About us
We take great pride in hiring the most talented and experienced local guides that are Wildlife Biologists with extensive experience in the field.
We are a highly collaborative team that strives for excellency and connection with nature on every tour.
Our Mission
It is our goal on every tour to see as much wildlife as possible, view the best sites in the park, take you off the beaten path, take multiple secluded family friendly hikes, stop at all the cleanest bathrooms, and do it with as few crowds as possible.
Our Values
While exploring the park we follow the “leave no trace” principle, minimizing our impact to the environment. Ethical wildlife viewing, watching animals from a safe distance without interfering with their behaviour is the foundation of our tours.
Conservation
We proudly support projects in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that strive for coexistence between the local community and wildlife.
Our Team
Guide
Derek
Derek moved to Big Sky, Montana in the Summer of 2005 to pursue the dream of living in the mountains and skiing big mountains. Over the past several years he has led over 1000 tours into Yellowstone National Park. Derek is a graduate of Montana State University in nearby Bozeman, Montana where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Natural Sciences. He was drawn to MSU for the opportunity to take courses specific to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Derek has a love for ecology and embraces the opportunity to chat about Yellowstone with anyone who will listen!
After college, Derek interned for an adventure eco-travel company based out of Boulder, Colorado. Since then he has led trips all over the American West and of course Yellowstone National Park.
When Derek is not in Yellowstone you can find him snowboarding in Big Sky, exploring the deserts of the American Southwest, traveling, scuba diving, or working on a TV set in Hollywood! Derek is still an active member of the Cinematographers Guild and occasionally will leave Montana to work on a television production.
Guide
Andrea
Andrea came to Montana to pursue his dream of becoming a wildlife biologist. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem was the first place he visited and he returned as often as he could. He got his B.S. in Wildlife Biology at the University of Montana in Missoula . As a student he worked as a field research assistant in the backcountry of Banff in Canada collecting data for one of the longest-running elk studies in the world and analyzed wolf kills.
He worked as a mountain lion tracker in Western Montana during the winter contributing to an eight year-long research project. The winter conditions were harsh, and the days were long but being in the presence of these magnificent cats made it well worth it.
Interpreting wildlife and their signs on the landscape while reconnecting with nature and being amazed by all the complexities, hoping that this wild piece of land will be preserved for the upcoming generations is why you will see him almost everyday in the park, even in his free time.
He loves hiking and backpacking through remote and wild mountains and never forgets his camera to capture his encounters with Montana’s Megafauna
Guide
Kevin
Kevin is a Bozeman-based guide whose personal and professional journey in wildlife ecology began in his home state of Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology at UW-Madison in 2013. His winding career path in conservation has seen him teaching students how to trap bats in the outback of Australia, guiding clients to experience bear country in Alaska, dissecting Zebrafish embryos in a university laboratory, and managing nature preserves in California and Colorado. Kevin now spends his days studying, exploring, and sharing the wonder of the natural landscapes of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In his free time he can be found hiking with his dog Violet, binoculars and a fly fishing rod in hand.
Guide
Noah
As a wildlife biologist, I spend a lot of time outside gaining a deeper understanding of wildlife and their behaviors. I’ve worked throughout Montana working as a habitat biologist for Pheasants Forever, in Colorado with elk and sage grouse, and in Olympic National Park with mountain goats, black bears, and Northern spotted owls. I now reside in Bozeman. My time in these jobs left me with a desire to capture these animals on camera and share the information I have gained about these amazing critters!
Guide
Randolph
Randolph is an advocate for the “big picture,” helping visitors understand how weather, topography, and wildlife intersect. His guests benefit from his extensive field knowledge and his background as a pilot, providing a “macro” understanding of the landscape. Safety and preparedness are the foundation of his trips; he holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Avalanche Awareness.
Beyond his technical expertise, Randolph is a writer and illustrator currently working on a book series set within the park. He believes that every trip is an opportunity to add a new chapter to a guest’s personal connection with the wild.
Guide
Mitchell
Howdy, I’m Mitchell Ballis and I’m from Round Rock, Texas. I’m an Associate Wildlife Biologist with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University. I’m an avid outdoorsman that loves nature and all it has to offer. I have spent the last 4 winters guide in the Everglades and leading environmental education tours. I am extremely passionate about wildlife and love to capture moments with my camera! I have had a desire to view wildlife and show others what nature has to offer for as long as I can remember and I am beyond excited for the chance to share experiences and knowledge of the astounding Yellowstone National Park!
Guide
Lara
Guide
Steve
Steve has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies and has lived in Montana for 25 years. He is an avid WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER and loves to spend as much of his free time as possible photographing wildlife in Yellowstone especially Grizzly Bears! He spent the past two Septembers in Alaska photographing the coastal Grizzly Bears of Katmai National Park. Steve loves to get into Yellowstone as much as possible and talk about the ecology, grizzly bear populations, predator prey relationships within YNP, and especially photography!
You can view his photography at: Ecowildimages.com or
INSTAGRAM: ecowildimages
Guide
Josh
Hi, I’m Josh and I’m from New England. I went to the University of Maine, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Park and Recreation. I love everything and anything with the outdoors. I started my career working for the Forest Service in 2021, doing trails in Sedona, AZ. Since then, I have worked as a park ranger at Zion, Olympic, and Yellowstone National Parks. In these parks, I engaged in a variety of tasks including educational programs, gathering camera trap data, managing wildlife jams, and helping in search and rescue. I’m extremely passionate about conservation, wildlife dynamics, and getting out into nature! In my free time, you can find me cheering on Boston sports, hiking, and camping. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences relating to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Guide
Tim
Born and raised in Northern Colorado, I grew up hiking, camping, skiing, and hunting. I attended Colorado State University where I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Fish, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology. Shortly after graduation, I was flying to southeast Alaska to work with the Department of Fish & Game as a Fisheries Technician to collect genetic data and apply telemetry tags to various species of spawning salmon on the Stikine River. Next, I pursued a lifelong dream to be a ski bum, where I lived and worked in Aspen for the winter. Ski season came to an end, where I then moved out to Northern California to work as a Biological Science Technician for the United States Forest Service stationed at Almanor Ranger Station within Lassen National Forest. I got the opportunity to survey a variety of species including the American Goshawk, Spotted Owl, Cascades Frog, American Marten, Little Brown Bat, and many more. Now to work in Yellowstone, it is an incredible opportunity to share and learn with guests the pristine intact ecological processes present and observe stunning wild megafauna like the Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves, Bison, and more.
Guide
Carrie
After graduating she pursued a PhD in Economics, inspired by time she spent in South Africa. She operated a hostel in Cape Town and played semi-pro soccer in Austin, Texas before discovering her next love in life: skiing powder. Her home since 2010 has been Big Sky, Montana where access to the mountains and outdoors expanded her opportunities and rejuvenated her outdoor enthusiasm! For the last decade Carrie has been guiding trips all over the United States from ultra-deluxe to ultra-adventure. Before guiding for YAT, Carrie was an integral part of planning, designing scouting and running new trips for other companies. When she isn’t chasing powder or guiding people on life-changing adventures, she enjoys exploring the world and spending time with friends and family.
Guide
Sean
Sean grew up in New England spending summers off-the-grid along the remote coast of Maine where he developed a love for wild ecosystems from a young age. He followed his passions to Seattle University where he studied Environmental Studies and Ecosystem Biology throughout the various biomes of the Pacific Northwest. He has lived in the greater Yellowstone for 6 years, guiding mountain biking, river trips Yellowstone ecotours, and teaching skiing. In his free time, you can find Sean skiing, biking, Kayaking, and sailing near his home in Big Sky Montana. Often adventuring with camera in hand, you can see his photography at SeanMackinsonPhoto.com
Guide
Dave
After graduating with a degree in Biology, Dave decided to see the world and became a teacher of English as a Second Language. He has experience teaching in Japan, UK, Brazil, and the UAE. Dave came to Montana in 2005 to teach ESL at Montana State University. While teaching at MSU he pursued a MA in History, focusing on the American West. Fueled by love of languages and a curiosity to understand other cultures he has traveled to over 60 countries and counting. While in France, Dave worked as a ski guide on the Vallee Blanche on Mont Blanc near Chamonix. When not guiding, traveling, or teaching, Dave can be found most winter days skiing at Bridger Bowl.
Guide
James
James has spent many years exploring and working in the Yellowstone region and received a BSc in Biology from Montana State University in 1987. He has worked in the field studying alpine butterflies, predatory insects and as a forestry technician. An avid cave explorer he has guided researchers studying bat populations in Montana caves. He’s worked with scouting groups teaching caving and mountain climbing skills. He’s made multiple trips in to the backcountry of YNP. In March 2021 on a two week trip across the park he skied from Mammoth to Togwotee Pass via the Thorofare and the headwaters of the Snake River. He’s also worked as a water system operator and sews outdoor gear including ski mittens, caving packs, and tents.
Yellowstone Park is an amazing place to observe how geology, biology and climate come together to form a vibrant and diverse ecosystem.
Guide
Jessica
Our fleet
10 Chevrolet Suburbans & 4 Mercedes Sprinter Passenger Vans
Embark on your Yellowstone adventure with our premium fleet, specifically chosen to provide the ultimate travel experience. Our vehicles are designed for safety, reliability, and unmatched comfort, ensuring you never miss a single sight.