Play Cowboy, Montana-style in Gardiner, North Yellowstone

If you're going to unleash your inner cowboy, do it in scenic North Yellowstone. You can get great views of the park as you tread across the Gallatin National Forest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness on horseback. Don't worry; the horse is trained to tackle the challenging terrain of the Montana highlands.

Whether you decide to go horseback riding for a few hours or days, there's no other place to look for a stable of capable horses than in the gateway town of Gardiner. For your guide, you'll be trained by real, working Montana cowboys who will also oversee your safety for the entire trip on horseback.

To cap your first night as a cowboy, come to the nightly Cowboy Cookout barbecue dinner and campfire, a cowboy-style feast of food in the company of cowboys of Hell's A-Roarin' Ranch. The ranch doubles as a lodge to provide novice horse riders a comfortable place to stay after a tiring day of riding, sightseeing, and feasting.

To see more wild animals on their natural habitat, head back to Yellowstone National Park, where sightings of bears--both grizzly and black ones--are a guarantee. You can also find other big mammals such as bison, elks, gray wolves and deers in several locations.

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Mini Travel Guide: What to Do in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular parks in America, more popularly known as the first national park in the world. It's large enough to span three states: Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. By its size alone, rest assured that you'll barely run out of things to do among its natural attractions.

You can be sure of an abundance of wildlife when it comes to a national preserve like Yellowstone. Get in touch with your roots by seeing 67 species of mammals, 330 birds, 6 reptiles, and so much more. You get the chance to study or observe wild animals in their natural habitat without the danger of getting lost in the vast wilderness without anyone for miles to hear you.

Fishing has always been one of America's favorite pastimes. If you want to cast your line in Yellowstone, you'll be treated to experiencing at least 16 different species of fish to wrestle with. However, you'll need to plan your fishing trip in the right seasons and weather conditions if you want to relish your catch without putting yourself in dangerous waters.

Speaking of adventures in the water, do you fancy a bit of adrenaline rush? The terrain of Yellowstone makes for some excellent opportunities for whitewater rafting. Look for some dependable guides that can help you stay safe should you want to indulge in an exhilarating day of rafting.

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Essential Equipment for Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is one of the great American pastimes, sometimes dubbed as the “contemplating man's recreation.” This can be done in fresh or saltwater. If you've been to numerous streams in the countryside, chances are you've encountered a few anglers casting their lines. If you're interested in having fun alongside them, make sure you have the proper equipment.

First , you need a study fly rod, a fly reel, and a weighted fly line. Don't be afraid to spend a small sum on all three components, especially if they come from reputable manufacturers. Ask your adventure provider about the most effective flies for the waters in the area and get two of each.

Buy a leader to attach at the end of the fly line to extend the fly out over the water, with a tippet to fix it from time to time. If you have a nymph fly, hook it up to a split shot to get it to the appropriate depth. Set up a strike indicator to let you know when a fish has latched on. Once you catch a fish, put it in a rubber net and use forceps to get the fly out.

Getting all of these items will be more than enough to kickstart your new hobby. It may even be a fun way to get some free food for yourself. 

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Whitewater Rafting in Yellowstone: Safety Basics

In any outdoor adventure, safety always comes first. A tour of the great outdoors may start with that first step into the wild, but it won't end until you return home from it in one piece. Whitewater rafting isn't any different; the churning waters can be a dangerous place. In fact, the safety rules in place today were derived from the costly mistakes whitewater rafters have made over the past several decades.

Even in Class II or III whitewater, life jackets are still a rafter's reliable ally, especially if he's tossed overboard by the surging waters. According to American Whitewater, a non-profit advocate of safety in whitewater rafting, a third of whitewater rafting accidents can be prevented by wearing life jackets. The rapids pose a threat even in the calmest of waters. If the rocks don't pose a threat, drowning does.

In most nature trails like Yellowstone, you'll hardly come across low-head dams, but it pays to keep an eye out for these structures. Past the dam structure is a violent backwash that can pull a person in and make him hit the face of the dam. American Whitewater recommends getting a clear idea of the river and its features before hitting the water. Stay away from these dams as much as possible. 

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