Stock Use
Exploring the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park offers a true wilderness experience. The park encompasses 2.2 million acres, within it lies a domain of free roaming wildlife, untracked by humans and largely unpatrolled. For the amount of folks traveling through the park in a given summer season, around 3 million, there is only a small percentage that experience the backcountry of this great protected land.
For the adventurous type, a mutli-day excursion into the backcountry by foot requires planning and solid preparation. Yellowstone can be a harsh environment under certain conditions, especially with inclimate weather, along with the hazards that come with a wildlife encounter, a bear encounter more specifically. But the rewards of a backcountry trip are grand. The remoteness of the wilderness empowers most of us, connecting us to our roots of nature and mother earth. Memories of a wilderness experience seem to be ones that are never forgotten, whether good or bad, the experience enriches us.
A multi-day hiking adventure into the backcountry of Yellowstone is not for everyone. There are many that are not physically or mentally capable for an overnight excursion into the wilderness. Most children and elderly would not be inclined to set out on a 20 plus mile hike, so it is nice to have alternatives for everyone to experience the backcountry. The use of horses, mules, burros, and llamas present means of travel into the remote land of Yellowstone. There are regulations and guidelines for stock use and are installed to preserve the Yellowstone backcountry and enhance visitor's wilderness experience.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Yellowstone's reservations agency, offers horse rides of one and two hours in length, available at Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt, and Canyon. Children must be at least 8 years old and be accompanied by a person 16 years or older. There are weight limits to 250 pounds, and only one rider per horse. This is a great way to experience Yellowstone if traveling with a family and if you are looking for a little western flavor. From Roosevelt Lodge, horse back rides and horse-drawn wagons take folks to a remote site for a delicious evening steak cookout dinner. Advance reservations are recommended.
Guided stock use trips into the backcountry can be arranged with one of the licensed outfitters to operate in Yellowstone National Park. These certified stock outfitters are experienced. The guides, wrangles, and/or cooks know the country, enjoy their work, and offer their knowledge on the ecology, biology, and geology of the area. Days are often spent exploring remote areas off the beaten track, areas seldom visited.
Private stock use is also permitted in Yellowstone National Park. Overnight stock use is not permitted prior to July 1, due to trail conditions and to the range readiness. Horses are not allowed in frontcountry campgrounds, but are permitted in certain backcountry campsites. Yellowstone has a designated backcountry campsite system where permits are required for some day hikes and all overnight trips. Backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance, although permits must be obtained in person at a ranger station no more than 48 hours before your camping date. For more information on planning a backcountry trip with stock use call the Backcountry Office at 307-344-2160.
