The Ultimate 7-Day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary for Families

Best Hikes, Wildlife & Kid-Friendly Tips

Thinking about taking your kids to Yellowstone National Park? This 7-day Yellowstone itinerary is packed with wildlife spotting, easy hikes, stunning geysers, and family-friendly stops to make your trip stress-free and unforgettable! This itinerary is planned with summer travel in mind and may need to be modified if traveling other times of the year based on what is open and accessible.

I love helping families plan epic trips to National Parks and Central America. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information to sort through, maybe we would be a good fit to work together for your next vacation.
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Why Yellowstone Is the Perfect National Park for Families

Yellowstone is a bucket-list destination for families who love adventure, wildlife, and jaw-dropping landscapes. With its famous geysers, bubbling hot springs, and endless opportunities to spot bison, bears, and if you’re really lucky, wolves! It’s a place that will have your kids wide-eyed with wonder.

But let’s be real—planning a Yellowstone trip can feel overwhelming. Where should you stay? What’s the best way to see the park without exhausting your kids? Don’t worry, this 7-day itinerary breaks it all down with easy hikes, must-see spots, and practical tips to keep your family happy along the way.

Best Airports for Flying Into Yellowstone

If you’re flying in, here are the best airport options:
✈️ Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Best for North Entrance (1.5-hour drive)
✈️ Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Best for South Entrance (1-hour drive, perfect for adding Grand Teton)
✈️ West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – Closest (15-minute drive), but fewer flight options

For this itinerary, I recommend flying into Bozeman (BZN) and out of Jackson Hole (JAC) to maximize your time in the park.

7-Day Yellowstone Family Itinerary (With Travel Times & Tips!)

Day 1: Arrival & Mammoth Hot Springs

🏡 Stay in: Gardiner, MT (Best for easy park access!)
🚗 Drive time: 1.5 hours from Bozeman to North Entrance

• Explore Mammoth Hot Springs 🏞 (1-2 hours, easy boardwalks)
• Walk the Upper & Lower Terraces – The bubbling white and orange limestone terraces look like a scene from another planet!
• Visit Fort Yellowstone – Let the kids explore this historic area where park rangers once lived.
• Family Tip: Watch for elk lounging near the visitor center—they love this area!

Day 2: Wildlife Safari & Tower Falls

🏡 Stay in: Canyon Village (Closer to waterfalls & hikes!)
🚗 Drive time: 45 min to Lamar Valley, then 1 hour to Canyon Village

• Early morning wildlife drive in Lamar Valley 🦬 (Best time to see wolves, bison & bears!)
• Short family-friendly hike: Trout Lake (1.2 miles RT, great for spotting otters) 🐾
• Visit Tower Falls (0.9 miles RT, easy walk to a waterfall overlook)
• Family Tip: Give each kid their own binoculars—it makes wildlife spotting extra fun!

Day 3: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

🏡 Stay in: Canyon Village
🚗 Drive time: 10-20 minutes between stops

• Stop at Artist Point 🎨 (One of the most iconic views in Yellowstone!)
• *Hike Uncle Tom’s Trail (0.8 miles RT, 300+ stairs but totally worth it!)
• *Short hike to Brink of the Lower Falls (0.7 miles RT, exciting waterfall view!)
• Family Tip: The Canyon Visitor Center has interactive exhibits—great for a break!

Day 4: Hayden Valley & Yellowstone Lake

🏡 Stay in: Old Faithful Area
🚗 Drive time: 1 hour from Canyon to Old Faithful

• Drive through Hayden Valley (Best bison herds & scenic views!)
• Walk the boardwalk at Mud Volcano (Check out Dragon’s Mouth Spring—it looks like it’s breathing steam!)
• Explore Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb Geyser Basin 🏞
• Bonus: Soak in the Boiling River hot springs ♨️ (Natural warm water, fun for kids!)

Day 5: Old Faithful & Geyser Basins

🏡 Stay in: Old Faithful Area
🚗 Drive time: Minimal, everything is nearby!

• Watch Old Faithful Erupt (Check visitor center for eruption times or nps website) 🌋
• Walk Upper Geyser Basin Trail (2.5 miles RT, stroller-friendly boardwalk)
• Lunch at Old Faithful Inn 🍽 (Historic & beautiful!)
• *Hike to Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (1.6 miles RT, best midday when colors pop!)
• Family Tip: Bring a step stool for little kids to see over the boardwalk railings!

Day 6: Norris Geyser Basin & Grand Teton

🏡 Stay in: Jackson, WY
🚗 Drive time: 3 hours (with scenic stops!)

• Explore Norris Geyser Basin (Bubbling blue pools & the unpredictable Steamboat Geyser!)
• Drive through Yellowstone’s South Entrance to Grand Teton 🏔
• Hike Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point (2.2 miles RT, boat shuttle option)

Day 7: Jackson, WY & Departure

✈️ Fly out of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)

• Breakfast in Jackson Town Square (Try Cowboy Coffee or Persephone Bakery!) ☕
• Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art (Interactive exhibits & scavenger hunts!)
• Ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram for a final epic view! 🚠

Family Travel Tips for Yellowstone

✔ Start early (Wildlife is most active in the morning, and parking fills up fast!)
✔ Dress in layers (Mornings can be cold even in the summer, but afternoons warm up!)
✔ Pack a picnic (Food options are limited inside the park—bring lunch & snacks!)
✔ Download offline maps (Cell service is spotty—grab an offline map before your trip!)
✔ Let kids be junior rangers (Pick up a Yellowstone Junior Ranger booklet at visitor centers!)

Want an easy to follow itinerary guide? Find my downloadable itinerary below! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1825908440/yellowstone-national-park-travel-guide?ref=listings_manager_grid

Final Thoughts: Why Yellowstone Is Worth It for Families

Yes, Yellowstone is huge. Yes, it takes planning. But the wildlife, geysers, waterfalls, and jaw-dropping views make it one of the best national parks for families. Your kids will remember spotting a bison up close, hiking to a waterfall, and watching Old Faithful erupt—it’s 100% worth it.

So, are you ready to plan your Yellowstone adventure? Drop your questions in the comments or book your free travel consultation—I’d love to help!

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