Montana
Active Yellowstone: Adventure in the Great Outdoors
Program No. 25252RJ
Hike, raft and ride through Yellowstone’s wilderness. Watch for wildlife and explore thermal basins on this active adventure in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
17 meals (
6B, 5L, 6D
)
1 expert-led lecture
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Bozeman, Montana
Meals:
D
Stay:
Even Hotel Bozeman Yellowstone Intl Arpt
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
In the hotel conference room.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program will be led by both the Group Leader and an expert naturalist instructor, who will lead the educational portion of the program. Unless specified otherwise, all transportation will be provided via private motorcoach, requiring the ascending/descending of a few steps when getting on/off. Remember to bring your own water bottle. Ice water will be available in coolers on the motorcoach during travel, from which you may fill your water bottle; disposable cups will not be available. “America the Beautiful” passes cover entrance fees at national parks and wildlife refuges for up to 4 adults. If you have one of these national park passes, please bring it with you to the program and on our field trips to benefit other members of the group. The Greater Yellowstone area is considered high desert, very dry. At high altitudes you are more susceptible to dehydration and altitude sickness. We will hike an average of 4 miles some days at elevations of up to 8,000 feet. Elevation gains can range from up to 600 feet in 1/2 mile to 1,400 feet in 3 miles. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
2
Yellowstone Geology, Gallatin Canyon, Old Faithful
Location:
Gardiner, MT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yellowstone River Motel
Activity Note
Hiking about 3 miles throughout the day; maintained trails, asphalt paths, some uneven and rocky terrain, boardwalks. Elevations ranging from 5,800 to 8,000 feet. Walking distance does not include walking around overnight sites (e.g. to and from dining locations, restroom stops, etc.). Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel, meet our motorcoach, and transfer to Yellowstone Park via the beautiful Gallatin Canyon. During our morning class time en route, our instructor will put Yellowstone into perspective and discuss some of the geologic processes that have shaped Yellowstone's landscape through the ages. We’ll consider tectonic plate movement, the Yellowstone hot spot, and how the Park’s unique ecosystem and diverse habitats are a direct result of glaciations, as well as tectonic and volcanic activity. We’ll spend the late morning and afternoon around Old Faithful and the surrounding geyser basins.
Lunch:
Sack lunches in the park.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board our motorcoach and continue the day’s discovery. Our instructor will offer commentary as we travel through a magnificent landscape. We’ll enjoy the geyser basins at the instructor’s discretion. We’ll also go hike to a waterfall along the Little Firehole River before heading north to Gardiner, Montana. We will check in at the hotel upon arrival.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Early Morning Wildlife, Side-by-Side Ride
Location:
Gardiner, MT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yellowstone River Motel
Activity Note
Walking about 3 miles, approximately 2 hours; pavement, some boardwalks with stairs, uneven and rocky terrain with loose gravel. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Getting on/off smaller side-by-side off-road vehicles on old logging roads and Forest Service trails.
Breakfast:
We’ll take breakfast to go in hopes of maximizing our opportunity to view some of the park’s more elusive wildlife.
Morning:
We’ll spend some time in the early morning looking for wildlife in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. Located in the northeastern corner of the park, the Lamar Valley, along the Lamar River, is often called “America’s Serengeti” for its large and easy-to-see populations of large animals.
Lunch:
Sack lunches on the way to Cooke City.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy the Absaroka-Beartooth mountain scape from the seats of side-by-side off-road vehicles. Beautiful scenery and high mountain peaks are found in all directions. We’ll travel in four-seat vehicles in some of the prettiest country in the Greater Yellowstone. After our ride, we’ll return by motorcoach to Gardiner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Rafting on the Yellowstone River
Location:
Gardiner, MT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yellowstone River Motel
Activity Note
Walking about 1 mile; around town to meet rafting outfitter. Getting in/out of rafts; rafting 18 miles. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time.
Breakfast:
At a local restaurant.
Morning:
We’ll walk to meet our rafting guides and take off right from town. After an orientation and safety lesson from our raft leader, we will walk down several stairs and switchbacks to where we'll get in the rafts. As we begin to move along the river, we will have the chance to practice paddling skills while floating on the area of the Yellowstone River that offers mostly Class II rapids. As we float, our raft leaders and naturalist will discuss riparian habitat and help us identify birds along the shore of the river while we revel in the joy, excitement, and freedom of being on the water.
Lunch:
Sack lunches along the river.
Afternoon:
We will board rafts as our adventure continues another 8 miles down the Yellowstone River. The second leg of our rafting adventure will get our hearts racing as we navigate Class III whitewater, classified by American Whitewater as “Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid.” Our rafting leader will lead us through maneuvers in fast currents and help us with the techniques needed for good boat control until we reach our destination. We will ride on the motorcoach back to town after our day of rafting concludes.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Wildlife Watching, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Location:
Gardiner, MT
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Yellowstone River Motel
Activity Note
Hiking about 4-5 miles throughout the day; some inclines; paved trails, boardwalks with some stairs, rocky and uneven terrain. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time with stops along the way.
Breakfast:
We’ll get an early start and take breakfast to go to optimize our chances at seeing some of the park’s more elusive critters.
Morning:
We’ll spend the early morning around Yellowstone’s northern range. We’ll have spotting scopes and binoculars to view the wildlife at a safe and respectful distance. In the field, our instructor will discuss wolf reintroduction, as well as predator prey dynamics.
Lunch:
Sack lunches in the park.
Afternoon:
We’ll board our motorcoach and continue our journey up and over Dunraven Pass to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We’ll take time to see both the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone and enjoy a 4-mile round trip hike in the area before returning to Gardiner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Horseback Riding, Hot Springs, Wrap-up
Location:
Bozeman, Montana
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Even Hotel Bozeman Yellowstone Intl Arpt
Activity Note
Walking about 1-2 miles; well-maintained dirt trails with some rocky and uneven terrain. Getting on/off horses; riding for approximately 2 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 170 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time with several stops.
Breakfast:
At a local restaurant.
Morning:
We’ll travel north to Paradise Valley and visit Chico Hot Springs, located in the Paradise Valley about 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park. A vacation spot since the turn of the 20th century, Chico Hot Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the geothermal springs discharging 37 gallons of water per minute at 113 degrees Fahrenheit. We’ll meet our horseback riding outfitter before going on a 2-hour ride on the property.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After enjoying the horseback ride, we’ll soak in Chico’s hot springs, relax, and enjoy the view before returning to Bozeman in the afternoon.
Dinner:
In the hotel conference room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Following a wrap-up session to recap the week, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Bozeman, Montana
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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