Yellowstone National Park is like no other place on Earth, and hiking with kids in Yellowstone makes it even more unforgettable. Geysers shoot boiling water 100 feet into the sky. Rainbow-colored hot springs bubble and steam. Bison herds lumber down the road. And kids? They absolutely lose their minds over it — in the best possible way.
But here's what many families don't realize: Yellowstone has some of the most kid-friendly hiking trails in the entire national park system. You don't need to be an experienced hiker or have teenagers to enjoy this park on foot. With the right trails (and a scavenger hunt in your back pocket), even your youngest adventurers can tackle Yellowstone like a pro.
In this guide, we're breaking down the top 3 family hikes in Yellowstone for young kids — with full trail details, parking info, directions from the main entrance, wildlife to look for, and the best times to visit so you can avoid the summer crowds.
Before you hit the trail, print out the scavenger hunt below and hand one to each kid. Trust us — it changes everything.
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Trail Scavenger Hunt — Find them all!Check each
one off as you spot it on the trail! □ A geyser or steam vent actively releasing steam □ A bison (from a safe distance of at least 25 yards!) □ A bird with a red or orange marking □ Rainbow colors in a hot spring or pool□ A dead or fallen tree (called a 'snag') used by woodpeckers □ Animal tracks in mud or soft ground □ A pinecone on the ground □ Something that smells like rotten eggs (sulfur from geothermal vents!) □ A hawk or eagle soaring overhead □ A wildflower (look for yellow, purple, or white blooms in summer) □ A squirrel or chipmunk □ A lodgepole pine tree (tall, straight, and thin — they grow everywhere here!) □ A rock or boulder that is a different color from the ones around it □ Water flowing in a creek or river □ Your own shadow on the trail — you made it this far! |
Tip: Pack a small prize in your daypack for whoever finds all 15 items first. Even a sticker or a granola bar works wonders for tiny hikers!
About Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, established in 1872, holds the title of America's first national park. Straddling Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it sits atop a supervolcano and contains more than half of the world's geysers. The park covers 3,472 square miles — larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined — but its most iconic features and best family hikes are concentrated in several key areas accessible from the main roads.
Hiking with kids in Yellowstone requires sticking to lower-elevation, shorter trails near the geyser basins and canyon areas. Leave the backcountry and longer summit hikes for when the kids are a bit older. The three trails below are our picks for the absolute best Yellowstone hikes with young children.
Trail 1: Upper Geyser Basin Loop (Old Faithful Area)
If you only do one hike in Yellowstone with young kids, make it this one. The Upper Geyser Basin contains the highest concentration of geysers anywhere on Earth, and the flat, wide boardwalk trail puts you right in the middle of it. There is no better introduction to Yellowstone's otherworldly geology, and kids are absolutely transfixed by every hissing vent, bubbling pool, and erupting geyser along the way.
The star of the show is, of course, Old Faithful — the world's most famous geyser, which erupts approximately every 90 minutes and shoots water up to 185 feet in the air. But the basin holds dozens of other geysers and hot springs that many visitors rush past on their way to Old Faithful, including the Castle Geyser, the Grand Geyser, and the stunning Chromatic Pool.
| Distance | 3.0 miles round-trip (can be shortened to 1.2 miles for the core Old Faithful loop) |
| Elevation Gain | Minimal — less than 50 feet total. Almost entirely flat boardwalk. |
| Difficulty | Easy — suitable for children ages 3 and up. Stroller accessible on the shorter loop. |
| Amenities | Full visitor center with restrooms, gift shop, restaurant, and exhibits. Water fountains available. Wheelchair accessible. |
| Parking | Large parking area at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center — arrive before 9 AM or after 4 PM in peak season to find a spot. Overflow parking is available nearby. |
| Directions from Main Entrance | From the West Entrance (West Yellowstone, MT): Head east on the Grand Loop Road for approximately 30 miles. The Old Faithful area is well-signed. Total drive from West Entrance: about 45-50 minutes. From the South Entrance: Head north approximately 22 miles on the South Entrance Road. Old Faithful will be on your right. |
| Wildlife Kids Can Spot | Bison (very common in and around the basin — maintain 25 yards minimum), elk (especially at dawn/dusk), yellow-bellied marmots near the boardwalk edges, Uinta ground squirrels, ravens and Clark's nutcrackers, and the rare Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Firehole River. |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning (7-9 AM) is magical — fewer crowds and the steam from geysers and hot springs is more dramatic in the cool morning air. Check the predicted eruption time for Old Faithful at the visitor center and time your visit accordingly. |
| Best Time of Year | June through September. July and August are peak months with full facilities open. Early June and September offer slightly thinner crowds and comfortable temperatures (50s-70s F during the day). |
| Shoulder Season (Less Crowded) | Late May (Memorial Day weekend is busy, but the week after is quieter) and late September through mid-October. Most facilities remain open and crowds thin considerably after Labor Day. Avoid the week of July 4th — it is the single busiest week in the park. |
Parent Tips for This Trail
• Check the Old Faithful eruption prediction board at the visitor center before you start hiking — plan your loop so you arrive at Old Faithful about 10 minutes before the predicted eruption.
• The boardwalk gets very hot in the afternoon sun — bring sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water. There is almost no shade.
• Do NOT let kids lean over or touch the railings near hot springs. Water temperatures can exceed 200°F and the ground around them is thin and fragile.
• The Geyser Hill loop (accessible via the bridge near Old Faithful) adds beautiful extra geysers and is worth the extra 0.5 miles if your kids have energy to spare.
Trail 2: Mud Volcano Area (Canyon Village Area)
If you want to see kids' jaws drop in disbelief, bring them to the Mud Volcano area. This short, accessible loop winds through one of Yellowstone's most unique geothermal features: boiling mud pots that make gurgling, plopping, roaring sounds that kids find absolutely hilarious and slightly terrifying — in the best way.
The Dragon's Mouth Spring is the showstopper here, a cave entrance from which hot water surges rhythmically with a thunderous roar, releasing massive clouds of steam. The Mud Volcano itself is a churning pool of clay and water that looks like something out of a fantasy novel. This area is consistently less crowded than the Old Faithful area, making it one of the park's hidden gems for hiking with kids in Yellowstone.
| Distance | 0.7 miles round-trip (full loop with all features) |
| Elevation Gain | 100 feet — gentle hills on a paved path. Very manageable for young kids. |
| Difficulty | Easy — suitable for children ages 2 and up. Not stroller-friendly due to hill sections, but manageable with a carrier backpack for toddlers. |
| Amenities | Pit toilets at the trailhead parking area. No water or food — bring your own. The Canyon Village area (5 miles north) has full facilities including a general store and restaurant. |
| Parking | Dedicated parking lot at the Mud Volcano trailhead — smaller than Old Faithful but usually easier to find a space. Arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM for best availability. |
| Directions from Main Entrance | From the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT): Take the Grand Loop Road south through Mammoth Hot Springs, then east through Tower Junction, then south approximately 16 miles. Mud Volcano is on the east side of the road, just south of Hayden Valley. Total drive: about 1 hour 15 minutes. From the East Entrance: Head west approximately 27 miles to Canyon Junction, then south 5 miles on the Canyon-Lake Road. Mud Volcano will be on your left. |
| Wildlife Kids Can Spot | This area sits on the northern edge of Hayden Valley, one of Yellowstone's prime wildlife corridors. Bison herds are extremely common — you may drive through them to reach the parking lot. Grizzly bears are spotted regularly in this valley (morning/evening). Coyotes, ravens, and sandhill cranes are also frequently seen. |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning (before 9 AM) for the best chance of seeing bison herds in Hayden Valley on your drive in. The steam features are most dramatic in cooler morning air. Avoid midday heat in July-August when temperatures can reach the high 80s. |
| Best Time of Year | Mid-June through September. The road to this area can be closed by snow in early spring and late fall. Peak season is July-August, with the best weather and all facilities open. |
| Shoulder Season (Less Crowded) | September is wonderful here — the aspen trees begin to turn gold, bison rut season creates dramatic animal behavior, and the crowds are noticeably thinner. Early October is possible but check road conditions. Avoid the July 4th week. |
Parent Tips for This Trail
• Drive slowly through Hayden Valley on the way — pull over safely and watch the bison herds. This 'car hike' is often more exciting to young kids than the trail itself.
• The sulfur smell here is intense. Prepare kids with a funny explanation ('the Earth is cooking something stinky!') so they are not alarmed.
• Dragon's Mouth Spring is loud — some younger toddlers find it startling. Approach slowly and gauge your child's reaction before getting close.
• This loop pairs perfectly with a drive south to Yellowstone Lake, which is only 5 miles away and offers beautiful picnic spots.
Trail 3: Storm Point Trail (Yellowstone Lake)
If the other two trails are about geothermal fireworks, Storm Point is about peaceful natural beauty — and potentially the most wildlife-rich hike in the park for families. This loop along the north shore of Yellowstone Lake is one of Yellowstone's most underrated family hikes, rewarding you with sweeping lake views, a rugged rocky point, and almost guaranteed squirrel and bird sightings throughout.
Kids love the variety here: forest walking, open meadow stretches, dramatic lakeside cliffs at the point, and the return leg through open grass where ground squirrels are practically begging to be observed (but not fed!). The trail also passes an Indian Pond, which is a magnet for waterfowl and can be glassy-calm and beautiful in the morning.
| Distance | 2.3 miles round-trip loop |
| Elevation Gain | Minimal — less than 100 feet. Rolling terrain near the lake. |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate — suitable for children ages 4 and up who are comfortable walking 2+ miles. The rocky point section requires some careful stepping. |
| Amenities | Pit toilet at the trailhead. No other facilities on trail. The Lake Village area (4 miles west) has a general store, medical clinic, hotel, and restaurant. |
| Parking | Small gravel pullout parking area at the Storm Point Trailhead on the south side of the road, approximately 3 miles east of Fishing Bridge. Limited to about 15-20 vehicles — arrive early (before 8 AM) in peak season. |
| Directions from Main Entrance | From the East Entrance: Head west approximately 27 miles on the East Entrance Road. The Storm Point Trailhead parking pullout is on your right (south side), about 3 miles before Fishing Bridge. Look for a small brown trailhead sign. From the West Entrance: Take the Grand Loop Road to Madison Junction, south through Old Faithful, then east through West Thumb, then north to Fishing Bridge — approximately 2.5 hours. A more practical approach from the west is via Canyon Village, heading south 16 miles to Fishing Bridge. |
| Wildlife Kids Can Spot | Uinta ground squirrels (abundant), yellow-bellied marmots at the rocky point, osprey and bald eagles fishing the lake, Canada geese, common mergansers and other ducks at Indian Pond, coyotes in the meadows, and occasional black bear and grizzly (be bear-aware and make noise on the forested sections). |
| Best Time of Day | Morning (7-10 AM) for calm lake reflections and peak wildlife activity. Afternoon brings afternoon thunderstorms in July-August — be off the exposed rocky point by noon if storms are possible. |
| Best Time of Year | Late June through September. The trailhead requires crossing Indian Pond outlet — this can be muddy or flooded in early June. Late August and September offer the finest weather, calmer crowds, and the beginning of fall color. |
| Shoulder Season (Less Crowded) | Late August through mid-September is ideal shoulder season — stable weather, smaller crowds than July, and excellent wildlife activity as animals prepare for winter. The East Entrance Road can close abruptly with early snowfall after mid-October. |
Parent Tips for This Trail
• This trail has a bear warning in effect seasonally — pick up a bear spray canister from the visitor center or any park store. Teach kids to make noise on the trail (singing, talking, clapping). This is a teachable moment, not a scary one.
• The rocky point section has some exposure near the water — keep a firm hold on younger kids and stay well back from cliff edges.
• Indian Pond on the return leg is stunning for bird watching. Bring a small pair of binoculars if you have them — the kids will love spotting ducks and herons.
• Pack a picnic and eat at the point overlooking the lake. Few lunches in the world are more spectacular.
Practical Family Information for Yellowstone
Park Fees & Junior Rangers
• Entry fee: $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days). America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers all national parks for a year — highly recommended for families planning 2+ park visits.
• Junior Ranger Program: Free! Pick up a booklet at any visitor center. Kids complete activities, take an oath, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge. One of the greatest free programs in the national park system.
Best Lodging for Families
• Inside the park: Old Faithful Inn (iconic, book 12+ months ahead), Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Canyon Lodge
• Outside the park: West Yellowstone, MT has dozens of family-friendly hotel and cabin options and is the closest gateway town to the most popular areas.
When to Book
• Campgrounds and lodges inside the park book out 12+ months in advance for July-August. If you're planning a summer trip, start planning NOW.
• October through April: The park's interior roads close to vehicles. Only the North Entrance (Gardiner) road to Cooke City remains open year-round.
What to Pack for Yellowstone with Kids
• Bear spray (available in park stores) — learn how to use it before your hike
• Layers — Yellowstone weather can change dramatically within an hour
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) — you are at 7,000+ feet elevation
• Plenty of water — 2 liters per person per day minimum
• Binoculars for wildlife watching
• Snacks for the trail — hungry kids stop hiking
• The printed scavenger hunt from the top of this guide!
| Ready for your Yellowstone adventure?Puddles 2 Oceans has everything your family needs to hit the trail — from kid-sized daypacks and waterproof boots to trekking poles built for little hands. Browse our family hiking gear at www.puddles2oceans.com. |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
| hiking with kids in Yellowstone hiking with kids in Yellowstone hiking with kids in Yellowstone hiking with kids in Yellowstone hiking with kids in Yellowstone hiking with kids in Yellowstone |
