Yellowstone Hiking Guides

 

UPDATES: Hiring for 2025!

 

Hiring:

 
 
 

Day Hiking Guide


 

Description:

Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads day-long interpretive hiking tours in Yellowstone's backcountry and frontcountry. YHG explores the Lamar Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the Upper Geyser Basin six days a week, late May through September. 5-7 miles hiking at high elevation, 8-12 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Day Hiking Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to the trailhead in a company vehicle. Meet and greet guests with morning coffee and necessary gear. Hike through Yellowstone's wild lands, eating lunch along the trail. Return to YHG headquarters, clean up and prepare for the next tour.

Skills:

  • Leading guided hiking tours through Yellowstone, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

  • Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.

  • Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries.

  • Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.

  • Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour.

  • Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)

  • Ability to work solo shifts

Qualifications:

  • Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFA can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • Leave No Trace knowledge

  • Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School)

  • Previous guiding experience

  • Clean driving record

  • Ability to live remotely: camp at Driftwaters RV Resort for the season

  • 21-years-old or older

 

Van Tour Guide


 

Description:

Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads day-long interpretive van tours to Yellowstone's most iconic landmarks. Two tours are offered six days a week, late May through September. Lower Loop Active Van Tour to see top sights like Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone Lake, and the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (3 miles hiking along developed trails). Upper Loop Wildlife Van Tour to see Yellowstone's rare wildlife in the Lamar Valley, as well as Mammoth Hot Springs and other unique sights (short hikes to overlooks). 10-12 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Van Tour Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to West Yellowstone, MT in a company vehicle to pick up guests. Meet and greet guests before entering the park's West Entrance. Tour through Yellowstone's wild lands, eating lunch along the way. Return each guest to their lodging, maintain the vehicle, and return to YHG headquarters. Clean up and prepare for the next tour.

Skills:

  • Leading educational van tours through Yellowstone, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

  • Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.

  • Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries.

  • Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.

  • Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour, with up to 12 passengers.

Qualifications:

  • Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFA can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • Leave No Trace knowledge

  • Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School)

  • Previous guiding experience

  • Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)

  • Ability to work solo shifts

  • Clean driving record

  • Ability to live remotely: camp at Driftwaters RV Resort for the season

  • 21-years-old or older

 

Kayak Guide


 

Description:

Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads morning interpretive kayak tours on Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb. YHG explores the West Thumb Geyser Basin from kayaks six days a week, late May through September. 6 miles paddling at high elevation, 8-10 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Kayak Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to the Grant Village Marina in a company vehicle. Meet and greet guests with morning coffee and necessary gear. Paddle to Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin. Eat lunch on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Return to YHG headquarters, clean up and prepare for the next tour.

Skills:

  • Leading guided kayak tours on Yellowstone Lake, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

  • Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.

  • Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries and dangerous situations

  • Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.

  • Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour.

  • Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)

  • Ability to work solo shifts

Qualifications:

  • Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFA can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • ACA Deep Water Training (can be obtained before season begins)

  • Leave No Trace knowledge

  • Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School)

  • Previous guiding experience

  • Clean driving record

  • Ability to live remotely: camp at Driftwaters RV Resort for the season

  • 21-years-old or older

 
 

Additional Information About Yellowstone Hiking Guides

Yellowstone Hiking Guides are local naturalists. Yellowstone Hiking Guides’ mission is to safely lead groups through the rough terrain, weather and wildlife that makes Yellowstone a unique location. Join the YHG team for an epic summer exploring the world's first national park!

The ideal candidates for Yellowstone Hiking Guides have the following qualifications:

  • Wilderness First Aid or Responder (WFA can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • Leave No Trace certificate (can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School for a fee)

  • Previous guiding experience

  • ACA certifications (can be obtained prior to season start for a fee)

  • Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)

  • Ability to work solo shifts

  • Ability to hike at high elevation (3-5 days/week, depending on your schedule)

  • Clean driving record

  • Ability to drive on mountain roads

  • Ability to live remotely

  • 21-years-old or older

  • Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park flora, fauna, and history

  • Mountain travel safety skills (weather, water, etc.)

  • Morning person

  • Dazzling personality; able to talk to and entertain people from all walks of life

  • Ability to communicate in layman terms

*If you don't have all of these qualifications, please let us know why you feel you are an ideal candidate anyway.

First Year Guides must complete YHG Guide School to secure employment (May 26-31, 2025)

YHG Guide School:

$75/participant (plus certification fees for those without credentials)

One week training program prior to employment

3 days in class

  • YHG program

  • Wilderness First Aid

  • Certified Interpretive Guide

  • Leave No Trace

  • Food Handlers training

  • Yellowstone National Park Guide Training Program (NPS)

3 days shadowing a lead guide in Yellowstone National Park