Raft the Yellowstone River Full-Day Trip From Gardiner
Full-day Yellowstone River rafting with lunch and Class I–III rapids
Duration
5-6 Hours door-to-door
Ideal For
4 people
Includes
Lunch, rafting, river gear
Highlights
Raft the Yellowstone River on a family-friendly full-day trip from Gardiner, with a lunch stop and a mix of splashy rapids and scenic floats. Start near the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and spend the day paddling and floating downstream.
- Start near the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and paddle the Gardiner Town Stretch
- Ride Class I–III rapids and float into Paradise Valley
- Stop mid-trip for lunch from a locally owned cafe
- Float through Yankee Jim Canyon on a scenic afternoon run
- Follow certified guides trained in CPR and swift water rescue
What's Included
- Lunch
- Wetsuit rental
- Neoprene bootie rental
- Splash jacket
Things to know
A minimum of 4 participants is required for the trip to run. Ages 8+; pregnant women are not permitted. Rafters must fit a personal flotation device up to a 56-inch chest and be in reasonably good physical condition.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with more than 48 hours notice. 50% charge for cancellations within 24-48 hours of departure. 100% charge within 24 hours. No-shows charged full price; each no-show participant charged 100% per person price.
FAQs
Plan to get wet. May–June and late September: wear a bathing suit under a provided wetsuit; you can also use a splash jacket and neoprene booties, and you may want a fleece layer and dry clothes for after. July–early September: wear a bathing suit with lightweight shorts/pants and a T-shirt; wear sturdy sandals or water shoes, or use the provided booties. Do not wear jeans, sweat suits, or heavy cotton, and do not wear sandals without a back strap.
Yes. You can use the provided river gear, including wetsuits and neoprene booties, at no extra charge. Changing rooms are available onsite.
Ages 8+ can join. If children under 14 are in your group, at least one adult age 18 or older must be present.
Meeting details
603 Scott Street Gardiner, MT 59703
More about Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park sits just beyond the rafts as they push off from Gardiner, Montana, and the river you ride was carved by the same wild forces that shaped the park itself. The Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, and it spills directly out of Yellowstone National Park before charging through the rugged Yankee Jim Canyon. This full-day rafting trip pairs the thrill of whitewater with the dramatic backdrop of the country surrounding Yellowstone National Park, giving you a perspective on the landscape that very few visitors ever see from inside the park itself.
The day on the water unfolds with a mix of splashy rapids and calmer stretches where the canyon walls tower overhead and the wildlife of greater Yellowstone National Park comes into view. Bald eagles ride thermals above the cliffs, bighorn sheep pick their way across rocky ledges, and deer often appear along the willow-lined banks. Between rapids like Boxcar and Big Rock, your guide shares stories about the geology, history, and ecology of the Yellowstone region, connecting the river you are floating to the wider wilderness of Yellowstone National Park just upstream. A riverside lunch breaks up the day, with cold water, sunshine, and the sound of the Yellowstone moving past your feet.
This trip is ideal for families, couples, and groups of friends who want to balance their sightseeing in Yellowstone National Park with a real outdoor adventure. It suits first-time rafters who want a memorable splash as well as seasoned paddlers looking for a scenic full day on classic Montana water. If you are basing yourself in Gardiner at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, this full-day Yellowstone River float is a natural way to add wild rapids, wildlife, and canyon scenery to your park itinerary.
