Come explore the wild side of learning at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. Our guided field trips offer a fun and immersive 90-minute experience led by one of our passionate educators. Students will journey through the Sanctuary, discovering the unique animals that call the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem home, learning how each species fits into its environment, and finding out how they can help protect local wildlife.
Each tour requires a $40 guide fee and covers up to 20 students. When your group arrives, there is an additional $4 admission fee per student and chaperone (two chaperones per 10 students included in the discounted admission of $4). Additional family members or chaperones beyond that ratio are welcome and pay the standard admission rate at the gate ($12). We ask that groups maintain a maximum ratio of 2 adults per 10 students.
Make Your Field Trip Even Better: Optional 30-Minute Add-On
Want to take your students’ experience to the next level? Add a 30-minute, hands-on educational program for just $30 per group. These engaging sessions give students the chance to apply what they’ve learned during the tour in a more interactive way. Topics include Yellowstone ecology and adaptations, scat and tracks, animal care and enrichment, and our conservation mission. You’ll be able to select your preferred topic during checkout.
Groups Over 20 Students
Each tour group must include no more than 20 students. If your group includes more than 20, please book an additional $40 guide fee. On Thursdays, we can accommodate three groups during the same time block. On other days, we recommend scheduling one group in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you need more educators than what’s listed during booking, please contact us at education@yellowstonewildlife.org and we’ll do our best to assist you.
We believe every student should have the opportunity to experience the Sanctuary. If cost is a concern, please contact us at education@yellowstonewildlife.org
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Water
- Wearing layers is advised due to changing weather conditions in Red Lodge.
Please have the lead teacher check in at the gift shop approximately 10-15 minutes before your tour begins.
Themes (all themes can be adjusted to the grade level):
You can choose a General Tour to cover all of your bases or choose from one of the following themes for a more focused learning experience:
Yellowstone Ecology & Adaptations: Learn about the habitats of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the classifications of the animals, their unique adaptations, and how they all play a role in the larger ecosystem.
Scat & Track Identification: Learn how to distinguish animals of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by their tracks, scat, and other animal signs with the help of biofacts and artifacts throughout the tour.
Conservation & YWS Mission: Learn about conservation concerns and efforts in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and ways YWS and students can help wildlife.
Animal Care & Enrichment: Learn how we care for our residents, how we determine their diet, different types of wildlife careers, and all about the importance of enrichment.
Please contact YWS at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel.
If the Sanctuary has an unexpected closure due to weather, animal care, etc., YWS will contact you as soon as possible, ideally 24 hours in advance and work with you to reschedule.