Fall Tours in Montana's Yellowstone Country

It’s a gorgeous time of year here in Montana’s Yellowstone Country. The colors along the riverbanks and in the urban forests are coming into full display, and every year, we marvel at the beauty. It’s also a lovely time to explore; the crowds have settled, wildlife is active, and you can find a fall festival or Oktoberfest in most areas of the region. (Check our events calendar for a full lineup.)

If you’re planning a visit, incorporating a tour, either self-guided or with a tour guide, is an excellent way to learn more about the area. (Did you know there are 134 varieties of butterflies in Yellowstone National Park?) From historic walking tours to relaxing floats, there’s a lot to learn about the wildlife, geography, history and architecture of our wonderful towns and surrounding landscapes.

We’ve listed a sampling below, but be sure to check out the Guided Adventures on our website, which is full of unique experiences.

Self-Guided Walking Tours

West Yellowstone Historic Walking Tour

In 1905, Union Pacific Railroad (UPR) executive E.H. Harriman was invited to tour Yellowstone National Park. Upon his return, he authorized the Oregon Short Line, a UPR subsidiary, to begin surveys and prepare estimates for a passenger rail line from Ashton, ID, to the park's West Entrance. Construction began that same year, and in 1908, the first passengers arrived at the West Entrance, making it the most popular entrance. Over a century later, it remains the park's busiest entrance. In 1983, the West Yellowstone Oregon Shortline Terminus Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, you can pick up a brochure at the Museum of the Yellowstone and follow the Painted Bear Paw Trail through the district to many historic sites. You can also walk or bike the nine-mile, out-and-back Yellowstone Shortline Trail, built along the original tracks, and enjoy a gorgeous gentle path through the woods and along the creek.

 

Bozeman Walking Tours

With rich agricultural opportunities, Bozeman was established to provide provisions to miners in nearby Virginia and Nevada Cities. As it grew, stellar architects designed the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, including C.S. Haire, who designed the Carnegie Library; George Hancock, who designed the St. James Episcopal Church; and the most famous, Fred Willson, who designed over 300 structures in his 46-year career. Both Downtown and the historic neighborhoods have walking tours that explain the various types of architecture. Bozeman was also part of the early West, with colorful characters you can learn about on the Historic Sunset Hills Cemetery Tour. All three walking tours are available for download, or you can learn more at the Gallatin History Museum.

Red Lodge Walking Tours

Red Lodge is home to over 23 buildings on the National Historic Register. This Self-guided Historic Red Lodge Walking Tour includes the site of the Sundance Kid’s 1897 bank robbery, plus the homes and locales popular during the mining and bootlegging heyday. The Finn Town Tour of Red Lodge explores the area once inhabited by Finnish immigrants, who once made up 25% of the town’s population.

 

Boat Tours

Montana’s Yellowstone Country is home to a plethora of rivers, streams, and lakes, and touring them with a guide is a relaxing and beautiful experience for all ages. In Three Forks, Montana River Safaris tells the stories of Lewis and Clark, Sacagawea, and others who first explored and lived in the area. The Yellowstone River, the largest undammed river in the U.S., flows through Livingston and is a mecca for trout anglers. However, you don’t have to cast a line to enjoy the scenery; several companies offer scenic boat tours. You can find them on our website.

Bike Tours

Bike tours are a great way to combine up-close-and-personal views with the fun of biking. Bozeman Bike Tours are 2.5-hour tours showcasing the local history, neighborhoods, and popular hot spots for recreation, dining, and exploration. Yellowstone E-Bike Tours takes you on a 22-mile ride along the Old Yellowstone Trail, which winds along the Yellowstone River, beneath the rock formations of Devil’s Slide.

 

Other Unique Tours

For not-so-usual tours, check out the Bozeman Paranormal Society Ghost Walk Tours, which explore the colorful haunted history and paranormal activity in downtown Bozeman. Tours include ghost-hunting equipment (ghosts not guaranteed!).  In Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Lone Peak Aviation offers Montana Scenic Flight Tours, and Yellowstone Helicopters offers tours over Hebgen Lake or Yellowstone National Park.

If you’re visiting Yellowstone, you can also find authorized private tour guides for autumn wildlife watching, photography, and stargazing!

We hope to see you this fall!