When you’re looking for a memorable place to travel with the family this year, Yellowstone, Montana has something for everyone to enjoy. Here, there’s no shortage of hands-on adventures, wildlife sightings, scenic drives, and geothermal attractions to add to an itinerary. We invite you to use this comprehensive guide to Yellowstone to plan a meaningful journey. We’ve laid out some of the best things to do in Yellowstone during your stay so you can maximize the family-friendly fun in every season.
Make Memories That Will Last a Lifetime
Yellowstone is a vacation destination that never fails to impress its guests. If you’re heading here with the family in the wintertime, unique adventures are just waiting to be discovered.
Experience Dog Sledding
Adults and kids alike will love experiencing dog sledding this winter in Yellowstone. It’s a thrilling chance to see the backcountry through a new lens. It’s also a great hands-on opportunity to learn more about how sled teams work alongside a professional musher.
Consider booking your excursion through Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures to enjoy customized outings that last anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours at a time. Tours typically run from December through March each year, and prices begin at $105. Many tour options, such as the “Learn to Mush” Adventure, include the chance for guests to pet the dogs, take photos, handle the harnesses, drive the team, and enjoy hot cocoa together afterward.
Departure Location: Dog sled tours meet at basecamp off US Highway 191 (the road that runs from Big Sky to West Yellowstone) on Taylor Fork Rd.
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (seasonally)
Enjoy World-Class Wildlife Watching
For families who share a passion for wildlife, Yellowstone is a place that’s sure to inspire. It’s considered one of the best wildlife destinations in the country. You can spot:
- Bald eagles
- Bears
- Wolves
- Elk
- Bison
- Pronghorn antelope
There are some incredible wildlife viewing stops through Yellowstone National Park that are particularly active in the early morning hours or around dusk. Some top viewing spots to check out while you’re here include:
Lamar Valley – Sometimes referred to as the “Serengeti of Yellowstone,” known for its open meadows and hills that are home to bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might also see wolves in this area.
Hayden Valley – A top destination to check out with binoculars in hand when you want to see bison thriving in their natural habitat. It’s also home to grizzly bears, which are more commonly seen here in the springtime.
Dunraven Pass to Tower Junction – This is the place to be if spotting bears is your goal. Grizzly bears and black bears frequent this stretch of the park and are most abundant in spring and early summer.
Scenic Drives and Picnic Spots
Infusing some incredible scenery into your family trip to Yellowstone is simple when you get behind the wheel and explore some of the area’s top scenic drives. There are many routes to choose from that showcase landscapes and wildlife, with opportunities to pull over for picnics along the way.
Grand Loop Road – A primary driving route through Yellowstone National Park that you won’t want to miss. Grand Loop Road is a figure eight route that connects almost all the major areas of the park and can be broken up into drivable sections or explored over the course of an entire day. It connects to major park attractions like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Length: 142 miles
Sections: Upper Loop and Lower Loop
Total Drive Time: Approximately 7-hours
Beartooth Highway – A shorter family-friendly scenic drive that’s earned the title of a National Scenic Byway All-American Road. This route climbs 5,000 feet through pine forests and leads to alpine lakes. Drivers will be stunned by the 20 peaks that come into view, and the vibrant wildflowers that line the route in the spring and summertime. The Beartooth Highway connects Red Lodge, Montana, with Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, at the Northeast Entrance to the park. It’s typically open Memorial Day through Columbus Day annually.
Length: 68 miles
Points of interest: Crossing the 45th parallel at the halfway point
Total Drive Time: Approximately 3 hours without stops
Hiking Trails Suitable for Kids
Yellowstone is home to several well-maintained and accessible trails that are great for family adventures. Whether you’re looking for forested routes that feel off-the-beaten-path or boardwalks to stroll around geothermal features, they’re all within easy reach.
Kid-Friendly Trails to Try
Mud Volcano Trail – This is an inviting and short boardwalk loop where young kids and adults can explore bubbling mud pots together safely. The geothermal features showcased here are always fascinating, and you can get up close for pictures without having to include a long hike to reach them.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.6-mile loop
Trail Map
Mystic Falls Trail-A manageable route for families traveling to Yellowstone with older kids. The trail winds through a conifer forest along a creek and rewards adventurers with a 70-foot cascade at the end.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.4 miles round-trip
Trail Map
Fun on the Water
When you find yourself in Yellowstone during the warm weather months of the year, getting out on the water is a great choice. Here, there are many options to try guided float trips, kayaking, or rafting along the Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Madison Rivers. We would recommend calm float trips for younger kids, and more intense rapids to conquer when you’re traveling with older kids and teens.
One of the top outfitters to book through in the area is Montana Whitewater Rafting & Zipline. This trusted outfitter for family-friendly adventures in Yellowstone has been providing guided rafting experiences for over 30 years. They offer customized tours and serve all park entrances, making your day on the water extra accessible. Be sure to check out their half-day rafting options—in more challenging and less challenging options, depending on your skill level—as well as their full-day excursion. In addition to rafting, this company offers zipline tours, inflatable kayaks, tubing, and fly fishing excursions.
Address: 63960 Gallatin Road, Gallatin Gateway, Montana, 59730
Phone: 406-763-4465
Yellowstone Rafting Tours
Yellowstone Rafting Tours
Some other great outfitters to consider looking into during your summer getaway include:
Iconic Landmarks
A family getaway to Yellowstone National Park might not really feel complete without stopping by some of the top attractions. Being able to say you’ve seen them for yourself can be a highlight of the experience.
Stop by the Old Faithful
Visiting Old Faithful is a must when you want to treat your family to a truly impressive experience on vacation. This world-famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park keeps to a schedule of erupting approximately every 90 minutes. There are options to watch the display from the nearby boardwalk or head to the Upper Geyser Basin instead. Either way, be sure to have your camera in hand.
Visit the Grand Prismatic
Yet another must-see attraction in the park is the Grand Prismatic Spring. At 120 feet deep and 300 feet in diameter, it’s the park’s largest hot springs and perhaps the most colorful as well. The Grand Prismatic Spring showcases a rainbow of breathtaking hues and is best viewed from the Grand Prismatic Overlook.
Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Finally, don’t leave Yellowstone National Park behind without taking the family to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at least once. As a comprehensive showcase of the park’s unique geologic history, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is often a highlight landmark. It’s a place where you can match short walks with scenic overlooks that frame waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and canyons.
Book Our Family-Friendly Rentals in Yellowstone Today
No matter when your family finds time in a busy schedule to enjoy a getaway to Yellowstone, make sure you book your accommodations through Sweet Home Montana. Our family-friendly rentals often include:
- Spacious layouts so everyone can stretch out and relax
- Full kitchens for family-style dining
- Private patios for enjoying the view and fresh air
- Cozy bedrooms to rest up well for fun ahead
- Easy access to the park entrance to maximize time exploring
If you’re heading this way with your extended family as well, we recommend looking into our large group vacation rentals that elevate the space and comfort even further. Reach out today to learn more and to begin planning your next family adventure.
