Session Start Dates:

2025

June – 6/9, 6/23

July – 7/7, 7/21

August – 8/4, 8/18

September – 9/1

DAY 1

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

Participants are welcome to check into the Mammoth Hot Springs hotel beginning at 4:00 p.m. After checking in, guests will meet a Yellowstone Forever field educator for an orientation. Education staff will go over the program itinerary, discuss clothing and equipment needed for daily outings, and answer any questions participants may have. Participants will be spending this evening at the Mammoth Hot Springs hotel.

5:30 p.m. Dinner at Mammoth Hotel Dining Room

Dinner is first come, first served.

7:00 p.m. Orientation at Mammoth Hot Springs Conference Room

Specific room to be determined; ask front desk for directions.

DAY 2 

WILDLIFE WATCHING & LAMAR VALLEY

We will depart early, traveling along Yellowstone’s northern range to Lamar Valley in search of “charismatic megafauna.” Wolves and bears tend to be most active in the early morning, while mountain goats, moose, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and birds continue to be active later in the day. After viewing wildlife, your field educator will lead you on a hike in search of animal tracks and sign while discussing ecology, behavior, recent research, and management.
Participants will be spending this evening at the Mammoth Hot Springs hotel.

6:00 a.m. Depart Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

• Hot beverages and box breakfast in the field
• Morning wildlife watching
• Deli lunch in the field
• Afternoon hike in wildlife habitat

2:00 p.m. Return to Mammoth Hot Springs

• Dinner at Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
  • Dinner is first come, first served.

DAY 3

YELLOWSTONE HERITAGE & RESEARCH CENTER TOUR AND THE YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO

Today will begin with a private tour of the museum and archives collections in the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center. This thought-provoking tour will be led by National Park Service experts. After this tour, we’ll head south to Old Faithful – into the Yellowstone Volcano! Along the way, your field educator will lead you on sightseeing trips while introducing you to Yellowstone’s super volcano. Participants will be spending this evening at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

6:30 a.m. Dining Room Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Depart Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

• Tour Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center
• Travel to Old Faithful, explore Geyser Basins en route
• Deli lunch in the field

4:00 p.m. Check in Old Faithful Snow Lodge

5:30 p.m. Dinner Reservations at Old Faithful Inn Dining Room

• Dinner reservations are prebooked.

DAY 4

YELLOWSTONE’S VOLCANO: GEYSERS, HOT SPRINGS, & MUDPOTS

Today we’ll explore Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, home to the famous Old Faithful geyser. We’ll get out early to beat the crowds to the popular spots. Then we’ll head south to West Thumb Geyser Basin and eastward along the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
This evening’s dinner reservations are prebooked and participants will be spending this night at the Lake Hotel.

6:30 a.m.  Dining Room Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Depart Old Faithful Snow Lodge

• Old Faithful and Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin
• Travel to Yellowstone Lake
• Deli lunch in the field

4:00 p.m. Check in Lake Hotel

5:30 p.m. Dinner Reservations at Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room

• Dinner reservations are prebooked.

DAY 5

YELLOWSTONE LAKE

Today you’ll have time to relax, reflect, and take in the panoramic views of the largest high elevation lake in North America. We’ll explore the lake shores via private boat charter, learn about the geothermal activity taking place below the lake’s surface and visit some of the best viewpoints overlooking the lake. Yellowstone Lake also provides a compelling backdrop to explore the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and this land.
Participants will be spending this night at the Canyon Lodge.

6:30 a.m.  Dining Room Breakfast

8:15 a.m. Depart Lake Hotel

• Travel to Bridge Bay Marina
• Private Boat Charter on Yellowstone Lake
• For participants interested in fishing, you must get a permit prior to the boat tour. Rods will be available on the boat.
• Deli lunch in the field

4:00 p.m. Check in Canyon Lodge

Dinner at Canyon Eatery

• Dinner is first come, first served.

DAY 6

GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE & HAYDEN VALLEY

On the final day, we’ll head out early to catch wildlife activity in Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley. After wildlife viewing, we will enjoy hiking and sightseeing along the north and south rims of the iconic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The field educator will lead you to breathtaking views of the colorful canyon and its magnificent waterfalls while revealing the geology behind it all.
Participants will be spending this night at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

6:30 a.m.  Canyon Eatery Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Depart Canyon Lodge

• Wildlife Watching in Hayden Valley
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Deli lunch in the field
• Hikes and sightseeing

4:00 p.m. Check in Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

Dinner at Mammoth Hotel Dining Room

• Dinner is first come, first served.

DAY 7

CHECK OUT AND DEPARTURE

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday and goes through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Lodging:

• 3 nights lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – Frontier Cabin
• 1 night lodging at Old Faithful Snow Lodge – Premium Room
• 1 night lodging at Lake Hotel – Cabin
• 1 night lodging at Canyon Lodge – Deluxe Room
• Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Day 1
• Lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Day 7

All meals, to include:

• 5 breakfasts (1 breakfast to-go and 4 dine-in breakfasts)
• 5 lunches to-go
• 6 dinners (3 at Mammoth Dining Room, 1 at Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, 1 at Lake Hotel Dining Room, 1 at Canyon Eatery)

Transportation: All in-park transportation in a Historic Yellow Bus (driver gratuities included)

Exceptional educational programming with a Yellowstone Forever field educator

Exclusive tour of the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center

Private boat charter to a remote island on Yellowstone Lake

A Nalgene water bottle (gift item) 

Junior Ranger booklet per child

High-powered scopes and binoculars

Field equipment (as needed)

ACTIVITY LEVEL 2

• Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day comfortably with elevation gains of up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking is possible.
• For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information, please contact the following:

• Reservations, lodging, food, and payment questions, please contact Yellowstone National Park Lodges at [email protected] or 307-344-7311
• Program itinerary, health forms, and activity questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3
• Road updates, park conditions, and general park information, please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm
• To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.

TESTIMONIALS

“Amanda was passionate about the park. It was reflected on the knowledge she shared with everyone in the group. Where, why how and when questions were all answered by her and Noah. Never a dull moment. We saw everything we came to see and learned so much about Yellowstone.” – Mary Anne, FL

“There are numerous wonderful memories and highlights from this experience! To name a few is challenging. One highlight was being able to view the tops of the mountains while riding in the yellow bus with its canvas roof removed. Another memorable part of my trip was hearing the background stories of how Yellowstone has evolved over the years. Seeing the bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and eagle was thrilling. Perhaps my favorite experience was witnessing a grizzly feasting on a bison carcass, then seeing wolves move in and chase the grizzly away. Awe inspiring! Morgan’s closing ceremony was very touching. It gave us perfect closure for our final day of this amazing experience.” – Cheryl, NJ

“Wouldn’t change a thing! Absolutely amazing experience. Amanda was so knowledgeable. I learned so much about the park history while enjoying the beautiful wildlife and scenery.” – Kathy, SC