2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 594 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River worth booking?
2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River is a 2-hour experience in Gardiner, United States, from $95 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 594 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (594)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $95 per person
This classic half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Yellowstone River is perfect for families and kids of all ages. Certified guides will provide you with 2 hours of great splashes and fun!
What you get
About this experience
This classic half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Yellowstone River is perfect for families and kids of all ages. Certified guides will provide you with 2 hours of great splashes and fun!
What's included
Included
- Wetsuits, water shoes, splash jacket
- Driver/guide
- Changing facility
Not included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- DVD (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Gardiner
Check-in 30 minutes prior to your trip
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Check-in 30 minutes prior to your trip
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wild West Rafting
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Check-in 30 minutes before your trip
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 591 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
7 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
591 verified traveler reviews for 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best day on the water
Brandon is a great guide. All the crew was fun and funny and focused on our safety. Tom the owner has great employees conscientious and responsible. Great company and experience. I definitely recommend them.
Response from the operator: We are thrilled to hear Brandon showed you a great time on the Yellowstone! The Wild West team thanks you for coming out to spend the day with us. :) We hope to see you again for future visits and rafting trips!
via Tripadvisor
Was a great ride and saw...
Was a great ride and saw a lot of wildlife long the way Our guide was great with everyone including the kids. Would book with the company again
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review! We are so happy you enjoyed your rafting trip and even got to see some wildlife with your guide on the water. :) We hope to see you again for future rafting experiences!
via Viator
A wild and wet ride but very safe.
Fun time with my grandson. The whole crew was excellent and highly recommended it. Thank you Nico for guiding us safely through the rapids.
Response from the operator: We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this kind review! :) We are so happy to hear Nico showed you and your grandson a great time on the Yellowstone.
via Tripadvisor
Fun/easy rafting and quiet/serious horseback ride
Of the several adventure companies in Gardiner, Wild West Rafting stands out for their professionalism and friendly service. We did a 2-hour rafting trip, as well as a 1hr horseback ride, and both were great, though very different. The office was also very accommodating in rescheduling us last minute when I realize I had made a mistake with our scheduling. The rafting trip was adventurous but calm enough for our multi-general family ranging from a 7-year old to a 75-year old. The guides were hilarious and kept the experience fun and light-hearted. The rapids are definitely manageable for all-ages, and some of our more adventurous members even wanted more. The provided booties and life jackets were great, though helmets were not offered (or needed). There was an opportunity to jump in the river and swim as well. The horseback riding trip was subcontracted by Hells A'Roarin' Outfitters. It requires an off-road uphill drive, so best to have a four-wheel drive to get up those rocky roads. The wranglers who helped us were no-nonsense and to the point. I can appreciate the life up there is not as customer-service oriented as at the main office down in town, though at times we felt like we might get in trouble for speaking loudly or at all. Our horseback ride was peaceful...though silent. There wasn't any explanation of what we were seeing and the many times the wranglers told us to "not yell or scream" made us hesitant to talk to each other since that would require raised voices. The view was beautiful, and there were three wranglers for our group of 12-14 to keep the horses in line.
Response from the operator: Howdy! We are absolutely thrilled to hear you and your family had an awesome time rafting the Yellowstone rapids with us! It's so much fun for the whole family and the perfect way to cool down on the hot summer days! Our guides love to show everyone a great time out on the water! We truly appreciate the feedback on your horseback trip. Oftentimes, the wranglers like to show everyone a peaceful ride and let people enjoy the scenery of the Greater Yellowstone mountains! With that being said, we would love to learn more about your horseback riding experience. When you have a moment, please give us a call at (406) 848-2252 and ask for Thomas. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We appreciate it :)
via Tripadvisor
IF YOU ARE 4 OR 74, DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS EXPERIENCE
First off, the customer service was great: we needed to reschedule twice (once the day of, because I got stuck at the West Yellowstone entrance for over an hour and a half) and they were very nice and understanding, and were able to reschedule our trips to the desired time. The advertised two hours, are actually the time you spend ON THE WATER, after they give you instructions, water shoes and life vests. All the guides are friendly and funny. Our guide, JOE, was great and made us feel very safe. On that note,there were a couple really young kids on one of the rafts and they were safe and had fun.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 208
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Gardiner.
How much does 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River cost?
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Prices start at $95 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Gardiner usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Gardiner is not rushed.
Is 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 594 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Gardiner, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River?
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Around 208 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Gardiner can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Gardiner and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2 Hour Rafting on the Yellowstone River start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Gardiner within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Gardiner?
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Gardiner sits at Yellowstone's only year-round entrance: Mammoth Hot Springs tours, Lamar Valley wolf and bison safaris at dawn, rafting on the Yellowstone River and winter wildlife trips. On Outty we rank every Gardiner experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Montana Whitewater Half Day Raft Trip - Yellowstone River, Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + lunch, Guided Yellowstone Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Gardiner?
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June to September, plus January to February for wolf watching. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Gardiner?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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