Family Adventure in Tetons & Yellowstone

1

Jackson Hole

Our adventure began the moment we touched down in Jackson Hole! ✈️🏔️ We headed straight to Moterra to pick up our home on wheels for the next few days. Our high-top camper van was even better than we imagined — spacious, cozy, and equipped with everything our little family needed for life on the road. With our van packed and our adventure officially underway, it was time to explore!

First stop: downtown Jackson Hole. We grabbed some delicious sandwiches from Pearl Street Market (the perfect fuel for a day of exploring), wandered around town, and checked out the infamous antler arch. Of course, no travel day is complete without letting our 15-month-old, Ryan, burn off some energy at the local park. Toddler priorities, always! 😂

Next, we headed to the picturesque Mormon Row, where historic barns and the towering Tetons made for a pretty spectacular backdrop. The little trails were perfect for Ryan to toddle around and explore. Then we made our way to Jenny Lake, where Ryan happily played near the water while we soaked in the incredible mountain views.

Jenny Lake was especially meaningful for me. The first time I ever saw mountains was right here when I was nine years old. Getting to return all these years later with my own little family felt pretty surreal. ❤️ Some places just have a way of coming full circle.

With the sun getting lower, it was time to find our first campsite. Since everything for camping inside the park was closed, we headed down a very bumpy road to the BLM camping area at Shadow Mountain. And wow — we hit the jackpot! Campsite A88 had incredible views of the Tetons, and we couldn't believe this would be our backyard for the night.

We cooked a simple pasta dinner, got our little campsite set up, and tucked Ryan into his pack 'n play, which fit perfectly in the van. Even though temperatures outside dipped to around 30°F, we stayed warm and cozy inside our little home on wheels.

2

Jackson Hole

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We woke up ready for another day of adventure and made our way to Teton Village for breakfast at the Mangy Moose Café. And as if the morning couldn't get any better, we spotted a mama moose and her two babies! 🫎 Seeing wildlife so early in the day felt like a little gift from the mountains.

While we enjoyed breakfast, Ryan got to play on the playground and practice his rodeo skills on the plastic bulls outside. Apparently, our little cowboy was ready to hit the circuit! 🤠

After breakfast, we packed up the van and headed toward Colter Bay. Unfortunately, the rain had other plans for us. With a steady downpour rolling in, we decided to keep driving north and make our way into Yellowstone through the South Entrance.

And the timing couldn't have been better! We made it to Old Faithful just in time to watch the famous geyser erupt. There is something pretty incredible about seeing a natural wonder you have heard about for years come to life right in front of you. Afterward, we let Ryan explore the museum before continuing on to Madison Campground.

Madison turned out to be absolutely stunning. The best part? The sun finally came out just in time for dinner! We made tacos at camp while watching fly fishermen make their final casts of the day in the river nearby. It was one of those simple, beautiful moments that remind you why traveling this way is so special.

As evening settled in, we built a campfire, roasted marshmallows, and made up stories together under the open sky. 🔥🍫 No fancy plans, no rushing around — just the three of us enjoying the moment.

3

Yellowstone National Park

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Day three greeted us with a chilly Yellowstone morning, but we bundled up and set out to explore some of the park's most incredible sights.

First up were the Paint Pots and Grand Prismatic Spring. The colorful geothermal pools, steaming ground, and vibrant shades of blue, orange, and green felt almost otherworldly. Everywhere we looked, there was something new to discover — and Ryan's reaction said it all. His little “WOW!” became the unofficial soundtrack of the morning. 🥹

We also spotted several bison along the way. To Ryan, these enormous, shaggy animals were apparently just very large dogs. Every time we saw one, we got another enthusiastic “dog!” We couldn't help but laugh. Toddlers really do see the world differently!

Next, we made our way to Norris Geyser Basin, where we tackled a two-mile hike through the fascinating geothermal landscape. It was a great way to stretch our legs and take in even more of Yellowstone's unique scenery.

By lunchtime, we were ready for a break, so we stopped for a late lunch at Canyon Village before heading to one of the day's biggest highlights: the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

And let us tell you — this is a MUST-SEE! The colorful canyon walls, dramatic cliffs, and powerful waterfalls were absolutely breathtaking. Pictures really don't do this place justice. It's one of those spots that makes you stop, stare, and wonder how something so beautiful can even exist.

After a full day of exploring, we returned to Madison Campground, where we heard that other campers had spotted both a bear and a wolf nearby! 🐻🐺 We didn't get to see them ourselves, but knowing they were out there added a little extra wilderness excitement to the evening.

We cooked our final dinner together at camp, spent some time playing by the river, and enjoyed one last peaceful night in Yellowstone. As we settled in for bed, we felt grateful for the incredible places we had seen and the memories we were making as a family.

4

Yellowstone National Park

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All good adventures must come to an end, but we weren't quite ready to say goodbye to the mountains just yet. So we woke up early, packed up our little camper van, and made our way back toward Grand Teton National Park for one final morning of exploring. ☀️

We stopped at Oxbow Bend, where the scenery was every bit as beautiful as we remembered, and then continued to Schwabacher Landing for more incredible views of the Tetons. There was something special about getting one last look at these mountains before heading back to everyday life.

After soaking up our final moments in the park, we drove into Jackson Hole for one last treat: breakfast at Persephone Bakery. And wow — those breakfast sandwiches were the perfect way to wrap up our trip! 🥪☕ A good breakfast can make any goodbye a little easier.

Then it was time to return our trusty camper van to Moterra and officially bring our little road trip to a close.

Four days, two national parks, countless incredible views, wildlife sightings, campfire marshmallows, and one very adventurous 15-month-old later, we were heading home with full hearts and a camera roll packed with memories.

Traveling with a toddler definitely means embracing the unexpected, going at a different pace, and finding joy in the little things. But watching Ryan experience these incredible places for the first time made every bumpy road, chilly morning, and rainy detour worth it.

And honestly? We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. ❤️