Your 5-Day Family Adventure Checklist: Cheyenne to Yellowstone

☀️ Weather, Altitude & Safety

• Weather: July highs 27°C, can drop to 4°C at night—pack layers for everyone.
• Altitude: Yellowstone sits pretty high up (most stops are between 6,000 and 8,000 feet), so we packed extra water and took it slow at first—especially handy for the little ones.
• Wildlife: Stay alert for elk, deer, and smaller critters near the roads.
• Driving: Curvy mountain roads, deer on the highway; take it steady and rest often.
• Sun: UV strong—even when it’s cool. Bring SPF 50+, sunhats, and sunglasses.
• Mobile signal: No reception inside the park—download maps and apps before you set off.

Before You Go

• ✓ Book Lodging: Reserve Grant Village cabins ($100–$150/night, sleep 2–4) 6–12 months ahead at yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. (We skipped camping—warm beds for us!)
• ✓ Budget Check: Plan for $750–$850 for a family of four: park entry, fuel, food, and lodging. Add $20–$30 for kids’ snacks and little treats.
• ✓ Buy Supplies: Stock up in Cheyenne at Albertsons or your favourite grocery for packed lunches, snacks, and drinks (all into our trusty JB Travel gadget bag).
• ✓ Route Prep: Map the 450-mile journey via US-26 (7–8 hours). Plan 2–3 extra stops for little legs and depart as early as possible (we left between 6 and 8 a.m.).
• ✓ Vehicle Prep: Refuel in Dubois ($3.50/gallon vs. $4.50+ in parks). Car seats or boosters sorted, and don’t skip an emergency kit (torch, spare tyre, jump leads).
• ✓ Crowds: Aim for weekday visits to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic for a little more breathing room.
• ✓ Tech: Download the National Park Service (NPS) app and offline maps before you set off—we forgot and had no signal most of the time!
• ✓ Kid Entertainment: Yellowstone-themed books or games, drawing paper, pencils, pens, and notepads (plus tablets/headphones for the car).
• ✓ Essentials:
  • Pushchair (clean and with a shade) for trails and boardwalks.
  • First aid kit (plasters, pain relief, wipes, sickness bands).
  • Go over wildlife safety rules with everyone (elk and deer can appear anywhere!).
• ✓ Our JB Travel penguin & black cat neck pillows—our two loved these for comfy naps and a bit of quiet on the road.

Daily Itinerary Checklist

Day 1: Cheyenne to Grant Village

• □ Stop at Sweetwater Station—Picnic tables and a spot to stretch little legs.
• □ Refuel and stretch in Dubois.
• □ Togwotee Pass—breathtaking views, but watch the bends and keep cameras handy.
• □ Lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge—beautiful Teton views and space for kids to run.
• □ Check into Grant Village—Dinner at Lake House (kids’ menu on hand).
• □ Wildlife spotting—binoculars make it extra fun from the car.

Day 2: Old Faithful, Geysers & Grand Prismatic

• □ Breakfast at Lake House—fuel up for a big day!
• □ Old Faithful—always a big hit with the kids; nothing beats that excitement just before it erupts!
• □ Explore Upper Geyser Basin: Beauty Pool, Grand Geyser, Riverside Geyser—colourful pools and dramatic eruptions.
• □ Walk to Morning Glory Pool—bright, beautiful, but the path is a bit steep and there were loads of mosquitoes (don’t forget the spray!).
• □ Grand Prismatic Overlook—arrive early if you can for the quietest views and a picnic snack.

Day 3: Geothermal Wonders & Waterfalls

• □ Visit Sulphur Cauldron & Mud Volcano—short trail, pushchair-friendly (but it can be whiffy!).
• □ Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone—arrive by 11 a.m., paved lookout and a real wow moment for the kids.
• □ Binoculars for Lower Falls—spectacular 308 ft drop.

Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs & Fort

• □ Walk Lower Terrace—pushchair-friendly, don’t miss Liberty Cap.
• □ Drive Upper Terrace loop—snap some quick photos of the bright pools.
• □ Picnic near Fort Yellowstone—free local history, ice cream at the Terrace Grill if you need a bribe.
• □ Join a ranger-led talk—games and stories for the little ones, and a breather for you.

Day 5: Grand Prismatic & Return

• □ Hike Grand Prismatic Overlook—arrive by 9 a.m., pushchair-friendly but take a hat for the sun.
• □ Lunch by Yellowstone Lake at Grant Village—perfect spot for a picnic.
• □ Drive back to Cheyenne—watch for deer near Grand Teton and stop for snacks and a stretch on the way.

Food & Budget Tips

• Buy snacks and food in Cheyenne—the park shops are dear.
• Cooler for sandwiches, fruit, and drinks—no hangry tummies on hikes!
• Picnic at scenic spots—so much more fun for the kids and saves you money.
• Flask of tea with honey is a family tradition—warms the grown-ups on chilly mornings.
• Skip souvenirs—photos and Junior Ranger badges are the real treasures.
• Budget extra for the odd ice cream or treat—well deserved after big walks.
• Fuel up in Dubois for both legs of your journey.

Packing Essentials

Weather & Comfort

• ❏ Layers: lightweight jackets, hoodies, shirts (July: 4–27°C).
• ❏ Sun hats, SPF 50+, sunglasses—strong UV at altitude.
• ❏ Mosquito spray, long sleeves for buggy areas.
• ❏ Comfortable walking shoes—essential for exploring.

Food & Hydration

• ❏ Packed lunches: sandwiches, fruit—keep fresh in cooler.
• ❏ Reusable water bottles—everyone drinks more at altitude!
• ❏ Cups, cutlery, and a flask of tea with honey.

Family Gear

• ❏ Binoculars for wildlife and waterfall spotting.
• ❏ Wet wipes for little messes and sticky fingers.
• ❏ Charging leads for car—phones and tablets alike.
• ❏ Picnic mat for those scenic lunches.

Children’s Essentials & Safety

• ❏ Notepad, drawing paper, pencils, and pens—for the car and picnic stops.
• ❏ Travel games, books, tablet, headphones.
• ❏ Blanket, toys, travel pillow—naps made comfy with our JB Travel penguin & black cat neck pillows.
• ❏ Pushchair with shade—great for boardwalks and long trails.
• ❏ Each child’s small bag for their own snacks and bits—it helps!

Trip Highlights for Kids

• Old Faithful—erupts every 90 minutes and always a big hit.
• Grand Geyser—towering, dramatic eruptions.
• Riverside Geyser—arcs right over the river.
• Beauty Pool and Morning Glory Pool—magical colours.
• Mud Volcano—bubbling and hissing (bring your nose!).
• Grand Prismatic—looks unreal in the sunshine.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone—dramatic cliffs and a huge waterfall.
• Mammoth Hot Springs—bright terraces, fun for a quick walk.
• Wildlife spotting—elk, deer, and loads of birds.

Top Tips for Families with Small Children

• Picnic at Sweetwater or by Yellowstone Lake, and don’t be afraid to improvise stops for breaks.
• Spot wildlife from the car—sometimes the best view is the safest one!
• Check eruption times for geysers at the visitor centre before heading out.
• Yellowstone Junior Ranger Programme—pick up a free booklet at any centre.
• Pause for a family photo every day—these are memories for life.
• Let the little ones draw what they see—perfect for downtime.
• Early starts mean quieter sights, more energy for everyone, and a better chance at parking.

Notes & Reminders

Add your own reminders, packing, food, or stops here:

Final Notes & Links

A $35 entry fee covers Grand Teton and Yellowstone for 7 days—plenty of time for adventure!

Share your journey at jbtravelworld.com or tag @jummaiandbobtravel on Instagram. For more road trip inspiration, check out USA’s Best Trips by Lonely Planet, which helped shape our adventure!

Happy travels from Jummai, Bob, and the JB Travel Team! 🌍