Will 20 mos. old be to young for Yellowstone?

I find it interesting to note where the naysayers are from, compared to the "go ahead and go" folks.

Explain. Of the 18 responses that were a definite "no", 3 were from the southeast, 3 were from the northeast, 4 from the midwest, 3 from the west coast, 2 from the northwest and then 1 each from Canada, the southwest and unknown. Although we can't use a true percentage comparison as we don't know how many forum members are from each part of the country, there is no overwhelming bias from anywhere.

To the OP: Kids can have fun almost anywhere provided the parents allow for it. My overall concern for YOU as stated is a higher than average unpredictability factor and a higher than average risk factor. Others may disagree. That said, it all comes down to YOUR comfort level. Accidents can happen anywhere (spoken by one who broke her arm in a HOTEL!), so it all comes down to the risk/reward analysis and what you are willing to deal with.

Yea, our kids hated it.:W

I think you should go for it. You never know if life will get in the way in the future and you won't ever get to go.

kknowlton wrote:
If your child is happy in a harness with a short leash (seriously), then go for it. Otherwise, I'd wait, or leave him/her with grandma instead. Good warnings about young children taking off on their own and getting into huge trouble.

THAT is what I was thinking as I was reading the posts!
Yes, Yellowstone NP is a dangerous place! It is VERY unforgiving of foolishness or stupidity. None of the animals there are pets, they are all wild! Yet, nearly every year, one or two foolish/stupid people try to get an up-close picture of a bison or bear or whatever. Some of the pools are near boiling temperature. Yet, every year, a couple of people try to go wading or swimming.
Yes, a small wheeled stroller ("umbrella stroller" or similar) is both foolish and stupid. A large wheeled stroller ("jogging stroller") may work just fine, though. The larger the wheels, the better.
ANY child, from toddler to 10 or 12 years old, MUST be kept under total control at all times in ANY National Park and many state parks.
Such places are extremely dangerous for the unattentive and unaware.
Like children.
Animals, cliffs, streams, lakes...
They are ALL dangerous!
Personally, I would not hesitate for a minute to take a toddler to any National Park. I took our kids camping the summer after they were born. We never let them out of our sight, though. And, yes, we DID use the harness and leash at times!

Edit: Looking back through the posts, I find it interesting to note where the naysayers are from, compared to the "go ahead and go" folks.
It also occurs to me, why does the kid have to remember every trip, and why does every trip have to be educational? My kids may not remember every camping trip from 30+ years ago, and maybe they didn't learn anything about the geology of the area, or the archeological significance, but they had FUN! So did their parents!
THAT is all that really matters, IMO.

From Omaha, a Lake Michigan beach would be perfect for a 20m...or a national forest or state park campground with a shallow stream to throw rocks.

Since you are in Omaha, what about closer destinations in Wisconsin or Minnesota. No real mountains, but still woods, lakes, etc.

Risk. None at all. Our kids, at that young age, were along for the ride...

Very naive and dangerous way of thinking. There is ALWAYS risk with children. Aside from normal accidents such as falls, bumped heads, cuts, bruises, etc., you have the added issues such as unpredictable wildlife, boardwalks with no railings with hot springs and boiling mud pots alongside, geysers, etc. I've been charged by a bear while with a four year old. Not only do you have to keep yourself safe, you've got a child you need to consider. I am not paranoid, just realistic. Yellowstone is a fantastic place to visit but it's not without some inherent dangers that other spots might not have.

As others have said, if you want to take the vacation because you want to go, then by all means go and have fun, but be just make sure you are prepared to take on a little more risk, including that of a cranky toddler (which, of course, can happen anywhere!).

Someone mentioned the smokies, maybe we'll look into that.

Not a bad idea. Depending on where you stay, you've got Smoky Mountain NP plus the Pigeon Forge/Gaitlinburg area of Tennessee where there's a little something for every one. Loved Dolly Parton's amusement park and her water park. Some of it's touristy, some of it's hokey and some of it is just getting lost in beautiful scenery.

Its one of those very rare occasions where the wife is right.
bumpy

It looks like we got to about 50/50 in the thread.

Thanks for all the input. I kind of decided after asking my wife twice if she wanted to go, and is still iffy on it, we just as well not go because any issues that arise will just lead to an "i told you so" situation.

I for one don't think it'll be a problem. He's likely not going to remember anything we do anyhow, so it's really a vacation for us still at this stage.

I really like to be a few days away from home, and be in that rugged outdoor/trees/mountains atmosphere. Someone mentioned the smokies, maybe we'll look into that.

Think i'll start a new thread for ideas, as I'm coming up few on answers, and i don't think going to lake okaboji is going to itch my scratch..

Thanks.

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.

Interesting responses.

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.

All that being said, I'm surprised at most of the responses. There's not a bear lurking around every corner of Yellowstone nor are there 1,000 foot precipices every step of the way...and I suspect the OP is unlikely to drop the 20 month old off on the trail without supervision.

OP, if you want to take the trip (and put up with the normal hassle of travel with a 20 month old), then take the trip and take the baby. A bit of dirt, sweat, and outdoors won't hurt the kid. As someone said, take grandma and grandpa...all 3 generations will have a good time. Just what we did with our then 20-month old GD at the Grand Canyon in January some years ago....

"Prepare the child for the path; Don't prepare the path for the child."