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A group of people stand on a wooden boardwalk in Montana, observing thick steam rising from a Yellowstone National Park hot spring.
Montana

Yellowstone’s Great Outdoors With Your Grandchild

Program No. 17306RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Gardiner, MT
Program Concludes
Gardiner, MT
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14 ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
Activity Level
From
3,449 /Adult
2,399 /Child
Tie up your hiking boots, hop on horseback and climb into a whitewater raft to explore America’s first national park on foot, horse and water. With your grandchild by your side, take part in hands-on explorations of Yellowstone National Park in streamside habitats and forested mountains. Find out how the plants, animals, bugs, fish, water and weather patterns all work together to create this fascinating ecosystem. Plus, visit Old Faithful — the world’s most famous geyser — to investigate hissing fumaroles, steaming geysers, sulfurous mudpots and bubbling hot springs.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Experience the exciting Class II and Class III rapids of the Yellowstone River on a rafting excursion, and enjoy a picnic lunch along the river.
  • Make trailside discoveries in the high country as you ride horses together, and end the ride with a cowboy cookout.
  • Set up camp along the river as you take in a Montana sunset and sleep under a star-filled night sky.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Learn About Activity Levels
Walking up to three miles on moderate terrain. Horseback riding one hour. Whitewater rafting seven miles on Class II/III waters. Long distances travelled by large motorcoach. Elevations of 5,200-7,700 feet.
General Notes
Program is for grandchildren ages 9-12. For a comparable family adventure for all generations, check out "Yellowstone: A Great Outdoor Adventure With Your Family" (#20977).
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Rick was raised in Wyoming and moved to Montana after college to work for the Bozeman Chronicle. His career includes working as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, web developer and IT Manager. He has a degree in Journalism from the University of Wyoming and a Master’s degree in photography. He lives in Helena with his wife and is an avid bicycle rider and enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, camping, and travel. When he is not Group Leading, Rick enjoys adventuring with Road Scholar as a participant.
Zack Baker attended high school in Livingston, Montana, 52 miles north of Yellowstone. His love for the park started while snowshoeing and observing wildlife. At Montana State University in Bozeman, he earned a B.S. in plant science, but it was Yellowstone’s mammals that grabbed his interest. He led private wildlife watching, hiking, and photography trips, and drove snowcoaches in the winter. He joined up with Road Scholar in 2017 and is now the Program Director for Road Scholar at the University of Montana Western.
Rhiana Peck grew up on the northern edge of Yellowstone Park. She studied and lived in India and Turkey, earning a degree in sociology and anthropology from Earlham College. She relocated back to the northern edge of the park in 2020. Winter finds her driving a snowcoach in Yellowstone’s interior based at Old Faithful, interpreting the landscape for travelers. Summer finds her based in Gardiner. Rhiana is a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) and is a Wilderness First Responder.
Jaclyn McIlwain is a naturalist, educator, and facilitator. She earned her bachelor’s in environmental science from the University of Delaware and spent nearly a decade as a water quality specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Over the years, Jaclyn has worked as a science educator in museums, classrooms, and on public lands. Jaclyn came to Yellowstone in 2019 and has worked as a park ranger and research coordinator with the National Park Service. Jaclyn is also a dedicated yoga and meditation teacher.
Starr van Dalen moved to Montana over 20 years ago after serving in the U.S. Navy and has called it home ever since. When she’s not substitute teaching at the local elementary and middle school, she’s usually on an adventure. Starr is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified and enjoys helping both adults and children safely experience Yellowstone and the surrounding areas. Starr is continually fascinated by the local unique landscapes and wildlife.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking up to three miles on moderate terrain. Horseback riding one hour. Whitewater rafting seven miles on Class II/III waters. Long distances travelled by large motorcoach. Elevations of 5,200-7,700 feet.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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