Tips for Traveling to Yellowstone with Kids

What I learned about Yellowstone 

(and some tips for you)....

#1- We were not prepared for the #s (parking lots are nutso - they need to expand upon them for sure)

#2- Pit toilets are gross!!  many of our kids wouldn't even use them and would hold themselves until we reached a real toilet.  So take advantage of the nicer toilets when you see them.  Make everyone go or at least try.  

#3- Skeeters are nasty, so have bug spray handy and constantly reapply (that and sunscreen)

#4- High elevation can cause sickness (vomiting!) and being short of breath (this really affected me being pregnant!).

#5- Lots of curvy roads, cliffs, mountains and my weak tummy/nervous self had a hard time with it all (Sea bands helped me tremendously!  That and prayer....)

#6- Pack a picnic lunch and lots of snacks and drinks.  There are not many restaurants in the park and with all the driving that you do, it's best to come prepared with your own snacks and meals.

#7- God's magnificent beauty - you will be filled with wondered and awe

#8- Be prepared for the many dangers - a life was lost in Norris during our stay.  Use an ergo or a sling for your baby, so that you have two free hands for hand-holding two more kids.  And, even though your bigger kids and teens are really smart and invincible, give them rules and explain the dangers to them as well.  Not all of the paths have rails and it could be very easy to slip off with the crowds alone.

#9- Be respectful of the wildlife - this is their home, we are their guests.

#10- You will get to experience many different cultures - more foreigners than Americans it seemed.  (This group of Chinese tourists jumped in our family picture and photobombed it)

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To see the other places we visited on our trip Way Our West, click the image below....

Visiting Mount Rushmore

Our last night in South Dakota, we went to Mount Rushmore.  (we visited Custer Park during the day)   My mom is really good at jabbering with the locals and one of them shared to make sure you go to Mount Rushmore at night because of their evening show.  SO very glad we did!!!  They light up the faces and also call up any veterans for the recognition of their service to our country.  Both were very moving!!!  Well worth it to go in the evening, even though it was a little late for the kids.

 Definitely one of those places to check off your bucket list.  SO glad we did!!  We really enjoyed our visit to Mount Rushmore!!!

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Click the image below to see all our destinations with details 

and pictures from our trip Way Out West....

A Visit to Custer Park

On our last full day in South Dakota, we visited Custer Park.  It was nice, and we really enjoyed it, but since we went on to Yellowstone (posts coming soon!!), we realized that we didn't see anything in Custer Park that we didn't see in Yellowstone.  So, my advice is that if you are going on to Yellowstone, then skip Custer Park.

One way to enter Custer Park is to go Needles Highway.  But since we drive a big bus and it was less than a month old (we traded in the old Big Red/Sprinter for a new Big Red/Transit), we weren't willing to chance the tunnels.  Plus we watched videos on YouTube and were a little freaked out.

But, my sisters and their families and my parents braved it.  Here are some of their pictures...

We did a lot of driving, saw some animals, had a lovely picnic lunch (do NOT forget to pack a lunch!!), and the kids loved splashing around in a stream....

It was a nice time here, not the best, but we had our experience of Yellowstone to compare it to.  And, Yellowstone is WAY more awesome than Custer Park.

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Click the image below to see all our destinations with details 

and pictures from our trip Way Out West....

Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner

Carrying on with sharing more about our trip Way Out West....

After an awesome Volksmarch and trip to Crazy Horse, we were able to complete our evening with a yummy dinner and show at Circle B Chuckwagon Dinner.

We got there about an hour early so the kids could enjoy all the outdoor activities - lassoing, panning for gold/gems, watching and chatting with the wood carver, wax bullet shooting, little jail cells to climb into, and of course, shopping!!  The kids had a blast.  Well, and so did the adults.  :)

Then there was a short outdoor shootout show.  They called the kids out to the grassy area and had them "help".  It was cheesy but so adorable and fun for all.

Then the dinner and show/music/entertainment.  First, I have to say that we have been to many fancy dinners at Disney and have a great dinner/theater here locally.  So we have plenty to compare this Chuckwagon Dinner to.  And, I would rate this experience up with the TOP!  For real!  Even in comparison to the Disney meals and our fancy dinner/theater here!!  The food, the experience, the show, the environment just captured the Western theme perfectly!!  Definitely a highlight of our trip!!

Taken directly from their website, here's the "fix'ins" for the meal part....

"foil wrapped baked potatoes, cowboy beans, chunky applesauce, biscuits, spice cake, hot cowboy coffee and cold lemonade."

If you visit SD, this is a MUST!  It's worth the money for what you get!!  And, the best part about it is the family that runs the Chuckwagon Dinner is Christian and they have a food blessing prayer before the meal and multiple songs that mention God!  We loved this!  :)

"It is a truly authentic western experience - a present day reflection of the early spirit of this frontier land."

I mentioned above "watching and chatting with the woodcarver".  Well, our Mario was captivated!  Woodcarver Doug Ladd offers a great deal - if you buy one of the woodcarving kits (only $20!), he gives a short woodcarving lesson to go with it.  Mario was the only kid who attended the lesson and it lasted around 20 minutes.  He learned safety and the beginning "how to's" on woodcarving.  It was wonderful!  And right up Mario's alley - our creative kiddo!  :)

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Click the image below to see all our destinations with details 

and pictures from our trip Way Out West....