Big Sky, Montana
 

Heading to Big Sky, Montana for 10 days at the end of July with wife and 3 kids, ages 12, 15 and 17. We plan on visiting Yellowstone and possibly doing some fly fishing and whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River. Anyone have any other suggestions for things to do that teenagers might enjoy? Thanks.

The kids will enjoy Yellowstone. You'll want a couple days there at least. But if you haven't reserved a campground or lodging in or near the park, you may have a tough time.

I'm sure many others will reply since this is a favourite area for many travellers.

If your are camping in Yellowstone there are a few first come first serve campgrounds but you have to be there VERY early. We have also been able to just drive in and get a campsite at the reservations campgrounds during the summer months, but if you know your dates it's best to make reservations.

I also second the recommendation for spending at least 3 or 4 days in Yellowstone.

Utahtea

Are you staying in Big Sky the whole time and making day trips to Yellowstone or staying IN Yellowstone part of the time?

It's a pretty good distance for day trips into Yellowstone and you really need at least 3 days to just see the highlights. For that area, I'd definitely spend the majority of your time in Yellowstone---and at least drive down to see the Tetons.

For other day trips, I highly recommend the Beartooth Hwy form the northeast entrance of YS to Red Lodge.

Bozeman is a really nice down town to visit. The Pickle Barrell Deli has great sandwiches. The Powderhorn is a great sporting really neat store, even if you don't need to buy anything.

We fish in the area every summer and usually the Yellowstone east of Livingston and the Madison are the better rivers to fish. Check with the locals.

You'd have to spend a night or two there but Glacier N.P. would be another great addition to your trip. You have time to do YS and Glacier.

If you really want to see Montana, I think you will need to stay in other places. It's a big place.

I should have hit the edit button and double checked my message. I think you get the drift though!

We hit Big Sky every winter, sometimes every summer too!! Check out Montana Backcountry Adventures. They should offer LOTS of activities. Last time we were there, they started a summer watersports program with skiing and wakeboarding on a lake south of Big Sky. We didn't try it as we live on a waterski lake in Michigan, but it might be fun for the kids if you don't have a lake in the backyard at home. There is Mountain Biking (with the Swiftcurrent lift servicing the mountain) of course, and hiking. Big Sky stables also offers horseback riding.