Bechler Llama Traverse
Llama Treks
5 or 6 Days, 4 or 5 Nights 32+MI / 51+KM
Trip Highlights
The Bechler River Valley Traverse is one of Yellowstone’s most magical and diverse backcountry experiences. This popular llama-supported trek takes us to remote geysers, wild rivers, backcountry hot springs (yes, we can soak!), alpine lakes, and the park’s iconic waterfalls and meadows—far from the crowds. It’s an unforgettable journey through the true wilderness of Yellowstone, offering the rare chance to experience its wonders in peace and solitude. Some departures are operated by Wildland Llamas, a licensed stock outfitter managed by the same experienced team behind Wildland Trekking.
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Shoshone Geyser Basin & Lake
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Amazing Waterfalls
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Riverside Hot Springs
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Llama Trail Companions
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Large Backcountry Geyser
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Stunning Bechler River Canyon
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Abundant Wildlife
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Llama Treks -
Trip Length
5 or 6 Days, 4 or 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-11 mi -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
Overall, this trip is closer to level 3, but the first day makes it level 4 because of a 10.9 mile hike with 1600+ft of elevation gain. On top of the mileage and elevation, we’re limited by time so must hike at a good pace to make it to camp in time to set up. Be prepared to hike hard the first day! In terms of ruggedness, the trail can be steep and loose descending the canyon, with multiple river fords, including one that’s fairly swift.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.*
*Due to the popularity of the Bechler area of Yellowstone, the park does not approve some planned itineraries exactly as they are submitted. Often times there are small itinerary changes, and sometimes a significant itinerary change, which is out of our control. The itinerary above is the most common version we operate, but it’s important to be prepared for variations in difficulty.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 2.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 11 miles
Elevation Gain: 1600 feet
This Yellowstone llama trek starts with pick up from your hotel, after which we’ll depart for the trailhead to get an early start. It’s a beautiful 2.5 -hour drive to our trailhead as we make our way by Teton National Park and through the South Entrance. Once we reach our trailhead, we’ll conduct a llama orientation, get them loaded and hit the trail.
Our trip begins with a bang as we arrive at the largest backcountry geyser in the park: Lonestar Geyser. If we’re lucky we’ll see its 40-foot eruption of scalding water. From Lonestar we follow the Firehole River and cross the Continental Divide and get views of Shoshone Geyser Basin. After a picnic lunch, we will continue on and climb to the high point of the trip, a plateau of lush meadows and thick forests. After enjoying the peacefulness of the area, we will settle in for a much needed night of rest!
Please Note: this first day is a big hike, and we must reach camp in time to set up for the night. For these reasons, we will be getting a very early start and hiking at a good pace. Please be prepared to hike hard the first day. After the first day, the pace and difficulty relaxes considerably.
Day 2
Hiking Distance: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 371 feet
Elevation Loss: 1200 feet
We will have a leisurely morning, enjoying the cool, crisp air while our guide prepares coffee / tea and breakfast. We will discuss the plan for the day, which includes moving camp and dropping into the Bechler Canyon. Packing up our llamas, we have a short hike to our destination and en route one of the highlights of our tour, backcountry hot springs! Time permitting, we’ll make a detour on our hike to a highlight of this area: “Mr. Bubbles,” a series of hot springs fit for royalty. Bring your bathing suit because (again, if time permits) we’ll lounge in the hot water while enjoying the peaceful scenery of Bechler Canyon. We will continue our hike to camp and settle in for the next 2 nights. After another delicious backcountry dinner, enjoying the campfire (weather permitting), we will turn in for a good nights rest!
Day 3
Hiking Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 250 feet
Today is a layover day to soak up the beauty of this amazing canyon, to visit a cascading waterfall and to soak in the Mr Bubbles hot springs some more, or for the first time if we ran out of time on Day 2. We’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast, a wonderful lunch, some great hiking and soaking, a bit of relaxation and finally a feast of a dinner around a roaring campfire. You’ll have time to enjoy a good book, relax, do some exploring on your own, or possibly some fishing if that’s your thing.
Day 4
Hiking Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: minimal
Elevation Loss: 800 feet
Hiking further down canyon we’ll do two longer river crossings which could be as deep as three feet with relatively swift water – your guide will support the group at these crossings. Our exciting fords across the river will be rewarded with two amazing waterfall: Colonnade Falls, a two-part waterfall (the second of which is the highest on this trip), and Iris Falls. We’ll set up camp and enjoy a tasty dinner before settling in for some much deserved sleep.
Day 5
Hiking Distance: 5.7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
Shuttle to Jackson Hole: 2.5 hours
After a final, nearly seven-mile hike through meadows and beautiful stands of lodgepole pine we’ll arrive at the Bechler Ranger Station, which marks the end of our llama trek. We’ll shuttle back to Jackson Hole and say our good-byes.
Dunanda Falls 6-Day Variation:
We can add an extra day to this trip which allows us to visit Dunanda Falls, a stunning waterfall with hot springs close by. It adds another day to the itinerary with a 3-mile hike, and increases the final day’s hike by over a mile. Feel free to ask us about this variation if it interests you.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 5-day or 6-day itinerary, and is confirmed as such in advance. Variation of trip length does not mean guests can choose to leave a trip or early or extend it a day.
Trip Dates
What's Included
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Pack llamas to transport the majority of gear and food
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on llama treks is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your trekking guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel Details
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.
You can fly into:
- Jackson Hole – some hotels and several transportation companies provide airport shuttles.
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 4 and 6 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Reviews
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Heather W
12 months agoHighly recommend this trip
The Bechler Trek was beyond beautiful, with just enough physical challenges that we felt like we earned the fabulous meals that were prepared for us! Backpacking with llamas is now on my list of favorite things to do - we still miss them. Although the llamas, scenery, hiking, hot springs, food and night skies were amazing - it was our guides, Ethan and Josiah, that truly made this a trip of a lifetime. They were not only fun and professional but dang good cooks! Highly recommend this trip
Gina H
12 months agoWonderful Memories
We did the Bechler Llama Traverse and the trip a was amazing. The guides, Oakley & Noah were great and the food they prepared for each meal was wonderful. Everything was well organized and trekking through the Bechler River Valley was stunning. We loved the entertaining llamas who only added to the specialness of the trip.
Randall G
1 year agoSpectacular
Matt and Oakley were awesome. The trip scenery was spectacular. A more thorough description of uphill climbs would have been great. The long uphill climbs were quite difficult for me. Everything else was as expected.
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