Yellowstone & Grand Teton next summer, from Colorado Springs

[EnzoColorado]

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.

[4runnerguy]

A little late (been getting one last camping trip in Moab), but some food for thought. When we lived in the Denver area, we'd stop somewhere in the middle, for even w/o kids, it's a long haul. One time on Casper Mountain. Several times in the Bighorn Mountains off US 14 or US 16. A couple of times near Pinedale, WY. Since you're doing a round trip, I'd suggest one route up and another back.

[Busskipper]

EnzoColorado wrote:

Busskipper wrote:


I probably put more on your plate than you will do but it will give you a time to at least drive through areas that you will love on later trips.

Hope this is of some help,

This is awesome information! Thank you so much. Will have to research much on the routes and stops that you suggested!

Look over this older post on just Colorado for more info, we love your new state and if I can do it will live there soon.



Best of luck,

Busskipper

[EnzoColorado]

Busskipper wrote:


I probably put more on your plate than you will do but it will give you a time to at least drive through areas that you will love on later trips.

Hope this is of some help,

This is awesome information! Thank you so much. Will have to research much on the routes and stops that you suggested!

[russkerri]

We went to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone this summer.

For the Tetons, we stayed in Colter Bay, which has been suggested by many others. I thought it was very lovely. You are walking distance to Jackson Lake from the campground. The kids can splash around in the water there, and it's stunningly gorgeous. We canoed on Jenny Lake, which is also spectacular. It's a short drive from the campground.

For Yellowstone, we stayed in West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV, which was very nice. Great place for kids to bike around, and they have a nice playground. There's not much else as far as amenities or recreation, but it's a superb campground. We did have to do a lot of driving to see things in Yellowstone since we camped on the edge of one corner. Some people divide their trip into 2 different campgrounds.

If you take small children to Yellowstone, please be super aware of the safety precautions. Some of the walkways are over very hot springs. Many have railings, but not all do. We were stunned by the number of families letting kids race along these, which was very dangerous. You can enjoy lots of sites without doing big hikes since most of the attractions are fairly short walks from the parking.

I talked about our favorite spots on an episode of the RV Family Travel Atlas podcast, which you can find here

[Busskipper]

EnzoColorado wrote:


We live in Colorado Springs and our twins will be 4 years old next year.

At 4 (JMHO as I have 2 GD's - Twins at 4.5 now) They may love the TRIP but will not remember much in a few years - so this trip is for you right.?

None of us have ever been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton before.

Again IMHO they need to be about 10 to really understand and enjoy the Biggest and Best of the National Parks, but for you it will be great - just a lot to see and IMHO the best time to see it is in Late September through October - Indian Summer.

We can take up to two weeks for the trip.

First I always tell everyone to get everything ready and leave right after work on Friday - then you will have 17 days not 14, lets get the show on the road - just will give you more wiggle room.

Let's spend 3-4 days going and coming and say 8-9 days in the Parks - they are big and require a lot of HIKING to SEE even just the regular sites

The map said it's about 11 hours drive to Colter Bay, or 13 hours to West Yellowstone.

Your map and MY MAP will be really different - but trust me Mine will be FUN! - First night (Friday is in Leadville/Turquoise Lake - only three hours and easy 130 miles - Dinner at Quincy's will get you on the right footing. Thought about taking you on to Maroon Bells on Independence Pass but it being restricted and you being newby's think I'll just head on to Dinosaur NM (Saturday Night) - Vernal or on the Green River in the Park (you will go right by Rifle Gap SP - might be fun) Now from Vernal we will go Around Flaming Gorge to the Left Side and Stay on the Lake at Marina CG (Sunday Night) - Pull out the Boats - From Here to Alpine Wy - this will allow you to get ready for Grand Tetons.(Monday Night) Tetons for a couple days then on up to Yellowstone (try to get a site before the crowd on the weekend) you decide how long and what you want to do. - Beartooth in the Truck - Cody as the way out - then to Thermopolis - Hot Springs - Wind Canyon - beautiful CG right on the River - Shoshoni and the Lake - Get out the Boats - Then down to Craig, CO - to Yampa Valley SP - Steamboat Lake SP - Stagecoach SP - Krimmling - to Silverthorn and Home


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).

Long days NO.

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?

As I have said - they just want to be with YOU - one year when we were with the older girls (3 and 5) we had an Awesome day at the Bells - as we Hiked out I ask the girls what they thought was the best thing of the day "skipping rocks in the stream" They just want to be with YOU!

We love to hike but hiking range is limited to how far the kids can hike.

You better be in good shape as you will be carrying them back at some point.

We just got into trout fishing as well but still pretty much new at it.

Flaming Gorge and Shoshoni along with most of the Colorado Sp's.

We also have stand up paddleboards and kayaks so calm rivers or lakes will be a bonus.

When I say get the Boats those are them.

Our schedule is fairly flexible.

We pretty much can go any time next year.

IMHO fall rules - if you can do it so you are leaving in the last 10 days of September you will be rewarded with the Aspen!

Is it better to go early to avoid the crowd but potentially run into bad weather?

Nothing beats September October -IMHO.

Again, we don't know the area at all.

Thanks ahead for suggestions.

I probably put more on your plate than you will do but it will give you a time to at least drive through areas that you will love on later trips.

Hope this is of some help,

[IdaD]

Checking out these sites on Google Maps gives you a good idea of what to expect, and from there it really boils down to what you're looking for.

As far as long travel days vs short, it also depends on whether the trip is about the destination or also about getting there. We have three kids 7 and under and we've done it both ways, peaking out at 15 hour tow days. A good example of a destination trip in our case is Disneyland, which was the 15 hour tow I mentioned. The point is to take the kids to the amusement park, zoo, etc., not dink around with them in Nowhere, Nevada and risk having to explain what a brothel is. By contrast a trip to the Oregon coast is through lots of scenic country and we have family along the way - I'd be more inclined to take my time in that scenario and add some travel days.

So again, it just depends.

[bikendan]

Bionic Man wrote:
Fishing Bridge is basically a commercial campground. If you need hook ups it is the only option. But I like to have space between me and my neighbors and can do without hook ups.

Agree. not my kind of National Park camping experience.

[Bionic_Man]

Fishing Bridge is basically a commercial campground. If you need hook ups it is the only option. But I like to have space between me and my neighbors and can do without hook ups.

[EnzoColorado]

Thanks for the advice. We'll break the trip into two days for sure then. I'll research into Fishing Bridge. Why is it not your favorite?

Is June too early snow wise?

[RAS43]

In our early years we did those long days trips. But looking back they were hard on everyone. I would suggest a stop half way to break up the trip. On our trip to Yellowstone we stopped in Casper WY which would be a bit more then half way for you depending on where you want to visit first. There are a number of campgrounds to choose from in Casper. From there it is an easy drive to the Tetons and the south entrance to Yellowstone or to Cody and in to the east entrance. Lots to see on either route.

[Bionic_Man]

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]

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]

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!!! 😮

[padredw]

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.