GARDINER RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
Private Boat on the Yellowstone: Gardiner Town Stretch to Yankee Jim Canyon
A full-day, private-boat rafting trip on the Yellowstone River from Gardiner that pairs guided whitewater through the Gardiner Town Stretch and Yankee Jim Canyon with a riverside lunch.
Private Boat on the Yellowstone: Gardiner Town Stretch to Yankee Jim Canyon.
This full-day, family-friendly rafting outing on the Yellowstone River delivers a compact taste of Montana: morning paddling through the Gardiner Town Stretch, a catered riverside lunch, and an afternoon float through the scenic Yankee Jim Canyon — all in a private boat for your group with a professional guide.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Boundary waters and Paradise Valley views
The trip begins on the boundary of America’s first national park and moves into the wide-open beauty of Paradise Valley, offering canyon walls, open river vistas and regular chances to spot wildlife from the raft.
Gardiner Town Stretch to Yankee Jim Canyon
Spend the morning paddling the Gardiner Town Stretch and, after lunch, float through Yankee Jim Canyon — the day’s most scenic and splashy stretch of the Yellowstone River.
Family-friendly rapids, swims and a riverside lunch
Expect a mix of Class I–III rapids, calm sections for relaxing or jumping in to swim, and a midday stop where guides serve a riverside lunch catered by a local café.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The day moves at an unhurried, adventurous pace: check in and gear up at the office, ride the shuttle to the put-in for a safety briefing, then paddle and float through a series of rapids and calm runs. Guides orchestrate shore lunches and photo stops, and the return to the office leaves time to change and view trip photos.
THE LANDSCAPE
Boundary waters and Paradise Valley views
The trip begins on the boundary of America’s first national park and moves into the wide-open beauty of Paradise Valley, offering canyon walls, open river vistas and regular chances to spot wildlife from the raft.
THE ROUTE
Gardiner Town Stretch to Yankee Jim Canyon
Spend the morning paddling the Gardiner Town Stretch and, after lunch, float through Yankee Jim Canyon — the day’s most scenic and splashy stretch of the Yellowstone River.
THE EXPERIENCE
Family-friendly rapids, swims and a riverside lunch
Expect a mix of Class I–III rapids, calm sections for relaxing or jumping in to swim, and a midday stop where guides serve a riverside lunch catered by a local café.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip is best for — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan for about 5–6 hours door-to-door; expect 3–4 hours on the water.
Check in at 603 Scott Street, Gardiner, MT 59030 before departure.
Bring a change of clothes for after the trip; leave personal items in your vehicle or at the office if you don’t have a vehicle. Guides provide changing rooms.
The trip includes a riverside lunch catered by a local café and complimentary rafting gear supplied by the operator.
Make reservations online or through the office; call the office to ask questions, change, update or cancel your reservation and follow instructions in your confirmation email.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The total outing is about 5–6 hours door-to-door, with roughly 3–4 hours spent on the water.
Where do we meet?
Meet at the operator’s office at 603 Scott Street, Gardiner, MT 59030 for check-in and gear-up.
Is lunch provided?
Yes — guides stop for a riverside lunch catered by a locally owned café as part of the day.
Is the Private Boat truly private?
Yes — the Private Boat option guarantees your group will have the boat to yourselves with one guide (other groups will be on their own rafts).
Are there swim stops?
Yes — the itinerary includes calm sections and fun places to jump in for a swim during the day.
Are there any restrictions or size limits?
Pregnant women are not permitted on trips; all participants must have basic mobility and must fit into a personal flotation device with a maximum 56-inch chest size.
What do I need to complete before arrival?
After booking, complete the online waivers linked in your confirmation email — every participant needs to sign one — and read your confirmation email to be prepared.