Summer Family Trip Please Help
 

I'm in the process of planning our annual summer trip with our kids 5 and 8. Last year we did a loop through Utah, Montana, and Wyoming, with visits to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Awesome. Kids loved the road trip and trip was perfect in every way. Trying to figure out next summer trip. Considering (1) Santa Fe, Mesa Verde National Park, Telluride, Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen; (2) Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, Train to Seattle, Olympic National Park, Oregon Coast; (3) Glacier + Canadian Rockies. Really having a hard time deciding. I'd appreciate any opinions, including other suggestions. This would be a 12-14 day trip. Tx.

If you choose the Santa Fe option, do consider stopping at Bandelier NM on your way to Mesa Verde. It has ancient Native American dwellings that are carved into the rock which was hardened volcanic ash and the kids would love exploring these which are different from what you would find at Mesa Verde. Also, not far from there is Valdez caldera, remnant of an ancient volcano, with some pull offs along the road, we saw lots of elk when we were driving by there. I assume your kids are good car travelers, have fun.

Thanks. Yes, good car travelers. Those are great suggestions. Much appreciated.

If you pick 1, Bandelier is interesting. There are a couple of waterfalls you can hike to in addition to the ruins. If you didn't get there last time you might want to add Moab, UT and see Arches National Park. It's fairly close to Mesa Verde.

If you choose 2 and get near Portland you might want to explore the lower end of Columbia River Gorge - it has literally dozens of waterfalls within about a 50 mile stretch.
If you don't go inland toward Portland the coast is lovely. Be sure you leave enough time for Olympic National Park -
it has immense variety. We missed a lot because we only allowed three and a half days.

If you chose the Seattle option, add Vancouver (assuming you are US citizen, everyone will need a passport to go into Canada by June, however)

Haven't been to Glacier--it's on our list, but the Canadian Rockies is one of my all time favorite places. I wrote a trip report on the Canada board of our third visit last Sept.

Wow tough choices (like you didn't know that already).

While I am not really suggesting which trip to take I'd like to add a couple of must see destinations depending on what trip you finally decide upon:

1) Durango CO: a trip on the "Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad" is a must. The train ride alone is a blast but the scenery is truly incredible.


2) a little bit out of your original route but well worth it: Columbia River Gorge and waterfalls (example: Multnomah Falls), and/or Mount Hood/Timberline Lodge.

Good Luck to you!

Obviously you want to travel out west, so you can drive maybe.
I live in Florida. We love Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO. Absolutely beautiful, not too familiar with alot of the parks, usually go skiing in resort towns. At Estes Park, the Continental Divide is gorgeous. You may be able to see that from other areas you are considering, not sure. Kid friendly, the Stanley Hotel is there, Stanley Steamer fame and where Stephen King wrote The Shining. Our friends stayed there with their children. Good luck.