Yellowstone Sky Rim Backpacking
Immerse yourself in the world’s first national park with this spectacular backcountry hike.
TRIP DATES:
Yellowstone Sky Rim Backpacking Tour
$1750 Per Person
Step into the wild on this challenging, high-reward backcountry adventure. Our Sky Rim route takes you deep into Yellowstone’s remote terrain—through alpine meadows, over ridgelines with sweeping mountain views, and into some of the park’s most rugged wilderness.
With significant elevation gains, this Level 5 tour is designed for experienced hikers ready to push their limits. You’ll spend nights under the stars, swap stories over campfire meals, and finish off with frontcountry camping and a visit to Yellowstone’s iconic wonders—Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and more.
Finish your journey with a soak in a local hot spring before heading back to Bozeman with memories (and views) that few ever get to experience. (See full itinerary below)
Included
- Medically trained, naturalist guides
- Round-trip transportation
- Accommodations as outlined below
- Tent, sleeping pad, and group camping equipment
- All meals outlined below
- Park entry fees
Not Included
- Flights
- Sleeping bag (available to rent for $50)
- Personal camping gear (see packing list)
- Gratuity for your guide
Weather
Yellowstone and the Tetons have very extreme weather – in fact, the highest recorded difference in temperature in a 24-hour period was recorded nearby in Montana at over 100 degrees! July and August can be warm and dry in the day, but cool in the evenings with average highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. Recently, daily highs have been reaching well beyond historical averages. Summer weather in Yellowstone is generally mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from the 70s to 80s (°F), but evenings can be quite chilly, dropping to the 30s and 40s.
Intensity- Difficult
Difficult – Expect to spend up to 6 hours per day walking or hiking (up to 10 miles and 3000ft elevation change) while carrying packs with water, food, and equipment! Suitable for most fit people with a bit of hiking experience.
Accommodations
- Three nights camping in Yellowstone National Park
Flights
You will be flying into the Bozeman Airport. You’ll want to pick a flight arrives before 12pm MST on the first day. Alternatively, we can collect you from your accommodation in Bozeman at around 11:15am if you’ve arrived early.
At the end of your trip, your guide will drop you back at Bozeman Airport at 4pm for your travel home (or back at your accommodation in Bozeman if you’re staying on.)
Take a tour that lets you immerse yourself in the park. Our guides are master naturalists, botanists, geologists, historians, and – most importantly – relentlessly curious! This is more than a sightseeing tour; it’s a day of learning and connection with Yellowstone National Park.
Day One
Arrive in Bozeman, MT. After meeting your guide, you’ll head down to a remote part of Yellowstone National Park and begin the scenic hike to your first campsite! In the evening, we’ll get to know each other over a camp dinner and s’mores!
Meals: L, D
Day Two
After breakfast, you’ll hike out through lodgepole pine forests and alpine meadows before beginning your initial ascent up the ridge.
Expect panoramic views of some of Yellowstone’s highest peaks. After a stunning day on the trail, you’ll arrive at your backcountry campsite where you’ll cook a delicious camp dinner.
Listen to local ghost stories around the campfire before settling into your tent for the evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Day Three
Today you’ll continue hiking through the national park, taking in Yellowstone’s vistas and learning about the history of the national park along the way.
Once we reach the trailhead, we’ll make our way towards West Yellowstone to explore some of the most famous features of the park – Grand Prismatic Springs and Old Faithful.
Tonight you’ll spend the evening frontcountry camping in the center of Yellowstone!
Meals: B, L, D
Day Four
After breakfast and bidding farewell to camp, you’ll jump in the van to cram in as many of Yellowstone’s highlights as we can en- route back to Bozeman.
Along the way, we’ll stop at a local hot spring for a dip!
Your guide will have you back at Bozeman Airport in time for your onward flight later this afternoon.
Meals: B, L
*Itinerary is subject to change due to park conditions, trail and road closures, safety concerns, and timing adjustments. Your guide will always work with you to provide the best experience and keep you informed of any changes in plans.
Packing LIst
Gear
- Backpack (60+ liters)
- Daypack (20+ liters)
- Luggage (Can be left in the van. Limit of one small suitcase per person.)
- Pack cover
- Sleeping bag (available to rent)
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Travel pillow (optional)
- Earplugs
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, hand gel, sanitary wear, etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Headlamp
- Reusable water bottles or bladders (3L capacity)
- Lightweight dish or bowl
- Eating utensil
- Lip balm with SPF
- Pee cloth (optional)
- Journal & pen (optional)
- Trekking poles (optional)
Clothing
- Warm jacket
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants (optional)
- Wool socks
- Breathable, wicking layers
- Warm hat & sunhat
- Buff or neck scarf
- Lightweight hiking pants
- Comfortable clothes for camp
- Warm clothes to sleep in
- Sandals or camp shoes
- Sunglasses
- Hiking boots
Trip FAQ’s
What will we eat?
Meals may be prepared by guides, picked up as boxed lunches, or enjoyed in restaurants. We prioritize seasonal, fresh ingredients and local suppliers in all regions. We can cater to most dietary requests and allergies with advanced notice. Be sure to include this information in our client intake form when registering for your trip!
Who else will be there?
Good Trippers can be any age and everyone is welcome!
We get families, couples and friends, but most of our travelers come solo! We have hiking trips for all abilities, just make sure to review the Intensity section for information about what to expect on your trip. All group multi-day trips are 18+. If you’re traveling with kids, we’d be happy to make any itinerary private! Email info@goodtripadventures.com.
Do I need to tip my guide?
Tipping is a common way to say thanks to your guides for all their hard work. While it’s never expected, it’s always appreciated! A good rule of thumb is to tip 10-20% of the total trip cost, split among the guides. Alternatively, many guests choose to tip $25-$50 per day, per guide. You can either autopay gratuity when checking out, or you can pay the guide in person. Ultimately, the amount is up to you and should reflect the level of service you feel you received. Whatever you choose, the guides will appreciate it!
Do you offer payment plans?
We are here to help! We offer flexible payment plans tailored to your needs. Reach out to us for more information on how we can assist you with payment options. Regardless of the payment plan implemented, full payment must be received by 30 days in advance of the trip start.
Are there any age requirements?
They say age is just a number and we (mostly) agree! However, due to legal restrictions and group dynamic considerations, we do have a minimum age of 18 on our public group departures. But there’s no maximum!
If you have someone under 18 in your group, we can accommodate all ages on a private adventure, so let’s talk!