Bunsen Peak Private Hike
Yellowstone National Park
5.0 (12 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Endorsed by Oboz Footwear
- Breathtaking Views of Yellowstone
- Fantastic Peak Ascent
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Abundant Wildlife Habitat
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
Description
This hike is a favorite of Bozeman-based Oboz Footwear employees, as it provides a perfect testing ground for Oboz shoes and boots. That, along with the 360-degree views of wildflowers, towering pinnacles, talus strewn peaks, and the entire Yellowstone ecosystem. The Bunsen Peak day hike always delivers!
From the trailhead located just southwest of historic Fort Yellowstone, we begin scaling up the mountain on steep switchbacks. This formation is actually the eroded remains of an ancient volcano’s cone, but has a well-maintained trail with many photo-worthy break stops. We will soak up incredible northern views of Electric Peak, the Mammoth area, and the Yellowstone River Valley while getting a fantastic work out. Your guide will also offer the opportunity to learn about the geologic and botanical diversity that surrounds us on this trail. We’ll pass budding wildflowers and towering pinnacles while keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife. As we near the 8,527-foot summit, we will feel the air get thinner within our lungs and the trail turn to volcanic talus beneath our feet. The top is sometimes windy, but always breath-taking. Your guide will prepare a delicious picnic lunch while you relax, take photos, and enjoy the horizon. The adjacent valley is over 3,000 feet lower than Bunsen Peak’s summit, making the climax of this 1,300-foot climb even more rewarding. When it’s time to head back down, we’ll have the option of hiking back the way we came (4 total miles) or descending the east side of the mountain along the rim of the spectacular Sheepeater Canyon (6.8 total miles).
Please note: this hike is operated by Wildland Llamas, a separate company from Wildland Trekking, but with shared management and guide teams. Wildland Llamas is a licensed stock outfitter and guide company in Yellowstone National Park.
$190-$550 Per Person
Season: May 15-Sept
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
If done as an out-and-back, the trail is well maintained with ample switchbacks, although the elevation gain of about 1300ft is over 2 miles, making it fairly steep. If done as a loop, the backside of Bunsen can be steep and loose, with much less traffic. Because this is a private tour, you can choose either option, or decide once you’re on the summit.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 8 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
1300 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsRates
- 1 person: $550
- 2 people: $290 per person
- 3 people: $260 per person
- 4-5 people: $215 per person
- 6-7 people: $190 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include gratuity for your guide
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Tour dates reflect general availability. You will select your desired hike during the registration process. The season for this hike is May 15-September.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 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.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone
What's Not Included (Required)
- Lightweight hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Warm wool or fleece top (Spring, Fall)
- Warm hat and gloves (Spring, Fall, Winter)
- Water bottles or bladder (2 liters total capacity)
- Sunhat
What's Not Included (Recommended)
- A cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Sunglasses
- Knee braces (if needed)
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Gratuity for your guide
Food: What To Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
Albright Visitor Center, Mammoth Hot Springs. Your guide will contact you approximately 7 days before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous.
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.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in Yellowstone
Being a Northern mountain environment, Yellowstone is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Yellowstone. On the Spring/Fall Trekking Adventure in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures in Yellowstone:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 70° | 42° |
| July | 80° | 47° |
| August | 78° | 45° |
| September | 68° | 37° |
Trip Reviews
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Mark O.
Hikes We Will Never Forget
We did 3 hikes at Yellowstone with Wildland Trekking. they were the Bunsen Peak, Mystic Falls, and Canyon hikes. We had 2 seperate guides who were amazing, Jennifer and Adrianna. They were so knowledgeable and made our experiences something we will never forget. Our family has a new love for hiking in the nnational Parks. Having a delicious lunch on our excursion was amazing as well. Wildland trekking made planning our trip so easy and were so helpful with making the most of our time in Yellowstone. They also were so helpful in letting us know what we needed to hike safely.
Sandra R.
Great Hiking Experience
Our guide Jennifer was knowledgeable about YNP's history & it's natural resources &landscapes but also experienced in all of enjoying the outdoors & experience, all while being very personable & made sure we had a great hiking experience all the way around.
Angela L.
Gorgeous Hike
It's a gorgeous hike - not technically difficult, but at the high elevation, it was a decent challenge. Jennifer was an excellent guide - she is a lovely and gracious person and shared so much information with us about the trail and Yellowstone. She prepared a beautiful lunch for us at a location with spectacular views. I would love to book another hike with her on future trips to the area.
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