Ride a 1-hour mountain trail with small groups overlooking Yellowstone
one-hour
Guided trail ride
Saddle up for a one-hour horseback ride in the mountains overlooking Yellowstone. Ride in a small group and pause for views of Mammoth Hot Springs, the Yellowstone River, and Electric Peak.
Minimum age is 5 years old. Check in at The Flying Pig Raft Company 1 hour before departure, then drive your own vehicle to the ranch. The gravel road is steep in spots and not suitable for large RVs.
Payment is due at the time of reservation. No refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of departure. Cancellations made outside of 48 hours before departure will receive a refund in full. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather, mechanical failure, unsafe conditions, or insufficient reservations.
Product ID: YV98HV
The source lists two different minimum ages: 5 years old and 7 years old. Confirm the minimum age that applies to your date before you book.
Yes. After you check in, you drive to the ranch in your own vehicle.
No. The gravel road is maintained but steep in some spots and is not suitable for large RVs.
511 Scott Street, Gardiner, MT
Mammoth Hot Springs sits at the northern gateway of Yellowstone National Park, a surreal landscape of terraced travertine formations sculpted over thousands of years by mineral-rich waters rising from deep underground. The area feels like a world apart from the rest of Yellowstone, with its chalky white and rust-colored steps cascading down the hillsides, steam drifting across the pines, and elk often wandering through the historic district below. For travelers arriving from the north entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs is the first true taste of Yellowstone's geothermal wonder, and pairing a visit here with a one-hour horseback trail ride just outside the park creates the kind of full-bodied Western day that lingers in memory long after the trip ends.
The horseback trail ride unfolds in the rolling country near Yellowstone, where seasoned guides match riders with calm, sure-footed horses suited to the terrain. As you move along the trail, the scent of sage and pine fills the air, hooves crunch softly over dirt and gravel, and big-sky views open across meadows that have changed little since the days of early park explorers. After the ride, the short drive to Mammoth Hot Springs places you among boardwalks that wind past Palette Spring, Minerva Terrace, and the Liberty Cap, each formation glowing in shades of orange, cream, and pale blue. The contrast between the saddle and the steaming terraces gives the day a satisfying rhythm, quiet motion followed by slow, wide-eyed wandering.
This pairing is ideal for families with older children, couples seeking a romantic taste of the West, and first-time Yellowstone visitors who want more than a windshield tour. Beginners are welcome on the trail ride, and the relaxed pace leaves plenty of energy for exploring Mammoth Hot Springs afterward, whether that means strolling the Upper Terrace Drive, photographing elk near the historic Fort Yellowstone buildings, or simply pausing to watch the steam curl into the sky. For anyone dreaming of an authentic Yellowstone day, a trail ride combined with Mammoth Hot Springs delivers the landscape, the wildlife, and the wonder all at once.
White water rafting on the Yellowstone doesn't get much better than this. Guides like Preston, Seth, Vivien, and Cadence consistently steal the show, bringing genuine enthusiasm, local knowledge, and a knack for making everyone from young kids to adults feel comfortable on the water. Multiple visitors mention that their guide's personality was what elevated the trip from fun to unforgettable. What's also worth noting is how responsive the company is. One reviewer left feedback wishing the trip had been longer, and received a prompt call with a thoughtful explanation. That kind of attentiveness says a lot about how seriously they take the guest experience. Beyond rafting, they also offer horseback cookout experiences, so there's more than one reason to check them out if you're exploring the Yellowstone area.
We are a family of 4 (2 kids 5 and 7) and we really enjoyed our scenic float down the Yellowstone River. There was another young family with us at the 9:15am slot. Staff were on time, friendly at check in, and had solid equipment we could borrow for the water (ie- life vest and water shoes). Seth was our guide and he made us feel safe, especially my worried 7 year old. Since we were technically a scenic float, he gave us the option of getting a little adventurous to tackle the waves or avoid them. Also gave us the option to paddle or don’t. We were a gung ho group, so off we went to experience the class 1 rapids. Just enough woohoo and splash for our kids. I walked away ready to tackle class 2 or 3. Seth was very knowledgeable about the river, wildlife, and the area. He let the kids try their hand at rowing his big oars through the calm parts of the river. Pretty hilarious. Flying Pig even sent out a photographer half way down the river to grab photos of us! Super thoughtful. At the end of the 8 mile trip, the guys in the raft helped Seth and his team haul the raft to the bus and we rode back on the bus to home base. All in all, it was a great way to learn about local spots and wildlife and experience Yellowstone from the water. Shout out Seth! Thanks for the grizzly bear viewing rec. Worked like a charm and really topped off our trip! If you’re a young family looking for a little thrill in a controlled environment, look no further!
Monica Nguyen
September 2, 2026
We are a family of 4 (2 kids 5 and 7) and we really enjoyed our scenic float down the Yellowstone River. There was another young family with us at the 9:15am slot. Staff were on time, friendly at check in, and had solid equipment we could borrow for the water (ie- life vest and water shoes). Seth was our guide and he made us feel safe, especially my worried 7 year old. Since we were technically a scenic float, he gave us the option of getting a little adventurous to tackle the waves or avoid them. Also gave us the option to paddle or don’t. We were a gung ho group, so off we went to experience the class 1 rapids. Just enough woohoo and splash for our kids. I walked away ready to tackle class 2 or 3. Seth was very knowledgeable about the river, wildlife, and the area. He let the kids try their hand at rowing his big oars through the calm parts of the river. Pretty hilarious. Flying Pig even sent out a photographer half way down the river to grab photos of us! Super thoughtful. At the end of the 8 mile trip, the guys in the raft helped Seth and his team haul the raft to the bus and we rode back on the bus to home base. All in all, it was a great way to learn about local spots and wildlife and experience Yellowstone from the water. Shout out Seth! Thanks for the grizzly bear viewing rec. Worked like a charm and really topped off our trip! If you’re a young family looking for a little thrill in a controlled environment, look no further!
Monica Nguyen
September 2, 2026
Search Yellowstone's morning landscape with a guide and provided optics
Search Lamar Valley for Yellowstone wildlife as dusk settles
Customize a private Yellowstone wildlife day around your interests
Scan Yellowstone's Northern Range with a naturalist guide and provided optics
Float the Yellowstone River with your group in a guide-rowed raft
Paddle Class I–III rapids, picnic on Lunch Island, and enter Yankee Jim Canyon