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Hi There - we are from the UK based in Portland and looking at doing our first road trip to Yellowstone at the end of May. Would love tips on what to see along the way that a toddler would like and that wouldn't take us too far off the road. We are planning on driving about 3-4 hours out of Portland the first evening and then a 4-5 hour drive for the next two days.
Any tips/advice as well as what to do when we get there?
Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!
Although parents worry about them a lot, toddlers are perhaps the easiest children to deal with on a RoadTrip. The thing to keep in mind is that you just need to leave enough time and make the stops to let them do what they do best - toddle. Often that entails nothing more than stopping at a roadside park, of which there are many all along the Interstates, and giving them (semi)free range.
With your stated driving goals, Day 1 should probably get you to Pendleton, and Day 2 to Twin Falls. Yellowstone itself is just full of great things to see and do, many of which are easily accessible or at most a short walk from the roads. Old Faithful, of course, but also Mammoth Hot Springs and Fountain Paint Pot for the thermal aspects, swimming in the warm springs of Firehole Canyon, Yellowstone Lake the boating and the scenery, wildlife viewing of course, and be sure to catch at least a couple of the Ranger-led tours and lectures.
AZBuck
Welcome to RTA!
If this were me, I would definitely bring the stroller -- it will be worth its space in gold when you are walking some of the board walks and other areas in Yellowstone. Sometimes those pools are very inviting to people, but that water is VERY hot and instant death to a young one, so the stroller will keep him/her safe.
Another thing to do is to start a "National Park Passport" for your youngster. You buy the little spiral notebook at the gift shop in the park, and get it stamped at the Visitor Center every time you visit a national park. You can tuck keepsakes or photos in them, and then present it to the youngster when s/he goes out on their own.
Donna
In addition to snacks, take plenty of clothes for the toddler. Mine liked to sit down and play in the dirt every 20 mins or so plus they got wet in lakes. It's not clear if you have time for Grand Teton National Park which is lovely.