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Indoor Play in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Planning your Trip to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is a huge national park and if you’re planning on visiting with the kids, then be sure to plan your vacation in advance. With so much to see and do, it's worth taking some time to strategically plan your trip so you can factor in the best places to visit in Yellowstone National Park.
Grand Prismatic
If you’ve ever seen a postcode from Yellowstone, the odds are it's had the Grand Prismatic on it. The Grand Prismatic is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone and is the largest hot spring in the United States. Best viewed from the boardwalks it covers around 1.32 acres and is deeper than a 10-story building.
You can hike to the Grand Prismatic whilst overlooking the Fairy Falls Trailhead. Along the hike, you can view the Firehole River and the historic steel truss bridge.
The Old Faithful
The Old Faithful is located in the Southwestand is best viewed by taking a hike. Along the hike, you can see the Old Faithful section of the park which is an absolute must-see! The Old Faithful erupts about every 74 minutes and the intervals can range from 60-to 110 minutes.
The Old Faithful is the most predictable geyser in Yellowstone. The eruptions last between 1.5 to 5 minutes and can reach an average of 135 feet. If you want a front-row seat be sure to get there early. The geyser can be viewed anywhere in the surrounding area.
View of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone
The view of the Grand Canyon looks like something straight off a postcard. With its picturesque views, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is undeniably one of the best places to visit in Yellowstone park. Formed years ago, by a volcanic eruption and molded over time, the canyon spans over 20 miles and reaches depths of 1200 feet.
The Grand Canyon is worth a visit during sunset to catch the beautiful sunrise and pastel colors shadowing the canyon.
Midway Geyser Basin
The Midway Geyser Basin offers one of the best hiking routes within Yellowstone Park.
The Midway Geyser Basin is home to one of the world’s best thermal features where you can find lots of geysers, hot springs, and trails through luscious scenery and wildlife.
West Yellowstone has plenty of amenities for young kids such as a small regional airport, souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels, and plenty of supermarkets. There are lots to do for children in West Yellowstone, spend time at the Discovery Centre or watch a movie at the local movie center.
Known for being colorful and home to the Excelsior Geyser which is a 200 by 300-foot crater that spurts out over 4000 gallons of water per minute! Be sure to visit Midway Geyser Basin with the little ones and impress their little imaginations with the dazzling eruptions of blue bubbling water.
Cody, Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming is located East Side of Yellowstone National Park. Cody has a small airport with flights to hubs of larger cities within the region. Cody is famous for its downtown strip with an old-west vibe that is full of shops, hotels, and plenty of eateries. One of the biggest draws to Cody is the Buffalo Bill Centre Museum which is full of Wild West history and memorabilia. Buffalo Bill is a great place to visit with children of all ages.
Visiting Yellowstone is best done between the months of April, September, and October. These off-season months provide more opportunities to see the local wildlife and enjoy less crowded tourist spots. During March and April bears emerge, migrating birds arrive just before May and the elk rut begins mid-September.
Summer, Autumn, and Winter are the best months to visit Northern Rockies. The days are long and sunny and the nights are clear with beautiful skies and low humidity. The rest of the season is known as spring and you’re more likely to experience rain and sometimes snow.
From June onwards, you can see more of the wildlife and can experience fishing and the local rivers. Wildflowers bloom in early summer and provide some of the most beautiful views and distinctive summer smells.
Visiting during Autumn you can experience cooler weather and hotel accommodation rates drop lower than seen during the peak seasons.
Winter is a glorious season in Yellowstone, although it can be very cold. The air is crystalline and the snow is like powder which provides perfect conditions for skiing.
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone is one of the most popular places to stay just outside Yellowstone Park. Given its proximity to several top attractions, the town is located near West Entrance Station which makes this place an ideal place to stay to get around. Within a 30-mile radius, you can reach destinations such as Yellowstone Lake, Lamar Valley, and Norris Geyser Basin.
Gardiner, Montana
Gardiner, Montana is located conveniently outside West Yellowstone near the North Entrance Station and the historic Roosevelt Arch. Gardiner, Montana is a great place to stay if you wish to visit locations like the Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, and Lamar Valley. All of these locations offer plenty of things to do for kids, whether you’re a family that loves hiking, or loves to sit back and chill and enjoy the scenery, staying at Gardiner, Montana caters for all.
Gardiner, Montana hosts lots of beautiful family-friendly hotels along the Yellowstone river offering water views.
Yellowstone National Park is located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming and is easy to access from various airports. If you’re traveling with children it’s worth hiring a car rather than relying on public transport (which there are plenty of options) From most entrances to Yellowstone park there are train stations and bus stations. Traveling via car is easier when you’ve packed lots of suitcases and have the little ones traveling with you.
Here are the distances from nearby airports:
- Yellowstone Airport: 3 miles
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho: 110 miles
- Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody: 55 miles
- Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming: 70 miles
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Montana: 80 miles
Yellowstone National Park offers travelers plenty of hotel options from historic hotels, rustic lodges, and quaint cottages. There are endless ways to vacate at Yellowstone which suit all budgets. Yellowstone is one of the top spots to visit in the US. When deciding on a hotel in Yellowstone be sure to consider the age of your kids, budgets, what you want out of your visit, and how long you plan on visiting. It’s also worth factoring in the time of year you plan on visiting so you get the best out of your holiday. If traveling with young kids, visiting in the off-peak seasons might be better as you have less crowded tourist spots and generally prices of hotels and restaurants drop because it’s the offseason.
Amenities also vary during the year and this can impact the cost. The most popular hotels get booked up very quickly so be sure to plan well in advance.
Listed below are the top 6 hotels to stay in that suit all budgets and are kid-friendly.
- Best ranch: Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
- Best for spotting local wildlife: Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
- Most Romantic: 1872 Inn
- Best Kid-friendly Option: Best Western Desert Inn
- Most Historic: Old Faithful Inn
- Best for Budget: Al’s Westward Ho Motel
One of the best ways to experience a new place is by tasting the local cuisine. Yellowstone offers lots of different restaurants that suit all budgets, taste buds, and children of all ages.
Listed below are some of the must-have food experiences to try when visiting Yellowstone:
307 Fries
Braised Elk Gravy poured over fries and lots of grated cheddar melted over the dish. 307 fries are a must-have treat for any age group, especially children!
Buffadilla
This local delicacy oozes delicious delights! The Buffadilla consists of ground buffalo, peppers, onion, and cheese wrapped up in a flour tortilla and dressed in sour cream and guacamole.
Waffles
Try the Waffle topped with your favorite topping! Everything from peanut butter, bacon, sour cream, hot meat, or just plain simple maple syrup.
Pig Candy
This is a must-have when visiting Yellowstone. Pig Candy is thick-cut smoked applewood bacon coated in a blend of sugar and spices and baked for an hour. Pig Candy is a popular treat for children of all ages.
Compared to other National Parks, Yellowstone offers lots of dining options for families with young children. Some of the most popular restaurants can be found nearby Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithfull.
