Trip Overview

Hike, horseback ride, and fly fish in the wild beauty of Yellowstone National Park on this women’s trip. Revel in the varied beauty of the park on this active seven-day adventure through the first national park in the U.S. with AdventureWomen.

Let the geysers, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails of Montana delight you on this active journey through one of America’s greatest treasures, Yellowstone National Park. Meet your fellow AdventureWomen travelers in Bozeman and head to Big Sky, where you will begin imagining the week ahead over a lively welcome dinner. Get to know your expert Montana-based guide who will set the stage for what you can expect during your time in and around the Park. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

Big Sky

Big Sky, in the southwestern corner of Montana, is just miles from Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky offers unlimited access to outdoor recreation: whitewater experiences, blue-ribbon trout streams, backcountry hikes, meandering wildlife, and widespread wildflowers. Here in the wild west, we start by hopping on one of the loveable horses at the 320 Guest Ranch. Bring your inner cowgirl into the saddle and wind through forests, meadows of wildflowers, and along the banks of the Gallatin River.

The next day, journey to the heart of the Yellowstone Super Volcano where you’ll start your hike. Walk along the Firehole and Madison Rivers, where you can see birdlife including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl. Continue to Fountain Paint Pots and Biscuit Basin and see the sights at Old Faithful. If you’re lucky you might catch the Old Faithful geyser erupt. Return to the ranch for a Wild West Classic – the Chuck Wagon Dinner. Horses will skillfully guide your wagon along the Gallatin River to your dinner site where you’ll learn stories about the history of the ranch while your dinner is prepared over an open fire. There’s nothing quite like eating under an open, star-studded sky as you listen to the crackling of the fire.

In Big Sky, you will have the chance to try your hand at fly fishing in the very river that made Brad Pitt famous in A River Runs Through It. Receive personal instruction from your professional fly fishing guide who will help you tie your flies on, untangle your knots, perfect your cast, and even take your fish off the hook during your catch-and-release fishing lesson! These clean, cold rapids are home to more than 1,000 trout per river mile.

Yellowstone National Park

Visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, one of the most geologically spectacular sites in the Park. This hike will take you to backcountry mud pots, where boiling mud bursts from the earth. See the grandeur of Lower Falls from several viewpoints as you hike the rim of the Canyon.

Head into the Lamar Valley, where you will search for wildlife through binoculars or a spotting scope. Keep your eyes open for wolves, bison, elk, and birdlife. Hike through rolling sagebrush habitat, along cold mountain waters, where wildflowers stretch across the landscape. As you hike, search for bear, moose, and maybe even wolf tracks.

Explore Mammoth Hot Springs and the unique and famous “travertine terraces.” This is an amazing area to discover; the terraces were created over thousands of years. As hot water from the springs cools, it deposits calcium carbonate, which created this stunning landscape.

Enjoy a Wild West Classic: a wagon ride. Your horses will skillfully guide the wagon along the Yellowstone Valley while you take in the view

Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends as we wrap up in Bozeman. Reminisce over all the memories you have made and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this truly spectacular area. Bozeman is the fourth-largest city in Montana and was founded in 1864. The joy of being out in the vast wilderness of Yellowstone and sharing this active adventure with other women will be in your memories for years to come.

Main Attractions

  • Hike, horseback ride, and fly fish in and around Yellowstone, America’s first National Park
  • Search for wolves, bison, elk, coyotes, and birdlife
  • Hike the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, one of the most geologically spectacular sites in the Park
  • Learn to fly fish from professional guides, who will help you perfect your cast
  • Take a trail ride through forests and meadows along the Gallatin River

What You'll See and Do

  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • National Parks
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Viewing

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Big Sky
Welcome to Montana! Arrive at the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn in Bozeman today before 1:00pm.

You will be picked up at 1:00pm from the GranTree Inn and transferred to Big Sky, Montana.

Check in at the historic 320 Guest Ranch. Settle into your cozy log cabin before joining your group for dinner.

Hop on one of the loveable horses at the 320 Guest Ranch. Bring your inner cowgirl into the saddle and wind through forests, meadows of wildflowers, and along the banks of the Gallatin River.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman in your trip is excited to explore Yellowstone!
Dinner

Overnight: 320 Guest Ranch

Day 2

Big Sky
Head out early and journey to the heart of the Yellowstone Super Volcano. Look for bison, elk, and coyote, and see the greatest concentration of geysers in the world. Hike along the Firehole and Madison Rivers where you can see birdlife that includes trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and a variety of ducks, geese, and possibly water ouzels. Continue to Fountain Paint Pots and Biscuit Basin and see the sights at Old Faithful. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of Old Faithful geyser erupting! Continue hiking past some of the most visually stunning hot springs in Yellowstone.

Enjoy a delicious western-style pig roast at the ranch tonight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: 320 Guest Ranch

Day 3

Big Sky to Yellowstone
Today you will have the chance to hike and try your hand at fly fishing in the very river that made Brad Pitt famous in A River Runs Through It. Receive personal instruction from your professional fly fishing guide who will help you tie your flies on, untangle your knots, perfect your cast, and even take your fish off the hook during your catch-and- release fishing lesson! Afterwards, enjoy a riverside picnic lunch before making your way to Gardiner.

Enjoy dinner with the group at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Absaroka Lodge

Day 4

Yellowstone National Park
Continue on to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, one of the most geologically spectacular sites in the Park. Today’s hike will take you to backcountry mud pots, where boiling mud bursts from the earth. See the grandeur of Lower Falls from several viewpoints as you hike the rim of the Canyon.

Enjoy dinner with the group at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Absaroka Lodge

Day 5

Yellowstone National Park
Head to the Lamar Valley in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park, where you can view wildlife with binoculars and a spotting scope, and have an overview of the local history and geology, as well as the ecology of the wolves, bison, elk, coyotes, birdlife, and other animals in Yellowstone. Enjoy a bagged lunch on the road today.

This afternoon’s hike will take you through rolling sagebrush habitat and along cold mountain streams where wildflowers abound. Look carefully as you hike and find bear, moose, and maybe even wolf tracks.

Enjoy dinner with the group at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Absaroka Lodge

Day 6

Gardiner to Bozeman
Head to Mammoth Hot Springs to explore the unique and famous “travertine terraces.” This is an amazing area to discover; the terraces were created over thousands of years. As hot water from the springs cools, it deposits calcium carbonate, which created this stunning landscape.

Stop for lunch on your own at a local restaurant and take some time to walk around town.

Enjoy a Wild West Classic: a wagon ride. Your horses will skillfully guide the wagon along the Yellowstone Valley while you take in the view.

Head back to Bozeman and check into your hotel.

Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends. Reminisce over all the memories you have made and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this truly spectacular area.
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: GranTree Inn

Day 7

Depart Bozeman
Bid farewell to your new friends and journey home. Hop on the shuttle from the GranTree Inn to the Bozeman Airport.
Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants. Tours within Yellowstone National Park are conducted in partnership with Big Sky Adventures & Tours, an authorized permittee of Yellowstone National Park.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Traveling to Yellowstone National Park



Arrival and Departure Information

September 10, 2023 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Bozeman, Montana (BZN) on September 10, 2023, by 12:00PM. Make your way to the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn by 1:00PM.

Depart: Depart Bozeman, Montana (BZN) any time on September 16, 2023 anytime.

 

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. If you’d like to do anything prior to or following the AdventureWomen trip, we’d be delighted to help you arrange any trip extensions you’re interested in.

Note: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible in booking last-minute registrants, we must release hotel rooms two to three months prior to departure! Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Preparation and Packing  

Please use the following guides as a reference when preparing for your adventure. We also encourage you to adapt the guides to your travel style as well as the destination’s forecasted weather.  

Gratuities  

Gratuities are a personal decision and are at your own discretion based on your level of satisfaction with the service provided. Gratuities are dependent upon the number of guests on your departure, and they vary greatly from trip to trip. As a general reference, AdventureWomen suggests you plan for $125-$175 (or more) worth of gratuities for this adventure. Specific tipping recommendations for your trip will be provided to you closer to your departure date and may fluctuate due to inflation, exchange rates, and the number of travelers on your trip. 

Activity Level

We rate this trip as High Energy. Our High Energy adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing. Please note that this is a general description of what you might encounter; for specific details about your trip, please consult the itinerary.

You should not have any physical problems or conditions that would be adversely affected by hiking and residing at altitudes of 6,000-8,000 feet.

We recommend training before your trip (with your doctor’s permission) to make the most of your adventure. With this itinerary in mind, we have a partnership with Trailblazer Wellness, a woman-owned, women-run company that will design an individualized fitness plan just for you! Best of all, AdventureWomen guests get a 10% discount with the code AVW. Learn more on the Trailblazer Wellness website.

How to Register

Call the AdventureWomen office at (800) 804-8686 to determine space availability and register for this trip. We can complete your registration, including taking your credit card deposit over the phone.

If you prefer, you can register online by clicking “Sign Up for this Trip” on the trip page.

Please be sure to read the AdventureWomen policies before registering!

Forms and Final Payment

The deposit for this trip is $800, and is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Once you book, you will need to fill out and return to AdventureWomen:

  • Information Form
  • Booking Conditions Form
  • Copy of Flight Information
  • Supplemental Release for COVID

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen in a cash form (check, money order, or wire transfer). A maximum of $1,500 per person can be put on a credit card, which includes your deposit.

September 10, 2023 Departure Final Payment Due Date: June 12, 2023

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

What's Included

Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • All park fees
  • Guided sightseeing and activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional guide(s) throughout the trip
  • All gratuities except for head guide

Not Included

  • Airfare to and from Montana
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Accommodations

320 Guest Ranch

In 1898, when the west was wilder, two homesteads totaling 320 acres were combined to form the 320 Ranch. In 1936, Montana’s first woman doctor and first pathologist, Dr. Caroline McGill, purchased the working cattle ranch as a rest and relaxation retreat for her friends and patients. Today, picture a quiet place, just north of Yellowstone Park and just south of Big Sky Ski Resort, where the pristine Gallatin River winds through sage and towering pines, snow-covered mountains rise against crystal- clear blue skies, and there’s an abundance of pure, clean mountain air! That’s where you will find the 320.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; Wifi

Absaroka Lodge

Absaroka Lodge is located just outside the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park in quiet, quaint Gardiner, Montana. The motel overlooks the Yellowstone River which can be enjoyed from the patio. Often, elk, antelope, deer, and other park animals can be seen across the way.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; Wifi

GranTree Inn

Cradled between the Bridger, Gallatin, and Spanish Peaks mountain ranges, the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn offers perfect lodging that is conveniently located near restaurants, shops, and Historic Downtown Bozeman. Each large, non- smoking room is attractively decorated and has one king-size or two queen-size beds, cable TV and pay movies, data ports, voicemail, high-speed internet access, clock radios, hairdryers, coffee/tea makers, irons and ironing boards, and two phones with dual lines. Excellent amenities include a heated indoor pool, hot tub, exercise room, convenience store, gift shop, a business center, and the GranTree Bar & Grill. The hotel also offers room service, 24-hour airport shuttles, 24-hour front desk service, valet laundry service, and 24-hour laundry facilities.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686