Our overnight rafting trip combines two incredible experiences: a full day of whitewater on the scenic Yellowstone River and a memorable night stargazing and camping on the riverbank, just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Montana’s Paradise Valley.
You don’t need any rafting experience for this trip because the Class II and III rapids are exciting but manageable. And kids as young as four (40lb and up) can come along, which is younger than many other whitewater companies allow.
Camping near the river after a day of rafting lets you slow down and enjoy time together.
My husband and I did the overnight trip and everything exceeded our expectations….After the fun rafting day, the overnight camping was the cherry on top. The campsite was comfortable, clean and relaxing after the long day. Our guide constantly checked to make sure we had everything we needed and made us a delicious dinner and campfire. The next morning waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and delicious breakfast was a great end to an amazing trip.
Overnight Rafting Trip at a Glance
- Price: $400 per adult, $400 per child (ages 4 to 12)
- Distance and time: 18 miles, 24 hours
- Schedule: Check in 9:30 AM, depart 10 AM, return around 10 AM the next day
- Minimum: 40 pounds, typically age 4 and up
- Meals: Three included (riverside lunch, campfire dinner, breakfast)
- Gear: All rafting gear provided, plus a wall tent with cot, pillow, and sleeping bag
A Day-by-Day Look at the Trip
Splashing through rapids on the Yellowstone River.
Day 1: Rafting on the Yellowstone River
Check in at our office at 9:30 AM. We’ll get you geared up, give you a safety briefing, and drive you to the river, which is just minutes away. Your guide is certified in First Aid, CPR, and Swift Water Rescue, and will cover everything you need to know before you get on the water, including how to paddle and what to do if you fall in.
From there it’s 18 miles down the Yellowstone River. You’ll paddle through Class II and III rapids, take in the Absaroka Mountains, and keep an eye out for wildlife like elk, osprey, and bald eagles.
About halfway, you’ll stop on a cottonwood-lined riverbank for a picnic lunch: a fresh turkey or ham sandwich roll, watermelon, chips, and a cookie. Then it’s back in the raft for Yankee Jim Canyon, a deep, narrow stretch where the walls close in and the waves pick up.
At the take-out, it’s a short 10-minute drive to camp.
Day 1: Evening at Camp
You’ll reach camp around 4 PM, and everything is already set up: a campfire going, hot or cold drinks, your dry clothes, and all your gear waiting for you. Dinner is a Montana feast cooked over the fire, with steak, roasted potatoes, asparagus, warm sourdough, and s’mores for dessert. Let us know ahead of time and we’ll accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary needs.
After dinner, the evening is yours. Walk the riverbank, play some games, cast a line if you brought fishing gear (and have a Montana fishing license), or just sit by the fire. As it gets dark, you’ll get some of the best stargazing in Big Sky Country, with no city lights to wash out the sky. When you’re ready to turn in, you’ll sleep in a wall tent with a cot, pillow, and sleeping bag.
“The night sky may have been the highlight of our trip. The stars in Big Sky Country are unforgettable.”
Day 2: Breakfast and Departure
The next morning, wake up to coffee and a country breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Check out is around 10 AM, and we’ll drive you back to our office in Gardiner, where you can view and purchase photos from your trip.
Where You’ll Camp: Tom Miner Basin
Camp is on a private, secluded property in Tom Miner Basin, a few hundred yards from the Yellowstone River, with a tributary creek running through it. You’re not roughing it on the ground. You’ll sleep in a wall tent on a real cot, with a pillow and sleeping bag provided. There’s a clean, maintained portable toilet at camp.
There’s no cell service out here, and that’s the point. The basin is quiet, dark, and far enough from town that the evening is genuinely unplugged: just the creek, the fire, and the stars. It’s the kind of night that’s hard to plan into a Yellowstone trip any other way.
What’s Included and What to Bring
Our team provides everything you need for the river and the night, including:
- All rafting gear: wetsuits, life jackets, water shoes, and splash jackets
- Three meals: riverside lunch, campfire dinner, and breakfast
- A large dry bag for your belongings
- Your tent, cot, pillow, and sleeping bag
- Transportation to the river, on to camp, and back to our office
For a fun, safe, and comfortable trip, pack light. Here’s what you should bring:
- A swimsuit or quick-dry clothes for the river
- Warm layers like fleece or wool for the evening, since Montana nights stay cool even in July
- A hat and sunscreen
- Any non-river clothes or personal items you’d like at camp, which we’ll transport for you
- Your own water shoes or heel-strap sandals, if you’d rather not use ours (optional)
- Fishing gear and a valid Montana fishing license, if you’d like to fish at camp (optional)
When to Go
We run overnight rafting trips on the Yellowstone from May through September. Early in the season (late May–mid June) the river runs high and cold with snowmelt, so you get bigger rapids.
By July and August the water warms up and calms down, which is great for splashing around and jumping in for a swim.
Choose your trip timing based on whether you want exciting rapids (early season) or fun splashes and swim time.
Book Your Overnight Yellowstone Rafting Trip
Pick the overnight if you want to slow down, experience Montana’s great outdoors, camp on the river, and skip the rush to town once the rafting ends.
To check dates and reserve your spot, click below or call us at 406-848-2252.