3 STEPS TO A PERFECT YELLOWSTONE TRIP
Get travel secrets and local tips for the perfect All-American adventure through Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park
THIS IS THE YEAR TO VISIT YELLOWSTONE!
Whether you’re traveling with a loved one or with kids, there are plenty of incredible sights to see and things to do on a Yellowstone vacation. Here are three steps to help you plan a Yellowstone trip that your family will remember forever!
STEP 1: PLAN STOPS OUTSIDE THE PARK
Cody, Wyoming is known as the basecamp for Yellowstone visitors — and for good reason. With exciting experiences, great food, and only a 45-minute drive to Yellowstone, it’s the perfect place to have some family fun before, after, or during your Yellowstone adventure. Book family-friendly activities like horseback rides, cowboy chuckwagon dinners, escape room, or after-hours tours — or spend a day roaming through five world-class museums at the Center of the West. There’s tons of great lodging, dining, and entertainment in town, too!
NOTE: Just because a town looks closer to Yellowstone doesn’t mean it’s closer to the action. For example, West Yellowstone is only a mile from the Park, but it’s nearly 90 minutes — and a road filled with nothing but dense forests — from major attractions and wildlife areas. The road from Cody to Yellowstone has been called “the most beautiful drive in America” — and you’ll probably see a few critters before you hit the East Gate. The animals aren’t fenced in, after all!
STEP 2: PLAN YOUR YELLOWSTONE ROUTE
Plot your course and book your Yellowstone lodging well before your trip — it’ll save you time and money. A simple rule is this: driving in Yellowstone will take twice as long as you (or Google Maps) think it will, and lodging/campgrounds will fill up twice as fast. If you’re coming from Cody, we’d recommend booking at Canyon Lodge, Canyon Campground, or Lake Hotel your first night. They’re centrally located and it’ll give you plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife and scenery along the way. Here’s some more detailed information on traveling through the area.
Yellowstone’s roadway is built like a figure 8 (see above) — there are two loops that take you to most major attractions. Staying at Canyon Village gives you easy access to both loops. We’d recommend spending at least a day on each loop. It’ll give you plenty of time to watch wildlife, go for a hike, and check out some geysers each day without feeling rushed on your journey.
STEP 3: GET MORE TRIP PLANNING INSPIRATION
SUMMER is the perfect time to take an All-American vacation out to Yellowstone! Take our Yellowstone Travel Quiz to receive e-mails with trip planning ideas, special deals on Center of the West experiences, and inspiration to make your trip to Yellowstone an unforgettable one, or take a look at our Plan Your Trip section to work out your travel details. See you out West next summer!
