A trip to Yellowstone any time of year is a thrill for travelers but when you have the opportunity to come this way with your entire family in tow, the experience is that much more meaningful. When you’re looking forward to maximizing the fun for everyone, the following guide is a helpful place to start your Yellowstone family vacation.
Day 1: Visit Old Faithful
For many traveling families, it’s hard to imagine a trip this way without taking time to check iconic landmarks like the impressive Old Faithful geyser off the must-see list. Start your family friendly journey to Yellowstone off right by making this your first destination along the way! Situated in the heart of Yellowstone National Park, this popular attraction can get busy, so heading out early in the day is always highly recommended.
Old Faithful typically erupts every 90 minutes so before or after Mother Nature’s incredible show, you can stop by the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center to browse exhibits and displays that take a look at geothermal forces across the park in more detail. There are also notices about ranger-led activities for the day at the visitor center that might be interesting for travelers of all ages. This is also a great place to pick up hiking trail guides or a Junior Ranger booklet at no cost for the smallest in your group.
Yellowstone National Park
West Entrance, Montana
307-344-7381
Day 2: Book a Guided Horseback Ride
The second day of your family friendly journey to Yellowstone takes you out on the trails in authentic western style as you and your crew enjoy a horseback ride that’s one of a kind. Make reservations for a one or two hour ride through Roosevelt Corrals while you’re in town to take advantage of amazing instruction, views, and time on horseback too. These rides are offered throughout the warm-weather months of the year and are a truly unique way to enjoy sightseeing in Yellowstone alongside the entire family.
If you take time to enjoy the one hour trail ride, you’ll explore Garnet Hill and its sagebrush flats as well as views of Pleasant Valley from across a scenic stream. The two hour trail ride also takes you up the hill but continues on through wooded terrain, providing a route that traverses Los Creek and Lost Canyon. You’ll enjoy time at Lost Lake before heading back to the corral. If you’ve worked up an appetite, you can follow up your trail ride with a meal enjoy at the Old West Dinner Cookout. You’ll want to note that the minimum age for riders through Roosevelt Corrals is 8, and trail ride participants must be at least 48 inches tall.
Roosevelt Corrals
105 Roosevelt Lodge Road, Mammoth, Wyoming
307-344-7311
Day 3: See a Show at The Playmill Theatre
While outdoor adventures abound across the greater Yellowstone area, families heading this way on vacation can infuse indoor entertainment into their stay too when they book tickets to a show at The Playmill Theatre. For more than 50 years, this venue has been welcoming audiences in to enjoy spectacular performances of all kinds. The theatre has earned a reputation for excellence due to its lineup of family-friendly shows which have included everything from Newsies to The Little Mermaid. Many of the shows on the annual calendar are interactive or designed as sing-alongs for those who love to be a part of the performance. Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance of your arrival in Yellowstone to ensure seat availability.
The Playmill Theatre
29 Madison Avenue, West Yellowstone, Montana
406-646-7757
Day 4: Explore the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
For the traveling family that loves encounters with wildlife, a trip to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center might end up being the highlight of your visit. This is a one-stop resource for setting your sights on wolves and bears in abundance. The destination works as a nonprofit wildlife park and educational facility where visitors are invited to learn more about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation as well as local ecosystems. Naturalists on-site host seasonal raptor demonstrations and discussions as well. Because the bears that call this center home don’t hibernate, there are always opportunities to see them up close and in action.
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
201 S Canyon Street, West Yellowstone, Montana
800-257-2570
Book Your West Yellowstone Getaway in Style Today
Your Yellowstone family vacation is sure to be unforgettable and at Sweet Home Montana, we want to make sure you have accommodations that infuse luxury, comfort, and exceptional style into your trip as well. Reach out today to learn more about our customized property options available to book that keep you close to the places you’re excited to explore and offer up inviting amenities, features, and furnishings every step of the way.