Dunanda Falls Llama Trek
Llama Treks
4 Days, 3 Nights 22+ MI / 36 KM
Trip Highlights
This trip is an opportunity to enjoy Yellowstone National Park‘s exceptional backcountry over a long weekend, or as an add-on to a longer vacation. It’s also a fantastic family trip. We meet in Bozeman, MT – itself a world-class destination. From Bozeman, we shuttle to a remote ranger station and hike through classic Yellowstone lodgepole stands and vast meadows. We’ll keep an eye out for wildlife as we hike since this is exceptional wildlife habitat.
The gem and namesake of this trip is Dunanda Falls, a stunning waterfall that spills over a band of moss-covered cliffs in white curtains of froth and mist. Down canyon of the falls are hot spring pools that allow us to soak in wonderful 100 degree water with perfect views of the waterfall.
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Stunning Waterfall
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Hot Springs
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Opportunities to See Wildlife
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Hike with Light Daypack
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Llama Trail Companions
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Vast Meadows & Deep Forests
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Dramatic Night Skies
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Llama Treks -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-8 mi -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
The trails on this trip are well maintained with easy-moderate distances and elevation gains/losses. Depending on where our campsite is, we may have a relatively long hike to get to the falls, but the trail makes for relaxed hiking.
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.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 3.5 hours
Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
On this amazing Yellowstone llama trek, we start off our morning heading south where we will meet up with our llamas and continue on to the remote Bechler Ranger Station Trailhead. We will take time at the trailhead to get packed up and to get you introduced to your llama. Today’s hike takes us through pine forests, vast open meadows, Teton views, and at least one water crossing. We will set up a homey camp next to a cool refreshing creek, and relax over a hearty backcountry dinner.
Day 2
Hiking Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 300 feet
Today is a layover day for hiking up the Boundary Creek watershed for waterfall views and soaking in hot springs. We can travel as far up canyon as the group desires, and regardless will spend substantial time at Dunanda Falls. These falls are special due to a variety of thermal springs and hot pools right in the creek downstream of the waterfall. The view of the falls while sitting in a hot spring next to a rushing mountain river is an amazing experience, and one not soon forgotten. After a wonderful picnic lunch, plenty of time at the falls, and as much hiking as the group desired, we will return to our camp from night one, so we can relax and enjoy another great dinner and relaxing evening.
Day 3
Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
Today we cross Bechler Meadows to our camp at the mouth of the Bechler Canyon. The hike is flat with little shade and contains 1 easy ford of the Bechler River. The water is calm and typically knee to thigh deep. Assuming the skies are clear, we will have great views of the Teton Range to the South. There is the opportunity to fish the Bechler River after we setup camp.
Day 4
Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
Shuttle to Bozeman: 2 hours
We head out today, but will go back via a different trail so as not to retrace all of day one. We spend most of the day in the expansive Bechler meadows, with a chance to enjoy a refreshing swim at one of several river crossings. Today there is an excellent chance to see Sandhill Cranes and the possibility of elk, wolves or moose.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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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 Bozeman, MT
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All permits, permit fees, and park entry fees
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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
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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
Delicious Backcountry cuisine
Meals from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day are included with your reservation and prepared by your guide. We don’t use pre-made backpacking meals, but instead, the guides build meals from a combination of trail friendly foods including packaged and fresh ingredients for delicious and hearty backcountry meals.
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?
You will meet your guide at 5:00 pm the evening before your trip at the Best Western GranTree in Bozeman for a pre-trip orientation.
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 Bozeman, MT.
Bozeman has a regional airport and is easily accessed by several airlines.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Bozeman, MT 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
We will pick you up at 6:00 am on the morning of Day 1 at the Best Western GranTree in Bozeman for transportation to the trailhead.
We will return to Bozeman around 7:00 pm on the final day. This time is not guaranteed as a variety of circumstances can influence our return time.
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.
Reviews
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Ryan D
25 days ago5 stars all around
Dunanda Falls did not disappoint. The llamas could not have been more adorable. Connie and Connor were so knowledgable, supportive and made the trip an experience of a lifetime. The meadows, the falls, the hot springs, the food.....all 5 star ratings! Would absolutely recommend this trip!
Joel F
25 days agoa lot of fun
This was a lot of fun. The location was beautiful, the guides were amazing, and Dunanda Falls was spectacular. The trip was well run.
Anne T
25 days agoa trip for a variety of ages
The Dunanda Falls trip highlights the southwest corner of Yellowstone, allowing hikers of many ages and abilities to see the beauty of the falls and the sights of open meadows and faraway mountains. I loved our group leaders and how they imparted their love of Yellowstone.
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