Top 5 Yellowstone River Scenic Floats: Reviews & Tips
Planning a vacation to Yellowstone and looking for a pretty chill way to experience its natural beauty? Taking a scenic float on the Yellowstone River is really a pretty special way to soak it all in! You get like fantastic views, a super relaxing ride, and maybe even spot some cool wildlife. Yet, with so many trip outfitters, figuring out which float adventure is that just-right fit can be tricky. So, I thought, hey, let’s look at some of the top-rated options to hopefully make the decision a tiny bit simpler for ya. From gentle drifts ideal for families to somewhat longer trips catering to wildlife fans, we’re gonna break down like the top five scenic floats, giving you the lowdown on what makes each of them super special.
What to Expect on a Yellowstone River Float Trip
Before we like jump into the specifics, maybe we should just talk about what to realistically expect, should you choose to give a float trip a go. A “scenic float,” as it turns out, ain’t some white-knuckle rapids situation. The emphasis, that’s absolutely gotta be said, is totally on enjoying the scenery! Trips generally run from two to four hours, depending on who you book with and also the section of the river. The guides usually know a ton, often chatting about local history, pointing out cool rock formations, and keeping an eagle eye out for wildlife, that sort of thing. Be prepared to see, perhaps, bald eagles, osprey, deer, maybe even elk or bison chilling by the water. Most companies will set you up with life jackets, and it’s just really smart to wear sunscreen, bring water, and put on a hat.
#1: Yellowstone River Adventures
Yellowstone River Adventures, it has to be said, operates near Gardiner, Montana, which, you might find, is pretty darn handy if you are heading into the park’s northern entrance. Their scenic float trips are particularly good for families, since they like stick to calmer sections of the river. As I was saying, trips last about three hours, and the guides there, they are often complimented for their information and kindness. The reviews routinely mention like the ease of booking and their apparent commitment to safety, something to keep in mind. Wildlife sightings appear to be fairly frequent around those parts, so keep an eye out!
#2: Flying Pig Adventures
Don’t be fooled by the quirky name! Flying Pig Adventures takes their river trips really very seriously! So, too, are they located near Gardiner, this outfitter presents both rafting and scenic float options. If you’re looking for somewhat of a relaxing trip down the river to gaze at wildlife and picturesque scenery, then, for instance, their scenic float trip is likely the one for you. They also receive high marks for knowledgeable and humorous guides, it’s almost as if that helps to create a memorable experience. Something I really thought was an attractive feature, is that Flying Pig also offers package deals where you are able to pair your float trip with additional Yellowstone park activities. Very convenient, seemingly.
#3: Montana Whitewater
Montana Whitewater might have ‘Whitewater’ in their title, that, arguably, makes people assume they are just doing thrill rides; yet, as a matter of fact, they also, naturally, run awesome scenic floats! They have a few locations, but their Yellowstone outpost just so happens to be in Gardiner again, very close to the park. The float trips there often feature a great mix of chill floating stretches and like small, exciting ripples to keep things engaging, could be the recipe for fun. The boats tend to be super comfy and the views, naturally, spectacular. Anyway, people, so it would seem, rave about their staff too!
#4: Wild West Rafting
Just a hop and a skip away in the Gardiner area, you’ll find Wild West Rafting, really fairly convenient for park visitors, isn’t it? Wild West Rafting is another spot that provides like scenic floats along the Yellowstone River. What people mention all the time, is their guides! Wild West has super engaging and very well-informed guides who seemingly add loads to the experience. If, for example, you love learning about the local ecology and natural history, this option seems, at least at first blush, ideal. They like keep group sizes sort of smaller for what feels like a more personalized trip. And so, there’s that!
#5: Yellowstone Raft Company
Yellowstone Raft Company, like many others, is located right outside the north entrance in Gardiner and really is another wonderful choice. They are like very into customer satisfaction, and apparently their safety standards are high. Their boats appear to be well-maintained, and their guides just always have interesting stuff to talk about during your trip. These float trips seem popular with both small groups and individual travelers, a nice consideration if you’re a solo adventurer, for instance.
Making Your Yellowstone Float Trip the Best It Can Be
To make completely sure you get the most out of a scenic float on the Yellowstone, let me give you what I know as some helpful little tips. First, like book way, way early, mostly in peak season (summer), as things get booked up fast. Give the weather forecast like a good long look, and dress accordingly, so too layering up. The river just always tends to be a bit cooler than the surrounding land. You know, wearing water-resistant clothing may be what helps, specially on a drizzly day. As I was saying, don’t forget sun protection – so, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses. A camera is absolutely essential, yet ensure that your devices are very secure and protected from water damage; after all, accidents are totally able to happen! Should you, anyway, be keen on catching sight of wildlife, think about taking binoculars for a more very up-close viewing experience. Lastly, and clearly of key importance, don’t, absolutely don’t forget to just kick back and be very present. Enjoy those fantastic views!
