Llama Drop Camps in Yellowstone

It’s important to understand that drop camps are very different from guided tours. On a guided tour we plan the itinerary, secure the permits, ensure everyone is prepared with the correct clothing and equipment, provide transportation for the duration of the trip, have at most a 6:1 guest to guide ratio, and lead all aspects of the expedition. With drop camps we are not allowed to help with detailed itinerary planning, securing permits, or providing transportation, which are all national park regulations. The Premier Packing packages include gear, meals and a camp manager, but the camp manager is not a guide, and there will only be 1 for up to 10 guests. The camp managers are not permitted to lead hikes or act as wilderness guides other than ensuring a clean campsite, cooking meals, assisting with bear safety, and of course packing gear in and out.

In short, drop camps are for visitors who are wilderness savvy, who have – or plan to get – their own permits, and who would like to take advantage of the convenience, comfort and other advantages of a pack animal supported adventure.

Per Yellowstone’s drop camp regulations, you are required to secure your own backcountry campsite reservation, pay your national park entrance fee and provide your own transportation to the trailhead.

You can apply for campsites beginning on January 1 for that calendar year, but the Park doesn’t begin issuing permits until April 1.

Most campsites allow for 3 night stays, but some campsites are only 2-night stays.

Here are the steps to help you reserve your campsite in Yellowstone National Park:
Step 1: Decide when you want to go (have back up dates in mind).
Step 2: Build your trip itinerary & choose your campsite (having back up campsites is a good practice). See our drop camp trip suggestions below.
Step 3: Fill out your backcountry permit request. Follow instructions in this link: Click Here
Step 4: Wait to hear back from Yellowstone National Park confirming your backcountry campsite permit.

For more information about Yellowstone’s reservation process for backcountry campsites: Click Here

Most of these campsite and itinerary suggestions are all trips that we have offered or currently offer on our Yellowstone llama treks.

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Fishing Itineraries

HEART LAKE

High quality fishing opportunity. Bring your waders, float tube and plenty of tackle.

Day 1: Depart Heart Lake Trailhead (8N1) to hike 9.2 miles to Beaver Creek Meadow Campsite (8J2) or (8J1).
Day 2: Fish on Heart Lake (great day for a float tube).
Day 3: Angle on the lake or try your hand on Beaver Creek or day hike to the outlet.
Day 4: Depart to exit 9.2 miles to Heart Lake Trailhead (8N1)

SLOUGH CREEK 1ST OR 3RD MEADOWS

This is one of the world’s finest trout fisheries for trophy size fish. If you have a bucket list put this trip on the top of your list. Trek profile below is for the 1st meadows. If you would like to go to the 3rd Meadows please let us know we can build you a custom itinerary.

Day 1: Depart Slough Creek Trailhead (2K5) to hike 5 miles to Lower Slough Creek Campsite (2S1).
Day 2: Angle all day on Slough Creek
Day 3: Angle all day on Slough Creek
Day 4: Depart to exit 5 miles to Slough Creek Trailhead (2K5)

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Hiking and Scenery Itineraries

DAILY CREEK – BLACK BUTTE

This is a must for visitors to Yellowstone National Park. If you are big on peaks and vistas this trip is for you.

Day 1: Depart Daily Creek Trailhead (WK1) on 4.2 miles hike to Black Butte Campsite (WF1)
Day 2: Hike 8-mile day hike to Big Horn Peak.
Day 3: A variety of short hikes for naturalist activities or a you can hike out (3-day trip)
Day 4: Relaxed breakfast and then return Daily Creek Trailhead (WK1)

DUNANDA FALLS

All trails are comfortable and easy. Highlight- waterfall and hot springs. Water shoes are a must each day.

Day:1 Depart Trailhead (9K1) on 6.5 miles hike to Upper Boundary Creek and Dunanda Falls Campsite (9A0). Option of evening walk to Danunda Falls for hot pools soak.
Day 2: Dunanda Falls naturalist day hike including hot pools soak and numerous waterfalls.
Day 3: Early morning hot pool soak. Naturalist interpretive discussion along the way.
Day 4: 6.5 miles return to Bechler Ranger Station Trailhead (9K1).

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Family Itineraries for Kids

GREBE LAKE – WOLF LAKE – CASCADE LAKE

This is a wonderful trip to see wildlife, hike between the lakes, swim and fish. It is a very mild hike and makes for an enjoyable family vacation.

Day 1: Depart Grebe Lake Trailhead (4K3) to hike 3.5 miles to Grebe Lake Campsite (4G4).
Day 2: Day Trip to Observation Peak 12.6 miles round-trip.
Day 3: Angle or day trip to Wolf Lake 4 miles round-trip.
Day 4: Depart to exit 3.5 miles to Grebe Lake Trailhead (4K3).

BLACK CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

This area offers a front row seat to the Yellowstone River. You can also fish, swim, and have the chance to see many different species of wildlife.

Day 1: Depart Blacktail Trailhead (1N5) to hike 4.7 miles to Campsite (1Y7). Afternoon/evening angling.
Day 2 & 3: All day & evening angling on Yellowstone River with option of hike 5 miles @ trip to Knowles Fall.
Day 4: Depart to exit Blacktail Trailhead (1N5)

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Wildlife Viewing Itineraries

LAMAR RIVER

This trip offers great opportunities to see Bison, Pronghorn, Elk and both Black & Grizzly Bears. This trip also has great fishing opportunities.

Day 1: Depart Soda Butte Trailhead (3K1) to hike 3 miles to Lower Cache Creek Campsite (3L1). Afternoon/evening angling or Interpretive walk.
Day 2: All day angling on Lamar River
Day 3: Day Hike to Wahb Spring (Death Gulch).
Day 4: Depart to exit 3 miles to Soda Butte Trailhead (3K1).

In every front country and backcountry campsite location within Yellowstone National Park you are required to follow bear safety and bear food storage protocols. Some campsites have bear boxes but most stock sites do not. As a general rule of thumb, plan on hanging all your food and scented items. We can help with this and usually have enough bear proof containers and/or bear hangs that we can rent these to you.

For more information on:

Hiking in bear country: Click Here
General bear safety in bear country: Click Here
Camping in bear country: Click Here
Reacting to a bear encounter: Click Here
Bear spray: Click Here
Bear management areas in the park: Click Here

Items Available to Rent	Cost
2 person backpack tent	$35/day
3 person backpack tent	$40/day
4 person backpack tent	$45/day
5 person backpack tent	$50/day
8 person Kifaru Tent (floorless)	$75/day
4 person canvas tent	$65/day
wood burning tent stove (Kifaru & Canvas only)	$40/day
0 deg sleeping bag & liner	$20/day
+20 deg sleeping bag & liner	$15/day
ultra light cot	$25/day
backcountry pillow & pillow case	$5/day
camp kitchen (for 6 people)	$55/day
2 person backpack tent	$35/day
cooking stove & propane	$18/day
camp table	$15/day
camp chairs	$5/day
first aid kit	$15/day
satellite Inreach device	$30/day
cooler (28 quart)	$5/day
bear hanging rope & pulley	$5/day
shovel	$/day
kitchen tarp shelter	$10/day

• Drop Camp Agreement
• Acknowledgement of Risks