So Much For Kids To Do!
In addition to all of the wonderful activities that can be done in the area like hiking, biking, horseback riding, river rafting and …, here are some extra things for kids to consider:
Junior Smoke Jumpers
Information on this two-hour, twice weekly activity for ages 5 to 8 and running from mid-June through August can be obtained by contacting the Hebgen Lake Ranger Station, Gallatin National Forest at 406-646-7691 (US Forest Service Jump Base) or 406-823-6961.
Junior Park Rangers
Yellowstone National Park has an official Junior Ranger Program open
to children
ages 5 - 12. The program introduces children to the natural wonders
of Yellowstone and their role in preserving them for the future.Greater
detail on this self-study especially designed for ages 5 to 7 and 8
to 12 can be found by clicking
here.
Ranger Led Walks ‘n’ Talks
Yellowstone National Park's Interpretative Ranger program has numerous Ranger led activities in all areas of the Park-some especially designed for children. Please check out their information by visiting their site.
Smoking Waters Day Camp
The Town offers recreational programs that include a summer recreation program for young children as well as hiking and biking adventures for older children. The Summer Recreation program offers structured weeklong activities based on a different theme each week. In addition, there are Awesome Adventures to area attractions that are daylong events. Summer Recreation usually starts a week after the local schools are dismissed for the summer and end in early August. You can I enroll your children the Summer Recreation Program while I attending a conference in West Yellowstone. When our summer recreation program is in session, you can enroll your child in recreation programs. Keep in mind that space in these programs is limited and there is a fee for the program based on the cost of staff, transportation and supplies.. You may obtain information about program availability by contacting the Recreation Coordinator at 406–640–1676.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a unique not-for-profit Wildlife Park and Educational Facility. Visitors will find exciting and fun family adventure waiting for them at this AZA (American Zoo & Aquarium Association) accredited wildlife bear and wolf preserve. Enjoy their special programs such as Keeper Kids (help hide food for the bears), Wolf Enrichment, Live Bird-of-Prey Demonstrations and a Karelian Bear Dog. Check out www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.or
Yellowstone Historic Center Museum
The Yellowstone Historic Center Museum is located on Yellowstone Avenue in the original, restored and beautiful Union Pacific Railroad Depot. From Ranger presentations to interactive exhibits, there's special recognition of kids. More information can be found at www.yellowstonehistoriccenter.org
City Park
Located between Canyon and Dunraven Avenues and between Firehole and Gibbon Streets this full-city block park has half-court basketball courts, playing fields, playground equipment, picnic shelters and grills. What a great spot for a family to gather.
Fly Casting
Each Sunday evening, June through August, Bob Jacklin of Jacklin's Fly Shop offers free fly-casting lessons in the casting pond behind the Yellowstone Historic Center (Yellowstone Avenue). Bring your own equipment. For more information contact Jacklin's Fly Shop: (406) 646-7336
Swimming
A number of hotels have pools to enjoy when you stay with them. Also Hebgen Lake, located just eight miles North of West Yellowstone has plenty of public shoreline for fishing and swimming. This reservoir lake can be pretty chilly, especially in the spring and early summer. Rental boats, kyacks and canoes are available from the resorts on the lake. There are no lifeguards. For other "Just for Kids" Montana information, go to www.montanakids.com
