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
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
Questions? Let's Connect
Want to learn more?
Enter your email and we'll send you more details about this course and a link to sign up for a 1:1 chat with one of our Admission Counselors.
Detailed daily objectives and skills progression
Sample outline from last year's course
Pre-course preparation guide
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.

