National Parks and Kids

[bob]

My wife and I are looking at taking our kids (7, 5, 2) to one of the big national parks this year: Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Grand Teton / Yellowstone, or Rocky Mountain National Park. We had originally planned on waiting a few more years, but both of us have had health scares in the past year, that while cleared up now, have led us to wanting to live now instead of continually waiting.

Do any of you have experience taking young kids to these or any other national parks? Any tips you can provide would be really appreciated.

[PilotMan]

I went to the Tetons and Yellowstone a lot as a kid growing up. I haven't been there on vacation in a very long time, but I can tell you that reservations are a must if you want to stay in the park. It's very crowded in the summer time, but as a destination I can't think of a place I'd rather go.

As someone who has vacationed with kids that small I'm also going to say that it's going to be a lot of work for you and it might not feel like the vacation you hope it is. Don't let that deter you, but be prepared for it. You can still have an awesome time.

[panerd]

I think the Grand Canyon is the most family friendly (especially with the 2 year old). Yellowstone also would be fun but the Tetons seem like the younger kids might not appreciate it as much. I have a 2 year old but my experience with all of those parks was before I had children so I will cede to those that have actually "done it" since I am just going off of a best guess.

[digamma]

We just did a trip to the Black Hills National Forest, Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park. There's a bunch to do, tons of animals and it's very scenic.

[nilodor]

Every summer from when I was 5 till about 20 we would pack up the motorhome and tour around the western US and Canada, mainly visiting national parks and state parks. I really enjoyed it but it really depends on which campgrounds you get into. While you may love nature and its tranquility, kids, even if they like hiking will get bored. So look for campgrounds with activities, playgrounds, interpretive programs (which were some great memories from childhood). You know your kids and their interests, I would try and find places that match them pretty well. I've been to all but Yosemite (always on fire when we tried to go) on your list and I think the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone were my favs from that age. I also really liked arches/bridges national monument and hoover dam.

[cartman]

Yosemite Valley is one of the most stunning places I've ever visited. Besides the scenery, there are tons of programs and activities that are scheduled through out the day.

[Tigercat]

Oh, I get to put my Park Ranger hat on at FOFC for the first time! Two is going to be too young to offer much in terms of programs, but for the 5 and 7 year old check with the visitor's centers. For sure there will be Junior Ranger programs for them to earn badges, and depending on the park and time of year there may be walks and talks geared towards little ones. Who and how many staff around for the season can impact programs, so call the parks to see if they have anything planned out in advancr this summer. Yosemite and Yellowstone are fantastic for having kid programs. What is great about Yellowstone is that it has a few different programs and visitor centers throughout, so its easier to plan. (Today we do Mammoth and the junior ranger program there, tomorrow Upper Geyser Basin and the program there, etc, etc)

[Umbrella]

I went to the Grand Canyon as a kid, and I remember it being OK. However, on that same trip we went to the Petrified Forest, and I remember thinking it was much cooler. Mostly because I was into cool rocks at that time, and at the gift shop (or visitor center, my memory is a bit hazy) they had a ton of them. It's only a couple of hours from the canyon, so it's worth considering.

Granted, this was probably 40 years ago, so things have certainly changed since then from a visitor standpoint.

[cartman]

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about the Junior Ranger program. We took my cousin's 7 year old to Big Bend NP last summer and got him signed up there. He was always on the lookout for things to complete his list. When we reported a bear sighting, they gave him a certificate that is now hanging on his wall.

There is also a series of books named "Who Pooped In the Park?", with specific editions for various parks. They show tracks and poop of various animals so kids can be on the lookout for animal signs.

[bob]

Thanks everyone - I'll let you know what we decide.

[bob]

Ok, so here's what we are doing. Slightly scaled down from original plan, but still excited.

Flying into Denver
Going to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park in South Dakota
Then staying at the YMCA Lodges in Estes Park outside Rocky Mountain National Park.

I know that's a decent bit of driving, but doubt we'd make it out to Mount Rushmore otherwise.

We get into Denver at 3 PM, and I'm thinking of staying that first night in Cheyenne on the way up to Mount Rushmore so they kids are strapped into a belt for 10 hours on one day - anyone ever been there? If so, any restaurant or attraction we should see?

[digamma]

If you are staying overnight in Custer/Rapid City, I highly recommend one of the State Game Lodges within the state park, rather than one of the places in Rapid City or Keystone.

[bob]

Originally Posted by digamma

If you are staying overnight in Custer/Rapid City, I highly recommend one of the State Game Lodges within the state park, rather than one of the places in Rapid City or Keystone.

Yeah, we are staying two nights at one of the lodges.

[britrock88]

Originally Posted by digamma

If you are staying overnight in Custer/Rapid City, I highly recommend one of the State Game Lodges within the state park, rather than one of the places in Rapid City or Keystone.

Agreed.

Don't miss the Needles, and add a little time in case you get stuck in a buffalo traffic jam. (It happens.)

[timmae]

Is deadwood worth going to?

[Wolfpack]

We stayed in Hill City a couple of nights about 10 years ago on our tour of the Dakotas. I remember there was a steak restaurant there that pretty much all they did was give you a steak and a salad for a meal, but it was massive and it was good (I'd have to go digging for guidebooks to remember the name of it though). There's also something called the 1880 Train which is a short tourist passenger train that runs a little back and forth from Hill City to a nearby town and lets you see some more of the Black Hills including Harney Peak. There are also two other national parks right there, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. It's probably a stretch for what you want to do, but there's also the Badlands (and Wall Drug) off to the east and Devils Tower to the west.

[bob]

I'd love to hit either Badlands or Devil's Tower, but my wife thinks I'm crazy to put the kids in the car for any longer than we already have planned.

We might check out Wind Cave if we have time.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[britrock88]

Not the kid-friendliest thing to do, but summiting Harney Peak is a great afternoon hike.

[bob]

Yeah, that probably won't work with us having a 2 year old with us. Lots of awesome things to do out there, but I do have to be reasonable.

We have everything planned but our last day - we have to check out by 10 AM on Friday but don't leave until 5 PM on Saturday. Any must see things in the city of Denver?

[bob]

Ok, now I really wish we had planned three nights in SD. So much to do.

For those of you that have been, how cool is 1) Devils Tower and 2) the night lighting of Mt Rushmore?

I'm trying to convince my wife to do Devils Tower, leave around 3, get to Mt. Rushmore around 5:30, hang there until whenever, then Wind Cave and the Custer State park scenic drives the next day. Is that too crazy?

Is driving in the park at night too dangerous with all the animals?

I'm really trying to make the most out of what likely will be our only visit out there. Yolo and all that.

[Clark]

Wife, 7 year old daughter and I vacationed in SD last summer. We had a great time.
Must see:
1. Badlands
2. Needles Highway
3. Devils Tower
4. Mt Rushmore
5. Wildlife Loop Custer Park
6. Spearfish Canyon

If you have time:
1. Crazy Horse Memorial
2. Picnic at Sylvan Lake
3. Bear Country USA (fun for kids)
4. Feed the fish at the DC Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish (fun for kids)

I would skip Deadwood.

[bob]

Thanks - my wife is in for Devil's Tower. Due to the time constraints though, we won't see the Badlands. But we will get Wind Cave instead of Spearfish.

[Wolfpack]

We kind of "tagged" Devils Tower on our way between the Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt up in North Dakota. It's pretty impressive, but we didn't really go hiking around or anything so I wouldn't say we had the full experience. Definitely one of those "do to say you've seen it" type of things, though, simply because of its place in American history and pop culture.

[bob]

Thanks for all the advice everyone - we had a great time on our trip. Here's how it played out:

Saturday - flew into Denver. By coincidence, found out that my favorite band (Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers) was playing a free show in downtown Denver that night. Took my daughter to her first concert.

Sunday - drove to Devil's Tower, walked the tower trail, drove to Mt. Rushmore which was too foggy to see, then checked into lodge at Custer State park.

Monday - Wilderness drive, Wind Cave National Park, back to Mt Rushmore. Missed the needles drive due to roads / bridges being closed due to heavy rain.

Tuesday - Evans Plunge to tire out the kids, then drove to Estes Park in Colorado right outside Rocky Mtn. National Park.

Wednesday - stuff at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Thursday - stuff at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Friday - Rocky Mountain National Park. Saw a bear (rare given there are only 25 in the entire park), and kids loved hiking in the snow.

Saturday - return.

Had a great time, and will likely go back to the area again. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[timmae]

Sounds like an awesome trip Bob! Great stuff!!

[bob]

Attached is a picture of a buffalo from about 5 feet outside my car. He looked unhappy.

[cartman]

Like a good agent...