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4. Take a Whitewater Rafting Trip in Yellowstone
Summertime in Yellowstone Park can be hot — and the best way to cool off is to douse yourself in some cold water. So if you’re planning a Yellowstone vacation for the warm months, you’ll definitely want to plan a whitewater rafting trip down one of those blue squiggly lines on the map.
Be Prepared
It’s important that you’re ready when you hit the water — and the biggest rule in whitewater rafting in Yellowstone Park is that you’ll most certainly get wet. Follow these three rules — along with the rules of your outfitter — and you’ll have the time of your life.
1. Don’t wear something that’s not comfortable or that won’t hold up wet. Opt for a t-shirt and shorts and a pair of river sandals.
2. Don’t bring expensive camera gear. If you’re looking to capture your adventurous side on film, pick up a waterproof disposable camera.
3. Yellowstone Park is high country, which means you’re closer to the sun. Combine that with water reflections and wet skin, and you’re talking about a nasty sunburn. Wear plenty of waterproof sunscreen — you’ll be glad you did.
Select a Rafting Company
The following tried-and-true raft companies are staples here in Yellowstone National Park. We recommend them above all others.
Flying Pig Rafting Company
(866) 807-0744
Everyone
asks how Flying Pig Rafting Company got their name — but it’s actually a
simple story. The company owner once told his grandfather he was going
to kayak more than 3,000 miles from Yellowstone Park to the Gulf of
Mexico. His grandfather replied, “When pigs fly!” In 1990, he and four
others set out on a voyage down the Yellowstone, Missouri and
Mississippi Rivers — and reached the Gulf more than 100 days later.
When he returned to Montana to start a rafting company, he named it the
Flying Pig to symbolize that anything is possible.
Flying Pig is
a small company that focuses on customer service and intimate group
sizes. Located in Gardiner, MT, just outside the north entrance of the
Park, they offer day raft trips, inflatable kayak trips, full day raft
trips, kayak instruction, and horseback rides. Five percent of Flying
Pig’s profits are donated to nonprofit organizations like Make a Wish,
Boys and Girls Clubs and the American Youth Foundation — all of which
encourage youth to broaden their horizons, set goals and dream.
Wild West Rafting
(800) 862-0557 or (406) 848-2252
Join Wild West Rafting for the ultimate Montana whitewater rafting trip! The legendary Yellowstone River, near Gardiner, Montana, offers wild and wooly class III and IV whitewater.
Located just north of Yellowstone Park. River adventurers from age six to seventy can join Wild West Rafting guides in paddling wild and woolly whitewater.
Feel the rush as you take on the legendary waves during your Yellowstone vacation. With names such as "Man Eater" and "Sleeping Giant" you're bound to get a little wet while safely running the Yellowstone River rapids. And all ages can explore the historic beauty of Paradise Valley on a scenic float where wildlife photo opportunities await you.
Montana Whitewater
(800) 799-4465
Montana Whitewater Rafting Company offers half, full-day, and overnight trips on the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers — all classic Western river trips and quality family fun at the North and West Entrances to Yellowstone Park. Outposts located in Gardiner and Big Sky. No charge for wetsuits and footwear!
The Yellowstone River trip out of Gardiner is most popular with first-timers or families with young children, while the Gallatin River trip offers more challenging rapids for the more adventurous as well as trips for families and first-timers. The Madison River trip is a premiere wilderness adventure that includes rapids and pristine scenery through majestic Beartrap Canyon Wilderness Area.
Montana Whitewater Rafting Company also offers horseback/rafting combination trips, kayak and canoe instruction, inflatable kayak trips and dinner trips. "People often claim their raft trip with Montana Whitewater is the highlight of their vacation," says manager Bill Zell. "We pride ourselves on going that extra mile to make our raft trips super fun."
Barker-Ewing River Trips
(800) 448-4202 or (307) 733-1000
Located in Jackson, WY, this second-generation river outfitter has a 40-year record as the Standard of Excellence in safe, exciting whitewater rafting trips down the Snake River Canyon. They offer eight-mile whitewater trips in standard-sized rafts or smaller 8-man, self-bailing paddle rafts — departing at frequent intervals daily. Each trip takes about four hours round-trip.
Full canyon, 16-mile Scenic White water Combos depart twice daily. The early morning Breakfast Cookout Combo requires about six hours. The late afternoon Overnight Combo includes a delicious dinner and snug tent cabin accommodations at Barker-Ewing’s Pine Creek Canyon campsite, plus breakfast and rafting the next morning, with a midday return to Jackson. For a serene, smooth water excursion, take Barker-Ewing’s 13-mile South Park Scenic Float on an oar raft, with options for a riverside picnic lunch or dinner cookout.
The minimum age for children (generally six for most of the season) may be elevated during brief periods of cold, high water in early summer.
Geyser Whitewater
(800) 914-9031
Geyser Whitewater in Big Sky, MT, offers guided half-day and full-day rafting trips on the Gallatin River — including whitewater rafting for the more adventurous and scenic floats for families with young children and senior citizens. Combination horseback and whitewater trips (a half-day of each) are also available, as well as just horseback rides. In addition, when water levels recede in the late summer, Geyser Whitewater offers kayak instruction using sit-on-top kayaks, which are safer and friendlier for beginners.
The quality of the guides at Geyser Whitewater is top notch. “We pick our guides seriously,” Eric Becker said. “We make sure they are great boaters and great people to be around. We meet the needs and the personal service that our guests want.” No special experience or equipment is needed.
Mad River Boat Trips
(800) 458-7238
When you head down the Snake River with Mad River Boat Trips, you get more than 100 years of river guide experience. Every Mad River guide has advanced knowledge about local lore, Wyoming’s rugged and beautiful waters, and river rafting safety. They pride themselves in providing the best, most exciting river trip in the Jackson area.
Mad River offers daily whitewater rafting trips on two types of rafts, and some trips include a riverside dinner overlooking the two largest rapids on the river. Mad River also offers peaceful scenic floats down the calmer areas of the Snake. On these relaxing journeys, your guide does all the work. Eight passengers ride in each scenic boat so there’s plenty of room for binoculars and cameras.
Yellowstone Raft Company
(800) 858-7781 in Gardiner or (800) 348-4376 in Big Sky
A pioneer of commercial rafting for the last 26 years, Yellowstone Raft Company has an outstanding record of safety and fun. They specialize in family adventure, offering daily half- and full-day guided paddle trips plus kayak instruction from offices in Gardiner, MT, (at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park) and in Big Sky, MT, (along the west side of the park).
With Yellowstone Raft Company, you can spend a half or full day on the Yellowstone or Gallatin Rivers, or a full day on the Madison River in the beautiful, remote Beartrap Canyon. Full day trips give you more miles on the river, more beautiful scenery, time to relax or swim and more exciting rapids — plus a riverside lunch. Half-day excusions take approximately 3 hours roundtrip and cover about eight miles of the best whitewater. Rafting trips are offered morning and afternoon.
Lewis & Clark Expeditions
(307) 733-4022
According to owner James Peck, the smaller size of Lewis & Clark Expeditions is what enables them to provide more personalized trips down the Snake River. With the smallest boats on the Snake, they offer half-day whitewater trips on the eight-mile class III stretch of the river from West Table Creek to Sheep Gulch. These trips are a fantastic introduction for families, and the legendary Lunch Counter Rapids — along with Big Kahuna and other wave-crashing class III rapids — will get everybody wet.
Half-day whitewater and scenic float trips depart from the company’s Jackson, WY, office as often as five times a day, and can be combined for an all-day excursion. Half-day morning or afternoon scenic float trips run 13 miles south of Grand Teton National Park on the most heavily bald-eagle-nested stretch of river in the lower 48 states. Scenic floats offer fantastic views of the Teton Range and glide past great wildlife habitat. During mid-summer, Lewis & Clark offers relaxing riverside steak dinners.
Grand Teton Lodge Company
(800) 628-9988
Grand Teton Lodge Company in Grand Teton National Park offers float trips on the Snake River. You can choose from morning, afternoon, luncheon or supper floats — all offering unique views of the Park and the exciting wildlife.
Signal Mountain Lodge
(307) 543-2831
Raft down the famous Snake River in Grand Teton National Park with experienced interpretive guides from Signal Mountain Lodge. They’ll help you spot bald eagles, buffalo, moose and spectacular views during your 10-mile excursion.
Flagg Ranch Resort
(800) 443-2311
Flagg Ranch Resort, located between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, offers whitewater rafting adventures through magnificent Flagg Canyon. Their one-hour, three-mile runs on the Snake River feature exciting waves early in the summer and more moderate whitewater later in the year. No children under the age of 6 are allowed.
Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing
(888) 246-9343
Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing, located in Thermopolis, WY, is proud to be 100% Indian-owned and operated. They offer exciting whitewater trips and outstanding guided trout fishing. In business for 15 years, they offer a unique service in an area on the Wind River Indian Reservation with stunning views of towering cliffs and some of the oldest exposed geological formations found in the United States. Wind River’s rafting trips are offered at a fraction of the cost of many of their competitors around the state
Additional Information:
Rafting Adventures Down the Green River
When in Northeastern Utah, try traveling the region like early explorers Ashley and John Wesley Powell. That means taking a rafting adventure down the famous Green River. Local outfitters in Dutch John offer raft rentals for a fun day of self-guided rafting beginning under the towering wall of Flaming Gorge Dam.
“Mild to Wild” Rafting Trips from Vernal
When traveling around Yellowstone Park, be sure to stop in Vernal, UT. Outfitters there offer “mild to wild” daily and multi-day trips through remote stretches of Dinosaur National Monument.
After-water Rest at the Holiday Inn
Whether you’ve been hiking, fishing, biking, riding, climbing, rafting, soaking or just exploring, there’s a Holiday Inn nearby. You’ll find a full-service restaurant, swimming pool, fitness center, free high-speed Internet, and, of course, Kids Eat Free.
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