Road trip to Yellowstone - what am I missing?

Dec 141 min read

Planning a 10-day Yellowstone trip in June with kids aged 7, 10, and 13. We're doing a mix of hotels and maybe one night camping. Kids have been to Disneyland but not really into 'nature vacation' stuff yet so I want to make it interesting.

Packing ideas, which geyser areas are worth the hype, how long kids actually stay interested in looking at bears/bison - any firsthand experience? Also is it worth upgrading to a nicer hotel or should we do budget chains? Trying to keep this under like $4k total but also not completely miserable.

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Comments(12)

TTerrence J.RegularDec 14

Get a junior ranger booklet for each kid when you enter—sounds cheesy but our kids were actually engaged in learning about the park instead of just complaining it wasn't Disneyland lol

MMitch R.RegularDec 15

Get them each a Junior Ranger booklet when you arrive. Sounds corny but it literally kept my kids engaged for the whole trip—they were hunting for specific geysers and springs to check them off. Way better than just aimlessly driving around.

PPaul M.RegularDec 15

One night camping is perfect. Do Fishing Bridge or Bridge Bay—actual amenities but still feels like camping. Your 10yo will prob remember it forever. We did that with similar ages and it was the highlight.

CCarl W.RegularDec 16

LamarValley in early morning for bison/elk. Your nature-skeptical kids will lose their minds when they see actual wildlife instead of just geysers. Changed the whole vibe of our trip.

RRyan G.RegularDec 15

Don't skip the smaller geysers and hot springs just because you heard about them second-hand. Norris Geyser Basin was boring on paper but the weird colors and smells actually held our kids' attention way better than the 'famous' ones.

VVic G.RegularDec 15

You NEED to get them hyped beforehand. Like way more than you think. Show them photos of geysers, Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring. My kids didn't care until I showed them the massive colorful hot spring photos. Then they actually wanted to go. Also download the NPS app for the ranger talks—way better than just walking around.

JJosh E.RegularDec 15

Bring more snacks than you think you need. Yellowstone has zero food options in the middle of nowhere and your kids will be STARVING on the road between attractions. Gas station snacks get old fast.

EEd P.RegularDec 16

Bison traffic jams are real and actually kind of cool for kids. Also bring way more snacks than you think you need. The lodges have expensive food and limited options. Laird Barrens snack prep saved our trip.

RRon D.New DadDec 16

June is peak time, which is good for weather but ugh the crowds. Pro tip: get to popular spots (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic) before 9am or after 5pm. The 13yo might actually love hiking—Old Faithful to Morning Glory geyser is doable and way less crowded than the main boardwalks.

TTravis N.RegularDec 16

One night camping is perfect for that age range actually. Don't go full backcountry—stay at a developed campground with bathrooms. My 10 and 13yo were so hyped just cooking hot dogs over a fire, felt like the coolest thing ever.

MMatt J.RegularDec 14

We're looking at either Mammoth or Madison. Leaning Mammoth because the kid who's 'into nature' (the 13yo) wants the hike access. But honestly worried about bathroom situations at night with all three of them.

GGene K.RegularDec 16

The one night camping—where are you thinking? Mammoth is nice and has way more amenities than the backcountry spots.