Opinions on our stops

Thanks everyone for responding. Of course, we are going for it! Spending time together is the most important favor for us anyways. We will have fun!

We are among the people who think that Mt.Rushmore is a waste of time and we only spent an hour there. We both taught history so you would think we would be impressed.
If you are like us find something else to do in the area.
Of course some people think that one day is enough for Yellowstone as all they see is Old Faithful.
Different stokes for different folks.

jfkmk wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Not an answer but are you sure you want to take two children that age to see a monument and some molten rock? for three weeks?

I was 8 when our family took a three week trip "out west". While "the monument" was ok, the "molten rock" stayed sigh me the rest of my life. Best trip ever.

I have to agree with you. In 2007 we took our two youngest out West for the grand tour. DD was 14 & DS was 12. DS also is severely mentally handicapped and autistic, like a 1 year old who walks but needs full assistance and supervision at all times.

Anyway, we went to Carlsbad Cavern, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower and much, much more. We had a lot of people question taking our son out there--in fact, one idiot even said, "Why would you carry a kid like THAT to a place like THIS?" Thankfully, my DH didn't hear it or there might have been a throwdown right there on the boardwalk!

There's no real telling how much of the trip DS understood, of course, but that didn't stop him from having a great time. We never know what experience is going to unlock some hidden door for him. Even now, 8 years later, DS will stop and stare at the TV if there is a show about Yellowstone on. In fact, he'll walk up to the TV and put his hand on the animals.

OP, this is my long way of saying "Go for it~!" There will be some things that your kids will find boring but there will be a lot of things your kids will love, especially if you intersperse "learning activities" with swimming, rock collecting, ice cream, and kickball here and there.

We have a 17 year old and 7 year old (please, don't do the math). Our daughter has been in 30 states already. Of course when we took our trip through the mid west her response to her friends was "well, we saw a lot of red rocks". When we got married we made a pact - our children would see as many of the states as possible before we took them overseas ... always bothered me when people say how great other countries are without seeing the US. Now she can have something to compare to when traveling overseas.

We did a 3 week trip five years ago to the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Tetons, Dinosaur Natl. Monument and then back to Atlanta. Our 5 kids, ages 1 to 10 at the time (and us parents) LOVED it and are begging to go back.

Some highlights other than the parks were the missile silos in S. Dakota, the prairie dogs at the Badlands, and the lake beach (smooth rocks) near the RV campground in the Tetons.

I truly believe that our kids will remember it for the rest of their lives. I know the then 1 year old does not remember, but when she sees the pictures now she wants to go again.

Dick_B wrote:
Not an answer but are you sure you want to take two children that age to see a monument and some molten rock? for three weeks?

I was 8 when our family took a three week trip "out west". While "the monument" was ok, the "molten rock" stayed sigh me the rest of my life. Best trip ever.

NYCgrrl wrote:

Rainier wrote:
Hello everyone! We are are going on a 3 week trip to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone and I thought I would get any feedback on the places we are camping along the way to our destinations. Has anyone stayed at the following places? Advice? We have a TT, two younger children (6 & 8), and a pooch.

Wold Lodge CG - Coeur D'Alene, ID
Jellystone - Missoula MT
Grandview CG - Hardin MT

Thanks,

I haven't been further West than the Ohio River yet but the Jellystone and Grandview certainly sound kid friendly and are in my bucket list for the "Indulgent Grandparents' National Tour w/ currently 9.5 y/o Princess in Command". Both were recommended by friends which is how I know of them:). Haven't heard anything about the ID spot. As for whether this trip is age appropriate for kiddos your age? Can't see why not.

Have a great time, be sure to update us w/ your impressions of the campsites and enjoy those children while they are young!

NYCgrrl - It's all about family time! We will have fun where ever we go!

Thanks Dennis for your insight! We are staying at Beaver Lake CG in Custer. I'll take not of Rafter J's. I have heard from others that that is a great place to stay. We are also staying at Grizzly RV Park at West Yellowstone. I am glad you give thumbs up to those places! Thanks for you kind words!

You'll ALL enjoy the trip. In Coeur d'Alene we usually stay at the Elks Lodge but that might not be suitable with the two little ones. My next choice would be Blackwells. Clean campground with boats for the kids to watch. Jellystone is a good choice in Missoula. We stayed at Three Forks and they have a bakery to die for..:)...Our choice for CG in the Mt. Rushmore area would be Rafter J..especially with the kids. Custer's isn't bad either, but we preferred Rafter J.

Yellowstone is a figure eight, with the upper circle having more animals and the lower circle containing Old Faithful and most of the geyser activity. Early morning or dusk is best time for animal viewing. Bison are out everywhere all day. We liked Grizzly RV park outside the west entrance. The city is within walking distance of the park for eating and shopping. Lots for kids to do there too.

Enjoy the trip...Dennis

Yellowstone

Dick_B wrote:
Not an answer but are you sure you want to take two children that age to see a monument and some molten rock? for three weeks?

Yes