When it comes to Yellowstone Country, the magic isn’t limited to the geysers and wildlife. From floating down sun-warmed rivers to trekking through the backcountry with a llama by your side, this vast region offers more than just your typical national park vacation. Here are some of the most unique and immersive ways to explore the region.
Tubing: Relax and Let the River Carry You
Vacation means relaxation, and few things are more effortless than floating down a mellow Montana river with a cooler in tow. Yellowstone Country is home to some of the most scenic float trips in the state, where clear waters wind through canyons, open valleys, and pristine wilderness.
Bozeman Area
Just 30 minutes west of Bozeman, the Madison River boasts the most popular tubing experience in the region. The 6.5-mile stretch from Warm Springs to Black's Ford is known for its warm, calm waters and sunny skies. Madison River Tubing provides full-service trips including tubes, personal flotation devices (PFDs), and shuttles—just show up and float. Prefer to go solo? They also rent and sell tubes and paddleboards.
Livingston Area
The Yellowstone River offers a spectacular float known as the “Bird Float”—an 11-mile route between Grey Owl and Mallard’s Rest, with a shorter option ending at Loch Leven. Rubber Ducky River Rentals in Livingston rents tubes and SUPs and offers shuttle service to make it easy.
Red Lodge Area
Float a mellow 6-mile section of the Yellowstone River from Holmgren Fishing Access to Itch-Kep-Pe Park in Columbus. For gear and info, stop by Absaroka River Adventures in Absarokee.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Glide Over Glassy Waters
If you’re after a bit more balance and a killer core workout, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offers a relaxing but engaging way to explore Yellowstone Country’s lakes, reservoirs, and calm rivers.
Big Sky
At the entrance to Big Sky Resort, Lake Levinsky is a charming 10-acre lake ideal for a relaxed paddle session with a view of Lone Mountain. Rent a board from the on-site marina and enjoy some peaceful water time at the base of Montana’s chicest ski town.
Bozeman Area
Twelve miles south of Bozeman, Hyalite Reservoir beckons paddleboarders with its no-wake policy and jaw-dropping views of the Gallatin Mountains. This 206-acre body of water is perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike. Gear up at Round House Sports in Bozeman.
Livingston & Paradise Valley
In addition to tubing, the Bird Float stretch of the Yellowstone River is also popular with SUP users. For a more serene setting, head to Dailey Lake south of Emigrant, where you can paddle beneath Dome Mountain and the Absarokas. Rubber Ducky River Rentals has you covered for boards and shuttle rides.
Red Lodge Area
South of Roscoe, East Rosebud Lake in the Beartooths offers alpine beauty and calm water ideal for paddling. At Cooney Reservoir, accessible via Cooney State Park, paddleboard rentals are available with stunning views of the Beartooth and Absaroka ranges.
West Yellowstone Area
Just minutes from town, Hebgen Lake provides 6,500 acres of water perfect for exploration. Rent a paddleboard from Kirkwood Marina and launch from Paddlecraft Cove. Stick to the bays, as winds can pick up quickly. Paddleboarding here also puts you near historic Quake Lake, formed by a 1959 earthquake.
Llama Trekking: Hike with a Four-Legged Friend
Want to explore Yellowstone’s remote backcountry without the burden of a heavy pack? Let a llama carry your gear while you soak up the wilderness on a guided trek. Yellowstone Llamas, the park’s first licensed llama outfitter, offers multi-day adventures that blend hiking, wildlife watching, and the novelty of hiking with these gentle creatures. It’s an unforgettable way to access wild terrain without sacrificing comfort.
E-Bike Tours: Go Farther, Effortlessly
Cover more ground and take in the beauty of Yellowstone at your own pace with a guided e-bike tour. Based in Gardiner, Big Sky E-Bike Tours offers adventures that combine the ease of pedal-assisted travel with in-depth local knowledge. E-bikes are permitted on designated roads and routes within Yellowstone National Park, making this a scenic, sustainable, and low-impact way to explore. Whether you’re climbing a gentle mountain grade or cruising along the park’s outer roads, you’ll experience the landscape in a whole new way.
Whether you're floating through golden canyons, paddling across alpine lakes, trekking beside a llama, or cruising quietly on an e-bike, there’s no shortage of extraordinary ways to experience Yellowstone Country. Let the wild beauty of Montana surprise you—with a little help from a paddle, pedal, or pack animal.
