Bison at Old Faithful geyser Thermal feature along Fountain Paint Pot Trail Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs

Itinerary and Logistics

Departure-Sunday, August 6th, Strand Union Building (SUB) 7am- SHARP!

Please be to the SUB ~30 minutes before departure.

Map the SUB at 268 W. Grant Street. Be sure you are on the Grant Street entrance with a small drive up/drop off parking lot with buses

Grab and go breakfast will be available at the bus, other campus dining will not be open at this time.

We will provide lunch, snacks and beverages; you are welcome to bring your own snacks as well.

National Park Etiquette

  • Leave no trace!
  • Please stay on boardwalks and designated trails; the Park ecosystem is very fragile.
    • Stay out of all thermal areas.
  • Enjoy the charismatic megafauna (elk, bison, bear) but keep a safe distance;
    • Don’t feed, approach, or haze any of the animals
  • PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE AND RETURN TO THE BUSES AT THE APPOINTED TIMES. YNP covers a huge area, and travel in the park can be slowed down by “animal jams”, huge tourist traffic, and construction. Help the tour guides keep on schedule.
  • To be sure that we account for everyone at every stop, we will have tour leaders “platoon” groups of visitors; please be sure to check with your leader before departure.

Personal Comfort and Safety (gear to bring)

Weather in Yellowstone can be quite variable, so prepare for changing conditions;  YNP is at high elevation ~8000 feet above sea level. It can be 90o or raining and sleeting. Be prepared!

  • Layered outer garments: fleece, wind breaker or rain coat, loose long sleeve shirt to protect from the sun.
  • Comfortable walking shoes—hiking boots or running/training shoes
    • Open toe, sandals, are discouraged
  • Hat and sunglasses; sunscreen and bug spray (we’ll have some available).
  • Water bottle, stay hydrated!
  • You're welcome to bring snacks of your choosing, although we will provide snacks too.
  • Day pack for personal items during short hikes.
  • Camera/phone for memorable pictures

Transport, Lunch and Snacks will be Provided

  • Large coach buses will be used for transport; bathrooms available on buses
  • Lunch is provided. It will be a picnic along the road- a buffet of make your own lunch. A variety of options will be provided to meet diverse nutritional needs.
  • We will have snacks and coolers of cold drinks available throughout the day, including  for the drive back to Bozeman/MSU. 
  • Dinner will be on your own when we return.

Itinerary: 7AM departure, return ~7 PM; Plan on a long but very enriching day!

  • Bozeman/MSU to West Yellowstone (~1.5 hours); bathroom at Rest Stop; Intro and overview to YNP and the Yellowstone Geoecosystem
  • West Entrance to Old Faithful; watch famous geyser eruption; hike around geyser basin; Visitor Center and Exhibits; bathroom stop.
  • Fountain Paint Pots; boardwalk hike around diverse geothermal features
  • Norris Geyser Basin; ~1.5 hour hike around geyser basins with diverse geothermal features; bathroom stop.
  • Mammoth Hot Springs (travertine deposits); Hike from Upper Terraces down board walk to Canary Springs and lower road; ~1 hour, bathroom stop
  • Return to Bozeman via North Entrance at Gardiner; view impacts of 2012 massive floods; Paradise Valley to Livingston and back to Bozeman; (~1.5 hours)

Geek out on some Yellowstone Science

  • For those who like to know more, we have a few Yellowstone resources for your reading pleasure, click here.