The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘grand teton national park’

Fresh off of a 22-day Road Trip through the American West, Amy over at Pit Stops For Kids has put together an informative article for our readers in anticipation of Fee Free Days at our National Parks this coming weekend. We hope you enjoy!

Grand Teton National Park is one of those destinations that sneak up and surprise you with its (often unsung) beauty and dignity. And it need not worry about being upstaged by next door neighbor Yellowstone; what Teton lacks in geysers it more than makes up for in lack of traffic and crowds and an abundance of hiking, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, and camping.

Located directly to the south of Yellowstone (one park admission gets you into both), Grand Teton is manageable in size, making it easy for families to plan morning and afternoon activities with a mid-day break at their hotel, lodge, or campground. If you have time, day trips to both Yellowstone and Jackson Hole are worthwhile, but if only have a weekend (or just prefer to stay put), there’s plenty to keep you occupied within the park boundaries.

What to See with Kids:

Jenny Lake and Surrounding Areas:  Many Grand Teton lakes will vie for your attention, but our families favorite hiking was along the shore of Jenny Lake and up to Hidden Falls. This beautiful landmark can be accessed by either hiking trail from the String Lakes Trailhead (1.5 mile hike in on level terrain) or by shuttle boat from the Jenny Lake Dock by Jenny Lake Lodge.

Jackson Lake by Horseback:  Experience Grand Teton true cowboy-style with a horseback ride in the Jackson Lake area. (Stables are located at Colter Bay Village.) As you ride, your ‘wrangler’ will tell you many facts about the area, you’ll get plenty of photo ops of the mountains, and maybe spot some wildlife. Kids as young as eight can ride and it’s a great way to cover more ground than you would hiking!

Grand Teton Range by Bike:  Bring or rent bikes to take advantage of the 8-mile-long multi-use pathway that runs along the Teton Park Road from Moose to South Jenny Lake through breathtaking scenery. The path is exposed, so plan on morning or evening bike rides!

Where to Stay with Kids:

There are several good lodging options within the park, but for lake access and family conveniences, moderately-priced Colter Bay Village cannot be beat. Truly an entire community of its own, Colter Bay has a marina with boat and canoe rentals, horseback stables (see above), two family friendly restaurants, a visitor’s center with a Native American heritage center, a convenience store, and a campground, tent cabins, or full cabins to choose from. Our family opted for a cabin, and found both the location (yards from the lake) and amenities (comfortable beds, private bathroom with shower, in-cabin heater) to be a nice change to roughing it. Add the evening campfire program and ice cream for sale in the store, and you’ve got kid heaven!

Photos and text provided by Amy at Pit Stops for Kids.

Disclosure

In anticipation of National Parks Week (April 17th-25th), we’re focusing on the best lodging deals being offered by National Park Concessioners.  Most of these deals are valid during National Parks Week only or must be booked by April 25, 2010, so act fast!

• Mount Ranier National Park concessioner, Mt. Ranier Guest Services, is offering a free night at the historic National Park Inn when you purchase one night at regular rates (from $111).  Valid for any weekday stay (Sunday-Thursday) through 4/29.  Package includes complimentary afternoon tea and one day snowshoe rental.  Call 360-569-2275 for reservations.

The following deals are all being offered by Aramark Parks and Destinations and may be reserved online using this special link.

• Olympic National Park concessioner, Aramark, is giving guests a generous deal at all three of its park lodgings.  When you stay one night (from $157), you will receive another night for free.  This promotion is valid for stays between April 17th and 25th at both the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Kalaloch Lodge and between May 7th and 31st at the Lake Crescent Lodge (must be booked by April 25th). 
• At Shenandoah National Park, you can stay two nights at Skyland Resort for the price of one.  Rates start at just $125 and valid from April 18 through April 29.  Check out our article on Shenandoah before you go!
• Two nights at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park will cost you only $99 when you stay between April 22 and April 30.  This is a great deal for a family weekend getaway!
• If you are planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park by June 28th, you may want to take advantage of the buy-one-get-one-free offer at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge located 44 miles from Yellowstone.  Reserve one of their cabins by April 25th for stays between May 21st and June 28th to get this offer.

Check out more National Parks Week deals online.

Disclosure