Hike the Sky Rim Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Immerse yourself in the world's first national park with this spectacular backcountry hike
Hike the Sky Rim Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Immerse yourself in the world's first national park with this spectacular backcountry hike
DURATION
3 nights
LOCATION
United States
ANNUAL LEAVE
2 days off work
SEASON
Jul-Sep
GROUP SIZE
Up to 9 people
MEETING POINT
Bozeman Airport, Montana
ACCOMMODATION
Campsite · Glamping
DIFFICULTY
Tough
This is demanding hike with 4000+ feet gain, so would suit experienced hikers capable of walking for 6-7 hours a day with a pack.
Experience true backcountry as you hike along the Sky Rim Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Look out for bears, wolves, moose, bison and other Yellowstone wildlife
Take in the highlights of Yellowstone including Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lamar Valley.
Included
Guides
Expert, medically-trained naturalist guides with wilderness first responder training
Accommodation
2 nights backcountry wild camping followed by a night in a luxury safari style tent to finish
Meals
Delicious fresh food included throughout
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Equipment
We'll provide all the group equipment you need for your backcountry camping including tents, sleeping mats and cooking items
Permits
All your National Park entry fees and permits
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
12pm on Day 1
Ends
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
4pm on Day 4
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman, Montana at 12 pm, so please book a flight that arrives before 11.30 am. Alternatively, you can be collected at your accommodation in Bozeman at 10.30 am if you are already in town.
At the end of your trip, you'll be dropped at the airport at 4pm, so you can book any flight that leaves after 5.30 pm to ensure you have enough time to check-in. Alternatively you can be dropped at your accommodation in Bozeman if you are staying on.
Travel options
There are direct flights to Bozeman Airport (BZN) from all over the US and major hubs in Europe, including London, UK.
What about all the carbon?
We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.
Day 1
Campsite · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Campsite · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Glamping · Triple share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Departure day
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Evening meals around the campfire will be based around rice and pasta dishes with fresh vegetables. For breakfast there will be eggs, pancakes and fruit. Lunches will be meat-based sandwiches unless you request a vegan/vegetarian option. During the adventure you'll be kept full of delicious, local snacks. Water, tea and coffee are provided as well as wine and beer in the evenings. Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be accommodated - just request when booking.
What is the accommodation like?
Backcountry wild camping
For the first two nights you'll stay at a backcountry camp site. You'll carry your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat and everyone will muck in to help set up and take down camp. All part of an American backcountry adventure.
West Yellowstone
Your last night will be spent at a luxury glamping site called 'Under Canvas' just outside the National Park's west entrance. You'll stay in twin-share safari style glamping tents with uninterupted views of Montana's picturesque landscape.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private tent just for the backcounty camping (nights 1 and 2) can be requested. Or you can also request a solo tent and your own glamping safari tent for all three nights of the trip.
See Optional Extras for prices. Please request at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
Day 1
Welcome to Montana!
Hiking
2-3 hrs · 6-8km · 150m up · 150m down
Your host will meet you at Bozeman Airport and whisk you off to West Yellowstone, the gateway to the world's first national park. No trip to Yellowstone is complete without experiencing Old Faithful, a geyser named after its frequent and predictable eruptions. You'll also take an easy walk to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook to admire one of the largest and most colorful hot springs in the world.
In the evening, your guides will prepare you for tomorrow's overnight backcountry adventure on the Sky Rim Trail. You'll enjoy a big dinner at your campsite home for the night before settling down for a good nights sleep.
Day 2
Head out into the backcountry on the Sky Rim Trail
Hiking
8-10 hrs · 16km · 1200m up
This morning, you'll strap on your pack for two nights in the backcountry. 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.
Day 3
Continue along the Sky Rim Trail and hike out of the backcountry
Hiking
8-10 hrs · 16km · 1200m down
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. Your naturalist hiking guide will be on the lookout for wildlife throughout, and can tell you about the recent succesful reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone and the myriad positive impacts this had on the ecosystem. You'll have a picnic lunch in a scenic meadow.
Towards the end of today's hike, you'll make your way out of the backcountry and descend back to the trailhead. Tonight you'll spend the evening at a luxury safari style glamping site, amongst a field of horses.
Day 4
See more Yellowstone highlights on your way back to Bozeman
Hiking
2-3 hrs · 6-8 km · 150m up · 150m down
After breakfast and bidding your luxury camp spot farewell, you'll jump in the van to cram in as many of Yellowstone's highlights as you can en route back to Bozeman. You’ll take the scenic route back, stopping at Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs. Your guide will have you back at Bozeman Airport in time your onward flight later this afternoon or evening.
Please Note
All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.
15% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.
What's included?
All your camping equipment including tent, sleeping mat and cooking items.
What's available to hire?
- Sleeping bag (see Optional Extras for prices)
What do I need to bring?
Bags
- Backpack (60-70 litres)
- Waterproof cover or drybags
Clothes
- Hiking boots, waterproof with sturdy sole (worn-in)
- Long sleeve base layers (synthetic and moisture wicking)
- Long pant base layer (synthetic and moisture wicking)
- Light synthetic shirt or tank for warmer days
- Hiking pants or shorts (at least one pair should be long pants)
- Insulating mid layers (fleece jacket or vest, down jacket)
- Waterproof, windproof shell
- Wool Hiking Socks, multiple pairs
- Light gloves
- Warm hat
- Casual clothes for camp
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (2-3 season). Also available to hire.
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner (optional)
Other
- Water bottles or Camelbak, 3L total minimum capacity
- Headlamp
- Small towel or facecloth
- Toiletries and personal first aid
- Sunscreen and insect repellant
- Sunglasses
- Personal mess kit
- Trekking Poles (Optional)
- Camera
- Book
- Ear plugs
This trip requires good fitness levels and previous hiking experience is strongly recommended. The backcountry portion is 20 miles of hiking with 4000+ feet of elevation gain whilst carrying weight, so the Sky Rim is generally considered a difficult trail.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. The amount to tip is entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip in the USA; your guides will rely on tips for a considerable portion of their income.
We suggest to budget for 10%-20% of the trip cost as a guideline.
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
There is drinking water available at your campsite on day 1 and glamping site on day 3.
For the backcountry section of the trip water will be provided but you'll need to carry your own water. Please bring reusable water bottles and/or a bladder to fill up for the hikes.
The weather in Yellowstone is extremely erratic. It can and does snow any month of the year, so make sure to pack for any and all weather, sunshine, warmth, cold, rain and snow.
Generally in July and August you can expect cool mornings followed by warm pleasant daytime temperatures. Summer days are typically sunny, with an occasional thunderstorm. Daytime highs are mostly in the 70s Faranheit (20-25 celcius), occasionally creeping up to the 80s (late twenties celcius)
September is a little cooler particularly in the mornings and evenings while camping out, so bring extra layers.
Yes you can leave any excess luggage with your host at the start of the trip.
We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.
We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.
"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
Transferrable Deposits
Cancel up to 60 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.
Free Date Changes
Free date changes up to 60 days before departure.
Similar Trips
PROPER
ADVENTURES
All our adventures get you out of the city to explore the wilder side of our world
EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES
Get places you wouldn’t yourself. Our guides know where to go, what to do and how to stay safe
HASSLE
FREE
Route planning? Transport? Accommodation? Equipment? It’s all taken care of
SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE
Join a diverse global community, bound by a shared love of the outdoors