School Trips to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
School trips to Yellowstone connect geysers, volcanic rock, and wildlife with the forces that shape the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Choose eight days through Grand Teton and Yellowstone at $4,860 per student, or an eight-day Yellowstone science circuit with a separate quote. Airfare is excluded.
No commitment, and no sales call unless you ask for one.
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- $4,860
- per student · two-park route
- 8 days
- two itineraries
- Custom school trips
- built around your dates, curriculum, and budget
- 1 free teacher spot
- for every 8 paying students
- 321 schools
- have partnered since 2012, each counted once
Compare school trips to Yellowstone
Choose two national parks with a conservation focus, or spend six full field days studying Yellowstone’s wildlife, thermal basins, and lake.
Compare both programs
| Program | Wyoming Wilderness and Conservation | Yellowstone Earth Science and Ecology |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price per student, excluding airfare | $4,860 | $4,860 |
| Overnight bases | Jackson (3), West Yellowstone (2), Gardiner (1), Bozeman (1) | Bozeman (1), Gardiner (2), West Yellowstone (4) |
| Gateways | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) arrival; Bozeman (BZN) departure | Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), round trip |
| Field focus | Jenny Lake and Snake River habitats; Old Faithful, canyon, and Mammoth; conservation | Museum of the Rockies; Lamar and Cooke City; Mammoth, Norris, geysers, canyon, and lake |
| Physical demand | Moderate short walks; long transfer days 4 and 6 | Moderate boardwalks; long coach days for Lamar, canyon, and lake |
Wyoming Wilderness and Conservation
Compare Grand Teton lake and river habitats, Yellowstone geysers and the canyon, then examine how people protect both parks. Three nights in Jackson precede two in West Yellowstone, one in Gardiner, and one in Bozeman.
Choose this program- Jackson3 nights
- West Yellowstone2 nights
- Gardiner1 night
- Bozeman1 night
Your eight-day itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive in Jackson
Meet Program Leaders at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and settle into Jackson. Arrival timing leaves space for rest.
MorningFly to Jackson Hole Airport; flight time is separate from the ground program.AfternoonAirport transfer, hotel check-in, and a short orientation if arrival permits.EveningDinner and an introduction to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.- Route
- Jackson Hole Airport to Jackson.
- Travel
- Airport transfer; allow 30–45 minutes on the road
- Overnight
- Jackson.
- Meals
- Meals required by the arrival or departure timing are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Low effort: airport and hotel walking.
- Day 2
Jenny Lake and the Snake River watershed
Compare the glacial setting of Jenny Lake with the Snake River below Jackson Lake Dam. Sketch where water is stored and where it flows.
MorningStudy Jenny Lake from its visitor plaza and Discovery Trail. Short trail walks require a permitted step-on guide and groups of no more than 14.AfternoonPicnic at Lower Jackson Lake Dam, then compare lake and river habitats from developed viewpoints. The base day includes short walks, not a full lake circuit.EveningUse field notes to explain how snowmelt supplies the watershed.- Route
- Jackson to Jenny Lake and Lower Jackson Lake Dam, then Jackson.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2–3 hours across the day
- Overnight
- Jackson.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: short paved walks with standing breaks; the Jenny Lake Discovery Trail is 0.35 mile.
- Day 3
Oxbow Bend and wildlife movement
Observe the Snake River at Oxbow Bend and consider how roads and fences affect animal movement. Conservation study remains part of the day whether or not a stewardship placement is available.
MorningVisit the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose, then use the paved Oxbow Bend turnout for habitat observations.AfternoonIn Jackson, map a wildlife migration corridor using photographs and a wildlife-friendlier fencing design. A host-approved stewardship project may replace this session when the date, age eligibility, and work plan are accepted.EveningCompare the benefits and limits of habitat protection on a student evidence poster.- Route
- Jackson, Moose, and Oxbow Bend, returning to Jackson.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2–3 hours across the day
- Overnight
- Jackson.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: developed viewpoints and short walks. Any stewardship task needs its own effort and support assessment.
- Day 4
West Thumb and the Continental Divide
Travel north through Grand Teton and Yellowstone’s South Entrance. At West Thumb, investigate how thermal features meet Yellowstone Lake.
MorningDrive north with rest stops; enter Yellowstone through the South Entrance.AfternoonWalk West Thumb Geyser Basin’s boardwalk and study the lake shore. Cross the Continental Divide on Craig Pass, using maps to trace drainage toward the Atlantic and Pacific, then continue to West Yellowstone.EveningDinner and rest after the interpark transfer.- Route
- Jackson through Grand Teton, South Entrance, West Thumb, and Craig Pass to West Yellowstone.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 5–6 hours of driving and delays, plus the boardwalk stop
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel: a full transfer day with a short thermal boardwalk walk.
- Day 5
Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring
Watch for Old Faithful’s eruption, then compare geysers with the hot spring at Grand Prismatic. Students explain how heat, water, and underground passages produce different thermal features.
MorningUse the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center exhibits before Upper Geyser Basin observations; allow time around the posted eruption prediction.AfternoonVisit Midway Geyser Basin to study Grand Prismatic Spring from its boardwalk and connect color zones with heat-loving microbes.EveningPrepare a labeled hydrothermal-system sketch from observations; no thermal-water sampling.- Route
- West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and Midway Geyser Basin, returning through the West Entrance.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2½–3½ hours of driving across the day
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: exposed boardwalk walking and standing; remain on designated paths.
- Day 6
Norris, the canyon, and the northern gateway
Compare acidic thermal features at Norris with the eroded, hydrothermally altered rock of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Travel onward to Gardiner for the final park night.
MorningWalk a short section of Norris Geyser Basin, using published observations to compare temperature and acidity.AfternoonView Upper Falls from its separate viewpoint and Lower Falls from Artist Point. Sketch the Yellowstone River’s erosion of rhyolite, then drive via Norris and Mammoth to Gardiner.EveningDinner and a brief geology journal entry.- Route
- West Yellowstone to Norris, Canyon Village, and Artist Point, then Norris, Mammoth, and Gardiner.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 4–5 hours of driving across the day
- Overnight
- Gardiner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel with moderate walking: short boardwalks and canyon viewpoints; no steep descent to the brink.
- Day 7
Mammoth, park protection, and Bozeman
Study Mammoth Hot Springs’ travertine terraces and the history of park protection at Fort Yellowstone. Leave the park with time to reach Bozeman before the departure day.
MorningUse Albright Visitor Center exhibits and the public Fort Yellowstone walking route to investigate the transition from Army administration to the National Park Service.AfternoonObserve Mammoth’s terraces, then stop at Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner to discuss public access and preservation. Transfer to Bozeman.EveningFinal student presentations connect water, habitat, and conservation across the two parks.- Route
- Gardiner to Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone, back through Roosevelt Arch to Bozeman.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2½–3½ hours of driving and delays
- Overnight
- Bozeman.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: historic-district walking and selected terrace boardwalks; some terrace routes have stairs.
- Day 8
Depart from Bozeman
Finish the ground program with breakfast and a transfer to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN).
MorningPack and check out; airport transfer follows the booked flight time.AfternoonDepart from Bozeman. Airfare and flight time are separate.EveningNo scheduled program after departure.- Route
- Bozeman to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
- Travel
- Airport transfer; allow 30–45 minutes on the road
- Overnight
- No program overnight; depart today.
- Meals
- Meals required by the arrival or departure timing are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Low effort: hotel and airport walking.
Yellowstone Earth Science and Ecology
Follow Yellowstone’s northern wildlife range, thermal basins, canyon, and lake through six full field days. Stay one night in Bozeman, two in Gardiner, and four in West Yellowstone; the lake day includes a long coach journey.
Choose this program- Bozeman1 night
- Gardiner2 nights
- West Yellowstone4 nights
Your eight-day itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive in Bozeman
Meet Program Leaders at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Begin with rest and a map of Yellowstone’s volcanic, river, and wildlife systems.
MorningFly to Bozeman; flight time is separate from the ground program.AfternoonAirport transfer and hotel check-in, with no required museum visit on arrival day.EveningDinner and field-journal setup.- Route
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to Bozeman.
- Travel
- Airport transfer; allow 30–45 minutes on the road
- Overnight
- Bozeman.
- Meals
- Meals required by the arrival or departure timing are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Low effort: airport and hotel walking.
- Day 2
Museum of the Rockies and Roosevelt Arch
Study dinosaur fossils and regional geology at the Museum of the Rockies before traveling to Yellowstone’s northern gateway. At Roosevelt Arch, discuss who national parks serve.
MorningVisit the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman for a reserved school visit. Request a weekday session at least two weeks ahead; docent tours allow 60 minutes per 40 students.AfternoonLunch, then transfer to Gardiner and visit Roosevelt Arch outside the North Entrance.EveningSettle into Gardiner and prepare wildlife observation sheets.- Route
- Bozeman and Museum of the Rockies to Gardiner and Roosevelt Arch.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2–3 hours from Bozeman to Gardiner with a rest stop
- Overnight
- Gardiner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Low effort: museum galleries and a short walk around the arch.
- Day 3
Lamar Valley and Cooke City
Spend the day on Yellowstone’s northern range, using spotting scopes to look for bison, elk, pronghorn, wolves, and grizzly bears. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
MorningLeave Gardiner early for Lamar Valley via Mammoth and Tower Junction; allow 1½–2 hours to the observation area before extended stops.AfternoonContinue through the Northeast Entrance to Cooke City for lunch and a gateway-community discussion, then return through Lamar Valley. Compare evidence for the 1995 wolf reintroduction and trophic cascades with the effects of climate, hunting, and other predators.EveningDinner in Gardiner and an early night.- Route
- Gardiner, Mammoth, Tower Junction, Lamar Valley, and Cooke City, returning along the same northern corridor.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 4–5 hours of driving across the day, plus wildlife stops
- Overnight
- Gardiner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel with low-effort viewing from established pullouts. Stay 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife.
- Day 4
Mammoth terraces, Fort Yellowstone, and Norris
Compare Mammoth’s travertine terraces with Norris Geyser Basin, then move to West Yellowstone for the southern field days. Park history links changing management choices with the features students observe.
MorningExplore Albright Visitor Center and Fort Yellowstone in the Mammoth historic district, where former Army buildings now include park headquarters. Study the public exhibits and outdoor route; administrative offices are not a tour stop.AfternoonObserve Mammoth Hot Springs’ mineral deposits, then drive to Norris for a short boardwalk comparison of hydrothermal chemistry before continuing to West Yellowstone.EveningDinner and a comparison diagram of travertine formation and acidic thermal features.- Route
- Gardiner through Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris, and Madison to West Yellowstone.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2½–3½ hours of driving and delays
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: historic-site walking and thermal boardwalks with slopes or stairs.
- Day 5
Geysers, thermophiles, and living cultural connections
Investigate Old Faithful’s underground plumbing, Grand Prismatic Spring’s color zones, and the four thermal-feature types at Fountain Paint Pot. Observations stay on boardwalks.
MorningStart at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, then observe Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. Visit the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center when its public program is operating to learn from Indigenous presentations about continuing connections to the park.AfternoonWalk Midway Geyser Basin at Grand Prismatic Spring, then Fountain Paint Pot to compare geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Use published measurements to connect thermophiles, temperature, and acidity.EveningField journals explain how water supply, heat, and pressure change the surface feature. If the heritage center is closed, use its published Indigenous perspectives in a teacher-led discussion.- Route
- West Yellowstone to Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, and Fountain Paint Pot.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 2½–3½ hours of driving across the day
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Moderate effort: several exposed boardwalk visits with breaks; no summit overlook hike or thermal sampling.
- Day 6
Canyon erosion and Hayden Valley food webs
Investigate the Yellowstone River at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, then observe Hayden Valley’s grassland and river habitats. Canyon Village provides a meal and rest base during the day.
MorningVisit the Upper Falls viewpoint and Artist Point for separate views of Upper and Lower Falls. Sketch hydrothermally altered rhyolite and explain erosion, canyon widening, and the Yellowstone Caldera.AfternoonAfter lunch in Canyon Village, travel through Hayden Valley for wildlife observations. Compare published river and stream water-quality data with visible habitat features, without entering streams or collecting water.EveningCreate a photo-and-sketch evidence sheet comparing the northern range with Hayden Valley.- Route
- West Yellowstone through Madison and Norris to Canyon Village, Artist Point, and Hayden Valley; return via Canyon and Norris.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 4–5 hours of driving across the day
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel with moderate walking at canyon viewpoints; no steep brink trail is required.
- Day 7
Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, and the Divide
Trace Yellowstone Lake’s freshwater food web and compare native Yellowstone cutthroat trout with invasive lake trout. This is a full lake excursion from West Yellowstone.
MorningDrive via Old Faithful and Craig Pass, crossing the Continental Divide. At West Thumb Geyser Basin, connect thermal geology with the lake and map where its water flows.AfternoonContinue to Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum for its bird specimens and lake-geology map. Observe the lake shore and discuss how fish management affects birds and mammals; return via Hayden Valley, Canyon, and Norris.EveningStudent teams present a linked explanation: volcano, water, habitat, and wildlife.- Route
- West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Craig Pass, West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake, and Fishing Bridge; return through Hayden Valley, Canyon, and Norris.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 5–6 hours of driving and delays, plus field stops
- Overnight
- West Yellowstone.
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel: a full coach excursion with short boardwalk, museum, and lakeshore stops.
- Day 8
Return to Bozeman and depart
Transfer from West Yellowstone to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport for the journey home. Choose a flight that leaves enough time for the road transfer and airport check-in.
MorningBreakfast and check-out, then travel north on US 191 with a rest stop and road buffer.AfternoonDepart from Bozeman after the transfer; no required attraction is attached to the flight day.EveningNo scheduled program after departure.- Route
- West Yellowstone to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport via US 191.
- Travel
- Charter coach; allow 3–4 hours to the airport, plus airline check-in time
- Overnight
- No program overnight; depart today.
- Meals
- Meals required by the arrival or departure timing are included, with drinking water.
- Physical demand
- Long travel: road transfer followed by the separately booked flight.
Rooming and park access
- Rooming
- Students share gender-separated rooms with individual beds; teachers have private rooms.
- Field access
- Confirm walking, sensory, and medical support before booking. Permitted guides and small-group limits determine trail access; a coach entrance pass does not authorize every guided walk.
How much does a school trip to Yellowstone cost?
The eight-day Wyoming Wilderness and Conservation program costs $4,860 per student. The eight-day Yellowstone Earth Science and Ecology circuit is also $4,860 per student.
Program Tuition covers lodging, meals, ground transport, scheduled activities, guides, and entrance fees, with one complimentary teacher place per eight paying students.
$4,860
per student, excluding airfare.
8 days
program length for either itinerary.
Group quote
every school receives its own, built on dates, group size, and route.
| Included | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Travel | Every program night's lodging, all meals and drinking water, airport transfers, coach transport throughout, scheduled activities, guides, and entrance fees. |
| Staff and support | At least two trained Program Leaders, including both a male and a female leader, pre-departure planning, and school documentation. |
| Chaperones | One complimentary Program Tuition place per eight paying students. Chaperone airfare and insurance are separate. |
Not included: Airfare, home-to-airport travel, travel insurance, medical insurance, and personal spending.
| Effect | Factor |
|---|---|
| raises | Peak and holiday weeks; season moves the price most. |
| raises | Shorter trips cost more per day, since fixed costs spread across fewer days. |
| lowers | More students in the group means fixed costs split more ways. |
| raises | Extra chaperones beyond the complimentary place. |
| raises | Upgraded lodging above the standard three-star option. |
When is a revised quote needed?
Adding field days, changing overnight bases, or selecting a separate school field program requires a revised quote. Gateway hotels and in-park lodges have different group-rooming rules.
Payment and cancellation
The school can pay as a group, or families can use monthly installments when enrollment is more than 90 days before departure. Cancellation charges apply under the Group Travel enrollment terms; deposits and ticketed airfare have separate refund conditions.
What do students learn on a Yellowstone school trip?
Students use field notes, published scientific data, and site evidence to explain how Yellowstone’s geology affects water and living systems.
Field ecology
Compare bison, elk, and predator habitats, then investigate native cutthroat trout and invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.
Earth science
Connect hydrothermal systems and thermophiles with the Yellowstone Caldera, altered rhyolite, river erosion, and the Continental Divide.
Conservation and history
Use Fort Yellowstone, Indigenous perspectives, and current wildlife management to examine how people make decisions about public lands.
What makes Rustic Pathways educational trips different?
A Rustic Pathways school trip is one private group on your school's own dates, one bed per student, and an itinerary built to your curriculum.
- 01No mixed groups. Just your school
- 02One student, one bed
- 03Your school picks the dates
- 04Monthly payment plans available
- 05No tipping; scheduled activities are included in Program Tuition
- 06Aligned to your curriculum
How is safety managed on a school trip to Yellowstone?
Program Leaders manage park access, group movement, and emergency planning alongside school chaperones. Across 13 years of published incident data from Rustic Pathways programs worldwide, 87% of reports were GREEN, the minor tier where the group stays intact.
What the team plans for
Thermal boardwalks
Stay on designated paths and keep hands out of thermal water; surfaces beside the boardwalk can be fragile.
Wildlife distance
Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife. Viewing stops use legal pullouts; sightings are not guaranteed.
Long park drives
Allow for wildlife traffic, roadworks, and rest stops; the lake excursion is a full travel day with short field stops.
School visits and guides
Confirm museum school bookings and the guide authorization for each activity. Coach admission alone does not allow all trail walks.
Mountain weather
Plan for cold, sun, and sudden snow. Closures can change the route, and a nearby indoor alternative is not always available.
Controls built into every trip
Written risk plan. A score above 5 requires new controls, reassessment, or cancellation.
Two-Deep Leadership. A single staff member is never alone with students, and at least two trained Program Leaders, including both a male and a female leader, support each School Group Travel trip.
Assessed activity vendors. Every named vendor is reviewed before use, every one to two years, and on site when high risk.
Medical readiness. Dr. William R. Smith has served as Medical Director since 2015.
Is Rustic Pathways the right partner for your school trip to Yellowstone?
Travel as one private group with your teachers and classmates. Choose the eight-day route that fits your science curriculum and available travel window.
Students traveling individually can explore teen travel programs in the United States.
A strong fit
- You have 10 or more students and eight days for the trip.
- Your group wants field science with moderate walking and time on a coach.
- Your school can travel during the parks’ summer road season.
Talk with us first
- A student needs mobility, medical, sensory, mental-health, dietary, or religious support.
- Your group has fewer than 10 students or needs to shorten long driving days.
- You want guided hiking, stewardship, or a specific school program that needs separate acceptance.
Probably not a fit
- You want an individual place on a departure shared with other schools.
- Your group needs to visit the full interior park circuit in winter.
Questions about school trips to Yellowstone
What should schools budget for Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Schools should budget $4,860 per student for the eight-day two-park route; the eight-day Yellowstone science circuit is also $4,860 per student. Airfare, travel insurance, and medical insurance are extra.
Added days, different overnight bases, or a separate school field program require a revised quote.
When is the best time for a school trip to Yellowstone?
The best time for a school trip to Yellowstone is June–September for these road-based trips. Snow and construction can still affect travel, and some visitor centers close before the park roads.
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center have seasonal schedules; check their dates before choosing the science circuit.
Have a question before you ask for a proposal?
Patrick Ziemnik answers Yellowstone school-trip questions with the school travel team.
Send your group size, dates, trip length, and what you want students to learn. I’ll reply within 1 business day and send you options within 48 hours, and no sales call unless you ask for one.
Request your Yellowstone school trip proposal
Start your Yellowstone trip proposal with your travel dates, group size, and learning goals. Receive a reply within 1 business day and customized trip options within 48 hours.
Or reach a person directly: +1 440-975-9691 or groups@rusticpathways.com
Need approval or funding first?
Certificate of insurance, risk management plans, and fundraising templates for families, on request.
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United StatesBrowse all school trip destinations- Rustic Pathways has operated student travel since 1983. Recent industry recognition:
- 2026 GoAbroad Innovation AwardsInnovation in Adventure-Based Programming · Global Adventure Learning Model
- 2025 International Travel AwardsBest Group Tour Operator
- 2024 Skift IDEA AwardsIndustry Innovators – Tour Operators
- 4x WYSETC Best Youth Tour Operator2015, 2017, 2018, 2019
- BBB A+ RatingBetter Business Bureau profile
- NESA Affiliate OrganizationNear East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools
- 2025 World Travel AwardsUnited States’ Leading Tour Operator