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Feeling overwhelmed by planning a Yellowstone itinerary for your family? So was I! The sheer size of the park, coupled with traveling with young kids, can make planning feel daunting. But after creating and experiencing this family-friendly 5-day itinerary with a home base in Jackson, Wyoming, our adventure turned out to be an unforgettable success. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yellowstone without the stress of camping or tackling long hikes with kids. This is the best itinerary for families who want to explore Jackson Hole and Yellowstone’s stunning landscapes in a comfortable, hassle-free way. Enjoy scenic car rides that will captivate your children, short and easy hikes that are ideal for little legs, and a relaxing float trip down the Snake River. This 5-day plan offers the perfect balance of outdoor fun and relaxation for the whole family, even if you’re not typically outdoorsy.

(If you’re looking for a more simplified, 3-day itinerary through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, jump over here!)

Quick Overview

• Trip Length: 5 Days
• Season Visited: Summer (July 2024)
• Must-Do Activity: Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, for spectacular Teton views and waffles at the summit!
• Most Memorable Family Activity: A scenic raft float trip down the Snake River
• Hidden Gem: Oxbow Bend Turnout in Grand Teton National Park – great for kids (and kids-at-heart) who love skipping rocks

Day 1: Settle In

• Morning – Afternoon: Arrival at Jackson Hole Airport; pick up your rental car (we particularly love Go Rentals).

• Evening: Explore downtown Jackson Hole with the kids. You’ll discover souvenir shops, boutiques, restaurants, ice cream shops – something for everyone. We recommend a delicious Italian dinner at Glorietta Trattoria, as the perfect place to eat well and relax before the busy days ahead. Afterward, treat yourself to ice cream at Cream + Sugar.

Day 2: Grand Teton National Park

• Morning: Start your day early by heading to Grand Teton National Park. To beat the crowds, we recommend leaving by 8 a.m. Swing by Cowboy Coffee for a quick, car-friendly breakfast on your way out of Jackson. Upon entering the park, purchase the America the Beautiful Pass, which grants you access to all U.S. national parks for a year (or lifetime, depending on your purchase). Then, head straight for Jenny Lake.

• Afternoon: Upon arrival at Jenny Lake, explore the visitor center, souvenir shops and the many photo opportunities. Then, catch the boat shuttle across the lake to the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point hiking trails. Yes, families and kids can manage these hikes! Our 4-year-old did great and though we didn’t make it all the way to Inspiration Point, the elevation we gained provided stunning views and beautiful family photos (and memories). On your way back to Jackson, stop at Oxbow Bend Turnout along the Snake River. This spot was perfect for our child, who enjoyed skipping rocks and admiring the wildflowers.

• Evening: Casual dinner at Gather, known for its locally inspired cocktails and tasty appetizers, or elsewhere in downtown Jackson Hole.

Day 3: West Yellowstone National Park

• Morning: Plan for an early departure time of 6 a.m. to make the most of your day at Yellowstone. I know early starts in Yellowstone can be tough with young kids. I will say that our 4-year-old managed it like a champ. We kept him in his PJs to help ease him into the day, and let him fall back asleep in the car if needed. Expect to arrive at Old Faithful around 9:30 a.m. Check the NPS app for the next estimated eruption time. For a less crowded viewing spot, head to the second-floor balcony of the Old Faithful Inn. This vantage point offers front-row seats to the geyser’s show, a cozy café for that much-needed coffee, and plenty of space for kids to move around safely. Afterward, explore the nearby geysers, including the impressive Castle Geyser, and stop by the gift shop for souvenirs (this is where we found an adorable junior ranger vest and hat for our 4-year-old).

• Afternoon: After Old Faithful, it’s time to explore the west side of the Yellowstone loop. Our top recommended stops included Grand Prismatic Spring, Emerald Pool, and Sunset Lake. Plan to eat lunch in the car or while on the go, as finding a quality (and quick) restaurant was pretty tough for us and we’d recommend prioritizing time for exploring. Leave yourself enough time to drive back to Jackson so you can sneak in a nap and enjoy a nice dinner.

• Evening: Once back in Jackson, unwind and enjoy dinner at Wild Pine, which offers serene views and a relaxing atmosphere.

Day 4: Local Adventure in Jackson Hole

• Morning: Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at Bubba’s, where the biscuits are a must-try. Then, head over to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for a day of fun. We recommend riding the Aerial Tram first to enjoy unparalleled views of the Tetons. At the summit, treat your kids (and yourself!) to a waffle at Corbet’s Cabin, but be prepared for a bit of a wait. After descending, explore the nearby Four Seasons property or take a ride on the Bridger Gondola for another perspective of the area. The outdoor seating at the top offers a perfect spot to relax and take in the valley views.

• Afternoon: Embark on a raft float trip down the Snake River with Lewis and Clark River Expeditions. This 13-mile journey is perfect for families with kids ages 3 and up, with calm waters, eagle-spotting and stunning scenery. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, making the experience even more enjoyable.

• Evening: After such a busy day, keep dinner relaxed by grabbing a few pizzas at Hand Fire Pizza in downtown Jackson, followed by ice cream at Moo’s.

Day 5: East Yellowstone Loop

• Morning: Grab coffee and pastries to go from Persephone Bakery before hitting the road early. Since you have to go through Grand Teton National Park to get into Yellowstone, this is your last chance to snap some photos of those majestic Tetons, so take advantage of those roadside pull-offs when you can. Today’s drive also gave us time to get a family photo next to the Yellowstone National Park sign. Today’s pine-lined drive takes you through the east side of Yellowstone, with striking views of Yellowstone Lake. After about two hours, make your first stop at Mud Geyser – a huge hit with our child. With a boiling spring nestled above a placid pond, and two bison sunbathing in the distance, it’s impossible to deny the wonder and beauty that is Yellowstone National Park. We spent about 30 minutes enjoying the scenery and skipping rocks at this lovely alternative to Mud Volcano across the highway, which was more crowded and less exciting to us (although, that parking lot is a great spot for a bathroom break).

• Afternoon: Spend the next 2-3 hours in and out of the car as you make your way up the east and north parts of Yellowstone. My favorite spots included:
  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
  • Brink of the Lower Falls
    • After this point in your drive, you’ll loop west on Norris-Canyon Road and then head North on Grand Loop Road, Mammoth-Norris
  • Orange Spring Mound
  • Mammoth Hot Springs
  • After leaving here, stop in the historic town nearby to shop for souvenirs and snacks.

• Evening/Departure: From here, you can either loop back down to Jackson – or continue your adventure toward Bozeman, Montana, like we did.

Mom Hacks for a Jackson Hole Trip with Kids

• After arrival on Day 1, have one parent unpack at your place of stay while the other makes a grocery run to stock up on snacks and lunches for your days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. Trust us, you will be glad you have food in the car with you!
• For Days 2-5, remember to bring along the day’s snacks, sandwiches, water and anything else your family might want to consume while spending a lot of time in the car and/or out on hikes. The one place I forgot to bring snacks was to Jenny Lake and on our hike to Inspiration Point. That was hard on all of us!
• Mark the spots in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park that you’d like to prioritize seeing as “Favorites” in the National Parks Service (NPS) app. This will keep your family on track throughout your time in the parks, assist with directions and ensure you experience everything you’d like to in a short amount of time.
• Purchase your Day 4 raft float tickets ahead of time, and ensure you plan that day accordingly so that you are arrive on time for your raft departure.

We hope you have a Jackson Hole family vacation that is as incredible as ours was – and the above itinerary will help you do that! We hope you agree that this is truly the best itinerary for a summer trip to Jackson Hole with kids. It offers a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, ensuring unforgettable memories for everyone in your family – and we hope we took a little bit of the stress out of the planning for you!

If you have done this trip or similar, what are your top recommended sights and experiences? What did I miss? Comment below and share!