Family Adventure Guide

MOUNTAINS OF ADVENTURE BEST VACATION EVER!

Welcome to Montana’s Yellowstone Country, where the Great American Family Vacation is waiting.

“I’m bored” isn’t something you’ll hear around these parts. From the wild wonder of the landscape to the captivating small towns that dot the region, there’s adventure around every bend.

Yellowstone Country has something for everyone, from outdoor exploration to educational activities to good old-fashioned fun. Take a hike, fish a river, swim in a lake. Ski a mountain, snowshoe a wintry forest, cozy up on a sleigh ride.

Get your fix of festivals, live theater, museums, parades and rodeos. It’s hard to run out of things to do here, so saddle up for the vacation of a lifetime.

Yellowstone National Park anchors the region, but Montana’s Yellowstone Country isn’t just your basecamp for park exploration — it’s a destination unto itself. It’s the land of big sky and big smiles. It’s grand, it’s gorgeous, it’s jaw-dropping, it’s mesmerizing, it’s mountains of fun.

Are we there yet?

YEAR-ROUND FUN IN YELLOWSTONE

You’ll find adventure here any time of year. Summer sees the most visitors, especially in the park, and is the ideal time for fun on the water. But winter is its own kind of magic, especially for those who love to ski. Spring and fall aren’t just ideal times for shoulderseason prices — spring brings hillsides of wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and baby wildlife, and fall is pure gold.

FRONT COVER: Red Lodge Mountain. Photo by Jonathan Finch BACK COVER: Ousel Falls. Photo by Charlie McLaughlin

SUMMER IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

Destination Summer Vacation

Welcome to big blue skies and endless sunshine. There’s no denying summer is an awesome time to experience Montana. Family vacations are made here.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKES

Whether you’ve got littles who only want to hike a little or big kids who would love to bag a peak, there are family-friendly treks scattered throughout the region. Get ready for 360-degree views and some spectacular flora and fauna. Lace up your hiking shoes, pack a picnic lunch and plenty of water and plan on a gorgeous day in the great outdoors.

NATURAL BRIDGE FALLS, BIG TIMBER

0.7 miles, 65 feet elevation gain

Visit these scenic falls in Boulder Valley, especially fun in the spring when runoff creates a spectacular show.

LAVA LAKE, GALLATIN CANYON

3 miles, 1,600 feet elevation gain

Hike to this beautiful lake in the Gallatin Canyon (where scenes from “A River Runs Through It” were filmed).

PALISADE FALLS NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL

IN HYALITE CANYON, BOZEMAN

1.1 miles, 239 feet elevation gain

Enjoy this local favorite asphalt trail to an 80-foot waterfall made of a prehistoric lava rock amphitheater.

OUSEL FALLS, BIG SKY

1.6 miles, 400 feet elevation gain

Don’t miss this short but stunning hike in the heart of Big Sky with paths to a waterfall and Ousel Falls Overlook.

CAMPING AND GLAMPING

S’mores + Stargazing + Campfire Songs

What’s better than sleeping in a tent under the stars, hiking, fishing, getting dirty and roasting s’mores by the campfire? For kids, not much. Yellowstone Country is chock-full of memorable camping opportunities both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park. The fresh mountain air, cool evenings and summer scents make for some serious R&R. Looking for something a little less rustic? Try glamping, or rent a cabin.

WHERE TO CAMP:

Yellowstone National Park

Montana State Parks

National Forest Land

HORSEBACK RIDING

Giddyup for Some Old West Fun

Wilderness Areas

Forest Service Campgrounds

Private Campgrounds

Nothing provides a more quintessentially western experience than horseback riding, and, without a doubt, kids love it. There are several outfitters in the area. Some are full-service guest ranches and others provide half- and full-day rides that don’t require a stay. You’ll take a guided ride through breathtaking scenery and discover why they call Montana “Big Sky Country.”

SADDLE UP WITH:

The Diamond P Ranch

Hell’s A-Roarin’ Outfitters

Paradise

Adventure Company

Yellowstone National Park Lodge

ZIP LINING

Adventure Above the Treetops

Jake’s Horses

Sweet Grass Ranch

Beartooth Plateau Outfitters

Elk River Outfitters

For some serious thrills, take the family zip lining. Big Sky Resort has some set up for speed (four lines that are 1,500 feet long and 150 feet above the tree line), a nature zip line that begins with a beautiful 20-minute hike, and a kid-friendly zip line, which is a bit shorter and slower. Montana Whitewater Rafting & Zipline Tours offers guided aerial tours in the Gallatin Canyon and Gardiner, Montana. (Zipping across the Gallatin River is a serious adrenaline rush.) Combine your day with a whitewater rafting trip for double the fun.

WINTER IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

Hibernation is for the Bears

Montana covered in snow brings out the kid in all of us. It’s the perfect place to beat cabin fever, especially with 400 inches of fresh powder every year. Get ready to stick out your tongue and catch some snowflakes.

DOWNHILL SKIING

Get them on the slopes while they’re young, and do it somewhere beautiful and fun. Yellowstone Country boasts three of Montana’s largest ski areas, and they all have ski school, too.

BIG SKY RESORT, BIG SKY

This world-class resort has more beginner and intermediate terrain than most ski resorts have in total acreage. You’ll find some of the country’s best greenplus and blue-minus runs, as well as terrain parks, a racecourse, and dining and lodging for the whole family.

BRIDGER BOWL, BOZEMAN

Family-friendly and kid-approved Bridger Bowl touts extreme skiing, but takes the family ski experience seriously. Their youth programs help kids develop their skills and a love for skiing. Beginners will enjoy the expanded base area and Snowflake Warming Hut.

RED LODGE MOUNTAIN, RED LODGE

Big mountain adventures without big mountain crowds or prices, this down-to-earth ski area values great skiing and affordability. A well-developed terrain park offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities for all ages — an ideal spot for family ski vacations.

SNOWSHOEING

Trek the Trails

Trekking Yellowstone Country by snowshoe is, quite possibly, the easiest way to explore our snow-covered landscapes. It’s simple, inexpensive, and doesn’t require a lot of gear. It’s also one of the best ways to tour Yellowstone National Park when it’s closed to vehicles (except snowcoaches), as well as Montana’s national forests, in the winter. Nearly anyone can put on a pair of snowshoes and tour the terrain.

SNOWCOACH TOURS

HOT SPRINGS

Nature’s Hot Tub

Kind of Like a Monster Truck But With Snow

What’s a snowcoach? Think bus meets all-terrain vehicle. A snowcoach tour through Yellowstone National Park is one of the best — and warmest — ways to experience the wintry wonder of the park. The landscape literally sparkles when it’s all covered in snow, and the animals move to lower elevations, making for great wildlife watching.

There’s no better way to end a day in the snow than soaking in nature’s hot tub. Bozeman Hot Springs has both indoor and outdoor pools, including hot and cold plunges. Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa in Paradise Valley offers a variety of lodging options, along with a bar, fine dining and a poolside grill for casual dining. Yellowstone Hot Springs, just outside of the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, has multiple outdoor pools as well as a Kneipp walk, and offers cozy, modern suites plus western-inspired cabins. Make these mineral-rich hot springs waters part of your Yellowstone Country adventure.

WHERE TO SOAK:

Bozeman Hot Springs

Chico Hot Springs

Norris Hot Springs

Yellowstone Hot Springs

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

A World of Wildlife, Waterfalls and Wonder

America’s first national park is out of this world, equally mesmerizing for kids and adults alike. Think steaming geysers (like Old Faithful), thermal pools, boiling mudpots, the Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.

STAND ON TOP OF THE WORLD

One of the most amazing ways to travel into the park is by way of the Beartooth Highway. From the quaint and vibrant town of Red Lodge, this All American Roads scenic byway covers switchbacks for 69 miles to the northeast entrance of the park, 6 miles past Cooke City. At about 38 miles from Red Lodge you’ll be at the Top of the World. Step out for a family selfie and some refreshment at the Top of the World Store.

Wild animals are just that — wild. It’s important to follow wildlife safety, never feed wildlife, and always keep a safe distance from wildlife.

75 feet is around two school buses.

IAN LANGE

ANDY AUSTIN

A

JUNIOR RANGER

Explore all the wild and wonderful adventures in Montana, and learn how to recreate responsibly, too.

1. When it’s time to retreat to your tent for the night, it’s important to extinguish your campfire completely.

2. It’s okay to leave trash on trails; rangers will pick it up.

3. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way in Montana’s night sky.

4. Family dogs are allowed on all trails in Yellowstone National Park, and it’s okay to keep them off leash.

5. There’s a T. rex skeleton in Bozeman, Montana.

6. The world’s tallest active geyser is in Yellowstone National Park.

on trails in the park; also, please respect leash laws in other parts of the state.

the northern lights.

litter anywhere. Pack out everything you pack in.

:ANSWERS 1. TRUE. Never leave a campfire unattended and always put it out completely.

Stay 75 feet away from elk, bighorn sheep, deer and most other wildlife.

Stay 100 feet away from bison.

Stay 150 feet away from bears.

2. FALSE. It’s never okay to

3. TRUE. And if you’re lucky you may even see

4. FALSE. Dogs are not allowed

5. TRUE. You can see a fully mounted T. rex skeleton at the Museum of the Rockies.

6. TRUE. Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin can erupt over 380 feet high.

ATTRACTIONS IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

Museum of the Rockies BOZEMAN

Home to the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in North America, this Smithsonian affiliate draws visitors from around the country. Rotating exhibits combine history, science, art and nature. View Montana’s T.rex, one of the few mounted Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in the U.S., a nearly complete Allosaurus, plus dinosaur eggs and more. Round out the day with a visit to the Taylor Planetarium, learn about the history of Yellowstone Country, explore the Martin Children’s Discovery Center and, in the summertime, tour the Living History Farm.

FUN FACT

Paleontologists have discovered 75 different species of dinosaur fossils in Montana, more than any other state in America.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center WEST YELLOWSTONE

This not-for-profit wildlife park and educational center is home to grizzly bears and wolves unable to survive in the wild. Observe the animals in a natural setting and learn about their intriguing behavior. The center includes a museum, a raptor exhibit and a naturalist cabin for close-up wolf viewing.

Montana Grizzly Encounter BOZEMAN

This grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary offers a fun and educational look at rescued grizzlies. Come learn about Montana’s majestic beast “up close” in a beautiful mountain setting. Experience this awesome creature safely, with no bars or cages to obstruct the view.

WANDERLUST CREW

BRIAN POWERS

ROAD TRIP SCAVENGER HUNT

Not only is basically every drive in Montana scenic, but there’s so much to see and do on your way from one adventure to the next. Keep your eyes peeled for things like wildflowers, waterfalls, geysers and mountain goats. What can you find?

YELLOWSTONE

ANIMALS

Valley in Yellowstone National Park)

AROUND THE REGION

❑ Roosevelt Arch, Gardiner

❑ Bison (Look for them around Lamar

❑ The Murray Sign, Livingston

❑ Beartooth Pass Summit Sign

❑ Bighorn Sheep (Look for them around Big Sky)

❑ Bison art in West Yellowstone

❑ Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

❑ Elk (Look for them around Gardiner)

❑ Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks

❑ Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

❑ Mountain Goats (Look for them on the Beartooth Highway)

❑ Hotel Baxter Sign, Bozeman

HOW TO RECREATE RESPONSIBLY

with

our

Greetings, travelers!

I’m the (unofficial) Ranger here in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, and it’s my job to help you enjoy the most incredible visit here possible. It’s also my job to help visitors understand the importance of recreating responsibly in Yellowstone Country — to keep it the special place that it is while making your trip a safe and enjoyable one. So without further ado, here are the principles we follow in this natural wonderland.

Know before you go. (Having

a

lay of the land is handy out here.)

Be prepared! Check your route, the forecast, road conditions, operating hours and any particulars for your chosen excursion before you head out on your adventures.

Stay on the trails. (They’re basically the red carpets of nature.)

For your safety and to protect the ecosystem where you’re hiking, please stay on our nifty trails. These VIPS — that’s Very Important Paths — will lead you to great views from safe distances, help you avoid getting lost and prevent the pristine wilderness around you from getting trampled. Win-win-win!

Play it safe. (No need to be a hero.)

Pushing yourself beyond your physical limits in our beautiful but rugged landscapes isn’t a good idea. But great news! We have so many recreation opportunities that there are great options for everyone at any level. And remember: Before you head out, let someone know your plan and when to expect you back.

Pack it in, pack it out.

(Mother Nature hates a mess.)

Make sure that everything you carry into the wilderness comes back out with you, including any trash and food waste — yes, even apple cores and banana peels! Help us keep Mother Nature looking her best — she really appreciates it, and so does everyone else who visits.

Practice wildlife safety. (This is not a petting zoo.)

The desire to interact with or get close to the incredible wildlife here can be strong. But at the end of the day, they’re wild animals, so for their safety and yours, resist the urge to pet or feed them and do your best to put some distance between you.

Prevent wildfires. (Spark conversation or inspiration — not flames!)

Please help us prevent wildfires by never leaving a campfire unattended, knowing how to properly extinguish one, and abiding by any fire restrictions — not starting a fire is a surefire way to prevent one!

Leave it as you find it. (No “finders keepers” out here!)

It can be tempting to move or take rocks or wood or other natural objects from this landscape or to leave a mark. These behaviors might seem harmless, but they can disrupt animal habitat, lead to erosion and affect other people’s wilderness experience. Instead, snap photos to remember all the places you visit, and make your mark by doing your part to keep our wild places wild.

Love Montana back. (It’s the Montana way.)

Montana’s Yellowstone Country is a special place, and we want to keep it that way — for you, for all our visitors and for the folks who call this place home. Please respect our lands and communities and be kind and courteous to everyone you cross paths with.

And those are our Recreate Responsibly principles! Follow these guidelines for a visit to Montana’s Yellowstone Country that’s safe and enjoyable for you, for everyone around you, and for this incredible place. See you on the trail!

NEED HELP PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE?

(fruit plural)

WRITE YOUR OWN WILD TALE

Fill in the blanks below to write your own wild tale!

Once upon a time, I to an alpine lake to have a picnic. I knew I would be after the -mile trek, so I filled my backpack with all my foods, like , , and . I stayed on the trail the whole way to the lake, and when I got there, my was growling. So I sat down and every last bite of the food I brought. I gathered all my trash to pack it out when I discovered a rip at the bottom of my backpack. “ ” I cried. “How will I all my garbage out of here?”

(body part)

(verb, past tense)

(adjective)

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(type of candy)

(number)

(lunch food plural)

(snack food plural)

(verb, past tense)

(adjective) (interjection)

(verb)

I sat down to , and bumped the of my hat when I unconsciously went to scratch my . “That’s it!” I said, jumping up with . I put all the and and in my hat and started back on the trail, carrying my trash-filled in my hands.

(plural noun)

(noun) (plural noun)

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(noun) (emotion)

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Soon I arrived at the trailhead, where I found a and threw away all my garbage. “What a day,” I said to myself. “Good thing I had my ranger !”

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MONTANA PICTO-SEARCH

Can you find all the outdoor symbols in the collage below?

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