.png)
SAFARI TO SADDLE EXCURTION
From dawn’s first light to mountain heights—wildlife, wilderness, and the ride of a lifetime!
Safari to Saddle is a one-of-a-kind adventure that combines early morning wildlife viewing with a backcountry horseback ride into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. The journey begins at first light, as you set out on a private sunrise safari through Lamar Valley, one of the best places to see bison, elk, wolves, and bears as they start their day. With an expert guide and high-powered spotting scopes, you'll experience Yellowstone’s wildlife in its most active hours. After an unforgettable morning of wildlife watching, trade four wheels for four hooves and set out on horseback ride into Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness with Skyline Guest Ranch and Guide Service. Ride through open meadows, forested trails, and rugged terrain, taking in the same breathtaking landscapes that early explorers once traveled. Stop at an alpine lake for lunch before returning to civilization. This expedition offers the perfect blend of scenic beauty, adventure, and Western tradition, giving you a new perspective on Yellowstone’s wild spaces.
DURATION
8-10 Hours
PICK-UP
Cooke City, MT
GROUP SIZE
Private Safari
(up to 5 guests)
SEASON
July-September
FROM SAFARI TO SADDLE: A YELLOWSTONE ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER
Your Safari to Saddle experience begins before the sun peeks over the horizon, when Yellowstone’s wildlife is at its most active. With an expert naturalist guide leading the way, you'll embark on a private sunrise safari through Lamar Valley, often called the "Serengeti of North America" for its abundant wildlife and sweeping grasslands. Using high-powered spotting scopes, you’ll observe bison grazing in the golden light, watch pronghorn antelope—the fastest land mammals in North America—move gracefully across the valley, and keep an eye out for elusive predators like wolves and grizzly bears. You may even spot a red fox trotting through the sagebrush or a bald eagle soaring overhead.
After an awe-inspiring morning of wildlife watching, it’s time to switch gears—from four wheels to four hooves. You’ll head to Skyline Guest Ranch, located just outside of Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance in Cooke City, Montana, where your horse awaits for a half-day backcountry ride into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. Ride through alpine meadows, towering pines, and rocky ridges, tracing the paths once traveled by explorers and frontiersmen. The trail leads to a stunning high-country lake, where you’ll take a break and enjoy a scenic picnic surrounded by untouched wilderness.
With unmatched photo opportunities and a true taste of the West, Safari to Saddle is more than just a tour—it’s an adventure that lets you experience the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wild spaces from two incredible perspectives.
Includes:
-
Private sunrise wildlife safari through Lamar Valley, the "Serengeti of North America"
-
Expert naturalist guide with high-powered spotting scopes for exceptional wildlife viewing
-
Chance to see bison, wolves, grizzly bears, foxes, bald eagles, and pronghorn antelope
-
Half-day horseback ride into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness with Skyline Guest Ranch
-
Scenic picnic lunch by a high-country alpine lake (sack lunch provided)
-
Light breakfast snacks to start your morning adventure
-
Hot and cold beverages available throughout the experience
-
Breathtaking views of Yellowstone’s rugged backcountry and diverse wildlife
-
Unforgettable photo opportunities throughout the journey
