Yellowstone Guides in Yellowstone National Park
Our expert team safely leads tours in Yellowstone National Park. We offer Day Hikes, Active Van Tours, Kayaking Tours and Backpacking Tours.
Based near Quake Lake, Montana (West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park).
About Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads day tours and backpacking trips to Yellowstone National Park's iconic sites.
Day Hikes:
- Lamar Valley Safari Hike: hike amongst herds of bison and pronghorn, while watching for wolves and grizzly, in the Serengeti of North America.
- Grand Canyon Rim Hike: hike past Yellowstone's famous Upper and Lower Falls along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Also hike endless pines, passing lakes and thermal features.
- Upper Geyser Basin Hike: hike to the famous Old Faithful Geyser, while catching other eruptions along the way. Also spot bison and elk.
Van Tours:
- Upper Loop Van Tour: See rare Yellowstone wildlife and hot springs on this tour from West Yellowstone to the Lamar Valley. Featuring Dunraven Pass, the Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Lower Loop Active Van Tour: See hot springs and waterfalls on this tour from West Yellowstone. Featuring the Grand Prismatic Overlook Hike, Old Faithful Geyser, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artist Point.
Yellowstone Lake Kayak Tour:
- Paddle to West Thumb Geyser Basin while spotting wildlife along the lakeshore. Morning tours.
Yellowstone Backpacking Trips:
- Day tour guides can work their way up the ladder to lead backpacking trips (trust and experience requires one year of training/shadowing).
Yellowstone Hiking Guides is authorized by the National Park Service to provide active tours in Yellowstone National Park.
The Employee Experience
Exploring National Parks is exciting. But exploring the World's First National Park is hard to beat!
Watch the seasons change as Yellowstone comes alive. Springtime brings babies and blue skies. During the summer months, watch bison rutting and wildflowers blooming. Fall turns the landscape from green to golden, and the animals are preparing for the long winter ahead. Observe Yellowstone's life cycles as the seasons merge at Yellowstone Hiking Guides headquarters 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park's West Entrance.
At Yellowstone Hiking Guides, we teach others to love Yellowstone National Park. We have been entrusted by the National Park Service to 'extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation' with visitors from around the world. We believe if we can help someone love Our Park (Yellowstone), then they can go home and love Their Park (wherever in the world that may be).
Yellowstone National Park set the standard for conservation 150 years ago. We are the lucky few who get to explore this rich ecosystem on a daily basis. We help folks understand Yellowstone National Park's unique characteristics on an in-depth level. We explain Yellowstone's rare flora and fauna, as well as volcanic geography and human history, while having fun! We are stewards of this natural resource, and we help folks understand the wild lands they have chosen to visit...while having fun!
Yellowstone's pristine environment is breathtaking and magical. Live, work and play in one of the most intact ecosystems in the world. Become part of the environment in one of the wildest places left on earth. A season spent in Yellowstone National Park can be life changing. If you're passionate about outdoor education and natural environments, we're looking for you!
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidates for hiking/kayaking/van tour guides have the following qualifications:
- Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFA can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Leave No Trace certificate (can be obtained during YHG Guide School)
- Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School)
- Previous guiding experience
- Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)
- Ability to hike at high elevation (3-5 days/week, depending on your schedule)
- Clean driving record
- Ability to drive 15 passenger van fully loaded on mountain roads
- Ability to live remotely
- 21-years-old or older
- Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park flora, fauna, and history
- Mountain travel safety skills (weather, water, etc.)
- Morning person
- Dazzling personality; able to talk to and entertain people from all walks of life
- Ability to communicate in layman terms
*If you don't have all of these qualifications, please let us know why you feel you are an ideal candidate anyway.
*You are welcome to join YHG Guide School to obtain a Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace and Certified Interpretive Guide if you desire (fees required for WFA and Guide School)
Room and Board
Driftwaters RV Resort is located next to Yellowstone Hiking Guides headquarters (a 2-minute walk)
We are a small business. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide housing at this time. But, the Driftwaters RV Resort has great options for our employees! Dry camping spaces and travel trailer hookups are available. A shower/bath house is available.
Driftwood Bar and Bistro restaurant onsite. Brown bag lunches and breakfast snacks are provided on workdays.
Employee Perks
- On-the-clock commute through Yellowstone National Park (and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem)
- Days off to explore the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (30 minutes from Yellowstone's West Entrance, 1.5 hours from Bozeman, 2.5 hours from Teton National Park)
- Pro deals at reputable Outdoor Companies like Cascade Designs, Thermoflask, Osprey Packs, etc.
- Live, Work and Play in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Getting Here and Getting Around
Driftwaters RV Resort is a two-minute walk from Yellowstone Hiking Guides office. Company vehicles and fuel are provided for workdays. (Small vehicles for day hiking commute, 15 passenger Ford Transit van for van tour commute, truck or van for kayak tour commute.)
There is NO public transportation in or near Yellowstone National Park. Working at Yellowstone Hiking Guides requires you to have your own reliable vehicle for your free time. Grocery and essential stores are located 30 minutes (West Yellowstone, Montana) to 1.5 hours (Bozeman, Montana) away from the office. You are not permitted to use Yellowstone Hiking Guides vehicles for your personal free time or running errands.
For Fun
Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of outdoor activities depending on your interests. As the world's first National Park, Yellowstone is pristine and largely untouched. Exploring these natural wonders in unparalleled.
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Hot Springing
- Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing (Madison River, Yellowstone River, Gallatin River, Yellowstone National Park, Snake River, etc.)
- Top ranked 3 dollar bridge fishing access (1 mile from the YHG office!)
- Top wilderness trailhead (1 mile from the YHG office!)
- Horse Riding
- Rafting/Kayaking on world class whitewater
- Lake paddling on unique lakes (Quake Lake, Red Rocks Lakes, Cliff Lake, Wade Lake)
- Park Hopping (National and State Parks, wildlife refuges)
- Live music: Old Saloon, Chico Hot Springs, Bozeman Hot Springs, Norris Hot Springs, Cowboy Bar (Jackson), Jackson Hole Rendezvous Fest, Music on Main (Big Sky), Targhee Bluegrass Fest
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to mahan@yellowstonehikingguides.com.
Contact Info
- Joshua and Emily Jo Mahan
- mahan@yellowstonehikingguides.com
- 1 (406) 848-1144
- yellowstonehikingguides.com
