Overview
Discover the many natural wonders that make Yellowstone a world-renowned treasure. Endless geysers, thermal pools, mountains, lakes, and canyons stretching on to the horizon. You will visit memorable places such as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, Lewis Lake, and many others most visitors never see! Bring your camera as bison, elk, and other wildlife abound. You may even catch a glimpse of a wolf pack on the hunt in Hayden Valley. Experience Yellowstone in all its glory – from alpine lakes to remote and pristine vistas. You will enjoy all of this from a comfortable base camp, complete with modern facilities.
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Yellowstone, America's first national park!
The trip starts at Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park late in the afternoon. Set up camp and get to know your trip mates. Over supper share expectations for the upcoming days. There are several options for activities in Yellowstone National Park, which your Wilderness Inquiry staff will share with you.
Day 2: Visit the Midway Geyser Basin followed by an afternoon hike.
After a hearty camp breakfast take off for a sightseeing tour of Yellowstone. Get acquainted with some of Yellowstone’s geothermal activity at the Midway Geyser Basin. Take in the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring and other hot springs in the area. Choose a hiking option for the afternoon that could include Fairy Falls, Mystic Falls or Old Faithful!
Day 3: Visit Old Faithful and hike to Lonestar Geyser.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and rock skipping along the lake shore before preparing for an afternoon hike. One option could include Lonestar Geyser. Nearly as predictable as Old Faithful, this geyser is off the beaten path in the midst of a beautiful forest.
Day 4: Search for wildlife in Hayden Valley before heading to the "Grand Canyon" of Yellowstone.
Begin the day at the Mud Volcanoes where acid and hot water are turning the earth into roiling mud pots. Travel through beautiful Hayden Valley to look for bison, wolves, and bears. Finally, drive to the "Grand Canyon" of Yellowstone where there are breathtaking views of the upper and lower falls.
Day 5: Trek amongst geothermal features, waterfalls, and dense forests before enjoying a swim in the Firehole River.
Today tour a mix of unique areas in Yellowstone. There are many hiking options that include exploring geothermal features, waterfalls, and forests! After a tasty lunch, enjoy a swim in the Firehole River. Enjoy one last evening relaxing around the campfire and taking in the beauty of the night sky.
Day 6: Pack up camp before saying farewell to your trip mates.
Pack up camp and enjoy one last adventure before bidding everyone goodbye. The trip officially ends in the early afternoon after lunch. If traveling in the Wilderness Inquiry van, you can expect to return to Billings by evening.
What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Yellowstone National Park has a wide variety of terrain and ecosystems, ranging from near-desert at the north entrance to sub-alpine meadows and forests. Lodge pole pines cover 60% of the park while burn areas from the 1988 fire feature new growth and colorful wildflowers. Yellowstone National Park offers a wide range of route options from very easy to difficult.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Standard Meeting Places and Times
Start: Wilderness Inquiry Headquarters at 7:00 AM (local time)
End: Wilderness Inquiry Headquarters at 6:00 PM (local time)
Transportation
This trip begins at one of Yellowstone National Park’s group campgrounds at 4:30 PM. The trip ends at 2:00 PM at the same location. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip. Transportation options include the following: You can take your own transportation and meet the Wilderness Inquiry leaders at the group campground, or sign up to use Wilderness Inquiry’s van transportation to and from the Billings, MT area to the group campground. (We recommend that participants who utilize WI’s van transportation option arrive a day early and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Billings, MT. Please contact the Billings Hilton Garden Inn directly to make a reservation and arrange payment for the additional night/s. The WI van will pick you up from the Billings Hilton Garden Inn at 9:00am on the first day of your trip. On the last day of your trip, the WI van will bring you to the Billings Hilton Garden Inn by 8:00pm. Most participants like to stay the evening in Billings and arrange their own hotel accommodations before flying out the next day.) Booking a Flight? We recommend flying into the Billings Logan International Airport the day before your trip. It is best to book flights no earlier than 9:30 PM on the last day of the trip.