The world's first national park remains a premier destination for enjoying the great outdoors with the entire family. Unequaled wildlife viewing opportunities and Old Faithful's clockwork blast continue to delight young and old alike. The park's many rivers and lakes allow access to some of the most pristine and scenic water for teaching the kids how to fish, and on a good day the native--but sometimes guileless--cutthroat trout can be as obliging as fish in a barrel. Large mammals such as mule deer and elk are almost certain to be viewed along the way.

An Outdoor Family Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks provides both practical advice and trip destinations with the whole family in mind. Tips on hiking, biking, and paddling with children will lower the odds that you'll end up with an exhausted, unhappy, or hurt child. For example, the Two Ribbons Trail, a very short loop leading to the Madison River and its adjacent meadows, is a great way to introduce young trekkers to the wonders of self-propelled travel. An overview chapter lists visitor centers and museums, and provides specific information on how to access myriad activities--climbing, horseback riding, boating, rafting, and mountain biking--within the parks. The rest of the book offers detailed hiking descriptions, each beginning with at-a-glance details (difficulty, distance, usage, and elevation gain) to help you discern which trails are appropriate for you and your young hiker. For instance, if you'd like to explore geothermal activity at a leisurely pace, choose the Artist Paint Pots trail (rated "very easy") to view these "strange-colored pools and a huge, spitting, burping mud pot." Detailed maps and a smattering of photographs add to this high-quality guide.

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