fly fishing trips yellowstone national park

Fly Fishing Guides In Yellowstone National Park

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Recently Booked Fly Fishing Guides Near Yellowstone National Park, Wy

River Fishing Trip in Yellowstone National Park

Firehole River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone

Lamar River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone

Gibbon River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone

Soda Butte Walk-and-Wade In Yellowstone

Yellowstone River Walk-and-Wade

River Fishing Trip in West Yellowstone

Madison River Walk-n-Wade In Yellowstone

Most popular types of fly fishing trips in yellowstone national park.

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More Fly Fishing Guides Near Yellowstone National Park, Wy

Wade your way into the water with one of our guides and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Madison River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Madison River hosts wild Rainbow and Brown trout ranging in size from 10″ to 28″ at an average length of 18″. The Fall spawning run out of Hebgen Lake will give you some of the best fish. In October through November, expect to see big Browns and Rainbows averaging 19 inches with the occasional 28″ Brown Trout. If you go fishing out here in the fall, be ready for winter conditions, where temperatures can drop below zero on any given day. The Madison River in Yellowstone National Park opens to fishing on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend each year and stays open through October 31 each year. We recommend waiting until the river clears up in early-mid June. Once the conditions are favorable, you can take advantage of the famous salmon fly hatch to catch a nice Brown Trout on a dry fly. Some other hatches that may be more productive depending on the day include Pale Morning Duns, Baetis, and Caddis. Your guide will quickly figure out which one the fish are targeting when you fish with him! On these full-day excursions, your guide will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a special Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will contact you about the details!** Read More

Wade your way into the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Yellowstone River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, ​the Yellowstone River is most effectively fished from a drift boat or jet boat in Montana (wade fishing only in YNP) due to its size. Its fishing season typically starts later than tailwaters like the Madison, Bighorn, and Missouri Rivers. Nate recommends that every angler experience the incredible scenery and quality trout fishing of this river at least once. The Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park offers several options with several miles of river. This particular fishing trip is a two-day minimum excursion. On these full-day excursions, Your guide will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a special Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More

Wade your way into the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from some of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into Soda Butte Creek from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. With a majority of this body of water bordering highway 212, Soda Butte Creek has stunning scenery, and great structure, and grants easy access. This is perfect for anglers who want the awesome experience of Trout fishing in the northeast area of Yellowstone National Park without a rigorous hike. The average fish size on the lower end of Soda Butte (below Icebox Canyon) to the Lamar River is 12”-16”, but you'll see some fish in the 18”-20” range. The average size of fish on the upper section of Soda Butte is closer to 8”-12”. We require that Soda Butte Creek trips are a two-day minimum. On these full-day excursions, your guide will wade you into the creek from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to get into the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More

Wade your way into the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Gibbon River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout, and Arctic Grayling. The Gibbon River is easily accessible and walk-n-wade friendly for all ages. This is a smaller stream with notable features such as meandering meadows, cascading falls, and timbered seclusion. In the summer months, you can spend a day wading and expect smaller wild Rainbow and Brown Trout looking to eat a terrestrial. The fall months are the best time to fish for larger run-up rainbows and browns averaging 16″-20″. On these full-day excursions, your guide will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, Your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a special Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More

Wade your way into the water with your guide and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Lamar River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some native Yellowstone Cutthroat trout. The Lamar River in the Lamar Valley is one of the most picturesque locations to fish in Yellowstone National Park. Indigenous Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout are more than willing to eat your hopper, beetle, or ant during the summer months of July, August into September. Accessing the Lamar can be as easy as a 5-minute walk or as adventurous as a 5-mile hike. Trips on the Lamar River with our guide(s) are two-day minimums. On these full-day excursions, Your guide will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. Let them know when booking if you will need to rent waders and wading boots, which they will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More

Wade your way into the water with one of our guides and get ready for an action-packed day of Yellowstone Park fishing from one of the best guides around! On this fly-fishing trip, you'll be wading into the Firehole River from the grounds within Yellowstone National Park to target some Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The Firehole River has some of the most unique Trout fishing in the lower 48, and maybe even in the world, due to its structure and temperatures. The Firehole River has several hot water Geysers that act as tributaries, adding water volume to the river and increasing water temperatures. This can be advantageous in the colder months but may drive the fish elsewhere in the summer months. Fishing on this river is open from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday in November. Most of the fish on the Firehole are Rainbow and Brown Trout, averaging 5”-12”, with an occasional 14”-16”. During October and November, there are above average Rainbow and Brown Trout below Firehole Falls, averaging 16”-24” long. On these full-day excursions, your guide(s) will wade you into the river from one of the Yellowstone Park access points. From here, your guide will give you some expert fly-fishing tips and let you try your luck. Whether you're new to fly fishing or not, your guide is eager to teach and will get some fish on your line! Regardless of where you are staying – Bozeman, Ennis, Cameron, Helena, Livingston, West Yellowstone, or Fort Smith, Montana – We have you covered. Your guide(s) will be able to pick you up at your vacation rental, lodge, hotel, campsite, or the airport. If your place of lodging is out of the way, just meet your guide at a convenient location for your day(s) on the water. Your guide will provide all the rods, reels, flies, and tippet you need to get out on the water and catch some fish. They will even have a tasty lunch for all guests. When booking, let them know if you need to rent waders and wading boots, which he will provide at an additional cost. You will also need to purchase a Yellowstone National Park fishing license (no state license is required) and pay a $20 entrance fee to enter the park. A hat, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and a rain jacket are recommended. Enjoy your day out on the water with your guide! **We have several listings for wade fishing trips at nearby locations in the Bozeman / Yellowstone National Park area. They want you to have the best experience possible, so if the fishing is better in another lake or river, they may recommend another location. Whether you want to stick with this spot or hear about other spots, feel free to book your wade fishing trip on this listing, and they will get in contact with you about the details!** Read More

Everything to Know About Booking a fishing trip in Yellowstone National Park

What are the best fly fishing trips in yellowstone national park.

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 6 fly fishing trips in Yellowstone National Park, and the most popular trips in the area are Firehole River Walk-n-Wade in Yellowstone guided by Nate , Lamar River Walk-n-Wade in Yellowstone guided by Nate , and Yellowstone River Walk-and-Wade guided by Nate .

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Another popular city nearby for booking a Fly Fishing charter is West Yellowstone .

Looking for kid friendly fly fishing guides / fishing lessons in Yellowstone National Park? Check out our beginner and family friendly fly fishing guides in Yellowstone National Park .

What types of fly fishing trips are common in Yellowstone National Park?

River fishing is the most popular for fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park.

The most commonly sought after species for fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park are: 1. brown trout, 2. rainbow trout, and 3. cutthroat trout.

How much does a Yellowstone National Park fly fishing fishing trip cost?

for fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park prices can range anywhere from an affordable $500 to $650, but the average price for a half day trip for fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park is $500. The average price for a full day trip for fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park is $650.

What month is best for on a fly fishing trip in Yellowstone National Park?

The most popular season to go on a fly fishing trip in Yellowstone National Park is fall, and most anglers book their trips 21 days in advance.

Do I need a Yellowstone National Park fishing license and what are the bag limits in Yellowstone National Park?

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Yellowstone National Park, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Yellowstone National Park. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in Yellowstone National Park.

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Guided Fly Fishing In Yellowstone National Park

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Guided Fly Fishing Trip Prices

Trip cost (per guide/boat):, $750 for up to 2 ppl, third angler (if possible): $150.

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Yellowstone National Park 7 min read

DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Posted by Ken Sperry

August 8, 2015

The United States has a large number of national parks scattered all across its landscape, but few are as well-known and visited as Yellowstone National Park. This was actually the very first national park in the country and received the designation in 1872.

People tend to be very familiar with the diverse amount of wildlife, the stunning natural scenery, and geysers such as the world-famous Old Faithful.

Now here’s another aspect of the park that is great for fly fishers, and that’s the fact that you can find some wonderful opportunities to enjoy the sport right within the park itself.

The park covers more than 2.2 million acres, is home to Yellowstone Lake, a vast amount of waterfalls, streams, and rivers, and has 16 different species of fish, seven of which are gamefish.

The park isn’t just in one state, rather a few as it stretches into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. This is the kind of fly fishing destination that isn’t just great for a day trip, but rather a full vacation as you explore all the nooks and crannies of the park.

In this guide we’ll take a look at some of the top spots for fly fishing within the park, as well as some basic advice to ensure your visit is successful and enjoyable.

Yellowstone National Park Fishing Map

Finding your way in yellowstone national park, featured destinations, firehole river, lamar river valley, soda butte creek, gibbon river, planning your fishing trip to yellowstone, best flies for yellowstone national park, yellowstone fishing regulations, yellowstone fishing restrictions, recommending fly fishing equipment, yellowstone fishing permit, additional information and resources.

Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map

Because Yellowstone National Park is so large and so diverse it is divided into four main sections, which anglers will want to familiarize themselves with. These sections are the southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast. You can make you way through them by the roads that connect them all. These are called the Loop Roads in the park. Each section also has its own entrance.

Source: Yellowstone National Park Fishing Regulations

As mentioned the park is home to seven different species of game fish which are: lake, brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout, as well as mountain whitefish and grayling. Of these species only three are native, the others were introduced through stocking. Let’s take a look at some of the top rivers for fishing in the park.

• Firehole river
• Gallatin River
• Grayling Creek
• Madison River
• Nez Perce Creek
• Solfatara Creek
• Lamar River
• Gardner River
• Slough Creek
• Pebble Creek
• Bechler River
• DeLacy Creek
• Falls River
• Lewis River
• Shoshone Lake
• Snake River
• Yellowstone Lake
• Yellowstone River

Firehole River near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Ken Lane

If you want to get a head start on the fishing season, the Firehole River is typically the first one to be open for fly fishing. Because it is located in the southwest region of the park, the snow is melted here before any of the other major rivers.

This is an interesting area to fish as the water is made up of a spring creek and a freestone stream. The reason the snow is able to melt much faster here is that the geysers empty into this river, which of course warms it up. This stream is at its peak in the early spring months and then isn’t as great as you move into summer. At this point the water gets too warm for the trout.

As for the surrounding scenery, much of this river flows through quite serene meadows. Be prepared for many riffle areas and weeds. Some areas flow quite slowly while others are fast. It makes the river interesting and it forces you to use various skill levels and techniques. The typical fish you’ll find here are brown and rainbow trout.

See our  DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Firehole River for more informat ion on this fishery.

Huge boulders in the Lamar River Canyon provide ample places for cutthroat trout to hide

If you plan to visit the northeast of Yellowstone then the Lamar River can make for an excellent option. The river itself sits in a valley and feels like a beautiful and quiet oasis.

This is quite a long river that actually begins in the Absaroka Mountains. The river has different sections and each has their pros and cons.  

Check out our  DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Lamar River for more information on this fishery.

Soda Butte Creek near the junction with the Lamar River. Photo by Scot Butner

Several other rivers in the Northeast part of the park hold lots of trout and should be on your bucket list including Soda Butte Creek .  It is a tributary of the Lamar River that tends gets a lot of attention but is worth it. Typically you’ll be fishing for cutthroats but you can also find cutbows and rainbows.

Other areas of the river include the Upper Lamar River, where the fish are small and but plentiful, Cache Creek where you can find moderately sized cutthroat, the Canyon Section where the water can run fast making the fishing a bit more difficult, and the famous Slough Creek which can yield some wonderful fishing opportunities.

Elk are frequent vistors to the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park (don’t worry, there are plenty of cutthroat trout to be caught as well). Photo by Don Graham

While the Gibbon River isn’t huge you can find areas that yield a variety of rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Occasionally you can find grayling here as well. Depending on which section you head to the river may be running quite fast as there are many pockets where the water is rough. With that said anglers love how challenging the Gibbon can be and find the conditions thrilling and enjoyable.

The various sections of the river are the Lower Gibbon Meadows, the Upper Gibbon River, Gibbon Falls to Lower Meadows, Gibbon Meadows, Gibbon Meadows to Gibbon Falls, Norris Meadows, and Elk Park.

See our DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Gibbon River for more information on this fishery.

Yellowstone National Park has a set season for fishing which begins Memorial Day weekend (the Saturday) and lasts until the first Sunday in the month of November. The public is able to fish during the season from sunrise to sunset each day. With that said there may be areas that are closed from time to time, this is due to water levels and even the fish population. Should a certain area be low on fish, it may close to the public temporarily so the fish have a chance to rebound.

Most people find that spring and fall are the best times for fishing in the park, but that’s not to say the summer isn’t great as well. In fact, some would argue that August is the best month as all the rivers are open by this point.

If you plan to visit at the start of the season in May, typically the only river without snow is the Firehole, so it’s a great place to start. It’s not until mid-June that the Madison and Gibbon Rivers will lose their snow and then become another option. You’ll have to wait until the start of July for all the rivers to be totally free of the snow.

There are a number of hatches that happen in the park on a seasonal basis. They can be divided into spring, summer, or fall hatches. They also tend to differ from river to river.

All the main types of hatches occur, which are mayflies, stoneflies, caddis flies, and midges along with others. Terrestrials including grass hopper, ants and beetles are also abundant in the summer.

With that said, July tends to be the absolute peak month for all the various hatches.

The best flies for Yellowstone National Park are those that most closely match the hatch.

If you plan on bringing a boat into the park for fishing, you’ll need to first ensure your boat is permissible. If it is, you’ll then need a boat permit. Shore fishing is available in a number of locations, so you don’t have to have a boat in order to enjoy the park. This means one less permit to have to worry about.

There are also some pretty strict restrictions on your hook, lure, and tackle when fishing in Yellowstone National Park. There is only one rod permitted per angler and you are required to use lead-free artificial lures only.

You won’t be able to use weighted jigs, split-shot, or soft-lead weighted. Your lure may only have one hook and must be barbless.

Be warned that there are also restrictions and rules on limits, catch and release areas, and areas you are not allowed to release fish that are caught. You’ll want to go over all the specifics before you start your fishing.

When packing your equipment it is recommended you choose a rod that is between eight and nine feet, with a four to six weight line. If you plan to be fishing in the fall, bring large sized nymphs and/or streamers.  There are a number of areas where wading is permitted so you’ll want to be sure you have your chest waders with you.

If you plan on fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park you will need to purchase a fishing permit. This permit is required for anyone 16 years of age and older. They are available as a season permit for US$40, a seven-day permit for $25, or a three-day permit for $18.

You can pick up your permit when you arrive at one of the visitor centers, a ranger station, or at the Yellowstone Park General Stores, which are located throughout. There are some businesses in the Yellowstone area that may also sell the permit. Keep in mind you won’t need a state license, rather just the permit.

Yellowstone National Park is not only a place of beauty and natural wonder, but it is a challenging and enjoyable location for fly fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels. Just being in the park and soaking in its history can be a thing of beauty all on its own.

If you’re looking for a challenge head to the first national park in the country and explore its many angling opportunities.

• Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park: An Insider’s Guide to the 50 Best Places by Nate Schweber
• The Yellowstone Fly-Fishing Guide by Craig Mathews
• Fishing Yellowstone National Park: An Angler’s Complete Guide To More Than 100 Streams, Rivers, And Lakes by Richard Parks
• Flyfisher’s Guide to Wyoming: Including Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks by Ken Retallic

Looking for more places to fish?  Check our  DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing Destinations in the U.S.

Yellowstone National Park

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DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park

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DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Gardner River in Yellowstone National Park

February 12, 2019

DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Nez Perce Creek

April 2, 2019

DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Fall River in Yellowstone National Park

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Overnight Float Fishing Trips

Greater yellowstone flyfishing outfitters, fly fishing adventures in montana, wyoming and yellowstone, fly fishing trips for all skill levels, 30 years of fly fishing experience, adventure awaits, book an all-inclusive fly fishing trip, plan your fly fishing trip, montana fishing, wyoming fishing, yellowstone park fishing.

Great experience with GYFO in the past - heading back this year for another run at some fantastic fly fishing with Chad. The experience level of Chad and GYFO is high, and they will get you into some great fishing every time! Chad is a fantastic guide. Knows the area and where to find the fish!

I've been fishing with Chad and GYFO for over 10 years. He knows and regularly fishes rivers, creeks, and lakes all over the Greater Yellowstone area in both Montana and Wyoming. Whether you want to fish from a drift boat or raft, wade fish, visit private waters, or hike into remote areas, they do it all. Because of that breadth, he can tailor a trip to your specific interests at any time of year. I've taken along family members with him who were flyfishing beginners, and he does an equally great job with newbies as he does with experienced fly fishers. Spending a day with Chad and his guides is always a great time. Many of my best fishing memories come from my trips with GYFO.

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Yellowstone Fly

Fishing guide trips, guided yellowstone fly fishing trips..

Guided fly fishing trips to the world-class fisheries of the Greater Yellowstone area. Our professional Yellowstone fly fishing guides use their expertise and local knowledge to provide a great day on the beautiful waters that Montana and Yellowstone National Park have to offer. Book your fly fishing guide in Yellowstone today !

YELLOWSTONE DRIFT BOAT EXPERIENCES

Full day drift boat experience.

Fishing from a drift boat gives guests opportunities to cover water and fish on the move while enjoying the float downstream. This is a comfortable and effective way to fly fish larger rivers like the Yellowstone.

The full-day drift boat is recommended for a more thorough experience and to maximize time on the water and productivity.

• Meet your Yellowstone fly fishing guide at Wild West Rafting in Gardiner, MT
• 10 + mile float
• Ride to and from fishing spot
• Shore lunch with soft drinks and water provided
• Clients must provide, Montana fishing license, comfortable attire for a day outside, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and gratuity for the guide (20% of trip cost is recommended).
• $650 per (two anglers)

HALF DAY DRIFT BOAT EXPERIENCE

Meet your guide at Wild West Rafting in Gardiner, MT

• 4-6 mile Float
• All necessary fishing equipment included
• Soft drinks, water, and snacks provided
• $550 per boat (two anglers) 

YELLOWSTONE WALK-WADE EXPERIENCE

Full day walk-wade experience.

Gardiner, Montana is surrounded by some of the best walk-wade trout fishing in the world. Our Walk-Wade Experience is a great way to enjoy the beautiful rivers Montana and Yellowstone national park have to offer. The walk-wade experience is a great trip for the beginner or experienced angler. Whether you want to hike into the backcountry or fish water closer to the truck our fly fishing guides will tailor the trip to accommodate any ability level.

Access river by foot 

Depending on ability and river conditions, drive-in and hike-in spots are available.  Easy way to enjoy solitude, intimacy, and simplicity of walking and wading rivers and streams.  

• Walk-wade is a perfect introduction to fly fishing as you are able to take as much time needed at each spot.
• Clients must provide, Montana fishing license or Yellowstone National Park fishing license (depending on the location of the trip), comfortable attire for a day outside, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and gratuity for the guide (20% of trip cost is recommended).

$650 for one or two anglers + $150 per additional angler

HALF DAY WALK-WADE EXPERIENCE

• Access river by foot
• Depending on ability and river conditions, drive-in and hike-in spots are available. Easy way to enjoy solitude, intimacy, and simplicity of walking and wading in rivers and streams.
• $550 for one or two anglers + $100 per additional angler

YELLOWSTONE HORSEBACK RIDING & FISHING

$550/adult, $500/child ages 5-12 *add $50/adult & $30/child if you add the cowboy cookout trip length: 8+ hours start time: 9:00 am ride.

Check-in at Wild West Rafting office in Gardiner Montana at 8:00 AM. You drive to the ranch! We will give you the best experience by choosing from several high mountain lakes, streams, or the Yellowstone River. All trips are a few hours ride from Ranch headquarters. If you love to fish and want to ride off the beaten path for a fabulous time with your fishing rod, this is the trip for you! Usually, it’s about a two-hour ride to a great fishing spot. We provide a “cowboy’s” saddlebag lunch and a knowledgeable Yellowstone fly fishing guide.

OUR ADVICE: 

At the end of the day add our Cowboy Cookout. It is a delicious, home-cooked, all-you-can-eat meal as the sun sets over the mountains.

Relax around the campfire afterward, roast some marshmallows, and bask in the beauty of the ranch.

You will need to drive your own transportation to the ranch

A Montana fishing license is required.

Bring your own fishing rod or we can provide one for you. just let us know!

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Call (406) 848-2252 to learn more about our options for a great fly fishing experience!

Starting Location

For all trips, please check-in at our office or predetermined location 1-hour before your scheduled trip time. If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ page !

**Fly Fishing services are provided by Yellowstone Fly Fishing Company .

Our office is located at: 202 Main Street, Gardiner, MT 59030

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

Awesome trip! Jake was an amazing guide. We did the 2 hour float on a hot Summer afternoon. Exciting rapids mixed with leisurely floats. Saw some wildlife along the way

We loved our riding experience! Our guide was awesome, so friendly and knowledgeable. The whole ride was fun. The scenery was beautiful!!!

We had such a great time on the river! Everyone on staff was so friendly, kind, patient and helpful! We enjoyed having all the mountains and points of interest shown to us.

Excellent half day trip. Our guide was knowledgeable and she had great suggestions for other things do to in town. The river had great conditions. We got to see a lot of wild life!

Great rafting company! We did the full day whitewater which I highly recommend. It was a really fun experience! All the guides were a lot of fun!

Yellowstone National Park: Beautiful Scenery, Fantastic Fishing Spots

Fly fishing yellowstone national park, experience complete quiet in yellowstone national park.

Favorite Stretch: Slough Creek, Firehole River

Seasons: May through October

Prime Hatches: Mayflies, Caddis, Terrestrials

Home to famous fly fishing waters like the Firehole, Madison River, and the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone Park has some of the region's best fly fishing spots. 

Anglers seeking solitude can venture off the beaten path to find a nice quiet spot to enjoy their day of fishing. 

The Park's fishing season doesn't open until late May, but it's definitely worth the wait! 

The Firehole, Gibbon, and Madison Rivers all fish well from the start of the season well into July. After July we’d recommend focusing on the waters in the northeast corner of the Park. Famous rivers like the Lamar, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone river are great choices.

Many of our anglers stay at the Old Faithful Lodge and enjoy fly fishing near there too. 

We also have clients who stay in Gardiner for fly fishing adventures in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky, our home, is also a good place to set up base too and we’d be happy to give you a hand with anything you need - just give our guides a call.

We offer walk-wade fly fishing trips into Yellowstone and our guides are some of the most knowledgeable and hard-working guides in the entire park.

Don’t miss out on a day of brilliant fly fishing - get in touch with our team of river guides today for an unforgettable adventure. 

Quick Links

Guided Trips

Meet Our Guides

Waters We Fish

Big Sky Travel Information

Montana Fishing Guide School

Montana Women's Fly Fishing School

(406) 995-2290

[email protected]

47430 Gallatin Road

Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730

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Outfitter: Michael Donaldson, Montana License #36853 GRG operates under a special use permit with the Custer Gallatin National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.

Yellowstone National Park Fishing

Fishing The Yellowstone 2016

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone has beautiful rivers that have a tremendous amount of variety. Fly fishing Yellowstone park offers a wide array of choices in where and how to fish. Most of the roads often roughly parallel many of the best fishing rivers in Yellowstone. So access is relatively easy (although short hikes will often be essential).

The Park is managed to protect natural resources and outstanding scenery, and to provide for visitor use. Fishing has been a major visitor activity for well over a century. Because of this history, fishing continues to be allowed in Yellowstone. So the park’s primary purpose is to preserve natural environments and native species. There are over one thousand miles of streams and over a hundred lakes in Yellowstone National Park.  Nowhere in the world are so many public rivers and streams found in such a condensed area.

Fly fishing in Yellowstone

You will find seven varieties of game fish in Yellowstone Park. Yellowstone   cutthroat , rainbow, brown, brook, and lake trout, along with grayling and mountain whitefish. Only cutthroats, grayling, and mountain whitefish are native to the Park.

Our fishing season in Yellowstone National Park runs from the last Saturday of May through and including the first Sunday of November. From the season opener in late May through the end of June. One of the first river’s to clear from snow-melt is the Firehole. It’s often (most Years) the only tea colored / fishable river in the Park on the opener.

Firehole River

Usually offers great dry-fly fishing during afternoon with mayfly hatches and continues to do so until the end of June. So by the second week of June, the Gibbon and Madison Rivers drop and clear, the ice comes off Yellowstone Lake, and the fishing season is under way for other waters. Some of the last rivers to clear in the spring are the Yellowstone and Lamar in mid July. Usually by mid July, all waters become fishable in the Park, including the small streams. Fly fishing in Yellowstone , hatches are at their peak in July. As a result  this is a favorite time for dry-fly fishers.

The Firehole and Madison Rivers are two exceptions. Because a combination of thermal water and summer heat raises their water temperatures into the 80s. As a result fishing can be slow on these two rivers until water temperatures drop in early September. July and August are our fair-weather months, with the most consistent hatches and favorable stream conditions. As the aquatic insect emergences diminish, terrestrials play an ever more important role in the trout diet. Imitations of grasshoppers, ants, crickets, and beetles are a mainstay in the angler’s arsenal until the end of the season.

Madison River

The 19 miles of the Madison in the park, although easily accessible, is not suited for fly fishing beginners. Because this section offers technical dry fly and nymph fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Trout averaging from fourteen to eighteen inches with the occasional 20 inch + Trout. Most of the river inside the park resembles a large spring creek and has been called the world’s largest chalk stream.

During the late season.

September and October, only a few hatches remain. Big Green Drakes materialize on the Lamar River and Slough Creek, along with tiny Blue-Winged Olives and midges. The Firehole and Madison Rivers become more fishable again and produce excellent hatches of BWOs and midges. October is the best month to come if you want to catch the large migrating fish in the Madison and Lewis Rivers.

As spawning time approaches and the weather becomes more winter like, these big trout become aggressive and territorial. So attacking baitfish imitations and other large streamer flies is something they will do. This is the time of year we start to fish the upper Madison (above Hebgen Lake) in Yellowstone National Park for some of the biggest and best fishing of the year! . Because our Guides know this water like their own back yard and know where the fish are. So if you love to fly fish and you have some time, you need to come out and experience ROCKTOBER on the Madison, Gibbon and Firehole Rivers in Yellowstone Park.

Road trip to Montana

My husband and I decided to go on a last minute fly fishing trip while on a quick road trip to Montana. We called the WTO on a whim at 9:30 pm after randomly talking to two separate groups of guys who had fished with them earlier that week.

Because we were only in town for one more day and thankfully the owner was able to line something up for 7:30 am the next morning! We are from Minnesota and have done our fair share of walleye and bass fishing, but never fly/trout fishing. JD set us up with Luke as a guide. So we are beginners and he was extremely patient, knowledgeable, and just an all around good guy. We began catching fish soon after our brief, but effective lesson on the proper fly fishing technique.

Definitely a unique experience and with the mountains in the background the scenery could not have been better. I couldn’t help but make fun of my husband’s ‘permagrin’ as he had a huge goofy grin on his face the whole time he was out there. Kid in a candy store, won the lottery kind of smile. It made our trip memorable and we can’t wait to do it again!

October 2018

“Thank you for all the great trips you and your guides have done for me and all of my guests this spring and summer. We will definitely be back next year with the whole crew.”

“Another blockbuster trip with Wild Trout Outfitters! J.D. has set me, my family and friends up with one or two trips a year for the last five years and we just did a fall trip and knocked ‘em out again!

This time we got J.D. out of the shop to guide a couple of days and did a combination Missouri and Madison river three day trip. J.D., Charlie, Dave and Ray must be “trout whisperers” as we caught fish in all kinds of weather.Wind, rain,cold or snow, it didn’t matter, we all caught fish. We all caught some of the biggest rainbows ever !! J.D. you and your guides consistently put us on fish year after year and we love it and always have a great time!

Whether you are a beginner, an expert, or anywhere in between, I highly recommend Wild Trout Outfitters!”

Wild Trout Outfitters

(406) 995-2975 (800) 423-4742 TOLL FREE (406) 581-7537 BIG SKY

[email protected]

P.O. Box 160003 Big Sky, Montana 59716

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Headquartered on the Gallatin River, 1/2 Mile south of the turn off to Big Sky, Montana, Wild Trout Outfitters is just 41 miles south of Bozeman and 47 miles North of West Yellowstone on Highway 191. The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field and West Yellowstone airports provide air transportation for our area.

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Last updated: April 4, 2024

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PO Box 168 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

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How to Fish in Yellowstone: Everything You Need to Know

Fishing in Yellowstone is an incredible experience, as long as you understand the regulations and know a few tips and tricks.

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Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is part of me.  Casting terrestrials below a steep bank of tall grass with bison groaning in the distance drew me to this place at 8 years old.

Geysers erupting at a moment’s notice, wide-open expanse with no development, and an abundance of water with native species of trout all in one place is something hard to describe. With my peripheries on full radar for anything that could approach and my  bear spray  dangling from my chest pack, my heart draws deeper to the wildness of this place year after year.

Here I sit 27 years later, prepping for another season in the park. I make my living here, casting, hiking, paddling, and guiding. In these 27 years of visiting and working, there are moments each year that make me want to scream, with both elation and frustration.

Visitation in the park has skyrocketed, fly fishing has soared in popularity, and the pressure is exponential: both for the fish and anglers. Don’t let the masses scare you away.

But with some simple and ethical practices, your time in Yellowstone can be as smooth as your casts to an awaiting cutthroat.

How to Fly Fish in Yellowstone National Park

The park isn’t a year-round fishery. The season for Yellowstone begins the Saturday of Memorial Day and runs to Halloween. Despite the season-opening dates, not all rivers and lakes are open to angling. For example, the Yellowstone River isn’t open until July 1, and that’s just one example of many exceptions to the rule.

It’s also important to know that you can only fish from sunrise to sunset, and absolutely no artificial lights or night fishing is allowed. Just be sure to check the  regulations  before you take to the water.

A park fishing license is required to fish in Yellowstone. The park license is $40 for a 3-day pass, $55 for a week, and $75 for the whole season. Although the park is in three states — Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho — only one park pass is required. You can get yours ahead of time online at  Recreation.gov .

There is a saying in Yellowstone, “We have two seasons, winter and July.” Without even trying to be funny, it’s accurate. Meteorologists haven’t a clue on what the weather is doing. I’ve had days in Yellowstone where the day was projected to be 81 degrees and sunny, only to battle a 58-degree downpour.

Expect the worst and hope for the best. We will get snow every month of the year, and an afternoon rainstorm is a regular occurrence, depending on where you’re at in the park.

The record high temperature in the park is 99 degrees, whereas the coldest is 66 below zero. It’s important to remember that 99 degrees feels a whole lot hotter when you have heat coming from both the sky and the ground. The bulk of Yellowstone is high desert. You might be dry and hot at 10 a.m. and freezing by noon.

Bring water, layers, sunscreen, and a sense of humor.

Research the Waters

The main draw for angling in the park is targeting the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, though the likelihood of catching other non-native species like rainbow, brown, and brook trout are very high. Regulation may require you to either release or kill the non-native fish depending on the drainage.

Research is paramount. With each body of water representing its own set of rules for capture or release, avoid a penalty and do your homework. Read the Regulations .

Fish Identification in Yellowstone National Park

All native cutthroat must be released and handled with extreme care. Knowing your species is paramount, and should you blatantly cast without the knowledge of what you’re targeting, you could be looking at a hefty fine from the Park Rangers. You also might earn yourself some groans and rumbles from fellow anglers who did do their homework.

Let’s talk about a few species that are important to take note of: lake trout and smallmouth bass. No matter where you are in the park, should you catch a lake trout or smallmouth bass, you must remove them from the water to help ensure the protection of the cutthroat. If you catch a bass of any kind, remove it from the water and deliver it to a Park Ranger. Bass in the park is a bad sign, and we need to be tracking any evidence of their existence.

Targeting smallmouth bass in the Yellowstone and Gardner Rivers and the lake trout in Yellowstone, Lewis, and Shoshone Lakes is an effort that all anglers and biologists in Yellowstone welcome with open arms. Please, come help us get these invasives out of our waters.

Fish Handling

Keep ’em wet . This is the number one thing I notice in the park each year that makes me cringe. Stop taking native fish out of the water for your damn Instagram. It is astounding the smothering and smiling I see. The likelihood of that fish dying skyrockets with each snap of a picture. Killing a native, protected fish for likes is just not OK. Stop it.

If you need a big ol’ grip-and-grin shot, head to the lake and catch a lake trout. They have to be removed anyway, and you can look like a real fish hero holding up a fatty with the Tetons in the background.

At the end of the day, is anyone really going to care that you caught a little fish on your social media? Well, maybe … but don’t kill a fish needlessly to do it.

Fish Handling Tips

Get your hands wet. This helps keep the mucus slime coat on a fish and prevent bacteria growth. Keep the fish submerged as much as possible. Imagine being pulled underwater for photos. You get the idea. Fish need to breathe. Keep them in their element and release them as soon as possible.

The river temperatures in summer can rise to deadly levels even for the fish that aren’t caught. The added pressure of angling doesn’t help with their survival chances.

A nice note about Yellowstone — the water is pretty pristine. Keep that water flowing over their gills at all times. Since the water is so clear, you can take a pretty picture with the fish partially submerged for your social media.

Fishing Gear, Vessels, and Tackle

To help stop the introduction of more invasive species, all felt-bottom wading boots are illegal in the park. In the same vein, should you want to bring your belly boat, small kayak, canoe, or boat onto Yellowstone, Shoshone, or Lewis Lake, the only bodies of water where boating is allowed, you must also have them inspected and permitted. Floating on any of the rivers in the park is illegal.

Lead-weighted beads, as well as lead-weighted flies and split shots, are also prohibited. Lead is a contaminant and toxic to the environment. Should a fish ingest lead, it could lead to poisoning, causing death to both the fish as well as a litany of other species that prey on fish.

An angler will find that the Yellowstone cutthroat trout are a keystone species in the park. If the cutthroat were to go extinct, other species, including megafauna like grizzly bears, could also be threatened. Just don’t use lead.

Because of the catch-and-release nature of most of the fishing in the park, especially for the native cutthroat, all your hooks must be barbless or have the barb pinched down. This is a practice I wish all anglers, both inside the park and around the world, participated in. It minimizes the impact on the fish during catch and release so that it may live for another day and spawn.

Stay Away From the Thermal Areas

The main draw for most tourism in the park is the active thermal features. Near these thermal features are rivers like the Firehole, Gibbon, Madison, and Yellowstone. All these rivers are fishable and can be excellent; just stay away from the thermal areas that these rivers flow near.

For the most part, the park has closed these areas for fishing. On a fishing note, should you hook a fish near these thermal features, the water is likely well above a survivable temperature for a fish to be caught and fought. Just avoid the areas for your safety and the fish’s safety.

Must you fish these areas, do so only during the early hours when the water temps are the coolest. Another great idea is to plan your fishing trips to these parts of the park only in the early or late season, not the peak of the heat.

Also, pay attention to Yellowstone’s website and social media for updates on closures. They often close down rivers in midsummer should the water exceed certain temperatures that damage or threaten fish livelihood.

Be Prepared

Yellowstone isn’t a petting zoo. The animals are wild and free and do whatever they want to do. If you see a bear, it isn’t in a holding pen. If you see a wolf, it doesn’t have an invisible fence with a shock collar on it. It is wild and will approach you if it desires.

Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Whether you backpacked into a remote section of stream or are fishing right off the road, a bear can and will walk anywhere it wants, including roads, buildings, and wilderness areas.

Smile, Damnit!

The park is busy, the roads are congested, and should a tourist see a squirrel, you’d better believe they will cause a traffic jam. It seems there is always someone needing to take 300 pictures of the same elk.

At the end of the day, it is our nation’s first National Park. It boasts thousands of miles of fishable terrain that, should you find the desire to cast into, can bless you with all the solitude you want. It’s not a little place, and with a bit of strategy, you can enjoy all the splendor it has to offer. You may have traveled across the state, country, or even the world to get to this place.

You shouldn’t waste your time being irritated. Paint a smile across your face and soak up everything that is fishing in Yellowstone National Park.

Final Notes

Please follow the rules, respect the other anglers of the park, and please, please, please , keep fish wet! 

Remember, there is hardly any service in the park. It is a spiritual and peaceful place away from all the connections to the outside world.

There isn’t any need to blast the mishandling of fish and casting near thermal features to tell the world about your irresponsible angling. There’s also no need to blast your music over the serenity that is all around you.

Live in the moment, follow the rules, and focus on your  rod , the water lapping up against your legs, and that large native cutthroat trout contemplating eating your fly.

Leave the Herd Behind: How to Hike Yellowstone National Park Without Crowds

Yellowstone is the most iconic National Park in the United States — it's also one of the busiest. So, we asked a Yellowstone ranger how to avoid the crowds on hiking trails. Read more…

Sean has been writing about fly fishing, hiking, trail running, backpacking, surfing, and standup paddling for 14 years. As an accomplished freelance outdoor writer, he works for various publications as well as guides clients in Yellowstone National Park. Jansen is an avid angler and trail runner who overdrinks coffee and deeply thinks about future stories and environmental issues that he is passionate about.

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Full Day Guided Fly-Fishing Trips in Yellowstone National Park

Sample some of Yellowstone National Park's legendary fly fishing on a guided trip. Explore legendary rivers such as the Madison, Yellowstone, Firehole, Gallatin and Gardiner with our expert team of guides. Montana Angler is permitted to guide all of the Park's famous waters and it is a favorite of many of our team. All fishing on Yellowstone Park's streams and rivers is wade fishing only by regulation. In mid summer we prefer to target the great dry fly fishing in the Northeast quadrant of the park. In the spring and fall we tend to target the waters closer to West Yellowstone.

Rates: $750 per guide per day. Two anglers per guide.

Includes: All terminal tackle including flies, rods if needed, lunch

Not included: Fishing license ($40 for 3 days), park entrance fee ($35 per vehicle if driving separately or $20 per angler if riding with guide), guide gratuity, wader rentals (can be provided at $40 per set - generally only needed on wade trips or spring/fall)

Questions? Let us help!

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Yellowstone Horseback Rides, Pack Trips, Fly Fishing & more.

Welcome yellowstone mountain guides.

We are a family owned Montana Outfitter and Guide service operated out of West Yellowstone Montana… the West gateway town to Yellowstone National Park .

We have been guiding in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding wilderness for over 25 years. We offer many exciting ways to enjoy this wonderland! Whether you’re interested in Montana fly fishing for wild trout, photographing wildlife and nature , horseback riding , or hiking there is something here to be enjoyed by everyone.

Experienced guides will take you into Yellowstone’s backcountry where you can enjoy the grandeur of Yellowstone National park or Lee Metcalf Wilderness and all it has to offer! For over 150 years people have explored the park by horseback. Yellowstone Mountain Guides continues this tradition. Come join one of our Wilderness Backcountry Adventures and step back into time!

Check out an article about action adventures highlighting our Horsepack trips into Yellowstone, courtesy of American Cowboy Magazine.  View a pdf of the article >>

Fly Fishing Guide Service

Some of the most experienced guides and outfitters in montana.

Yellowstone Angler is the place to go to find the best gear and the most knowledgeable guides for fly fishing in Southwest Montana! Whether you are looking to float the Yellowstone River, wade fish one of the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks or hike and strike in Yellowstone National Park, you’ll enjoy spending a day on the water with one of Montana’s best fly fishing guides. At the Yellowstone Angler, we act as booking agents, not only for some of the best fly fishing guides in Montana on staff but also for Montana outfitters who operate under their own license. This means we are able to book both guides and outfitters that have over 500 days experience on the waters we book. We’re eager to help you enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer, whether you are trying fly-fishing for the first time or are a seasoned veteran.

Booking Your Guided Fly Fishing Trip

The best way to book your trip is to call us at 406-222-7130 and discuss your plans in detail. Logan Brown is our guide booking manager, but any of us here at the shop can help you set up your trip. Even if you’re not quite ready to book a trip , please feel free to give us a call — we’re always happy to talk fishing and can hopefully steer you in a good direction of where to go to achieve your fishing goals. You can also e-mail us at [email protected] or send a letter to Yellowstone Angler, P.O. Box 629, Livingston, Montana 59047.

Give us an idea of the time you are considering for your trip, the number of guests, and the number of days you would like to be accompanied by one of our guides. It is important to book as early as possible, especially if you would like to fish with your favorite guides. Spring creek reservations in particular are very limited. We’ll do our best to line you up with the outfitter or guide of your choice, but keep in mind that returning clients retain the option to rebook their favorite outfitter or guide for the next year. If clients do not exercise this option at the end of their trip or make other arrangements, we book our guides on a first-come, first-served basis.

Customize Your Fishing Trip

We will be happy to create a custom itinerary that is perfect for you and make all the necessary reservations for you on private waters we fish including the spring creeks, Burns Lake, and other local private lakes. During peak season, a little flexibility with your schedule goes a long way. Be sure to ask us about our favorite local accommodations.

Once we set up an itinerary for your trip, we’ll send it your way for approval by email or letter. We’ll try to make whatever revisions you request. Once we have your trip set, we’ll charge a deposit of $150 per guide per day to your credit card. You can also send us a check or money order if you prefer. The remaining balance is due at the conclusion of your trip.

Float Trips : Major “blue ribbon” rivers including the Yellowstone, Bighorn, Madison, Missouri, Jefferson, Gallatin, Ruby, Boulder, and Stillwater rivers. Most of these call for McKenzie style drift boats, but the smaller rivers may require a raft depending on the time of year. We also use boats to fish local and private lakes.

Wade Trips : Some of the finest fishing close to Livingston are the famous Paradise Valley Spring Creeks : Armstrong’s, DePuy’s, and Nelson’s. These spring creeks are on private ranches and the owners charge rod fees of $40-$125 depending on the season and property. Other good streams we wade fish are the Boulder River, West Boulder River, Stillwater, Gallatin River, East Gallatin, and a handful of streams we don’t mention online!

Yellowstone National Park Trips : We are one of only a few select fly shops that maintain a commercial use fishing license inside Yellowstone National Park. This allows our Yellowstone fly fishing guides to take you to superb rivers and streams within Yellowstone National Park including Slough Creek, the Lamar, Soda Butte, the Madison, the Firehole, and many others. Those who are willing to “hike and strike” will experience some of the most remote and beautiful streams in the country.

• Three person float trips must include one angler 11 years of age or younger
• Rod fees (fees paid to fish private property) are not included
• Guide trip rates do not include fishing licenses
• YNP trip rates do not include the YNP entrance fee

Private Lake Trips : We have always strived to find or create new and interesting properties to fish that other outfitters may not know about or have access to. Fishing one of these private lakes out of a boat is a great way to add some variety to a 3-4 day trip.

Fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park has also become a popular destination for returning clients. We have many “hike and strike” rivers and streams that require anywhere from a 50-foot hike to a 10-mile round trip hike. Seeing and fishing in YNP is a special treat that all anglers should try at least once.

Typically, guides utilize McKenzie style drift boats, the finest craft for float fishing the Yellowstone and other large rivers in Montana like the Madison River, the Missouri River, the Bighorn River, and others. On some of the smaller, rockier streams that are more difficult to navigate, the guides use inflatable rafts that are comfortably equipped for anglers. Depending on the river and the conditions, we’ll often stop to wade fish the better riffles and runs. You can choose between a quick lunch (typically some kind of sandwich), or you can choose to relax while our guides prepare a gourmet streamside lunch while you enjoy the spectacular views of the Absaroka Mountains and Montana’s Paradise Valley .

Meet the Staff

Meet the guides, what’s included.

• Leaders / Tippet
• Rod and Reels (if needed)
• Boots and Waders (if needed)

What’s Not Included

• Fishing Licenses
• Guide Gratuity (20% of trip cost recommended)
• Entry Fee to YNP (if applicable)
• Beer or Alcoholic beverages
• Hats / Polarized Sun Glasses
• Raincoats / warmer clothing (if needed)
• Sunscreen/lip balm

The guides and outfitters we work with go to great lengths to make your lunch a memorable part of the fishing day. At the time of your booking please specify if you have any allergies, dietary concerns or requests. The guide fee also includes a shuttle, so that you can get on the river more quickly and have the guide’s rig at your take out at the end of your float. Please note that half-day trips do not include lunch, but your guide will have a cooler with beverages for the day and space for you to bring your own snacks.

Payment, Deposit & Refunds

If you wish to pay your deposit with a check, we must receive the check within two weeks from the day you make the booking. This option is only available for bookings at least 2 months in advance. In the event that we have not heard from you, or received any deposit, we will make one more effort to contact you. If we have not received a deposit within two weeks from the date the booking was made, we will be forced to cancel all of your reservations.

Once the deposit has been received, we will send you a detailed itinerary that will serve as your confirmation letter. Additional deposits may be required for private waters, and these must be made by separate check. We’ll detail all this and more for you later.

Our Cancellation Policy

Deposits are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to your trip. Within 30 days of your trip, we will still refund in full if we can rebook the outfitters or guides (or re-book the dates reserved on private waters) for the days you have canceled. We do ask that you contact us immediately if you need to either change your dates or to have your booking canceled. This will give us more lead time to re-book the guide, which will help us get you your deposit back.

If you must cancel within one week of your trip, we will require full payment for the guide fees for those days you have booked and charge your credit card on file for the entire balance. We must do this to protect the guides and outfitters for lost days in the prime of the season. We will then make every effort possible to re-book your guides for the days that were canceled. If we are able to re-book the guides for the days you had to cancel, we will refund 100% of your deposit or apply it to another upcoming trip, whichever you prefer.

Final payments for your trip can be made at our shop. You can pay us at that time with cash, check or by using your credit card. We maintain a separate account for the outfitters and guides, and these payments will be kept separate from your bill for flies, tackle and other equipment . Remember to bring some cash to tip your guides.

We are often asked how much anglers should tip their guides: $100 to $150 a day is what most of the guides average, so use those figures as guidelines.

Pro Tips: Backcountry Fly-Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

Written by: B. Pierce,   Montana Angler

No fly-fishing trip to Montana is complete without a visit to  Yellowstone National Park . The world’s first national park, established by an act of the U.S. Congress in in 1872, is as iconic for its wild trout populations as it is for its geysers, bison, and grizzly bears. Anglers visiting Yellowstone have a broad variety of waters to fish, with backcountry outings offering some of the most exceptional fishing in the park. 

Within its 3,468 square miles, Yellowstone backcountry encompasses an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities, including alpine lakes, spring creeks, broad rivers, and tumbling streams. The Yellowstone River alone provides countless angling opportunities as it flows from its headwaters in the Thorofare region to Yellowstone Lake, the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America. It then plunges over a pair of massive waterfalls on its way through two distinct canyons before exiting the park near its confluence with the Gardner River. 

For all of Yellowstone’s diversity, the truth is that most anglers never venture more than a few hundred yards from the most popular access points and pullouts. For anglers seeking solitude and an escape from the crowds, hitting the trails to experience fly fishing in Yellowstone’s backcountry is well worth the effort. 

First things first, Yellowstone National Park is managed by the National Park Service and has its own set of rules, regulations and requirements separate from the surrounding states of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. To fish in Yellowstone, you’ll need to procure a  Yellowstone Park fishing license  and abide by all park fishing regulations.

Yellowstone is home to two species of native cutthroat trout—the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and the westslope cutthroat trout—which are widely distributed in waters throughout the park. A third cutthroat, the Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout, is considered a subspecies of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout and is covered with hundreds of small spots over the entirety of its body. These gorgeous cutthroats are found in the Snake River drainage which flows south toward Grand Teton National Park. 

In addition, park waters host native Arctic grayling, as well as populations of non-native rainbow, brown, brook, and lake trout. Be aware that park policies may require you to keep some of these non-native species caught in certain waters. Lake trout have been a particular concern in recent years after establishing themselves in Yellowstone Lake, where they prey on native cutthroat populations. Efforts to remove lake trout from Yellowstone Lake have begun to bear fruit in recent years, and cutthroat populations are on the rebound. If you are required to keep a fish in Yellowstone, consider it an act of conservation.   

Much of Yellowstone’s backcountry fishing can be experienced in a day, or even a few hours. A short hike over the first ridgeline or around the next bend in the road is often all it takes to find a degree of solitude and rising trout. Other fisheries in the park require time and effort to reach. If you are going to spend the night, a backcountry camping permit is required. 

When camping in the backcountry, be aware that Yellowstone in home to the densest concentration of grizzly bears in the Lower 48. Bear spray and proper food storage are requisite. 

Gear and Flies

A standard 5- or 6-weight fly rod and reel are ideal for most backcountry fishing in Yellowstone. Four-piece rods make great sense for anglers packing into remote locations. A backpack with the rest of your fishing gear, a rain jacket, and food and water are all the rest needed for a day in the backcountry.

Yellowstone’s remote trout are rarely picky and the native cutthroat trout are fondly regarded for their willingness to rise to dry flies, but that doesn’t mean fish won’t be discerning on some waters. Patterns like the Parachute Adams, Stimulator, and Elk Hair Caddis should be present in every angler’s fly box and will take fish throughout the season. On popular backcountry waters such as Slough Creek, expect to tippet down and change flies to draw strikes. 

Also be prepared for seasonal hatches that can produce exceptional fishing. Pale morning duns and Baetis mayflies hatch early on the Firehole River and its tributaries. Golden stoneflies and salmonflies hatch on waters in the park in June and July. When green and gray drakes make an appearance, trout rise with vigor. At the Montana Angler fly shop in Bozeman, we always have the latest info on what’s hatching and the best patterns for your trip. 

The Four Corners

Yellowstone backcountry angling can be broken up into sections delineated by the park’s fishing regulations. Consider the following descriptions a starting point from which to embark on your own Yellowstone backcountry fly-fishing adventure. 

The Northeast Region of the park includes the Lamar River and the excellent Cache Creek, Soda Butte Creek and its main tributary Pebble Creek, and Slough Creek, which flows through a series of meadows north to the park boundary. The Northeast Region includes both the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone. Trailheads accessible from Canyon Village and the Tower-Roosevelt area provide access into the depth of both canyons, where cutthroat trout fishing is exceptional. The Northeast Region also includes the notable Trout and McBride lakes, which hold native Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

The Southeast Region of the park encompasses Yellowstone Lake and the Thorofare, where the Yellowstone River rises east of Two Ocean Plateau. There’s no easy way to get to the Thorofare. The options to explore Yellowstone’s headwaters are backpacking in via the Continental Divide Trail from East Entrance Road or from the Heart Lake Trailhead on U.S. Highway 191. Anglers may also arrange a backcountry shuttle for boat access to remote locations on Yellowstone Lake. Numerous tributary streams flowing into the lake are highly regarded fisheries for trophy cutthroat trout.

The Southwest Region of the park includes the Snake River and Bechler River drainages and the trifecta of Heart, Lewis, and Shoshone lakes. Lake trout are present in all three lakes and are best targeted by anglers using a watercraft. The Heart Lake Trailhead provides access trails to the three lakes and the Snake River. Anglers eager to explore the waters of the Bechler River and its tributaries, the Fall River and Boundary Creek, can access the area from Cave Falls Road or the Bechler Ranger Station along the park’s Idaho border. This section of Yellowstone is known as “Cascade Corner” for the high density of waterfalls in the area which add to the angling experience.

The Northwest Region of the park is a highly active thermal area and features the Firehole, Gallatin, Gibbon, Gardner and Madison rivers. Access to the Firehole River in Firehole Canyon can be achieved from Firehole Canyon Road. The upper reaches of the Gibbon River are productive brown trout water and can be reached from the Grand Loop Road near Norris. On the western boundary of the park, the Gallatin River’s headwaters can be reached from U.S. Highway 191. Excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout can be had in the meadows where the river turns away from the highway. 

As with any backcountry fly fishing, Yellowstone backcountry anglers should carefully consider where, how and with whom they share information regarding specifics. Much of the best fishing in Yellowstone National Park can be found in the backcountry, and there’s a reason it remains so exceptional. Enjoy your time in the backcountry and consider holding what you learn there close so that it may be enjoyed by future generations.  

B. Pierce writes often for  Montana Angler , an Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Expedition in Bozeman, Montana.

More resources from Montana Angler:

• Fishing Yellowstone Park In August
• Fishing The Salmonfly Hatch in Yellowstone Park
• Fishing Yellowstone National Park in June
• September Fishing in Yellowstone National Park
• 5 Tips For Late Summer Fishing In Yellowstone Park
• Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park On Opening Day in Late May
• Fishing Yellowstone Park: A Seasonal Primer
• Fly-Fishing Yellowstone National Park in October
• Fishing Yellowstone Park in July

One thought on “Pro Tips: Backcountry Fly-Fishing in Yellowstone National Park”

Very informative. I want to learn fly-fishing and have hiked many times in Yellowstone. This information is valuable and welcome. Thanks!

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Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing

Fly fish the rivers of our 1st national park, yellowstone national park fly fishing trips.

Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park with our Montana fly fishing guides is a great way to experience fly fishing in the ultimate wilderness setting. Yellowstone National Park is one of our Nation’s greatest treasures.

The Montana Angling Company is an authorized permittee of Yellowstone National Park and we offer guided fly fishing trips on all of the major and lesser known waters. Our fly fishing guides are all experienced professionals that have the knowledge, patience, and commitment to safety to make your Yellowstone Park fly fishing trip a success.

Yellowstone National Park is as diverse as it is big. The fly fishing opportunities are similar as the rivers range from wild to intimate. Fly fishing trips in Yellowstone are well suited for seasoned and beginner anglers alike. The fly fishing season begins the Saturday of Memorial day weekend and closes the first Sunday of November.

We feel while the fly fishing is important, fly fishing trips in Yellowstone are about more than just fly fishing. Wildlife viewing opportunities are everywhere, the scenery is stunning, and there is a certain mystique about the land and rivers that is hard to find anywhere else.

Fly Fishing in Yellowstone National Park

From the opening weekend through the end of June our fly fishing guides operate primarily in the western half of Yellowstone National Park around Madison Junction. This includes rivers like the Firehole River, the Gibbon River, and the Madison River in the Park. This time of year anglers can expect consistent hatches of caddisflies as well as mayflies. Our guides’ preferred tactics are dry fly fishing and swinging soft hackle for the wild rainbow and brown trout that inhabit these rivers.

By July these rivers get too warm due to hydrothermal input from the geyser basins and our guide trips venture into the Northeast corner of the Park, primarily in the Yellowstone River drainage. This includes many of Yellowstone National Park’s more famous river such as the Lamar River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and the Yellowstone River proper. Cutthroat trout flourish in these cold and clear waters. Consistent hatches throughout the summer and early fall make for excellent dry fly fishing opportunities.

By October these higher elevation rivers get cold and our guide trips return to the Madison Junction. The Madison River has a world-famous Fall run of brown and rainbow trout that regularly exceed 20-inches in length. This can be one of the best opportunities at a true trophy fish. Streamers and nymphs are generally the best method to catch these fish but a strong BWO hatch can bring them to the surface on occasion.

Yellowstone National Park has several lifetimes’ worth of fly fishing for the adventurous angler. There are more small streams and alpine lakes than we could ever list, and a short hike from any trailhead usually means total solitude and fly fishing paradise. Every fly fishing trip to Yellowstone National Park is an adventure and we encourage all anglers to consider a day in Yellowstone Park as a part of every Montana fly fishing trip.

Book Your Next Montana Fly Fishing Trip

Email Address

Phone Number

Plan Your Trip

Prime season:.

Madison River Drainage (Opening Day-June 15 th and September 15 th -Closing Day); Yellowstone River Drainage (July 10th -September 30 th )

Notable Hatches:

White Miller Caddis (Early June); Salmonflies and Goldenstones (June 1-August 15); Terrestrials (August 1-September 15); Fall Drakes (September 15-October 15)

Nearby Towns:

Bozeman, MT; Gardiner, MT; West Yellowstone, MT; Livingston, MT; Big Sky, MT

Nearby Rivers:

Yellowstone River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Boulder River, Stillwater River, Paradise Valley Spring Creeks

Trip Offerings

• Custom Trips
• Bozeman Basecamp

What Our Clients Say

My wife and I had a wonderful experience fishing with Montana Angling Company. Max was able to teach my wife to fly fish from scratch and she caught 5-10 really nice 18-20” fish her first time! He was very patient and knowledgeable. Thank you for such an amazing day! I would highly recommend from beginners to advanced fly fishermen and women.

- Cooper M.

Max is the perfect guide and teacher. My wife and I are newly retired and wanted to try fly fishing for the first time. We learned tons and caught lots of trout float and wade fishing. Can't wait to come back for our sophomore course. Thanks Max and Peter.

I've been guided by Max and his guides on the Yellowstone, Madison, and Missouri rivers and have had a blast every time. Their guides are knowledgeable, respectful, and patient--even when I tangle my line. The Montana Angling Co is a great choice whether it's your first time fly fishing or you're a seasoned pro--these guys know where the fish are and what they're hungry for.

- Maggie O.

Max’s professional demeanor, unmatched knowledge of fly fishing, and top rate gear combine to make any guided trip with him a special experience. Regardless of your ability or experience, you will not only catch fish, but you will have an excellent time as well.

I have fished with guides across the United States and South America, and can say with confidence that Max's patience, passion, and knowledge of fishing are second to none. Whether you are an expert angler or fishing for the first time, Max is the guy you want to have in your boat.

- Wesley R.

We had an awesome experience with Montana Angling Co. Max worked with us to make sure we had the perfect day to go fishing. Our guide was Guy Flynn, and he was great. He was very patient with us and we enjoyed the conversation. He was putting us on fish all day long. Overall, we had a great experience, and I will definitely use Max's company again on our next trip to Montana.

Don't Wait, Book Your Fly Fishing Trip Today!

(406) 579-9553, 405 n willson ave. bozeman, mt 59715, [email protected].

8 Breathtaking THINGS TO DO Near Yellowstone National Park

I n the summer months there are 5 entrances that can get you into Yellowstone National Park . While there are endless things to do and see inside the park, there are also amazing things to do near Yellowstone National Park by the entrances. If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone you can’t miss these awesome things to do near the park!

We will cover: Livingston | Red Lodge | West Yellowstone | Gardiner | Bozeman | Cody | Jackson Hole

And if you are looking for more information about Yellowstone visit our Yellowstone National Park page and check out our post about planning the Ultimate Yellowstone Vacation and Beyond !

North Entrance: Livingston and Paradise Valley

This is another area that would be great to visit on your way into or out of Yellowstone. Livingston use to be the hub for anyone visiting Yellowstone and there is so much history in the city. Paradise Valley is a beautiful area just south of Livingston. If you are looking for things to do outside of Yellowstone – Livingston and Paradise Valley are a great option.

Fly Fishing

Livingston is the perfect place to go fly fishing! Your guide will take you out on the Yellowstone River and take you to all the great places to catch fish. Along with providing you with the fly fishing gear. For guides we recommend the Montana Expedition Trading Company.

Yellowstone River Float

Not into fishing? Then you can book a float guide where they will take you out the water to float down the river. In the warm summer months you can jump off the boat and swim in the water as you float down the river. For guides we recommend: Rowdy River Guides and Rubber Ducky Rentals .

Chico Hot Springs

Yes more hot springs! Chico Hot Springs is another historic location. You can walk the grounds, go in the hot springs or play disc golf.

Where To Eat

Mint bar and grill.

This unique and historic restaurant has fun decorations, great drinks and delicious food! It is a bar, but families are welcome.

The Sage Lodge

A beautiful lodge located in Paradise Valley. This is a meal with a view! The Sage Lodge is gorgeous and has windows all around so you can eat from inside or site outside and take in the beauty of Paradise Valley.

Where To Stay

Travelodge in livingston.

A simple, but clean hotel in Livingston. Perfect for a stop over as you explore the area.

Learn more about the: Best Things to do in Livingston, MT and Paradise Valley

Northeast Entrance: Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge, Montana is a great place to visit on your way in or out of the northeast entrance of Yellowstone. The awesome thing is you can explore Red Lodge and all of the fun things to do there and then take the Beartooth Highway into Yellowstone! Talk about the perfect road trip. So much beauty!!

Horseback Riding

Go horseback riding with Elk River Outfitters in a beautiful area where you are surrounded by 5 mountain ranges and you get to take your horse through a stream! We have done horseback riding before, but nothing quite like riding in Montana on a horse!

The Beartooths are awesome in a car, but taking a UTV from Red Lodge Power Sports up there is a whole other experience! When you rent the UTV they can recommend a few different routes to go.

Downtown Red Lodge

Make sure to make time to just walk around the town of Red Lodge and check out the shops and all of the great restaurants.

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary

Learn all about the wildlife from Yellowstone country at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary . It is a great way to learn more about this amazing part of the county.

Prerogative Kitchen

Looking for a cool dining experience Prerogative is it! Small plate selections with unique options.

Feeling like a margarita? Then head to Bogarts for their fun and unique flavors!

Pollard Hotel

Located right in downtown Red Lodge the Pollard Hotel is the place to stay. They also have great restaurants and a bar on site.

Learn more about: 22 Amazing Things To Do In Red Lodge, Montana

Northeast entrance: Cooke City, Montana

Cooke City is just outside the northeast entrance of the park. This entrance and outgoing road, US Highway 212, is said to be the most scenic drive from the park. Going this way, you pass through the Beartooth Mountains, which is beautiful! Hwy 212 is closed east of Cooke City to cars November through April, so keep that in mind.

Cooke City is a very small town that also has a western feel to it. It has several restaurants and small shops as well as lodging if you can’t find any openings inside the park. If you will be in Yellowstone for an extended period of time, I would suggest taking a day trip out of the northeast entrance to see Cooke City and drive Hwy 212 through the mountains.

East entrance: Cody, Wyoming

Cody is probably the “biggest” town that is close to Yellowstone. There are a bunch of stores and shops, big and small, a grocery store, restaurants, fast food, and a nice little playground right in the center of town.

Cody is about an hour outside of the east entrance and has plenty to offer. We left Yellowstone for a weekend for a camping trip at Buffalo Bill State Park North Shore campground which is right on the Buffalo Bill Reservoir just outside of Cody. This campground was really neat. It was right on the water, surrounded by mountains, and all the campsites were positioned towards the water.

Buffalo Bill Center

One of the bigger attractions in Cody is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum. This is actually like 6 museums in one – the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Draper National History Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum, and the McCracken Research Library.

When we entered the Art Museum area with our family (4 kids) and my sister-in-laws family (2 kids) the security guard quickly called in reinforcements. Seriously, we saw the look of fear in his eyes when 6 kids under 8 years old entered.

Another security guard showed up and they followed close behind until they realized that NO, we were not going to let our kids run wild in here. We found the perfect place for them to sit and draw pictures in the art museum.

So, there’s pretty much something for everyone here. The kids really enjoyed the Draper National History Museum where we learned a lot about Yellowstone’s wildlife and ecosystem.

Explore Cody

After checking out the museum, take a walk down the main street in Cody. There you’ll find plenty of restaurants to eat at and a few taverns to enjoy a cold one.

Then at 6pm (6 nights a week in the summer), outside of the Irma Hotel, there is a gun fight re-enactment. They close the street down and have an old western shoot-out! Click here to learn more.

Follow up the shoot-out with a trip to the rodeo . Cody features a nightly rodeo with gates opening at 7pm!

That’s a full day of old-western style entertainment!

Last, but definitely not least is the drive from Cody, heading west toward Yellowstone. This may have been my favorite stretch of the entire trip! You drive right in a canyon between two large mountains and go through tunnels that go right through the mountain. I was pretty sure the RV would fit driving in the first time and luckily it did!

Check out: Things To Do In Cody, Wyoming.

Where to Stay

Buffalo bluff rv park.

Buffalo Bluff RV Park , located in Cody, is about 50 miles from the east entrance to the park. Back-in and pull-through sites are available here. It’s nothing fancy but offers a convenient stay near Cody.

The Historic Wapiti Lodge

The Historic Wapiti Lodge near the Shoshone River is nestled in the heart of Wapiti Valley. It offers a prime location – only 18 miles to Cody and 30 miles to the park entrance.

South entrance: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Well, this constitutes more than just Jackson Hole. Just south of Yellowstone, there is the whole Grand Teton area, which is amazing! We’ve already written about 5 Family Friendly Things To Do By The Grand Tetons , so definitely check that out.

If you’re interested in booking a guided tour from Jackson to Yellowstone, check out this Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour . Or if you’d rather travel with a small group, check out this Small-Group Yellowstone Tour . Both tours will arrange pick-up in the Jackson or Teton Village area, and they are great ways to experience Yellowstone with a live tour guide.

Teton Village

Teton Village has the feel of a quaint ski town similar to Vale, Colorado. Here you can ride the tram, shop in the boutique stores, or eat at any of the great restaurants.

A few miles south of the Teton Village is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This is also a ski town which is evident by the large hills that surround the city all with ski trails. The city is centered around the town square. This is a nice little park to walk through to sit and at one of the many benches and enjoy a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop or ice cream from Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream shop.

There are a lot of great things to do in Jackson Hole . It is an upper end town and has endless shopping and eating options. The great thing about this town is that is a great place to visit in summer or winter!

We also visited Slide Lake which was amazing!

We really enjoyed the Tetons and everything around it. If you are near Yellowstone, it is worth it to make the extra trip to the Grand Tetons! If you want to spend the day in the Grand Tetons check out this awesome post: One Day In Grand Teton National Park – Jenny Lake Boat and Hike or this one about what to do in The Grand Tetons.

Jenny Lake is an awesome place to visit when in the Tetons.

Be sure to check out: The Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park

Togwotee Mountain Lodge

On a second visit to the the Grand Tetons, we had the opportunity to stay at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge in Moran, WY. Whoa! Talk about a really neat place to stay! With a big family (and a dog), it can be hard to find places to accommodate us.

No problem at Togwotee. We stayed in a very nice cabin that had a bedroom with 2 large queen beds and a pull-out sofa sleeper. And best part was that Indy (our sweet Labrador Retriever) was welcome too! They also have a main lodge that has different accommodations based on the number of guests you’ll have with you.

We had a full kitchen (fridge, stove, sink and microwave) so we were able to cook our meals just like we were in the RV .

Don’t like cooking when you’re on vacation? No problem, there are 2 restaurants at Togwotee. The Grizzly Grill and the Red Fox Saloon has you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to have a drink at the saloon and shoot some pool or play some games.

Things To Do

If you’re looking to get out in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Togwotee is a great place to make your base camp. Right from the lodge, you can do horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing. They also offer a pretty cool Wyoming Cowboy Campout in the summer that we just missed. This is an overnight horseback ride into the forest where you will campout cowboy style to fish, cook by the campfire and enjoy the night sky.

In the winter, Togwotee is the mecca for world-class snowmobiling. They have everything you need (including fresh powder) for a great snowmobiling trip. Rent their sleds or bring your own and hit the trails for some epic riding. Or go off trail (depending on your skill level) and churn through the freshest snow.

Togwotee Mountain Lodge is located about 45 minutes from Grand Teton National Park , but it’s an easy scenic drive to and from the lodge. You’re also about the same distance away from Jackson Hole, so you can easily hit the shopping and restaurants there as well.

Find the best deals for Togwotee Mountain Lodge here!

Feeling overwhelmed by all the awesomeness that is Yellowstone?! We get it! The park is huge and there is so much to see and do. We have visited the park over 6 different times and have put together 1, 3 and 7 day guides to help you plan your ultimate trip to Yellowstone:

West Entrance: Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman, Montana is a great destination to hit on your way into or out of Yellowstone. It is an awesome city with a great downtown area, shops, restaurants and museums.

Museum Of The Rockies

Museum Of The Rockies is a great museum to visit to learn more about the dinosaurs that once roamed this area of Montana. Along with learning the history of Yellowstone and the people that use to call it home. Plus you won’t want to miss the planetarium shows!

Montana Alpine Guides Rock Climbing

Bozeman is a great place to head out rock climbing. Even if you have never done outside rock climbing you can do it here with Montana Alpine Guides . They have a great team of guides that will take you out, provide all the equipment and teach you how to climb.

There are some nice and moderate hiking trails to do in Bozeman as well. The Drinking Horse Mountain and College M are a couple great hikes to take just outside the city.

This will be a tough one. Not because there aren’t good places to eat, but because there are so many it is hard to choose!

Sweet Chili Bistro

For delicious Thai and a great drink menu check out Sweet Chili in downtown.

Mountains Walking Brewery and Pub

For good beer and pub food check out Mountains Walking Brewery and Pub.

For delicious pastries and coffee check out the Coffee Pot.

Lewis and Clark Motel

For an old-school yet modern motel check out Lewis and Clark’s! A locally owned motel this place is great and they really make you feel welcome. And the pool area is awesome!

Bozeman Hot Springs

If you are there in an RV then check out the Bozeman Hot Springs campground. Breakfast and entry to the hot springs are included in your stay.

The Silos Marina & Campground

About an hour north of Bozeman is The Silos Marina & Campground in Townsend, MT. Located on the Canyon Ferry Reservoir, it offers beautiful scenery, a boat launch, fishing, and more!

Check out these awesome Montana Airbnb options!

Learn more about: 23 Exciting and Fun Things To Do In Bozeman, MT

West entrance: West Yellowstone, Montana

West Yellowstone is a great place to make as your home base as you explore Yellowstone since it is so close to the west entrance and attractions like Old Faithful, the Upper Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring. This Yellowstone Park Tour will include visiting Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone as well as the entire Lower Loop of the park.

But the city of West Yellowstone also has a lot of fun things to offer! It really is one of the top places to visit for things to do around Yellowstone National Park.

If you want to add another state to your list you could stay in Idaho (we enjoyed Henry Lake State Park) and enjoy West Yellowstone from there. Plus there are a lot of great things to do in Idaho Falls and the surrounding area.

Grizzly Wolf and Discovery Center

This is a great place to visit to learn more about these amazing animals! It isn’t a huge place but they rotate the grizzly bears that are out so it is cool to see different ones. They also have a new indoor exhibit where you can watch the otters play. This is a must do while on your trip to West Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Giant Screen Theater

If you are looking to get out of the sun for a while and kick back and relax head to the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre to watch the Yellowstone movie where you will learn about the history of Yellowstone.

Wild West Pizzeria and Salon

It is hard to find someone who has been to West Yellowstone and not been to Wild West Pizzeria! A definite staple in West Yellowstone and for good reason. The pizza is delicious!

The Kelly Inn is the perfect place to stay for exploring West Yellowstone and the park. They have a nice breakfast spread in the morning and a pool and hot tub to hang out in at night.

Valley View RV Park Campground

This campground in Island Park, ID is just 15 west of the park. Offering great views and a convenient location, this is a good option is you’re staying on the west side of Yellowstone.

West Yellowstone is also a great hub for visiting Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone along with Canyon Village.

Learn more about: 9 Awesome Things To Do In West Yellowstone

North entrance: Gardiner, Montana

The north entrance is the original entrance to Yellowstone. As seen by the Roosevelt Arch that you drive through to get to the current Yellowstone entrance. It is a quaint western town and is really close to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone.

Roosevelt Arch

You will drive through the Roosevelt Arch as you enter the North entrance to Yellowstone. But instead of just driving through it, stop and get out to walk through the door and look up and into the inside of the arch. Also be on the look out for elk and pronghorn sheep hanging out in this area but be sure to keep a safe distance – they are wild animals!

City Of Gardiner

The town has an amazing view of Yellowstone National Park and has a nice Visitor Center and a selection of stores and restaurants. The Yellowstone River cuts right through the hilly town which adds to its great landscape.

Yellowstone Wild Tours

If you want to see wildlife in Yellowstone and learn all about the park, the history and the animals then you are going to want to book a tour with Yellowstone Wild Tours ! They pick you up in Gardiner (before the sun rises – it is worth it – I promise!) and then spend the day driving you around the park to Lamar Valley and other places to spot wildlife. You may even end up in Hayden Valley.

When we went we saw multiple bears, wolves, bison, elk, pronghorn sheep, a mountain goat, birds and probably a few more that I am forgetting! They also feed you breakfast and lunch. It is an awesome day.

Yellowstone Hot Springs

Head a little ways outside of downtown to the awesome Yellowstone Hot Springs . They did these springs right with nice man made pools looking out over the surrounding mountains. They have  hot pools, hotter pools and a cold pool.

There are a variety of different restaurants from pizza to sandwiches and local dishes. Plus there is a local grocery store – Gardiner Market if you just want to pick up your own food to cook.

Wonderland Cafe

Wonderland Cafe is an awesome restaurant in Gardiner with local and unique dishes. If you want really good food in Gardiner this is the place to go!

Yellowstone Pizza Company

We found a delicious pizza joint called Yellowstone Pizza Company where we ate on the roof! Check it out here .

They have lodging and hotels available for guests that want to visit Yellowstone and enjoy the comforts of a small town.

Sunny Slope Lodge

We recommend the Sunny Slope Lodge which is about a 15 minute drive outside of Gardiner. It is a beautiful house up in the mountains with plenty of room for multiple families. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day in Yellowstone or exploring Gardiner.

Yellowstone Hot Springs campground is located in Gardiner on the banks of the Yellowstone River. It’s about 8 miles from the north entrance and offers a really peaceful environment.

Learn more about: 12 Amazing Things To Do In Gardiner, Montana [+ Where To Stay]

Here are a few more ideas: Lewis and Clark Caverns , Things To Do In Big Sky , Yellowstone Country on your Montana Road Trip ! Learn more about the Wyoming National Parks .

Check out these posts for a great guide to Yellowstone:

12 Things To Bring To Yellowstone National Park

Mount Washburn Hike in Yellowstone with Kids

Top 10 Things To Do In Yellowstone

Road Trippin’ around Tower-Roosevelt in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Camping: Your Complete Guide To A Perfect Spot

Yellowstone in Winter: 11 Things to Know and Do!

Here are a few more options for things to do around Yellowstone:

Things To Do In Cheyenne Wyoming

Wyoming Ski Resorts

6 Epic National Park Road Trip Ideas [Maps Included]

The post 8 Breathtaking THINGS TO DO Near Yellowstone National Park appeared first on Crazy Family Adventure .

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You’ll soon be able to fish year-round at Yellowstone National Park

It's great news for anglers at a time when the national park service is restricting recreational access..

Thanks to a boom in U.S. National Park visitation numbers, the National Park Service has been clamping down on park access for the last few years. Reservations and restricted entry times are fast becoming the norm at many of our best National Parks . So, it’s great news when the NPS announces any type of expanded access, like Yellowstone’s relaxed fishing guidelines beginning later this year.

• Get the full details on Yellowstone National Park’s expanded fishing guidelines

When year-round fishing starts in Yellowstone National Park

Get the full details on yellowstone national park’s expanded fishing guidelines.

In an official news release published last week, the National Park Service announced that “beginning Nov. 1, 2024, Yellowstone National Park will expand fishing access by allowing for year-round fishing opportunities at two locations in the park.” The catch, if you can call it that, is that this will only include two specific locations. The first is along the Madison River, specifically from the state border of Wyoming and Montana, downstream to the park boundary abutting the West Entrance near the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. The second is the Gardner River, beginning at Osprey Falls down to its confluence with the Yellowstone River near the park’s North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana.

The expanded fishing season in these two locations comes as a pleasant surprise at a time when the NPS has been forced to heavily restrict recreational access in many parks due to overcrowding. Yellowstone receives four million visitors annually, and approximately 50,000 of those fish each year. It might seem strange in a place where the conservation of both the land and wildlife is paramount. But, fishing plays an important role in helping to support the park’s native species. The park service points out that all fishing regulations within Yellowstone are designed to support native fish conservation goals.

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Cutthroat trout are the only 100% native trout species to the park and thrived here long before Euroamerican settlers arrived. Unfortunately, the species has been threatened by the introduction of non-native trout, including brown, rainbow, lake, and brook. The cutthroat has since seen a sharp decline in the last few decades as all species compete for the same food and habitat. The NPS is hoping that the newly expanded season will help the population rebound.

For 2024, annual Yellowstone fishing permits will remain valid from May 25 through the last day of the year. The expanded fishing season starts November 1, 2024, at the above-mentioned locations: the Madison River and the Gardner River. From January 1, 2025, the park’s annual fishing permits will be valid for the entire calendar year, from January through December 31. Throughout the rest of the park, fishing will remain open during the standard fishing season, currently from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through October 31 annually.

If you’re unsure which National Park to visit, check out our comparison of Yellowstone versus Yosemite , and take note of our packing list for Yellowstone if you decide that’s the right one for you!

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• National Parks

There's never really a bad time to visit one of the U.S. National Parks. At any time of the year, they have plenty to offer, but some parks can be inhospitable during the height of summer thanks to massive crowds and sky-high temperatures. Winter is an especially unique time of year to explore, with landscapes and wildlife changing and adapting to the season. With fewer vehicles on the road and fewer hikers on the trail, you can feel as though the whole park is yours when you visit during what most people — wrongly — call the off-season.

National Parks have something on offer for everyone, too. Whether you're looking for wildlife or hiking trails, opportunities for winter camping, or a sightseeing break to mix up your journey to or from a ski resort. There are over 60 national parks to choose from in the U.S. and reducing it down to just a few for winter has been no easy task, but these — we think — are the best national parks to visit in winter.

National parks have become increasingly popular in recent years, attracting all kinds of nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and families who seek a slice of the great outdoors. However, that may become slightly more difficult as national parks across America begin to implement extra fees and reservation systems in 2024.

In this article, we will look at the changes currently being made in four iconic national parks and what that could mean for you and your crew.

Not surprisingly, the National Park Service does a pretty good job of well servicing our country’s National Parks. That includes everything from general maintenance to ensuring visitor safety to looking after the health of the flora and fauna in every park. So, when the NPS announced a plan to replant sequoia groves in two of our best National Parks—Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park—we were a little surprised to hear that several environmental groups were suing to stop them. Here’s what we know.

The National Park Service is looking to bolster the sequoia groves after wildfires heavily damaged both parks in 2020 and again in 2021. In October of this year, it announced the seedling-planting project to “re-establish tree seedlings in severely burned giant sequoia groves and [an] adjacent fisher habitat in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.” Many environmental scientists and the NPS itself have long agreed that it’s best to let nature regrow naturally. But, in this case, the NPS is “concerned that natural regeneration may not be sufficient to support self-sustaining groves into the future, particularly as the fires killed an unprecedented number of reproductive sequoia trees in the groves themselves.” (PSA: Make Smokey Bear proud, and always enjoy and extinguish your campfires responsibly)