For Families

Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks for Families

Day 1: Arrive in Cody, Wyoming

Cody is the ideal gateway for a family vacation in Yellowstone: Kids will surely enjoy the shootouts in front of the Irma Hotel downtown, and the nightly Cody Nite Rodeo has kiddie rides beforehand and a participatory "calf scramble" that allows youngsters to get in on the action and chase a bewildered calf around the arena in between the events. (The kids are trying to grab the coveted ribbon tied to the animal.) Older kids might even like the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. As for food and lodging, try Maxwell's and the Buffalo Bill Village Resort.

Day 2: Arrive in Yellowstone National Park

Head straight into Yellowstone on Day 2, stopping for a picnic along the shore of Yellowstone Lake once you've entered. West Thumb is an excellent primer for introducing tykes to the park's geothermal underpinnings. Spend the night at Old Faithful, where you can see more incredible displays produced by the heat, water, and geology below.

Days 3 & 4: Explore Yellowstone

While many hikes in the first itinerary in this chapter may not be suitable for all children, we like two in particular for people of all ages: Artist Paint Pot Trail south of Norris, and the Forces of the Northern Range Self-Guiding Trail near Mammoth. Both are short, level, and give a good glimpse at different phenomena that have shaped Yellowstone's ecosystem over the eons. On Day 3, tackle Artist Paint Pot Trail, then wander Norris' boardwalks before making your way to Mammoth for the evening. Get a room, cabin, or campsite here and hit Boiling River for a soak before exploring more thermal features at Mammoth via boardwalk. The next morning, you're in prime position for the Forces of Nature Self-Guiding Trail, which gives a look at the effects of a forest fire, before driving west for an afternoon exploring the Lamar Valley in search of wildlife -- the Yellowstone Association Institute offers customizable expeditions that will allow mom and dad a break from the wheel. Spend the night at Roosevelt Lodge -- a family favorite -- after enjoying a signature chuck-wagon cookout on the trail.

Days 5 & 6: Grand Teton National Park

It's a pretty good drive from Roosevelt to Grand Teton, so plan a stop at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and picnic in the southern reaches of the park en route. You'll probably get your first peek at the Tetons in the early afternoon. Pick a base in the park -- your choices range from campgrounds to luxury cabins -- and stick with it. Colter Bay Village is a particularly family-friendly spot, and gives you the opportunity to set out to moose-watch in Willow Flats or around Jackson Lake Lodge. The next day, take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike as far up Cascade Canyon as you see fit. In the afternoon, take a scenic cruise on Jackson Lake.

Day 7: Jackson, Wyoming

Your last day will be well spent in Jackson. At Town Square, there are nightly shootouts and stagecoach rides. You might check out the alpine slide or miniature golf at Snow King Resort, or the excellent National Museum of Wildlife Art, which has kid-oriented interpretation and activities. Grab dinner at Billy's Giant Hamburgers at the Cadillac Grille and stay at the Virginian Lodge; it has a big grassy courtyard centered on a pool. Jackson has an airport and is an easy drive from I-15 at Idaho Falls.