Bunsen Peak Day Hike
Experience Yellowstone’s Bunsen Peak and discover why this was a favorite place for many early Yellowstone explorers. The hike begins through a forest of regrowth that is still in recovery from the North Fork Fire, the largest of 8 major wildfires that tore through the area during the summer of 1988. Though dramatic, the initial devastation to the landscape had a positive impact and has created a healthier forest by clearing the cluttered forest floor and making room for new growth. Your guide will lead you along a trail lined with fireweed, lupine, and Indian Paintbrush before the hike begins to climb up a steep set of switchbacks leading to the summit. At the summit, you will be rewarded for your efforts with an impressive, panoramic view of the Gallatin Mountain Range, the Yellowstone River Valley, and Swan Lake Flat. From the summit this tour has two options, factors including weather and time will determine whether the hiking tour returns to the trailhead the same way or continues over Bunsen’s 3 small summits to create a loop with additional mileage.
What's Included
Tour Price Includes
- Professional Wilderness First Responder certified guide
- Water and snacks
- Trail lunch spread: includes a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, smoked meats, cheese, hummus, and crackers to best accommodate gluten free and plant-based diets.
- Daypack rental
- Trekking poles rental
- 1:7 guide to hiker ratio
What to Bring
Required Gear
Rain coat, backpack, capacity to carry at least 3 liters of water.
Clothing
Layered clothing appropriate for hiking and changing weather conditions. A fleece or ‘puffy’ jacket or vest is highly recommended, as is a fleece hat.
Shoes
Sturdy hiking boots, trail running shoes, or other sneakers with good tread are required. Flip flops, Crocs, sandals, etc. are inadequate and will not be allowed.
Miscellaneous
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hiking poles, rain pants, supplemental snacks, gratuity for your guide.
Upgrades + Additions
Private Tour
$200 per group. No other parties may add to your tour.
Transportation from Bozeman Montana
- $200 per group + $25 per person (pending availability)
- Includes Yellowstone National Park Entry fee
3L Hydration Reservoir (purchase)
$40 each – 3 Liter Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir or similar
Rates
Rates
- 1 Person $ 495 pp 495
- 2 People $ 240 pp 240
- 3 People $ 210 pp 210
- 4-5 People $170 pp
- 6 or more $140 pp
- Groups of 13+ Call to inquire
Your final rate is determined by the total number of people who join your group, even if you do not register together.
Your final rate is determined by the total number of people who join your group, even if you do not register together.
Days & Times
Tour Days
Departure Times
Activity duration: 4-6 hours
Itinerary
On the Day of Your Tour
You will meet at the Albright Visitor Center & Museum a few minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Once you have booked your tour you will receive a booking confirmation email with details on the time and date of your tour, the cancellation policy, a receipt of your tour purchase. This email will also contain an electronic waiver that you must complete before your tour.
Hikers must be at least 12 years old to join our scheduled Yosemite hikes. Younger hikers can be accommodated on private tours. You can expect that you may be with another group on your tour unless you have booked a private tour. Your guide can plan accordingly for varied skill levels and choose routes that fit the needs of everyone in the group.
- Meet Location: Albright Visitor Center & Museum
- Hiking Distance: 4-7 miles
Yellowstone Natural History:
The creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872 was really the beginnings of something much larger: the idea that some natural areas are so unique and diverse that they must be preserved in perpetuity for the enjoyment of all.
“The geysers, the extraordinary hot springs, the lakes, the mountains, the canyon and cataracts unite to make this region something not paralleled elsewhere on the globe”
Yellowstone’s natural history was recognized early on as something truly special. It is written in hot springs and geysers, rivers and pristine mountain lakes, bison herds and schools of cutthroat trout, all of which is accessible on even the shortest of hikes. The parks high concentration of thermal features make the region more habitable in the winter months, creating an island of biodiversity known as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The region is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, including seven species of large predators (black bears, grizzly bears, Canada lynx, coyotes, mountain lions, wolverines, and wolves). The thermal features provide a glimpse into one part of the complex geology of the region that includes tall mountain peaks, broad U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers, and beautiful waterfalls.
The creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872 was really the beginnings of something much larger: the idea that some natural areas are so unique and diverse that they must be preserved in perpetuity for the enjoyment of all.
“The geysers, the extraordinary hot springs, the lakes, the mountains, the canyon and cataracts unite to make this region something not paralleled elsewhere on the globe”
Yellowstone’s natural history was recognized early on as something truly special. It is written in hot springs and geysers, rivers and pristine mountain lakes, bison herds and schools of cutthroat trout, all of which is accessible on even the shortest of hikes. The parks high concentration of thermal features make the region more habitable in the winter months, creating an island of biodiversity known as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The region is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, including seven species of large predators (black bears, grizzly bears, Canada lynx, coyotes, mountain lions, wolverines, and wolves). The thermal features provide a glimpse into one part of the complex geology of the region that includes tall mountain peaks, broad U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers, and beautiful waterfalls.