yellowstone

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

No matter what kind of traveler you might be, Bozeman has something to offer you. Peek through our suggested itineraries for the Yellowstone area to see if something sparks your interest.

Park Tours

Discover America’s First Story

This Yellowstone National Park journey has been designed by the locals for those seeking the inside knowledge and adventure to the first gem of the country. Come to view wildlife and geological wonders, or take in views of majestic mountains and Blue Ribbon Rivers, or learn of the people and meet a local character or two. Extend your stay in Yellowstone Country and go Park to Park! To find the perfect park journey CLICK HERE or call 1-888-995-3088.

Adventurer

With more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails, getting out of the car and stretching your legs is a must in Yellowstone! Make sure that you are well prepared as the weather and conditions in Montana are known to change instantly. Always wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots, carry extra water, pack a coat or poncho in case of rain, know where you are heading and take a map and compass. It is also recommended to carry insect repellent, a first aid kit, bear spray, and to hike with another person.

Animal Lover

Yellowstone Park is home to more wildlife than almost anywhere else in the United States. With more than 60 species of mammals and 200 species of birds calling it home, you're sure to see a large variety on your trip. With a little patience and a lot of sitting, watching and waiting, you can find many critters. Early morning and evening is when most animals are feeding and sightings are more frequent. Remember that all wild animals are unpredictable, especially those with young. To avoid any accidents, keep a safe distance and be aware. It is illegal to approach within 100 yards of bears or wolves, 25 yards of all other wildlife, or to disturb or displace animals in any way.

If you are hoping to see any and all animals, check out these hot spots:

If you are hoping to see a specific animal, check out their hot spots:

Bears

Bears inhabit meadows as well as forested regions of the park. Bears are most often seen in and around the Dunraven Pass area as well as Lamar Valley, Northern Range, Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake regions.

Gray Wolves

The best place to see a wolf is the Lamar Valley. More than 100,000 wolf sightings have been reported inside the Park since their reintroduction began in 1995.

Elk

September is the best time to watch these critters as they bugle and fight their way through mating season. You will see elk with huge racks guarding harems of over 30 cows and hear their eerie bugles. Look for elk throughout the Park, but especially in the Lamar Valley, Gibbon River, Elk Park, along the Madison River and in the Mammoth Hot Springs areas as well as in the Norris Campground, Madison Campground, Mammoth Hotel and Dunraven Pass, near Antelope Creek.

Moose

Moose are typically near streams, ponds and marshes. The best places to view moose are between Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs, around Yellowstone Lake, and in the Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley areas.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn are most often found in the northern section of the Park, especially in the sagebrush fields around the North Entrance and occasionally in the Lamar Valley area. Drive the one-way dirt road from Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner for some of the best spotting areas.

Deer

Expect to see deer throughout the Park, but especially in sagebrush areas, particularly around the North Entrance. In the summer you'll see them high in the mountains, often in fields of wildflowers or along rocky, brush-covered slopes. Along rural roads look for them in alfalfa fields, a deer favorite!

Big Horn Sheep

Look for bighorn sheep along the cliffs between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, and on Mt. Washburn, between the Canyon and Tower regions, in the winter season. In the summer sheep frequently are found in the Gallatin and Washburn Ranges, the Absarokas and around the Red Mountains.

Trumpeter Swans

The most frequent spottings are around Seven Mile Bridge, between the West Yellowstone and Madison Junction. Also look for these large birds around Swan Lake, along the Madison and Firehole rivers, and along the Yellowstone River south of Canyon, between Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley.

Coyotes

Hearing a coyote is much more common than seeing one. The calls a coyote makes are high-pitched and variously described as howls, yips, yelps and barks. Look for them in meadows, forests and grasslands.

Bald Eagle

Eagles spend their days perched in trees, watching nearby waters for fish. Look for them around Yellowstone River and Lake, as well as Seven Mile Bridge.

Bison

Bison are almost always on the move and are seen in different areas during different seasons. One of the best spots is in Hayden Valley along the Yellowstone River. Some other hot spots are along the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon Rivers. Also try the Fountain Flats area and the Mud Volcano area, as well as the Lamar Valley. Lone Bulls are often seen around the Lake Hotel and Fishing Bridge.

Fishing Enthusiast

There are more than 220 lakes and 1,000 streams in Yellowstone National Park swimming with 11 native and 5 non-native species of fish. Native fish are strictly catch and release, and there are limits on the number of fish an angler can keep. Cutthroat Trout, with their distinctive red slash on the underside of the jaw, are a primary food source for many Park animals including eagles, osprey, pelicans, otters and grizzlies. The fishing season begins the Saturday of Memorial Day and runs through the first Sunday in November, with a few exceptions. It is very important to thoroughly read all of the fishing regulations within the Park (www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/fishreg09.pdf).

Yellowstone Fishing Fees

Anyone 12 years of age or older must be in possession of a valid Yellowstone National Park fishing permit to fish in the Park. A fishing permit is valid only if signed. A permit fee is charged for anyone 16 years of age or older. Children 11 years of age or younger may fish without a permit when supervised by an adult. The adult is responsible for the child's actions.

Permits may be obtained or purchased at any Backcountry Office, Lewis Lake Ranger Station, Hamilton Store or Visitor Center in the park as well as the local gateway communities of Gardiner, Cooke City, Cody, Jackson Hole or West Yellowstone (check at local Chamber of Commerce Office for locations - usually sporting good stores or fishing shops).

Favorite Spots

Favorite Spots for Kids

Geology Buff

A Geology Timeline of Yellowstone National Park.
www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/Yell264.pdf

Petrified Forests can be found throughout the Park. The most accessible is a small forest near Tower Falls, past the Ranger Station. Possibly the most remarkable of all the forests is on Specimen Ridge. Covering many acres, there are fossilized trees that still stand well over 10 feet high.
www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/yell/knowlton/sec1.htm

Mud pots, just as the name implies, are bubbling pockets of heated "mud." The distinct odor that often permeates the area is caused by the sulfuric acid that erodes the surrounding rock, creating the goopy, smelly mess you won't soon forget.
www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/mudpots.htm

Hot Springs are created when water that is heated within the earth's crust rises to the surface, creating a pool. Occasionally the hot springs water will dissolve the surrounding limestone and the sediment will get carried to the surface and deposited in flowing terraces, such as those at Mammoth Hot Springs.
www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/hotspring.htm

Geysers are one of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone. Different from hot springs only in that they erupt and spew hot water and steam high into the air - Old Faithful can reach heights of 185 feet - these are a wonder to watch.
www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/geysers.htm

Fumaroles are similar to hot springs but lack an adequate amount of water to cause anything more than steam to leak out of the ground. Usually situated on higher ground above the water supply, high temperatures boil what little water is available, releasing a noisy burst of steam and gas.
www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/fumaroles.htm

Waterfalls are plentiful in Yellowstone. Boasting around 300 of these beautiful, natural wonders you don't have to venture far from the main roads to gaze on plummeting cascades. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone provides many vantage points to view two impressive sights; the Upper and Lower Falls. The Lower Falls, the Park's largest, plunges 308 feet into the river below.
www.mms.nps.gov/yell/features/canyontour/uncletom.htm

Historian

Yellowstone Park has more than 1,100 historic structures.

Yellowstone National Park was established as the world's first national park in 1872. For the first few years, civilian staff was hired to run and protect the park. Their limited manpower and resources were no match for the many poachers, souvenir hunters and tourist camps that were set-up around the hot springs, some complete with bath and laundry facilities. In 1883, realizing that the park was in severe danger, Congress turned to the United States Army. In 1886 troops were stationed at Camp Sheridan, located at the base of Mammoth Hot Springs, in temporary frame buildings. After five years of horribly cold winters, the cavalry realized their assignment was going to be long-term and Congress appropriated funds for a permanent post. Fort Yellowstone's first buildings were finished in late 1891, with many more built as needed to accommodate the expanding army presence. In 1918, with the formation of the National Park Service, the army was able to withdraw from Yellowstone and relinquish control of the park.

Family

To keep the kids involved in the trip, sign them for one of two fun, interactive programs!

Young Scientist

Children 5 years and older will explore the Park and learn interesting facts about the area and how it was shaped. Check out a Young Scientist Toolkit to assist you with your discoveries and hit the trail to learning. Once you have completed the booklet and activities you will be awarded a Young Scientist Badge, modeled after the National Park Service patch.
www.nps.gov/yell/forteachers/youngscientist.htm

Junior Ranger

Children between the ages of 5 and 12 can complete a series of activities designed to familiarize them with the Park and its natural wonders. After filling out a booklet and taking part in Park programs, including hikes and Ranger-led programs, you will be awarded a Junior Ranger Badge modeled after the National Park Service patch.
www.nps.gov/yell/forkids/beajuniorranger.htm

Need supplies for your trip to the Park? The National Park Service has a plethora of activities, printable color pages and games to get your child interested in Yellowstone.
www.nps.gov/yell/forkids/index.htm

800-228-4224

Produced with Accommodations Tax Funds
Photographs by Donnie Sexton and Montana Office of Tourism