Things to do / Travel Guide
Aching to feel the thrill and sense of adventure that guided those early explorers of Greater Yellowstone? The region hosts a number of modern adventure activities that will have you flying, floating, gliding, and riding your way through Yellowstone – adventures that would get even Lewis and Clark jealous.
Hot Air Balloon Rides over Jackson, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park
Floating over some of the most majestic scenery of the United States is an excellent way to spend a Yellowstone vacation, and hot air balloon rides certainly provide the opportunity. At least two companies provide hour-long flights. One departs from Jackson Hole and flies over private land in the area. The other leaves from Jackson, floating alongside the mountains to Teton Valley, Idaho, for some breathtaking views of the Tetons, Swan Valley, and the Targhee National Forest. Flights departing from Jackson Hole offer views from 1,500 to 4,000 feet of the Teton Mountain Range that rise from the launch site, all of Jackson Hole and seven mountain ranges, including the Yellowstone Plateau. From late May through September, flights are available in the early morning hours.
Skydiving in Montana
After one minute of freefalling from up to 13,000 feet in the air, you'll never look at Yellowstone – or likely the world – the same way again. The season for jumping is from early April until late October, but several companies offer opportunities to dive all year round. Reservations are recommended, and instruction is only given to those 18 or older. For the popular tandem freefall, minimal instruction is needed since you will be clutching an experienced diver on the way down. After about only 45 minutes of practice and preparation, you'll be flying 9,000 feet above the ground.
Every summer, the Lost Prairie Gathering brings together the largest number of skydivers in the northwestern United States; 400 to 500 jumpers flock to Marion, Montana for the week-long event in late July sponsored by Skydive Lost Prairie.
Wildlife Safari Tours in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park
One of the Yellowstone area's greatest assets is its wide variety of wildlife. While you'll likely see some crawling creatures and massive mammals just by driving the region's highways and back roads, safari-style tours will get you really close to the action. They also improve your likelihood to spot some of the region's most famous tenants – the grizzly bear and wolf. Year-round guide services are available for individuals and groups using custom vehicles and boats equipped especially for wildlife observation. Depending on the time of year, safaris can focus on spotting a specific animal, and will get the animal adventurer in you in full gear. Expeditions are available throughout Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton and Jackson Hole, as well as in the other wildlife areas and parks in the surrounding areas.
Jeep and ATV Tours in the Beartooth Mountains
When it comes to traveling off-the-beaten-track, there is nothing like an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) to provide full access to those hard-to-reach locations. Four-wheel drive vehicles can take visitors where normal vehicles can't, with access to miles of roads and trails offering views of abundant wildlife and breathtaking scenery. The thrill of riding those rocky roads is just an added bonus. The Gallatin National Forest and the Beartooth Mountains southwest of Absarokee host riding options, and hourly, 1/2 day, or full day rentals from specialty adventure and ATV companies are available.
Paragliding Above Yellowstone and Jackson Hole
You can fall, float, and dive in the skies above the Yellowstone area, but the aviation adventures don't stop there. Gliding is one of the most peaceful and exhilarating ways to get a birds-eye view of the region, and the ample time in the sky will give you the chance to check out the surrounding scenery. Paragliders are typically launched from grassy, gentle hillsides after spending only 5 to 10 minutes to set up their equipment, which consists of one of the simplest flying contraptions around. Gliders have no motor or moving parts – just a body and wing. After a 10-20 feet run, participating pilots are flying high in the sky – and can stay afloat for hours and fly hundreds of miles depending on their maneuvers. Several full service flight schools offer instruction, equipment rental and sales, and paragliding guide services so that anyone can experience the panoramic views of the region, no mater their level of experience. Services are available across southwest Montana including the Bridger Mountain range and Paradise Valley. Paragliding from atop Rendezvous Mountain in Jackson Hole is an activity highlight.
Bungee Jumping at Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is generally known for its natural assets; but there is very little that is natural about this next adventure activity. Jump 160 feet to the ground only to bounce back like a rubber band in one of the most scenic spots in the United States. Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park is the site of a 160-foot jump that attracts Bungee Clubs and companies from the region, including Over the Edge Bungee, based in nearby Boise, Idaho. For an extremely unique experience, thrill seekers can Heli-Bungee, jumping mid-air out of a helicopter as it hovers 1,200 feet above the ground, attached only by a 500-foot cord.
Adventure Sites in Greater Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Bozeman, Montana
Adventure-Travel
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