Activities and Tours in Yellowstone

Boiling River Swimming Area        Guided Tours          Horseback Riding         

Rafting & Boating         Hiking          Fishing         Cycling          

Ranger-Led Programs     Roosevelt Western Cookout    Visitor Centers & Museums  

   Other Great Activities

     Boiling River Swimming Area                                                                 

     •Mammoth Hot Springs Region;  Approx. 2.9 miles from the North Entrance

     •Allow approximatley 1 hour for this activity. 

     The boiling river is a small thermal river that flows into the Gardner River where visitors can soak and relax in a natural hot tub.  A trail will lead you on an easy half mile walk along the Gardner River to a spot where you can access the soaking area.  Be sure to pay attention to the rules and regulations posted in the parking lot and at the soaking area.  The boiling river does close temporarily in the spring when the water levels are too high and unsafe for bathers.  Just bring your bathing suit and flip flops and enjoy.

     Guided Tours                                                                                               

    Seeing Yellowstone is one thing, but seeing it with an interpretive guide is another.  There are many different guided tours to choose from that range any where from sunrise wildlife watching to scenic cruises on Yellowstone Lake.  Since the tour guide is the driver, you will be free to look out the window and focus on the beauty around you without having to pay attention to the road.  On these tours, the guides will show off their Yellowstone knowledge by sharing facts about the park's history, geology, wildlife, and other lesser known secrets.

Tour Companies in the Yellowstone Area:

Xanterra Parks & Resorts 

SeeYellowstone Tour Company

Yellowstone Vacations Tour Company

Alpen Guides

Yellowstone Safari Company

Yellowstone Day Tours

Buffalo Roam Park Tours

     Rafting & Boating                                                                                           

Yellowstone Lake:    The Bridge Bay Marina is your source and main access point for a fun-filled time out on Yellowstone Lake.  Hop aboard the Lake Queen II for an hour long scenicruise on Yellowstone Lake.  Scenic trips depart from Bridge Bay Marina several times a day during the summer, making it easier to include this activity into Your Yellowstone Vacation.  For a more personal sightseeing excursion on the lake, boat rentals are also available at the Bridge Bay Marina where you can choose between rowboats, and boats with small outboard motors.  Guided tours and fishing charters also voyage out onto the lake from the marina.

Lewis Lake:   Located in the southern part of Yellowstone, Lewis Lake is another favorite lake for boaters and fishermen.  The boat launch can be found at the Lewis Lake Campground on the South Entrance Road.  Personal watercrafts are allowed on Lewis Lake but certain rules apply.

Boating Regulations     

Whitewater Rafting, Kayak & Conoe Rentals, and Tours for Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks:

Flying Pig Adventure Company

Yellowstone Raft Company

Snake River Park

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions

Jackson Hole Kayak

Montana Whitewater

Alpen Guides

Geyser Kayak

     Ranger-Led Programs                                                                             

Ranger Program Dates & Times

Junior Ranger Program for Kids

Young Scientist Program for Kids

Winter 2015/2016 Ranger Programs

Throughout the summer, the National Park Service offers a wide variety of free programs for visitors that take place all over the park at many of the main attractions. Learn about Yellowstone's geology, wildlife, history and much more from the knowledgeable ranger staff. Most ranger programs around the park are underway for the season around late May and early June and continue until late September. The programs begin at various times throughout the day making it easy to fit into a fun-filled schedule.

Evening Ranger Talks: For a little evening entertainment the whole family can enjoy, join the rangers at one of the outdoor amphitheaters located at many of the campgrounds in the park, for a fascinating presentation on one of Yellowstone's many topics. No matter where you are in the park, there is bound to be a ranger program taking place nearby, so pick up your copy of the Yellowstone Today newspaper at any of the 5 entrance gates or any Visitor Center in the park to get a complete schedule of times and locations for the programs.

     Horseback Riding & Stagecoach Rides                                                      

     Take a load off your feet and put it on a horse and see the park the way early Yellowstone explorers used to see it.  The horse corrals in the park will definitely add a Western feel to your vacation.  The different horseback riding tours offer options for you to choose from if you wish to add this activity to your wishlist.   In addition to horseback riding, the corrals at Roosevelt offer old fashioned stagecoach rides that will really take you back in time.

Outfitters for Horseback Riding Yellowstone and the Greater Yellowstone Area:

Xanterra Parks & Resorts (In-park tours for Roosevelt Corral, Canyon Corral, & the Roosevelt Western Cookout)

Flying Pig Adventure Company 

Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters

Yellowstone Rough Riders

Diamond P Ranch

Wilderness Pack Trips

Parade Guest Ranch

     Hiking in Yellowstone                                                                                    

     Hiking in Yellowston'es pristine backcountry is what some would consider the holy grail of activities inside the park.  A timeless activity in an evoliving and ever-changing wilderness provides experiences and memories that can not be created from the road.  The other beautiful side about the hiking trails in Yellowstone is that there is a trail for everyone.  Whether you're a seasoned expert who loves to challenge 10,000 ft. peaks or someone who has never set foot into the backcountry, there is a trail out there for you.  There is something magical about escaping from the roads and traffic, and getting "out there", listening to nothing but the sounds provided by nature.

Backcountry Rules & Regulations    

Hiking & Backpacking Adventure Companies:   

Wildland Trekking Company  

Lonestar Geyser Trail:  Old Faithful Region;  1.6 miles south of Old Faithful Village

Located right next to Kepler Cascades, the Lonestar Geyser bike/hike trail is an easy 2.3 mile (4.6 miles round trip) path that leisurely works its way through an old-growth forest back to the main attraction, Lonestar Geyser.  Predictions for Lonestar Geyser are not available but you never know when you might be lucky enough to catch one if it's spectacular eruptions.  Read the short description in front of the geyser to learn about the pre-eruption signs that are present before Lonestar goes off.

     Fishing In Yellowstone                                                                                    

Fishing Regulations for Yellowstone

      Yellowstone offers some of the best fishing in the country, and visitors come from all over to drop their lines in the miles of rivers, and the large alpine lakes. Hundreds of miles of moving water, from raging rivers to trickling streams provide many opportunities to plan a unique fishing trip and make it easy to have the water all to yourself. Although there are too many rivers to name, some of the biggest and most popular ones are: the Yellowstone, Madison, Gibbon, Firehole, Gardner, Lamar and Lewis Rivers. These rivers are widespread throughout the park, so no matter which region of the park you are in, one of these major rivers will be nearby.

     There are also 4 major lakes in Yellowstone, all of which are in the southern half of the park. Yellowstone Lake and Lewis Lake are the easiest to access because both of these lakes have shorelines along the road and boat launches so you can travel out onto the water. The other two major lakes are Shoshone and Heart Lakes. Located in the backcountry, both of these bodies of water require a hike to get to. There are several species of fish in Yellowstone's waters, some are native like the cutthroat trout, arctic grayling, and mountain whitefish. Other fish include non-native species like the brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and the invasive lake trout. Different regulations apply to the different species of fish, so it is important to correctly identify different species. The fishing regulations pamphlet provides a fish identification section, and can be picked up for free at any visitor center in the park.

Fishing Gear & Fly Shops:

Bud Lilly's Trout Shop  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Arrick's Fly Shop  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Jacklin's Fly Shop  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Jackson Hole Anglers  -  Jackson Hole, WY

Westbank Anglers  -  Jackson Hole, WY

Blue Ribbon Flies  -  West Yellowstone, MT

High Country Flies  -  Jackson Hole, WY

     Cycling in Yellowstone                                                                                     

  Off-road trails to ride your bike in the Yellowstone:

Blacktail Plateau Drive                 Morning Glory Pool Trail   

Old Gardiner Road     

Bunsen Peak Road   

Lonestar Geyser Trail   

Fountain Freight Road   

Natural Bridge Trail  

     From the time the roads are cleared of snow in the spring until they get covered up by snow again in the fall, cyclists are hitting the pavement and touring the park on two wheels. Seasoned cyclists as well as families out for a stroll enjoy a nice bike ride in the summer. Although it is allowed to ride your bike on the paved Grand Loop Road, some sections of road are more dangerous than others. On most sections of the road the shoulder is minimal to nonexistent with steep drop offs. It is the responsibility of the cyclist to use discretion when choosing what sections of the Grand Loop Road they wish to explore on their bicycle.  The flatter sections of road with wider shoulders are:  West Entrance Road to Madison Junction & Madison Junction to Old Faithful Village.  The road between Norris Junction and Canyon Village is very wide but requires a lot of hill climbing to get across the 12-mile stretch of road.  The other roads in the park are a combination of hilly and/or narrow sections of road.

     It is also required that cyclists riding in groups remain single file when riding on the road. Riding your bicycle on hiking trails, boardwalks, and private service roads is prohibited unless otherwise stated that you are allowed to take your bike into that area.

Bicycle Rentals and Cycling Trip Companies for Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks:

Bicycle Rentals in Yellowstone

Free Heel and Wheel Bicycle Rentals

Backroads

Escape Adventures

     Visitor Centers & Museums                                                                          

     Visitor Centers and information stations are available throughout the park to help inform and educate visitors about Yellowstone's history, wildlife, features and much more.  Each Visiotr Center has a unique theme of educational displays like fire, thermal features, history, and wildlife.  Stop in to pick up one or several of the Self-Guiding Trail brochures to educate you as you make your way through the geyser basins and historic districts.  Short videos about Yellowstone are shown regularly during the summer months at the Albright, Canyon and Old Faithful Visitor Centers.  There is also a Yellowstone Association Bookstore inside every Visitor Center and Information Station with items like books, posters and DVDs available for purchase.

Albright Visitor Center   

Norris Geyser Basin Museum   

Madison Junction Information Station/ Jr. Ranger Station   

Museum of the National Park Ranger   

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center    

Grant Village Visitor Center    

West Thumb Information Station   

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center   

Canyon Village Visitor Center   

     Other Great Activities                                                                                    

     There are plenty of one-of-a-kind activities out there for you to enjoy during your Yellowstone vacation as well.  Below is a list of some of those activities.  Each link also has the name of the Gateway Town where the activity is located to help you better plan your trip.

 Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Playmill Theatre  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Madison Avenue Old Time Photos  -  West Yellowstone, MT

Jackson Hole Aerial Tram  -  Jackson Hole, WY

Yellowstone Aerial Adventures - West Yellowstone, MT  

Mammoth Hot Springs Region

Activities

Bunsen Peak Road At the base of Bunsen Peak, this two-track dirt road starts off relatively flat for about 2 miles as it takes you around the southern part of the mountain. After 2 miles, the trail begins to travel downhill...View More

Albright Visitor Center & Backcountry Office Named after Yellowstone's first superintendant after the National Park Service was formed, the Albright Visitor Center is one of the former housing units for the military...View More

Tower/Roosevelt Region

Activities

Roosevelt Horse Corral Take a load off your feet and put it on a horse and see the park the way early Yellowstone explorers used to see it. Xanterra Parks & Resorts (the park's concessionare) operates horse corrals in three different areas of the park, ensuring that each trip will be unique...View More

Roosevelt Western Cookout If you like good food, good music, and good times, then the Old West Dinner Cookout is something you won't want to miss. Beginning at the Roosevelt Horse Corral, you will have the pleasure of a horsedrawn wagon ride to Pleasant Valley while a knowledgable wrangler interprets the history of this nostalgic ride...View More

Norris Region

Activities

Norris Museum & Information Station The Norris Geyser Basin Museum is a small building at the beginning of the Norris Geyser Basin boardwalk with an information station inside and a knowledgable staff of park rangers...View More

Museum of the National Park Ranger The Ranger Museum takes you through the history of the National Park Ranger, from the inception of the National Park Service to the present. Learn about the lifestyle, job duties, hardships, and victories...View More

Madison Region

Activities

Madison Information/Jr. Ranger Station The Madison Information Station is a small building at Madison Junction that houses a Yellowstone Association Bookstore inside and staffed with knowledgeable rangers that can answer any questions that you may have...View More

Old Faithful Region

Activities

Lonestar Geyser Trail Located right next to Kepler Cascades, the Lonestar Geyser bike/hike trail is an easy 2.3 mile (4.6 miles round trip) path that leisurely works its way through an old-growth forest back to the main attractionView More

Morning Glory Pool Trail This is an easy 1.4 mile (2.8 miles round trip) paved trail in the Upper Geyser Basin that passes by some some of biggest geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin, coming to an end Morning Glory Pool. Castle, Grotto, and Riverside geysers are among the main features you'll see along the way.View More

Fountain Freight Road The Fountain Freight Road travels 3 miles (6 miles round trip) through an open range of meadows and young lodepole pines on the outskirts of the Lower Geyser Basin. Although it is outside of the main geyser basin area, there are still hotsprings and thermal poolsView More

Daisy Geyser to Biscuit Basin Trail A short 1 mile (2 miles round trip) dirt trail connects the paved Morning Glory trail in the Upper Geyser Basin to the Grand Loop Road just down the road from Biscuit Geyser Basin. In the Upper Geyser BasinView More

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is a new state-of-the-art facility that opened in the Old Faithful area in August of 2010. Visitors can get an in depth look at Yellowstone's four types of thermal features...View More

Yellowstone Lake Region

Activities

Natural Bridge Trail This trail is an easy 1.2 mile (2.4 miles round-trip) path that takes you through the woods and back to a masterpiece of natural architecture. The natural bridge is an intact arch of rock that has been carved out by the eroding forces of wind and water. Once at the end of the trail, the 51 foot high bridgeView More

Grant Village Visitor Center Each visitor center in the park has a different educational theme to teach visitors about Yellowstone's ecological diversity. The Grant Visitor Center's theme is wildfires. Learn about the role that fires play in...View More

West Thumb Information Station The West Thumb Information Station is a small building in the parking lot of the West Thumb Geyser Basin with a Yellowstone Association Bookstore inside and a knowledgable staff of rangers...View More

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Museum Located on the banks of the serene Yellowstone Lake, the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Museum is a wonderful place to make a pit stop when you're out and about in the Lake Area. Inside this old log building you will discover...View More

Bridge Bay Marina The Bridge Bay Marina is your source and main access point for a fun-filled time out on Yellowstone Lake. Hop aboard the Lake Queen II for an hour long scenicruise on Yellowstone Lake. Scenic trips head out on the lake several times a day...View More

Canyon Region

Activities

Canyon Visitor Education Center At the Canyon Visitor Education Center, you will find several attention-grabbing displays about super volcanoes, and learn about the volcanic history of Yellowstone's past...View More

Canyon Horse Corral Take a load off your feet and put it on a horse and see the park the way early Yellowstone explorers used to see it. Xanterra (the park's concessionare) operates horse corrals in three different areas of the park, ensuring that each trip will be unique...View More