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southerngirl76's avatar
Sep 19, 2014

Grand Canyon or Yellowstone for 2015?

I am in the begining stages of planning our 2015 vacation and I would like some opinions on where to go. I have narrowed it down to either the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. I have been to both places as a kid but the rest of my family has never been to either place. We are a family of 2 adults and 3 kids ages 2 1/2, 12 & 18. We are experienced tent campers and hikers although now with our little one we won't be doing much hiking at all. We are located between Houston and Austin, TX and we have 2 weeks total for this trip.

Option 1 - Southwest trip: Palo Duro Canyon, stops along old Route 66 (I just gotta stay in a Wigwam), Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon (how much time here?), then down to Tombstone (my husband loves old west history), finally over to Carlsbad Caverns before heading home.

Option 2 - Yellowstone/Tetons: Would need 2 nights on the road to get there and get home. Should I also do a night in either Jackson or Cody before entering? And which park first? How long in each park? Four in Yellowstone and three in Tetons? Or Five in Yellowstone and two in Tetons? I have already decided on Canyon for camping in Yellowstone due to it's central location and showers and either Gros Ventre or Colter Bay in Tetons.

So based on all that I would love to hear you thoughts and suggestions.
  • We have done both. I would pick option 2 with 4 days in Yellowstone and 3 in Tetons. Beautiful country. I would take trees and snow capped mountains any day.
  • Although they are both awesome, my first choice would be Yellowstone. And, yes, I have been to both.

    But I think your 2 nights there and 2 back is a bit ambitious. You are looking at around 1,500 miles each way. Although some is interstate, a lot is not, and your average speed will not be that great. So doing 500 miles a day for 3 days would probably mean 10 hours travel each day including stops, maybe more with 3 children. A killer if done for 3 straight days going and again coming back.

    A trip to Grand Canyon would also be great. And you could run the interstate almost all the way greatly improving your average speed and lowering your travel hours. 2 nights would be much more doable there.
  • IMHO I would go with option 1. Palo Dura has places for short walks instead of hikes, the Grand Canyon made me cry wit its beauty and Tombstone has old west touristy stuff.
  • I'd guess Tetons and Yellowstone with lots of animals to see. Let the kids choose and plan on the other one the following year.

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