After a lot of discussions and changes we have finally committed to an itinerary for our National Park summer vacation (July, awful time but thats what we got!). Even though we are going to lots of places we will be spending a few days in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Rocky Mt/Estes and Bryce. After looking at all the information in the nps.gov site I am still going crazy trying to select kid friendly activitities for the family. I'm going with hubby and 11yr old daughter. The 'tours' would be mostly for her benefit. Maybe wagontrips, cowboy stuff, light rafting,etc.

I would like some fodorite feedback from people that have taken this type of daytrips. What did your kids love? Satisfaction vs. price information would also be appreciated!

Maristella

The Stagecoach ride & cookout from Roosevelt Lodge in Yellowstone was a lot of fun.

There won't be any tubing in Bryce...no water. Not to far away is tubing on the Virgin River in Springdale, Utah which is just outside Zion National Park.

Utahtea

Every kid is different, but mine were board to tears on the horseback/wagon ride dinner. The horses go soooo slow and it's a long ride back and forth.

One of our favorite things in the Tetons was the hike on Jenny Lake. You can walk around the lake to the trail head, but it's much easier to take the launch across the lake. It's an easy hike past some beautiful waterfalls. We stayed at Signal mountain lodge and rented a boat and picniced on one of the little islands. In Yellowstone, my boys did a guided fishing trip which they loved. Some of the junior ranger programs and campfire talks are fun, depending on her interests. The thing we all loved the most was the wildlife. Take binoculars!

One word of advice--also take insect repellant. I'm from Florida and I couldn't believe the size of the mosquitos. We also took one of those bug coils we burned when we sat outside at night.

The best place for rafting if you want a choice of a variety of trips is out of Moab, UT. That is quite close to Bryce.

There is a float trip we took in Jackson Hole too many years ago (about 18) to remember the details. We stayed overnight in "Indian" teepees. The kids loved it. Your 11 year old might enjoy a more exciting whitewater trip, however.

Thank you for the info. I'm pretty sure my daughter would love the whitewater trip, it is the mother (me) that is kind of uneasy with it. I think I need to include a 'formal' water activity since she likes it so much. Guess a couple of coctails will be needed (afterwards of course). Has anyone done this? Is it rough? Out of where?

I will most likely do a steak dinner/four hour ride out of Estes Park, so far the one that looks the best is Sombrero. Has anyone gone with them?

We have spent time in the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole. There are many great hikes, white water as well as scenic float trips, trail rides, stage coach rides and gunfight on the Jackson town square, and my kids favorite-- the alpine slide (fun for all ages). I think you will have no trouble finding great kid activities in any of your locations.

My kids, although late teens, really enjoyed the horseback ride into Bryce Canyon. We did the 2 hour model which I believe was around $25 each. Well worth it. If you do this make sure that it is the one that originates near the lodge. Advance reservations highly recommended.

The one from Ruby's does not go into the canyon.

Just a comment about your post. July isn't necessarily a terrible time to visit, at least for Rocky, Teton, and Y'Stone.

Old Fall River Road in Rocky doesn't open to vehicles until around July 4th. There will still be snowdrifts along the Beartooth Highway northeast of Yellowstone - last summer the road to Clay Butte Lookout also opened the first week of July.

Some areas of Yellowstone will be crowded mid-morning to mid-afternoon, but if you're willing to visit the major geyser basins early in the morning (a great time) you'll miss the worst of the crowds.

I've been to these three parks the first two weeks of July several times, and enjoyed them greatly.

utahtea: Thanks for the tip. Do you think I need reservations for this? I will be in Yellowstone the 2nd week of July.

drsawyers: Thank you for giving me hope about the july timeframe! We are early risers so beating the crowds should not be a problem.

LaurenSKahn: I think I will keep my "wet" adventure in the Moab vecinity. There are lots of options and I saw one that combines rafting and 4x4 in Arches which seems to be interesting.

My family did white water rafting in Jackson 3 years ago. I, the Mom, was also a little afraid of white water and thought that we should do a "float trip". I am not afraid of water, but don't like "rides". I did give in to the family desires and we did the white water trip and I loved it. It wasn't frightening as I expected, I found it exciting. The guides are great and I felt very safe, once I got on the raft. So I say, "go for it".

KathyK: Do you remember the name of the company you went with?

I think you will not be disappointed with a July trip. We went 2 weeks end July/early August to Tetons/Yellowstone and it was wonderful! Bring a jacket for some evenings. We did horseback riding from the Jackson Lake Lodge one early morning and kids (17, 13) had lots of fun - breakfast w/ the Tetons as a backdrop made for great photos. Jenny Lake hike was good. Breakfast at Signal Mountain Lodge was very good. One of our very favorite hikes was at Yellowstone Canyon. We picked up the trail from the parking area on the east side, but you do not take the usual 'tourist' route. Get a book on hiking and this should be listed. Follow the trail markings and the hike brings you out below the falls and you hike back towards them where the lookout is located. Some areas are steep and it is not paved, but worth it. The geyser area at Yellowstone was crowded during peak times, but if you get a chance, get up early and visit the geysers when the sun comes up. Also, go out late under the stars and stand there - no end to the sky. Another fun thing my kids loved was the rodeo in Jackson - I believe it is held on Wednesday night. We used the Barker-Ewing company for whitewater trip from Jackson - I went shopping, but family had a great time and yes, we bought the pictures they take. Worth it for the faces on the raft. If you stay in Teton area, you can reach Jackson (town) - just give yourself time to get there. I think it took us about 35-45 mins to get into town. If I think of any more, I'll post them. Enjoy your trip!

Does anyone know if these trips need to be reserved well in advance or can they be scheduled a couple of days before? I'll be going in July so I'm not sure if there are enough outfitters out there that deciding to join a group at the spur of the moment would be impossible.

Sorry, it's been years since we did the stagecoach cookout so I don't know if you need to make reservations.

Utahtea

Yes, you do need reservations. Call 307-344-7311. They are pricey! Good luck.

Marigross, glad to help out.

I noticed the comments about Jackson Hole. We were there when the kids were quite young during the Late Middle Ages. One night we went to a cookout in a covered wagon that had rubber tires! The kids loved it when the "Indians" came and kidnapped one of the women. It was all in good fun, but I was glad I was not selected to be the kidnappee. The kids enjoyed singing cowboy songs after dinner.

We also enjoyed the shoot out in the town square, rodeo, etc. I just know you are going to have a wonderful time on your trip. You cannot miss in that area of the country.

Yes, whitewater raft trips should be reserved in advance--especially since you have so little time. I would recommend a shorter (half or full day) trip since this is your first experience. Also, the overnight trips can get very expensive.

The area around Dinosaur National Monument is also good for rafting.

By the way, I am home exchanging south of Denver at the end of August. I will be doing the Durango to Silverton train and--for sure--a raft trip somewhere.

Go for it!