3 Days with Montana Whitewater

Let Montana Whitewater and other local businesses round out your travels in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Leave Yellowstone Park at the North Entrance into the gateway town of Gardiner and let the adventure begin!  

Day 1: Gardiner, MT  Hotsprings • Horseback • Zipline

Enjoy a nice, easy morning with a delicious breakfast at the Tumbleweed Bookstore & Cafe, followed by a soak in the Boiling River, just a short drive away. Around 11:00am, head to the beautiful Stermitz Ranch for a home-style BBQ and then embark on a 2 hour horseback ride through 1700 acres of sagebrush fields, juniper forests, and amazing views of the iconic Electric Peak.

Before your next adventure, you’ll have time to grab a snack from a local shop in downtown Gardiner. At 3:15pm, you’ll meet at Montana Whitewater’s local office to gear up for your Yellowstone Zipline EcoTour. Your guides will shuttle you to our zipline course, offering zipline how-to’s and interesting facts about the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem that you will be soaring through. Three 1000ft zips offer expansive views of the remote mountain property and two adventure sky bridges allow you to watch for wildlife and listen to the mountain stream.

You’ll arrive back at our office around 5:30 with wind-blown hair, a vast knowledge of the Yellowstone area and a big smile. From here you have a few options:

• Stay in Gardiner! Have a lovely dinner at Iron Horse Bar & Grill and maybe even another soak at Yellowstone Hot Springs, before checking into Yellowstone Riverside Cottages for a relaxing evening. Receive a 10% discount on your Montana Whitewater adventure by letting us know you have a reservation at Riverside!
• Stay at Chico Hot Springs! Offering options from historic boutique hotel rooms, to luxury cabins, and a bar and grill to fine dining, Chico is the perfect family-friendly stop. Indulge in this little piece of paradise with a mineral springs soak, Indulge in this little piece of paradise with a mineral springs  soak, spa packages, live music, local gardens and lots of outdoor activities.
• Drive to Bozeman! Take a beautiful drive up Paradise Valley to arrive in Bozeman just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset. Grab a bite at Montana Ale Works, or Dave’s Sushi, before resting your head at the Lark Hotel.

Day 2: Bozeman, MT  Coffee •Tubing • Beers

Start your day in downtown Bozeman at Treeline Coffee Roasters, recently voted Best Coffee in Montana, offering breakfast and beverage options for the whole family. Grab some snacks & drinks and head over to Madison River Tubing for a day of fun in the sun, floating the Madison River! We’ll take care of the driving, the tubes or standup paddleboards and even offer floating coolers so you can just relax. We also offer raft, inflatable kayak, tube, and stand-up paddleboard rentals if you prefer to create your own adventure. Rent a stand-up paddleboard and take it for a spin on Hyalite Reservoir, a local recreation area surrounded by stunning mountain views, hiking trails and picnic areas.

After your time on the water, embark on a local hike right near town like Pete’s Hill or the M Trail. Or escape the sun for a bit and explore the Museum of the Rockies; be sure to check out the planetarium and their rotating exhibit. Finish your day with some slow paced shopping on Bozeman’s historic Main Street and a cocktail hour or dinner at one of the vibrant downtown restaurants.  Some other options are a visit to 406 Brewing for a family-friendly atmosphere, local art, craft beer, and great pizza! If you’re looking to get into more water, dive into the Bozeman Hot Springs for a soak in their hot and cold pools, both indoor and out!

Day 3: Gallatin/Big Sky Whitewater Rafting • Fishing

Hit the road for a quick 30-minute drive up the beautiful Gallatin Canyon to Montana Whitewater’s Outpost, for an exciting day of Whitewater Rafting. Grab a cup of coffee and then meet your guide to get outfitted with your complimentary splash gear, wetsuit, and booties. You’ll also be given a personal flotation device (PFD), paddles, and helmets before shuttling to the river put-in. We have different sections of the river, suitable for all skill levels, ranging from families and first-timers to all-out thrill seekers. We offer a variety of trips to choose from including half day, full day and even overnight adventures!

Round out your day with a relaxing guided fly fishing trip on one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana! Whether you’re looking to learn about the sport, or are a seasoned fly fisherman, we’ve got something for you! In our Learn to Fly Fish Lesson, a guide will teach you about selecting flies, fish and their habitat and reading water, while also helping you familiarize with the fishing gear. As the Gallatin does not allow boats, after a few practice casts, your guide will walk and wade with you to gain access to all of the River’s sweet spots!

Cap off your experience with Montana Whitewater by booking one of our AirBnB locations, just feet from the shores of the Gallatin River. You could also head to Big Sky to hike Beehive Basin or grab a beer at Beehive Basin Brewery and see a live concert in the Big Sky meadow. Finally, book a room at the Rainbow Ranch for a peaceful night of stargazing and reminiscing about your unforgettable Montana adventures!

Thanks for following Montana Whitewater on this whirlwind tour of this amazing area. Our reservationists are local experts on our activities, as well as the surrounding area and businesses. Give us a call today and we will help customize your vacation.