Map of Hiking and Camping Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse including United States Of America

Explore the Southwestern Yellowstone backcountry minus the crowds

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.


Start
Jackson, United States
Finish
Jackson, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Basix
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
SKXB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 12
Group size
Min 1, Max 10

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience the hallmark features of Yellowstone in the backcountry, away from the crowds, with an expert leader to show you all the best spots.

  • Hike the lower part of Bechler Canyon which is flanked on the south by berry-laden boulder fields, a popular foraging ground for black bears and hikers alike.

  • Marvel at multiple geysers with bubbling pools, frothing potholes, and mounds spewing fountain-like streams into the air at the spectacular Shoshone Geyser Basin.

  • Bring your bathing suit and sit back and relax for free with Mr Bubbles, a series of natural hot springs with a quirky name and blissfully soothing waters.

  • See beautiful Iris Falls and Colonnade Falls, a two-part waterfall that is the highest on the hike and an easy 5 minute walk from our camp.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included walks and activities.

  • 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.

Itinerary

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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Shuttle from Jackson Hole
  • Lone Star Geyser visit
  • Firehole River hike
  • Shoshone Lake hike
  • Guided Backpacking experience - Yellowstone National Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours. Today’s walking distance is approximately 9kms (6 miles) with a 120m (400 feet) elevation gain and a 45m (150 feet) elevation loss. There is also an 8km (5 mile) additional optional hike available today.
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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bechler Canyon hike
  • Mr. Bubbles hot springs visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is approximately 14kms (8.5 miles) with a 180m (600 feet) elevation gain and a 335m (1100 feet) elevation loss. There is also a 1.6km (1 mile) additional optional hike available today.
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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bechler River Traverse hike
  • Colonnade & Iris Falls visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) with a 245m (800 feet) elevation loss.
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.
Accommodation
  • Camping (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bechler Meadows hike
  • Dunanda Falls visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s walking distance is approximately 12kms (7 miles) with a 60m (200 feet) elevation gain and a 60m (200 feet) elevation loss.
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.
Included Activities
  • Bechler Ranger Station hike
  • Shuttle to Jackson Hole
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours. Today’s walking distance is approximately 13kms (8 miles) with a 60m (200 feet) elevation loss.

Meals

5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Backcountry camping (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Shuttle from Jackson Hole
  • Lone Star Geyser visit
  • Firehole River hike
  • Shoshone Lake hike
  • Guided Backpacking experience - Yellowstone National Park
  • Bechler Canyon hike
  • Mr. Bubbles hot springs visit
  • Bechler River Traverse hike
  • Colonnade & Iris Falls visit
  • Bechler Meadows hike
  • Dunanda Falls visit
  • Bechler Ranger Station hike
  • Shuttle to Jackson Hole

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking and Camping Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. 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.
2. Travellers on this particular trip are not required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
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 Mountain Modern Inn, in Jackson. We recommend you book a pre tour night in that hotel.
7. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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