Yellowstone Family Adventure

Our trip begins in Bozeman, Montana. We rendezvous for orientation in the morning, then set off on the two-hour drive to Yellowstone National Park. Our first stop is Mammoth Hot Springs. We stop at the visitor center, watch for the resident elk herd and get our initial glimpse of some of the park's fascinating thermal features. This afternoon our hike leads us away from the crowds following a lesser-traveled trail through the Hoodoos, an ancient rock fall, topping off with a beautiful panoramic view of Swan Lake and the surrounding valley. After we enjoy our time exploring, we'll head over to settle into our camp for the evening and enjoy a tasty guide-prepared dinner under the star-filled sky. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 1,200'; Transfer: 3.5 hours.

No trip to Yellowstone would be complete without exploring the park's fantastic geothermal features. Still considered an active volcano, Yellowstone offers a glimpse of its more volatile side in the steaming, bubbling region of the park we visit today. We begin the day with a stop at the spectacular Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the nation. The spring's brilliant rings of red, yellow, blue, green and orange are caused by microbes that live at the edges of the mineral-rich water. Later today we explore the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and a host of additional geysers, hot springs and fumaroles. We marvel at the crystal-clear emerald waters of Morning Glory Pool before gathering near the base of Old Faithful to watch an eruption of one of the park's most predictable geysers. All meals included.

Hiking: 6-8 miles with minimal elevation gain/loss. Transfer: 2 hours.

Yellowstone is home to more than 50 species of mammals including black & grizzly bear, bison, elk, pronghorn, moose and wolf. The park draws wildlife lovers from all over the world hoping to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures. We set out on a wildlife-viewing drive at dawn this morning, aiming to reach beautiful Hayden Valley when the animals are most active. Additional dawn or dusk wildlife drives can be scheduled based on participants' interest. After our wildlife adventure, we spend the day exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We hike the canyon rim and enjoy views of the Yellowstone River far below. We also visit one of Yellowstone's marquee overlooks, Artist Point, and will admire the falls from a number of sublime vantage points. A quintessential day in Yellowstone! All meals included.

Hiking: 5-7.6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 1100'; Transfer: 2-3.5 hours.

We head south today toward Grand Teton National Park, its immense granite peaks visible for miles above the plains. On the first part of our multi-sport day, we hop aboard our bikes and cycle to lovely Jenny Lake, carved by glaciers and the second largest lake in the park. We have time to explore the lakeshore before jumping back on our bikes and returning to our waiting vehicle. Later, we take in the spectacular views of the South, Middle, and Grand Teton as well as Mount Moran during a scenic rafting trip down the Snake River. In addition to the awe-inspiring Teton panoramas, we watch for bald eagles, beavers, moose and bear along the riverbanks as we float by. Our time in the Tetons ends with a tasty dinner at Signal Mountain Lodge overlooking Jackson Lake. It's a perfect spot to enjoy final views of one of America's most beautiful mountain ranges. All meals included.

Cycling: 15-18 miles; terrain: established bike trail, Elevation gain/loss: 482'; Rafting: 2.5 hour scenic float trip (Class I and II). Transfer: 4-4.5 hours.

After a hearty breakfast, we set our sights on the Purple Mountain trail. As we hike through deep forests along meandering trails, the excitement builds with each step. Upon reaching the summit, we are rewarded with panoramic views of the Gibbon and Madison rivers, which stretch as far as the eye can see. To the east, the morning sun bathes the valley in warmth. To the south, the iconic peaks of the Grand Tetons loom majestically, their snow-capped summits reaching towards the sky. And to the west, the rugged beauty of the Yellowstone Caldera unfolds, with its geysers and thermal pools dotting the landscape like jewels. After a day of exploration, we return to our camp for the evening, coming together to celebrate our journey over a wonderful final dinner with newfound friends. All meals included.

Hiking: 6 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 1,500'; Transfer: 2.5 hours.

This morning, we hike one of Yellowstone's most iconic and scenic hikes. The summit of Mount Washburn (10,223 ft) offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Yellowstone spread out at our feet. The wide trail's gradual ascent to the fire lookout atop the mountain makes it a great hike to top off our week. We may even glimpse some four-legged friends along the way, bighorn sheep are known to frequent the area and graze nearby. With our hearts full of appreciation for our National Parks we return to our waiting vehicle and start our journey back home, arriving in Bozeman by approximately 7pm. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 7 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 1,384'; Transfer: 2.5-3.5 hours.