Backcountry Horse Packing Trips

Now booking for 2025

The trip of a lifetime.

The Yellowstone region is famous for the pristine ecology it harbors and the massive scale of its wild lands. But, exploring such a primitive, expansive place can be a daunting task.

At Wilderness Trails Outfitters, our passion is opening up opportunity for those seeking a more adventurous experience.

See the parts of Yellowstone Country that few people ever visit. Enjoy solitude and the sounds of nature. Step back in time to explore this pristine region the way it has been for hundreds of years, on horseback! Immerse yourself for a few days or more and we promise you won’t come out the same. Unspoiled nature has a way of melting away the stresses of everyday life and bringing us back to the present.

Enjoy quality time with family and friends, beautiful night skies, abundant wildlife, iconic landscapes, world-class fishing, hot spring soaks, and the simplicity of wilderness living. We’ll take care of the rest.

What you can expect from us

Our friendly, experienced staff is dedicated to making your adventure the trip of a lifetime. On a pack trip with Wilderness Trails, you can expect quality camp meals prepared by our crew in the field. You’ll sleep in comfort in sturdy tents and cozy bedrolls. Gentle, well-trained stock will safely carry your party and gear in and out of the backcountry. You’ll enjoy the companionship of excellent guides who will go above and beyond to ensure that the needs of you and your group are met. We custom tailor all our pack trips to your own special interests.

Whichever trip you choose, your adventure will be unforgettable.

Our animals

Traveling by horseback is a storied tradition of the American West and is an amazing way to experience Yellowstone and the surrounding lands. It brings an element of comfort and amenity that simply isn’t possible without the help of our equine friends.

At Wilderness Trails, we take pride in our stock. We love and care for our animals, and in return they operate at the highest level for us.

Our team of horses and mules is more than capable of handling just about any task. Rider safety is paramount, and we invest a lot of time working with our stock so everyone spending time with them has a happy, healthy experience.

  • Experience Wyoming's Backcountry First Hand!

    Browse our sample trips below and then get in touch - we’ll help you create the perfect trip, customized just for you!

  • This is a great way to dip your toes into horse packing or for those just looking for a casual few days in the backcountry of Yellowstone or the Teton Wilderness.

    Sample Itinerary

    Day 1:

    Ride from Yellowstone’s south boundary along the course of the Snake River for 6 gentle miles. The trail meanders through old growth forest, open meadows, river crossings, and passes some geothermal. This area boasts excellent wildlife habitat and wildlife sightings are common. At the end of the trail lies Snake River Hot Springs, one of the few geothermal features in the park that you can legally soak in. You can enjoy the hot spring, cast a line, or just sit back and relax as your guides unpack the horses and set up camp. As the sun begins to set, come get cozy around the fire as your guides prepare a delicious dinner. Once you’ve heard enough campfire stories and stargazing, retreat to the comfort of your tent and drift off to the sounds of nighttime in Yellowstone.

    Day 2:

    Wake up to the smell of breakfast cooking and enjoy the misty sunrise as you eat next to the fire. This is a common time to catch a glimpse of some of Yellowstone’s charismatic wildlife, the earlier you are up there better the chances of seeing something extraordinary. Day 2 is meant to be a casual day that can be spent relaxing, or out on a riding or hiking excursion exploring more of the surrounding landscape. What you do is up to you! In the evening, your guides will prepare the nights dinner and campfire for your enjoyment. Retire to your tent and rest up for the ride out the next day.

    Day 3:

    Leave the comfort of your tent and join your guides around the warmth of the campfire for breakfast. Have a leisurely morning soaking, fishing, or whatever strikes you. Your guides will use this time to pack up camp and load up the stock. Mid-morning you will climb onto your riding horse and the whole party will begin the 6 mile ride back to the trailhead. Upon arrival your guides will unpack animals and gear, returning personal belongings to their owners.

  • Experience more of what the Greater Yellowstone has to offer! Mountains, wildlife, rivers, geyser basins, a huge lake, forests, a mountain summit, hot spring soaks, and a whole lot more. On a trip of this length, we can traverse and explore 30 miles or more miles of Yellowstone or the Teton Wilderness.

    Sample Itinerary

    Day 1:

    Upon arrival to our guest camp, our staff will receive personal items and pack them onto stock that will be working the trip. Meanwhile your party will get a pre-trip briefing on what lies ahead. Once everything is squared away we will take the short trip by vehicle to the Heart Lake trailhead inside of Yellowstone National Park. Here, we will mount up and embark on the 5 day expedition. The journey begins with a 9 mile ride to the campsite on Heart Lakes northern perimeter. Initially the ride meanders through large stands of lodgepole pine that have regenerated since the historic 1988 wildfires. Your guide will give you an education on fire ecology and fire’s role in nature. At around the half-way mark we will break out of the forest to the first views of Heart Lake, and the surrounding mountains. This is core summer range for the Jackson elk herd. Next, the trail begins to skirt the shoulder of Factory Hill. One of the most unique vistas of the trip unfolds as we travel along Witch Creek and the Heart Lake Geyser Basin. Over the next few miles observe the geothermal curiosities that define Yellowstone. When the trail hits the lake shore, we will head east for a mile and change along the north shore en route to our campsite. Upon arrival to the campsite, your guides will begin to unload the stock and make camp as you take in the scenery and relax. Gather around the campfire for dinner as the sky lights up at sunset. Soon a blanket of stars will cover the sky. After admiring the night sky, retreat to the comfort of your bedroll and tent for a peaceful nights rest.

    Day 2:

    Fill up with breakfast around the fire while you enjoy the sunrise. Today is a stay over day where we will be returning to the same camp after a days excursion. There are many options for excursions with the favorite being the 3.5 mile ascent of the 10,298’ Mt. Sheridan, rising 3000’ off the floor. As one of the most prominent points in southern Yellowstone, the view is nothing short of jaw dropping. This is a strenuous endeavor and isn’t for everyone. Other options include: fishing the world class fishery that is Heart Lake, riding the lake shore looking to take in the views, and spend more time looking at the geyser basin, or simply getting some R&R around camp. What you do is up to you! After the days adventure, you will return to camp and recharge with the nightly routine of campfire, dinner, and sleep.

    Day 3:

    After breakfast, your guides will begin breaking down camp and loading stock for the journey to the next campsite on Basin Creek or the Snake River. The route begins by traveling down the shore of heart lake, providing dynamic perspectives of the surrounding landscape. There may be some river fords on this day, depending on the route taken. On this leg of the journey it is highly unlikely you will see another person. Wildlife is most likely to be seen on this day as well.

    Day 4:

    Another camp move day to Snake River Hot Springs. Everyone appreciates this day, as bodies can be a little achey at this point in the journey. A casual morning and easy ride will have you soaking in the hot springs before you know it. The best part is; this is where the nights camp we be set up, so take all the time you want to enjoy the springs. This section of the Snake also boasts excellent fishing.

    Day 5:

    Savor your last day as you ride back to the trailhead. Extend your trip with a night in our beautiful basecamp!

  • These trips are for those looking for a grand adventure. Recommended for those with some riding experience and a thirst for roughing it, these trips allow us to travel deep into the backcountry and see things only a handful of people experience. The routes vary depending on campsite availability. We follow the basic format of the trips described above, with one or two lay over days between moving days. The routes can be planned either in Yellowstone Park or the Teton Wilderness Area or a combination of the two. Where ever we go, the scenery and wilderness experience are spectacular.

  • Gentle Horses
    Our animals are part of the family. We know and appreciate each of them as individuals and are excited for you to get to know them too!

    Gourmet Meals
    Indulge in fresh ingredients prepared over an open fire. Between breakfast, lunch, snacks, appetizers, and dinner, you won't leave hungry.

    Comfort of Home
    Rest easy in spacious sleeping tents. Our well appointed camps make relaxing easy.

    Expert Crew
    Enjoy the best of backcountry hospitality with our experienced and knowledgeable crew.

    Full catering
    Sit back and let our crew handle the details. From cooking, to camp setup, to horse care and saddling, we've got you covered!

  • Trips start at $750 per person per day. Tips are not included (recommended 20% to be split amongst your crew).

    Each trip requires a 30% nonrefundable deposit. Your full payment is due 30 days before the trip departure and is nonrefundable; our booking platform will automatically charge your credit card on file to complete your payment unless you make separate arrangements with us. We highly encourage all our guests to purchase trip insurance in case of any last minute travel issues.