Celebrate Yellowstone’s 150th Birthday on a Family Road Trip

The world’s first national park, Yellowstone is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2022, inviting family travelers to join in the celebration. There’s no better way to explore this vast national treasure and the surrounding landscapes than by car, stopping to admire its scenery, watch its wildlife, hike its trails and marvel at its natural wonders. Along the way, kids will absorb some American history and get a taste of the Wild West, too.

A good base for exploring is Cody, Wyoming, founded by Buffalo Bill Cody in the late 1800s. With access to two of Yellowstone National Park’s five entrances, Cody is also the starting point for five scenic drives through the region.

The East Yellowstone Loop follows the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to Yellowstone National Park along the Shoshone River and through Shoshone National Forest. Once inside the park, the route takes you alongside Yellowstone Lake, across Fishing Bridge and to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and Tower Falls. Along the way are several scenic overlooks and trails, as well as Mud Volcano.

A short detour takes you to the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, its beauty serving as the inspiration for Congress to name Yellowstone as the world’s first national park.

Outside the park, the loop leads through Lamar Valley, where everyone will want to keep a sharp lookout — it’s known as “America’s Serengeti” because of its abundance of wildlife. You’ll then climb over a mountain pass with dramatic views of Clarks Fork Canyon and Sunlight Basin.

From a home base in Cody, you can take other driving tour, or soak up a bit of the Old West at a guest or dude ranch. Cody’s Buffalo Bill Center of the West, with its five museums, is a good stop to absorb some of the local history and culture.

The free TravelStorys audio guide is a GPS-prompted tour of the East Yellowstone Loop, with information of the history and natural attractions along the route.