What Every Parent Should Know About Visiting Yellowstone with Kids
Yellowstone National Park is an incredible place to visit for people of virtually any age, so it’s prime destination for families. Particularly during the summer months, people all over the world plan to see Yellowstone with kids.
But let’s face it: Your 5-year-old probably isn’t going to enjoy an overnight backpacking trip involving 17 miles of hiking. Helping your family get the most out of your trip to Yellowstone means selecting the right activities and stopping at the sites everyone can appreciate.
So, to help you create a memorable trip for your loved ones, here are five tips for traveling through Yellowstone with kids.
Bring Everything You Need for a Fun, Engaging Drive Through Yellowstone With Kids
The vast majority of visitors to Yellowstone with kids see most of the park from inside their vehicles. With that in mind, it’s only prudent to make your car, truck, SUV, or RV a place your kids will enjoy being as you drive between destinations.
Make sure you have your kids’ favorite music or audiobooks at the ready, as well as tasty and nutritious snacks and beverages. Fortunately, there are plenty of treats — even ice cream — available in developed areas like Fishing Bridge, Old Faithful, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
And while you drive, encourage your kids to keep their eyes open. Whether you’re driving through Hayden Valley, over Sylvan Pass, or past Yellowstone Lake, there’s always plenty to see. For example, from the northeast shore of Yellowstone Lake on a clear day, you can see the Tetons far to the south.
It’s more than just stunning scenery, too. Point out the charred timber and new growth that indicate where wildfires once burned, and make sure your kids are on the lookout for iconic Yellowstone wildlife like elk, buffalo, and grizzly bears.
Have Enough Binoculars for Everyone
This might sound like a pretty narrow point, but it can make all the difference for families seeing Yellowstone with kids.
There are plenty of wide, open spaces throughout the park to spot wildlife. Often, there’s a place to safely pull off the highway, get out of your vehicle, and view animals with your own two eyes, from a safe distance, of course.
But you’ll find that some of the species visitors hope to see the most — such as wolves, bears, or moose — can be extremely elusive. In many cases, you’ll only have a moment or two to catch a glimpse of these animals before they disappear.
As a kid, one of the biggest bummers would be not getting to see one of these animals because it was someone else’s turn with the binoculars. That’s why parents visiting Yellowstone with kids should consider bringing enough binoculars for everyone in their party.
You don’t need to invest a week’s pay, either. There are plenty of budget option for binoculars that offer all the capability your child or children would need.
Again, this might sound minor, but it’s a surefire way to make sure your little ones don’t miss out on the incredible sights of Yellowstone National Park.
Kids Feeling Skeptical or Apathetic? Start With the Geysers
Look, we’ve all been there — that age when you’d rather be at home hanging out with your friends (or even messaging via social media) than stuck in a car with your family for days at a time.
If your trip to Yellowstone with kids has them uninterested, it’s best to start with some of the most visually compelling sights the park has to offer: its awe-inspiring geothermal features.
Old Faithful, of course, is the place to be. It’s an ideal destination for families with children because these eruptions never disappoint, make for great photos, and usually occur on a fairly predictable schedule, so your kids won’t get bored waiting around if you time it right.
The Norris Geyser Basin is another excellent place to go. The landscape is distinct, almost otherworldly, and there are many different types of geysers and geothermal features to see.
One of the most impressive things about geothermal environments is the wide range of colors, which is why Grand Prismatic Spring should also be on your list of destinations. The stunning visuals are enough to grab the attention of even the most disinterested teens.
And if your kids appreciate “gross stuff,” check out the mud pots. The smell alone is sure to make them smirk.
Consider the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Program
For kids at least four years old, the Junior Ranger program from the National Park Service is a fantastic way to get to know Yellowstone and how they can do their part to preserve it for generations to come.
To complete the program, you’ll help your child fulfill several age-appropriate requirements. Then, head to one of the park’s visitor centers, where a ranger will review your booklet.
Perhaps the best part about the Junior Ranger program is that you can download a copy of the booklet before you visit the park and complete the steps at your own pace. It’s a fun, engaging way to experience Yellowstone with kids.
Once a ranger certifies that your child has completed the booklet, they’ll bestow an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger badge!
Keep Your Itinerary Manageable and Digestible
As you well know, younger children can tire quickly, so resist the urge to overstuff your schedule while seeing Yellowstone with kids.
Yes, it’s tempting to try and see as much of America’s first national park as you can during your trip, even if it means early mornings and late dinners. But if your kids are worn out, it’s unlikely that they’ll have a pleasant or memorable experience.
Traveling through Yellowstone with kids means balancing their needs to ensure an enjoyable adventure for everyone, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you have to call it a day at 3pm.
Remember, there’s always more to see, and the more fun your kids have during this Yellowstone trip, the more excited they’ll be to return with you for the next one.
Before you visit, check out these helpful tips for driving in Yellowstone National Park.
