Yellowstone: Into the Geysers

Trip Name
Yellowstone: Into the Geysers

Who It's For
High school students (completing grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 15 – June 28, 2026
Session 3: July 19 – August 1, 2026

Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming

Trip Length
14 Days

Tuition
$5,495

This is the plan, but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Arrival & Camp Setup
Fly into Bozeman, meet your group and leaders, and travel into Yellowstone. Get to know each other and settle into camp.

Day 2: Group Orientation & LNT Workshop
Spend the day adjusting to life in Yellowstone. We learn backcountry basics, and do a Leave No Trace (LNT) Workshop. In the evening we play games, and continue getting to know each other.

Day 3: Explore the Grand Loop
Discover Yellowstone’s iconic geysers, hot springs, and waterfalls along the park’s famous loop road.

Day 4: Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake
Paddle the country’s largest high-elevation lake. Learn new skills, explore scenic coves, and take in the breathtaking surroundings.

Days 5 and 6: Grand Tetons National Park
We travel south to Grand Teton, surrounded by towering peaks and pristine lakes. We spend the next two days here, exploring the second National Park of our trip!

Day 7: Wildlife Viewing in Lamar Valley
Back in Yellowstone, we head into “America’s Serengeti” to spot bison, elk, and maybe even wolves or bears.

Days 8 and 9: Service Projects
Over the next two days we give back to the park through hands-on conservation projects to help protect Yellowstone’s landscapes and wildlife.

Day 10: Whitewater Rafting
Tackle the class I–III rapids of the Yellowstone River with guidance from professional guides. An exciting adventure day, and tons of fun!

Day 11: Hike Mt. Washburn
We summit Mt. Washburn for sweeping park views, and to find the perfect place to take a moment to reflect on our adventure so far.

Day 12: Rock Climbing at Red Cliff
We spend the day rock climbing on outdoor routes near West Yellowstone. Learn to belay, develop your technical skills, and support your friends.

Day 13: Hiking, Reflection & Trip Wrap Up
We take on a final hike and spend time reflecting as a group. We celebrate our journey around the campfire, and with our traditional RLT banquet.

Day 14: Departure
Break down camp and head back to Bozeman for your flight home.

We’ll be tent camping in and around Yellowstone National Park for the full two weeks.

Group Tents: Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), divided by gender.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites are simple but family friendly. There are rustic bathrooms at each campsite we stay at, and we typically have short showers every 3-4 days to rinse off and freshen up..

Setup & Breakdown: The group sets up camp, cooks meals, and keeps things clean. Everyone pitches in.

What to Expect: Sleeping outdoors, cooking under the trees, and falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

All meals are prepared together at camp.

Cook Crew: Small groups rotate through planning, prepping, cooking, and cleaning.

Simple + Fresh: Think oatmeal, pasta, stir-fry, burrito bowls, pancakes etc. Delicious, easy-to-make meals for outdoor living.

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.).

Snacks + Hydration: Frequent snack breaks and plenty of water, especially during hikes and active days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Bozeman, Montana (BZN).
Do not book flights until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
After enrollment, you’ll access your RLT portal with required forms:

Health history and medical forms

Participant agreement and waiver

Emergency contact info
All forms must be submitted before the trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s appointment needed unless your teen has a new or complex medical condition.
We review all forms to ensure we’re prepared.

Medications
List all prescription and over-the-counter medications in your medical form. Trip leaders manage and dispense them as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct before departure. This helps ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Trip Insurance
Not required for domestic trips but encouraged. You’re welcome to use any provider. For recommendations, visit our FAQ or reach out.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Passport
Not needed for this program.

Device-Free Philosophy
Phones and electronics are collected on Day 1 and returned at the end.

Why?
Unplugging helps teens:

• Be present in nature

• Build stronger relationships

• Gain independence and confidence

Cameras Welcome
Bring a digital camera or GoPro, anything without internet. Leaders also share photos in an online gallery after the trip.

Communication
Families receive updates throughout the program. For emergencies, our on-call team is available 24/7.