If you have kids, then the thought of planning a getaway can either be exciting or daunting. Traveling with a family can be a challenge, but it’s so worth it. There are so many things to keep in mind when coming up with the perfect itinerary—how do you keep the little ones entertained? Is there nonstop adventure? Is it educational? How complicated is it to travel there? That’s why when Explore Better suggested Yellowstone in wintertime, we couldn’t say no.

How To Get To West Yellowstone

Our family traveled from Indiana into Bozeman International Airport in Montana. Once you land at the airport it is a quick hour and a half drive to West Yellowstone which was our home base for our National Park adventure.

Where To Stay In West Yellowstone

As a family of four, we’re always looking to combine convenience with unique experiences. The Explorer Cabins did just that. Our accommodations were conveniently located close to the attractions and offered the perfect setting for us to connect as a family. Not to mention, the kids were super pumped to find out they had bunk beds in their rooms.

What To Do In West Yellowstone In Winter As A Family

Yellowstone National Park in the winter is an entirely different experience than the summer. While most people think of it as a summer vacation destination, we were excited to see the town at a different time. Our one tip is bring extra layers of clothes to make all the experiences enjoyable!

Yellowstone Vacations Snowcoach Tour

If you’re doing Yellowstone National Park in the winter season, doing this guided tour is a must. The biggest perk is getting to see the park with fewer people in the winter, making it feel much more exclusive — and we got to see it in this heated snowcoach. The wheels on this bus were literally taller than the kids! By the end of the tour, we had checked off a number of sights off our list including Old Faithful, beautiful landscaping, and wildlife including herds of bison.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

Speaking of wildlife, this is such a major part of Yellowstone that we wanted the kids to see some of the animals close up. We discovered that the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center were right across the street from our cabin, and took the kids there. This was such a fun experience where the kids got to see grizzly bears and wolves up close. In fact, the wolves were so playful that the kids were running back and forth with them in the heated observation area. It was so cute.

Sledding Hill

Whether you had little kids, or you’re a big kid at heart, this one is for you. In a nearby park, the West Yellowstone community creates a sledding hill for kids to enjoy during the winter. The entire family had such a blast going down the hill many times. You definitely pick up speed fast. Then we topped off the sledding with some hot chocolate.

The Food

As a family of four you know that it can be hard to find something that your kids like, but West Yellowstone had many options for everyone. We had pizza one night, local must-haves (huckleberry chicken wings and bison queso) from the town’s favorite restaurant The Buffalo Bar, and of course lots of hot chocolate from Mountain Mama’s Cafe! We also had a small kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and small stove so the kids were always full!