We live in Colorado Springs and our twins will be 4 years old next year. None of us have ever been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton before. We can take up to two weeks for the trip. The map said it's about 11 hours drive to Colter Bay, or 13 hours to West Yellowstone. Those are awfully long days for the twins to hole up in the car seats and for us to drive though we did drive them from Raleigh to Colorado Springs in 3 days this past spring (not pulling a trailer though). Any suggestions on routes, place to stop, base camp, and so forth for Yellowstone and the Grand Teton that are good for 4 year old kids? We love to hike but hiking range is limited to how far the kids can hike. We just got into trout fishing as well but still pretty much new at it. We also have stand up paddleboards and kayaks so calm rivers or lakes will be a bonus. Our schedule is fairly flexible. We pretty much can go any time next year. Is it better to go early to avoid the crowd but potentially run into bad weather? Again, we don't know the area at all. Thanks ahead for suggestions.

We recommend Fishing Bridge RV Campground, full hookups and inside the park, for Yellowstone and the Colter Bay RV Campground, also in the park with full hookups. Make reservations for both campgrounds now. Our kids were just a tad older for their first trips to these beautiful parks. They complained a little about the forced nature trail hikes. But now as adults they recall those trips as being the best.

For sure, I would recommend that you plan a stop between Colorado Springs and Colter Bay. Maybe at Rawlins, WY. We have stayed there at the KOA--not a destination but only for an overnight. On our last trip we stayed at Sleeping Bear in Lander, but we had started in Estes Park not Colorado Springs.As for campgrounds we prefer Colter Bay RV Park with full hookups, but reservations are required.We have never stayed inside Yellowstone, but with the little ones it might be well worth it.

I've done 11 hours before when my kids were 3 and 4. That was the best they ever been in a car! My wife was more of the issue!!! :O

Unfortunately no great advice for you on any stopover points. FYI you can rent kayaks at Colter Bay. Looking down the road, I would also consider a trip to the Black Hills. Besides being very scenic, it's very kid friendly with lots of "touristy" things to do. Our kids liked it better than Yellowstone at that age. By the way Yellowstone is huge, expect to spend a lot of time driving after you get there.

I made reservations earlier this week for early June. The only campground available for me with my 5er was Fishing Bridge (not my favorite). So your options might be limited anyway.

Yellowstone & Grand Teton next summer, from Colorado Springs

Bionic_Man
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
I made reservations earlier this week for early June. The only campground available for me with my 5er was Fishing Bridge (not my favorite). So your options might be limited anyway.
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2016
Unfortunately no great advice for you on any stopover points. FYI you can rent kayaks at Colter Bay.
Looking down the road, I would also consider a trip to the Black Hills. Besides being very scenic, it's very kid friendly with lots of "touristy" things to do. Our kids liked it better than Yellowstone at that age. By the way Yellowstone is huge, expect to spend a lot of time driving after you get there.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2016
I've done 11 hours before when my kids were 3 and 4. That was the best they ever been in a car! My wife was more of the issue!!! :O
padredw
Nomad
Nov 16, 2016
For sure, I would recommend that you plan a stop between Colorado Springs and Colter Bay. Maybe at Rawlins, WY. We have stayed there at the KOA--not a destination but only for an overnight. On our last trip we stayed at Sleeping Bear in Lander, but we had started in Estes Park not Colorado Springs.

As for campgrounds we prefer Colter Bay RV Park with full hookups, but reservations are required.

We have never stayed inside Yellowstone, but with the little ones it might be well worth it.
Two_Hands
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
We recommend Fishing Bridge RV Campground, full hookups and inside the park, for Yellowstone and the Colter Bay RV Campground, also in the park with full hookups. Make reservations for both campgrounds now. Our kids were just a tad older for their first trips to these beautiful parks. They complained a little about the forced nature trail hikes. But now as adults they recall those trips as being the best.

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