Yellowstone River half-day family raft trip

This half-day raft trip on the Yellowstone River starts at the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, where the Gardiner River meets the Yellowstone. It is run by Montana Whitewater Rafting and Yellowstone ZipLine and covers 8 miles of river.

The rapids range from Class I to III, depending on river level, and the operator suggests calling its office for current conditions. Along the way the river has a handful of named features, among them Queen of the Waters and the King. Devil’s Slide can be seen from the water, and some calmer flat stretches are suited to swimming and relaxing.

The trip suits first-time rafters and family groups with a mix of ages and abilities. Children from age 6 are welcome. Time on the water is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on flow, and the whole outing takes about 2.5 to 3 hours door to door, including gearing up and down and a short bus ride to and from the river.

The trip includes the raft run along with a wetsuit, booties, helmet, paddle and splash top.