Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is one of our family’s favorite places to explore, offering breathtaking scenery, unique wildlife, and endless adventures. Here’s why we love it and some tips for making the most of your family trip to this incredible national park!

1. Stunning Natural Wonders

Yellowstone is full of natural wonders. We love taking time to explore each site and marvel at the beauty of nature together.

Secret tip: to see a rainbow in front of the Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the best time is during mid-morning (approximately 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM) on a sunny day in the summer—it was gorgeous!

Hint: There are two ways to view the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring, The main entrance has a boardwalk but the overlook has a hike—make sure to park accordingly!

The iconic Old Faithful Geyser erupts approximately every 90 minutes. Make sure to check the time when you arrive in the main store and give yourself about 5 minutes to walk over from there. Quite a crowd will gather. In the meantime, there are also shops in the Old Faithful Inn, Ice cream and Restaurants on the property while you wait.

2. Wildlife Encounters

Yellowstone is home to diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, bears, and wolves. One of our favorite activities is to drive through the park at dawn or dusk for the best chance to spot animals in their natural habitat. Remember to keep a safe distance and use binoculars for a closer look! We went at the end of May and the sun started coming up at 5am—beat the crowds.

If you start at Mammoth Hot Springs, go to the first Ranger station to ask if they have a map of the wildlife sightings that have been seen (where and what) that day.  We typically see elk on the way there and this past time, we saw a snake next to the hot springs.

The number one place to see them is in Lamar Valley. Give yourself a lot of time to drive in this area and watch for people with professional cameras or tour buses pulled over because they usually see something! Sometimes you can see bears between Phantom lake and tower falls in the mornings and evenings. You may also see them near Gibbons Meadows and even see some wolves there.  Visit Lamar Valley at dusk, to possibly see wolves.

Another great place to see elk and bison is Hayden Valley. We also saw a coyote there!

Miss seeing enough animals? There’s a Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone!

Some of the animals that we saw on our last trip in Mammoth-Lamar-Hayden: Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Snake, Bison, Uinta Ground Squirrel, Crane, Yellow-Bellied Marmot, Bears, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Candadian Geese, Coyote & The Wolf below was at the Discovery Center.

3. Kid-Friendly Hikes

There are plenty of family-friendly trails suitable for all ages. We love the easy walks around geysers, such as the boardwalks at Fountain Paint Pot and the trails at Mammoth Hot Springs. These hikes provide a great opportunity for kids to learn about geology and ecology while enjoying the outdoors. TIP: For young kids, keep them very close and bring bear spray! Bears and snakes can be found on paths with lots of crowds, not just on hikes.

4. Educational Opportunities

Yellowstone offers a wealth of educational experiences for kids. Attend ranger-led programs, visit the Visitor Centers, and explore interactive exhibits to learn about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife.

5. Scenic Drives

Take advantage of Yellowstone’s scenic drives, like the Grand Loop Road. Enjoy beautiful views from your vehicle, and make stops at lookout points to capture family photos against stunning backdrops. Here are a couple of maps that you can download on your phone since it’s rare you have cell phone service:

5. Camping Adventures

If your family enjoys camping, consider staying at one of Yellowstone’s campgrounds. Camping is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and spend quality time together around the campfire after a day of exploration.

6. Yellowstone Excursions

We enjoyed the Stage Coach ride & the Wildlife Tour via the Yellow Bus. The staff were so informative and exceptional. Make sure to make a reservation.

7. Not a camper? Stay at Yellowstone’s lodges. Just remember that many do not have air conditioning, but it usually cools off at night. We loved staying there and it felt like a true getaway. Our favorites are Canyon & Old Faithful Lodge!

One of our favorite places to stay in Montana between Bozeman and the north entrance was: Sage Lodge

TIPS

* You will not have cell phone coverage in most of the park. Make sure to get a paper map at the entrance if you get turned around easily. But, there are signs to guide you throughout. We loved our kids NOT being on technology! There is some limited wifi at a few of the lodges.

*Drinking water: Drink lots of water at Yellowstone so that you don't get altitude sickness. Download the National Park Service app, then download the park(s) you will be visiting. Click on the "Amenities" section and then click on "drinking water” for a list of the locations and a map will come up.

*Finding fuel in/around the park with distances between service stations: Mammoth to Tower/Roosevelt: 18 miles Tower/Roosevelt to Canyon Village: 19 miles Canyon Village to Fishing Bridge: 16 miles Fishing Bridge to Grand Village: 24 miles Grant Village to Old Faithful: 22 miles Old Faithful to Mammoth: 50 miles Old Faithful to Canyon Village: 43 milesOld Faithful to West Yellowstone: 32 miles Canyon Village to West Yellowstone: 40 miles Mammoth to West Yellowstone: 47 miles Mammoth to Canyon Village: 31 miles Mammoth to Gardiner: 5 miles Tower/Roosevelt to Cooke City: 32 miles Fishing Bridge to Cody: 77 miles Grant Village to Headwaters at Flagg Ranch: 23 miles