Yellowstone Family Adventure

Trip Summary

Yellowstone National Park is a paradise for family adventure. Our expert guides create a secure and rewarding environment full of challenge, accomplishment and fun, in the world’s first national park: Yellowstone. Combined with exceptional accommodations and classic dining, this is the ultimate family vacation. Hike into the Yellowstone’s backcountry, through the rainbow spray of a thundering waterfall and a shooting . Raft a playful stretch of the beautiful , perfect for beginners. Wind your way along a trail high into the Montana Rockies on horseback alongside a real-deal fourth generation cowboy. And when night falls, relax and recharge with a soak in soothing hot spring waters.

The toughest part is going home.SM Yellowstone National Park Family Adventure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Bozeman Arrival | West Yellowstone | Yellowstone National Park

Bozeman Arrival: Welcome to Montana! Your guides will pick you up in the morning from your pre-trip hotel. Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes West Yellowstone Ropes Course: Located in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, this aerial zipline adventure park is the perfect challenge for any skill level. This course was inspired by European aerial adventure courses and combines a thrilling 3,000 feet of ziplines with five stories of complex and challenging acrobatic high ropes course elements. A self-belay harness system gives you the freedom to navigate the course at your own pace while always being securely clipped to a static webbing/harness system. Yellowstone National Park: Welcome to Yellowstone, our world’s first national park! This famous national park is home to over 60% of the world’s , which periodically erupt in towering explosions of boiling water and steam. And while these astounding phenomena and their neighboring technicolor hot springs and bubbling mud pots draw in the crowds, the surrounding canyons, mountains, forests, and wildlife are no less impressive. Transfer Time: 1 Hour Artemisia Trail Hike: Most visitors to arrive via an overcrowded parking lot. Not us! We’ll hike in our secret “back way” to the park’s most famed feature. Along the way, we’ll pass a multitude of fascinating geothermal features including sky blue Artemisia Geyser, multi- colored , and bubbling Grotto Geyser. Eventually we’ll happen upon Old Faithful, where we’ll be sure to catch a famous eruption. Accommodation: (L,D)

Day 2: Old Faithful Ranger | Yellowstone Lake

Old Faithful Ranger-Guided Boardwalk Hike: Geyser Hill is at the heart of the world’s greatest concentration of geysers. Lead by a National Park Ranger, stroll along the Geyser Hill loop and learn about the underground workings of the volcanic and hydrothermal features that Yellowstone is famous for. If your kids are participating in the junior ranger badge program, don’t forget to have the NPS Ranger sign their junior ranger books after the walk! Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

The toughest part is going home.SM Yellowstone Lake: Yellowstone Lake lies at 7,732 feet above sea level and is the largest high alpine lake in North America! Lined by mature lodgepole pine forests, you’re sure to be captivated by the snow-capped Absaroka Mountains lining the east side of the lake. Storm Point Hike: This 2.3-mile mostly flat loop hike will lead to Storm Point, a perfect outcropping of rocks overlooking Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains. Pass by Indian Pond through a flower-dotted meadow and a lodgepole pine forest to the shoreline of the lake. You’ll arrive at the wind-swept rocky Storm Point where you might spot a colony of yellow- bellied marmots. Accommodation: Lake Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 3: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone |

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: Carved by the wondrous force of the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a dramatic, 1,000-foot-deep canyon that dazzles visitors with its pastel rock walls and majestic waterfalls. From several vantage points, you can view Lower Falls plunging steeply into the canyon 308 feet, or the Upper Falls tumbling 109 feet. Wapiti Trail Hike: One of our favorite hikes in the area, Wapiti Trail, takes you 2.5 miles through the backcountry along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Wind your way along wildflower- dotted meadows, under lodgepole pine forests, and through an off-the-grid geyser basin before emerging at the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River itself. Eventually, you’ll find yourself staring down the incredible 308-foot Lower Falls from a perfect viewpoint. Transfer Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Mammoth Hot Springs: The northern part of Yellowstone is home to Mammoth Hot Springs, a must-see feature of the park due to its difference from other thermal areas in Yellowstone. The orange, yellow, brown, and white travertine terraces of Mammoth have been described as looking at a cave turned inside out. We’ll spend time hiking in and around this area, checking out “geology in hyperdrive” up close. Accommodation: Mammoth Hotel (B,L,D)

The toughest part is going home.SM

Day 4: Lamar Valley | Gardiner | Yellowstone River

Lamar Valley Wildlife Drive: Located in the northeastern corner of the park, the Lamar Valley is often called America’s Serengeti due to its easy-to-see population of large animals. Among its most famous inhabitants are several wolf packs, grizzly bears, large herds of bison, pronghorn, elk, eagles, osprey, and coyotes. With a scope and binoculars at hand, we’ll pull off to get “up- close” views of any wildlife we might be lucky enough to spot from a safe distance away. Gardiner: Gardiner is the town located at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Perhaps the most famous feature of this town is , a towering construction of basalt dedicated by President in 1903 and inscribed with a quote which reads: “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People”. The nearby Yellowstone National Park sign is also a great place to take family photos! Yellowstone River Raft: Load into rafts for a beautiful, splashy ride down the Yellowstone River. The rolling class II and III whitewater of this section of river is perfect for everyone from beginners to experienced rafters. Sightseers will enjoy pristine views of Yellowstone’s mountains, the orange-colored terraces of La Duke Hot Springs, and other notable sights like the Devil’s Slide and local wildlife. Night on Your Own: Enjoy a night on your own this evening for dinner. Your guides will give you restaurant options to choose from in the area and will provide ideas on things to do on your own time. Alternatively, feel free to just relax tonight after a wonderful activity-filled day! Accommodation: The Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone (B,L)

The toughest part is going home.SM Day 5: Mammoth Hot Springs | Paradise Valley Horseback

Mammoth Hot Springs via Snow Pass Trail Hike: To see Mammoth Hot Springs away from the boardwalk on our own “private” trail, we embark on a mostly downhill 2-mile path near Snow Pass. As we trek through pine forests and aspen groves, keep an eye open for the many wildflowers that bloom in this area June through August. Eventually, we’ll spot Mammoth’s colorful hot spring terraces as we continue our downward trek to the end of our hike. Transfer Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Paradise Valley Horseback Ride: Saddle up for a horseback ride high up into the mountains above aptly-named Paradise Valley. Riding alongside fourth-generation cowboys, you’ll hear all about life on a working cattle ranch while winding through wildflower meadows and forests of aspen and pine, taking in the incredible views. Accommodation: Chico Hot Spring Resort (B,L,D)

Day 6: Chico Trout Pond | Bozeman Departure

Chico Trout Pond: Take a hike to a nearby trout pond with lovely views over the entire Chico Hot Springs Property and Paradise Valley beyond. Transfer Time: 1 Hour Bozeman Departure: Your guides will shuttle you back to Bozeman to get ready for your departure home. Accommodation: (B)

*Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.

The toughest part is going home.SM Yellowstone National Park Family Adventure

Distinctive Accommodation

Old Faithful Inn - 1 night(s) A world-famous landmark, this stone and pine inn features a five-story lobby, views of Old Faithful and classic charm. Built in 1903-1904 with local logs and stone, the Inn is considered the largest log structure in the world. The towering lobby features a massive stone fireplace and a handcrafted clock made of copper, wood and wrought iron serving as focal points. Rooms feature modern furnishings with two queen beds and a private bath. Televisions, radios, and air conditioning are not available in park lodging.

OR

Old Faithful Snow Lodge - 1 night(s) Completed in 1999, the Snow Lodge is the newest of the park’s full-service hotels, and features heavy timber construction, exterior log columns and a cedar shingle roof, making it a significant example of classic “parkitecture”. The Snow Lodge also features a full- service dining room, quick service “Geyser Grill” and the charming Bear Den Gift Store. The Snow Lodge is just a short walk away from the Old Faithful Inn, geyser, and visitor center.

Lake Lodge - 1 night(s) Lake Lodge Cabins features a main lodge with a large porch offering a spectacular rocking chair view of Yellowstone Lake. The main lodge is constructed of logs and is the focal point of this classic and comfortable building. Located behind the lodge are rustic cabins just a short walk away from and the lake itself. Each cabin is simple, spacious, and modernly furnished with two queen beds and private bathrooms. The main lodge houses a delightful lobby where two fireplaces, a lounge and gift store warmly beckon guests to linger and chat.

The toughest part is going home.SM Mammoth Hotel - 1 night(s) This accommodation was named after the steaming limestone terraces just above the main building. Elk routinely graze outside the hotel around the parade grounds of what was once . Within the area, you can walk the boardwalks of Mammoth Hot Springs, visit Albright Visitor Center with its exhibits of the early history, exploration and establishment of the Park, or take a self-guided walking tour of Fort Yellowstone’s historic sandstone buildings to learn about the days when the U.S. Cavalry helped manage the Park.

The Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone - 1 night(s) The Ridgeline Hotel is located in Gardiner, Montana just outside the north entrance of the Park on the banks of the Yellowstone River. Within walking distance to just about any restaurant in Gardiner, this is the perfect accommodation to spend a night on your own exploring. When you’re done with a day of exploration, unwind with a dip in the indoor heated pool and hot tub.

Chico Hot Spring Resort - 1 night(s) The perfect location for your Montana getaway. This historic resort is located in the heart of Paradise Valley, just north of Yellowstone National Park, and nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Absaroka Mountain Range. Chico offers an extraordinary variety of accommodations, exceptional dining, outdoor adventures, live entertainment, and ultimate relaxation -- all with a warm smile and welcoming spirit from their friendly staff. This rustic-chic inn and day spa boasts hot mineral spring-fed pools, extensive gardens, and soothing spa services. In June of 1999, Chico Hot Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The toughest part is going home.SM Yellowstone National Park Family Adventure

Activities Featured on This Trip

Hiking: Most hikes on this adventure are considered easy to moderate (2 to 4 miles with up to 400 feet of elevation gain). Oftentimes, we’ll do several shorter hikes over the course of one day. If a more difficult hike is listed on this itinerary, its mileage and elevation gain will be listed in the day’s activity description within the detailed itinerary. Horseback Riding: Easygoing walking pace with gentle horses, no experience necessary. Rides are led by a professional wrangler and basic instruction will be provided to get you settled in the saddle. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. (**250 lb weight limit) Whitewater Rafting: Rafting trips are led by a professional rafting guide trained in swiftwater rescue. Most of our raft trips feature paddle rafts, which are small rubber rafts in which everyone paddles and is expected to help propel and steer the raft. You’ll encounter class II-III rapids on most rivers we raft. Gear like personal flotation devices and helmets are provided and required. Wetsuits are available for use when the water or air temperature is low. Instruction provided and no experience is necessary. Ropes Course: A ropes course typically features different elements like zip lines, ladders, aerial bridges, and rappels. Start off your experience with “flight school” in which you learn how to navigate the course safely. Throughout this activity, your harness is hooked up at all times to suspended cables located along every obstacle so you can’t fall as you move your way through a self-guided adventure course. No experience necessary. (**260 lb weight limit)

The toughest part is going home.SM What's Included?

Included in Trip Price:

• Double occupancy rooms with private baths • All meals as listed in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) • Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners • Any necessary equipment - all safe and well-maintained • Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip • Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service • Access to a guest portal with trip planner materials • Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees

Not Included in Trip Price:

• Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides • Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities • One dinner during the trip • Pre- and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses • Air and land transportation to/from host cities • All types of travel insurance • Personal expenses

The toughest part is going home.SM