Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Currently recruiting for the season from May 27th, 2024 to September 28th, 2024.
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).
- Location
- Montana
- Season
- Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Staff size
- 8-10
- Housing
- Employer housing is not available, but resources are provided to help staff find housing in our area.
- Housing details
- Driftwaters RV Resort camping available.
- Family housing available
- No
- Single occupancy housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Some meals / discounts
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Intermittent
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
Current Job Openings
- May 27-31, 2024.
- $75/participant (plus course fees)
- Fees required (for courses provided during guide school and guide shadowing)
- First-year guides must complete YHG Guide School to secure employment
- Employment not guaranteed
- June 1 - September 28, 2024.
- Day Hiking Guides: Day-long interpretive hiking tours in Yellowstone's backcountry and front country: Lamar Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Upper Geyser Basin.
- Safely lead day hiking tours while educating hikers about the unique surroundings (wildlife, history, geology, etc.).
- Five to seven miles of hiking at high elevation.
- 3 to 5 days per week depending on your personal schedule.
- Consecutive days off likely, but not guaranteed during high season.
- Year-end bonus
- Tours begin and end at YHG headquarters near Quake Lake (Cameron, Montana). (Company vehicles and fuel provided.)
- Wilderness First Aid (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Leave No Trace certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Certified Interpretive Guide (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- ServSafe Food Handlers certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Previous guiding experience
- Clean driving record
- Ability to drive mountain roads
- Ability to live remotely
- 21-years-old or older
- Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park flora, fauna, and history
- Mountain travel safety skills
- Morning person
- Good communication in layman terms
- May 27-31, 2024.
- $75/participant (plus course fees)
- Fees required (for courses provided during guide school and guide shadowing)
- First-year guides must complete YHG Guide School to secure employment
- Employment not guaranteed
- June 1 - September 28, 2024.
- Van Tour Guides: Day-long interpretive van tours in Yellowstone National Park
- Lower Loop Active Van Tour (short hikes to hot spots) and Upper Loop Wildlife Van Tour (wildlife viewing with powerful spotting scopes)
- 10-hour days driving and walking
- 3 to 5 days per week depending on your schedule
- Safely lead driving tours of Yellowstone's iconic areas while educating visitors about the unique surroundings (wildlife, history, geology, etc.)
- Consecutive days off likely, but not guaranteed during high season
- Year-end bonus'
- Tours begin and end at YHG headquarters near Quake Lake (Cameron, Montana). (Company vehicles and fuel provided.)
- Wilderness First Aid (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Leave No Trace certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Certified Interpretive Guide (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- ServSafe Food Handlers certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Previous guiding experience
- Clean driving record
- Ability to drive a 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
- Morning person
- Good communication in layman terms
- Loud vocals for all to hear
- May 27-31, 2024.
- $75/participant (plus course fees)
- Fees required (for courses provided during guide school and guide shadowing)
- First-year guides must complete YHG Guide School to secure employment
- Employment not guaranteed
- June 1 - September 28, 2024.
- Kayak Guides: Morning interpretive kayak tours on Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb.
- Safely lead kayak tours while educating paddlers about the unique surroundings (wildlife, history, geology, etc.).
- Six to seven miles of paddling at high elevation.
- 3 to 5 days per week depending on your personal schedule.
- Consecutive days off likely, but not guaranteed during high season.
- Year-end bonus
- Tours begin and end at YHG headquarters near Quake Lake (Cameron, Montana). (Company vehicles and fuel provided.)
- Wilderness First Aid (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Leave No Trace certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- Certified Interpretive Guide (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- ServSafe Food Handlers certificate (Can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)
- ACA certifications (Can be arranged prior to the season start)
- Previous guiding experience
- Clean driving record
- Ability to drive mountain roads
- Ability to drive and back a trailer
- Ability to live remotely
- 21-years-old or older
- Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park flora, fauna, and history
- Mountain travel safety skills
- Morning person
- Good communication in layman terms
- Opening/Closing the Office
- Daily trip prep/cleanup
- Sandwich maker
- Brown Bag lunch prep
- Office cleaning (including, but not limited to, office, kitchen, restroom and gear room)
- Vehicle maintenance (shuttling vehicles to appointments, washing vehicles inside and outside, and other unexpected maintenances)
- Breakfast prep (including snacks and hot drinks)
- Assisting Office Manager on day-to-day operations
- Strong/Hard work ethic
- Ability to be flexible
- ServSafe Food Handlers certificate (Obtained during YHG Guide School)
- Fluent English
- Administrative skills (computer, e-mail)
- Ability to live remotely
- 21-years-old or older
- Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
- Mountain travel knowledge
- Morning person with a great attitude (who always has the coffee going!)
Day Hiking Guide
Yellowstone Hiking Guides is a small local company looking for Day Hiking Guides starting May 2024. Work while exploring Yellowstone National Park! Share your love for the outdoors with visitors from around the world. Commute to the trailhead in Yellowstone National Park for your daily drive.
If you're passionate about outdoor education, we're looking for you!
Guide School
Employment
Qualifications & Skills:
Van Tour Guide
Yellowstone Hiking Guides is a small local company looking for Van Tour Guides starting May 2024. Work while exploring Yellowstone National Park! Share your love for the outdoors with visitors from around the world. Commute to Yellowstone National Park for your daily drive.
If you're passionate about outdoor education, we're looking for you!
Guide School
Employment
Qualifications & Skills:
Kayak Guide
Yellowstone Hiking Guides is a small local company looking for Kayak Guides starting May 2024. Work while exploring Yellowstone National Park! Share your love for the outdoors with visitors from around the world. Commute to the trailhead in Yellowstone National Park for your daily drive.
If you're passionate about outdoor education, we're looking for you!
Guide School
Employment
Qualifications & Skills:
Office Assistant
Yellowstone Hiking Guides is a small local company looking for an Office Assistant to help run our day-to-day operations starting May 27, 2024. Work in our office surrounded by Montana mountains and rivers. If you're looking for fun and rewarding work environment, we're looking for you! Opportunities for guide training.
May 27, 2024 - September 28, 2024
Daily Duties Include:
Qualifications & Skills:
Office located near Cameron, Montana (6 miles from Quake Lake).
Driftwaters RV Resort/Restaurant located next to the office where you can rent a dry spot for the season. Bath house facilities available on-site. Travel trailer or van life. Driftwaters Bar and Bistro located on-site.
Contact Info
- Joshua and Emily Jo Mahan
- mahan@yellowstonehikingguides.com
- 1 (406) 848-1144
- yellowstonehikingguides.com
