Experiences
1
Copper River Rafting, Alaska!
Live ItemGlaciers and Grizzlies: Copper River Rafting Adventure in Alaska
Everything is bigger in Alaska, and a float down the Copper River with Sundog Expeditions is no exception. Come float America's 8th largest river by volume and spend 7 days floating across an enormous landscape in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the Chugach National Forest. Experience what it is like to be truly humbled by the size, scale, power, and beauty of a river.
This trip begins in Valdez and ends in Cordova, AK; both cities are accessible via flights or the legendary Alaska Marine Highway Ferry system, which adds a unique element to this multiday rafting adventure. For the first 3 days of the trip, you will float by impressive ice-capped mountains, and experience wildlife such as bears, wolves, seals, and a variety of birds. Towards the end of the trip, you will enter the "Glacier Zone" of the legendary Miles Lake, and float underneath the 300' tall Childs Glacier.
Sundog Expeditions is a premier river outfitter in Alaska; expert guides provide a safe and memorable experience with hiking opportunities, interpretation of the natural and cultural history along the river corridor, exquisite backcountry cooking, and first-class service. Don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime!
Value: $4100
1 person; additional guests are welcomed at booking price
Booking based on availability: July 11-17, 2026 or TBD 2027.
Trip begins in Valdez, Alaska and ends in Cordova, Alaska. Does not include flights.
Includes passenger van transport from Valdez to the Copper River and from the Copper River to Cordova.
Thank you to Brian and Jenni Chaffin at Sundog Expeditions.
6
2-Day Fossil Dig for Four!
Live ItemContribute to real scientific research by helping the Elevation Science team uncover 150-million-year-old dinosaurs.
Work alongside scientists and dig for dinosaurs in the fossil-rich and rugged landscapes of southern Montana and northern Wyoming, near Red Lodge.
In this experience, your group will join the field expedition for two days during the 2026 summer season. During your adventure, you'll be doing hands-on work, contributing to decades-long research projects by helping the field teams find and excavate the fossilized remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life.
Some of the fossils at this dig site will make their way to the MNHC for preparation and additional discoveries - that includes the ones you unearth during your dig!!
What will you be excavating? Based on the success of previous field seasons, you'll have the chance to work on the Morrison Formation, which hold the remains of some of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth. Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus and more are the dinosaurs they uncover every day in the field. They're preserved with the remains of many other lifeforms -- all important pieces of the larger puzzle we're trying to assemble.
Whether you've held fossils before or you are a complete novice, the paleontologists on site will teach you everything you need to know. This will be an experience of a lifetime and you'll never look at the Montana landscape the same way again.
Value: $1600
4 guests, 2 days
Ages 8 and up
Does not include lodging or transportation.
For booking details see: elevationscience.org/fossil-dig-day-trips
A few more details: Winner should email Jason Schein at jschein@elevationscience.org and Beth Conway bconway@montananaturalist.org as
soon as possible to ensure your best possible date. Day trips are limited to 5 people per day and they book fast.
AVAILABLE DATES FOR THE 2026 FIELD SEASON WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY 2026.
This auction item does not include lodging.
Thank you to Elevation Science Institute for this unique opportunity!
90
Glacier National Park Getaway!
$1230A beautiful retreat for up to 8 guests to one of our nation's best natural treasures!
Yards from the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, feet from Glacier View Golf Course, and a literal stone's throw from Glacier National Park... this is where the river meets the fairway. Whether you're in search of quiet mornings, rising trout, an epic trek through Glacier, or all of the above, start your journey here. Your accommodations for this trip sits at the intersection of boundless adventure, uninhibited relaxation, and perpetual fun.
Minutes from Glacier National Park
This is the coziest modern retreat nestled just outside the entrance to Glacier National Park. Whether you're here for hiking, scenic drives, or simply to unwind in nature, this newly renovated space is the perfect home base.
Enjoy stunning views, peaceful surroundings, and all the comforts of home, including a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, and plush bedding. Thoughtful touches throughout reflect our deep local roots to make your stay unforgettable.
Two Nights
Up to 8 Guests
Reservations for October-December 2026, subject to availability
For more information see listing on AIRBNB
Thank you to Caitlin Twohig for this generous donation!
91
Nature Journaling Class for 10
$300Spend the afternoon with up to ten friends treating yourselves to a day of drawing and observation in this exclusive nature journaling workshop! Your host and instructor for the afternoon is local artist, Nancy Seiler, who will work with you one-on-one throughout the three-hour class, sharing numerous tips and exercises to achieve drawing success!
Nature journaling is for everyone - and so is this workshop! From beginners to experienced illustrators, the practice of natural journaling is a powerful tool for deepening connection to our natural world.
The winning bidder can pick the date and location of their choice; this workshop can be hosted inside or outside, and MNHC is happy to help suggest some great locations in our nearby public lands and spaces!
Your lunch for the afternoon is provided by local favorite and Best of Missoula Winner Tagliare Delicatessen.
Nancy Seiler received her Visual Communications degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1981. In 1988 she started her graphic design business which she had for over 35 years. She taught classical botanical illustration and nature journaling on her own as well as the uses of acrylics, oils and watercolors for GOLDEN Artist Colors. Her work is represented by Frame of Reference Fine Art in Whitefish and Bigfork, Montana.
Details:
- Up to 10 guests, 3 hours
- Date and location are your choice, pending host availability
Excursion expires August 31, 2026
Thank you to Tagliare Delicatessen for catering this afternoon experience.
We are so grateful to Nancy for her generosity and sharing her time and talent with the MNHC community!
111
Birding in Missoula Tour
$250Revel in Missoula's amazing avian life with this birding tour for two with naturalist Elena Ulev of Blue Heron Nature Tours.
Missoula has many great places to bird year-round. From bohemian waxwings and northern shrikes in the winter to yellow warblers and mountain bluebirds in the summer, every season is fun to bird in. You will go to Elena's favorite local spot which has forest, riparian, and grassland habitats, ensuring that you see a huge variety of birds.
To date, Elena has recorded 119 bird species at this spot, which includes raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds, owls, and migratory songbirds.
Length: 2 hours - 9:00-11:00 a.m OR 12:00-2:00 p.m.
The walk is 1.7 miles long on a flat gravel path that is handicapped accessible and there are restrooms at the trailhead. If you need a wheelchair suitable for gravel trails, they are available to rent in Missoula for free. New Vortex binoculars are available to borrow. Elena will bring her Vortex spotting scope to hone in really closely on the birds.
Must be used by October 25th, 2026.
127
Paleo Tour with Kallie Moore
$300Don't be petrified! All these animals are really, really dead. The University of Montana Paleontology Collection houses around 50,000 specimens from over 20 different countries. During your private tour, you'll be able to touch a 2.5 billion-year-old fossil, check out the life that swam in a shallow sea that covered Montana 320 million years ago, take some selfies with the skull of Montana's T. rex, and get all your questions about ancient life answered!
Details:
- What: Spend up to two hours on a private, backstage tour of the University of Montana Paleontology Collection with Kallie Moore, the Collections Manager, Fossil Librarian, and co-host of the YouTube channel, Eons (youtube.com/eons). You'll have the freedom to explore fossils of specific interest to you, and the chance to ask all the questions you can think of, while you share in Kallie's enthusiasm for earth's history. The University of Montana houses a collection of around 50,000 fossils that represent the ancient heritage of North America in addition to specimens from 20 different countries. Ask to see the oldest fossil in the collection - a 1.3 billion-year-old Stromatolite from Glacier National Park, learn about Montana's ancient sea life, or see fossils from some of Montana's earliest mammals. It is up to you!
- For: Up to 6 people (ages 8+)
- Expiration Date: Must have this experience before November 2026
- When: Tours must be scheduled during the week, but can be during evening hours (M-F).
- Value: 4.6 billion years of history
199
2 Missoula Symphony Season Tix
$300The Missoula Symphony has generously donated two Sunday general admission season tickets for the 2025-2026 season, which runs fall to spring. Check out upcoming performances at missoulasymphony.org.
The Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale has delivered unique, live symphonic and choral music to Western Montana since 1954. Locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds attend our concerts, from our first-time symphony goers to our dedicated sponsors and community members.
Now, under the leadership of our new Music Director, Julia Tai, we have expanded our offerings even more. Our outreach and education program continues to provide scholarships to University of Montana music students and educational activities in regional public schools.