Top 5 Things (and MORE!) in Yellowstone National Park with Kids
To read our full blog about our trip to Yellowstone, click here
Visit Old Faithful!
Would it even be a trip to Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful erupt? This is a tricky one to schedule of course. You may have some time to wait until the next eruption. Don’t worry, there are plenty of things to see and do around the area!
The visitor center is amazing! Filled with interactive learning displays and information, you can check this off as an educational trip for the kids to learn all about geology. The center also holds demonstrations led by park rangers. You can also find the predicted times for the geysers around the area.
Don’t just see Old Faithful! Other geysers in the area include Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and Beehive to name a few!
If you need to cool off, or need a snack, be sure to enjoy an ice cream cone at Old Faithful Lodge!
Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring!
Skip the crowded boardwalk viewing area. It’s a little too close to get a great picture. I mean, I suppose you could go here too, but the view from above is way better!
Go instead to Fairy Falls Trailhead. It’s a 1 mile gravel trail that will lead you up a hill to get the BEST view of the Grand Prismatic Spring.
Take a dip in the Boiling River!
Yes, the Boiling River. And it’s safe, I promise. The cold mountain water mixes with the very hot water springs and creates the perfect temperature! This was one of our favorite things to do in Yellowstone. We could’ve stayed half a day here, but for times sake, we spent about 3 hours.
If you are going in the summer months, make sure to go early so you can get a parking spot! From the parking lot, it is about a 15 minute walk to the entrance of the Boiling River.
TIP: WEAR WATER SHOES! It is very difficult to walk on the rocks in the river and the current is strong, which doesn’t help with balancing and walking! We also brought a baby float for our youngest, which helped her enjoy the experience.
BONUS: You and your children will get really dirty in the parks, this counts as a BATH!
Once you make it to the river, find a side pool to settle into, where the water is calm and the temperature perfect. The kids loved swimming in the calm water and meeting other kids to play in the water with. You’ll likely meet some new friends and have great conversations about your trip in Yellowstone!
Drive through Lamar or Hayden Valley
…and enjoy watching BISON! This was our FAVORITE activity of the trip. We’d never seen bison before this trip, so we were all fascinated by them. Not only is the landscape in the valley beautiful, but it’s great for watching wildlife.
You’ll see them rolling around in dirt, charging, playing, and standing in the middle of the road. If you’re lucky, you’ll get stuck in a “bison jam” and get a close-up view of these beasts!
Visit the Mud Volcano
As with many spots in Yellowstone, the area is stroller friendly with a wooden boardwalk path around the area.
This area has really cool things to see around the boardwalk. At Dragon’s Mouth Spring, your kids will think there is a real fire-breathing dragon lurking in the cave! You’ll also see plenty of muddy hot springs and fumaroles, and the kids will be plugging their noses to avoid the ever-present sulfur smell. You can also read up on the history of the mud-volcano when it erupted in 1872.
(…and MORE!)
We only had three full days in Yellowstone, so this list of top picks is for about that time frame! Other notable things to do would include a few hours to walk around Mammoth Hot Springs, a visit to Tower Falls and Devils Den, a quick trip to Canyon Village to see Artist’s Point, and a picture under the famous Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance of Yellowstone! If you want a chance to see bears, check out Blacktail Drive! Even if you don’t spot any, the drive is very pretty.
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