We're considering a 3 night stay at a family-oriented ranch near Yellowstone. We could stay near Jackson/Teton or Cody or West Yellowstone. Would like 2 bedroom cabin, some horseback riding, cook-out, pool. Do not want to be too remote as we hope to explore the national parks in the daylight hours. Ideas? Kids will be 12, 10, and 8 years old.

Ck out ranchweb.com and see if anything fits your criteria. I know there are several dude ranches near Yellowstone - at least 1 that includes a day there. Good luck!

I wouldn't pick Cody or east entrance locations because that's a long drive into the park and there is road work on the section of road with delays and the road closes at night. For the best location to Yellowstone, I'd pick West Yellowstone.

With 3 nights, that's only going to give you 2 full days in the parks. That's not really a lot of time. Wouldn't a dude ranch be wasted if you spent all you time away from there in the parks?

Utahtea

The 3-night ranch stay is in addition to time in Yellowstone. That means we can do a float trip or raft trip from the ranch and take a couple days "off" from our active Yellowstone vacation. That is why the side of the park doesn't matter too much. So, which ranches? We've already been to ranchweb.com - many places require a week-long stay. And, it is always good to hear from families who have been there.

Oh...that will be nice. Sorry I can't be of more help...except to top this post so others can see it.

Utahtea

Stayed at Triangle C www.trianglec.com a few years ago but do not recall them having a pool...

If you put your dates (and states) into the Ranchweb site, you should hear back as to which places allow a 3-night stay. You could then look into those specific ranches.

We think we've narrowed it down to DNR Ranch and Bill Cody Ranch. Anyone wish to comment on either place?

Anyone want to comment on UXU Ranch or Rimrock Ranch? Both are between the East Entrance and Cody.

In Aug. we stayed at Triangle C near Yellowstone. It was a great experience for the entire family. 3 kids: 15, 14, 10 all vote it the best trip ever. No pool, I am not sure if they do less then a week stay during the summer.

Stay near Jackson. It is just SO gorgeous. Think about a campfire with the Grand Tetons as a backdrop!! The raft trip will not be a wild and woolly one there but you will see eagles and animals feeding, especially if you go in the late afternoon.
I got "caught up" on Yellowstone pretty quickly--interesting but there are only so many mud pots I need to see.
You might think about fishing--great trout waters.
Unfortunately the ranch we stayed at is probably long gone--a family who had a cattle ranch in the Teton National Forest. Be sure to see the Gros Ventre Slide--largest landslide ever.