Covid measures in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yellowstone, WY, please refer to the official guidelines for air travel into the US and Yellowstone National Park’s COVID-19 guidelines. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local naturalist hiking guide or biologist with extensive knowledge of the area A half or full day of hiking, or a full day of wildlife watching Hot drinks and water refills on tour Brunch (wildlife watching tour), snacks (half-day hiking tour), or a full lunch (full-day hiking tour) Binoculars and spotting scopes for the wildlife watching tour What’s not included: Transportation Accommodations Park entrance fees ($20 per person, $35 per family)

How fit do I need to be?

The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone NP is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours on gentle, mostly flat terrain with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate trails will see more rocks and other obstacles, with up to 700 ft (215 m) of elevation gain. Advanced hikes cover steep, uneven, and heavily rocky terrain with challenging inclines and 1000 or more feet (300+m) of elevation gain. Keep in mind, the weather in the summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. For wildlife watching, you won’t need to stray too far from the vehicle as wildlife watching is most effective from the road (with short walks to vantage points, up to about a half-mile each). Daily departures are at dawn (5 to 6 am in the summer, 7 am in the winter) and the duration of the tour is typically 7 to 8 hours.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder with 2L of water Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Bear spray — provided by guide Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Binoculars and high-quality Swarovski spotting scopes will be provided by your guide for the wildlife watching tour. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For the private wildlife watching tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. For the private hiking tours, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family! Hiking and wildlife watching in Yellowstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 are welcome, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car to get to Yellowstone. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group. Meeting points Full-Day Hike: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the trailhead Wildlife Watching: 6:30 AM in the parking lot near Canyon Visitor Center restrooms, Canyon Village

Yellowstone | Wyoming

Hiking and Wildlife Watching in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

5.00

Hiking and Wildlife Watching in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

A view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from the Artist Point overlook

A young bear on a meadow near Canyon Village

Hikers walking in a line in Yellowstone NP

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Reviews
Things to know

Duration

1 day

Season

April through November

Group size

Up to 10 people

Hitting up Yellowstone’s Canyon Village area should top any adventurer’s to-do list, and the biggest reason has to be the beautiful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This 20-mile chasm was crafted in tuff and rhyolite over thousands of years by volcanic activity, the remnants of which still exist as occasional puffs of hot steam. Erosion hitting the blend of softer and harder rock led to the formation of magnificent cascading waterfalls, which in turn led to some of the most picturesque hiking trails in the park. Couple this with the wealth of free-roaming fauna such as wolves and grizzlies in the nearby Hayden Valley and you get one of the densest and most engrossing hiking and wildlife watching experiences in Yellowstone.

Adventure highlights

Learn about Yellowstone’s complex geologic history
Hayden Valley is one of the best wildlife-watching areas in the park
Discover breathtaking waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

Highlighted reviews from other travellers

Deborah G.

We had the best afternoon with Mike! He took us on a gorgeous trail where we only encountered 5 other people in 4 hours. We learned about the geology, topography, flora, and fauna — and got to listen to some amazing elk bugling! After four hours and about 7-8 miles, we were exhausted and yet still invigorated. Don’t miss this experience!

Lucilla G.

We spent a full day with Cara hiking on a beautiful trail in Yellowstone that she chose for our skill level. She brought us to a beautiful lake for our lunch break (she took care of lunch and snacks AND carried them for all 8 of us!) Even though this hike was not a wildlife tour per se, Cara was able to point out lots of wildlife through sight (and sound) that we would have never known were there. Our teenage kids peppered her the whole time with questions and she answered them all! A great learning experience for all.

Sharon R.

There were 15 of us taking the guided hike with Audra. We had a great time learning about the different birds and animals. The scenery was great and we had a great day of hiking. I would recommend them to anyone.

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Available itineraries

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Private Half-Day of Hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

From cascading waterfalls to breathtaking overlooks, experience the legendary Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its surrounding landscapes on a thrilling half-day hiking trip! Explore the 20-mile (32 km) valley of Yellowstone River and discover fascinating flora and fauna under the watchful eye of an experienced local guide.

Private Full-Day of Hiking in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Get ready for up to 8 hours of hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the most scenic adventure areas in the western US! Join an experienced local guide as you traverse epic cliffsides, uncover majestic waterfalls, and take in some of the most dramatic panoramas in Yellowstone on hikes appropriate for adventurers of all skill levels.

Private Wildlife Watching Tour of Yellowstone’s Canyon and Hayden Valley Area

Experience Yellowstone, one of the largest animal sanctuaries in North America, on a world-class wildlife watching tour with a seasoned local guide! From roaming wolves and grizzly bears to soaring bald eagles and waterfowl, get entranced in the natural beauty of Hayden Valley, one of the greatest wildlife watching locations in the park.

Hiking and Wildlife Watching in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Cara McGary

Cara is a qualified biologist (B.S. Aquatic Biology and M.S. Biology) who wants to help others develop and feed their fascinations with the natural world in Yellowstone. When not in Yellowstone, she likes to explore places where there are good tidepools or snorkeling.

5.00

Claire Lacey

Claire developed a passion for wildlife ecology and environmental studies leading her to Montana in 2017 for the opportunity to study the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. She has spent hundreds of hours watching wolves and studying their interactions with each other and with other species. Claire continues to follow her passion by inviting clients to share the same incredible experiences in Yellowstone that captivated her during her research.

5.00

Nancy Lewis

Nancy has been a naturalist guide and educator in the Yellowstone area since 2015, but she has been fostering a passion for the outdoors and wild places since she first became a naturalist leader in junior high school.Now, she combines her experience in education with her love of the park to help lifelong learners look closely at nature.

5.00

Ben Buescher

Ben developed his passion for wildlife while working as a zoo educator in his hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri. He later moved to Fort Collins, earning his bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University, before taking his studies all over the world. After graduation, he worked as a park ranger and wildlife educator in Kauai before settling in Yellowstone, where he uses his background in conservation biology and environmental education to teach his guests about the natural wonders of the park.

5.00

In Our Nature

In Our Nature is an eco-friendly guiding service specializing in private wildlife watching, day hikes, backpacking trips, birding, and night sky tours in Yellowstone National Park. Whether you’re looking to see some world-class wildlife, enjoy a scenic hike, or spend a night in the backcountry, they’ll make sure you get the most out of your adventure.

5.00(4 reviews)

Deborah G.

Lucilla G.

Sharon R.

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Deborah G.

Lucilla G.

Sharon R.

sandiegotravelers

Half Day Tour in Canyon Area and Hayden Valley

We had a great half day tour with Nancy! Originally, we had planned to go on a hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but steady rain was forecasted. Nancy came prepared with alternatives, and instead we drove to a variety of overlooks and went on several shorter walks (with an opportunity to dry off and warm up in between). The highlight was seeing three Grizzly bears eating and playing in the distance. Nancy set up two scopes, and we had an incredible viewing opportunity. We all had a great time and we would highly recommend Nancy and In Our Nature Guiding Services!

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Yellowstone, WY, please refer to the official guidelines for air travel into the US and Yellowstone National Park’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local naturalist hiking guide or biologist with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A half or full day of hiking, or a full day of wildlife watching
  - Hot drinks and water refills on tour
  - Brunch (wildlife watching tour), snacks (half-day hiking tour), or a full lunch (full-day hiking tour)
  - Binoculars and spotting scopes for the wildlife watching tour
What’s not included:
- - Transportation
  - Accommodations
  - Park entrance fees ($20 per person, $35 per family)
The best thing about hiking in Yellowstone NP is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. For beginner hikes, if you can walk for four to six hours on gentle, mostly flat terrain with little elevation gain, you are good to go! Intermediate trails will see more rocks and other obstacles, with up to 700 ft (215 m) of elevation gain. Advanced hikes cover steep, uneven, and heavily rocky terrain with challenging inclines and 1000 or more feet (300+m) of elevation gain. Keep in mind, the weather in the summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

For wildlife watching, you won’t need to stray too far from the vehicle as wildlife watching is most effective from the road (with short walks to vantage points, up to about a half-mile each). Daily departures are at dawn (5 to 6 am in the summer, 7 am in the winter) and the duration of the tour is typically 7 to 8 hours.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder with 2L of water
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Bear spray — provided by guide
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Binoculars and high-quality Swarovski spotting scopes will be provided by your guide for the wildlife watching tour. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For the private wildlife watching tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - For the private hiking tours, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
  - The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!
Hiking and wildlife watching in Yellowstone can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 are welcome, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car to get to Yellowstone.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Meeting points

Full-Day Hike: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the trailhead
Wildlife Watching: 6:30 AM in the parking lot near Canyon Visitor Center restrooms, Canyon Village
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.