Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse
Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse
Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse
5 Days Starting and ending in Jackson
Visiting: Yellowstone National Park , Yellowstone National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SKXB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 10
Age range:
12-99 years
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Hike the famous Bechler River Valley Traverse in Southwestern Yellowstone National Park and experience the hallmark features of Yellowstone in the backcountry, away from the crowds. See stunning geysers, serene rivers and streams, crystal-clear lakes, hot springs (yes, you can soak in them), tumbling waterfalls, wild berries, world-class trout waters, and the vast river meadows of Yellowstone with an expert leader who knows all the best spots. Multiple geysers with bubbling pools and frothing potholes add yet more reasons to visit. Sleep under the stars on a backpacking small group Intrepid adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Get picked up at Jackson Hole and kick off your Yellowstone hiking adventure with the largest backcountry geyser in Yellowstone: Lone Star Geyser. From Lone Star, we will hike along the Firehole River and over the Continental Divide before arriving at our camp, Shoshone Meadows. After setting up camp, hike without packs to Shoshone Lake, one of the largest wilderness lakes in in the lower 48 states and the backdrop for the Shoshone Geyser Basin. The basin contains an abundance of geysers with bubbling pools, frothing potholes, and mounds spewing fountain-like streams into the air. It’s a truly spectacular sight.
Included Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
Day 2: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, today’s hike begins with a climb to the highest point of the trip, a plateau of lush meadows and thick forests. Enjoy the views then continue on the long but rewarding hike that brings us to the headwaters of the Bechler River and into Bechler Canyon. We will make camp near the river here and explore one of the valley’s most remarkable features - Mr. Bubbles - a series of hot springs fit for royalty. Bring your bathing suit because we’ll have some time to lounge in the hot water while enjoying the peaceful Bechler Canyon and soaking up the beauty of our surroundings.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, we’ll hike further downstream and take on two long river crossings which could be as deep as one metre (3 feet). Your expert leader will be on hand to carefully assist the group across each one. Our exciting work fording the river will be rewarded with two grand waterfalls: Colonnade Falls, a two-part waterfall which is the highest on the hike, and beautiful Iris Falls. Camp will be a mere five minute hike from Colonnade Falls if you can’t resist going back to see it again.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 4: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today we’ll hike the lower part of the canyon which is flanked on the south by berry-laden boulder fields, a popular foraging ground for black bears and hikers alike. Once we exit the canyon, we’ll hike through beautiful Bechler Meadows, where moose and bison sightings are common, and make camp near the relaxing hot springs at the base of Dunanda Falls where Boundary Creek flows over a large cliff. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing soak at the end of the day.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 5: Yellowstone National Park
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After our final breakfast in the backcountry, we will pack up our gear and hike through lush meadows and stands of lodgepole pine until we arrive at the Bechler Ranger Station. From here, we will load up the vehicle and drop everyone back in Jackson Hole at approximately 7 pm.
Included Activities:
-
-
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Backcountry camping (4 nights) -
Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners -
Shuttle from Jackson Hole
-
Lone Star Geyser visit
-
Firehole River hike
-
Shoshone Lake hike
-
Guided Backpacking experience - Yellowstone National Park
-
Mr. Bubbles hot springs visit
-
Bechler Canyon hike
-
Bechler River Traverse hike
-
Colonnade & Iris Falls visit
-
Bechler Meadows hike
Transport
- AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
- We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.
Accommodation
- You’ll camp in beautiful, well-located campgrounds and spend the night in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents with self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags which are professionally laundered after every trip.
Important Information
- 1. Please note this trip requires a minimum number of booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your Booking Agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 30 days out from departure. We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. In the event that your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided of monies paid.
- 2. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
- 3. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.
- 4. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
- 5.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Intrepid customers.
- 6. Please note, pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM day before trip starts via conference call. Early on the morning of day 1, you will be picked up from your hotel in Jackson, Wyoming. We can also arrange pick up in Driggs or Victor, Idaho. This trip will conclude at approximately 7:00 PM on the last day In Jackson.
- 7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.
Check out our Q&As
-
Is this trip right for you
This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities.
This trip involves hiking from 5 to 8.5 miles (8 to 14 km) per day plus optional day hikes, with a total trip distance of up to 35 miles (56 km). The maximum daily elevation gain/loss is 1100 feet (335 m). Please check the trip itinerary for more details.
On this tour you will be required to carry a backpack weighting approximately 35-45 lb (15-20KG).
Yellowstone boasts warm summers but be prepared for colder evenings and possibly rainy days. Good clothing and appropriate footwear are a must.
On our final day there is no accommodation included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Tuesday
Jul 19, 2024 - Jul 23, 2024Thursday - Monday
Aug 15, 2024 - Aug 19, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions