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Highlights
Hike the beautiful Yellowstone backcountry with a visit to the geysers
Join a guided journey into the heart of Yellowstone's backcountry, exploring remote areas not commonly visited by the average tourist.
Discover this extensive and less frequented geyser basin with more geysers than Iceland, offering a private and immersive geothermal experience.
Use the opportunities to see Yellowstone's diverse wildlife, including potential sightings of elk along Shoshone Lake.
Visit Yellowstone’s renowned geysers, including the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful.
Experience a variety of landscapes from lush valleys like Hayden Valley to the striking geothermal areas along Lake Yellowstone.
Get acquainted with backpacking as you hike to Shoshone Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Situated along Shoshone Lake, it is the largest backcountry geyser basin in Yellowstone – and you’ll have it all to ourselves!
Get your feet wet with a short but sweet 4-day backpacking adventure that is perfect for beginners with a good level of fitness. Enjoy the expertise of naturalist guides who will introduce you to the wonders of backpacking in Yellowstone National park.
Get acquainted with backpacking as you hike to Shoshone Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Situated along Shoshone Lake, it is the largest backcountry geyser basin in Yellowstone – and you’ll have it all to ourselves!
Get your feet wet with a short but sweet 4-day backpacking adventure that is perfect for beginners with a good level of fitness. Enjoy the expertise of naturalist guides who will introduce you to the wonders of backpacking in Yellowstone National park.
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Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Settle into Canyon Village
Your journey begins today! You’ll meet your group and expert backpacking guides in Bozeman and get to know each other over lunch at a local brewery. Then, you’ll head down to the world’s first national park! You’ll enjoy some sightseeing and short hikes before arriving to your camp in Canyon Village.
Overnight Location: Camping in Yellowstone
Distance: ~5 miles, 500 feet
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Hike to Shoshone Lake
Early this morning, you’ll visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for stunning views, then head into the Hayden Valley for some wildlife spotting, with a stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin, situated along the enormous Lake Yellowstone! Eventually, you’ll find yourselves at the Lone Star Geyser trailhead, where your adventure into Yellowstone’s backcountry will begin!
You’ll hike 9 miles, along backcountry thermal features that may erupt as you pass, giving you a private show! You’ll arrive to your campsite along Shoshone Lake, where you’ll set up tents and enjoy a delicious camp dinner.
Overnight Location: Camping in Yellowstone
Distance: ~9 miles, 1000 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Shoshone Geyser Basin
After a healthy, filling camp breakfast, you’ll explore the astonishing Shoshone Geyser Basin – which alone has more geysers than Iceland! Then, you’ll hit the trails towards your final campsite, also along Shoshone Lake. You’ll keep your eyes out for elk and other wildlife, who enjoy spending time along the lakeshore.
Overnight Location: Camping in Yellowstone
Distance: ~7 miles, 500 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful
You’ll wake up at dawn to start your hike out of the Shoshone Geyser Basin backcountry, where you’ll meet the shuttle that will take the group back to the starting point.
Then, you’ll hit Yellowstone’s most famous features: Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. In the afternoon, you’ll make your way back to the Bozeman Airport, with a quick stop at a local hot spring for a dip!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: ~5 miles, 500 feet
Meals: Breakfast
Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour Price and Dates
This tour is being run as a fixed departure tour, however, private departures can also be organized on request. The prices below to join a group tour are per person, sharing a double room or tent:Start
Finish
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Spaces Left
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Accommodation on Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour
This tour is based in various campsites in the park.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private single tent.
What’s Included in the Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour?
Meals
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 3 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Round-trip transportation throughout the tour is included, starting and ending with pickup and drop-off at Bozeman Airport.
Also included
- Medically-trained, naturalist guides
- Round-trip transportation
- Accommodations
- Tent and sleeping pad
- All meals
- Park entry fees
Not included
- Flights
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Personal camping gear
- Gratuity for Your Guide
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Sleeping bag rental
- How hard is the Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the United States of America?
- Are meals included on the Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Bozeman to start this tour?
- Is the Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour in English?
- Where does the Yellowstone Beginner Backpacking Tour end?
- What gear do I need to have with me?
- Day pack (15-30 liters recommended)
- Luggage (can be left in the vehicle, 1 small suitcase per person)
- Sleeping bag (also available to rent), rated to 15 degrees
- Pack cover
- Headlamp
- Reusable water bottles
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional, recommended if renting)
- Travel pillow
- Sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries (please choose biodegradable and scent-free items)
- Small, personal first aid kit (including blister treatment)
- Small, quick dry towel
- Warm jacket (down, puffy, fleece)
- Rain jacket or shell
- Breathable wicking base layers
- Lightweight hiking pants
- Warm clothes to sleep in
- Warm hat
- Sun hat with a brim
- Wool socks (1 pair per day of trip)
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Rain pants
- Buff or neck scarf
- Comfortable clothes for camp
- Sandals or camp shoes
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the United States of America?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the United States of America?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. Expect to spend up to 6 hours per day walking or hiking (up to 10 miles and 1000ft elevation change) while carrying daypacks or backpacks with water, snacks, and camping gear! Suitable for most fit people with a bit of hiking experience.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking.
Fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) which can be reached via a flight from most of the Major USA airports.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends where it starts, with a drop-off at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN).
Required gear:
Recommended gear & personal items:
Required clothing:
Recommended clothing:
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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