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Backcountry Kayaking in Yellowstone Park

September 1–3, 2025

Join us for this 3 day/2 night kayak tour in the heart of Yellowstone Park, paddling from Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake and back. This challenging adventure will include a visit to a remote geyser basin, fishing, ample opportunities to see bears and other wildlife, and meaningful conversations about our “God-sightings” along the way. VIEW SCHEDULE

This excursion may be completed for academic credit at YTI by degree-seeking students — but all are welcome!*

COST: $240 (Covers Kayak Rental and Food)

DEADLINE: August 4 (Space is extremely limited!)

QUESTIONS? Please contact us at (406) 404-1600 or information@yellowstonetheology.org.

Practicum Leader

VERN STREETER is Lecturer in Adventure and Theology at YTI. His many interests include hunting, climbing, skiing, sailing, backpacking, riding his horse deep into the backcountry, cycling, driving fast, and flying his paraglider. He was senior pastor of Harvest Church in Billings, Mont., for 23 years.

What We’ll Do

Arrive

Sunday August 31

After we all arrive in Bozeman, we’ll have a team meeting, final supply run, etc. before the adventure begins.

Day 1

Monday September 1

We’ll load up at 5AM for a beautiful drive into Yellowstone Park and the boat launch on the southwest shore of Lewis Lake. (We will want to get a relatively early start to avoid the possible/probable afternoon winds and storms). From there, we’ll launch our touring kayaks, with plenty of gear stowed, and paddle across Lewis Lake and begin navigating up the Lewis River channel. When the water gets shallow and the current gets swift, we will line our boats up to passable water and enter Shoshone Lake on our way to our first night campsite on southern end of the lake. Here, we’ll fish, hike, eat, sleep, talk, laugh…

Day 2

Tuesday September 2

After a leisurely morning, we’ll break down camp, load up, and paddle to the other end of Shoshone Lake, where we’ll set up camp. From there, we’ll take a reasonable hike to the Shoshone Geyser Basin, a very active thermal basin. Then we’ll head back to camp and good fishing and conversations and maybe a bear or two.

Day 3

Wednesday September 3

After another leisurely morning, we’ll break camp, load up, and cruise all the way back to the boat launch at Lewis Lake. From there it will be a nice drive back to Bozeman with a break for burgers along the way. We’ll be back in Bozeman in time for the YTI Academic Year Kick-off Event that begins on Thursday.

Practicum Outcomes

In addition to being a lot of fun, you can expect this adventure to be a spiritually enriching experience:

  • We will bond with each other under God’s care while immersed in the wonder of His creation.
  • Conversations, especially in the evenings, will include our reflections, our “God-sightings”, and how our worship of the Creator has been enhanced and enjoyed.
  • Hopefully something challenging/difficult occurs which will deepen our dependence on God and our reliance on each other.
  • There will be some pre-reading focused on how God meets us in adventure.
  • Students will write a response paper consolidating their experience and describing how it contributed to their understanding of God and their personal spiritual growth.

Sign Up for the Fall Adventure Practicum

Deadline August 4 — Space Is Extremely Limited!

Sign up here for the Fall 2025 Adventure Practicum, unless you are a current YTI student. Current students should sign up through Populi under the Fall 2025 Practicum term. For questions about registration, contact the YTI office at 406-404-1600 or information@ythi.org.

QUESTIONS? For questions or information about the practicum, contact Vern Streeter at vstreeter@ythi.org.

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Your registration fee will be billed via email through the YTI office.

*PLEASE NOTE: If you have certain physical conditions, including heart disease, respiratory conditions, high blood pressure, joint problems, anxiety, or other similar conditions, this activity is hazardous to your health. By enrolling in this practicum, you agree to release Yellowstone Theological Institute from any legal liability in case of injury. An alternate practicum will be made available for you at the earliest convenience of the Institute.