Jackson Hole, WY & Yellowstone National Park: Perfect For Kids

If you’re a national park aficionado I don’t even need to beckon you here. Alas, if you need convincing, hop on board.

(Cover Image by Ruud Luijten)

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North Rim Drive, Image by Laila Skalsky

Why Jackson Hole?

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a sublime off-road park of the American frontier. The bison roaming like we’re in another era, and the grand moose slowly meandering in muddy waters are unbeatable moments.

Here are highlights of a trip that spans Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons and also includes neighboring Yellowstone National Park.

Moose and their bewildering antlers are some of the most exciting mammals to spot, Image by Cora Leach

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park encompasses the jagged peaks of the mountain ranges. It’s an excellent place to hike for kids and families. It’s the place where I first fell in love with hiking as a kid and found empowerment by the great outdoors. It’s an affordable trip of adventure and it also has high-payoff. Because of the wildlife preservation, you’re sure to see a range of animals that kids especially will be thrilled by.

I suggest familiarizing with the trail options ahead of time, they’re diverse. I recommend skipping the usually gone for Jenny Lake and heading to more scenic mountain trails.

Schwabacher's Landing, Image by Cora Leach

White Water Rafting

Another activity highlight of Jackson Hole is white water rafting. Down the Snake River for up to 4 hours on the splashing bumping rapids, the trip can be family-size or larger, tame for smaller ones, or roaring with gusto. It is an activity for adventure lovers! It’s safe, it’s a blast, and it’s a fantastic way to immerse in the area. For those who’ve never water rafted before, it’s a must-do here.

Safari

Driving the park in your own vehicle is a manageable way to traverse the park. However, if you’re looking for something more amped up and hands-free, consider a safari. These guided tours essentially better ensure witnessing the magnitude of wildlife on its lands. Guides further provide more specific intel as to what’s what and the details of the wildlife.

Where to Stay? Rustic Creekside Resort

The Rustic Creekside Resort & Spa is that log-cabin place to soak in everything you’ve seen. It has the warmth of a cabin castle. There are individual cabins to stay in as well as suite rooms, hotel amenities on site such as a gym, pool, hot tub, and even a seasonal food room service menu.

The town of Jackson itself is surprisingly small and feels like a quaint ski town. Creekside Resort is 14 miles from the town center where you can go shopping, peak at the galleries, and find local fare at the restaurants.

Image by Dan Meyers

Yellowstone National Park

About 2 hours from Jackson Hole is Yellowstone National Park, its friendly neighbor. The park technically is vast enough to include Wyoming, Montana, and even Idaho spanning 2.2 million acres, just under 3,500 square miles. It’s also the very first national park in the United States and hosts the Yellowstone River, the longest undammed one in the country.

Diverse Wildlife

Amidst Yellowstone’s whopping expanse are elk, moose, bison, deer, wolves, bears, bald eagles, wild sheep, and more. All of these can be seen on-site. The Grand Loop Road is a primary circuit that circles the park and provides easy access to major sites, and unending beautiful scenery.

Bison! Image by Laura Nyhuis

Old Faithful, Image by Patrick Mayor

Yellowstone Caldera

The Caldera, Image by Meina Yin

The Yellowstone Caldera, an otherworldly Yellowstone Supervolcano, is one of the biggest volcanic systems still active today. The supervolcano has continued geothermal activity, one of the world’s most active regions of these features. Although with potential for eruption, the area is monitored intensely by scientists and the chance of eruption is extremely low. The Caldera is a 12-to 15-minute drive from Old Faithful and one of the area’s most awe-invoking wonders.

Old Faithful

Yellowstone is perhaps most known for the vivaciously show-stopping explosive geyser, Old Faithful. The geyser is the show-stopping point of the park’s volcanic system which also includes other geysers, hot springs, and mud pots.

Old Faithful is a top landmark to visit and people travel thousands of miles to witness it. The activity of the geyser is worth the wait and worth even the crowds that pull in annually. The geyser gets in action usually every 90 minutes but can go between 45 minutes to 2 hours. It’s worth establishing a spot a half hour ahead of time it’s predicted on the timetables, especially if you go during the busy season.

Where to Stay? Old Faithful Inn

Od Faithful Inn is one of the largest log-style lodges in the world. It hosts a variety of rooms, an impressive dining space, and other eateries. Some rooms even have views of Old Faithful itself…! It’s this prime location that gives it a grand mood to being in the park.

Be warned that it’s open from mid-May to mid-October with some winter months being closed.

*Safety tip

Though you may not have a use for it, it’s always good to know what to do when encountering large animals. They could go into defense especially if it’s baby season and they’re protecting young.

In general, be aware of the wildlife if you’re out hiking and always stay with a buddy…!

Tote water and food with you on a hike even if it’s short.

Bottom line

Few places in the Americas have such longstanding historic and gorgeous landmarks. Few places in the Americas have such a roster of animals that you can witness altogether in one place. The activities likewise of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are sure to foster awe for children especially and foster love for the wild for everyone.

Though Jackson Hole and Yellowstone are close and almost seamless driving from place to place, I strongly suggest going to Jackson Hole before Yellowstone. It’s smaller in size and yet introduces the plain of life in the area well. It’s a comprehensive first stop before embarking on Yellowstone. I recommend hiking the Tetons for a few days, white water rafting, and then driving to scope more wildlife in Yellowstone, walking shorter bits, and highlighting the Caldera and Old Faithful.

For a trip that’s easy in terms of planning, and rich with outdoor splendor, these places are a top excursion.