Adventuring in Yellowstone with My Bestie and Kids! This Tour Was Totally Worth It

With my bestie's rallying cry, we took the kids to Yellowstone! Just returned from a magical trip to Yellowstone with my bestie and our two little rascals (ages 7 & 9), and I'm rushing to share how amazing this small group tour she picked was. 👇Core Safety Tips: Pay Attention First! The geothermal areas with bubbling hot springs and mud pots can exceed 90°C (194°F) in seconds! Kids' curiosity knows no bounds—keep a close eye on them and repeatedly emphasize: Look only! No touching! Stay away from edges! Safety harnesses and anti-lost backpacks are must-haves. While taking photos, my bestie almost couldn't stop my kid from picking up a "pretty rock"—scared us half to death! 😭Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Accommodation: Book inside the park at least 6 months in advance—cabins sell out fast! (We stayed in Canyon Village, super convenient). More options outside in West Yellowstone, but daily commutes eat up time. Transport: Low speed limits and frequent traffic jams (due to wildlife or roadwork)—plan extra time. Food: Limited dining options in the park—pack plenty of snacks. West Yellowstone has grocery stores for supplies. Clothing: Layer up in June! Mornings/evenings: down jacket/fleece; midday: T-shirt + sun shirt. Waterproof/windproof outerwear is essential. My Trip Highlights: First, the transportation: 10-seater van with individual seats was a game-changer—huge shoutout to the single seats! Individual seating = happy kids + relaxed moms. Plenty of space for all our luggage, and the kids slept soundly the whole way. Guide: The Ultimate All-Rounder Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable! His engaging commentary on geological wonders and wildlife trivia had the kids wide-eyed with wonder 🌟 Not just a Yellowstone expert but also a patient part-time "kid wrangler"—lol! Accommodations: 2 nights in Salt Lake City, 2 nights inside Yellowstone—both excellent, blending urban comfort and wilderness charm for a uniquely balanced experience. Service: Thoughtful Touches Everywhere ✅ Snack pack: Cookies and energy bars on the bus for quick refuels. ✅ Unlimited water: Bottled water always available—no more hydration stress! ✅ Disposable toiletries: Prepped hygiene kits—convenient and clean. ✅ Binoculars: Wildlife-spotting MVP! 5-Day Itinerary: D1: Salt Lake City airport pickup + half-day city tour. D2: Salt Lake City → Yellowstone National Park. D3: Full-day Yellowstone exploration. D4: Yellowstone → Grand Teton National Park → Salt Lake City. D5: Salt Lake City airport drop-off. Exhausting but the kids were thrilled the whole time—still talking about volcanoes, rainbow springs, and bison! Seeing it firsthand beats textbooks by a mile. With solid prep, this is a family destination worth revisiting! ❤️