Best Family Vacations in the USA
- Orlando-Walt Disney World.
- Yellowstone.
- Grand Canyon.
- Washington, D.C.
- Destin.
- San Diego.
- Yosemite.
- Anaheim-Disneyland.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Yellowstone National Park is $1,616 for a solo traveler, $2,902 for a couple, and $5,441 for a family of 4. Yellowstone National Park hotels range from $70 to $318 per night with an average of $123.
10 fun things to do with kids in Yellowstone
- West Thumb Geyser Basin.
- Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Uncle Tom's Trail and Artist Point, Canyon Village.
- Old Faithful.
- Observation Point Trail to Solitary Geyser, Old Faithful.
- Upper Geyser Basin and Morning Glory, Old Faithful.
- Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Midway Geyser Basin.
- Boiling River and Firehole River swimming areas.
It takes longer than two days to really experience the Yellowstone area: three days will be less hectic for sight-seeing, four days means you can take a day off from touring, five or more days leaves room to pursue favorite activities (like fishing or hiking) as well as see some sights off the beaten track.
Hiking in Yellowstone is relatively safe, especially if you follow the park rules. Out of almost 3.8 million visitors each year, there are generally 0–5 deaths. Most of these fatalities from Yellowstone come from tourists not following park rules or not practicing self awareness.
West Yellowstone (west entrance) has the most lodging options right near the entrance. Jackson (south) is too far away to stay in the city and drive each day to Yellowstone park, but is a great option if you are going to spend time in Grand Teton. Jackson Hole airport is actually inside GTNP.
Every year, millions of parents bring their eager children to the Grand Canyon to explore one of America's most beloved attractions, many of whom are concerned about safety. The Grand Canyon is perfectly safe for visitors of any age, but like any destination, it comes with its share of dangers.
Summer clothing packing list for Yellowstone:
- Rain jacket.
- Fleece or a sweater.
- Shorts.
- Hiking pants (or zip-off pants) or jeans – something for colder weather, just in case.
- T-shirts.
- Swimwear.
- Sun hat.
- Trekking socks.
When you visit Yellowstone National Park, follow these insider tips to make the most of your vacation.
- See Old Faithful in the early morning or in the evening.
- Visit Yellowstone Lake in the afternoon.
- Take a hike.
- Look for wildlife at the right times.
- Explore Lamar Valley.
- Stop at the Visitor Centers.
- Look at the stars.
What to Pack for Your Yellowstone Vacation
- Binoculars or a Spotting Scope to See Bears and Wolves.
- Bear Spray.
- A Sun Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen.
- Sturdy Hiking Boots.
- A Rain Jacket.
- A Couple Water Bottles or a Hydration System.
- Warm and Cold Clothing Layers.
- A Star Chart.
If you're planning a road trip or on booking a summer flight, you may find yourself visiting a national park in 2020. Yellowstone Park is one of the most-visited U.S. national parks every single year. While attendance may be lower this year, portions of Yellowstone are open.
Cody, Wyoming offers a long list of exciting things to do, including world-class museums and year-round recreation. It is worth visiting Cody just for the chance to experience the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Cheap Hotels in Yellowstone National Park
- Mammoth Hot Springs & Cabins - Inside the Park. 2.5-star.
- Old Faithful Inn - Inside the Park. 2.5-star.
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins - Inside the Park. 2.5-star.
- Grant Village - Inside the Park. 2.5-star.
- Lake Lodge Cabins - Inside the Park. 2.5-star.
- Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins - Inside the Park. 2-star.
Each and every spring season, bears in Yellowstone emerge from hibernation on a constant search for food. If you are out hiking, whether it is a tenth of a mile or a backcountry adventure, it is essential to carry bear spray for your safety.
- Day 4 – Old Faithful | Mystic Falls | Grand Prismatic Spring.
- Day 5 – Lamar Valley | Tower Falls | Mount Washburn.
- Day 6 – Norris Geyser Basin | Mammoth Hot Springs | Cowboy Cookout.
- Day 7 – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | Yellowstone Lake Kayaking.
Yellowstone National Park Hotels and Places to Stay
- Old Faithful Inn. View Hotel.
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins. View Hotel.
- Lake Lodge Cabins. View Hotel.
- Canyon Lodge and Cabins. View Hotel.
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins. View Hotel.
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel And Cottages.
- Roosevelt Lodge Cabins.
- Old Faithful Lodge Cabins.
The distance to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City is 300+ miles. Adding another 15-20 miles to your route improves the experience of the journey considerably.
Yellowstone National Park One-Day Lower Loop Sightseeing
- Starting Point: Jackson to Yellowstone Entrance.
- Stop #1: West Thumb Geyser Basin (22 miles from the South Entrance)
- Stop #2: Old Faithful Geyser Basin (17 miles from West Thumb)
- Stop #3: Midway Geyser Basin (8 miles from Old Faithful)
- Stop #4: Firehole Lake Drive.
Index
| Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fees |
|---|
| Private Non-commercial Vehicle | $ 35.00 (valid for 7 days) |
| Motorcycle, Snowmobile | $ 30.00 (valid for 7 days) |
| Single Entry (foot, bike, ski, 16+ years old) | $ 20.00 (valid for 7 days) |
| Annual Pass (good 1 year from date of purchase) | $ 70.00 (Yellowstone Annual Pass) |
Entrance to see Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and other wonders of America's first national park comes with a small price tag. For private, non-commercial vehicles, a 7-day pass to Yellowstone National Park costs $35/vehicle and does not include entrance into nearby Grand Teton National Park.
We advise against driving thru the parks at night because of the lack of lighting, low visibility and potential for large animals on the road. If you hit the wild animals it is likely to kill them and could injure you.
Why Visit Yellowstone in SummerThere is plenty of wildlife, the snow has melted, and hiking trails are open. Because all the park facilities and roads are open and all the natural attractions are accessible, summer is the season that allows you to explore Yellowstone National Park to the fullest.
The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone for WildlifeMarch and April are the best months to view bear, while the winter months are best for wolves and bighorn sheep. Elk, moose, bison, and mountain goats can be spotted during the summer months, which is also the park's busiest season.
In addition to having a diversity of small animals, Yellowstone is notable for its predator–prey complex of large mammals, including eight ungulate species (bighorn sheep, bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, mule deer, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer) and seven large predators (black bears, Canada lynx, coyotes,
Yellowstone has something to offer every month of the year. Summer is our busiest season with more than half our annual visitation occurs during June, July, and August. Spring and fall offer less crowds, but also cooler weather and fewer services.
Yes, the stories about lines and traffic jams created by Yellowstone crowds are indeed true, as the National Park Service tallied 810,884 visits in June 2018, a slight increase over last year (803,652 visits) and below June 2016 (838,316 visits) numbers, which remains the busiest June ever in Yellowstone.
Reservations are not needed to enter the park.
