Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse

Get picked up at Jackson Hole and kick off your Yellowstone hiking adventure with the largest backcountry geyser in Yellowstone: Lone Star Geyser. From Lone Star, we will hike along the Firehole River and over the Continental Divide before arriving at our camp, Shoshone Meadows. After setting up camp, hike without packs to Shoshone Lake, one of the largest wilderness lakes in in the lower 48 states and the backdrop for the Shoshone Geyser Basin. The basin contains an abundance of geysers with bubbling pools, frothing potholes, and mounds spewing fountain-like streams into the air. It’s a truly spectacular sight.

After breakfast, today’s hike begins with a climb to the highest point of the trip, a plateau of lush meadows and thick forests. Enjoy the views then continue on the long but rewarding hike that brings us to the headwaters of the Bechler River and into Bechler Canyon. We will make camp near the river here and explore one of the valley’s most remarkable features - Mr. Bubbles - a series of hot springs fit for royalty. Bring your bathing suit because we’ll have some time to lounge in the hot water while enjoying the peaceful Bechler Canyon and soaking up the beauty of our surroundings.

After breakfast, we’ll hike further downstream and take on two long river crossings which could be as deep as one metre (3 feet). Your expert leader will be on hand to carefully assist the group across each one. Our exciting work fording the river will be rewarded with two grand waterfalls: Colonnade Falls, a two-part waterfall which is the highest on the hike, and beautiful Iris Falls. Camp will be a mere five minute hike from Colonnade Falls if you can’t resist going back to see it again.

Today we’ll hike the lower part of the canyon which is flanked on the south by berry-laden boulder fields, a popular foraging ground for black bears and hikers alike. Once we exit the canyon, we’ll hike through beautiful Bechler Meadows, where moose and bison sightings are common, and make camp near the relaxing hot springs at the base of Dunanda Falls where Boundary Creek flows over a large cliff. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing soak at the end of the day.

After our final breakfast in the backcountry, we will pack up our gear and hike through lush meadows and stands of lodgepole pine until we arrive at the Bechler Ranger Station. From here, we will load up the vehicle and drop everyone back in Jackson Hole.