Compare Black Canyon by Yellowstone Guidelines vs Yellowstone Discovery by Insight Vacations

Day 1:

The trail starts at the Hell-Roaring Trailhead. Immediately the route descends to the river and crosses one of the few suspension bridges in the park. The suspension bridge  crosses a violent section of whitewater and a narrow path above the Yellowstone River. The bridge is not quite out of Indiana Jones but is still a great experience. After crossing the Yellowstone River, the route leads through the classic open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP.  The sagebrush is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone. Bison, antelope, and badgers can be seen in this area.

Day 2:

The second day features the heart of Yellowstone's Black Canyon. The Black Canyon or Yellowstone River Trail follows the river as it carves through the park. Expect the second day to be full of great river scenery and canyon views.

Day 3:

There are multiple ways out of the Canyon. One option is the Blacktail Plateau Trail and the second, closely follows the original Yellowstone River Trail, exiting near the Eagle Creek Campground in Gardiner, MT.  The Eagle Creek Campground ascent is steeper but does follow the original trail and allows explorers to cross the Rattle Snake Butte and the bridge over Bear Creek.  The Blacktail Plateau Trail crosses the second suspension bridge, winding along the v-shaped slot canyon carved by the creek, and out into the open of the plateau.

Additional Days can be added to our Yellowstone backpacking tours to extend the route. 5 day, 4 night or 4 day, 3 night trips include side hikes up Hell-Roaring Creek, Coyote Creek, and the Buffalo Plateau. Because sometimes you just need more time!!!

Day 1: Welcome to Bozeman

Arrive in Bozeman, enjoy views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, and transfer to your hotel. Your time is yours to get to know this charming town. May we suggest, taking a stroll along the friendly Main Street or visiting the Museum of the Rockies? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delicious Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Big Sky, Big Nature Relaxed Start

Wake up at your own pace with a relaxed start in Bozeman before you transfer to Big Sky. Take in the scenery as you drive through high alpine meadows, drop into the rocky Gallatin Canyon and travel alongside the river, under the gaze of the iconic lone peak of Big Sky Mountain. With its wide skies and breath-taking views, Big Sky is a nature lover's paradise and the gateway community to Yellowstone National Park. This afternoon, enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to take a guided or self-guided hike among the wildflowers, roaring streams and distant snowclad peaks. Alternatively choose to test your archery skills with the Lone Peak as your backdrop.

Day 3: Hello Yellowstone!

Depart Big Sky in the morning and enter the vast wonderland of Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first National Park, Yellowstone spans over 2.2 million acres and is full of natural wonders, geothermal phenomena and diverse, free-roaming wildlife. Spend the morning sightseeing and wildlife spotting in West Yellowstone with your Travel Director, look out for wolves, bear, elk and moose. In the late afternoon join a Local Expert for an after-hours, wildlife sightseeing visit, a unique Insight Experience. Step off the beaten track to learn about bird and animal migration patterns and behavior. Stop for a delicious picnic dinner of local delicacies and wine, and listen to stories of life in and out of the park.

Day 4: Hot Springs and Hiking in Yellowstone Relaxed Start

This morning enjoy a relaxed start before spending the day sightseeing in Yellowstone National Park. Join your Travel Director to explore the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, one of the major geyser basins in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. Partake in one of two gentle hikes: the Mammoth Terraces Trail passes many of the most beautiful and historic hot spring terraces of the park and snakes up to a wonderful outlook; the Beaver Ponds Trail rambles through sagebrush meadows, trees and beaver ponds. Keep a look out for wildlife, including a large variety of water birds. The afternoon is yours at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dip in the Boiling River Hot Spring, where cold water from the Gardner River mixes with the hot spring to make one of the few official soaking areas in Yellowstone. Don’t forget your bathing suit! (Weather dependent).

Day 5: Yellowstone's Grand Canyon Relaxed Start

This morning relocate to a new area of the park and take a gentle hike along the Ribbon Lake Trail for sweeping views of the Grand Canyon, the Park and its waterfalls, lakes and thermal features. Stop for lunch in Canyon Village and take time to explore the fascinating Canyon Visitor Education Center. Here you can see, hear and learn about the geological history of Yellowstone. In the afternoon, continue sightseeing around the stunning Yellowstone Lake. Head to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum to learn all bout the many bird species that inhabit the park.

Day 6: Yellowstone's Famous Old Faithful

Set off this morning for your final day of sightseeing around the park, spending most of the day around Old Faithful. The spectacular Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin are also home to Castle Geyser, Crested Pool, Sapphire Pool, Grand Prismatic Spring and the Excelsior Geyser Crater. In the afternoon, choose from a variety of hikes - maybe take a walk to Fairy Falls, which, at 200 feet (61 m) high, is one of Yellowstone's most remarkable waterfalls. Join your fellow travelers in the evening for a delicious Celebration Dinner.

Day 7: Mountain Peaks and the Wild West - Departures

Today head to Grand Teton National Park and marvel at the stunning mountain peaks as you immerse yourself in this wildlife haven with your Travel Director. Savor a taste of the old Wild West as you visit Jackson Hole, with free time to explore and have a delicious lunch in the authentic town of Jackson. After lunch, meet a local expert at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center and partake in a Make Travel Matter® Experience as you learn about the National Elk Refuge which manages a habitat for the nationally significant Jackson Elk Herd as well as for endangered species, birds, fish and other big game animals. In the late afternoon, bid farewell to the beautiful national parks and your fellow travelers, then transfer to Jackson Hole Airport arriving at 16:00. Please note this time when booking flights, or perhaps maybe extend your stay in Jackson with optional extra nights.