Hike, bike, and more on our Yellowstone vacation packages and guided tours that reveal the park’s hidden gems and iconic spots – far from the crowds.
The perfect adventure destination for bikers, hikers, skiers, snowmobilers, horseback riders, and more, you’re sure to find everything you need to stay active, enjoy great company and explore the beautiful and bountiful Yellowstone National Park. There’s no place like it, and no one knows it better.
Yellowstone Vacations for Families
Yellowstone Vacations for Families
Yellowstone Vacations for Adults
Yellowstone Vacations for Adults
Best Time of Year for a Yellowstone Vacation
It may sound cliche, but there is never a wrong time to visit Yellowstone National Park. The truth is, people are always visiting Yellowstone, whether it’s raining, snowing, or the sun is shining – there’s still something to see and do. The best time to visit Yellowstone is genuinely dependent upon the types of activities you’re looking to participate in on your adventure vacation. From hiking and horseback riding to snowmobiling to snowshoeing, you can do it all in Yellowstone.
Planning for a Yellowstone Vacation
Being prepared is the first step to a great adventure vacation. Along with your trip itinerary, let the tips and tricks below help get you on your way to being prepared for your Yellowstone vacation.
Pack Layers
Yellowstone experiences distinct seasons are snowy, white winters and warm, sunny summers. You’ll find that the weather can vary significantly, even in a day. It means that you always have to be equipped with a diverse set of clothing options. The best way to do this is to plan on layers: a base layer, insulating mid-layers, and an additional shell.
Pack Practical Footwear
As expert travelers, we’re well aware that warm, dry feet usually result in a happy traveler! Pack insulated boots that both repel water and are roomy enough for thick, wool socks to fit underneath. In the summer, you’ll want lighter hiking boots or a reliable pair of athletic shoes along with river shoes.
Pack for the Weather
Many pieces of clothing will make your vacation in Yellowstone comfortable. Including gloves (the layering approach applies here too, with an insulating layer underneath a wind/waterproof outer layer). So, A hat (in the summer, you’ll want one with a brim for sun protection), neck warmer, and gaiters (these go over your boots and run up to about the knee, keeping snow out of your boots).
Travel Tips for a Yellowstone National Park Vacation
Attracting millions of visitors every year; Yellowstone National Park has become one of America’s most prized experiences – and we love to offer it to visitors alike. If you’re considering a trip through Yellowstone; be sure to keep these tips in mind to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
Keep your eyes peeled for all sorts of wildlife. It is a rich ecosystem home to all different kinds of species – this is part of what makes the trip. So, unique and exciting. Be on the lookout for animals (especially bison!) that roam freely.
Take a Guided Tour
With so much to see and do in Yellowstone National Park (believe it or not, the Park spans over 2.2 million acres!); it’s tough to know what the top sights and experiences are. Our expert guides have intimate knowledge of the Park and insider access to give you a national park experience, unlike any other. Choose guided travel and enjoy more education; a more straightforward trip-planning experience (show up!), and excellent use of time between top (and more secretive!) sights. Read more about Traveling with a Guide.
Bring a Camera
Yellowstone National Park provides unmatched photo opportunities for everyone, from the most novice to the most expert photographer. Trust us; you’ll want to take advantage. From the gorgeous Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the Mammoth Hot Springs and beyond, be sure to have a camera on hand to capture some of the Park’s most refined scenes. Keeping your camera ready is key to capturing those perfect wildlife and lighting moments.
About Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park at a Glance
From magnificent sights and sounds – like the Boiling River, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs, to name just a few – to the fascinating wildlife and ecosystem that calls Yellowstone home, you’re guaranteed to have the trip of a lifetime on any of our Yellowstone vacations. Explore the Yellowstone Caldera and bear witness to the greatest concentration of geothermal features on the planet. Experience the eruption of Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s icon, the most famous geyser in the world due to its “faithful” eruption times. Also, view the largest volume waterfall in the Rocky Mountains, Lower Yellowstone Falls, on every Yellowstone tour.
Yellowstone by the Seasons
Spring (March to July)
It is beautiful weather and relatively warm temperatures ranging between 40 – 70F. Springtime is a fantastic time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park (though, be aware that these are averages, and weather in Yellowstone can be quite unpredictable – so packing a few warm layers is a must!). Not classified as a peak travel time for Yellowstone; you’ll experience far fewer crowds as a result. While still being able to take advantage of many activities like hiking and biking.
Summer (July to Sept)
With temperatures ranging between 58 – 80F at their height, it’s no wonder that the summer months (particularly July & August) are the most popular time to visit Yellowstone. Comfortable enough to sleep in the great outdoors and aligning correctly with school holidays, This park is often packed with visitors during the summer. During peak season time, all of the Park’s facilities are open to enjoy, and the weather is perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities.
Fall (Sept to Nov)
Another fantastic time of year to visit Yellowstone; fall is relatively mild and is the perfect time of year for outdoor adventures, including hiking, watching wildlife, and more. So, the surrounding nature is at its finest, and crowds are beginning to dwindle, leaving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this national park.
Winter (Dec to March)
Winter in Yellowstone is a perfect time to explore without having to battle with buses filled with tourists. Expect a few inches of snowfall and temperatures often below freezing. Still, as long as you pack the right gear, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, and more!
Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full
By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
Moments from Yellowstone Vacations
Gallery
FAQs About Visiting Yellowstone
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
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Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
