u/Secret-Function-2972

The last week of September I'm meeting my parents out in Yellowstone for ~3.5 days with the plan of driving them around so Dad doesn't have to drive their small RV for a few days. I did this in 2023 and I believe they really enjoyed it. Also an excuse for me to visit.

This time I'm looking for ideas to make this a bit of a unique visit for them. However, I think that's going to be difficult because 1) they are 80 & 81 years old and my Mom likely needs a knee replacement so long hiking is likely out* and 2) I think this will be their 36th visit to Yellowstone so there's not a lot roadside, visitor center, boardwalk friendly things that they probably haven't seen or done through the years.

*We did hike Artists' Paintpots and the Grand Prismatic Overlook trail 3 years ago.

For Background...

• As of now, we're camping at Baker's Hole north of West Yellowstone. May try to move to Madison is sites open up.
• They're not big on fancy dinners - good with meals out of coolers or counter serve in the park.
• Their focus is on seeing wildlife.
• On a typical day we'll get up and go shortly after daybreak and be gone all day until dark.
• They do want me to drive them down to Grand Teton one of the days.

My guess is that we'll take a day for the Lamar Valley and north side, a day for Canyon / Hayden Valley / East Entrance, and a day south to the Tetons. Probably hit Old Faithful area on the 1/2 day when I get in and on the way back from the Tetons.

Appreciate any ideas.

In September I'm flying into Bozeman, MT, renting a car, and meeting my parents in Yellowstone for 4 days/nights to visit and drive them around the park. They have a small RV that sleeps the 2 of them. I will have a tent, but if this goes the same way as it did 3 years ago when we did this, I slept in the Chrysler Pacifica I rented all but the first night. Yay fold flat seats.

Problem I'm having is that for the same length of rental over nearly identical dates, the Pacifica was ~$470 in 2023 is now $1500+. Yikes.

Suggestions for a vehicle I can rent that might be a bit less expensive, yet I can fit in on a camping air mattress with a sleeping bag (I'm 6' 2" & 53 y/o) and my suitcase and other gear?

Currently on a hike ~1.5 miles from Glacier Gorge Trailhead and the soles are coming unglued from my old boots

I am aware that the free ToyotaCare plan will cover a tire rotation at 5k miles and an oil change at 10k miles. We'll be at about 4k miles (or a bit less) on the vehicle before departing on a 2500 to 3000 mile road trip.

Should we get the tires rotated early before the trip, or after we return? Will a dealership rotate for free under the coverage of the ToyotaCare before the vehicle has 5000 miles?

If this was any other vehicle, I'd just schedule the rotation for after we return, but I haven't owned anything brand new in 30 years, and this is the first time I've had a vehicle with a covered maintenance plan. Thanks.

Read this headline and immediately thought of the Fullcast.