The wild west comes alive as your family explores pine-studded forests, rafts the Yellowstone River, and rides horseback across pristine meadows with real cowboys. See famous sites and hidden gems on this beloved family-friendly adventure.
Start - End: Bozeman - Bozeman
Total trip: 6 days
Average group size: 12 people
Level: 1
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From gurgling geysers to lofty mountaintops, discover the perfect backdrop for your next family photo on this intimate journey through Big Sky Country. Explore pine-studded forests, raft the Yellowstone River, and ride horseback across pristine meadows with fourth-generation cowboys. Each day, you’ll enjoy the finest in Western hospitality and regional fare with comfortable lodgings to relax and rest up each day.
Get away from the crowds and explore Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, and Paradise Valley in an unparalleled way. From backcountry hiking to rafting to ziplining, your family will have their hearts pumping with excitement and their hearts filled with memories on this Montana family vacation.
Austin Adventures operates in part under a special use permit with the Custer Gallatin National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.
Click map below to explore.
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Your adventure begins in Gallatin Canyon at your zip base, where you'll get ready for a thrilling zip line tour across the Gallatin River. After a tasty lunch, you'll head out for an afternoon hike in the Gallatin National Forest, quickly discovering why they call it Big Sky Country.
After the day’s adventures, we’ll drive along the Gallatin River, taking in towering limestone cliffs, pine-studded forests, and the rushing river below before arriving at the 320 Guest Ranch to settle in for the night.
Accommodation: 320 Guest Ranch, Gallatin Gateway
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 3 miles (5 kilometers)
This morning, we will set out for a beautiful full-day hike through the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Lone Peak, the Madison Range, and the Gallatin Range, ending at Beehive Basin. Who knows, maybe the bold and brave will dip their feet into the ice-cold lake water. For those who prefer a half-day hike, you can enjoy part of the trail before spending some time at Big Sky Resort and riding the chairlift up to nearly 10,000'.
After the hike and some much-needed downtime at the ranch, you’ll head into Big Sky for your night on your own before shuttling back for a second night’s stay at the 320 Guest Ranch.
Accommodation: 320 Guest Ranch, Gallatin Gateway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hiking: 3-7 miles (5-11 kilometers)
Shuttle to Yellowstone and enjoy a hike past Morning Glory, one of Yellowstone’s most unique hidden gems. Continue your morning hike to Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the largest collection of geysers in the world. Take some time to explore this area with your knowledgeable guide before enjoying a delicious picnic lunch.
Spend the afternoon hiking near the shores of the continent’s largest high-elevation lake, Lake Yellowstone.
Then shuttle to the Canyon area where we will stay for the night, passing through Hayden Valley along the way - one of the park’s best spots to see wildlife.
Accommodation: Canyon Lodge & Cabins, Yellowstone National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 4-7 mile (6-11 kilometers)
Embark on a backcountry hike along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, ending at a viewpoint of the incredible 308-foot Lower Falls at Artist Point, Yellowstone’s most photographed and possibly most iconic spot. Then shuttle to Mammoth Hot Springs, where you’ll have some free time to explore this historic town, famous for its beautiful hot spring terraces and rich park history.
After lunch in the park, we will spend the afternoon loading into rafts for a beautiful and splashy ride down the Yellowstone River before shuttling through Paradise Valley to Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa, where we will spend the next two nights right at the base of Emigrant Peak.
Accommodation: Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, Pray
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 2.5 miles (4 kilometers)
Rafting: 2 hours
Shuttle to the Flying Diamond Ranch and mount up for a leisurely morning horseback ride high into the Absaroka Mountains. Our picnic lunch spot offers spectacular mountain views. In the afternoon, enjoy a short hike to a beautiful waterfall tucked away in the mountains, setting the stage for a perfect evening.
Back at Chico, soak in a natural hot spring-fed pool before feasting on a candlelit farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, Pray
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Horse-back Riding: 2-3 hours
Hiking: 2 miles (3.2 kilometers)
After a sleep-in and leisurely morning at the resort, we’ll take a stroll through the gardens or you can opt for a scenic hike to Trout Pond before heading back to either the hotel or the airport. This is the end of your trip and we’ll leave you refreshed and invigorated from the good food, exercise, rest, and great times you’ll have had with us!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are Best Western GranTree Inn at 9am or The Element Hotel at 9:15am. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at either of these hotels directly or any other hotel in Bozeman, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.
Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Bozeman Airport at 11:30am in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Bozeman around 12pm.
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Bozeman at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Bozeman after 1:30pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.
We have selected the accommodation on your trip for the stunning settings, unique character and adventuresome feel – it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels near Yellowstone. We prefer to stay in accommodations close to the park and our activities for the day that are comfortable after a full day of exploration.
While there are laundry facilities at some locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only not have to do laundry during your trip. If needed the best time will be in Chico on Days 4 & 5.
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.
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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.
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!
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!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
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.
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.
Book 3, 4th travels FREE on 2026 trips. Use code 4THFREE. T&Cs apply. Explore Trips.
