Will 20 mos. old be to young for Yellowstone?

ReneeG wrote:


I loved your photos and I couldn't have said it any better. My sons are now 40 and 41 and we never let their age stop us from hiking or camping. They have fond memories of the photos and when they were old enough to remember.

Like the poster above me said, I'm not arguing to stay home until kids are older, nor have I seen anyone else say the OP should sit at home until he has a teenager. I took my girls on 5 mile hikes in the Smokies when the youngest was 6. I tent camped at a local state park with my oldest when she was 4 weeks old.

OP doesn't live in Idaho or Wyoming. If I'm driving 500+ miles to a specific destination with young kids, or a toddler, I'm going to choose accordingly and I wouldn't choose Yellowstone until they are older. Lots of great national park options within 500-1000 miles of most people that are better suited to small children.

My arguement is not that you should not take a child that young to Yellowstone but that there are many other places to go that would be less of a challenge to keep a toddler safe. I don't think I would take a toddler to the Grand Canyon either. We did not sit home with our children as we traveled with them from the time the oldest was about 18 months old, but took them places they could have some freedom and we had peace of mind. Perhaps living on the east coast gave us more "safe" places to visit as we often headed to New England for our summer vacations.

I just know I was much more comfortable taking our children to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon when they were older and we enjoyed horseback rides and mule rides together.

Our daughter was that exact age when we went. We did a Yellowstone/Grand Teton/Black Hills loop. We allowed a little time to acclimate to the elevation. Drank plenty of fluids. Wore lots of sunscreen. This was all of us not just her. She did fine, had fun, and the memory of that trip is a fond one. We were sure to make time for downtime and time to run around and play. Looking at the world thru their eyes, it was a unique experience and one I am thankful we were able to have.

I saw someone mention no medical services. There is a complete medical clinic at Old Faithful. I know because it was me that needed it (tonsillitis).

Where ever you go as a family you will have that precious family time. Go and have a great trip.

skipro3 wrote:

20 months old...almost terrible twos. How will they handle a drive to/from Yellowstone? The 20 month old won't remember the trip much.

The operative word is ALMOST. Henry was a sweetheart the whole time, including the car trip. Lots of breaks where we played in local parks in small towns along the way. He thought we were on a nation-wide playground tour; every stop had a playground we could unwind at. Ha!

No, he won't remember this trip, but he will see those photos and be wanting to go again when he's older. If we limited vacations to only when a child starts to remember, your looking at 5+ years of pretty boring life.

We took our kids from the start on our outdoor adventures. From taking a crib and setting up in a tent to now with our grand kids in a 'well appointed' RV.

Some folks here point out the safety aspect at Yellowstone in particular. I would think it would go without saying to NOT let a toddler down on the ground near a bubbling hot spring. He goes from car seat to back pack or stroller where he is strapped in, or limit to just looking from the car, or even not partaking of those sights this trip. Nothing says you HAVE to go to the more adventurous locations. Save those for future years. Yellowstone and other NP's are not a once in a lifetime trip. At least they shouldn't be. I know I've gone at least 7 or 8 times in my life, starting as a small child with my folks and now as an old man with my grand kids.

I loved your photos and I couldn't have said it any better. My sons are now 40 and 41 and we never let their age stop us from hiking or camping. They have fond memories of the photos and when they were old enough to remember.

korbe wrote:

pawatt wrote:
I doubt she will get anything out of it but we took our daughter tent camping within 2 weeks of birth. A bit more work but if you like camping worth it.

Yes, and even though we hear comments about not being old enough to remember the specific trip, the baby/toddler is still taking it all in for their development.

but would the child take more in in two or three years?
IMHO that is the issue.
bumpy

pawatt wrote:
I doubt she will get anything out of it but we took our daughter tent camping within 2 weeks of birth. A bit more work but if you like camping worth it.

Yes, and even though we hear comments about not being old enough to remember the specific trip, the baby/toddler is still taking it all in for their development.

I doubt she will get anything out of it but we took our daughter tent camping within 2 weeks of birth. A bit more work but if you like camping worth it.

There's a difference between those who have identified various hassles of taking a toddler to a place like Yellowstone, and those who have indicated that Yellowstone is too dangerous for a toddler - period. It's the "absolutely not - a toddler doesn't belong at Yellowstone" comments that I refer to as "un-validated hysteria".

un-validated hysteria

I take exception to that. It's not hysteria by any means. Some of us are just a little more cautious by nature. Part of it is that some of us don't think that mom and dad will have as good a time now versus if they wait. No more, no less, no hysteria.

I would agree that it's a matter of personal preference and I don't think it's wrong to bring up the "hassles" involved with having a toddler in tow so the OP can make an informed decision.

But I think the argument that Yellowstone is too dangerous for a toddler is un-validated hysteria.