There aren’t many places quite like the iconic Yellowstone National Park. Without a doubt, the photos and stories of America’s first national park keep it high on everyone’s list. I have amazing memories of going to Yellowstone as a teenager. I remember everything so vividly, it was as if I had been there yesterday. I would share stories with our boys about bubbling mud, vibrantly colored pools, and water so hot it boiled coming out of the earth. The moment we decided to stop at Yellowstone on our epic family national park road trip, I was ecstatic. I instantly formed my must-see list for the kids. And then annoyed them for the nine months leading up to our departure by talking about it all the time. It was great.

Yellowstone National Park

There is one major thing to know about Yellowstone - you will NOT see everything on your first visit. The park is massive and there is so much to see and so much to do that there is no way you could actually see it all in one visit. So do not let the internet checklists, Pinterest-perfect travel itineraries, and YouTubers overwhelm you. See what you can because you will not be disappointed and then make plans to come back again and see more.

The second thing to know is that if you go during the peak summer season, you will be consumed by the crowds. Tour buses, RVs, and cars are all trying to pull into the same tiny parking lots at the same time as you. It is frustrating and if you let it, it can ruin your trip. Do your best to wake up early to get ahead of the other visitors or travel to Yellowstone during the off-season or shoulder seasons. We knew that by going in late June we were taking a risk of being hit by snow (and we were right), but we were also getting a head start on the major tourist season that usually kicks into gear around the 4th of July. Though bittersweet, we also enjoyed less crowding because so many tour buses were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tip: I highly suggest purchasing our favorite road trip tour app, the phenomenal GyPSy Guide. We have used GyPSy on two Hawaiian Islands, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Glacier National Park. It is without a doubt an amazing tool to go more in-depth while visiting incredible areas. The guide brings in the knowledge that you could never get on your own and allows you to look around while listening, unlike a traditional tour book. Yellowstone is phenomenal and I was so glad we got it for our trip.

A few of our favorite spots:

Grand Prismatic
Artist Paint Pots
Mammoth Hot Springs
Upper and Lower Falls
Steamboat Geyser
and of course, Old Faithful

Grand Prismatic - Experience the Adventure of Yellowstone with Kids

Artist Paint Pots - Family Vacation in Yellowstone: Tips for a Fun and Safe Trip

How to Best Plan Your Visit to Yellowstone

I created this concept to “conquer” Yellowstone in a limited amount of time. I think it works great, other families I have suggested it to agreed, now I hope you do as well.

First, have a general idea of the things you want to see. For most people, it is places like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and Norris Geyser Basin.

Now, print the official map grab a red marker (or blue, I don’t judge), and divide the map into sections for as many days as you’ll be visiting. You can divide the map however you want and if you’ll be there for six days then you’re in luck because it’s already divided that way by the roads! This map division allows you to break down the areas so as to not be overwhelmed to try and do everything at once or drive too far that you’ll regret it.

Next, assign each section its own day for visiting, grab a highlighter and highlight your must-see places. Keep it to about five to six can’t miss sights per day, plus a hike/walk. This allows you to take your time at each stop (which you will need) and if you see something else (which you will) the time to explore that newly found area without pressure as well.

Do not keep a breakneck pace - traffic and animal jams just do not allow for it.
There is a lot of walking, you will be parking the car and walking out on boardwalks to see what you came to see then walking back to the car. If you rush you might miss something amazing like a geyser erupting.
And lastly, don’t forget time for meals, visitors centers, and souvenir shopping.

Tip: Get going early and go to the most popular spot in your section first. For example, arriving at Old Faithful at about 9:00 am allows you to find ample parking, a great viewing spot, time to find out when the next eruption is predicted, and the option to explore Upper Geyser Basin as well. If you’re not an early riser, then do the opposite, save your most popular spot for last. The sunsets are fairly late in the summer at Yellowstone which allows you extended touring hours.

Yellowstone National Park: A Parent's Guide to the Ultimate Family Getaway

Must See Places In West Yellowstone

We stayed in West Yellowstone, MT while spending two days going through the park. It is a great little town and very well situated with most places conveniently located on Canyon Street right next to the park entrance. If you’re headed through town, park the car and get out to explore like we did.

Dinner at Beartooth BBQ - get the grits you won’t regret it
Souvenir shopping at Yellowstone Trading Post and Christmas In Montana
Ice cream cones at The City Creamery
Coffee and pastry at Bear Country Bakery

We only wish we had more time in West Yellowstone, including a visit to the Museum of the Yellowstone and eat more huckleberry ice cream. So good!!

Yellowstone with Kids: The Ultimate Adventure for the Whole Family

Best Place to Camp Near Yellowstone National Park

If you ever wanted options of where to stay near a national park I think Yellowstone might win the prize. There are five entrances to the park and each one has campgrounds and lodging, not to mention that you can stay in the national park itself at several campgrounds, hotels, and cabins.

We chose the west entrance and Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park for several reasons including cost, the convenience of still being in a town, and the overall distance to the park entrance (less than five minutes). We enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to anyone. The park was clean, quiet, and a great place to get some laundry done. Unfortunately, we don’t have a single picture. It rained during our two days there and we never thought about snapping a picture. There is an abundance on Google though, as well as their website.

Another option for staying near Yellowstone was where we stayed while visiting Grand Teton National Park. Flagg Ranch is only 20 minutes from the south entrance to Yellowstone and would also be a good spot if you’re wanting to visit both parks.

Wherever you stay, I highly recommend making reservations as early as possible. Yellowstone is an incredibly popular destination and spots fill fast, especially within the park.

All in all, our visit to Yellowstone National Park was as fantastic as we expected, despite the rain, snow, and cold temps.