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Message
Summer Trip to Yellowstone
Posted on 1/29/26 at 11:34 am
Posted on 1/29/26 at 11:34 am
We want to go up to Jackson Hole, WY or Bozeman, MT, or somewhere between this July 2026 for about a week. We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Are we crazy to attempt this trip? Will the kids enjoy it?
Any suggestions on an itinerary? One city over the other?
Plan to either fly out of BTR or MSY depending on flight costs. Prefer BTR since we're in BR.
Any suggestions on an itinerary? One city over the other?
Plan to either fly out of BTR or MSY depending on flight costs. Prefer BTR since we're in BR.
7
Posted on 1/29/26 at 12:43 pm to modes
Kids won't enjoy or remember the trip when they are older.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 12:45 pm to modes
we did Jackson hole with a day trip to yellowstone this summer. We loved it, but our kids are older, 11&8, so the long drive times into and throug the park weren't an issue.
also did a day at grand teton, and went up the jackson hole tram and hiked around there. went fly fishing and rafting, but that wouldn't work for your ages. Snow King moutain has stuff going on during the summer as well and a concert series over the summer at the summit.
as for one city over the other, the south side of yellowstone has more of the geological features (old faithful, grand prismatic spring, bubbling geysers), north side has more wildlife like buffalo.
I wouldn't stay in Bozeman, i would go towards livingston or gardner, or maybe west yellowstone if flying into bozeman.
also did a day at grand teton, and went up the jackson hole tram and hiked around there. went fly fishing and rafting, but that wouldn't work for your ages. Snow King moutain has stuff going on during the summer as well and a concert series over the summer at the summit.
as for one city over the other, the south side of yellowstone has more of the geological features (old faithful, grand prismatic spring, bubbling geysers), north side has more wildlife like buffalo.
I wouldn't stay in Bozeman, i would go towards livingston or gardner, or maybe west yellowstone if flying into bozeman.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 1:13 pm to modes
quote:
We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Are we crazy to attempt this trip?
I'd pull back on the plans and just go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg like 99% of Louisiana residents with children that young.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 1:32 pm to tigerstripes
quote:
Kids won't enjoy or remember the trip when they are older.
You're right. So they should just stay home and do nothing.
OP - our oldest is 9 and has been to 18 National Parks. The first one being Glacier at 10 months old. It's now disappointing when she finds out our vacation is not to a new park. We did Yellowstone and Teton's a few years ago with 3 kids 7 and under. Great parks to bring them, IMO.
I'd stay in Gardner/Livingston, then a day or two in the park (Headwaters Lodge is a great spot between the parks), and then finish out with Jackson.
This post was edited on 1/29/26 at 1:37 pm
Posted on 1/29/26 at 2:25 pm to modes
It's a lot of driving and possibly waiting in traffic/for parking spots with kids that young in the Yellowstone area. We got stuck in a buffalo parade at Gibbon Falls, but luckily was like the 3rd car in line and they were passing us instead of going the other way. The cars coming from West Yellowstone and Old Faithful area probably waited for hours to get through there.
We did it in a RV last year and specifically waited til 4th grade summer for free national park pass where she would remember it. Even though she had a whole RV to move around and do stuff, she got bored a lot. Kids that young won't really care. They will enjoy a zoo just as much. If you get them outdoors early, it will set the tone for what they enjoy on vacation though.
I wouldn't do this to myself with two toddlers. Some people do it though. I saw a baby in a carrier going up Angel's Landing in Zion on the same trip.
Now that I have done hotels and campgrounds in Yellowstone, camping is the way to go. It was so nice in some of the campgrounds. Canyon Campground was amazing.
We did it in a RV last year and specifically waited til 4th grade summer for free national park pass where she would remember it. Even though she had a whole RV to move around and do stuff, she got bored a lot. Kids that young won't really care. They will enjoy a zoo just as much. If you get them outdoors early, it will set the tone for what they enjoy on vacation though.
I wouldn't do this to myself with two toddlers. Some people do it though. I saw a baby in a carrier going up Angel's Landing in Zion on the same trip.
Now that I have done hotels and campgrounds in Yellowstone, camping is the way to go. It was so nice in some of the campgrounds. Canyon Campground was amazing.
This post was edited on 1/29/26 at 2:30 pm
Posted on 1/29/26 at 2:47 pm to modes
Go the last week of may, early June before the crowds, they’ll still have plenty of snow around kids will love that
Posted on 1/29/26 at 3:03 pm to CapitalTiger
quote:she will treasure those memories of glacier forever
The first one being Glacier at 10 months old
Posted on 1/29/26 at 3:11 pm to modes
quote:
We want to go up to Jackson Hole, WY or Bozeman, MT, or somewhere between this July 2026 for about a week
Hell yeah!
quote:
We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old.
If you do try this, I'd stay in Bozeman. It's easier than JH, but I'd wait until the kids get older. Stick to the beach for a few more years.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 8:01 pm to modes
I agree with Capital Tiger - take them while they are young and keep going.
We have been doing national parks and international trips since our kids were tots, and they are extremely easy and fun to travel with because of introducing them young. If you wait until your kids are teenagers to do this kind of travel, you have a lot of catching up to do in a short amount of time. The world is a huge and amazing place - experience it together for as long as you can. Even if they won't remember it, you will cherish the memories.
Bozeman is a little too far away to enjoy the park. A "Cruise America" RV would be a good idea. Your kids will probably enjoy having a house on wheels, and that way you can hit a few spots around the park. Book your campgrounds early if you do this. Get the compact one so it is easy to drive and park at trailheads. Wake up early and beat the crowds to the big sites.
We have camped in the park before and recommend Madison and Canyon in Yellowstone as well as Colter Bay in the Tetons.
Enjoy! Beautiful part of the world.
We have been doing national parks and international trips since our kids were tots, and they are extremely easy and fun to travel with because of introducing them young. If you wait until your kids are teenagers to do this kind of travel, you have a lot of catching up to do in a short amount of time. The world is a huge and amazing place - experience it together for as long as you can. Even if they won't remember it, you will cherish the memories.
Bozeman is a little too far away to enjoy the park. A "Cruise America" RV would be a good idea. Your kids will probably enjoy having a house on wheels, and that way you can hit a few spots around the park. Book your campgrounds early if you do this. Get the compact one so it is easy to drive and park at trailheads. Wake up early and beat the crowds to the big sites.
We have camped in the park before and recommend Madison and Canyon in Yellowstone as well as Colter Bay in the Tetons.
Enjoy! Beautiful part of the world.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 9:46 am to Dam Guide
quote:
Now that I have done hotels and campgrounds in Yellowstone, camping is the way to go. It was so nice in some of the campgrounds. Canyon Campground was amazing.
This
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