The Rockies

The Rockies are unapologetically a summer trip, and that focus is part of the magic. Many of the high passes and park roads are buried in snow for much of the year, so the season is short and intense — which means the meadows are green, the wildlife is out and the long daylight hours give families room to move slowly. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are the twin anchors, and the wildlife alone earns every mile you drive to reach them.

Yellowstone is a park that genuinely delivers on its reputation with children. Old Faithful and the surrounding geyser basins are pure theatre, the boardwalks over the hot springs are pushchair-friendly and safe, and the Lamar and Hayden valleys offer a real chance of spotting bison, elk and, from a respectful distance, bears. Keep a firm rule about wildlife distances, carry binoculars rather than approaching, and treat the roadside animal jams as part of the fun rather than a delay.

Grand Teton, just to the south, is the quieter, more scenic half of the pairing. The mountains rise straight out of the valley floor with no foothills to soften them, and the lakeshore trails, canoe hires and easy paddles at Jenny Lake make it an ideal place to slow the pace after the crowds of Yellowstone. Denver works well as a gateway city for flying in and collecting an RV, with alpine lakes, hot springs and smaller mountain towns to break up the drive north.

Altitude is the one thing to respect with young children. Much of this region sits well above anything most families are used to, so ease into it: keep the first day gentle, hydrate more than usual, and watch for headaches or poor sleep in the first couple of nights. It is rarely serious, but a relaxed arrival makes the whole trip smoother.

Pack for a wide temperature swing, because evenings turn genuinely cold even in July and mornings can start near freezing before warming into shorts weather by midday. Layers, a warm hat for the campfire and a proper sleeping setup make the difference. Book park campgrounds as far ahead as you possibly can — the short season means the best sites go quickly, and a secured pitch inside the park is worth its weight in gold.