Yellowstone with a 1 year old? (longish)

[Jenn Lynn]

My Sister and Mom want us to all vacation in Yellowstone next year. Now, my idea of vacation and my Mom's (and Dad's) idea of vacation is quite different. She doesn't like to spend money (the reason we took two vacations 18 years growing up) and I like a nice hotel. She is happy with renting a cabin and cooking meals (with my help), I don't even like cooking at home.

I will also have a baby who will be 10 months to 1 year depending on when we go. I will still be nursing if it goes right. I will also have a 5 year old and my Sister will have a 5 year old and a 3 year old.

My Mom wants us to do rafting, hiking around looking at animals/nature, enjoying the outdoors. I dislike the outdoors, but DH and DD love it so I suck it up for them. I can't see doing this stuff with a 1 year old in tow. My Mom doesn't get why I don't like it. I have explained to her that if you were allergic to bee stings AND had mosquito bites that swelled up to the size of half dollars then turned black and blue you would hate the outdoors also.

These are my reasons for not wanting to go. It is not my kind of vacation, but DH and DD would probably really like it and I know you have to compromise. I am trying to convince them to go elsewher, but so far it is not working.

We went to Door County last year. We stayed in a house. When we came home I didn't even feel like I had a vacation. DH said it was great though, but he went fishing with my Dad and Brother.

So my question is has anyone been to Yellowstone? Would you recommend taking a young child? Any information you can share on the best times to go, places to stay,etc. would be great. Thanks!

 

[tw1nsmom]

I would put my foot down about staying in a hotel. If your mom wants to stay in a cabin then I would pick a nearby hotel where you and your immediate family can stay. I'd make sure it had restaurants and a swimming pool. When DH and DD wanted to go experience nature I'd wave and say "have fun" and settle back in lounge chair and spend the day "relaxing" with the baby. There's no reason that you have to be the martyr and sacrifice your vacation for everyone elses happiness.

 

[justhat]

I haven't been there, but I have been to the Grand Canyon and stayed in some of the National Park Lodges there, but only for 1 night. If I had my daughter then and were going to stay for a week, I think I would prefer a less "rustic" accomodation. I love the outdoors, hiking, all that, but with a baby my priorities have changed. So while I loved the little lodges right on the rim, with just the bare essentials, they wouldn't be on my list with the baby. The baby won't be able to raft or hike (well, you could take him in a backpack, but if you're allergic to bugs-I'm allergic to mosquitoes too-I'm guessing you would be staying in, so it might be tough for your husband to watch 2 kids alone) so I would look into places that had enough amenities at the hotel that could keep you occupied with the baby all day.

I do have to add though that I bet your daughter would love it and I know nothing about her. My reason for this conclusion is that when I worked at a daycamp in high school, several of my kids went to yellowstone for vacation during the summer (at separate times) and each one came back talking about that trip for the rest of the summer. Every morning after he got back, one little boy would tell me "I went to Yellowstone and saw buffalo!" Those kids were all 4-5 years old, and they were amazed. The kids that went to the beach talked about it too, but not with the same enthusiasm and for only about a day or two, so I think kids really do like Yellowstone a lot.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Some of the "cabins" at Yellowstone are less rustic. Don't think of cabins in terms of log cabins, but more clean, plain lodging. No extras. Not even tv.

There are resturaunts. We didn't cook. I can't say the food is anywhere near gourmet, but it's not yucky (or at least it wasn't 15 years ago). Think more in terms of cafeteria food as far as flavor. The nicest accomodations are probably the hotel on the lake. I'm sure someone can think of the name. It's very old and victorian style, but I hear it's very nice.

I went with a two-year-old and he had a marvelous time. He doesn't remember it now, but he loved the animals and the geysers. Although by the time we left he was chanting "more mud, more hot water. . . ".

I am not an outdoors person either, but Yellowstone is one of my favorites. You don't have to go hiking to enjoy the natural beauty. It's fun to learn about the animals, the geysers, the mud pots and see the grand canyon of Yellowstone. It's very educational. You might like it. If you aren't there for long, you'll spend a lot of time just traveling from one area to another by car.

 

[chobie]

Interesting dilemma. Now, I do think you would enjoy Yellowstone, even as a non-outdoorsy sort, because it is just so incredibly beautiful. Every American should go at least once in their life IMO. But you do need to lay down some ground rules. I would agree to go on the condition that it is YOUR vacation also and for you that means no cooking or cleaning and you would like a few hours to yourself here and there. Then bring some books or other activities you and enjoy and make sure to get to relax, take naps etc. I do think your daughter would love it and would always remember it.

 

[gshoemate]

We took our DD out there when she was 6 months. However, we had been out there 2 years previous and knew the lay of the land. We stayed in a tent and DD loved it.

If you are concerned about your little one being bored, a hotel with a pool might be a good idea. There are plenty of resturants to eat at throughout the park. Most areas where there are cabins, there are resturants.

Hiking, not sure if I would attempt this with a 1 year old. On our first year out there we went hiking on a regular path and ended up near a momma bear and her 3 cubs. You never know when you are going to run into wildlife and I wouldn't want to endanger a 1 year old. There are some beautiful waterfalls but you need to hike down to some of them. We did this with DD and it was a long and tiring hike up. By just driving around you will see alot of wildlife and beautiful sites.

I am not trying to discourage you at all. I think you should give it a try. It is the most beutiful place that I have ever seen and would go out there again in a heartbeat. Just be prepared and have some things onhand to keep your little one entertained.

Here is a great site with information and a discussion board if you have any questions.

www.yellowstone-natl-park.com

 

[Jenn Lynn]

What state/part of Yellowstone did you guys stay in? My parents are in Idaho and have been to the Jackson/Jackson Hole area which sounds nice. I was wondering about the Montana side?

I talked to my Sister about it this morning. She told me she would cook for all of us because she likes to do it. I explained my concerns to her having a baby and maybe staying back at cabin. She totally understood and said she we should be able to compromise. She also said if my Mom thinks we are going to be doing any serious hiking with 2 5 year olds, a 3 year old, and an infant she is nuts. I think I forgot to mention here that Mom voluteered to backpack the baby. My Sister and I had a good laugh at this since she gets a sore back after riding in the car for a while.

Anyway, I feel a bit better after taking to her. And I agree that my DD would love it. She gets her love of the outdoors from DH. They watch wildlife shows and she can name buffalo, elk, moose, etc.

Thanks for the tips and advice.

 

[gshoemate]

West Yellowstone, MT is a beautiful area. It's a small tourist town with plenty of resturants, hotels, shops and fast food. It's just minutes from the park entrance. There are some other towns on the outskirts of Yellowstone like Cody, but the drive would take a lot longer to actually get into the park.

As far as in the park, Canyon would be a good area to stay in. It's kind of in the center of the loop, it has cabins, a lodge, 2 resturants, campground and a store. Old Faithful wouldn't be a bad area to stay either.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Canyon is where we stayed in the park with our son. We had a room with a private bath. I've stayed at Old Faithful, too, but that was probably 30 years ago, in a cabin with two bedrooms and a kitchen. I was little and that's all I remember about it, sorry.

 

[laurie31]

I haven't been -yet- but I am heavily into planning our trip for this summer. We want to go on a rafting trip, but NONE of the companies I have investigated will take children under 6, and that is for the "scenic float." White water trips are even more restricted, I think to 8 or even older depending on how rough the water is. My kids are 6 and 8, so that's okay with us. We just want to do the scenic float to see wildlife and enjoy the river. We will do some short easy trails but nothing strenuous. They are very excited about going, but my DD6 is very impulsive and I"ve already been stressing to her that the thermal features are beautiful but she can't go close to them. The water is *boiling,* some of it is superheated to nearly 400 degrees! Falling in such water would be fatal. There are many warnings in Yellowstone guides about keeping a tight rein on children to make sure they stay on the paths, where it's safe.

My older dd would have been fine to go when she was 3, but no way would my little one have done it. It depends on what your child is like. If the 5 and 3 year olds in your party are obedient, I'm sure they would love it, but in my very personal opinion, just for us, it made sense to wait until our girls were a bit older. Again, I'm sure there are others who have taken young children and loved it, but I would have been scared witless that my younger DD would end up parboiled in a hot spring. Even now, she expresses disappointment that she won't be able to play in the "bubbling mud"

Having said all that, the scenery looks spectacular, and I'm sure you would enjoy the trip even if you just see the things that are near the road. Your DD would enjoy becoming a Junior Ranger, a program for kids 5-11. My girls are excited about doing that. It only costs $3

http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/junior.htm

Have fun - and don't forget if you want to eat in the dining room at Old Faithful Inn, you need to make reservations way in advance, depending on when you're going. We were only able to go in July, which is high season, and we already have our reservations. The restaurant at Lake Yellowstone requires reservations, too, I think.

Laurie

 

[hercamore]

Would I recommend taking a l yo to Yellowstone? I have taken a 2 yo and a 4 yo. We have take many long haul 3 and 4 weeks vacation out west touring Naitonal parks pulling a popup camper.

Of all the parks we've been to, Yellowsotne is the most difficult to travel around in. Pot holy roads slow traffic, distances are great between the north and south entrances. MPH is 30-35 ish, but can be slower depending on traffic and traffic is high in summer months. I can remember sitting a few times in traffic a Yellowstone road waiting for road repair to be done. You sit, you wait, there is no "turnaround" in some areas. This can be difficult with a toddler screaming to get out of his car seat. Weather can be iffy. Cold at night, evenin summer.

Having said that, Yellowstone is stunning beautiful and worth the trip to see all the sights, but all travelers will need patience to endure the slow go round the park.

l5 miles south of Yelllowstone south entrance is Grand Teton Park. Also very beautiful and a smaller park, Personally, I like Grand Tetons better for hiking and just enjoying the scenery. Also Jackson HOle is close by for groceries, restaurants, whatever. There are many dude ranches in the area, too, and that is something I would like to do some day, stay at a dude ranch.

Another thing to consider it is a very long haul from Wi to Yellowstone. YOu'll be traveling thru mountain passes, and you will need a car (and driver) that can handle both.

herc.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My 2 year old was very active. We took along our umbrella stroller for when he got tired and one of those wrist strap cords that we took turns wearing when he was walking. That way we could rein him in when needed. You don't have to be careful everywhere. Mainly just around thermal features and wild animals. The thermal features that are easy to get to have boardwalks. You just have to keep your child from going off the boardwalk and you are safe. I can't remember if he still fit in his backpack at that point or not, but he probably wouldn't have wanted to ride in it. He was at the independent stage. We really had no problems with him. We payed a lot of attention to things that he would be interested in, and he was thrilled with it all.

Traffic can be a real problem. If you are spending several days in the park, I would suggest staying in the park. It's quite a drive if you go in and out each day. Yellowstone is huge! Kids don't like all that driving. And you need to make reservations to stay in the park way in advance. It gets booked very early.