Expeditions

Yellowstone Wilderness - 16 and 17 only

Explore the wild, mountainous country bordering Yellowstone National Park, keeping an eye out for the region’s famed wildlife as you hike.

Duration

30 days

Age

16-17 Only

Course: ROCL 6.25, NOLS RM

"Rock City" celebrates on top of Kagevah Peak.

Subjects:
Back row (R to L): Zev Underwood, Herb Crimp, Genevieve Bartlam, Evan Miller, Halley Steiner, Brendan Coyne, Charles Stout
Front row (R to L): Kyle Cassling, Aidan Clawson, Brady Butler, Liz Mesa, Ali Dulchausky, Johnathan Rigby, Jed Doohan rocky

Overview

About this course

Make this Summer One to Remember

Spend a month backpacking up to 100 miles through the iconic Absaroka Range—famous for its sweeping forested mountains, glacier-carved valleys, unique geology, and diverse wildlife. On the border of Yellowstone National Park, you’ll camp where elk roam, navigate terrain that ranges from dense forest to exposed ridges above 12,000 feet, and learn what it takes to travel confidently in grizzly bear habitat.

You’ll start with the fundamentals: backcountry cooking, navigation, expedition behavior, and Leave No Trace principles. From there, you’ll move into wilderness first aid, decision-making, and leadership—all while carrying 45-60 pounds through some of the most remote terrain in the Lower 48. Depending on conditions and instructor focus, you might learn fly fishing, snow travel, and plant identification.

As your skills build, you’ll get the chance to lead—first for a day at a time, then potentially for a multi-day student expedition where your small student group navigates independently without instructors. You’ll have emergency communication, but the decisions are yours.

This month will challenge you, but you’ll be surrounded by an inclusive community of like-minded students and experienced instructors to support you. You’ll return home with stories to share and the confidence to plan and execute your own outdoor expeditions.

Resources

Resources & downloads

Questions

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Free course guide

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  • Detailed daily objectives and skills progression

  • Sample outline from last year's course

  • Pre-course preparation guide

TBA

Tuition varies by location. Financial aid available.

Duration

30 days

Location

Lander, Wyoming

Equipment Deposit

400

Academic Credit

6 College Credits

  • 2 Skills Practicum
  • 2 Leadership Techniques
  • 2 Environmental Studies

1.5 High School Credits

  • 0.5 Leadership
  • 1 Physical Education

Start/End

Lander, Wyoming

Fly In/Out

Riverton, WY (RIW)

Course Session Dates

No Course Sessions enrolling.

Financial aid & Scholarships

NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:

  • AmeriCorps
  • 529 College Savings Plans
  • Veteran's Benefits (only for courses fully in the state of Wyoming)

Questions?

Still have questions?

Talk to an admissions advisor, or request a free catalog to learn more about which course is right for you.