Session Start Dates:

2025

June – 6/23

July – 7/21, 7/28

August – 8/18, 8/25

September – 9/15, 9/22

DAY 1

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

Participants are welcome to check into the Canyon Lodge beginning at 4:00 p.m. After checking in, guests will meet a Yellowstone Forever field educator for an orientation. Education staff will go over the program itinerary, discuss clothing and equipment needed for daily outings, and answer any questions participants may have. Participants will be spending this evening at the Canyon Lodge.

7:00 p.m. Meet at Dunraven Lodge Lobby for orientation

Confirm specific meeting location with front desk staff during registration.

DAY 2 

GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

The group will enjoy hiking and sightseeing along the rims of the iconic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The field educator will lead hikers to locations where they can enjoy breathtaking views of the colorful canyon and its magnificent waterfalls. Hikes in this part of the park contain some of the most spectacular terrain in Yellowstone.

6:30 a.m. Breakfast at Canyon Eatery

7:30 a.m. Depart Canyon Lodge

Select hikes in the central area

• Mount Washburn
• Cascade Lake & Observation Peak
• Clear Lake

Deli lunch in the field

3:15 p.m. Return to Canyon Lodge

DAY 3

WILDLIFE WATCHING & HIKING NORTHERN RANGE

We will leave early and travel along Yellowstone’s northern range to Lamar Valley in search of charismatic megafauna. Stops will vary based on where the most likely wildlife sightings are to be found. After viewing wildlife, participants will head into Yellowstone’s
backcountry to discover the lesser explored areas of Yellowstone’s northern range.

6:30 a.m. Depart Canyon Lodge

• Hot beverages and box breakfast in the field
• Early morning wildlife watching
• Deli lunch in the field

Select hikes in the northern range:

• Hellroaring
• Garnet Hill
• Slough Creek
• Trout Lake

3:00 p.m. Return to Canyon Lodge

DAY 4

YELLOWSTONE LAKE & THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN RANGES

We will travel south to the Yellowstone Lake area. The field educator will lead select hikes near Yellowstone Lake to enjoy breathtaking mountain and lakeshore scenery. Hikers will see the effects of the 1988 fires and the recovery of the Yellowstone landscape, and travel into the heart of the volcanic caldera. Along the way, we will search for tracks and sign and travel into the subalpine forests around
Yellowstone Lake.

6:30 a.m. Breakfast at Canyon Eatery

7:30 a.m. Depart Canyon Lodge

Select hikes near Yellowstone Lake:

• Avalanche Peak
• Elephant Back
• Pelican Valley
• Storm Point

Deli lunch in the field

4:30 p.m. Return to Canyon Lodge

DAY 5

CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday and goes through 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Lodging:

• 4 nights lodging at Canyon Lodge – Deluxe Rooms
• Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Day 1
• Lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Day 5

Most meals, to include:

• 3 breakfasts (1 breakfast to-go and 2 dine-in breakfasts at Canyon Eatery)
• 3 lunches to-go

Transportation: In-park transportation via a 14-passenger minibus or transit van

Exceptional educational programming with a Yellowstone Forever field educator

A Nalgene water bottle (gift item) 

High-powered scopes and binoculars

Field equipment (as needed)

ACTIVITY LEVEL 4-5

• Level 4: Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, comfortably with climbs up to 1,500 feet on dirt trails; loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
• Level 5: Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2,000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.
• For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information, please contact the following:

• Reservations, lodging, food, and payment questions, please contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges at [email protected] or 307-344-7311
• Program itinerary, health forms, and activity questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
• Road updates, park conditions, and general park information, please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
• To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.

TESTIMONIALS

“I’m not really sure how one could improve upon what was an extraordinary experience.” – Albert, PA

“Everything was perfect! We’ve never done a guided tour at a national park, and this turned out to be one of the most memorable trips we’ve taken recently. Mark is a wonderful guide and teacher, with amazing Yellowstone eyes for spotting wildlife.” – Bo, TX

“The trip exceeded my expectations. Excellent choice of hikes and all different. Phenomenal wildlife. So enjoyed Amanda’s information.” – Laura, FL

“Amanda Evans provided an amazing experience for our group. Her knowledge of the park and its wildlife was informative, entertaining and inspiring. Her passion for educating the park visitors is clear from moment the program begins. I would absolutely recommend the ‘Trails Through Yellowstone’ package.” – Bob, IL

“There was nothing that could have been improved! Abbey was absolutely wonderful – so knowledgeable, funny, thoughtful, full of expertise, and answered ALL of our endless questions! We also hiked even more than what was listed and had a fantastic group that was up for additional exploration and hiking, so Abbey accommodated us perfectly.” – Wendy, WI