Yellowstone National Park - Littleton,CO

Updated on August 06, 2011
Z.G. asks from Littleton, CO
7 answers

We are staying in West Yellowstone, MT in August (will be visiting the park for a week.) Are there certain places that are a "must see" and places to avoid? We have 3 young children (ages 5, 3 and 1.) Any suggestions on places to eat and things to do in or near West Yellowstone that aren't in the park would be appreciated. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

We had a fantastic time in West Yellowstone and in the park. We went to the Grizzly and Wold Discovery two days in a row. I thoroughly enjoyed it and our 5 year old loved hidding the food for the bears. We got to see a huge portion of the park, and it wasn't overly crowded. We went to Mammoth, Lamar and Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, the Lake area, and more. We saw lots of wildlife but no wolves or moose. Thank you to everyone who answered.

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A.B.

answers from Colorado Springs on

We just did Yellowstone in June with our 3 and1 year old boys for 4 days. We hit the roadside attractions and didn't do any hiking-would have loved to but there was still a bunch of snow all over! We stayed at the Old Faithful and Canyon Lodge cabins. Lamar Valley was awesome for animal spotting and the boys loved the "smelly geysers"-the mud pots and sulpher cauldrons-there is a boardwalk and some stairs but it is less than a mile and I carried the 1 year old and our 3 year old walked and rode on DH's shoulders and it was fine. Each villiage has a visitor center that is really a museum and they are great-especially on a rainy day. For food we cooked our own by campfire or campstove and packed stuff for breakfast and lunch. The food is overpriced everywhere in the park and if you need coffee in the morning best to bring a perculator! We did splurge our last night at the Lake House restaurant-reservations required-and it was incredible. You can go online to yellowstone's page and find menus and prices for most of the dining options. Oh and depending on your drive to and from there is a town called Thermopolis in WY that supposedly has a fantastic dino museum that is great for kids. Unfortunately we ran out of time and had to drive straight through. Feel free to message me if you want more info! We had a blast even with little ones and although you won't be able to do everything there is still plenty to keep you all happy!

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K.S.

answers from Great Falls on

Pack lots of snacks and toys traffic can be bad. The kids will love the geysers and the mud volcanos! You might want to check out Bozeman north about 90 miles. See the childrens museum for hands on stuff and the Museum of the Rockies the kids will love both. Also just a little past Three Forks you will find The Lewis and Clark Caverns very cool but might be a little tricky with the youngest but I've seen it work. Lots of things to do in West Yellowstone make sure to spend a day there go to the Grizzly Discovery Center for sure. Have lots of fun!

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H.A.

answers from Bismarck on

It's pretty spendy, but if you can swing it, make reservations to go up in a hot air balloon! Amazing way to see such beautiful country and something you'll never forget!

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B.R.

answers from Naples on

All I remember from our trip there in 1982 was that even the campgrounds require reservations, and when we rolled in without....there was no room and everything was sold out! Have fun!

S.D.

answers from Phoenix on

we had the best time in Yellowstone. There is so much to see and do, but the little ones are pretty little. We had a house so we cooked all the meals. We did not go anywhere to eat. We were located outside W Yellowstone enterance on the montana side . It was about a 30 min drive in each day. We saw the Tetons, old faithful, and many many springs and falls......... Upper and Lower. They were spectacular. But lots of cliffs and bars to stay away from the areas. Some of these hotsprings are just RIGHT THERE and you can literally loose balance with a little one. So keep them on a leash or backpack. It can be nerve racking in some places with these sites. We went river rafting and horse back riding as two activities. It will be such a beautiful area for your family too see......... I prefer that the kids were older for me. They were 5 and 9 when we went.

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J.F.

answers from Omaha on

Of course, see Old Faithful!

For more specific park information (to include road closures, etc) see the official site: www.nps.gov/yell

Enjoy your trip!

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M.R.

answers from Provo on

We just got back from a vacation there a few weeks ago. We have an 8 month old only, but stayed in west yellowstone. I know there is a bear muesuem and an IMAX theater in west yellowstone, and lots of little tourist shops, but the place itsself is pretty much hotels. I didn't go to anything there since we only had a two and a half day stay. There are a lot of resurtants. i can't remember where we ate, but I would not recommend it anyway, very pricey and not much food. Everything is very pricey there, for a side salad at mcdonalds (here $1, there $2) . we always packed lunch and just ate dinner at hte resturants. But I would pack snacks becuase it is a 14 mile drive to get to the first turn off in the park after you have passed the entrance. We had no issues with traffic ever, but I have heard a lot of people do. Mostly it gets clogged when you see an animal. I would recommend in the park doing down firehole drive. It is a little out of the way off a main road, but soooooooooo worth it! It was so fun. Good luck!
you will probably see all of the park in a weeks time

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