Why Go to Yellowstone National Park for Your Next Family Vacation
Yellowstone is one of the greatest family vacation spots in the U.S. First, it's home to an incredible array of wildlife like bison, elk, bears, and wolves in their natural habitat. Seeing animals roam freely in the wild is a experience your kids will never forget.
The park also contains the world's largest collection of geysers, like the famous Old Faithful. Watching these natural wonders erupt and shoot water high into the air is a geologic spectacle that fascinates both children and adults alike. In addition to geysers, the park's geothermal features include colorful hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles.
Outdoor recreation abounds in Yellowstone, from hiking and camping to boating and fishing. There are over 900 miles of hiking trails to explore. Your family can go on short nature walks or longer overnight backpacking trips. Camping amidst massive pine trees and starry night skies creates lifelong memories. Fishing for native cutthroat trout in the park's many rivers and lakes is popular, especially with kids.
For a fun learning experience, visit the park's visitor centers and museums. Rangers offer educational talks and activities for children on wildlife, geology, and Yellowstone's natural and human history.
A family vacation to Yellowstone offers opportunities for adventure and education. The stunning scenery, amazing wildlife, and one-of-a-kind geothermal features create a magical setting for outdoor recreation and family bonding. Discovering the wonders of Yellowstone together will be an unforgettable experience that shapes your children for years to come.
Top Things to See and Do in Yellowstone With Kids
Geysers and Geothermal Features
With over 10,000 geothermal features like geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, Yellowstone is a wonderland for kids and adults alike. You'll definitely want to see the famous Old Faithful geyser, which erupts every 90 minutes or so, spewing hot water and steam up to 185 feet in the air. The colorful Grand Prismatic Spring is also a must-see, with its vibrant orange and yellow hues. For an otherworldly experience, check out the geyser basins at Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Wildlife Spotting and Hiking
Yellowstone is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and gray wolves. One of the best places to spot wildlife is in the Lamar Valley, known as the "Serengeti of North America." You can see bison herds, bears, and wolves, often from the comfort of your vehicle or while hiking. Speaking of hiking, there are trails for all skill levels where you can get up close to waterfalls, scenic vistas, and thermal features. An easy hike for families is the trail to Mystic Falls.
Learning at Visitor Centers
Yellowstone's visitor centers are treasure troves of information about the park's natural and cultural history. The displays and exhibits at the park's five visitor centers teach kids and adults about everything from how geysers work to the role of wildfires in the ecosystem. The park also offers free ranger programs, hikes, and campfire talks during the summer. The Canyon Visitor Education Center is particularly kid-friendly, with hands-on exhibits, as well as an IMAX theater showing documentaries about Yellowstone.
With its one-of-a-kind geothermal features, abundant wildlife, stunning vistas, and family-friendly activities, Yellowstone National Park is the ultimate family vacation destination. Your kids will love exploring this real-life wonderland in America's first national park.
Best Times of Year to Visit Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is open year-round, but the best times to visit depend on what you want to experience.
Spring (April to May)
Springtime in Yellowstone brings wildflowers, baby animals, and smaller crowds. Temperatures start rising in April and May, melting away winter snow and ice. You'll spot newborn bison calves, bear cubs, and elk calves following their mothers. The park's colorful wildflowers start blooming, including yellow bells, pink fireweed, and blue lupine. Spring is also a great time for wildlife viewing before the crowds arrive.
Summer (June to August)
Summertime is Yellowstone's most popular season. The weather is warm, all roads and attractions are open, and school is out of session. You'll encounter the biggest crowds, especially in July and August, but you'll also have the longest hours and warmest days to explore the park's wonders. This is a fantastic time for scenic driving, hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation. Just be prepared for potential afternoon thundershowers.
Fall (September to October)
As the summer crowds dwindle in September and October, the fall colors emerge in Yellowstone. The aspens and other deciduous trees display brilliant golds and oranges. Daytime temperatures are still comfortable for most activities, while nights become crisp and cool. Some roads and attractions start closing for the season in October, but with smaller crowds, fall can be a peaceful time to visit. You may even catch the elk rut and hear the males bugling!
Winter (December to February)
Yellowstone in winter is a magical wonderland. Most roads close due to heavy snow, leaving much of the park silent and pristine. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular ways to explore. You can also take guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours to destinations like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Winter lodging and dining options are limited, but the experience of Yellowstone blanketed in snow is unforgettable.
Where to Stay in and Around Yellowstone National Park
Inside the Park
Staying inside Yellowstone National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You have a few options for lodging ranging from cabins to the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel. For families, cabins like the Western Cabins at Canyon Village or the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins are great choices. They provide a rustic feel with amenities like bathrooms, electricity and nearby restaurants. If you want luxury, try the Lake Yellowstone Hotel—it's a National Historic Landmark on the shores of Yellowstone Lake with gourmet dining, cocktails and stunning views.
Gateway Towns
Just outside the park entrances are small towns that serve as “gateways” to Yellowstone. They offer lots of lodging options at lower prices than inside the park. Gardiner, Montana is a charming little town at the north entrance. Check out comfort hotels like Best Western by Mammoth Hot Springs or cabins/condos like Yellowstone Gateway Inn. West Yellowstone, Montana is a very popular spot minutes from the west entrance. It has tons of family-friendly hotels like Holiday Inn West Yellowstone and WorldMark West Yellowstone.
Camping
If camping is more your style, Yellowstone has over 2,000 campsites in 12 campgrounds. Most are first-come, first-served but others can be reserved in advance. Canyon Campground is centrally located with great amenities. Bridge Bay Campground on Yellowstone Lake is scenic and family-friendly. If tent camping isn't your thing, try “glamping” in one of Yellowstone's canvas cabins, which provide beds, linens, lanterns and access to showers.
No matter where you choose to stay in or around Yellowstone, you'll be surrounded by natural beauty and close to adventure. Wake up early to see wildlife, soak in the natural hot springs, hike through meadows of wildflowers and make lifelong family memories in America's first national park. The perfect family summer vacation awaits you in Yellowstone’s great outdoors.
Planning Your Yellowstone National Park Family Vacation FAQs
When is the best time to visit?
The summer months from June through August are the most popular, with the biggest crowds. If you want to avoid some of the congestion, the shoulder months of May and September can also be a great time to visit, with smaller crowds and lower rates. The spring wildflowers and fall colors can be stunning during these months too. Unless you want to cross country ski or snowshoe, avoid the winter from December through February when most roads are closed due to snow.
How long do I need to see the park?
To experience the major highlights of Yellowstone, plan on spending at least 3 to 5 days in the park. This will give you enough time to see the geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin, including Old Faithful, the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, massive Yellowstone Lake, and spot wildlife in Lamar Valley. If you want to do some hiking or see more remote areas of the park, add a few extra days.
What are the must-see attractions?
No trip to Yellowstone is complete without seeing Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You should also visit the colorful hot springs and geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin, and massive Yellowstone Lake, which is North America’s largest high-elevation lake. Some of the best wildlife viewing is in Lamar Valley, where you can spot bison, bears, bighorn sheep and wolves. Other highlights include the thundering Lower Falls, wildlife-rich Hayden Valley, and the jagged cliffs of Tower Fall.
Where should I stay?
There are numerous options for lodging in the park, from cabins and lodges to campgrounds and RV parks. The historic Old Faithful Inn and Lake Yellowstone Hotel are park highlights. Camping in the park is popular in the summer, with 12 campgrounds to choose from on a first-come, first-served basis. Just outside the park, the gateway towns of West Yellowstone, Gardiner and Cooke City also offer hotels, cabins and RV parks.
Planning ahead for your Yellowstone family adventure will help ensure you have an amazing vacation exploring this world-renowned national park. Have a great trip!
Conclusion
You really can't go wrong with a family vacation to Yellowstone. With so much natural beauty and endless things to see and do, it offers something special for everyone in your crew. Just be sure to plan ahead since the park gets very busy during peak seasons. Bring your sense of adventure, pack for changing weather, and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime! This national treasure has stood the test of time for good reason. Now it's your turn to experience the magic of Yellowstone. Load up the family truckster and hit the road - your one-of-a-kind vacation awaits!
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