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When my husband first suggested we plan a Yellowstone trip with our 4-year-old, I didn’t know where to start. I hadn’t been to many national parks, much less one of this size, and I didn’t quite know what Yellowstone had to offer beyond bison sightings! Wow – I am SO glad we leaned into the idea, and especially for a summer trip with kids. Yellowstone is rich with natural wonders, gorgeous photo opportunities, and exciting adventures at every turn through the eyes of a child. We stayed in Jackson Hole, Wyo., so this itinerary is based on entering the park from Wyoming and includes a stop in Grand Teton National Park, as well.

Here are the details behind the best Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, especially if you are planning a trip here with kids.

Quick Overview

• Trip Length: 3 Days
• Season Visited: Summer
• Must-Do Activity: Experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from various overlooks and angles. It’s gorgeous!
• Most Memorable Family Activity: Boat shuttle across Jenny Lake to hike the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point hiking trails.
• Hidden Gem: Oxbow Bend Turnout in Grand Teton National Park – great for kids (and kids-at-heart) who love skipping rocks

Day 1: Grand Teton National Park

• Morning: Start your day early by heading to Grand Teton National Park and choose your entrance according to where you’re coming from. 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: Enjoy dinner near home base, so you can get back and enjoy a good night’s sleep. Another early start tomorrow!

Day 2: West Yellowstone National Park

• Morning: Plan for an early departure time of 6 a.m. to make the most of your day at Yellowstone – and your best chance at spotting bison! 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 again, enjoy a relaxing meal and head to bed – another early start tomorrow!

Day 3: East Yellowstone Loop

• Morning: Today’s pine-lined drive gave us time to get a family photo next to the Yellowstone National Park sign. Trek along 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 Wyoming – or continue your adventure toward Bozeman, Montana, like we did.

Mom Hacks for a Yellowstone Trip with Kids

• Pack 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.
• Bathrooms can be few and far between, and we had a couple of close calls while inside Yellowstone National Park! My best advice is to look out for camp sites for those emergency pit stops; we did find some private bathrooms in those areas, but no flushing toilets. Otherwise, count on the Visitor’s Center in Grand Teton, the parking lot at Mud Volcano, any restaurant you do end up stopping at, or convenience stores/gas stations that do exist along the way.

We hope you have a family trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks that is as stunning 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 Yellowstone trip 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!