The Yellowstone for Families Lodging & Learning package is designed for families with children (ages 7+) who want to have a truly memorable experience in Yellowstone. Families will be led by a Yellowstone Forever field educator who handles all the logistics while ensuring everyone gets to see Yellowstone’s most popular features. This family learning adventure connects both children and adults to the Yellowstone experience through activities that integrate scientific observation, art, and more.

Each day the group will venture out with a Yellowstone Forever educator to learn about and explore a region of the park, while incorporating short, scenic hikes throughout the program. During the program, parents will help their children complete the requirements of the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Program, and the week will end with the ceremonial presentation of Junior Ranger patches by a National Park Service ranger.

Most sightings of wildlife occur at a distance; the field educator will provide high-powered spotting scopes and binoculars for group use. However, participants are encouraged to bring additional scopes and binoculars if they have them.

Why choose a Lodging & Learning Program?

These award-winning Lodging & Learning packages are developed through a partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges and Yellowstone Forever. These packages combine the best lodging locations with an exceptional immersive field education experience. Here’s why this package stands out:

• Yellowstone Forever is Yellowstone National Park’s official nonprofit education and fundraising partner. Yellowstone Forever’s mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. To learn more about Yellowstone Forever, visit our website, yellowstone.org.
• Support Yellowstone National Park. Proceeds collected by Yellowstone Forever educational programs are used to preserve Yellowstone National Park and provide more opportunities for people to experience its magic.
• Yellowstone Forever Field Educators are formally trained. The Yellowstone Institute has been providing in-depth educational programs in Yellowstone for over 40 years. Yellowstone Forever field educators are among the best experts in Yellowstone. Educational staff are passionate professionals with significant training who are dedicating their careers to this vital work. They live in the Yellowstone ecosystem, they work and train alongside park researchers and educators, and thus can provide accurate and exciting behind the scenes perspectives on the park’s natural and cultural history. They know where to go and when, and they handle all the details to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
• Small group size. Lodging & Learning programs have a max capacity of 13. The program capacity size allows participants to enjoy camaraderie with fellow participants and receive more attention in a small group setting. It allows the educator to take an inquiry-based approach to learning and tailoring the experience to the group’s specific interests.
• Essential equipment provided. Yellowstone Forever provides high-quality scoping equipment to bring distant wildlife into crisp, clear view. Educators are at a minimum Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified. They carry a first aid kit and handheld radio during all outings and provide bear spray to participants if hiking in bear country. Additionally, they incorporate teaching aids such as skulls, tracks, pelts, books, and test equipment such as temperature guns for thermal features.
• Incredible in-park lodging. All lodging in this package is in the park, within short walking distance from popular features and spectacular scenery. This minimizes drive time during daily outings and allows more time to enjoy the park’s features at a relaxing pace. It also allows more time in the evenings, after daily outings, to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Testimonials

"Everything was excellent!" - Jaime, MI

"Brittany was amazing! I don't think there is a better guide out there. She planned an amazing and diverse trip for us, is extremely knowledgeable and every day there was a special activity that she introduced as well. We all said we missed her on Friday when we left and considered ourselves very fortunate to have met her." - Peterson Family, RI

"The quality of the teaching was beyond stellar. We loved it, and my kids have not stopped talking about Sam and his wolf stories! Wildlife watching was definitely a highlight of our time. We loved learning about the animals of Yellowstone, the history of the wolves, and stories of the wolves' lives in the packs as well as older rangers and some groundbreaking work they had done, including how they measured the depth of the Grand Prismatic!" - Julie, MD

"Amanda's activities and stories were amazing. The sites obviously are breathtaking. But, her knowledge made the experience so much better for both myself and my children. Wonderful family tour." - Anne, FL