Explore Yellowstone National Park.

Looking for the best resources to help plan your Yellowstone National Park vacation?

Then you’ve come to the right place!

Hi, I’m Natalie, and I am a national parks-obsessed mom who has compiled all of the details, itineraries, dining guides, and hiking information for the perfect trip to the world’s first national park.

Whether you need to know where to purchase baby formula near the park or which trail is best for your kids, you’ll find it here.

I only write about places I’ve been and experiences that I’ve had, so you’re getting up-to-date advice from a parent who has been there.

Two bison in Yellowstone National Park standing on a grassy hillside with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

Yellowstone at a glance

  • Covers 2.2 million acres

  • Located mostly in Wyoming with smaller portions in Montana and Idaho

  • Best known for its hot springs, including Old Faithful

  • Near to Grand Teton National Park

  • Has abundant wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, and elk

Start here.

The Ultimate Yellowstone Family Vacation Guide

If you only read one of my Yellowstone guides, make it this one.

This Yellowstone with kids guide shares everything you could possibly think about when planning a vacation here from where to stay to where to pick up your Junior Ranger booklets.

Complete Itineraries

The author and her 2 children sitting next to a large Yellowstone National Park sign on the side of a road with forested mountains in the background.

All you’ll need to do is book the plane tickets and hotel rooms. These complete itineraries take care of the day to day planning for you with suggestions on hotels, dining, and activities for the entire family.

2 Days in Yellowstone: What to See, Do and Eat
Perfect 5 Day Itinerary for Yellowstone + Grand Teton
10 Day Yellowstone Itinerary
Ultimate 1 Week Itinerary for Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks

Take a drive.

Explore the incredible Grand Loop Road for the most comprehensive tour of Yellowstone National Park.

Our complete guide to this 140-mile road covers the best hiking trails, activities, hydrothermal features, and overlooks, so you can see more in less time.

15 Best Stops to Make on Yellowstone's Grand Loop Road
A bison standing on Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National park with trees and fog in the background, viewed from inside a vehicle.

Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails

  • The author's young son running across an old wooden bridge with a metal truss over a creek in Yellowstone National Park, surrounded by green trees and a grassy hillside under a partly cloudy sky.

    A Guide to Easy Hikes in Yellowstone

    See all of our kid-friendly options from across the park at a glance.

    Read more
  • The author's two chidlren standing on the Artist Paint Pots trail in Yellowstone National Park surrounded by geothermal activity with steam rising from hot springs and fumaroles; wooded hillside and cloudy sky in the background.

    Artists Paint Pots Trail Guide

    An easy trail that’s filled with bubbling mud pots, iron red and brilliantly blue hot springs, and long range views.

    Read more
  • Colorful Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park with rainbow hues in a geothermal landscape, surrounded by green pine trees and distant hills under a partly cloudy sky.

    Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail

    One of the BEST hikes in the entire park with a gorgeous view of the springs below

    Read more

Lodging + Dining

The author's two children standing on the front porch of a rustic wooden cabin, surrounded by similar cabins and tall trees in a forested area.
A bedroom in Yellowstone National Park's Grant Village with a window showing green trees outside, dark blue curtains, white bedsheets, pillows, and a blue blanket.
A metal plate of food from the Old West Cookout at Yellowstone with a watermelon slice, a cupcake, corn, coleslaw, a steak, and baked potato with cheese. In the background, there is a paper cup and a toaster on a wooden table.
Where to Eat in Yellowstone National Park
Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone: A Review
Yellowstone Old West Dinner Cookout: A Must Do!
A Complete Guide on Where to Stay in Yellowstone

Yellowstone Must Haves

  • GuideAlong Audio Tour

    We LOVE these inexpensive but excellent tours for our national parks visits. Purchase the Yellowstone National Park GuideAlong Audio Tour to learn about the park’s history, geology, wildlife, and important figures as you drive.

    It doesn’t need wifi after you’ve downloaded the tour, and it starts and stops automatically as you approach areas of interest!

  • Hiking Shoes

    To truly experience the beauty of Yellowstone, you’ll want to make sure that everyone in your family has the proper footwear.

    I swear by my Altra Timp Trail Runners, which are lightweight and sturdy.

    I also love my Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals, but only bring these if you’re visiting Yellowstone in the summer.

  • AllTrails + National Park Pass

    Do not go to Yellowstone National Park without this incredible deal!

    For just a few dollars more than the cost of a regular NPS annual pass, you can get an annual AllTrail subscription and your national parks pass bundle.

    Now, you’re ready to hit the trail and explore the parks!

  • Garmin InReach Mini

    I never go hiking without this tiny GPS attached to my pack.

    Since I’m often hiking alone with my kids, the Garmin InReach gives me peace of mind that we could get help quickly if one of them (or me!) got hurt or sick on the trail.

    Yellowstone doesn’t always have great cell reception, but you can always reach help with this unit.

  • Rental Car

    There’s no public transportation within Yellowstone, and you’re going to want the flexibility of your own vehicle while exploring the park.

    Check for the best rates at DiscoverCars.com with convenient pick-up options at all area airports.

    If plans change, they also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before you were scheduled to get your car.

  • Travel Insurance

    Yellowstone is a trip of a lifetime, and you don’t want to let sickness or flight delays to ruin your trip.

    Be sure to secure travel insurance from Visitors Coverage before you leave, and you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.

Other Helpful Resources

  • The author and her two children standing on sidewalk in front of Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone National Park, with blue sky and mountains in background.

    Yellowstone Entrances Compared: Which is Best?

    Read more
  • The author walking along a paved path at Roosevelt cabins in Yellowstone with a rolling suitcase, in front of a row of small brown wooden cabins in a forested area.

    Packing List for Yellowstone in August + Printable

    Read more
  • A split image showing two different landscapes: on the left, the Grand Teton mountain range with a cloudy sky and grassy plains; on the right, a geothermal hot spring in Yellowstone National Park with steam rising among trees and lush vegetation.

    Grand Tetons vs. Yellowstone: Which is Better?

    Read more
  • A bear walking with two smaller bears in a lush green forest near a pond in Yellowstone National Park.

    Bear Spray in Yellowstone: Rental or Purchase?

    Read more