Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OVERNIGHT HIKES
There's no better way to experience the raw wildness of Yellowstone than on an overnight
backpacking trip. Some experience of backcountry camping is important before heading
out into the wild, particularly how to hang food and be bear aware. That said, there's a huge
range of challenges available, from strolls to backcountry campsites an hour from the road
to multiday expedition-style traverses of the Thorofare or Gallatin range, some of the re-
motest terrain south of Alaska. Choose the right trip at the right time of year and arrive pre-
pared, and there's no better way to experience the park.
If you don't fancy organizing a multiday trek yourself, consider a company like
Wild-
land Trekking Company
(
www.wildlandtrekking.com
)
, which offers backpacking trips
for around $250 per day, including meals, a guide and transportation from Bozeman.
Backcountry Permits
A free backcountry-use permit, available at visitor centers and ranger stations, is required
for all overnight backcountry trips (day hikes don't require permits). The backcountry-use
permit is site and date specific and states the campsite where you must overnight. The
park's essential
Backcountry Trip Planner
lists all campsites.
About half the backcountry sites can be reserved by mail; a $20 reservation fee applies
regardless of the number of nights. Booking starts on April 1, when all existing reserva-
tions are dealt with at random, and continues up to 48 hours before your start date. Reser-
vations can be made in person at a ranger center or through the mail to Backcountry Office,
PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Applications must be on a Trip Plan-
ner Worksheet, available with the Backcountry Trip Planner on the
NPS website
(
www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountrytripplanner.htm
)
or by contacting the
central
backcountry office
( 307-344-2160; YELL_Backcountry_Office@nps.gov)
in Mam-
moth. Outside of summer call 307-344-7381.
Send the nonrefundable cash, check or money order with booking. You will receive a
confirmation notice, which must be taken to a backcountry office to exchange for a permit
not more than 48 hours before your trip but before 10am on the day of your trip departure.
Around 20% of backcountry-use permits are issued no more than 48 hours (effectively
three nights) in advance on a first-come, first-served, walk-in basis (no $20 fee). This
means that you can leave your planning to the last minute, as long as you are flexible with
your itinerary. (You may, for example, have to walk further one day than you had planned
if your desired site is already booked.)
