Montana Family Vacation in Big Sky Country – 6 Days / 5 Nights
Rally the kids, don your favorite cowboy hat, and get ready for an action-packed, all-inclusive Montana family vacation. With roots deep in Montana soil, it’s no surprise that Austin Adventures is the leading provider of best-in-class travel from Old Faithful to Paradise Valley and beyond. From gurgling geysers to lofty mountaintops, discover the perfect backdrop of your next family photo on this intimate journey through Big Sky Country.
Experience the Best of Montana With Kids & Family
Our expert guides can’t wait to introduce you and your family to the remarkable treasures of the wild, wild west as you explore pine-studded forests, raft the Yellowstone River and ride horseback across pristine meadows with a couple of bona fide cowboys. Each day, enjoy the finest in western hospitality and regional fare complemented with Austin’s signature touch of inspired, thoughtful service. You and your buckaroos won’t soon forget this adventure of a lifetime!
See the Most Beautiful Part of Montana
The only thing better than signing up for one of our award-winning adventures is joining us on a custom family getaway in our own backyard! With Austin Adventures’ headquarters located in Montana, we invite you to fall in love with the picturesque scenes we call home. Spend six unforgettable days discovering the gems of Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky Country with your kids-turned-blooming-naturalists. And don’t worry – there’s plenty of time for soaking in a natural hot spring, too!
Hike along stream-side trails and meadows carpeted in flowers in Yellowstone’s quiet backcountry
Explore magical Upper Geyser Basin, home to the famed Old Faithful geyser and many other neat geothermal features
Seek out wildflowers and wildlife on a hike up to breathtaking Beehive Basin in Big Sky Country
Keep an eye out for elk and bison dotting the sagebrush-covered hills on a drive through Hayden Valley
Ride horseback high into the Absaroka mountains alongside a real-deal fourth-generation cowboy
Raft a playful stretch of the beautiful Yellowstone River under the towering Gallatin Mountain Range
Relax and recharge with a soak in a soothing hot spring-fed pool at Chico Hot Springs Resort
Zipline across the Gallatin River on an exhilarating trip that your family will never forget
*Operating under permit with the US Forest Service/National Park Service.
**Austin Adventures is an equal opportunity employer.
A few more reasons why you've gotta go:
01
Beehive Basin: It's sensory overload as you soak your feet in an alpine lake surrounded by blue sky, granite spires and wildflower-studded hillsides.
02
The Yellowstone River: Rafting these rapids means navigating the longest free-flowing river in North America.
03
Cowboy songs and stories: 'Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam' just sounds better whether you're sitting tall in the saddle or getting cozy by a crackling fire.
Pick-up in Bozeman. Take a short hike through timber and meadows along Hyalite Creek to Grotto Falls. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch upon return from your adventure. Shuttle up Gallatin Canyon to our zip base and gear up for a zip line tour across the Gallatin River. Tonight’s dinner is at the 320 Steakhouse and Saloon.
About the 320 Guest Ranch
In the west, life has certainly gotten easier than it was in the early days, even at a Montana guest ranch. But some of the things that mattered most back then are still important today; like delicious, hearty meals, and the 320’s friendly, laid-back attitude.
Experience a 110-year-old homestead – reshaped into a Montana guest ranch. Relive the early western atmosphere and down-home hospitality – all in one big beautiful, historic property. The 320 Ranch offers exceptional cowboy comfort just south of Big Sky Ski Resort, where the pristine Gallatin River winds through sage and towering pines, and mountains rise up against crystal blue skies.
Embark on an all-day hike amid the Spanish Peaks to Beehive Basin with sweeping views of the Madison and Gallatin Ranges, including Big Sky’s Lone Mountain (an alternate hike may be arranged on early season departures, depending on trail conditions). Lunch trailside by the shore of an alpine lake. Continue your trek through wildflower meadows, glacial streams, and the distinctive crags of Beehive Peak. Enjoy a night on your own with a shuttle to Big Sky by your guides or choose to stay back at the ranch.
Yellowstone National Park / Grand Prismatic / Old Faithful / Lake Yellowstone / Canyon
Shuttle to Yellowstone for a hike alongside Midway Geyser Basin to an unforgettable overlook of Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. A short drive away is Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the largest collection of geysers in the world. Take some time to explore this area with your knowledgeable guide before a delicious picnic lunch. Transfer to Canyon, stopping along the way to take an easy hike to Storm Point along Lake Yellowstone’s shoreline. This evening, enjoy dinner at Canyon Lodge.
About Canyon Lodge
Featuring five lodge buildings built in 2016, Canyon Lodge is situated in the center of the park a short distance away from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The rustic accommodations allow for the opportunity to step back from technology and embrace lodging in the country’s oldest national park. Located on-site, you’ll find several restaurant options, a general store, and a visitor center for those looking to explore this sprawling accommodation.
Embark on a backcountry hike along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, ending at a viewpoint of the incredible 308-foot Lower Falls. Shuttle to Gardiner where we enjoy lunch at the historic Roosevelt Arch. Load into rafts for a beautiful and splashy ride down the Yellowstone River. Drive through Paradise Valley to Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa. Dinner tonight at a nearby local spot.
About Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
The perfect location for your Montana getaway. This historic resort is located in the heart of Paradise Valley, just north of Yellowstone National Park, and nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Absaroka Mountain Range. Chico offers an extraordinary variety of accommodations, exceptional dining, outdoor adventures, live entertainment, ultimate relaxation, all with a warm smile and welcoming spirit from their friendly staff.
This rustic-chic inn and day spa boasts mineral hot spring-fed pools, extensive gardens, & soothing spa services. In June of 1999, Chico Hot Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Shuttle to the Flying Diamond Ranch and mount up for a leisurely morning horseback ride high into the Absaroka Mountains. Our picnic lunch spot boasts spectacular mountain views. A short afternoon hike to a backcountry waterfall will set the stage for a perfect evening. Back at Chico, soak in a natural hot spring-fed pool before feasting on a candlelit farewell dinner while the kids are entertained with a pizza party at the Poolside Grill.
Take a morning hike to a nearby trout pond or enjoy a last morning soak in the pool. Return to Bozeman airport and area hotels.
**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather, and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
Please plan on arriving at least one day prior to your trip departure. Day one of your itinerary starts at 7:45 or 8:00 am, depending on your hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Bozeman airport (12:00 pm) or your Bozeman hotel (12:30 pm).
Activities
Hiking:2 to 6 miles per hike, easy to difficult terrain Horseback Riding: Easygoing walking pace, no experience necessary (**250 lb weight limit) Whitewater Rafting: Class I-III rapids, no experience necessary Ziplining: Gear and instruction provided. No experience necessary (**260 lb weight limit)
Discovery: Traverse the property at the 320 Guest Ranch in search of a cleanly imprinted grizzly track in the dried mud. Learn the difference between Yellowstone’s four geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Take a guess at why Yellowstone’s bubbling hot springs come in a wide array of bright colors. Taste your way through an assortment of wild game options, perhaps the elk tenderloin, antelope sausage, or duck breast will be to your liking! Spot all kinds of wildlife ranging from the cute, furry Uinta Ground Squirrel to the massive, shaggy American Bison. Observe the effects of wildfire in a lodgepole pine ecosystem, past, and present. Listen to a rancher’s side of the story as you hear Martin or Jack Davis, fourth-generation cowboys, explain how Yellowstone’s reintroduced wolves have affected their cattle population. Find out why Chico Hot Springs Resort is a favorite celebrity haunt. Discover for yourself this place they call Big Sky Country.
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, Austin Adventures guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners – except one dinner on own your own- refreshments and receptions.
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any other necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags, and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not Included in the Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
One dinner on your own.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Montana Expert
Kasey Austin
As President of Austin Adventures, Kasey Austin can tell you the logistical ins and outs of every single trip. More than that, though, Kasey has lived and breathed most of the company’s featured destinations and will eagerly share her contagious passion for the transformational power of active travel. Kasey grew up in the adventure travel business; she knows the positive, lifelong impact of family travel, a quality that earned her the distinction of being named top family travel guide by Outside Magazine in 2014.
