If you’ve ever experienced the thrill of careening through rapids or the rush of hitting that skydive freefall, you’re likely looking for your next heart-thumper. If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a list of the most popular, top-rated adrenaline rush activities destined to become your next bucket list favorites.
FOMO is real, so take a look, make your picks, and get ready for an exhilarating ride!
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is always our top choice for adventure; it’s what we do best. This addictive sport combines teamwork with the rush of navigating rapids, checking out local wildlife, and relishing the surrounding natural beauty.
Rafting is not something you do just once and check off your list. You’re going to want to go again! Another plus: Reputable guides make the experience family-friendly. Your safety is their primary concern, so your adventuring doesn’t have to be a solo mission.
Yellowstone River is a particularly gorgeous location with breathtaking views and abundant wildlife. Also, there are plenty of other thrilling things to do in Yellowstone Park once you get off the river. Wild West Whitewater Rafting is known for delivering heart-pounding excitement, no matter which rafting option you choose: classic half-day, full-day, or overnight rafting.
Heli-Skiing
If you’re longing for the ultimate skiing experience, it might be time to splurge on a helicopter ride to an isolated, pristine mountaintop. Your pilot will take you to a remote spot where your quest for the perfect powder can continue without the crowds. A two-hour drive from Yellowstone will get you to High Mtn Heli, a renowned heli-skiing company.
Backcountry Skiing
If the solitude of heli-skiing sounds wonderful but the price is less appealing, you may want to opt for the backcountry skiing experience. Adventurers glide through remote areas outside the designated ski areas. Ski patrols do not cover these areas, so training, expertise, and safety equipment are essential.
Yellowstone Ski Tours can help you explore the park’s winter wonderland through backcountry skiing. You can bring your gear or pay extra to rent theirs, and they also offer safety training.
Bouldering
Bouldering strips away the paraphernalia of climbing and gets down to the essentials. There are no harnesses or carabiners; just you and the rock. We recommend investing in some climbing shoes and bringing chalk for a dry grip.
Climbers learn problem-solving skills as they maneuver up rock faces and around outcroppings. They rarely go higher than twenty feet and use crash pads outdoors in case of falls. Indoor gyms have soft and spongy floors in case of accidents, and most have climbs for all skill levels, including children.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is an extreme activity that doesn’t have bouldering’s limitations. There are many different kinds, so you’re bound to find a form that appeals to you.
Whether you get into free climbing, work with the newest gear, or partner up to lead and belay in climbing pairs, you’re about to discover the exhilaration of pitting yourself against a seemingly impossible challenge. Climbing is also a great way to build up your physical strength.
If you’re passing through Bozeman on your way to Yellowstone, check out Spire Climbing and Fitness. They’ll get you started with indoor training and have excellent setups for children, beginners, and advanced climbers. They also teach workshops on bouldering.
Canyoneering
If working your way down a chasm sounds more exciting than scaling up a rock face, then canyoneering (also called canyoning) might be the adrenaline rush activity for you! Canyoneers cycle through a variety of physical activities to finish their campaign. Climbing, jumping, swimming, and hiking are all part of this extreme sport.
When canyoneering, take precautions:
- Use a wetsuit if swimming is involved.
- Notify others of your location.
- Be aware of weather conditions.
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is a thrilling adventure that takes climbers up shimmering frozen landscapes like cascading waterfalls turned to ice, towering alpine couloirs (gorges), and even giant icicles. With the help of specialized gear like ice axes, crampons, insulated boots, and sturdy harnesses, climbers ascend these icy marvels with care and precision. It’s a sport that blends strength, skill, and a love for the frozen wild.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping is known for the mighty surge of adrenaline jumpers experience as they dive into the air from a great height. The initial plummet and then whip-like recoil of the elastic causes a brief feeling of freedom and weightlessness, which experts say is great for lowering stress levels.
Skydiving
Thrill-seekers often choose skydiving for the incredible floating sensation they achieve in a state of freefall, rather than the lightning speed of a bungee jump. Skydiving also relieves stress, and participants can use their skills to control their positions, maneuver their descent, and navigate the air.
Proper training and equipment are, of course, absolute musts. Try skydiving and enjoy a flawless moment of freedom!
Paragliding
Who hasn’t always wanted to fly? Paragliding might be the next best thing.
Gliders are lightweight and easy to transport. The “wing” can fold to fit in a carrying case for easy transportation. A sturdy harness keeps you secure, and body shifting and brakes manipulate the trajectory.
Paragliders can remain gracefully airborne for long stretches, soaring across vast distances by riding warm thermals and gentle wind currents that lift them skyward, like a bird in flight. There is no falling sensation, offering a simultaneously exhilarating and peaceful adventure. Bozeman Paragliding offers access to this experience less than two hours from Yellowstone Park.
Cage Diving with Sharks
The ocean is always a source of extreme fun. Shark diving is an unforgettable underwater adventure that delivers a rare opportunity to encounter these majestic apex predators up close in their natural ocean habitat.
The cage gives you a safe place to observe. Sharks will sense you through smell and other factors, but they won’t recognize you as a separate entity from the cage.
Do your research before you book this activity. You want a reputable organization that will ensure your safety but is also committed to shark conservation.
Sand and Volcano Boarding
Volcano surfing (or boarding) is a daring and exhilarating experience, offering a one-of-a-kind thrill as riders descend the slopes of active or dormant volcanoes. In contrast, sandboarding provides a more approachable and laid-back adventure, letting you glide down golden dunes under open skies.
While volcano boarding is high-risk and suited for die-hard thrill-seekers, sandboarding can be enjoyed by adventurers of all levels in stunning landscapes around the world.
Sandboarding lets you hit the dunes with a board, wax, and a good pair of goggles. Volcano boarding requires extensive safety equipment, including special clothing, gloves, goggles, and a board with extra lamination.
Make the Most of Your Yellowstone Experience
Adrenaline junkies know life is full of not-to-be-missed moments that transform the daily grind into unforgettable adventures. Don’t let the rhythm of everyday life delay your dreams; the perfect time to start on your bucket list is now.
If your top choice of an extreme activity is whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River, we can help make that happen. Book your rafting trip adventure now. Your next great story is just around the corner!