and that I’d be wanting a more serious hike by the middle of the trip, I booked In Our Nature to provide each of us with a custom half-day hike. Cara (the owner) called me in advance and we discussed what our goals were for the trip, what sorts of snacks we liked (NO MAYONNAISE!), and what our fitness levels were. When we met up with Cara and Audra at Tower Roosevelt Junction the day of the trip, they went over our itineraries with us, checked to ensure we had everything we would need, and then hit the road to stage vehicles along the park road, allowing us to create loop hikes out of what would ordinarily be out-and-back trips. I won’t recount every detail, but combined, we hiked both on and off trail, experienced numerous wildlife surprises, saw grizzly and black bears, pronghorn antelopes, bighorn sheep, bison, marmots, ground squirrels, great horned owls, osprey, peregrine falcons, and many other birds, most with young. This is to say nothing of the fantastic scenery, in-depth knowledge of the region’s ecology, pleasant company, and of course, tasty mayo-free snacks. My dad and I were both extremely satisfied with our custom outings. I strongly recommend In Our Nature to anyone looking for a top-notch guiding service whether along the roads or in the backcountry.
Scott K
June 2019
We spent a day with Cara on a guided hike of the Garnet Loop Trail in Yellowstone and she made it the most comfortable experience for us. She was available for communication before, during and after the hike to answer any questions we had for her. She also took my pace into consideration and ensured we took it easy, had ample water breaks, food breaks, coordinated the trail so that we had less sun exposure which helped me to complete the entire loop along with the visit to the suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River. Her suggestions to visit the Beartooth pass and food options along the way just made the trip so much more memorable for us. We will be calling Cara again when we are back in Yellowstone.
Divya
September 2020

$500/half day hike + $30/person

$700/full day hike + $50/person

What's Included

An experienced, local naturalist hiking guide or biologist with extensive knowledge of the area A half-day or full-day of hiking Snacks (half-day hikes), lunch (full-day hikes) Bear spray for hikes Binoculars

What's Not Included

Gratuity National Park entrance fees: $20/person Weekly, annual, veteran, 4th grader & senior passes also accepted.

Payment Options

We will gladly accept online payment by credit card or by check if mailed in advance.

Have a Question?

Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Book your Yellowstone Day Hike Now

Looking for Another Adventure?

Make the most of your visit on a private tour with In Our Nature Guiding Services. One of our local wildlife biologists will craft your adventure to your personal interests.

Yellowstone Geyser & Hot Spring Tour

Visit geysers, hot springs & mud pots with your own expert guide. Yellowstone sits on top of one of the largest volcanic hot spots in the world. Learn about the chamber of partially molten magma underneath and how it causes all of the fanciful thermal activity in the park. There is no other place like this on earth!
Yellowstone Nat’l Park’s Mammoth, Norris, Madison and Old Faithful areas
late April to early November
from $780 per day

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A llama standing in grass in the mountains of Yellowstone region

Llama Day Hikes

Llama hikes are among the many incredible adventures available in Paradise Valley and Gardiner area, on Yellowstone’s fringe. You’re lucky to have multiple ways to join Susi from Yellowstone Llamas, who can answer all of your questions about the llamas.
late May – late October
from $150 per day

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Yellowstone Backpacking

Enjoy places others rarely see. Fully custom, private backpacking trips throughout Yellowstone with a duration and difficulty level designed just for you. Wander in the wonders of the wild.
Yellowstone National Park
May – October
from $700 per day

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Paradise Valley Day Hike

Get away from the crowds and experience the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem like a local! The Custer-Gallatin National Forest holds all of the mountain splendor and wildlife of Yellowstone, without the masses. Relax, unwind, move and discover this magnificent place with us.
Paradise Valley & Gallatin Nat’l Forest
May – November
from $500 per day

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Yellowstone Private Tour & Lodging Packages

Choose the guided activities and tours you would like to do and stay at Wanderlust Haven, an ideally located, beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom house in Gardiner with amazing views!
Bozeman Airport transfers can be arranged.
Yellowstone Nat’l Park & Gardiner MT
All Year
from $1,200 per day incl. luxe lodging

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Yellowstone Snowshoe & XC Ski Tours

Come indulge in Yellowstone’s winter splendor: explore varied terrain, follow & identify fresh animal tracks, and take in stellar views of Yellowstone’s northern range.
Northern Yellowstone Nat’l Park
December – March
from $350 per day

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Beartooth Pass Tours, Hikes & Backpacking

Beartooth Mountains offer awe-inspiring views from a high-elevation winding road, abundant wildlife and many hiking and backpacking opportunities.
Beartooth Mountains, Custer-Gallatin & Shoshone Nat’l Forests
June – October
from $500 per day

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Wolf & Wildlife Tour in Yellowstone

Your biologist guide will use their expert local ecological knowledge to help you see and learn about the wildlife you’re interested in. You will observe bears, wolves and other wildlife through highest quality spotting scopes and learn about their ecology.
Yellowstone Nat’l Park’s Lamar and Hayden Valleys
Year-round
from $780 per day

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