The Tetons. Majestic sawtooth mountains. Snowcaps above, incredible wildflowers and glacial lakes below. Truly spectacular. Yellowstone is different. One-of-a-kind. Geysers that really erupt on the hour. Turquoise hot springs with the pungent smell of sulfur. Waterfalls, wolves and bears. Buffalo and elk as common as tourists. It's even got its own Grand Canyon - just as dramatic as the original. On this adventure, you'll hike, explore, bike and river raft this incredible piece of Wyoming. But don't think for a second you'll be able to figure out how Mother Nature did it.
Day 1 Welcome to Jackson,
once the crossroads of American Indian trade and travel routes 
Raft thrilling Class II and III rapids on the Snake River with expert river runners Trade your paddle for pedals and spin to the small town of Wilson, founded in 1889 by author and Pony Express rider Elijah Nicholas Wilson.
Days 2-3 Bike beneath the Teton Range's jagged peaks
There's gorgeous hiking - whether you're up for 4 miles or 14 - and a scenic boat ride to show off Grand Teton National Park, a paradise of flower-strewn meadows, shimmering lakes, thick forests and sawtooth mountains.
Day 4 Wondrous wildlife, from elk to eagles, osprey to otters and bison to bears
After kayaking across Yellowstone Lake, pedal along its shore and take in views of the Absaroka Range.
Day 5 Hike to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,
the park's most dramatic feature, where waterfalls cascade over pastel-colored cliffs Open meadows and stands of lodgepole pine lead to the canyon rim and Inspiration Point, with a breathtaking look deep into the gorge Has it been 91 minutes? Then watch as Old Faithful shoots into action, projecting thousands of gallons of water more than 100 feet into the air.
Day 6 Bubbling mud pots, spouting geysers and steaming vents at Yellowstone
As you ride along the Madison and Firehole Rivers, take in the sights, sounds and smells of this strange wonderland.
Trip Highlights
- Bubbling mud pots, spouting geysers and steaming vents at Yellowstone
- Pedal beneath the Teton Range's jagged peaks
- Hike to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the park's most dramatic feature
- White-water raft the Snake River with expert river runners
- Wondrous wildlife, from elk to eagles, osprey to otters and bison to bears
Casual Inns
Snake River Lodge (1 night): This upscale western-style lodge with plentiful amenities is a Condé Nast Traveler editor's pick. (pool, spa)
Jackson Lake Lodge (2 nights): Situated in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, with 60-foot picture windows for savoring views of the Teton peaks and the roaming moose, elk and bison. (pool)
Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night): On the National Register of Historic Places, this classic park hotel, completed in 1891, sits along the shore of the lake.
Old Faithful Inn (1 night): Built in 1904 with a grand lobby seven stories high, "a spectacular log-and-shingle château that captures the moment the West went from wild to Baroque," reports Travel + Leisure.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 13, 23 miles
- 200 - 400 feet elevation gain
- Rafting 2 hours
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 24, 40 miles
- 100 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Optional Activities (including hiking routes of 4 - 14 miles)
Day 4
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 22 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Kayaking 3 - 4 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.9, 7.4, 9.2 miles
- 500 - 1150 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 19 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests
and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the
next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours.
So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly
what and how much you want to do.| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 6/17-22 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/1-6 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/8-13 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/22-27 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/29-8/3 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/5-10 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/12-17 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/19-24 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/26-31 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
SINGLES+SOLOS TRIPS
- 7/5-10 Price: $3198 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
Outstanding! Beyond my expectations! This was my fourth Backroads trip and my expectations were low because I was staying in the states for the first time. I should have known that you all would bring to life a part of the country that I have never seen and that I now I appreciate. It was a FABULOUS trip!- Arlington, VA
Beautiful location matched with the right itinerary to see it all, from geothermal springs to mountain peaks. The combination of activities complemented the trip's location well. And our leaders were always energetic, knowledgeable and helpful (it's those "Backroads vitamins," right?).- Chicago, IL
I will keep the sights and sounds of Yellowstone in my heart forever! We were the stop and look group...not the breeze/fly-by folks and your itinerary made this a comfortable vacation for both. You're certainly "getting it right"!!!- Mount Pleasant, SC
This was by far the best vacation I have ever been on. Seeing the region for the first time through biking, hiking, and kayaking was unbelievable. As cars passed me by on the bike, I couldn't help but think of all they were missing. Backroads picked the best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton for us to see in a reasonable amount of time. The accommodations were great and quite frankly, I don't know if you could have picked two more compatible leaders. They were truly a great team. They made the vacation so fun - the whole group really worked well together. I will most definitely be recommending Backroads to friends. I'm looking forward to my next vacation - the only problem will be deciding which one to do next!!!- Greenville, SC
The Yellowstone/Grand Teton trip was awesome! Perfect blend of activity and sightseeing, with absolutely none of the normal vacation stress! Our leaders took care of everything, and made sure that everyone had fun. It feels like I have 22 new friends, as everyone in the group hit it off. It was sad to say good-bye at the end of the week.- Suffolk, VA
What a fabulous family trip. We laughed and competitively encouraged each other to finish an activity. The five of us spent more time together on this trip than we do when we are at home. We also met other wonderful families that we are going to keep in touch with from around the world. We all amazed ourselves in our sense of what we had accomplished at the end of each day. We now all have our own cherished memories of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. These are great times to laugh about and share.- Carmel, IN
We're now hooked on Backroads! It would be hard to imagine a more balanced, better planned, or executed trip. The scenery is of course, spectacular under any circumstances, but the energizing and accommodating nature of our trip leaders made the experience truly enjoyable. Our three leaders are truly outstanding representatives of your company.- Laurel, MD
This trip was beyond my best of times. For family time and excellence of experience from all of us --Thank you Backroads for making it possible. Our special guides were wonderful. The new friends that we made, children and adults, were awesome. I am 61 years old and have looked at Backroads brochures for 25-30 years. Our guides made this trip so enjoyable. I will praise your company to all the people I meet. My grand daughters will have the best possible memories of our time together in Yellowstone and The Tetons. Way to go Backroads. Thank you.- Troutman, NC
A fabulous trip - best vacation we've had in years! We really enjoyed the group of people we were travelling with, and enjoyed getting to know them over the course of the week. We were all different, yet had the important commonality of wanting a fun, active and adventuresome vacation, and that was a great bond.- Columbus, OH
It's difficult to put into words how "magical" this trip was! I've been home less than 24 hours and can't stop smiling. Definitely one of the best travel experiences ever. I wish I could do the whole thing over with the same leaders and the same guests - truly excellent!Wendi Eizenga - Belle River, ON
This was a perfect vacation for us. It allowed us to really see and enjoy a beautiful part of our country all the while getting some exercise!- East Haddam, CT
This was a great trip - I felt I saw a lot of what Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons have to offer while at the same time staying away from the crowds.- Brookline, MA
Wonderful. The best vacation I've ever had. It's rare to have high expectations and to have them exceededbut Backroads did it. The trip was well-planned; the food was great; the equipment excellent; the guides truly outstanding; and the camaraderie was a bonus that I didn't even plan for. I'll be back.
As always, great leaders, which is the reason we choose Backroads for active travel.
I will keep the sights and sounds of Yellowstone in my heart forever! We were the stop-and-look group...not the breeze/fly by folks and your itinerary made this a comfortable vacation for both. You're certainly "getting it right!!!"
This was my first Backroads experience. I had heard and read some wonderful stories, and so my expectations were rather high. I can honestly say that this trip exceeded every expectation I had and raised the bar to unbelievable heights. I have never experienced a more prepared and pleasurable trip. Every facet of the week was excellent - from the first meeting to the final wrap up. It was an awesome experience!!