Overview
Experience the thrill and beauty of Old Faithful with your family in a fun-filled adventure to Yellowstone, our nation’s first national park. Yellowstone is a land of mountains, lakes and geysers that will fascinate everyone, no matter their age. During the day, your family could be hiking around the Midway Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, known for its yellow-banded bluffs and 50 species of wildflowers. At night you will swap jokes, stories and s’mores with your new friends around the campfire. Yellowstone is a kid-friendly vacation and also a great vacation spot for teenagers. Introduce your family to the fascinating animals, bubbling thermal pools, and other unique features of Yellowstone National Park with Wilderness Inquiry.
Sample Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Get to know your guides as you settle into camp.
The trip starts at Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park late in the afternoon. Set up camp and get to know your guides. Over supper share expectations for the upcoming days. There are several options for activities in Yellowstone National Park, which your Wilderness Inquiry staff will share with you.
Day 2: Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring and enjoy an afternoon hike.
After a hearty camp breakfast with great coffee take off for a sightseeing tour of Yellowstone. Get acquainted with some of Yellowstone’s geothermal activity at the Midway Geyser Basin. Take in the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring and other hot springs in the area. Choose a hiking option for the afternoon that could include Fairy Falls, Mystic Falls or Old Faithful! On your way back to your campsite, swing in for Huckleberry ice cream.
Day 3: Visit Old Faithful and hike to Lonestar Geyser.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and rock skipping along the lake shore before preparing for an afternoon hike. One option could include Lonestar Geyser. Nearly as predictable as Old Faithful, this geyser is off the beaten path in the midst of a beautiful forest.
Day 4: Travel through Hayden Valley and take in the views of the "Grand Canyon" of Yellowstone.
Begin the day at the Mud Volcanoes where acid and hot water are turning the earth into roiling mud pots. Travel through beautiful Hayden Valley to look for wildlife – bison, wolves and bears all make their homes here. Finally, drive to the 'Grand Canyon' of Yellowstone where there are breathtaking views of the upper and lower falls.
Day 5: Choose from several day hikes and swim in the Firehole River.
Tour a mix of unique areas in Yellowstone. There are many hikes that explore geothermal features, waterfalls, forests and more! After a tasty lunch, enjoy a swim in the Firehole River. In the evening play games around the campsite and enjoy a final campfire.
Day 6: Enjoy one final adventure before saying farewell to your trip mates.
Pack up camp and take one more adventure before bidding everyone goodbye. The trip officially ends in the early afternoon after lunch.
What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Yellowstone National Park has a wide variety of terrain and ecosystems, ranging from near-desert at the north entrance to sub-alpine meadows and forests. Lodge pole pines cover 60% of the park while burn areas from the 1988 fire feature new growth and colorful wildflowers. Yellowstone National Park offers a wide range of route options from very easy to difficult.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Standard Meeting Places and Times
Start: Grant Village Visitor Center at 4:30 PM (local time)
End: Grant Village Visitor Center at 2:00 PM (local time)
Transportation
This trip begins at one of Yellowstone National Park’s group campgrounds at 4:30 PM. The trip ends at 2:00 PM at the same location. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip. Booking a Flight? We recommend flying into the Billings Logan International Airport the day before your trip. It is best to book flights no earlier than 9:30 PM on the last day of the trip.
What is the minimum age for kids on your family trips?
There is no minimum age requirement to participate on a WI family trip. We require participants to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times when on water for safety. The smallest PFD we provide for children requires a minimum weight of 30 pounds. A family with a child smaller than this weight limit would need to provide their own PFD or would be unable to participate on the trip. For family paddling trips, children should be able to sit comfortably in a canoe or kayak for 1+ hour at a time. This should guide whether or not a child would be a good fit on any particular trip.
Do you have any additional health restrictions on trail?
In addition to following CDC guidelines, we work with a team of community and health experts to help guide our safety measures on and off the trail. Find a complete list of steps we are taking to provide you the safest experience here: https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/covid19/
Is there a discount on family trips?
Yes. All youth participants under the age of 18 pay 25% less than the adult rate on all family trips.
Would my teenager enjoy a family trip with Wilderness Inquiry?
There are typically both teens and younger children on our family trips. We often offer a variety of activities so that participants of all ages have an enjoyable trip!
I have a child with a disability. Would a family trip be appropriate for them?
Yes. All of our trips strive to integrate persons with and without disabilities, including children on our family trips. Call us at 612-676-9400 if you have questions. Otherwise, you can register for a family trip, and we'll call you when we receive your information.
Will age-appropriate activities be offered for children on a family trip?
Yes. Your trip leaders will offer age-appropriate activities for children at different points throughout the trip. Our staff love kids and are great at making sure your whole family has a great time.
How will my kids survive a whole week without technology?
Yellowstone is a great place to be unplugged. In our experience, youth on our trips (yes, even teens) are kept so busy that they don’t miss their phones or other technology. Our guides are so adept at sharing their excitement for the park that it becomes contagious!
Will we get to do any swimming on the trip?
Yes! A favorite stop is taking a dip in the swimming hole on the Firehole River. This is one of 2 swimming areas inside of Yellowstone National Park and a “cool” highlight of the trip.
Will we meet any Park Rangers?
We take advantage of the Junior Ranger Program offered at the Visitor’s Center. Kids learn about the park’s history, plants, and animals through hands on activities.