Our five-day stay at Yellowstone, the country’s first national park, was full of vibrant vistas and wildlife encounters that made for some indelible memories, memories maximized by a balance of planned activities and spontaneity.

Yellowstone National Park spans more than 2 million acres in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and contains more than half of the world’s active geothermal features from small puddles of warm, bubbling, oozing mud to the iconic Old Faithful geyser. Those features and the abundance of wildlife attracted a record 3.3 million visitors in 2009, President Barack Obama and his family among them, making it the park service’s fourth most-visited site. Keeping all that in mind, I don’t advise you to jump in your car and head West without some forethought.

Before you go

Spring is the best time to spot baby bison and elk; while in the fall you’re likely to spy animal mating rituals. But hey, we don’t call it summer vacation for nothing. The weeks from late June to early August are when most families visit the park, and we found ourselves here in late July 2009.

Reservations for tent and RV sites at seven of the park’s 12 campgrounds open May 1 and are handled through Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a contracted firm that charges no service fees. Because some of the campgrounds can’t handle large campers (hairpin turns and the like), if you’re driving or pulling anything longer than 30 feet, advance reservations are recommended. The 300-plus sites at Fishing Bridge are exclusively for RVs and other hard-sided campers. The remaining campgrounds are first-come, first-serve.

We ended up at Bay Bridge, the largest campground at roughly 425 tent and RV sites, situated in the central part of the park at the north end of Yellowstone Lake. My Grizzly Adams-esque husband would have preferred a more intimate campground (the smallest, Slough Creek, has just 29 sites), but our plans were to meet up with my father and his wife who were pulling a camper from Northern California.

Bay Bridge had its amenities: a nice amphitheater with ranger-led evening programs and bathrooms with flush toilets (though no showers). Plus, plenty of families with kids camped here, so our sons had the opportunity to share animals stories and s’mores with their new friends.

The hum of RV generators and bustle of activity wasn’t enough to deter mule deer from ambling through camp or a lone bison from making himself right at home in between two campers (more on bison later).

Bay Bridge served as our base for five days, but plenty of people stay one or two nights at the other campgrounds around the park, allowing them quicker access to features like Lewis Falls or the park’s 1,100-plus miles of hiking trails.

If a soft bed and hot water is more your thing, Yellowstone has nine lodges, including the grand and historic Old Faithful Inn and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Lodge reservations opened in February, but don’t think a lodge room is out of the question.

When searching the website for rooms, don’t plug in a block of four nights, for example. Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra, says if three of those four nights are available, the search will come back as unavailable. Instead, he suggests searching for individual nights and being open to the idea of staying at more than one lodge in the park during your visit.

A Colorado family we met had a brilliant idea: two nights in a tent followed by one in a cabin then two more tent nights.

If you can be flexible, traveling in the spring and fall will give you a greater choice of lodging and camping sites.

It’s big

Yellowstone’s grand size – it’s as big as Delaware and Rhode Island combined – means getting from Point A to Point B, or from Tower Fall in the north to the east side’s Lower Geyser Basin is going to take time. Keep the kids busy by picking up a copy of “Who Pooped in the Park” by Gary D. Robson (a fun guide to identifying wildlife and their scat), or a Junior Ranger Kit ($3) at any of the visitor centers. If you’ve checked out nps.gov/yell before your trip, you can print out a number of coloring and activity sheets.

Of course the most interactive drive-time activity is wildlife spotting.

The famous grizzlies of Yellowstone eluded us – we apparently slept too late to catch the mama bear and her cubs in Hayden Valley, but not a day went by when we did not see bison, and a lot of them.

Bison are the largest mammals in Yellowstone, the male bulls weigh in at 1,800 pounds while the females cows seem demure at 1,000 pounds. Through protection and breeding efforts, the bison population has grown from 50 in 1902 to 3,500.

Bison may look like gentle beasts, what with their big brown eyes, but posters throughout the park warn that they are the cause of more visitor injuries than bears. They also are the cause of the majority of traffic jams. During an evening ride from the west entrance, we witnessed a several-mile backup of oncoming traffic caused by a furry fellow who decided to rest in the middle of the road. And on our final day, we were quite literally caught in the middle of small herd of bison crossing the road. If we had put our windows down, we could have touched the mangy creatures.

Traffic jams are common as well as people pullovers – not always at the designated viewing spots – to snap photos of young elk resting alongside their mothers or the sun fading behind the Gallatin Range.

These slowdowns also can change your plans. Instead of heading for a picnic near Sheepeater Cliff, you might detour north toward Mammoth Hot Springs and find yourself, as we did, at the Boiling River. For these spontaneous adventures, always have your bathing suits handy. The Boiling River, near the park’s north entrance in Montana, is the area where hot springs flow into the icy Gardner River creating natural hot tubs where you can soak muscles strained from a four-mile, 800-foot vertical ramble along the Elephant Back Loop Trail. Keep in mind there are no changing rooms and it’s a brief, level walk to the bubbling pools.

No matter what your day’s itinerary holds, keep binoculars and fishing poles close by as well. The former will help you spot a bald eagle in the Swan Lake Flats or big horn sheep ascending Little Quadrant Mountain, while the later (a three-day fishing license is required for anglers older than 15 costs $15) will allow you to tempt rainbow trout along a meandering meadow stretch of the Nez Percé Creek if the mood strikes.

Natural wonder

No trip to the park is complete without watching Old Faithful do its stuff.

In recent years, the park service had installed wooden walkways and benches along one edge to accommodate the crowds who watch the geyser expel a powerful jet of 3,700-plus gallons of steamy water some 130 feet into the air every 94 minutes or so.

The show is so impressive the boys and I stopped to see it a second day while my husband fly-fished the nearby Firehole River. The second time we viewed the eruption from a trail on the back side of Old Faithful; a perspective I found made for dramatic pictures.

Should you arrive after Old Faithful’s display, take the opportunity to hike some of the nearby trails to see smaller geysers in the basin (and still within sight of Old Faithful). It’s also worthwhile to stop in the visitor center and gift shop for a short, informative film about geysers or grab an ice cream cone and roam the antlered halls at Old Faithful Inn.

There are plenty of organized activities in the park: scenic cruises on Yellowstone Lake, photographic safaris and stagecoach rides through sagebrush flats, a full-day interpretive coach tour of the park’s most popular vistas and geysers and ranger-led hikes.

Fight the urge to do it all in one visit to the park – better to pick a few options, and use a first trip to scout out others. For your next trip to Yellowstone, of course.

Related posts:

1. Tips for a Great Family Camping Trip
2. Big Bend is a little known destination with big rewards!
3. Colorado 14er’s a Perfect Destination

What to bring

A warm sleeping bag, sturdy tent Even during the summer, the night air can get chilly, Mueller said. Having good shelter and warm covering is important. “Don’t sacrifice a good night’s sleep when you’re out there with kids,” Mueller said. “You need to have your wits about you when you’re making decisions in the outdoors.”

A first-aid kit Cuts and splinters can easily happen out in the woods, so be prepared, Mueller said. A first-aid kit can prevent an infection. Be sure to include sunscreen and bug spray as well.

Clothes that breathe “There’s an old saying that ‘cotton kills,’” Mueller said. Any physical activity that causes perspiration can make cotton clothing detrimental in the heat or cold. Visit your local sporting goods store for some items made of moisture-wicking material; it will dry faster than cotton, meaning better comfort and less chance of a rash.

Healthy foods and plenty of water Outdoor activities can be taxing, so it’s important to eat well while camping. Staying hydrated also is important. And if canned food is on the menu, don’t forget the can opener!

A latching cooler Many animals – raccoons in particular – can easily get into a flip-top cooler, Mueller said. Bring one with an extra latch, and store it in the car overnight or when out hiking to keep critters out of food.

What not to bring

Your electronics Leave the iPods, electronic games and, yes, parents, even the BlackBerrys, at home. Those distractions can take away from family together time and the enjoyment of nature. “In many families, this is the only time they all unplug,” Peter said. Bring one cell phone just in case, but be aware that out in the woods, it may be hard to get a signal.

Packaging Some parks don’t allow any refuse to be left behind, requesting that campers take it home before throwing it away, so don’t take anything that won’t be used on the trip, Peter said.

Firewood While bringing firewood may seem like a good idea, many parks advise against it. Insects that live in wood may get into the wood at the campground and cause problems that didn’t exist before. Most parks will have a list of local firewood vendors.

Sandals A pair of flip-flops for the shower isn’t a bad idea, but for outdoor recreation, wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots only. Sandals won’t protect your feet from rocks and other things on the ground, and they won’t keep you warm when the sun goes down.

What else to remember

Call ahead Check the park’s Web site for rules and regulations. Rangers may have some additional recommendations on dos and don’ts for their campsites. And don’t forget to find out what else is in the area, just in case weather interferes. A rained-out day of hiking and swimming would be much better spent at a museum than holed up in a tent, Peter said.

Safety first The outdoors can be tricky for those who aren’t used to it. When hiking, follow marked trails, and swim only in a park’s designated swimming area. Use the buddy system; no one ventures out alone. And just in case, know where the nearest hospitals are located.

Respect fellow campers Be mindful of the noise you make, Peter advised. If you want to listen to a radio, keep it at low volume; nearby campers may be listening for animal sounds or simply enjoying the quiet of nature.

Respect the land “When you’re gone from your campsite, there should be no sign that you were ever there,” Mueller said. Dispose of all trash properly. When disposing of dishwater, do so at least 200 feet away from the nearest water source to avoid contamination. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has more tips at www.lnt.org.

Campfire activities

1. Download a star chart and look for constellations. A campground is a great place to stargaze.

2. Listen for animal sounds. Try to identify what kind of wildlife lives in the woods around you.

3. Make snacks. S’mores are a camping staple, but so many great treats can be cooked over a fire. For example, try mountain pies. Buy a pie iron at the local sporting goods store, add bread and whatever filling you like, then cook over a fire till you have a toasty sandwich.

4. Play games. Try “Two Truths and a Lie,” in which one person makes three statements — two that are true and one that is false. The others have to guess which one is false.

Related posts:

1. Yellowstone a great destination for Family Trip
2. Camping Chairs are Great!
3. Spring Brings on Camping Weather

This article caught out attention in the Winter 2009 Issue of Wilderness Medicine Magazine.

Winter doesn’t have to be a stay-at-home season. There are plenty of opportunities to get your kids into the outdoors. With some basic equipment, reading, lessons and tapping into your own experiences, you can equip your kids and give them skills to participate in outdoor winter adventures and sports.

Get Ready, Set…Go

Back in the sixties I remember being so bundled for a winter outing I walked like a grade B movie monster. Gone are the days of cotton long underwear, thick cotton sweaters and bulky water logged snowsuits. The Fall 2008 edition of WM magazine discussed clothing and gear, but winter requires some added advice.

Outfit your kids in non-cotton synthetic fiber clothing using the layer method. Give attention to waterproof mittens or gloves with liners. Wool or fleece hats contain warmth and should cover their ears. Neck gaiters make up the distance between jackets and hats. They can also be pulled up for face protection. Neoprene face masks in extreme cold not only protect from cold exposure but also from sun and wind burns. Thicker synthetic socks and waterproof boots protect feet. Pay special attention to tight fitting boots which restrict toe movement and predispose to cold injury. Light reflection from snow cover can cause UV eye burns – bring sunglasses or goggles for all. Sunscreen is a must for exposed skin.

Helmets should be non-negotiable for activities such as sledding, skiing, and snowboarding.

Remember to bundle infants and small carry-along kids who may not be heating up from exercise as much as you. Carry instant heat packs, which shouldn’t be depended on for prolonged exposure situations, but can help take the chill from hands and feet. Besides, they are as good as a magic trick for little ones who marvel at the scrunch and heat trick.

Fun Things to Do

You can’t beat a great snowball battle or building Frosty for a quick outdoor activity, but there are a whole lot of winter adventures waiting to help build your kids’ confidence, skills, and general good health.

Sledding:

Three important pieces of advice: Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet.

Too often this is considered a benign sport, but consider your kids are on a device that gains speed and eventually collides with something or someone. Examine and repair damaged equipment and check steering function. Sleds with runners and steering devises are safer than disks or toboggans. Pick gentle slopes, away from hazards, with a spacious level area to stop. Teach them proper riding position with feet always pointing downhill. Make a game of pulling the sled and racing back up the hill. Feed and water them every hour to maintain energy and warmth.

Skiing or Snowboarding:

Helmets. Helmets. Helmets.

These activities require training from a skilled individual. If you don’t ski or snowboard, consider lessons for the whole family. All resorts offer a variety of lesson packages that can include ski rentals and lift tickets. During lessons they learn not only to ski but how to fall and avoid injury. Rent equipment for a season if they are new to the sport before making a big investment in gear. The ski rental shop will help choose and fit the equipment. But if your child complains about a tight fit or bindings that don’t release when they fall, take time out for an adjustment back at the shop. Check your own equipment at the beginning of the season for needed repairs and routine maintenance. If you teach them yourselves try using a harness to control their speed, or ski next to them holding your pole parallel to the ground so they can hold onto it, or like we did for our youngest, just ski ten feet ahead of them to act as a stop if needed. No matter what method you use inject fun into the activity by taking lots of breaks for snacks and hot chocolate, play games like searching for winter birds, and let them snap pictures to preserve memories of the fun.

Snowshoeing:

Winter hiking just got a whole lot more fun with snowshoes. No learning curve here; if they can walk, they can snowshoe. Wearing snowshoes allows you to ride above the snow instead of sinking into it. You exert less energy, stay drier, and can cover more distance. As with any hike bring a map, emergency rescue gear, extra food, extra clothing, and leave your itinerary with someone. Most XC ski centers also rent snowshoes and poles for use on their trails. This is an opportunity to teach your kids respect for multi-use trails. Stay out of the XC ski tracks and yield to skiers coming downhill. It’s also a great time to observe the scenery and wildlife when walking down a quiet snow-laden trail.

Winter Camping:

Some campgrounds operate year round, or you can backpack into a designated trail campsite. If this is a first-time winter camping trip, consider car or tent camping in a designated campsite. Having your vehicle nearby is an “out” for sudden weather changes. Bring a four-season tent, sleeping bags, and thick sleeping mats or air cushions for ground insulation. Plan to sleep wearing your hat and mittens. This is a terrific opportunity to teach kids winter survival skills such as fire building in wet conditions, snow fort construction, trail finding, and weather monitoring.

Slick Advice for Tricky Conditions

Start outdoor adventures, like snowshoeing, early in the day so you are back before the daylight fades. Allow extra travel time for bad weather, traffic delays, poor road conditions, or detours. Stay home if the weather is bad. Frequently check kids clothing and gear for wetness and proper coverage. Catching problems early can avert a worse disaster later down the trail. Bring along extra hats, gloves, mittens, socks, and scarves to replace wet items. Bring a dry pair of shoes and extra food. Most kids less than twelve years need supervision for these outdoor activities which also gives you a chance to teach and spend valued time together. Equally important is bringing your sense of fun and flexibility. Quitting before they and you are exhausted reduces the risk of injury and enhances their prospect of continuing these winter outdoor traditions with their own kids.

Related posts:

1. Be Prepared for the Weather
2. North Face VE 25 Tent
3. Backcountry Gear Checklist