Family Trip in Yellowstone National Park
- Tiffani Ebben
- Oct 2
- 8 min read
We made it to Yellowstone after being broke down in Hardin, MT for two weeks!
We had the pleasure of staying here for two wonderful weeks. We visited Yellowstone last year but were only able to hit a few spots since we camped outside the park. We were blissfully unaware that it takes a solid hour and a half to get anywhere inside the park from most entrances, so this time we were much more intentional in our planning. This stop also has our first visitors from home, my parents!!
Fun Facts about Yellowstone:
Yellowstone was established in 1872, making it the first national park in the world.
Half of the world’s active geysers are found in Yellowstone.
The park sits on top of a supervolcano that last erupted about 640,000 years ago.
Where We Stayed: Fishing Bridge RV Park
Booking any campground in Yellowstone requires tremendous planning. We booked this one year in advance and still had to adjust our dates because it was filling up so quickly. Fishing Bridge is Yellowstone’s largest RV park and the only one that can fit our 42-foot rig with full hookups. They only allow RVs—no tent camping.
This RV park is located in the Fishing Bridge area on the north side of Yellowstone Lake, near the park’s east entrance. Amenities include laundry facilities, a general store, a gas station, and even an auto/RV repair shop on site.
Here are drive times from Fishing Bridge RV Park:
Old Faithful: 1 hr 15 min
(Also home to the Grand Prismatic Spring and several geothermal basins.)
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 30 min
Mammoth Hot Springs: 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs (depending on route)
We took one route up and another back to see as much as possible.
Gardiner, MT: 1 hr 45 min
This fun little town sits right outside the North Entrance. We stayed here for a night, went white-water rafting, and soaked in hot springs—highly recommend!
Book here: Fishing Bridge RV Park Reservations
Entering Yellowstone
Yellowstone has four main entrances: North, East, South, and West.
We came through the North Entrance this time and would not recommend it for rigs over 30 feet. The first 4 miles include a steep 10% grade with switchbacks. We scouted the route in our truck first to be sure Luke was comfortable, and while he made it through just fine, we agreed we wouldn’t do it again. Larger rigs are better suited for the East, South, or West entrances.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Yellowstone
Henry did the Ranger program, which was a great way for him to get more engaged in our hikes and the history of Yellowstone.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Absolutely breathtaking! There are two main sections: the North Rim and South Rim.
South Rim: Features a 2-mile trail that runs along the canyon to Artist Point (which you can also drive to). We actually did this hike 3 times, if that gives any favor to how beautiful it is. This hike is nicely maintained but is labeled moderate. Make sure to wear good shoes and bring at least a water bottle per person if you plan to do the whole thing. This trail goes directly along the edge of the canyon so be careful and have a conversation with your kids about safe viewing distances.
North Rim: A scenic road with multiple stops and short but steep hikes leading to spectacular viewpoints like Inspiration Point. Expect lots of switchbacks and big elevation changes. We packed lots of snacks for the ride to stay happy because even though these hikes were small, they were mighty. Don't stress if you're not up for the hike. Most of these stops have viewpoints at the top as well.
Ranger-led hikes: Held daily at 9 a.m. on the South Rim. We did it twice with different rangers and learned new facts each time. The kids loved it! Our second ranger pointed our this tree that's been marked by a Grizzly. We literally missed it on our first two times going through. There's just so much going on here that you find new things every time.
Fun Facts about the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
The canyon is about 20 miles long, up to 1,200 feet deep, and between 1,500–4,000 feet wide.
The stunning colors come from hydrothermal activity altering the iron in the rocks—basically the canyon walls are “rusting.”
Buffalo Rut Season
We visited during the first two weeks of August, which coincides with buffalo rutting season. Unfortunately, a bison died from a fight just before we arrived, and that carcass became a huge draw for Yellowstone’s famous wolf pack (a rare sight!). Bears, wolves, ravens, and other scavengers all took turns feeding, which drew daily crowds.
We also witnessed two massive bulls brawling right in front of us—thankfully from the safety of our car!
Buffalo Fact: Yellowstone is home to the largest free-roaming herd of bison in the U.S., with about 5,000 animals. We saw bison and herds daily on the east side of the park. We saw the most wildlife on the east side of the park.
Yellowstone Lake
For a slower-paced activity, we walked the beaches of Yellowstone Lake. The kids loved finding feathers and unique rocks, especially behind the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center. I mean it doesn't matter where you go, the views are just spectacular.
Lake Fact: Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America, covering 132 square miles at an elevation of 7,733 feet.
Lake Butte Overlook
Highly recommend! This overlook offers a 360-degree view of Yellowstone. Sunset is the best time to go, and there are several pullouts along the way worth stopping at. Luke actually hiked to the peak of this lookout. The kids and I gave up half way up. We were surprised with a congratulations note from a passerby that saw Luke make it to the top. Of course, that is making the scrap book. Below is the Pano that Luke took from the peak at about 8,000 ft.
Sylvan Pass
Located near the East Entrance, this scenic mountain pass is unforgettable. There are multiple pull-offs for photos, and it takes about 45 minutes to get through from the RV park. This is also the road for the closest grocery store to our campground. Yes, we had to drive 2 hours one way for groceries... but it was the most scenic grocery run I'll ever do in my life and I found it very peaceful. There is a general store at our campground which has essentials but a loaf of bread was.... $10.
Fly Fishing
Luke took up fly fishing for this trip! You need a Yellowstone fishing permit (available as a single day, 3-day, 7-day, or season pass). He fished mostly in the Yellowstone River and Sylvan Lake, just before Sylvan Pass. It was a true blessing watching him teach Henry to fly fish. A rainbow decided to grace us with it's presence and it felt like a dream.
Get a permit here: Yellowstone Fishing Permit
Learn more about fishing spots: NPS Fishing Guide
Mystic Falls
A great kid-friendly hike! About 2.3 miles round trip with a waterfall at the end. The trail follows a river, making it extra scenic. Normally the trail starts at Biscuit Basin, but that area closed after the 2024 eruption. Thankfully, there’s an alternate trail right beside it that connects directly to Mystic Falls.
I even made the kids a scavenger hunt with local plants and animals—they found all but one!
Old Faithful Area
We couldn’t skip Old Faithful. It’s crowded, but still such a cool experience. Boardwalks behind the geyser lead to more geothermal features, and just up the road you’ll find the famous Grand Prismatic Spring.
We timed this area with our dinner reservation at the Old Faithful Lodge so we only had to fight the crowds once. It was really windy when we visited the Grand Prismatic Spring and the gods decided to chose my new hat for their sacrifice. Super sad face. If they catch you stepping off the boardwalks, you will be fined heavily, at least that is what the ranger said when I went to go get a new hat.
Dining in Yellowstone
While we mainly cooked at the camper, every general store has a diner-style restaurant with burgers and chicken sandwiches. Try the huckleberry float—it’s amazing!
For a nicer meal, we dined at The Old Faithful Lodge. We opted for the buffet, which included huckleberry chipotle chicken, trout, prime rib, mac and cheese, salads, soup, and more. Everything was delicious, and we all went back for seconds.
The lodge itself is a must-see: the 4-story lobby has a massive stone fireplace and my favorite gift shop in the park, featuring Native American-made artifacts. I even brought home a coyote talking stick!
Mud Volcano
This is a smaller geothermal area but worth a stop if you’re heading to the canyon or Mammoth. It includes bubbling mud pots and a short trail. The day we visited, the trail was closed due to a herd of bison—but we got to see another epic bison fight instead.
Mammoth Hot Springs
On our last day, we made the long trek to Mammoth Hot Springs, just 4 miles from the North Entrance. The terraced hot springs are surreal. Afterward, we headed into Gardiner for ice cream and gift shops. My parents joined us here—they wanted to see the historic Roosevelt Arch.
On our way back, we drove through Dunraven Pass and stopped at Tower Fall, which was the perfect ending to our Yellowstone adventure.
Yellowstone Hot Springs RV Stay
On our way into the park, we spent two nights at Yellowstone Hot Springs, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The campground has RV sites located right next to the hot springs themselves, which meant we could go for a soak just steps away from our rig. It was the perfect way to unwind after long days of exploring. Tickets do need to be purchased online before you arrive, and the springs close every Monday for cleaning, so plan accordingly.
The hot pools range from about 102–106°F and are naturally heated by Yellowstone’s underground geothermal activity. Unlike many other hot springs, these pools don’t have that strong sulfur smell, making them extra enjoyable. The springs have a long history of being used for relaxation and healing—Native Americans were the first to soak in these waters.
The campground also sits right along the Yellowstone River, which gave us the chance to walk the shoreline in the evenings and enjoy the peaceful setting.
White Water Rafting Adventure
While staying near Gardiner, we decided it was finally time to introduce the kids to white water rafting. We booked a trip with Wild West Rafting and it was the perfect choice for families. The float lasted about three hours and featured rapids ranging from Class I to Class III, which made it fun without being overwhelming—especially for our son.
To help ease Henry’s nerves, we watched a quick YouTube video on the drive about how rapids are classified. It worked so well that he spent the entire ride happily calling out the class of each rapid as we went along. The guide made the day even better, sharing stories about Yellowstone’s geology, tall tales of the Wild West, and a few good jokes along the way. It was adventurous but relaxed—the kind of outing that left us all smiling and a little sun-kissed by the end.
Yellowstone is truly incredible. We’ve now been twice, and I’m convinced we could return again and still find new adventures waiting. We still have to check hiking trails and attractions in the northwest and north east regions, which will be our next trip here.
Next stop: Moab, Utah—just in time for the kids to start school again!
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