Yellowstone: An age-by-age family vacation guide

Yellowstone National Park, best known as the home of the iconic Old Faithful geyser, attracts more than four million visitors each year. The park consists of around 3,500 square miles of wilderness, situated on top of a dormant volcano. The area offers picturesque landscapes, filled with natural foliage and an array of wildlife species. Perfect for a family vacation, there’s something for visitors of all ages.  Read on as we explore the different options available for each age category.

Junior ranger program (Ages 4-7, 8-12, and 13 and above)

Yellowstone’s three Junior Ranger programs give kids of different ages the chance to earn a Junior Ranger patch. Participants attend programs led by a park ranger, go on hiking trips and complete exercises about ecology and other park issues. They can complete each section of the program at their own pace, and after meeting all the requirements, they’ll receive a Junior Ranger patch. There’s no age limit on the teen program, and adults can participate as well.

Toddlers

It's important to keep toddlers safe in an environment like Yellowstone, but that doesn't mean they can’t have fun. From the safety of their car seats, toddlers can discover bison, bighorn sheep, moose, badgers, elk, and even bears in North Lamar and the Central Hayden Valley. Old Faithful and other sites still offer mesmerizing views from a stroller or carrier.

Parents can keep young kids happy and occupied during long car rides through Yellowstone by playing animal spotting games. It's also always a good idea to have snacks, drinks, and other forms of entertainment on hand if they grow tired of their surroundings.

Ages 4-7

Kids in this age group are typically fascinated by every type of animal. Yellowstone's Fishing Bridge, located in the northern part of Yellowstone Lake, gives kids a clear view of trout and other fish in the waters below. However, fishing isn’t permitted. In the nearby Visitors' Center, children can learn more about the fish and wildlife in the region.

Six miles away in the Hayden Valley, kids can put their new knowledge to the test by identifying the bison, elk, bears, and wolves that inhabit the area. Head to the Upper Geyser Basin to Biscuit Basin, which offers a 0.7-mile looped hike around pools, thermal vents, and geysers that are certain to capture their attention.

Ages 8-12

The colder months see Yellowstone transformed into a winter wonderland, something that pre-teens adore. Winter activities include riding snowmobiles and going cross-country skiing. The park also offers dog sledding for young animal lovers nearby in West Yellowstone. Snowshoe rentals are available for kids who want to see other animals up close.

In the summer, the Old West Dinner Cookout at the Roosevelt Lodge provides a taste of frontier life for the whole family. Kids particularly enjoy riding in the covered wagon and eating by the campfire.

Teens

Energetic teens often enjoy kayaking and other challenging sports (with parental permission and/or supervision, of course). They can cycle through forests on Blacktail Plateau Drive or mountain bike on Fountain Freight Road. These routes include stunning views of Old Faithful as well as more than 100 geysers and pools in the Lower Geyser Basin. Teens over 16 can buy temporary fishing permits and those under 16s can obtain free permits with an adult's signature.

Adults

After hiking and checking out all of Yellowstone's most popular sites, adults traveling with kids should pay a visit to the park's largest group of mud pots, the Fountain Paint Pots, and the steam-belching Dragon's Mouth Spring.

Couples traveling without kids should take time to enjoy romantic sunsets at Yellowstone Park with Couple's Adventure Packages, offered by several tour companies. Alternatively, couples can create their own adventures by mixing sun, sports, and a wildlife photo tour.  

Seniors

Depending on the route they take, retirees on their way to Yellowstone Park may travel along Beartooth Highway. This route was named "the most beautiful roadway in America" by broadcaster Charles Kuralt. Travelers can stop off at the quaint mountain town of Red Lodge along the way, known as the Gateway to Yellowstone.

At Yellowstone, people over the age of 62 can take advantage of low-cost lifetime admission and free snowmobile rides with a senior pass. Norris Geyser basin, Lake Mammoth, and other trails and attractions are easily accessible for older adults as well as people with limited mobility.

Do you have experience exploring Yellowstone with family members of various ages? Share your travel tips with us on Facebook.