Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is quintessential for anyone looking to experience America’s great outdoors. Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, it was created in 1872 as the United States’ first national park. It boasts a huge variety of landscapes, covering 3,468 square miles of pristine Wyoming wilderness. The moment you enter Yellowstone, nature surrounds you. It may take longer than expected to reach your campsite (choose Madison Junction campground if you aren’t interested in driving a minimum of 30 minutes for a shower) because bison are constantly moseying across the road that circles the park. Traffic jams can occur as people stop to take pictures of the 1,400 pound mammals. If you aren’t happy with the blurry snapshot you took on your way to camp, head over to Lamar Valley to see one of the largest bison herds in the United States. Bison aren’t the only animals you’ll see in Yellowstone; you can watch black bear mothers teach their cubs to climb trees just 50 yards away from your car. Stop by the town of Mammoth, located at the northwest end of the park, to view elk lounging in the shade of city hall. Once you’ve maxed out on storage for all of your wildlife photos, take advantage of Yellowstone’s unique, world renowned geothermal features (think hot springs and geysers). Watch Old Faithful erupt every 90 minutes, peak into the depths of Morning Glory, a naturally occurring rainbow-colored hot spring, or take a dip in Fire Hole, a geyser-fed portion of river that feels like a natural jacuzzi. The beauty and versatility of the park more than makes up for the 18 hours of quality family time on the drive in. Yellowstone is beautiful and accessible year round and truly feels like the Great American Frontier.

Glacier

Montana’s Glacier National Park stands out as one of the most beautiful parks in the Western United States. To avoid being caught in a swarm of tourists during the summer months, take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and explore the park during October. If you do visit during the summer, make sure you bring along extra snacks before sight-seeing along the famous “Going to the Sun Road” because traffic can be slow along the park’s main scenic route. If you aren’t interested in sitting in the car to take in the breathtaking scenery, enjoy one of the park’s numerous hikes that offer a 360 degree view of Glacier’s gorgeous mountain ranges. One of the most popular hikes is the Highline Trail, but make sure to wear your hiking boots because one missed step could leave you tumbling down a mountain ridge. If heights aren’t your thing, another hike to consider is Siyeh Pass. Unlike the Highline Trail, which runs along a ridge overlooking the mountains, Siyeh Pass is in the forest, along meadows and small lakes. This trail offers a very unusual traffic jam as mountain goats, the symbol of the park, are constantly meandering across the path. Another notorious animal of the park is the grizzly bear. If you are lucky enough to spot a bear, do not hesitate to capture the moment. However, remember to remain at a safe distance so you don’t end up on the evening news under the headline “Tragedy at Glacier.” To avoid this unfortunate publicity, it is essential to bring bear spray, stay on the trail and make noise while you are hiking. If you prefer to avoid the wildlife altogether, admire the park’s beauty from afar by taking a Red Bus Tour along Logan Pass. After the tour, grab a bite of lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge and relax in the rocking chairs overlooking the pristine blue water. The beautiful setting of Glacier National Park makes any of the numerous park activities unforgettable.

Grand Teton

If you feel like you’ve experienced all that Yellowstone has to offer, shimmy on down to Grand Teton National Park, located a few miles away from the southern tip of America’s first national park. The iconic, jagged peaks of the Grand Teton mountain range located within the park are one of the most recognized silhouettes in the country. To see this gorgeous range in person, stop by the Grand Teton Lodge, sit in one of the many cozy armchairs and gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the view that captivated French trappers in the late 1800s. For a quieter, more secluded view of the mountains, park in a pull-out along U.S. 191 and watch the sunset over the peaks. For the best results, we recommend sitting on the tailgate of your car after liberally coating yourself with bug spray to avoid the mosquitoes that feed on tourists at dusk. After the sun sets, drive by Gros Ventre campground and keep your eyes peeled for the chance to catch a glimpse of a moose feeding. If you are visiting in the summer and the Wyoming heat starts to get to you, cool off by taking a dip in the beautiful Jenny lake, named in 1872 after the Shoshone wife of one of the area’s first settlers. The bottom of the lake is blanketed with perfectly smooth stones in shades of red, purple, blue and yellow. After a long day of swimming and sightseeing, take a 20 minute drive past the National Elk Refuge to get to Jackson Hole for dinner and a healthy dose of mountain life. Although not as large as other national parks, Grand Teton National Park is full of sights and activities that can’t be enjoyed anywhere else in the world.