Need RV trip recommendations
We're a family of 5 from NYC, and would like to go on our first ever RV trip, for 10-14 days this coming June (2nd or 3rd week). We'd like to see as much wildlife as possible. Would really apprecia...
Forum Discussion
Completenoob wrote:
What an amazing forum! Thank you everyone for the extremely helpful advice!!
In light of all your feedback, we decided to fly to Yellowstone and rent a regular (non-RV) car. We've been wanting to visit there for the longest time, and are really into seeing some wildlife.
I realize it's now technically out of scope for this forum, but would love any recommendations for a 10-14 day trip with kids in the Yellowstone area (Non-RV). Ideally we'd love to combine wildlife with other kid-friendly activities.
I love Yellowstone (and most of the other NPs out west). While we did rent a trailer for our 5500 mile roadtrip loop last year so we wouldn't have deal with multiple tents being setup for a few days at a time both my wife and I grew up making similar trips with our families and knew what to expect.
You're doing yourself a service by taking a nice chunk of time out there. June can be wonderful sunny and warmish (upper 70's), or you can be snowed on 8 days in a row like we were last year, so pack a variety of clothing.
The Park is very large so you can save yourself some driving time by moving from one hotel/lodge to another every few days then focusing on the features of that area of the park. Driving between one or two junction points on the figure 8 road takes a lot less time then trying to make the whole loop on multiple days.
Bring good hiking shoes if you like to walk. Despite the chilly weather and some trails being closed by snow we still put in over 100 miles of hiking (with a 6 year old walking and a 2 year old on my back). Lots of great scenery, waterfalls, wildflowers, wild-life (be bear/bison safe), and solitude/tranquility available. Be careful, don't cross fences/walls and stay on trails in steep or hydrothermal areas. There are plenty of places where a trip or mistep could lead to a serious injury or death (we were present in visual distance when a woman fell to her death a few years ago).
Take advantage of the ranger programs. If your kids are young enough, they'll likely enjoy the junior ranger program. There are also a couple junior scientist programs at Yellowstone that may be of interest to slightly older kids. The regular day and evening ranger programs are almost always interesting and the ranger led hikes can be great as the information content is adapted to wildlife which come out and the questions of the hikers.
Other things to do near the park include visits to (or staying at) the Tetons just South of YNP, driving the Beartooth Highway, visiting Cody (excellent museum complex, and a Rodeo which I haven't attended but which also has generally positive reviews), horseback riding, rafting, boat rentals/fishing, chuckwagon dinners, etc.
