Yellowstone Trip Adviser:

At Wild West Rafting we want to make sure you get the most out of your Montana vacation. We realize a day spent whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River may only be one of the many highlights of your Yellowstone adventure. Located in Gardner, Montana, Wild West Rafting is ideally located between Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley. The original gateway to the park, Gardner makes for the perfect base camp while exploring Yellowstone Country.


"Yellowstone Trip Tips" is your insiders' guide to everything Yellowstone. We will be adding day trip ideas, recommendations and other local information on a regular basis. If you'd like specific suggestions or more detailed trip planning ideas, give us a call at 800-862-0557. We look forward to seeing you on the river!



On Safari in Northern Yellowstone:
Many Wild West Rafting trips are punctuated by wildlife sightings. We often see elk, deer, beaver, and eagles as we plunge down the legendary Yellowstone River. Many of our guests get the "safari bug" after seeing such stunning wildlife. For those of you wanting a true wildlife adventure, we advise spending a day in northern Yellowstone.

With about 10,000 elk, 2,500 bison, 500 grizzlies, 200 wolves, and hundreds of different bird species, it is no wonder Yellowstone is regarded as the Serengeti of North America. The 47-mile stretch of road between Mammoth and Cooke City is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise. The rugged and remote northern edge of Yellowstone is home to some of the most active wolf packs in the park and large groups of bison are often seen grazing along the road.

Wraith Falls:
The best way to experience Yellowstone is to get out in it! Start off your day trip with a short hike up to Wraith Falls. You'll hike through open sagebrush and stands of Douglas Fir as you approach Wraith Falls at Lupine Creek. The Trailhead is located 1/4 mile east of Lava Creek Picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road. Distance: 1 mile (1 km) round trip. Level of Difficulty: Easy

Slough Creek:
Slough Creek is located about 5 miles east of Tower Junction. Look for the Slough Creek campground sign and turn north onto the gravel road. Small herds of bison can often be seen around the Slough Creek area. Once you arrive at the campground you can continue to follow Slough Creek via a well-defined hiking trail. About 1/2 mile past the campground the creek meanders through a huge open valley, a perfect spot for sighting wildlife if you are willing to hike a little. Slough Creek has a reputation for extraordinary fly fishing as well.

Lamar Valley:
The Lamar Valley is the gem of northern Yellowstone. Home to the Druid Peak wolf pack, the valley offers some of the best wolf watching in Yellowstone. If you're looking for a unique educational experience in the Lamar valley, visit the Yellowstone Association Institute. This nonprofit educates Yellowstone visitors by offering trip planners, books, videos, and guided classes throughout Yellowstone Park.

Cooke City:
By this time you may be a bit hungry. Just east of the northeast entrance to the park is the quaint mountain village of Cooke City. There are a few good restaurants and a hand full of eclectic shops to browse. If you're still wanting more adventure, continue east of Cooke City and drive over the Beartooth Pass (closed October to May).

Let us know if you’d like to arrange a guided wildlife experience. We can recommend the best guides to make your Yellowstone safari a trip to remember!

Happy trails and we'll see you on the river!



Geyser Wonderland Day Trip:
After rafting down the Yellowstone River with Wild West Rafting, you may need a day to unwind, relax and see a few sites.

With 300 active geysers, the world's largest concentration, Yellowstone is a geothermal hot spot. Geysers, combined with thousands of bubbling mudpots, colorful hot springs and fumaroles (steam vents), make Yellowstone an eco-traveler's paradise. So pack up the camera, the snacks and your sense of adventure for a day of amazement!

Mammoth Hot Springs:
We'll start off in Gardner and head south about 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. If you haven't been to the park yet, take this opportunity to stop in at the visitor's center, a great resource with tons of information. At the south edge of Mammoth you'll see the breathtaking Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace, a stunning travertine limestone terrace highlighted by flowing hot springs water.

Norris Geyser Basin:
Continue south from Mammoth about 21 miles to Norris Geyser Basin, home of the world's largest geyser, Steamboat. Norris is a good place to explore many different geothermal features. Hit the trail and take a self-guided tour on the Porcelain Basin and Back Basin Trails. Norris also boasts a small bookstore and museum.

Lower Geyser Basin:
From Norris, drive south 14 miles and turn left at Madison Junction, from here you will soon enter the Lower Geyser Basin. You could easily spend a half day here wandering the magnificent array of geysers, mudpots and hot springs. A few highlights not to be missed are: Fountain Paint Pot, Great Fountain Geyser and the grand Prismatic Spring.

Old Faithful:
Just south of Lower Geyser Basin is the granddaddy of all geysers, Old Faithful. By far the park's most popular feature, Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes on average. Be sure to check out the many other geysers in the Old Faithful (Upper Geyser Basin) area.

Old Faithful wraps up the Geyser Wonderland Day Trip. Although this trip is less than 90 miles round-trip, it may take most of a day to complete, depending on your pace. To beat the summer crowds at Old Faithful, you can start early in the morning and reverse the order of the trip, starting at Old Faithful and ending at Mammoth.

Happy trails and we'll see you on the river!

Have more questions? We're happy to answer them!
Call us at 800-862-0557