Spanning nearly 3,500 square miles across three states, Yellowstone National Park can give kids memories that last a lifetime. It can also present some challenges for families. Here are 20 things to keep in mind when planning a trip to Yellowstone with kids.
Plan your days
1. Get on the road early. The best wildlife viewing is in the early morning and near dusk. Avoid driving through the park after dark, though. Many roads are narrow and winding, and you never know what might be standing in the road. Stop at a visitor center and ask rangers where wildlife has been spotted recently.
2. Allow time for bison jams. Driving in Yellowstone takes much longer than Google Maps suggests. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph (72 km/h), and you'll encounter slow RVs, scenic pullouts, and "bison jams," when a herd decides to cross or linger on the road. Build extra time into every drive.
3. Prepare to unplug. Cell coverage is limited and varies across the park, and many areas have no service at all. Some visitor centers and lodges offer Wi-Fi, but it can be slow. Download maps ahead of time, and don't rely on your phone for navigation or communication.
4. Use the bathroom every chance you get. Visitor centers, lodges, and campgrounds have flushing toilets and running water. Many trailheads and overlooks have only vault toilets, so pack toilet tissue, hand sanitizer, and wipes.
5. Eat and drink often. Most of Yellowstone sits between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. At high altitude, the air holds less oxygen, appetite drops, and the body loses water faster. Offer kids snacks and water before they ask, and drink more than usual yourself.
6. Plan for the unexpected. Weather can change quickly, with sudden wind, rain, or snow in any season, so pack layers and rain gear. Medical help can be far away, so carry a first aid kit and any medications your family needs.
Stay safe
7. Teach kids to respect wildlife. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and move faster than they look. Park rules require staying at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other animals. That means no selfies with bison and no walking toward elk or bears. When rangers say stay back, there's a reason.
8. Use binoculars to see wildlife from a distance. Binoculars let kids see fur, feathers, and markings up close, and help spot animals hidden in brush or far across a valley, all from a safe distance. Consider a pair for each child.
9. Stay on marked paths. In geyser basins, the ground can be a thin crust over scalding water, and boardwalks are there to keep visitors safe. Staying on marked paths also protects fragile thermal features, plants, and wildlife habitat. Keep young children within arm's reach.
10. Hold on to your hats. Geyser basins can be windy, and rangers retrieve a surprising number of hats from hot springs with long grabber poles. Never reach for anything that blows off the boardwalk.
11. Learn how to use bear spray. Yellowstone is bear country. Bear spray is a non-lethal deterrent made from capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, and it's highly effective when used correctly. Adults in your group should carry it on trails and know how to use it: remove the safety clip, aim slightly down toward the bear's face, and spray. Most canisters reach about 25 to 30 feet. Teach kids what it is and why it matters, and keep it out of their hands.
12. Leave no trace. A national park is a great place to teach kids responsible travel. Pack out everything you bring in, leave rocks, antlers, and flowers where you find them, and never feed wildlife.
Things to do
13. Watch Old Faithful erupt. Yellowstone's most famous geyser erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes, sending water and steam up to about 180 feet into the air. Boardwalks and benches make it easy for families to watch, and the visitor center posts predicted eruption times.
14. Walk to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook. The trail from the Fairy Falls Trailhead is a little over a mile round trip, with a gradual climb to a viewpoint above the spring's rainbow colors. It gets crowded in summer, so go early.
15. Become a Junior Ranger. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing activities about the park's wildlife, history, and geology, from volcanoes and earthquakes to glaciers and wildfire. It's educational, fun, and keeps young minds engaged.
16. Explore a visitor center. Exhibits, dioramas, and interactive displays bring Yellowstone's geology, wildlife, and history to life. Many visitor centers also offer free ranger-led talks and walks, along with restrooms and water.
17. Get a National Park Passport. This passport-style book lets kids collect stamps at visitor centers in Yellowstone and other national parks, monuments, and historic sites across the country.
18. Browse a general store. Hunting for the perfect souvenir is a highlight for many kids. You'll find general stores at Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Canyon, Lake, and other villages throughout the park, many with their own unique items.
19. Try fly fishing or horseback riding. Yellowstone offers world-class trout fishing and scenic trail rides. Anglers need a Yellowstone fishing permit, and horseback rides often have minimum age or height requirements, so check before you go. Local guides and outfitters offer options for beginners.
20. Visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. In West Yellowstone, Montana, this nonprofit wildlife center lets families see grizzly bears and gray wolves up close in safe, naturalistic enclosures and learn about conservation through exhibits and naturalist talks.
Let us handle the details
Traveling with kids is easier when someone else takes care of the driving, the timing, and the logistics. Obsidian Expeditions offers private tours designed around families, with child booster seats available on request, frequent snack and bathroom stops, and Level 1 tours that keep walking easy for little legs. Our guides bring spotting scopes, so kids can see wildlife up close without getting close, and they turn every stop into a story.
To start planning your family's Yellowstone adventure, call 406.312.5592 or visit obsidianexpeditions.com.
