Yellowstone Hiking Guides
UPDATES: Hiring for 2026!
Hiring:
Day Hiking Guide
Description:
Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads day-long interpretive hiking tours in Yellowstone's backcountry and frontcountry. YHG explores the Lamar Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Upper Geyser Basin, and Fairy Falls/Grand Prismatic six days a week, May through mid October. 5-7 miles hiking at high elevation, 8-12 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Day Hiking Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to the trailhead in a company vehicle. Meet and greet guests with morning coffee and necessary gear. Hike through Yellowstone's wild lands, eating lunch along the trail. Return to YHG headquarters, clean up and prepare for the next tour.
Skills:
Leading guided hiking tours through Yellowstone, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.
Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries.
Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.
Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour.
Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)
Ability to work solo shifts
Qualifications:
Wilderness First Aid or Responder
Leave No Trace knowledge
Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School Training)
Previous guiding experience
Clean driving record
Ability to live remotely: dry camp at a nearby campground for the duration of the season
25-years-old or older
Van Tour Guide
Description:
Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads day-long interpretive van tours to Yellowstone's most iconic landmarks. Two tours are offered six days a week, May through October. Lower Loop Active Van Tour to see top sights like Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone Lake, and the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (3 miles hiking along developed trails). Upper Loop Wildlife Van Tour to see Yellowstone's rare wildlife in the Lamar Valley, as well as Mammoth Hot Springs and other unique sights (short hikes to overlooks). 10-12 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Van Tour Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to West Yellowstone, MT in a company vehicle to pick up guests. Meet and greet guests before entering the park's West Entrance. Tour through Yellowstone's wild lands, eating lunch along the way. Return each guest to their lodging, maintain the vehicle, and return to YHG headquarters. Clean up and prepare for the next tour.
Skills:
Leading educational van tours through Yellowstone, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.
Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries.
Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.
Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour, with up to 12 passengers.
Qualifications:
Wilderness First Aid or Responder
Leave No Trace knowledge
Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School Training)
Previous guiding experience
Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)
Time management skills
Ability to work solo shifts
Clean driving record
Ability to live remotely: dry camp at nearby campground for the duration of the season
25-years-old or older
Kayak Guide
Description:
Yellowstone Hiking Guides leads interpretive kayak tours on Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb. YHG explores the West Thumb Geyser Basin from kayaks six days a week, late May through September. 6 miles paddling at high elevation, 8-10 hour work days, 3-5 day work week (flexible scheduling). A day in the life of a YHG Kayak Guide: Drive from YHG headquarters to the Grant Village Marina in a company vehicle. Meet and greet guests with morning coffee and necessary gear. Paddle to Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin. Eat lunch on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Return to YHG headquarters, clean up and prepare for the next tour.
Skills:
Leading guided kayak tours on Yellowstone Lake, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Knowledge of reading mountain weather.
Provide informative commentary on local wildlife, geology, and ecology, utilizing strong public speaking and communication skills.
Manage group dynamics and time effectively to adhere to scheduled itineraries and dangerous situations.
Deliver exceptional customer service by addressing participant inquiries and concerns.
Driving slowly on mountain roads in the early morning and afternoon rush hour.
Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)
Ability to work solo shifts
Qualifications:
Wilderness First Aid or Responder
ACA Certifications
Deep Water Training (can be obtained before season begins)
Leave No Trace knowledge
Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School Training)
Previous guiding experience
Clean driving record
Ability to hook up/pull trailer to boat ramp
Ability to unload/load kayak trailer
Ability to lift 50+ pounds
Ability to live remotely: dry camp at nearby campground for the duration of the season
25-years-old or older
Additional Information About Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Yellowstone Hiking Guides are local naturalists. Yellowstone Hiking Guides’ mission is to safely lead groups through the rough terrain, weather and wildlife that makes Yellowstone a unique location. Join the YHG team for an epic summer exploring the world's first national park!
The ideal candidates for Yellowstone Hiking Guides have the following qualifications:
Wilderness First Aid or Responder
Leave No Trace certificate (can be obtained during YHG Guide School Training)
Certified Interpretive Guide (can be obtained during YHG Guide School Training)
Previous guiding experience
ACA certifications
Ability to follow directions (and the YHG program)
Time management skills
Ability to work SOLO shifts
Ability to hike at high elevation (3-5 days/week)
Clean driving record
Ability to drive on mountain roads
Ability to live remotely (dry camping/travel trailer)
25-years-old or older
Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park flora, fauna, and history
Mountain travel safety skills (weather, water, etc.)
Morning person
Dazzling personality; able to talk to and entertain people from all walks of life
Ability to communicate in layman terms
*If you don't have all of these qualifications, please let us know why you feel you are an ideal candidate anyway.
One week paid training program prior to employment
YHG Online Guide School Course
Certified Interpretive Guide
Leave No Trace
Food Handlers training
Yellowstone National Park Guide Training Program (NPS)
3 days shadowing a lead guide in Yellowstone National Park
On the trail
In the van
On the water