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Epic 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip Itinerary

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Welcome to the ultimate 9-day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier road trip adventure!

This road trip is an unforgettable journey, that will allow you to witness iconic peaks, marvel at geothermal wonders, and traverse glacial terrains.

Join us as we guide you through each day of this epic 9-day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier road trip, ensuring you make the most of your time in the heart of the Rockies.

GOOD TO KNOW: Your road trip begins at the stunning Grand Teton National Park, situated near Jackson, Wyoming, and wraps up with a departure from Glacier National Park.

• You’ll start by flying into Jackson Hole Airport, conveniently close to Grand Teton National Park , making it easy to kickstart your adventure. Nestled amidst the Teton Range, this airport serves as a gateway to the park.
• After exploring Grand Teton, your journey heads northward into the renowned Yellowstone National Park . Famous for its geothermal wonders and abundant wildlife.
• The final leg of your road trip brings you to the pristine wilderness of Glacier National Park . Here, jagged peaks and glacial valleys await your exploration.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP:  From May through September, between 6 am and 3 pm MDT, a reservation ticket is required for entry. Secure your Entrance Pass by reserving it here .

• To wrap up your adventure, you’ll depart from Glacier Park International Airport , conveniently located near Kalispell, Montana.
• Since you are visiting three national parks then make sure to get America the Beautiful National Park Pass . This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and gets you into all 400+ national park sites!
• 1. Map of 9-Day Grand Teton, and Glacier Road Trip Itinerary
• 2. DAY 1: Arrival to Jackson, Wyoming
• 3. DAY 2: Grand Teton - Scenic Drive Highlights, Jenny Lake Boat Ride, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point Hike.
• 4. DAY 3: Grand Teton - Leigh Lake Hike
• 5. DAY 4: Drive to Yellowstone, Explore Upper Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring
• 6. DAY 5: Yellowstone - Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• 7. DAY 6: Drive to Glacier, Lewis and Clark Caverns Tour, Gates of the Mountain Boat Tour
• 8. DAY 7: Glacier - Grinnell Glacier Hike
• 9. DAY 8: Glacier - Best Stops and Hikes Along Going-to-the-Sun Road
• 10. DAY 9: Glacier - Lake Mcdonald and Flight Back Home
• 11. Intrepid Scout's Tips for 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Map of 9-Day Grand Teton, and Glacier Road Trip Itinerary

Map of 9-Day Road Trip Through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks 

DAY 1: Arrival to Jackson, Wyoming

Your adventure begins as you touch down at Jackson Hole Airport , the gateway to Grand Teton National Park.

After the landing, make your way to the accommodations for a chance to unwind.

Where to Stay in Jackson?

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: Save time with my trusted Jackson stay recommendations:

Bentwood Inn is a beautiful hotel built from 200-year-old logs. It is located 14 miles from Jackson Hole Airport and Grand Teton National Park is 23 miles away. The rooms are all decorated in Western themes with antique-style furnishings. Each room has a fireplace, upscale linens, and down comforters.

Fireside Resort is another one of my favorites. It is located no more than a 5-minute drive from Teton Village. The cabins at the resort, embrace a ‘tiny house’ concept. They offer a cozy alternative to hotels!

Hotel Jackson is a classy hotel with spacious beautifully decorated rooms that reflect the Jackson Wyoming style. Make sure not to miss the on-site  Lebanese restaurant Figs . It is a culinary adventure that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Find More Accommodations Near Grand Teton:

WHERE to STAY in GRAND TETON (7 Personal Picks for the Best Stay)

Once you’re settled, take a leisurely stroll around the town of Jackson. This authentic western town offers a mix of boutiques, galleries, and charming local shops.

For dinner, Jackson has a variety of dining options to suit almost every palate. I don’t know about you, but I love a great pizza . I am recommending that you try  Pinky’s G Pizzeria . It is my place to go whenever I am in Jackson Hole. You will not be disappointed.

DAY 2: Grand Teton - Scenic Drive Highlights, Jenny Lake Boat Ride, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point Hike.

Day 2 in Grand Teton features the best stops along the Scenic Drive , a serene Jenny Lake Boat Ride , and a memorable hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point , offering a perfect mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun!

Our first stop, the Moulton Barns on Mormon Row , offers iconic views of the Teton Range and a glimpse into the region’s homesteading history.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: The Mormon Row is a photographer’s delight! It is best enjoyed in the morning for optimal lighting and fewer crowds.

Sunrise at Mormon Row / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Explore Top Photography Spots in Grand Teton:

6 Best Photography Locations in Grand Teton (+Useful Photo Tips)

Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing is one of my favorite spots in Grand Teton National Park. Here, you will see a picture-perfect reflection of the Tetons in the still waters of the Snake River.

As you meander along the riverbank, keep an eye out for wildlife; moose, beavers, and elk often make appearances, adding a touch of wilderness to this scenic spot.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: Do not miss the turn to Schwabacher Landing ! It is easy to just drive by it. So slow down and be on the lookout for the sign.

Schwabacher Landing / 9 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton 

Additional wildlife spots in Grand Teton:

5 Best Places to See WILDLIFE in GRAND TETON (Maps+ Practical Tips)

Snake river overlook.

Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park became famous through the lens of Ansel Adams, a legendary photographer.

This spot offers a timeless view of the Snake River flowing through the Teton Range.

If you’re a fan of Adams’ iconic black-and-white photos, visiting this easily accessible overlook allows you to experience the same breathtaking scenery that inspired one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century.

Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park is known for its scenic views and wildlife. The Snake River winds through, providing a reflective backdrop to Mount Moran .

This spot is popular for photography , offering a unique perspective of the mountain. It’s also a prime location for observing wildlife , including moose, elk, and various birds.

More on Scenic Drive Highlights:

42-Mile SCENIC LOOP DRIVE in GRAND TETON (24 Stops You Can’t Miss)

Boat Ride Across Jenny Lake and Hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point

In the afternoon, you will embark on a scenic boat ride across Jenny Lake .

Upon reaching the western shore, you will set out on a hike to Hidden Falls , a stunning 100-foot cascade, and then continue to Inspiration Point for a breathtaking panorama of Jenny Lake and the surrounding peaks.

Following is the map of the hike and all the details:

Map of Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Trail in Grand Teton National Park. Image Source: National Park Service  

• Roundtrip Distance:  2.2 miles
• Trail Location:  Jenny Lake Trailhead
• Time:  1-2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Begin your journey by taking the shuttle from Jenny Lake East Boat Dock , conveniently located next to Jenny Lake Visitor Center. The brief, scenic shuttle ride takes you across Jenny Lake to the West Boat Dock, where you’ll find signs leading to the Cascade Canyon Trailhead.

GOOD TO KNOW: Shuttles run every 10-15 minutes, with a round-trip ticket costing $18 and a one-way ticket priced at $10.

 Jenny Lake with the Boat Dock Dock in the Distance / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Once you get to the  Jenny Lake West Boat Dock  follow the signs for the  Cascade Canyon Trailhead .

At about 0.5 miles from the Cascade Canyon Trailhead, you will reach the short trail leading to  Hidden Falls . It is a beautiful waterfall that drops 100 feet in a series of cascades.

Hidden Falls in Grand Teton / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip 

Next, continue your hike to Inspiration Point . This section of the hike goes at a sharp ascent over a rugged, rocky trail. However, it is a short section and it is all worth the extra effort!

The views are awesome! Right in front of you will be Jenny Lake and Jackson Hole!

Jenny Lake from Inspiration Point / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Additional Grand Teton Hiking Options:

11 EASY HIKES in GRAND TETON Perfect for Beginners (Maps+Tips)

DAY 3: Grand Teton - Leigh Lake Hike

Day 3 invites you to embark on the Leigh Lake Trail , a standout hike in Grand Teton National Park.

You will begin with a serene stroll along String Lake , enjoying captivating views of the majestic Grand Tetons. Then, you will continue along the eastern edge of Leigh Lake , leading to the peaceful Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes .

Picture four stunning alpine lakes and an ever-changing panorama, with the Grand Tetons casting picturesque reflections on the water!

For expert guidance, find the trail map and step-by-step instructions below:

Map of Leigh Lake Trail. Image Credit: National Park Service

• Roundtrip Distance:  11.9 miles
• Trail Location:  String Lake Trailhead
• Time:  6 hours
• Difficulty:  Moderate

Start the hike from String Lake Trailhead , positioned just north of Jenny Lake.

Continue your journey along String Lake for about 1.4 miles until you encounter the Leigh Lake Trail Junction . At this point, relish the remarkable views of the Cathedral Group , and observe Mount Moran standing proudly at 12,605 feet.

Mount Moran Mirrored in String Lake / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Next, embark on a 2.8-mile trek along the eastern shore of Leigh Lake until you reach Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes Junction . The views are off the charts!

Reflections in Leigh Lake / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Take a right turn, and in a concise 0.4 miles, you’ll find yourself at the picturesque glacial Bearpaw Lake .

Next, head to Trapper Lake . Simply follow the sign for Trapper Lake, located approximately 0.9 miles away.

Trapper Lake in Grand Teton / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Concluding your journey, you’ll reach String Lake Outlet and a footbridge . Cross it and continue for no more than 0.3 miles until you find yourself back at the String Lake Trailhead, completing a fulfilling and picturesque expedition.

Explore Top Grand Teton Hikes:

Guide to 17 BEST HIKES in GRAND TETON Ranked by Difficulty (Maps+Tips)

DAY 4: Drive to Yellowstone, Explore Upper Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring

Today, you will drive about 60 miles from Grand Teton to Yellowstone through the beautiful John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway .

Next, you will witness the famous eruptions of Old Faithful and explore the intriguing geothermal wonders of the Upper Geyser Area .

Finally, you will wrap up your day at Biscuit Basin  ending with the vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Pool .

Tonight’s stay in West Yellowstone , Montana.

Upper Geyser Basin

There are 5 distinct sections in the Upper Geyser Basin.

For in-depth insights and detailed maps refer to: Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone (5 Sections, Trails, Best Attractions+Maps)

Here, we will highlight each section and the best features you cannot miss:

• Old Faithful Geyser Area -The true superstar of the Old Faithful Geyser Area and the entire Upper Geyser Basin is undoubtedly Old Faithful itself. This remarkable geyser is a geological wonder that leaves everyone in awe.

Like clockwork, Old Faithful graces visitors with its awe-inspiring eruptions approximately every 90 minutes.

These eruptions, shooting superheated water and towering columns of steam skyward, reach heights that often span from 130 to 185 feet.

Old Faithful in the Upper Geyser Area /9 -Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

• Castle Geyser to Morning Glory Pool Section – The trail for this section spans approximately 2.4 miles round trip.

This section is a treasure trove of diverse geothermal features, plus it contains the Grand Geyser , the tallest geyser on Earth and undoubtedly the highlight of the Upper Geyser Basin.

Here, you will also find a stunning Crested Pool , known for its scorching temperatures averaging around 191.1°F (88.4°C). It is almost perpetually in a state of boiling, occasionally reaching heights of 6 feet (2 m) or more. The intense heat creates an environment where bacterial growth is inhibited, contributing to the pool’s remarkably clear blue water.

Stunning Crested Pool in Yellowstone / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Also, do not miss the Morning Glory Pool . It is renowned for its breathtaking colors that resemble the Morning Glory flower, hence its name. This vibrant hot spring boasts striking shades of blue and green. The pool reaches a depth of about 25 feet and maintains a warm temperature of around 165°F due to the geothermal activity beneath the park.

• Biscuit Basin Section – Exploring Biscuit Basin is a fun experience, and you can do so effortlessly on a brief loop trail made of wooden boardwalks.

The star of the Biscuit Basin Section is, in my opinion, the Sapphire Pool. It is a stunning geothermal feature renowned for its azure-blue color. The pool measures approximately 18 meters (56 feet) in diameter and reaches depths of up to 15 meters (50 feet), making it one of the larger thermal features in the park.

The vivid blue hue of Sapphire Pool is a result of its high water clarity, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the spring and scatter blue wavelengths, much like the effect seen in clear ocean waters.

Sapphire Pool / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Grand Prismatic Spring

Next on the itinerary is the dazzling Grand Prismatic Spring .

This colossal marvel stretches an impressive 370 feet in width, making it Yellowstone’s largest hot water pool and the third largest in the world!

What sets Grand Prismatic Spring apart are its  vibrant bands of color , pulsating with shades of yellow, green, red, and orange, a mesmerizing display created by thriving algae.

Grand Prismatic Spring / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

GOOD TO KNOW:  Here’s a fascinating tidbit – on a sunny day, as you observe Grand Prismatic Spring from the road, you will witness an  optical wonder . The steam rising above the spring mirrors the colors of the water below, appearing blue in the center and transitioning to brown or orange around the periphery.

Find Out More About Upper Geyser Basin: 

Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone (5 Sections, Trails, Best Attractions+Maps)

Settle into your accommodations in west yellowstone, montana.

Here are my top recommendations for a comfortable stay in West Yellowstone, ensuring the perfect end to your day of exploration in Yellowstone National Park:

Explorer Cabins  near the West Entrance are a top-notch choice that I highly recommend. These cabins offer a delightful blend of modern comfort and rustic charm. Picture this: you are only 0.6 miles away from Yellowstone’s wonders, with the convenience of a kitchenette, cozy fireplace, and your very own private entrance.

Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone is a fantastic family-friendly place! It is packed with amenities like an indoor pool, hot tub, and free WiFi, plus a complimentary breakfast. It is just a 2-minute walk to the National Geographic IMAX Theater and a quick 3-minute drive to Yellowstone Park’s West Entrance.

Clubhouse Inn is another great choice, just a 3-minute drive from the West Entrance! They offer an indoor pool, hot tub, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms feature a fridge, microwave, and coffee machine. Plus, let’s not forget a complimentary breakfast.

More Ideas for Where to Stay in Yellowstone: 

Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone (20 Best Lodging Options Inside or Near the Park)

DAY 5: Yellowstone - Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

On Day 5, you will enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone as you visit Mammoth Hot Springs and the stunning Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone .

It truly is a day filled with amazing sights and natural beauty!

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone is like a magical world waiting to be explored!

Imagine hot water bubbling up from deep inside the Earth, mixing with loads of limestone around, and creating these fantastic terraces. It’s like nature’s own staircase, inviting you to marvel at its artistic touch.

GOOD TO KNOW:  When that hot water meets the surface, it brings along some carbon dioxide, and that’s the secret sauce for making something cool called calcium carbonate. This special substance forms the stunning travertine formations – think of them as Mother Nature’s unique sculptures, shaped over time.

Mammoth Hot Springs / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: Make sure not to miss Minerva Terrace , named after a Roman goddess. This place flaunts stunning white and gold colors, showcasing a mix of minerals. Also, make sure to visit Canary Spring , which adds a burst of vibrant orange and yellow tones, turning the landscape into a masterpiece.

What’s neat is that these terraces are like living art; they’re always changing. The heat, water, and the ground keep things in constant motion.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is like a massive, jaw-dropping painting in Yellowstone National Park!

It’s about 20 miles long and has beautiful colors like red, yellow, and ochre. The main attraction is the Lower Falls , a huge waterfall that’s 308 feet high. The waterfall starts when the Yellowstone River goes on a wild ride through the canyon, making this amazing cascade that echoes off the cliffs.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: If you want the best view, go to Artist Point on the south rim – it’s like the VIP spot for a stunning look at the canyon and the powerful Lower Falls.

View from Artist Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

DAY 6: Drive to Glacier, Lewis and Clark Caverns Tour, Gates of the Mountain Boat Tour

Lewis and clark caverns tour.

Day 6 brings an exciting, however long about 6-hour drive towards Glacier. But, the drive offers opportunities to explore captivating stops along the way.

Our first destination is Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park in Montana, the state’s inaugural and most renowned State Park. Home to one of the largest and most adorned limestone caverns in the Northwest, the park features various tours.

The Paradise Tour  is specifically designed for visitors with small children or mobility challenges. Alternatively, the Classic Tour , spanning nearly 2 miles, takes visitors through highly decorated cave passageways, revealing fascinating rooms such as Decision Rock, the Cathedral Room, and the Brown Waterfall Room.

Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Gates to the Mountains Boat Tour

Continuing our journey, the next stop is the Gates of the Mountains , a natural area best explored through a two-hour boat tour.

The tour begins at the Marina, and as you glide along in an open-air boat, you’ll witness towering limestone walls, and wildlife like bighorn sheep, eagles, and otters, and learn about Lewis and Clark’s expedition, the Mann Gulch Fire, and the collapse of Hauser Dam.

Gates to the Mountains, Montana / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Settle Into Your Accommodations

You’ll be staying on the east side of Glacier National Park .

Settle into your comfy place from our recommended options, tested for a great stay:

Many Glacier Hotel , nestled in the heart of Glacier National Park, is a historic and iconic destination! With its stunning location overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and surrounded by majestic mountains, the hotel offers breathtaking views. This is no doubt one of my favorite places to stay whenever I am visiting Glacier, however, it needs to be  booked at least a year in advance .

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is a handy choice for exploring the stunning surroundings. Close to Swiftcurrent Lake, it is perfect for hiking and wildlife adventures. The inn’s cozy rooms have what you need for a chill stay. Plus, there’s a restaurant on-site with killer natural views.

St. Mary Village  in the town of St. Mary is a comfy spot with various lodging options – cabins and motel rooms. It’s a village-style setup, making your stay comfy and easy while you explore Glacier National Park.

The  Cottages at Glacier is my go-to place whenever I am visiting Glacier National Park! They are a cozy and charming stay with peaceful surroundings. These cottages offer a tranquil retreat, letting you immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Glacier National Park.

DAY 7: Glacier - Grinnell Glacier Hike

Today is Day 7, and it’s all about the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park. Offering stunning views and wildlife encounters, this trail promises an unforgettable hiking experience. Your ultimate reward? Reaching the iconic Grinnell Glacier.

INTREPID’S SCOUT TIP: Get an early start to beat the crowds and secure a parking spot. Note that once the parking lot is full, park rangers may turn away visitors at the Many Glacier Entrance.

 Grinnell Glacier Trail Map / Image Credit: NPS  

• Roundtrip Distance: 10.6 miles
• Trail Location: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead (Many Glacier Valley Region of Glacier National Park)
• Time: 5-6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate – Strenuous

INTREPID’S PRO TIP:  If you’re looking to cut down the 10.6-mile roundtrip, consider taking two shuttle boats . The first boat crosses Swiftcurrent Lake (10-minute ride), followed by the second boat across Lake Josephine (15-minute ride). To make the most of this option, be sure to reserve your spots in advance.

Start your hike on the Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail , a scenic 0.8-mile route along Swiftcurrent Lake.

The trail then continues for about 1.3 miles along the captivating shores of Lake Josephine .

At 2.1 miles, the ascent begins, offering improved views of Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.

Grinnell Glacier Hike / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

The most challenging section precedes the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint , featuring a steady climb.

Upon reaching the viewpoint at 2.1 miles, marvel at the panoramic view of the 152-acre Grinnell Glacier, Upper Grinnell Lake, the Garden Wall, and Mount Gould.

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: For an even better view, walk closer to Upper Grinnell Lake, but use caution, especially if tempted to venture onto the glacier. Be aware of hidden openings under the snow.

Ultimately, the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint provides an awesome vantage point to take a break, relax, and enjoy the surroundings before heading back.

More Hiking Options in Glacier:

8 FUN and EASY HIKES in GLACIER National Park (Maps and Useful Tips)

9 Most SCENIC HIKES in GLACIER National Park You Need to Explore (MAPS+TIPS)

DAY 8: Glacier - Best Stops and Hikes Along Going-to-the-Sun Road

Going-to-the-Sun Road is legendary, stretching 50 miles through Montana’s Glacier National Park. It’s not just a road; it’s an adventure through some of North America’s most stunning landscapes.

Built between 1921 and 1932, it’s more than a drive – it’s a journey. You’ll cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, treating yourself to breathtaking views, glacial lakes, lush forests, and high-altitude meadows.

But it’s not just about the drive; it’s a gateway to outdoor adventures. Hiking, wildlife encounters, and immersing yourself in the pristine beauty of Glacier National Park await. Ready for a legendary journey?

St. Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island Lookout

St. Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island Lookout is the first stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

St. Mary Lake stands as a breathtaking gem, holding the title of the second-largest lake in Glacier National Park, surpassed only by Lake McDonald.

This glacial finger lake stretches 9.9 miles long, reaching a depth of 300 feet, and sits 1,500 feet higher than Lake McDonald at an elevation of 4,484 feet.

A must-see within the lake is the famous Wild Goose Island , a tiny yet iconic island featured in the movie “The Shining.”

Wild Goose Island / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

St. Mary Falls Hike

The next stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road is St. Mary Falls Trailhead where you will start your hike to beautiful St. Mary Falls.

St. Mary Falls Trail is short and easy (1.9 miles roundtrip and elevation change of 452 feet) and it will get you in no time to the falls.

St. Mary Falls / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

INTREPID’S PRO TIP:  If you have time, then continue on this hike for another 0.8 miles to Virginia Falls.

Logan Pass is the highest point reachable by a vehicle on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It sits at an elevation of 6,646 feet.

The views are awesome here. So, take a few minutes and enjoy the picturesque views of Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain in the distance, along with meadows of wildflowers. Also, the views of the Bearhat Mountian right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center are stunning!

INTREPID’S PRO TIP: Before jumping back into your vehicle and continuing on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, make sure to take a peek into the Logan Pass Visitor Center , use the restroom, and refill your water bottles.

Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun-Road / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Hike

The Trail of the Cedars is the next stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road. It is a short and easy hike. The trail is a loop and you can do it either way. Most people start on the east side and continue along a raised boardwalk. The trail will take you through a forest of ancient western cedars.

Trail of the Cedars / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

At about halfway point, you will reach a footbridge over Avalanche Creek and get to enjoy awesome views of the lower Avalanche Gorge.

Just past this section is a junction to the Avalanche Lake Trail . If you are up to it, then hike for no more than 600 feet and you will reach a narrow gorge with cascading water. It is a strenuous section, entirely up the hill at a steep incline. However, it is so worth the effort!

The trail continues to Avalanche Lake . If you are up to it, then I want to encourage you to hike to Avalanche Lake. It will be 2.3 miles from the trailhead before you reach the lake and ahead of you will be a moderate climb to reach the lake.

However, you will not be disappointed, because the views of this gorgeous lake are simply off the charts. It sits in a bowl-shaped canyon surrounded by Bearhat Mountain, Little Matterhorn, and Mount Brown with numerous waterfalls cascading down into the lake.

Avalanche Lake / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Info on top stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road:

18 Can’t Miss STOPS on GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD in Glacier National Park

Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Hike concludes day 8 of your Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier road trip itinerary. It is time to settle into your accommodations.

You will be staying on the west side of Glacier National Park. Here are my top recommendations for a comfortable stay:

Belton Chalet , close to the west entrance of Glacier National Park. Built in 1910, this chalet has rustic elegance mixed with modern comforts.

Great Northern Resort , close to the west entrance of Glacier National Park, is a family-owned spot, it offers cozy cabins and spacious suites.

Glacier Guides Lodge snuggled near the west entrance of Glacier National Park, is a top pick for outdoor lovers. Run by Glacier Guides and Montana Raft, it’s a mix of comfort and adventure. The rooms are set up with modern stuff to give you a good rest after exploring.

More Proven lodging options in Glacier: 

14 Perfect PLACES to STAY in GLACIER NATIONAL PARK (Inside, West, and East Side)

DAY 9: Glacier - Lake Mcdonald and Flight Back Home

The 9-day road trip to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier concludes today. Enjoy a leisurely exploration of Lake McDonald’s shores before heading home.

Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is a classic glacial fjord-like lake filling the basin carved out by erosion and Ice Age Glaciers. It is 10 miles long, over a mile wide, and 472 feet deep.

The views of the turquoise waters surrounded by towering mountains in the distance are picture-perfect!

There are many access points to the lake on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. And, besides enjoying the views, you can swim in the lake, kayak, or paddleboard.

GOOD TO KNOW:   Glacier Outfitters is a place to get all your rentals. They have single, tandem, child, fishing kayaks, and paddle boards. Also, they rent bikes!

If you like fishing , then Lake McDonald is a good spot. My daughter, who is an avid fisherwoman, likes to fish here. You will find numerous native trout species at Lake McDonald: westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout.

Lake McDonald / 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Flight Back Home

Wrapping up the 9-day expedition through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. After a series of incredible experiences, it’s time to head back home.

Reflect on the diverse landscapes, wildlife encounters, and overall adventure before catching your flight. Safe travels back!

Intrepid Scout's Tips for 9-Day Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip

Grand Teton National Park:

• Rise and Shine at Schwabacher Landing: Trust me, catching the sunrise here with the Teton Range reflecting in the Snake River is pure magic. It’s like a postcard come to life.
• Wildlife Hangouts: Moose fans, head to Moose-Wilson Road for some close encounters. Also, Signal Mountain is a hotspot for bison and elk sightings.

Yellowstone National Park:

• Beyond Old Faithful: While Old Faithful is a must-see, don’t miss out on the Grand Prismatic Spring and Norris Geyser Basin for some mind-blowing geothermal wonders.
• Wildlife Watch: Lamar Valley is your go-to for wolves, and if you’re into grizzlies and bison herds, Hayden Valley is where it’s at.

Glacier National Park:

• Early Drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road: This road is famous for a reason. Do it early morning or late afternoon to dodge the crowds and soak in those jaw-dropping views.
• Off the Beaten Path: Two Medicine and Many Glacier are less crowded but just as stunning. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Overall Tips:

• Weather Rollercoaster: Brace yourself for sudden weather changes, especially in Glacier. Pack layers – it’s a lifesaver.
• Respect the Wild: These parks are home to some incredible wildlife. Keep your distance, follow the rules, and let’s ensure their homes stay pristine. Support initiatives like Yellowstone Forever and Glacier National Park Conservancy.

More Helpful Posts About Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks

Perfect One Day in Yellowstone (8 Things You Can’t Miss!)

Guide to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 3 Scenic Drives, Hikes and Amazing Viewpoints

12 Best Photography Locations in Yellowstone (Plus Useful Photo Tips)

5 Entrances to Yellowstone (Which One Is the Best Gateway to the Park)

17 Short and Easy Hikes in Yellowstone Perfect for All Ages (Maps+Useful Tips)

23 Best Stops on Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive (Maps+Useful Tips)

16 Best Stops on Yellowstone Grand Loop Drive (Maps+Useful Tips)

Grand Teton National Park: 

7 Amazing Places to Stay in Grand Teton National Park

17 Most Scenic Hikes in Grand Teton National Park You Need to Explore

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The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Grand Teton Itinerary

Last Updated on February 5, 2024

by Audrey Webster

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Spending 2 to 3 days in Grand Teton National Park is something to remember. From breathtaking mountain landscapes to a wide variety of wildlife (including moose!), there are countless areas to explore on a Grand Tetion itinerary. Most people visiting Wyoming make sure to visit Yellowstone National Park , but not everyone travels a bit further south into the Teton Range. 

Here, we’ve outlined a route that covers a nice blend of highlights and off-the-beaten-path attractions for a smattering of excellent activities. Depending on how you want to spend your time in the Grand Tetons, there are day hikes, camping, wildlife spotting, and more available.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Grand Teton?

Taking a day trip or two days in Grand Teton National Park simply isn’t enough. You’ll be rushed and overwhelmed to see as much as possible or not experience enough of the park. The sweet spot is three days in the park.

This allows enough time for exploring different areas of the park and doing it at a leisurely pace. After all, the Teton Mountains are not a range you’ll want to pass through quickly. 

For overnight accommodations, consider staying at one of the park’s several lodges, in a small town just outside the park, or camping. Keep in mind that campgrounds fill up fast during the summer, so even those that are first come first serve are competitive. Plan your time in the park accordingly. 

Getting To & Around Grand Teton National Park

The best way to experience Grand Teton National Park is by car and on your own terms. The park entrance fee of $35 will get your vehicle and all its passengers into the park for seven days. There is no shuttle and exploring by foot isn’t an option unless you’re hitting the trail.

Those traveling from far away might opt to fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Car rentals are available at nearby airports to transport you from the airport to the park.

There is a shuttle, the START Bus, that takes visitors from Jackson Hole into the park, but you’re limited on where you can visit when you experience the park without a car. Depending on the direction you’re coming from when heading toward the park, you’ll either take I-80, I-15, or Highway 89 South through Yellowstone NP. 

Grand Teton is also accessible if driving from Denver or even on a Portland to Wyoming road trip and there are countless great stops to take along the way.

If you need to rent a car for this trip, you can browse Rentalcars.com to find options across many providers. Alternatively, you can also rent an RV or campervan from Outdoorsy.

As a final note before we dive into the Grand Teton National Park itinerary, keep in mind that you are visiting a national park that is home to a wide range of wildlife. This means that a bear could dart out in front of your car or that you might spot a moose while on a backcountry hike.

Viewing wildlife is part of the spectacular experience you’ll have in the Tetons, but you must remember to be respectful. You should keep in mind: take photos, but do so from a distance, never get between a mom and her baby, carry bear spray in certain trails if park rangers recommend it, and know how to respond if/when you encounter a bear.

Dawn and dusk are the best times of day to see wildlife. If you find yourself in the right spot at the right time, you might just experience some of the park’s best fauna.

2 to 3-Day Grand Teton Itinerary

Day 1 – jenny lake, cascade canyon trail & oxbow bend.

We understand that you might be limited by the amount of time you’re able to spend in the Tetons. If you only have one day to dedicate to the park, try to structure your day to visit the sites listed for Day 1 here. It’s a strong combination of mountain views, canyon hikes, and wildlife sighting locations. 

Jenny Lake is one of the most popular parts of Grand Teton National Park and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s tucked at the very base of the Tetons and serves as the kick-off point for many favorite hikes. Hikers can visit Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, or circle the lake.

Lake Solitude, Hurricane Pass, and the Cascade Canyon Trail are longer and more strenuous options, but well worth the effort required. If you aren’t interested in hiking from Jenny Lake, you can also take a boat ride, explore the visitor center, or have a picnic by the lakeshore. 

When visiting during the summer, expect the parking lot to fill early. Also not that the scenic Teton Park Road, where one can access the lake, is closed form November-May.

Jenny Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Campground are two popular accommodations that also are usually booked several months in advance. Even if you aren’t staying in the area, taking an afternoon to relax by the lake or having a lunch picnic is well worth your time. 

Cascade Canyon Trail

As we mentioned, Cascade Canyon Trail begins at Jenny Lake and extends deep into Cascade Canyon between Teewinot and Mount St. John. It’s a beautiful way to catch a glimpse of the Grand Teton backcountry without trekking days into the mountains and to get an incredible view of the Teton Range.

The trail follows Cascade Creek and is an out-and-back trail at 14.6 miles roundtrip. However, you can choose to turn back at any point. If you take the Jenny Lake shuttle to the trailhead, you’ll shorten the hike to 8.8 miles roundtrip. 

Moose, bears, and pike are all regularly spotted along the trail. Bear in mind that this trail is better for those with moderate levels of physical activity. The trail gains some elevation and visitors are already at a higher altitude being in the mountains.

Make sure to pack a water bottle, water filter, sunscreen, and proper hiking shoes. While the hike might be difficult, the view from the canyon is unbeatable. 

Oxbow Bend is where you want to find yourself in the evening of your first day in the Tetons. It’s one of the most famous places to view wildlife, including bears, moose, otters, Great Blue Herons, pelicans, muskrats, and more. Mount Moran can be seen reflecting in the water on clear days, so don’t be surprised if you see a lot of photographers out at dusk. 

Keep your animal viewing best practices in mind while visiting Oxbow Bend. If you see a moose or bear, remain far enough away to not alert the animal. When you see a mother and a baby, consider staying even further back than you normally would as a mom is going to be protective of her baby.

All this is to say, as long as you visit Oxbow Bend safely, you’re in for a treat. Clear evenings bring luscious sunset colors and reflections of Mount Moran. It’s the best place in the park to spot wildlife and is usually a favorite if you’re traveling with children. 

Day 2 – Iconic Photo Spots

If you’re spending 2 days in Grand Teton National Park, this day takes you to two of the most iconic photography spots in the park. These spectacular views are sought after by all levels of photographers. 

Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point

Maybe you’re looking for a hike from Jenny Lake that isn’t as strenuous as Cascade Canyon. If this is the case, the hike to Inspiration Point, passing Hidden Falls, might be a good option.

The route begins at the Cascade Canyon Trailhead and climbs steadily, offering excellent views of Jenny Lake. Along the way, you’ll come across Hidden Falls, a cascading waterfall fed by snowmelt. Continue on until arriving at Inspiration Point.

The entire hike is around 5.8 miles roundtrip but can be shortened to just 2 miles roundtrip by taking the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake. Check in on the shuttle boat’s hours and prices before solidifying your plan.

Sturdy shoes are absolutely necessary as there is 500 feet of elevation gain and the trail is uneven in places. 

Snake River Overlook

The Snake River weaves through Grand Teton National Park, so it’s only fitting that you visit the river’s outlook during your time in Grand Teton.

The headwaters live in the Teton Wilderness right outside Yellowstone NP. They flow through Yellowstone, cut across Grand Teton, cross Idaho, and mix with the waters of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon.

The overlook showcases the curvy nature of the river, winding its way across the landscape until it meets with the Tetons in the background. Consider visiting at sunrise for incredible hues of orange, yellow, and red across the mountains.

However, if an early-morning visit doesn’t work with your schedule, a Snake River Overlook can be enjoyed at any time.

Moulton Barns on Mormon Row

Stop number two on your itinerary of sites to see is the Moulton Barns on Mormon Row. The barns are leftover from Mormon homesteaders who settled and lived in the area beginning in the 1890s.

Today, two barns stand out. Settlers John and Thomas Alma Moulton built the barns side-by-side. The barns are frequently captured with the Tetons in the background. In your research for a visit to the Tetons, you most likely saw a photo of the barns.

Most photographers visit in the early morning to capture the rising sun and morning colors against the barn and mountains. Upon your visit, don’t be shocked to find a line of professional and amateur photographers lined up, hoping to capture the classic image. 

Day 3 – Lakes & Overlooks

If you’re lucky enough to have 3 days in Grand Teton, take your third day to rest and recreate with the park’s beautiful scenery, stop by any outlooks you might have missed, or seek out any wildlife you’re still itching to see. 

String Lake & Leigh Lake

On your final day in Grand Teton National Park, consider taking some time out of your day for some rest and relaxation at String and Leigh Lakes.

These shallow and clean lakes offer mountain views while providing a safe place to swim. You can bring a picnic, paddleboard, or kayak around the lake. String Lake feeds into Leigh Lake, which is only accessible by boat or foot.

If you want to hike around the area, there are several short and easy hikes available. Walk along the shore of either lake, or turn into Paintbrush Canyon for a more difficult climb. On a clear and sunny day, visitors are treated to warm weather, a refreshing swim, and beautiful scenery of the mountain reflected in the water. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for some other lakes to visit, you can’t go wrong with the gorgeous Phelps Lake and Delta Lake.

Signal Mountain Overlook

While not technically in the park, Signal Mountain Overlook should absolutely be on your list on your final day in the Tetons.

Signal Mountain stands at 7,727 feet and can be accessed by car or foot. The hike is considered moderate to strenuous for a 6.8-mile out-and-back climb. At the top, you’ll earn 360-degree views of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range.

You can also consider Signal Mountain as a place to stay on your way out of the park. Signal Mountain Lodge sits along the shore of Jackson Lake just south of Colter Bay Village and offers a variety of activities for visitors. Visitors can explore Jackson Lake by boat to get views of the Tetons for a more affordable price than staying inside the park. 

Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park

The Alpenhof – Located in Teton Village, this boutique hotel offers a range of rooms suitable for families and couples. It is a great option in all seasons and has ski-in, ski-out access as well as a swimming pool.

Bentwood Inn – If you’re looking for a plush, luxury option during your visit to the national park, then this hotel is a great option. Located in the town of Wilson, this hotel is situated within very easy reach of Grand Teton. They have a range of rooms available, they include breakfast and offer wine and cheese for guests in the evenings.

Inn on the Creek – Located in the town of Jackson, this hotel is situated within a quick drive to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park and is an excellent mid-range option. There are a number of quaint and comfortable rooms on offer, a hot breakfast served that can be enjoyed either in your room or in the dining room and they even put out freshly baked cookies daily!

Private Rental – If you’re after some privacy during your trip to Grand Teton, then a private rental — like this rustic cabin with incredible views — is an excellent choice. There are countless options that can suit all travel styles and budgets.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Grand Teton hotels!

When building your Grand Teton trip, make sure to fill it with sites and activities that are going to make it memorable for you. There are so many options that allow you to customize your trip and will surely be a trip you won’t soon forget. 

Are you planning to visit Grand Teton National Park? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Yellowstone vs Grand Teton: Which National Park to Visit?

10 Best Stops on a Seattle to Yellowstone Road Trip

10 Best Stops on a Denver to Montana Road Trip

About Audrey Webster

Audrey Webster is a writer for The World Was Here First. She is an Oregon native who has visited countries across the globe and currently spends her weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest and surrounding states. Her approach to traveling combines exploring famous tourist sites and wandering off the beaten path to discover new destinations.

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Perfect One Day in Grand Teton Itinerary for First-Timers

Looking to make the most of your day trip to Grand Teton National Park?

Here’s a sample itinerary for one day in Grand Teton National Park, tracing my route during my months-long extensive road trip days driving through the American West. 

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton’s beauty also deserves some love. I personally spent a few days here and came back twice, as juggling remote work with the spotty wifi in the Yellowstone area made me need to double back. 

However, if you only have a day to spend in Grand Teton, it is a good enough time for this park. Grand Teton is known for its viewpoints and wildlife, and although the square area is large, most of the highlights don’t take long to reach. 

So, let’s make the most of your time, starting with a sunrise at the Snake River Overlook and hiking around Jenny Lake. I will provide recommendations for other must-visit destinations and a travel guide filled with helpful information at the end.

Sample One Day in Grand Teton Itinerary

Even though this park is huge, much of it is backcountry, so one day is enough to get a good overview of this park. With that said, you can always spend more time on wildlife safaris.

So you have everything in one scroll,  here’s a sample suggested itinerary that goes much more in detail below.

Early Morning:

• Start your day early on Teton Park Road with a  sunrise view from Snake River Overlook .
• Double back a little for  Mormon Row and Schwabacher’s Landing.
• Next, turn into the park  at Moose Junction. 

Morning to Early Afternoon

• Walk around the shorter hikes of  Bradley or Taggart Lake. 
•  Drive along  Jenny Lake Scenic Drive,  stopping at  String and Leigh Lake .
• Head over to  Jenny Lake.   Kayak or take the boat shuttle  across the lake to hike up  Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.  Lunch at the top with lake views.
• Alternative:  you can take a longer hike around the lake.
• Get back on the road and head north to  Jackson Lake.  This is a great place to kayak!
• Snap a pic at  Oxbow Bend.
• Optional:  Signal Mountain Summit for the Teton Range and Jackson Hole Valley views.

Recommended lodging options for the Night: Jackson Lake

• Luxury: Jackson Lake Lodge
• Mid-range: Elk Country Inn
• Budget: Cache House

Travel Tip! If you also plan to go to Yellowstone, in my opinion, you don’t have time to do both in one day.

Quick Facts To Visiting Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park, often overlooked in favor of its sister park, Yellowstone, lies just 10 miles to the south. Covering approximately 310,000 acres, this reserve covers diverse landscapes, from alpine lakes and meadows to the peaks of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. Grand Teton is famous for its wildlife and exciting outdoor activities, rather than geothermal features.

Know Before You Go!

• Permits and Reservations:  Kayaks, boating, and fishing require permits. Camping or backcountry hiking will need a different permit.
• Park Closures:  Seasonal closures happen in the winter due to heavy snowfall.
• Wildlife Safety:  Carry bear spray, and don’t get too close to the buffalo.

Best Things to Do in Grand Teton in a Day

Most likely, you’re kicking off your Grand Teton adventure from Jackson, Wyoming. In this itinerary, you’ll start by cruising along Highway 89, part of the 42 mile loop drive, for those famous sunrise viewpoints, then turn back and enter through Moose Junction. From there, follow north through the park until you exit at the Moran Entrance.

Early Morning: Sunrise Viewpoints and Short Hikes

Snake river overlook.

Ah, the Snake River Overlook. This is the same view that once caught the eye of Ansel Adams , the famous American photographer known for his black-and-white images. If you’re a photographer and want to wake up for the sunrise, this is the spot to do it. 

Adams’ photograph, with the river winding its way below and the Tetons looming large in the background, has inspired countless photographers over the years to visit this spot, including me.

I went twice for the sunrise here and was surprised to see so many people who had driven much further than I had, trigger-finger ready. They were bundled up in hand warmers and hats, waiting for the pink hue to touch the Teton range.

The overlook is not far from Jackson on US Highway 191, halfway between Moose, WY, and Moran Junction. The viewpoint is right at the edge of the parking area.

If you find yourself here in winter, the Snake River Overlook transforms into a winter wonderland. It’s one of only two of Grand Teton’s Famous Four spots accessible this season, the other being Oxbow Bend.

Mormon Row Historic District

After capturing sunrise at Snake River Overlook, drive back down to the junction for Antelope Flats Road and Mormon Row. Turn into the dirt road and picture rustic barns, historic homesteads, and panoramic views of the majestic Grand Tetons.

This iconic barn is one of the most photographed in America and also a very popular sunrise place. 

Travel Tip! Due to the sun’s position, I highly recommend coming here in the morning. The colors are much more beautiful early than in the afternoon.

The Mormon Row, a section of the California Trail, has seen many pioneers and explorers traveling through the Western United States in the late 1800’s. 

The most photographed barns are the John Moulton Barn and T.A. Moulton Barn, set against the backdrop of the Teton Range. They are popularly known as “the most photographed barns in America.” 

Aside from the landscape, this place is also a haven for bison grazing nearby or pronghorns sprinting across the plains.

Schwabacher’s Landing

Another famous location for its picture-perfect reflection of the Teton Range on the calm waters of the Snake River, this spot is also popular with photographers. 

It’s a prime spot to catch the morning reflections and wildlife like beavers and otters. This is basically the lower vantage view of Snake River Overlook.

The landing is accessible via a short dirt road. A 0.5-mile trail leads from the parking lot down to the landing, or you can go on a longer 2-mile trail along the riverbank.

Photography Tip!  The best light for photos at Schwabacher’s Landing is in the early morning and when the water is calm. Be mindful that the afternoons tend to be windier, which can disturb the reflection.

Morning to Early Afternoon: Jenny Lake Scenic Area

Bradley and taggart lakes hike.

Bradley and Taggart Lakes are two hidden gems only a few miles from the Moose Entrance of the park. These two glacier-carved lakes are popular amongst hikers and are relatively easy to access.

A well-marked moderate 5.5-mile loop trail takes you past both lakes, but on a short trip, I would get to Taggart Lake about 1.5 miles in and then turn back around to continue your day. 

You’ll traverse through lush meadows, dense groves of aspen trees, and over a series of gentle hills before the Teton Range reflects off the waters of the clear emerald lakes. 

Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

After that short warm-up hike, turn onto Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, a 3-mile one-way loop starting at String Lake Junction that runs parallel to the eastern shoreline of Jenny Lake. The drive is particularly great during the early morning when the lake is calm.

There are several pullouts along the way, like Cathedral Group turnout, which gives a view of Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen – the three highest peaks in the Teton Range. Also, stop at the String Lake area.

Completing the drive will lead you to South Jenny Lake. Here, you can park your vehicle and venture on foot to explore the lake up close, kayak, take hikes, or use the shuttle boat.

Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Hike

This is the most famous hike in Grand Teton. It gets pretty busy, but it’s not without reason. There are three ways to start the trail:

• Take the shuttle boat (most popular)
• Kayak across the lake to the trailhead (most adventurous)
• Walk around the lake to the trailhead (longest)

Shuttle Boat to Inspiration Point

• Duration:  Approximately 3 hours, including a 15-minute boat ride each way
• Difficulty:  Moderate
• Length:  Boat dock to Inspiration Point is 2 miles round trip.
• Best Time:  The boat operates from 10 am to 4 pm in the summer

The shuttle boat ride across Jenny Lake to the trailhead is the most popular starting point for the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Hike. This route saves energy and time, especially for families or those with one day in the park.

The shuttle boat operates daily from mid-May to late September. Boats depart every 10-15 minutes from the South Jenny Lake area. But there could be a wait in peak hours.

On arrival at the western shore of the lake, the trailhead starts. Here, a moderate 1-mile trail takes you through dense pine forests to the base of Hidden Falls, a 100 foot cascading waterfall. 

From Hidden Falls, the trail becomes steeper as you make your way to Inspiration Point. This 0.5-mile climb is challenging, but the rewards are worth the effort. At Inspiration Point, you can relax and enjoy Jenny Lake, surrounded by the Teton Range.

Kayak to Inspiration Point

If you’re feeling more adventurous, why not kayak to the Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point trailhead? You can rent kayaks from the Jenny Lake Boating Dock and paddle across the lake for about 1.5 miles.

Once you reach the western shore, tie up your kayak and start on the same trail mentioned above. Since I’m obsessed with kayaking, I did this with my foldable Oru Kayak. I’m not going to lie; it took a lot more time than I expected and could take you well into the afternoon. 

Permit Required!  If you’re bringing your own boat, you’ll need to grab a permit from the Visitor Center and stick it on the side of your boat where it’s easy to spot.

Long Hike to Inspiration Point

I will preface that completing the full loop may not be possible unless you have a whole day. Alternatively, you can take the shuttle boat in one direction and walk back around the lake.

• Duration:  Approximately 5-6 hours
• Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult
• Length:  7 miles round trip

From the South Jenny Lake parking area, follow the Jenny Lake Loop Trail counter-clockly, with the lake on your right. After 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the western shore of the lake. 

From here, the trail to Inspiration Point will be the same. 

Travel Tip!  Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms common in the mountains.

Afternoon: Jackson Lake Area

One of the most scenic spots in Grand Teton National Park, Oxbow Bend, is a U-shaped turn in the Snake River with views of Mount Moran reflected on the water. It’s also a popular spot for seeing moose, deer, and elk grazing on the riverbanks.

By the afternoon, the wind probably has picked up, so that reflection will not be as clear.

Jackson Lake

From Oxbow Bend, drive north on US Highway 89 to reach Jackson Lake, the largest lake in Grand Teton National Park and another popular spot for wildlife viewing. This is another place that is great for boating or kayaking. Also make a stop at Jackson Lake Overlook.

From here, you can head north to the Colter Bay Area or hang out around Signal Mountain for the rest of the day.

Optional: Signal Mountain Summit

Signal Mountain is an isolated peak with views of the Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and the Snake River. The hike to the summit is a popular one but quite long. 

• Duration:  Approximately 4-5 hours
• Length:  6.8 miles round trip
• Best Time:  Early morning or late evening for the best light.

A narrow, winding road takes you up to the mountain from Jackson Lake. The hike to the summit is about 6.8 miles round trip on a well-maintained trail. You start at Signal Mountain Lodge and walk through a forest of lodgepole pines, gradually going up the mountain’s sides.

After about 2.5 miles, you’ll find a fork in the trail. If you go left, you’ll find a viewpoint overlooking the Jackson Hole Valley. If you go right, you’ll reach the summit. 

Where to Stay

The Jackson Hole area, just outside of Grand Teton National Park, is a top choice for short-term travelers due to its range of accommodations and proximity to the park. Otherwise, you can also stay in Teton Village, but it tends to be more expensive. Also, there are a few lodges and campgrounds in park boundaries.

Best Hotels in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Camping in grand teton, places to visit with more time, other attractions within grand teton.

• Gros Ventre Wilderness:  A less visited area with a plethora of hiking and camping options, as well as wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Cascade Canyon:  A dramatic canyon that offers one of the park’s most popular hikes.
• Colter Bay Village:  A lakeside village with amenities and recreational activities, including boat rentals for exploring Jackson Lake. 
• Rafting the Snake River:  There are minor rapids for rafting on the Snake River just outside the park.

Day Trips from Grand Teton

• Yellowstone National Park:  Just north of Grand Teton, Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the world, with lots of geothermal and unique formations.
• Jackson, Wyoming:  A charming western town with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort:  A top-rated ski resort. In the summer, you can mountain bike and hiking.
• Dubois, Wyoming:  A small town known for its cowboy culture and outdoor adventures in the Wind River Range. 
• Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming:  Famous for its large mineral hot spring, one of the world’s largest.

Is 1 Day Enough for Grand Teton

Experiencing the major highlights of Grand Teton National Park in a single day is indeed possible, but you could easily fill several days in the area, especially if you are into wildlife. In just one day, you can drive through the park with scenic stops, go for a moderate hike or kayak trip, and spot some animals.

If you have additional days, take long hikes to the dramatic Death Canyon or Solitude Lake or explore the lakeside villages with recreational activities like boating or fishing.

Grand Teton is also very close to Yellowstone, where you could spend a week. Art enthusiasts can window shop the galleries of Jackson, Wyoming, while ski and mountain bikers might head to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Best Time To Visit

The most popular time to visit is from June to September in the summer months. The weather for hiking, camping, and wildlife will be warm and sunny. All roads and facilities, including visitor centers and campgrounds, are open. 

The shoulder seasons are much quieter, and the changing colors of the foliage are an attraction of this time. However, the weather can be unpredictable, and some facilities may not be fully available.

Winter is the least popular time to visit because of the cold and heavy snowfall. But if you’re into winter sports, you can try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and unique safaris like winter wolf hunting.

How to Get There

Getting there.

Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming, deep in the wilderness. The nearest significant city to Grand Teton is Jackson, Wyoming, located just 12 miles to the south. Idaho Falls, Idaho, is another nearby city, about 90 miles to the west.

Visitors can fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), which is within the park’s boundaries. Jackson Hole Airport is served by several major airlines, with direct flights from cities like Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Dallas.

Final Thoughts: Grand Teton Day Trip

I hope this itinerary has been helpful in planning your one day in Grand Teton! It’ll take you to the fantastic vistas for sunrise, the Inspiration Point hike, and the famous 4 photography spots. If you’re heading elsewhere, check out our other articles for more awesome sights and experiences in and around Grand Teton!

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in the Area?

Grand Teton and Yellowstone are amongst the most impressive places I’ve ever seen. I 100% understand why this is the oldest national park in the world. Here’s more information on this Wyoming area to help plan your journey.

• Perfect One Day In Grand Teton Itinerary For First-Timers
• Perfect One Day in Yellowstone for First Time Visitors

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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• These 10 Least Visited National Parks Are So Remote, You'll Likely Have the Trails to Yourself

Grand Teton Itinerary: The Perfect 2, 3 & 4 Days in Grand Teton National Park

Looking for an unforgettable Grand Teton itinerary? Well, look no further. Not only do we have a 2 day itinerary for you, but a 3 day and 4 day itinerary as well! Grand Teton is known for its abundant wildlife, beautiful lakes, colorful wildflowers and epic hikes. Truly, it’s a fantastic outdoor haven. If you love the great outdoors, you’ll love visiting Grand Teton National Park.

With so much to see and do, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to determine what to do with 48 or 72 hours in the park. We spent a month in the Jackson / Grand Teton area to compile a list of our favorite and must do things when exploring the park. Grand Teton is grandiose. Truly, there is no place like her and we can’t wait for you to see it for yourself!

Visiting Grand Teton National Park – Essential Information

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How Many Days Do You Need in Grand Teton?

While spending only one day in Grand Teton is doable, our suggestion is to spend at least three days to four days. Three to four days are the perfect amount of time to not only see the highlights like Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, Snake River Overlook, etc. But three days also allows you plenty of time to hit the hiking trails, explore Jackson, and get some time close by or on the lakes and rivers.

How Much Does It Cost To Enter Grand Teton National Park?

First, a fun fact about Grand Teton National Park is that you can actually see the Teton range and have access to popular overlooks and pullouts before ever entering the National Park (aka paying)! Along highway 191, you have a picture-perfect view of the towering Teton range. Plus, popular turnoffs like Mormon Row, Snake River Overlook, and Schwabacher Landing are accessible from highway 191.

But back to the question. It costs $35 per vehicle to enter Grand Teton National Park. Your $35 entrance fee is good for seven consecutive days. If you are traveling by motorcycle, it’ll cost you $25 per bike and if you are entering the park by walking or cycling, it’ll cost you $20 per person.

Tip: If you plan to see other National Parks, we highly recommend getting a National Parks Pass to save you money on your entrance fees.

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Grand Teton National Park?

The best time to visit Grand Teton National Park is from June to September. The summer months are not only the best time to see wildflowers and wildlife, but the snow has melted making the waterfalls, lakes, and rivers full of beautiful fresh mountain water. Plus, the weather is fantastic. Cool in the mornings and evenings and warm to hot during the days.

Another added bonus is the amount of daylight. When we spent a month in Grand Teton in June, the sun didn’t set till 10pm! Talk about ample exploring time. The flip side to all of this is the summer months are the busiest months for the park. Plus, the prices in Jackson are higher due to peak season. If you’re wanting to avoid this, we suggest visiting in May or October.

Where To Stay & How To Get Around Grand Teton National Park

Lodging inside grand teton national park.

• Jenny Lake Lodge : Considered the nicest lodge in the park, but that makes it the most expensive. However, the location is spot on (walkable to Jenny Lake) and the cabins are nice.
• Jackson Lake Lodge : Located close to Jackson Lake and Oxbow Bend and has nice views of the lake and Tetons.
• Signal Mountain Lodge : Located on Signal Mountain, making this centrally located to all activities in Grand Tetons National Park.
• Colter Bay Village : This accommodation option happens to be the furthest north making it great if you’re planning to visit Yellowstone, but for everything else in Grand Tetons, you’re a decent drive away.

Outside of lodges, there are campgrounds and RV sites that require reservations to stay. For all first-come-first-serve camping, you’ll have to go outside of the park for that.

Lodging in Jackson

Located about 25 minutes from Teton National Park, Jackson is a great little downtown that’s the popular choice to stay for folks visiting Grand Teton National Park or Teton Ski Valley. Jackson has everything from luxury accommodations like Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole , The Rustic Creekside , and The Lodge at Jackson Hole to boutique hotels like Hotel Jackson , Anvil Hotel , and The Wort . Or, opt for a cozy roadside inn like The Antler Inn .

How To Get Around and Visit Grand Teton National Park

There are a few ways to visit Grand Teton National Park. The easiest and most popular option is visiting Grand Teton by car. You can easily rent a car at Jackson Hole Airport if you are flying into the area. A more active option is to explore the park by bike. There are bike rentals in Jackson or, you can rent bikes from Dornan’s located right outside the park entrance. There are no shuttle systems in Teton’s so renting some form of transportation is a must do when planning your Grand Teton Itinerary.

2, 3 & 4 Day Grand Teton Itinerary

Day one: drive the grand teton 42 mile scenic loop.

What is the 42 Mile Scenic Drive Grand Teton you may be wondering? Well, it’s a 42-mile (68 km) loop that weaves in and out of Grand Teton National Park. Driving the 42-mile scenic loop, in our opinion is a great way to begin your Grand Teton Itinerary.

Why? It’s the best way to not only see the park highlights, but it allows you to orient yourself with where everything is in the park. Plus, if you like something and want to see it again, you have additional days to swing back by and see it at sunrise, sunset, or whenever you want!

• Sunrise at Mormon Row
• Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls to Inspiration Point Hike
• Drive up to Signal Mountain
• Have Lunch at Jackson Lake Beach and do a little swimming
• See if you can spot wildlife at Oxbow Bend
• Marvel at Snake River Overlook
• Catch the Teton reflection at Schwabacher Landing
• Drive Moose-Wilson Road to Teton Village
• Ride the Teton Village Gondola to The Deck at Piste for happy hour

If you want complete day one itinerary details, check out our one day in Grand Tetons travel guide for an epic day one at Teton National Park.

Optional: Once you reach Inspiration Point, you can keep hiking another mile to reach Cascade Canyon. Once in Cascade Canyon, you’re surrounded by beautiful views of peaks, forests, and a rushing river. You can hike the entirety of Cascade Canyon, which is a few more miles, or feel free to turn around at any time and head back down to Jenny Lake.

Day Two: Hike to Delta Lake

One of if not THE most popular hike in Teton National Park (and for good reason) is the Delta Lake hike. You can access Delta Lake from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead in Grand Teton National Park.

However, the thing with Delta Lake is, you won’t see it on any of the trailhead signs when you arrive at Lupine Meadows Trailhead. Why? Delta Lake is an official unmaintained trail which is why you won’t see it on any trail signs. No worries though, simply follow signs for Amphitheater Lake and Surprise Lake. On your way up, count the switchbacks. Once you pass 6, you’ll reach the offshoot for Delta Lake Trail.

Tip: Plan to start hiking by 8am or earlier. This is a popular hike so the parking lot will fill up and the trail will get busy. The earlier you can start hiking, the better.

The hike in total is 8.2 miles / 13.1 km (roundtrip). The trail is out and back, rated as difficult and in some sections rated as strenuous, particularly the last 1.0 – 0.5 mile with the boulder scramble and steep uphill ascent to Delta Lake. The adventure and difficulty of this hike make that glacier, baby blue alpine lake at the top that much sweeter! Making Delta Lake a great first hike for your Grand Teton Itinerary.

For more Grand Teton hikes, check out our hiking guide here !

Optional: You can extend your hike and explore two other amazing alpine lakes – amphitheater lake and surprise lake. Once you connect back on the main trail, take the switchbacks up to explore a few other alpine lakes. Just be sure you have enough daylight to hike up and get back down.

After your hike to Delta Lake is complete, plan on stopping at Dornan’s on your way out of the park to have a celebratory beer on their rooftop patio. The views of the Tetons from Dornan’s are worth the stop alone!

Day Three: Take A Tour and Go Kayaking

Take a break from your big hike yesterday and rest those muscles of yours. Our recommendation is to book a morning tour of interest to you. Or, just take it easy and grab breakfast at Persephone and do a little souvenir shopping in Jackson. Or, even catch the sunrise at one of your favorite overlooks from yesterday. The point is, it’s your vacation, spend your morning how you’d like.

• Grand Teton Wildlife Tour
• Scenic Wildlife Float on the Snake River
• Rent fishing gear from Snake River Anglers and go fishing
• Giddy up and hit the trails with a horseback riding tour

In the afternoon, plan to head to the park to get some time on the water! You can rent kayaks or paddle boards in the town of Jackson from Rendezvous River Sports or head into the park to Colter Bay Marina, where you can rent kayaks, canoes, and motorboats on Jackson Lake

Regardless of which option you choose, spend the day on Jackson Lake swimming, kayaking, and resting up on their rock beaches while having a little picnic.

Day Four: Conquer The Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin Hike

Ominous name much? Don’t let the name “Death Canyon” scare you. It’s not even rated as difficult 🙂 The Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin hike is a 9.1 mile / 14.6 km out and back hike located in Teton National Park. You can access the trailhead by driving scenic Moose-Wilson road and then turning off onto a very bumpy gravel road and go for 1 mile until you reach the Death Canyon Trailhead.

As you begin hiking, you’ll pass by Phelps Lake Overlook where you’ll get to see fantastic views of Phelps Lake below. You carry on into a valley and back up switchbacks to continue your hike up to Patrol Cabin. Along the way, you’re rewarded with beautiful canyon and lake views.

Optional: Once you get back to Phelps Overlook, you can take the trail that heads down to Phelps lake. Along the lake you’ll come to a big boulder where you can jump off and take a cool, refreshing plunge into Phelps lake!

Once done with your hike, plan to head to Jackson for some dinner and drinks! A few of our favorite places to eat dinner in Jackson is Roadhouse Brewery and Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas. Oh, and after dinner, stumble into The Cowboy Bar for an after-dinner drink and this historic establishment.

Have More Time In Grand Teton National Park?

If you have more than four days allotted on your Grand Teton Itinerary, we recommend doing another hike or two or heading to Yellowstone National Park for a day ! A few of our favorite and popular hikes are below.

Go On Another Hike in Grand Tetons

• Lake Creek-Woodland Trail Loop: 3.3 miles | difficulty level: moderate | elevation gain: 272 ft.
• String Lake Trail Loop: 4.4 miles | difficulty level: easy | elevation gain: 291 ft
• Taggart to Bradley Lake: 6 miles | difficulty level: moderate | elevation gain: 761 ft
• Leigh Lake Shoreline: 7 miles | difficulty level: easy | elevation gain: 111 ft

Visit Yellowstone National Park

If you’re thinking hmmmm, Yellowstone National Park sounds interesting. You should totally do it! With Yellowstone being only an hour away from Teton’s, and not to mention, you drive through Teton National Park to get to Yellowstone, both national parks should be on your list to visit if time allows.

You can plan on driving the south loop of Yellowstone National Park to see places like:

• Old Faithful
• Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring)
• Norris Geyser Basin
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Hayden Valley
• Yellowstone Lake
• West Thumb Geyser Basin 

Leaving Grand Teton National Park, driving the southern loop in Yellowstone and coming back to your accommodation in the Teton area will be a long, but fun day! Plan on it taking you anywhere from 8-12 hours.

Check out our complete 1 -3 day Yellowstone Itinerary , plus 14 tips for visiting!

What To Pack For Grand Teton:

No Grand Teton Itinerary is complete without a little overview of what to prep and prepare. Once you’re in the park, we want you to be there and enjoy your time and our short packing list will help with that.

• Snacks : Whether they’re in your car or in your hiking day pack, having snacks is key. You’ll be spending long days in the park and no one wants to be hangry.
• Sunscreen : You’re at a higher elevation, meaning you’re closer to the sun. Lather up and protect that skin of yours. If you can, go the eco-friendly route to protect the pristine waters from sunscreen chemicals.
• Reusable Water Bottle : Avoid plastic bottles. Do your part to limit waste and opt for a reusable water bottle. You can fill up for free and Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake and any gas stations.
• First Aid Kit : For any blisters or accidental cuts. It’ll save you the hassle (and pain) of trying to track bandaids/medicine down from strangers or park rangers.
• Layers : In the mornings and evenings, the temperatures are chilly. Plan to have a jacket or fleece with you. Something you can take off as the day heats up.
• Comfortable Footwear : Comfortable sandals like Choco’s or Teva’s are great options, especially for summer! If you’re going on any trails, tennis shoes with tread are a must, or opt for a good pair of hiking boots .
• Bug Spray : THE MOSQUITOS are alive, well and THRIVING in Grand Tetons. No joke.
• Binoculars : We can’t tell you how many times we used our binoculars to see moose eating on the Gros Ventre river. You’ll be able to see wildlife much better if you have a pair of binoculars with you.

If you plan to have lunch on the go, a cooler is a must. Just make sure to keep it out of your truck bed as it could attract bears. Bear tips courtesy of our park ranger friends we ran into. Yes, we were the ones with the cooler in the back of the truck…

Where To Eat In Jackson?!

Jackson is full of amazing little restaurants and cafes. Some of our favorites re just below!

Breakfast & Coffee In Jackson

• Persephone Bakery : There is a line out the door every morning. This place is a must.
• Coffee Cowboy : For something grab and go, but very tasty.
• Pearl Street Bagels : Fantastic bagels and a little coffee shop too

Lunch & Dinner In Jackson

• Hatch Taqueria & Tequilas : Amazing patio, excellent Mexican food
• Cafe Genevieve : Another amazing patio, with great American fare
• Pinky G’s Pizzeria : Fantastic little dive pizza bar
• Bin22 : If you’re in the mood for tapas, go here.
• Cultivate Cafe : Organic, fresh and fantastic.

Jackson Breweries

• Roadhouse Brewery
• Stillwest Brewery
• Snake River Brewery

Want More U.S. Adventures?!

1 -3 Days in Yellowstone

Havasu Falls Packing List: Food, Gear, Clothing

The Ultimate 2 Week Arizona Road Trip

4 Amazing Hikes in Telluride You Can’t Skip

One Fantastic Colorado Road Trip: Complete Itinerary

The Perfect 2-3 Day Moab Itinerary

The Ultimate Utah Road Trip

PIN IT FOR LATER!

For more travel tips, guides and awesome travel shots, be sure to poke around our site, follow us on Instagram  @wanderingstus ,  Pinterest  and on  Facebook . Oh and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section. We’re happy to answer. Or, just leave us a positive note!

Happy Travels,

– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

We're Lauren & Jesse, the creators behind Wandering Stus! We've been traveling for decades, exploring and experiencing the very best this world has to offer. Whether we're roadtripping the U.S. in our camper, hiking through National Parks, or jet-setting to different countries around the globe, we write detailed travel guides to help you plan one amazing (and unforgettable) adventure!

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• Oct 1, 2021
• 12 min read

Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, & Beyond: The Ultimate 6 Day Itinerary

Updated: Oct 3, 2021

You're probably asking, how can I fit all this in to six short days? You can't... But you can sure hit the highlights and see breathtaking landscapes.

If you're new here, head on over to the "about me" page to learn a little more about the faces (yes, there's a few besides me, Meg) behind Leadership and Layovers. If nothing else, check out the "pro tips" at the bottom of this guide. They may just save you some serious time and money.

Like most of my travels, this trip was relatively unplanned. The boyfriend and I wanted to go somewhere with mountains due to having spent over two months in Florida already in 2021. So we chose the end of September and to go the general Grand Teton National Park/ Yellowstone National Park area. Flights and hotel rooms were cheap(er) due to being considered "off season." I am a self-proclaimed rewards points enthusiast, so most of our nights were covered by points we had built up over the last months.

The guide below outlines our ideal six day trip through two national parks, two national forests, and a few towns looks like, starting and ending in Bozeman, Montana. This guide is easy to modify to fit your interests, and I hope you'll add your own recommendations in the comments at the end for others to gain from as well. For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @MegPlatt .

Happy travels, friends!

Day 1: Bozeman to Gardiner

Arrive in Bozeman. We arrived around noon into Bozeman, Montana. Several major and discount airlines fly into this picturesque airport, so the sky is the limit on options to get here.

Eat lunch @ Map Brewing in Bozeman. Map Brewing has good burgers, locally brewed craft beer, incredible views, and it's even dog-friendly (not allowed on the patio, but plenty of places for them to sit just a few feet away from you in the grass).

[Information: Location- 510 Manley Road, Bozeman, Montana & Instagram- @mapbrewing ]

Enjoy Yellowstone Hot Springs. Yellowstone Hot Springs was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. For a detailed review of our visit, the benefits of soaking in the hot spring water, and the history of hot springs in the area, click here .

[Information: During the summer season, the pools are open from 9am to 9pm. No reservations are required, but I strongly suggest checking the website due to occasional closings. The facilities offer towel rentals, changing rooms, showers, and a small snack shop.

[Location: 24 East Gate Road, Gardiner, Montana ]

[Website: https://yellowstonehotspringsmt.com/ ]

Stay in Gardiner. If I wasn't playing the rewards points game, I would have preferred to stay in the park for the experience. We stayed just outside of the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park at the Ridgeline Hotel in Gardiner, Montana. Gardiner is located minutes away from the north entrance to the park. You can even see the Roosevelt Arch from the main street that runs through the town. It has quite a few little shops, places to eat, a post office, and a grocery store.

Day 2: Yellowstone Wildlife Day

Breakfast at The Yellowstone Grill. I recommend an early start on the day for all touristy destinations, and Yellowstone National Park is no different. You won't regret grabbing a quick breakfast at Yellowstone Grill in Gardiner before heading out for the day. It is located just outside the entrance to the park. If I were to ever open a coffee shop/ café, Yellowstone Grill would be my inspiration. They serve lattes, cappuccinos, drip coffee, and teas in mismatched coffee mugs that one would find in their own cupboard at home. The furniture and décor is eclectic and homey. They also offer lunch and dinner, often advertising live music in the evenings.

[Location: 404 Scott Street West, Gardiner, Montana ]

Yellowstone National Park:

One...Roosevelt Arch. Start just outside of the North Entrance to the park on North Entrance Road. Before entering the park, take a 2 minute detour to drive through Roosevelt Arch. This monument reads “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

Two... Boiling River. A few miles after entering the park, you'll come to Boiling River. This hike is closed for the 2021 season, but you can still drive by it, and you pass it anyway, so slow down to check it out.

Three... Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the most other-worldly sites in the park. It's worth a stop.

Four... Lamar Valley . This part of the park is the area known for having incredible encounters with the native wildlife. We saw bison, elk, and what we decided was most likely a black bear on our drive through the valley.

Five... Blacktail Plateau Drive. This incredible, 6-mile drive on a dirt road. This drive is clearly marked with signage, but please note it is one-way traffic and is a pretty rough road. An all-wheel drive vehicle handles the hills, uneven dirt trail fairly well. The elevation gain turned a gloomy, rainy day into a winter wonderland for us, covering all the tall pine trees and grass in a fresh coat of snow.

[Location: Click Here ]

Six... Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Artist Point is by far my favorite spot in Yellowstone, and definitely the best view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Artist Point is located a few hundred feet from a large parking lot, making it easily accessible. Also check out more views of the canyon from the Upper Falls and Lower Falls turnoffs.

Seven... Yellowstone Lake. Depending on the time of year of your visit, the adventures here can vary quite drastically. For us, it was September and snowing, so we just took a drive around the lake and enjoyed the views. We even saw a few bald eagles and elk on our way.

Dinner in West Yellowstone. Go to Bullwinkles for an EXPERIENCE. Imagine walking into a 80s rom-com set in a diner and decorated with items from garage sales and your grandparents basement. On another note, the poutine and pork bbq sandwich were pretty good.

Stay in West Yellowstone. We stayed at The Best Western, which had a great hot tub, free breakfast, and was in walking distance from everything.

Day 3: Yellowstone Geology Day

Breakfast. Three Bear Restaurant is like walking into your grandparents log cabin 20 years ago. The sweet cream pancakes are wonderful, and all the food is made to order.

[Website: https://threebearlodge.com/relax/restaurant/ ]

One... Riverside Drive. Riverside Drive is a short deviation from the main highway (US 287, closed December- April). It takes you down by the river, which provides some excellent scenery of the water and wildlife. It's easy to miss, so once you enter the park from West Yellowstone, keep your eyes out on the left for the turn.

Two... Firehole Canyon Drive. Turning onto the drive, you're met with uneven pavement that soon turns a corner into one of the most breathtaking gorges I've ever seen. The river runs fast through this narrow canyon, and there's several places to park the car to take it all in. This route does close in inclement weather, so be sure to check the park website before heading out for the day.

Three... Black Sand Basin. Here you will find black waters snaking their way through mudpots, geysers, and beautiful pools. Be sure to seek out Cliff Geyser, Emerald Pool, and Sunrise Pool, all of which are easily accessible by the boarded walkways that total less than a mile of walking. Do not miss this one friends.

Four... Grand Prismatic Overlook. Access via Fairy Falls Trailhead. About a mile out to the view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Be prepared for some uphill and dirt path hiking. We saw a few men wearing dress shoes that were quite muddy by the time they got to the top.

Five... Morning Glory Pool. The iconic Morning Glory Pool is a prism of color and smell. It is a popular tourist destination, so I recommend going early or late in the day, before or after the majority of park-goers. We had good luck visiting about 3:00pm.

Six... Old Faithful. While this stop is a must, it is only a must for the cultural significance it holds. The performance of Old Faithful is often described as underwhelming, but it's reliability is pretty handy when having an action-packed day. We ate lunch at the cafeteria, which was better than expected. The BBQ sandwich was some of the best food I had on the road.

Seven... Firehole Lake Drive. Another out-of-this-world scenic overlook of a lake, river, and thermal features. It's on the way, so take a few minutes to drive around this loop located off the main road.

Stay in Jackson. Drive to Jackson, Wyoming and stay the night. We stayed at the Homewood Suites in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. It was within walking distance to all the major stops downtown, including Cowboy Bar, Cowboy Coffee, and more.

Day 4: Grand Teton National Park

Breakfast. There's numerous quaint places to grab coffee and a muffin first thing in the morning. We opted for the complementary hotel breakfast, but also checked out a few other places along our wanderings through town. Persephone Bakery and Cowboy Coffee are two favorites of travelers to Jackson.

Grand Teton National Park:

One... Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Start your trip at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. It features a museum on the history of the area and a bookshop. I picked up a couple books, including one on the history of the park. If you know me, you know I am all about learning the history, science, and/ or culture of the place I am. To the boyfriend's dismay, I read aloud from the books throughout the rest of our trip.

Two... The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Head south on Moose-Wilson Road and take the road less traveled by going towards The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Keep a lookout on the right side of the road once you hit the tree line, there's a pullout that leads to a very short trail up the side of a large hill. It takes about 2 minutes to get to the top, and it's worth the elevation climb.

From here, turn around and head back to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Once you pass the visitors' center, you'll end up on the main loop through the park.

Three... Menors Ferry Historic District. The first stop worthwhile for us was Menors Ferry Historic District. This area is where Bill Menor settled in 1892. He created a ferry system to cross the Snake River, a cabin, a shop, and a barn. A replica of the ferry can be found here, and you can tour the buildings learning more about the era of homesteading in the Western United States. This settlement expanded and was established as Moose, Wyoming in 1929.

Four... Jenny Lake. Jenny Lake was the first area of the valley to be developed for recreation, and to this day is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the park for good reason. The area is breathtaking. Hike around Jenny Lake, take a kayak out, or simply picnic by the waterside. You won't regret an afternoon in this picturesque destination.

Five... String Lake. Just to the west of Jenny Lake, you'll find String Lake. At only 10 feet deep on average, this lake is perfect for swimming, and is often warmer than other bodies of water in the area.

Six... Signal Mountain. At this stop there is a 6.8 mile loop that takes you to the 360 degree view of the entire park if you're up for hiking. The alternative, that we chose in the interest of time, is the 5 mile drive up the Signal Mountain Summit Road.

Seven... Oxbow Bend. This was one of my favorite stops in the park. The fall colors were stunning and the Snake River that runs through the middle was sparkling in the late-September sunshine. The Teton Range just made the perfect backdrop for a beautiful landscape. This stop is also known for its great wildlife viewing opportunities. Elk, osprey, bald eagles, moose, and otters call the area home, so keep your eyes peeled along the foliage for them.

Eight... Mormon Row. When you think of pictures you've seen of Grand Teton National Park, chances are you think of at least one with old barns in the foreground, and chances are, those barns are part of Mormon Row. Mormon Row is a group of cabins, houses, barns, and other buildings from the homesteading era. There are plenty of signs around, so be sure to read the history behind the area when you visit.

More Adventure Options.

1. Kayak Jenny Lake or take boat across to Jenny Lake trailhead if it's nice out. The water was very rough due to the wind, so we opted out of this one and hiked part of the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.

2. Hike Leigh Lake Trail — Leigh Lake Trail on AllTrails (3 hours)

3. Hike Hidden Falls — Hidden Falls via String Lake Trail on AllTrails (2 hours 10 min)

Dinner. We ate at Sidewinders American Grill for dinner. The food was average at best, however, its atmosphere is the reason to go. There are comfy leather couches by the bar, expansive windows that overlook downtown Jackson, and a wrap around porch. The Cowboy Mac n' Cheese was slightly above average, and the quesadilla was simply okay. However, we chose a seat in the bar overlooking one of the main streets in Jackson, and that was pretty neat.

Day 5: Jackson Hole Area

Tram Ride & Waffles in the Clouds. Ride the Jackson Hole Ariel Tram and eat a waffle at Corbett’s Cabin while sitting above the clouds. While enjoying a waffle, we got to watch paragliders jump from the side of the mountain and glide down into the Teton Valley below us. The waffles were average at best, but I'm all about the experience, and this was well worth it.

The tram begins operations at 9am and closes at 5pm buy tickets online to save $7 per person. Some seasonal differences to prices, availability, and hours are probable, so check out their website for the most up-to-date information.

[Website: https://www.jacksonhole.com/aerial-tram.html ]

Grand Teton National Park. If you missed something in the park or simply want to add in another hike, use the early afternoon to do so. I recommend AllTrails to look up hikes that meet your desired criteria. You can filter by length, type, pet-friendliness, and more.

Back to Bozeman. Drive back to Bozeman through Teton Pass, and through Idaho. You'll go through Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest, see thundering waterfalls, and see incredible views of alpine mountainsides covered in pines and valleys. You'll even drive through two open range cattle farms with cows hanging out in the middle of the road at times. If you're going when there's potential for snow, please use caution and only drive it if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

Day 6: Bozeman

Breakfast. There's plenty of options in Bozeman for breakfast ranging from places to grab a quick bite such as Feed Café to gourmet filled waffles at Stuffed Crepes and Waffles.

Museum of the Rockies. Whenever traveling, I beg you to learn more than what's on the surface about your destination. For this trip, Museum of the Rockies allowed us that opportunity in an immersive way. We began our adventure by checking out the "Discover the Auroras" show in the planetarium, direct by one of the museum's sponsors.

From there, head into the main exhibits. We chose to start at the rotating exhibit on Vikings, which then led into an exhibit on how technology affected the area through the ages. As you walk further into the museum, the next exhibit you come to is on the Indigenous Peoples of the area. This was particularly impactful for me, as there was so much I didn't know about the history of the peoples' land I was standing on throughout the trip.

Finally, we headed into the prehistoric exhibit on the dinosaurs, ice ages, and more that affected the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton areas we had been exploring. The Montana T-Rex is located in this exhibit, and it is quite an impressive sight to behold. [Location: 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, Montana ]

Dinner/ Lunch. We chose Backcountry Burgers for dinner due to the simplicity of the menu. Their burgers were some of the freshest I've had to date. We also got their bacon mac-n-cheese and poutine. (We love cheese if you can't tell.) This was followed by world-class chocolates from next door. Inside the Baxter Hotel Lobby you will find La Châtelaine Chocolat Co. for dessert.

[Locations:

Backcountry Burger Bar- 125 W Main St, Bozeman, MT

La Petite Châtelaine Chocolat Co., The Baxter Hotel Lobby, 105 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT **Note they have two locations in Bozeman**]

That's a Wrap! We recommend flying home in the late evening to make the most of your sixth day here. However, if time allows, I highly recommend checking out my favorite national park, Glacier National Park, while you're in this part of the country.

Happy exploring!

Buy a National Parks Annual Pass if you plan on entering any National Park over the next twelve months more than twice. You can buy the pass online or at any staffed entrance to any National Park. Since we were headed to Grand Teton National Park the following day, and Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan next summer, we went ahead and bought our annual pass. It already paid for itself due to the amount of driving we did in and out of the various parks on this trip.

When entering the park, ask the staff member at the entrance what roads, if any, are currently closed. We encountered a road closure that wasn't disclosed on the park's website, and it added several hours of driving to our trip.

Stop at the market in Bozeman, Gardiner, Jackson, or wherever you're staying outside the parks to stock up on snacks due to the lack of food options in the parks and driving between destinations. We made our go-to travel food for lunches while in the park. We call this cheap charcuterie board our adult lunchables. An adult lunchable consists of pepperoni or dried salami, cheeses, crackers, granola bars, fruit, and veggies. We also picked up some chips and salsa for this adventure.

Be sure to pick up physical maps, cell service is spotty at best. You WILL be without service for large portions of your trip.

Additional Reading

Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park: 89 Great Hikes | https://amzn.to/3zUleo0

Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks (Travel Guide) | https://amzn.to/3AbIIVX

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Complete 7 Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary

Geothermal pools, bison, plummeting waterfalls, grizzly bears, geysers, and granite peaks — what other place on earth holds all these natural beauties? Yellowstone and Grand Teton are two of the most impressive national parks in the US. 

With populous large mammal wildlife, geothermal activity unlike anywhere else in the world, and towering peaks full of sprawling rocky mountain ecosystems, it makes sense that they are also two of the most visited parks—Yellowstone named the second most-visited national park in 2020 and Grand Teton coming in fifth.

In the itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton below, you’ll find a guide with the most efficient route for hitting the best of both parks in just seven days. While you can expect crowds in these parks most of the year, this road trip itinerary will give you the clearest path to seeing the grandest attractions, with: 

• hikes to the most iconic vistas
• sunrise and sunset drive routes to spot wildlife
• insider knowledge on the best places to stay each night
• and a local’s tips for additional activities to do, like renting bikes, booking fishing guides, and touring the parks via horse rides. 

This Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip is sure to check all the boxes and give you a taste of each park. Make sure to bring a camera and journal! You’re going to need them to keep track of all the magnificence you’ll see on this week-long ride. 

We spent over a week in Grand Teton and Yellowstone, but thought it would be more useful for you and your trip planning to work with Scout Invie , a local writer who was born in Jackson, Wyoming, to help you plan an amazing itinerary. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Start & End Your Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park

First thing’s first, where should you start and end your trip to these two parks?

We think that the best way to do it is to start at the northern end of Yellowstone (Gardiner, MT), and spend your time making your way south through Yellowstone, then into Teton, and end in Jackson .

You could also do it the opposite direction, starting in Jackson and ending in Gardiner. Or, if you’re coming from the west through Idaho, you could start at the western entrance of Yellowstone and just pick up the itinerary from there, which works out quite nicely.

The point is, we think doing it one-way is the way to go, and there are multiple ways to do it.

Doing it one-way is going to save you time by making it so you don’t have to double back, but you should also think about costs. Specifically, flight costs to fly in and out of separate airports, and one-way rental car costs if you’re flying in and renting a car to do this road trip.

There’s a decision to make here – whether you think the extra cost of those two things is worth saving several hours (probably between 4-6 at a minimum, when it’s all said and done) of driving. We think it is, which is why this itinerary is designed to go one-way.

How Many Days for this Itinerary?

We think 7 days is the perfect number of days to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton without feeling TOO rushed. That’s what you’ll find below.

This 7 day Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary is a mash up of our 4 day Yellowstone itinerary , and our 3 day Grand Teton itinerary . You’ll see the best of both parks – from hikes, to wildlife drives, to scenic vistas – but your days are going to be full.

The absolute minimum amount of time we’d recommend for this trip is five days. Split between three days in Yellowstone and two days in Grand Teton. You’ll miss some of the highlights, but it’s still doable. Anything less than that and you should choose one or the other.

Got more time? Lucky you! We have some suggestions on how to spend your extra time below the main itinerary.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park Overview

Before we get into the exact 7 day itinerary below, let’s take a second to talk about the two national parks themselves. 

Yellowstone National Park

Contrary to popular belief, Yellowstone isn’t the largest national park in the US. However, it’s massive. Covering 3,500 square miles, it has the largest glacial lake in North America and is also home to a spread of ecosystems, geothermal features, and wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. You definitely need to visit Yellowstone!

Highlights:

• Rise early to see wolves, grizzlies, and bison in the Lamar Valley — don’t forget your binoculars!
• Hike the strenuous path to the peak of Mt. Washburn , where firefighters stand on duty all summer to carefully watch over fifty miles of visual panoramic space.
• Take in the majesty of the misting upper and lower falls at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone .
• Walk the boardwalks around the rainbow hotspots known as Grand Prismatic , then scale a path to get an aerial view of the springs and Old Faithful blowing sky-high.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is a massive park. So large that you could dedicate the entire week you have on this road trip just to touring Yellowstone. You’d honestly probably need two weeks to see it all. 

For the sake of seeing the most attractions in just a few days, you’ll probably want to stay in a couple of different parts of the park to minimize driving. However, it’s quite competitive to find campsites or rooms in lodges, so take what you can get.

We have a whole guide on where to stay in Yellowstone to help you make the right choice. From camping to staying in the park’s lodges, that guide has a strategy for choosing the perfect home base (spoiler, it’s actually home bases) in Yellowstone National Park. 

Inside the Park

Area-wise, we think you should plan to split your time between the Canyon area and either Old Faithful or the West Thumb .

 These areas of the park are arguably the most popular parts though, so book campsites or lodging as early as you can to avoid competition. 

You can find a list of campsites in Yellowstone and links to reservation systems through the National Park Service Camping website.

Outside the Park 

We think Gardiner, MT is a good base for Lamar Valley, Mammoth, and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

West Yellowstone, MT is a good base for Old Faithful and surrounding areas. 

Splitting your time between these two towns right outside the park will give you a nice set of home bases for exploring the sprawling park without too much driving. 

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton is a sweet, smaller park just south of Yellowstone, unique for dramatic views of the Teton Mountain Range, strenuous hikes to high-elevation glacial lakes, and prolific wildlife.

• Catch the sunset at Oxbow Bend , a beautiful vista of the Snake River and Mt. Moran.
• Bring binoculars and look for bison in the plains behind Mormon Row .
• View the Cathedral Group of Tetons up close via Cascade Canyon .
• Hike the Phelps Lake Loop and rest at the jumping rock, a 30 foot drop into glacial water runoff.

Where to Stay in Grand Teton

Grand Teton is a much smaller park than Yellowstone. While we recommend picking multiple camp or lodge spots while traveling through Yellowstone, for Grand Teton it would probably be best to pick one site to stay in for the entirety of your trip.

All campsites in Grand Teton are advance-book campsites, with the exception of 20 dispersed first-come, first-serve campsites on the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway between Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend going for one of those spots because of how much competition there is, and because they are out of the way. 

Instead, we would recommend advance booking a stay or site at Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, or Colter Bay .

Jenny Lake Lodge : Luxury lodge located on shores of Jenny Lake, with great access to Cascade Canyon or other hikes with ferry access.

Jenny Lake Campground : Small camp a few hundred yards off the east shore of Jenny Lake. It has 61 spots, tents only, and has pay-showers nearby.

Signal Mountain

Signal Mountain Lodge : A rustic, semi-luxury lodge close to Jackson Lake, offering rooms and bungalows, as well as dining and other activities.

Signal Mountain Campsite : 81-site campground located by Signal Mountain Lodge. Accepts tents and smaller RVs. Right on the lake!

Colter Bay Campground : A large 324-site camp near Jackson Lake, with spectacular views of Mt. Moran. Has many facilities located nearby.

Outside the Park

Finding accommodation in Jackson Hole is going to be your best bet. Jackson is a resort town and there are quite a few options spanning from basic sites and RV parks to luxury rentals and hotel stays. 

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (aka Teton Village) — located by the south end of the park — also has quite a few lodges and hotels. If you stay there, you can take advantage of the ski resort with the tram and gondola running during summer months to restaurants and viewpoints on the mountain. 

There are also some vacation rentals around Moose, WY , if you want more space or are traveling with a larger group.

A Complete Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Without further ado, below is a guide you can feel free to reference or copy and paste for your road trip. We think this is the best way to see both parks in just seven days. 

Here’s what this itinerary looks like written out.

• Day 1: Arriving, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Norris Geyser Basin
• Day 2: Wildlife Galore (Lamar + Hayden Valley) & the Grand Canyon
• Day 3: Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Hot Springs
• Day 4: Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb
• Day 5: Drive to Grand Teton (Mormon Row + Oxbow Bend)
• Day 6: Wildlife in Teton + Cascade Canyon
• Day 7: Rockefeller Preserve + Head Home

Additionally, here’s a map of the route you’re going to find below. 

Day 1: Mammoth Hot Springs, Bunsen Peak, Norris Geyser Basin at Sunset

We’re starting off the first day of this trip with a sizzling itinerary: you’ll pass through the impressive North Entrance arch, visit the flowing limestone pools and mounds of Mammoth Hot Springs, hike through meadows and pine forests to Bunsen Peak, and see Norris Geyser Basin by sunset.

Arriving to Yellowstone’s North Entrance

If you arrive in Bozeman on an afternoon or evening flight, we recommend finding a place to stay in the evening and then starting your journey the next morning. It will take most of the morning to get to the North Entrance of Yellowstone located in Gardiner — it’s about a 1.5 hour drive, but could be longer depending on traffic. Grab a coffee and get on the road!

Once you drive through Gardiner and pay for entrance to the park, you will pass through the Roosevelt Arch, an iconic structure built in 1903 to mark visitor’s entrance into Yellowstone. Recently, the park financed new pull-outs and sidewalks by the arch, so make sure to stop and take a picture — the first of many on this grand adventure!

Mammoth Hot Springs

We really recommend seeing Mammoth Hot Springs as the first thing you do once entering Yellowstone. It’s a geothermal hotspot accessible by car at all times of the year, and it is iconically Yellowstone. 

What you can see by stopping here: over fifty terraced hot springs, Palette Springs Terraces, and Orange Spring Mound. This otherworldly chalky-limestone landscape is a Yellowstone must-see — and you can view all of the features easily by accessing two short boardwalks from the parking lot. 

Nothing is more bizarre than walking on wooden paths above steaming ground, viewing countless terraced pools and bubbling mud pools by giant orange mound geysers that resemble Wild Thing monsters. Mammoth Hot Springs makes us feel like kids again, in a constant state of curiosity and discovery.

Hike to Bunsen Peak

• Length : 4.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft.
• Trail Type: Out & Back 
• Difficulty : Moderate
• Trailhead Location

Bunsen Peak is a moderately-long hike that we think would be perfect right after a morning spent driving to the park and viewing Mammoth Hot Springs. 

What do they say — as the crow flies? This trail is sure to make you feel part of the Yellowstone ecosystem, with a birds-eye view of Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin.

And the route to the peak is just as awe-inspiring as the panoramic views up top: carpeted meadows of wildflowers in July, sweet-smelling pine forests, and ample wildlife on view ranging from marmots to bears. Make sure to bring bear spray for this one.

Norris Geyser Basin at Sunset

The hottest and most-changing spot in Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is full of constantly shifting and evolving features. Two-and-a-quarter miles of trail systems give you access to the world’s tallest geyser, rainbow pools, and sulfuric-smelling air.

There are two trail loops here worth seeing. Both are pretty short and flat.

Porcelain Basin Trail

• Length : 0.75 miles
• What you’ll see : A steaming, barren landscape and milky pools accessed by boardwalk.

Back Basin Trail

• Length : 1.5 miles
• What you’ll see : A wooded area full of geysers and hot springs, accessed by a dirt trail and boardwalks.

We recommend coming here at sunset for a few reasons, the first being that there will generally be way less people here during sunset, so you’ll be able to enjoy all the features for as much time as you want. 

The second reason we recommend visiting at sunset: imagine the magic that happens when rainbow-colored hot springs mirror a rainbow-colored sky. The western skies are known for having intense sunsets, especially in summer. Emerald green, milky-blue, rusty orange—these are just a few of the colors you’ll be able to see not only in the hot pots, but also in the heavens. If you want to see a prismatic light show on earth and in the sky, this is the place to be!

Where to Stay for the Night

To avoid further exhausting you on this packed first day of touring North Yellowstone, we recommend not trying to drive any further South. Instead, reserve a room or campsite close to Mammoth Hot Springs or backtrack the short distance (five miles) to Gardiner, MT for nicer hotels and cabin stays.

• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel : An array of cabins, rooms, and suites within the park.
• Mammoth Campground : Campsites open year-round within the park, with a shower house and picnic tables. Reservations only.
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn : Modest stay located in Gardiner, MT. Offers suites and vacation rentals with river views—convenient access to grocery stores, restaurants, and other amenities in the town of Gardiner.
• Yellowstone Riverside Cottages : Highly-rated cottages overlooking the Yellowstone River. Conveniently located close to food and other amenities in Gardiner, MT.

Day 2: Wildlife, Mt. Washburn, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

On the second day of this itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, you’ll be on the lookout for packs of wolves at dawn, hiking to Mt. Washburn by mid-morning, seeing the Grand Canyon and falls of Yellowstone during the golden afternoon, and looking over herds of bison and the deepening vista of Hayden Valley at dusk.

Wolf-spotting at Dawn in Lamar Valley

Get an early start to your day and drive to Lamar Valley before dawn. Lamar is Yellowstone’s most expansive basin easily accessed by park roads, and wildlife — especially herds of elk, bison, and wolves — tend to thrive and roam freely here. You’ll find that dawn and dusk are the best times to spot wildlife in the parks as these are the parts of the day when wildlife, especially large mammal wildlife, are most active. 

If you’re wondering how to spot wildlife in Lamar Valley and beyond, here are some of our tips. 

• Bring a good pair of binoculars! And be patient scanning with them. That’s the best tip we have.
• Look for groups of people or cars. If you see a bunch of cars pulled over or people with wide camera lenses on the side of the road, there’s sure to be some wildlife to spot in the distance. Please be careful and choose a responsible place to pull over. When your car is pulled over, crack or open the windows and turn off the engine. You might be able to hear wolves howling or elk bugling. 
• Spotting wolves : Wolves are quite a bit more elusive than bison or moose. If you spot a herd of elk or bison all facing the same way, that’s a pretty good sign that wolves could be near. Winter is the best time to see gray wolves because they pop out more against the white snow. The north part of the park is open to visitors during the winter season, and that’s the best time to come to the park specifically to see wolves.

Hike to Mt. Washburn

• Length : 6.2 miles from Dunraven Pass trailhead or 5 miles from Chittenden Rd parking area trailhead
• Elevation Gain : 1,400 ft.
• Trail Type : Out & Back
• Difficulty : Strenuous

Panoramic views of 50 miles in the distance at a peak elevation of 10,243 feet, frequent bighorn sheep sightings, and carpets of wildflowers blooming in July are some of the aspects you can look forward to on this hike.

Mt. Washburn is one of three fire lookout stations in Yellowstone, so amongst wildlife sightings, you might even see some firefighters stationed on this peak for the summer. This is the busiest hiking trail in Yellowstone, so be prepared for crowds. However, it is also the hike that presents you with the longest panoramic views across Yellowstone, and we definitely recommend seeing it.

Make sure to check the roads report. This trail may be closed due to ongoing construction on Dunraven Pass.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a must-see, and it’s a great stop to spend your afternoon after hiking Mt. Washburn. The two areas couldn’t be any different, really. Where Mt. Washburn is a towering peak notable for its rich history of fire-watching and lookouts across vast space, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone sucks you in with dramatic waterfalls and clouds of mist.

Ever heard of Thomas Moran or Ansel Addams? Both are famous artists notable within the national park movement, and both were extremely drawn to documenting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You can see the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River (the muse of so many photographers and painters like Moran and Addams) by accessing a variety of overlooks. 

There are also a number of trails that let you partway into the canyon for a better view of the river and the yellow stone this park is named for. We recommend the hike to Point Sublime , a 2.7 mile round-trip hike with 340 feet of elevation gain that takes you past Artist Point and several other majestic views of the canyon.

Hayden Valley at Sunset / Dusk

Hayden Valley is another prime, open plain to plan on stopping at for wildlife sightings. There are always bison herds to be seen in Hayden Valley at most times of the day. However, if you come at dusk you might just get lucky and spot some wolves or a grizzly bear roaming the streams amongst the bison herds. 

Also worth mentioning here is that big mammal wildlife are not the only wildlife to prioritize in the parks! Hayden Valley is home to so many waterfowl species like herons, ducks, Canadian geese, and pelicans. They are also very active at dusk.

• Canyon Campground : Located inside the park near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this 273-site campground is located close by to Canyon Village stores and restaurants.
• Canyon Lodge & Cabins : Known as “the largest sustainable lodging in the national parks,” Canyon Lodge has more than 500 rooms and cabins, and is nearby to restaurants, gift shops, and other amenities

Day 3: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and Firehole Lake Drive

A classic Yellowstone adventure wouldn’t be complete without a trip to see Old Faithful, arguably the most famous feature of the park. This itinerary for Day 3 gets you to Old Faithful first thing in the morning, leaving the rest of the day for more hot spring, waterfall, and wildlife spotting.

Old Faithful

This cone-geyser is aptly named due to its predictable pattern of eruptions — which occur every 45 minutes to two hours. Every time it erupts, it shoots boiling water 130 feet into the sky. It’s as faithful as can be, and we wouldn’t tell you to visit unless it was a transformative stop. 

This is one feature of the park that you might want to time out on a more exact schedule. Earlier is better here because this attraction really draws crowds. You can find a report of eruption predictions for Old Faithful and surrounding geysers by visiting the NPS site on Old Faithful .

We recommend checking out these predictions the evening before venturing to Old Faithful. If you miss the eruption you wanted to see, no biggie, another eruption will usually occur in 45 minutes.

You can watch from boardwalks that circle the geyser, or from an observation viewpoint above. We watched from the Yellowstone Observation Point during the early morning with our cowboy coffee, and we thought it was the perfect deck to watch the eruption from.

To get to the Observation Point , park at Old Faithful Village. You’ll hike 1.5 miles round trip and gain 260 feet of elevation gain to see the geyser from above, with views of the historic Old Faithful Inn in the background.

Upper Geyser Basin

Nearby, the geysers and hot springs in Upper Geyser Basin are truly iconic. The trail from the Visitor Center takes you on a 4.9 mile loop with 350 feet of elevation gain around all the sights. You’ll walk on a mixture of dirt trails and boardwalks, and have the chance to see not only the geothermal features, but plenty of birds nesting in the lodgepole pines in this basin.

We’ll list the classics here, and the attractions we loved the most:

• Chromatic Pool : A hot spring with all the colors of the rainbow.
• Grotto Geyser : A fountain-like geyser that looks like contemporary art.
• Riverside Geyser : This geyser makes actual rainbows! It shoots water 70 feet into the air in an arc across the river.
• Castle Geyser : Another cone geyser similar to Old Faithful and Grotto Geyser.
• Morning Glory Pool : A stunning green-yellow hot spring that appears very deep and mysterious to any onlooker.

Grand Prismatic Overlook

This is a very short 1.2 mile out-and-back trail that we can hardly call a hike, though the viewpoint at the end is something you would expect only a lengthy hike could lead to. This overlook presents you with an amazing view of Grand Prismatic Spring, a very large rainbow-colored spring which is also iconically Yellowstone.

Yellowstone has so many iconic features, it’s difficult to choose one. If you thought you were joyously overwhelmed visiting Old Faithful and the other geysers and pools of the Upper Basin, Grand Prismatic Overlook will impress you beyond belief. You can also drive to the Midway Geyser Basin trail to visit Grand Prismatic and walk on boardwalks around the feature if you want to examine the otherworldly textures and colors up close.

Hike to Fairy Falls

• Length : 5.4 miles 
• Elevation Gain : 170 ft.

If you keep on the trail after visiting Grand Prismatic Overlook, you’ll have the opportunity to see Fairy Falls, a renowned 200-foot waterfall. It’s definitely a favorite hike of ours, mellow the whole way and winding through multiple meadows with plenty of wildlife sightings.

This trail is good for all skill levels but might take a bigger chunk of the day (three to five hours) to complete. Plan accordingly!

Firehole Lake Drive

If you haven’t gotten your fill of geothermal springs in for the day, you can always detour to Firehole Lake Drive on your way to a campsite or lodge. You don’t even have to leave your car to see these springs, so they are the perfect final adventure for this packed geothermal-themed day. 

Firehole Spring is another of the multi-colored springs we couldn’t get enough of, but Surprise Pool is something else altogether—it’s deep, deep blue and appears intimidatingly deep. There are about four more geysers present on this drive as well, and two fiery-colored hot lakes.

Now that you’re firmly in the south end of the park, it makes sense to stay in a new place to minimize driving. 

Stay around Old Faithful (there are three park lodges) or in the town of West Yellowstone , which is outside the western entrance and is the best town in terms of hotel selection and amenities around Yellowstone’s border. 

• Old Faithful Inn : Located within the park right by Old Faithful, this lodge was designed by Robert C. Reamer and built in the winter of 1903–1904. It’s one of the few remaining log hotels in the United States. Think “The Shining”, but with geysers.
• Madison Campground : This campsite is located 16 miles North of Old Faithful, but would be your best bet for camping in the area, and closer than any other campgrounds within or outside the park. There are bison that occasionally roam through the meadows adjacent to this campground.

Outside the Park: West Yellowstone

• Explorer Cabins : Drool-worthy cabins with kitchenettes just five minutes from the west entrance of the park . 
• Faithful Street Inn : Rustic cabins with kitchens and plenty of space for groups.
• The Evergreen : A nice, affordable hotel with historic charm

Day 4: West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, and Elephant Back Mountain

Day 4 is going to feel like a good rest day after all the activity in Day 3. Still, you’ll get to see more Yellowstone hot spots: West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, and Elephant Back Mountain.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

This is the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. There are plenty of geysers above the shoreline that you can see via more boardwalks and trail systems (like Upper Geyser Basin), but we bet you didn’t know there are geyser eruptions occurring every day under the water as well. Do you dare sink a toe in Yellowstone Lake?

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is a massive lake — the largest high elevation lake in North America. And though the water is bitter-cold and glacial in some parts, in others it is very warm and even boiling. Visitors are welcome to swim or recreate in some parts of the lake, though other areas are off limits. For more information on which beaches have tourist access, see the NPS site .

Hike Elephant Back Mountain

• Length : 3.5 miles 
• Elevation Gain: 800 ft.
• Trail Type : Lollipop

Elephant Back Mountain Trail is another hike to a stunning panoramic viewpoint of the park. This time, you’ll be treated to views of Yellowstone Lake from above. 

This hike travels through some meadows with wildflowers, though the majority of the way you’ll be hiking through pine forests. We recommend it to most or all hikers, as it’s shorter and has less elevation gain than some of the other hikes on this list. 

The best place to stay for the night in terms of convenience is going to be around Lake Yellowstone. Staying there will help you avoid backtracking and set you up nicely for the morning drive to Grand Teton. 

However, it’s super competitive to get spots there, so you could also stay at Old Faithful again, or in West Yellowstone. Just be prepared for some extra driving in the morning. 

• Grant Village Lodge : A mid-size lodge located within the park, built in the 80s and named after Ulysses S. Grant.
• Grant Village Campground : Campground with facilities associated with Grant Village lodge.
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel: Massive and classic hotel located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Straight out of a Wes Anderson film.

Day 5: Rockefeller Highway to Grand Teton, Mormon Row, and Oxbow Bend

On Day 5 of your journey, say goodbye to the geothermal activity of Yellowstone. You’ll drive on Rockefeller Highway down to Grand Teton National Park to hike the mellow String Lake loop, view the historic Mormon Row settlement, and catch the sunset at Oxbow Bend.

Driving from Yellowstone to Grand Teton via Rockefeller Highway

Rockefeller Highway is a scenic highway that connects Yellowstone and Grand Teton. On the thirty miles of highway between the parks, you’ll have views of the approaching Tetons and will probably be able to spot more wildlife — antelope, deer, and other mammals that roam the plains. Feel free to stop for a breakfast picnic on any of the pull outs along the way. Our favorite is Jackson Lake overlook, on the last leg of the highway before you reach Jenny Lake and String Lake.

Hike String Lake

• Length : 3.7 miles 
• Elevation Gain : 291 ft.
• Trail Type : Loop
• Difficulty : Easy

String Lake is a moderately-short, easy hiking loop that we would recommend to any level of hiker. 

Because it is shallower than most lakes in Grand Teton National Park, this is the hike we would say we have spotted the most moose on while visiting both parks. Moose love soaking in shallow waters on their stilt-like legs, chomping on river and lake foliage. It’s also quite easy to spot lake trout in the shallows of the water on this hike, especially with a good pair of polarized sunglasses. 

These are the remaining homesteads of the Mormon settlers that came to live at the base of the Tetons in the 1890s. You’ll have the chance to walk around some truly historic barns, irrigation ditches, and the Chambers Homestead complex. 

This is also another great site to bring binoculars and look for herds of bison in the distant plains beyond Mormon Row. This is a good spot for late afternoon when it starts to cool down during the summer. 

There isn’t much shade, but the wind does get a bit breezy here. Also, a lot of painters choose to landscape paint from this spot, so you can look forward to potentially viewing some art mid-creation.

Sunset at Oxbow Bend

Back to your regularly scheduled programming of more iconic viewpoints: Oxbow Bend is one of the best spots in the park to view Mt. Moran and the Tetons, and a horde of wildlife. Especially at sunset, you’ll have the chance to see and hear birds and waterfowl, moose, bears, and elk. It’s one of the most serene spots on this itinerary, and it will really refresh you for your final two days.

We’ll reiterate here and recommend that you stay at the same campsite or lodge for your entire stay in Grand Teton. It’s only two nights, and Grand Teton is a lot smaller than Yellowstone, so it will be nice to have a central home base. You can find a full list of our recommended areas to stay at the top of this itinerary.

• Campsites at Signal Mountain or Jenny Lake .
• Signal Mountain Lodge : A rustic, semi-luxury lodge offering rooms and bungalows, as well as dining and other activities.
• Jenny Lake Lodge : Luxury lodge located on Jenny Lake, with great access to Cascade Canyon or other hikes with ferry access.
• The Wort : A historic boutique hotel located in the heart of Jackson.
• Flat Creek Inn & Mart : Motel located right above the Elk Refuge, grounds designated for elk herds between Jackson and Grand Teton.
• Dornan’s : Located right outside the Moose entrance of Grand Teton, this lodge offers spacious rental cabins that are ideal for groups.

Day 6: Sunrise Wildlife Drive, Hike Cascade Canyon, and Sunset Wildlife Loop

Today, bookend one of the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park with a sunrise and sunset wildlife drive. 

Sunrise Wildlife Drive on Moose Wilson Road

Waking up at sunrise to do a wildlife safari within the park is a sure way to spot majestic bears, elk, wolves, and moose that thrive especially at dusk and dawn. 

We recommend driving on the Moose road towards Phelps Lake for your early-morning safari. 

Beware that the road is unpaved and somewhat unmaintained. Because it’s a less-traveled route, we think wildlife are more apt to hang out around it. 

On one of the first pullouts ( this one ), we saw multiple moose, a baby moose, and a bear and three cubs. All by breakfast time!

Hike Cascade Canyon

• Length : 9.1 miles from ferry dock
• Elevation Gain : 1,102 ft.
• Trail Type : Out & Back 
• Difficulty : Moderate – Hard

Grand Teton is known for its hikes, and Cascade Canyon is one of the best in the park.

Cascade Canyon Trail begins at the west dock of Jenny Lake, accessed by a 10 minute, $10-per-way ferry ride . The trailhead takes you up past Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, and then on towards the Cathedral Group of Teton Mountains (the Grand Teton, Mt. Owen, and Teewinot).

On this hike, you’ll walk along a grand river the entire way, spot a few waterfalls, huckleberry fields, and probably some moose along the way, too. We spotted five moose here on our last excursion to the park.

If you choose to skip the ferry ride, this hike will be 14.6 miles round trip from Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center, with approximately 1,300 feet of elevation gain.

Sunset Wildlife Loop

About two hours before sunset, drive up Hwy 191 from Teton Park Road. You can pull out on any of the designated stops, but we recommend stopping at Blacktail Ponds, Schwabacher’s Landing (for beavers and otters!), Snake River Overlook, Oxbow Bend, and Willow Flats Overlook. 

Again, make sure you bring binoculars and turn off your engine so you can hear bugles, howls, or waterfowl calls. You can even bring a blanket and make a sunset picnic spot on any of these stops, waiting for the stars to emerge on your final night in this magnificent park. 

Day 7: Phelps Lake, Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, and Catch Flight Home

All good things have to come to an end, but this final day will really leave you feeling bitter-sweet. You’ll get in one last hike in Grand Teton, have the chance to explore the exhibitions at Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, and then you’ll be on your way!

Phelps Lake Loop

• Length : 7 miles 
• Elevation Gain : 475 ft. 
• Trail Type: Loop

From the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center , the trail enters a forest and eventually (roughly 0.25 miles from the parking lot) comes to a junction where hikers can choose either the Woodland Trail or Lake Creek Trail. The Woodland trail, which heads counter-clockwise around Phelps Lake, is the most direct trail to the lake loop, and is also the most scenic. 

Located on the northeastern shore of Phelps Lake is an iconic and popular jumping rock with super views of Death Canyon. The jump entails an exhilarating thirty-foot drop into cold mountain water. If you choose to partake in the jump, make sure someone snaps a photo of you midair.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center

Phelps Lake Loop begins and ends at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center , originally a dude ranch known as JY Ranch. Visitors can learn about Rockefeller’s conservation philanthropy, historical ranch history, and sensory exhibits on plants and wildlife. 

We recommend stopping in before you leave the park, as it’s a great educational way to wrap up a week-long trip seeing all this natural wildlife and foliage.

Head to the Airport

Head out to the airport to catch your flight home in the afternoon. We’ve flown in and out of Jackson countless times, and each time feels a bit more magical. It’s a bittersweet ending to this jam-packed trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

What to Do with More Time: 8-10 day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip

If you have extra time, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing or driving more than the amount on this list. Instead, try to have a quality-over-quantity mindset and spread the activities on this list over a few more days. We also recommend trying some local activities that you wouldn’t normally get the chance to do. Here are a few of those activities we can recommend:

Additional Hikes in Grand Teton

Yellowstone has so many pit stops and a few really good hikes, but the hikes in Grand Teton are really prolific and quite strenuous — and they always have a magnificent end-point attraction worth the journey.

We’ve done most of them — from Delta, Surprise, and Amphitheater Lakes, to Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, and the Jenny Lake loop.

Visit our guide on the 9 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park to plan out another day hike or two if you have extra time to spare.

Bike Rentals

Renting bikes and seeing either park by bicycle for a day is a great way to not only slow down and have the chance to spot more wildlife, but give yourself a break from the constant traffic and crowds you might run up against in parking lots during peak summer months.

There are bike path systems throughout both parks, and both parks present cyclists with inspiring views of mountains, rivers, and valleys. 

• Old Faithful Snow Lodge : The bike shop staff in Yellowstone can give you insight on nearby path routes. They offer hybrid bikes in addition to regular road bicycles, and also have helmets, racks, gloves, hip packs, and other biker-friendly gear available to rent.
• Teton Mountain Bike Tours : Not only can you rent bikes and gear from this shop located in Jackson Hole, but you can also book guided day and multi-day tours in the park. We’ve heard really good things about this company, but there are countless other bike rental shops in Jackson to choose from, so you shouldn’t have any issue renting bikes for a day or two!

Horseback Riding

Touring the parks on trail horses is another great option for skipping crowds. You’ll get to experience trail systems from a completely different perspective. 

• Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers partial day tours (one – two hours) through meadows, canyons, pine forests, and along streams within the park.
• Grand Teton Lodge Company offers trail rides from the corrals at Colter Bay Village, Jackson Lake Lodge, and Headwaters Lodge and Cabins within the park. They are also one to two hour long rides through wildflowers and vistas of the Tetons. The wranglers also give guides on history and wildflowers.

Fishing Guides

Yellowstone and Grand Teton have some of the best fly-fishing culture in the world, and the rivers are plentiful with trout. 

• For a list of authorized fishing guides available for hire in Yellowstone, visit the Yellowstone NPS fishing site here.
• For a list of authorized fishing guides available for hire in Grand Teton, visit the Grand Teton NPS fishing site here .

Rent Paddle Boards, Kayaks, or Canoes

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are both home to massive glacial lakes and prolific sources of water. What better way to spend an extra day than renting water sport equipment or booking a tour and getting out on Jackson or Yellowstone lake?

• Yellowstone Hiking Guides has a 4 hour sea kayaking tour on Yellowstone Lake, with five miles of kayaking to see geysers and wildlife on shore.
• Rendezvous River Sports has always been the go-to water-sport rental outfitter in Jackson. They rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, rafts, surfboards, and more, and also have options for guided tours in BOTH Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

What to Do with Less Time: 5 day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary

If you must make this trip shorter, we recommend skipping Day 2 (Lamar Valley, Mt. Washburn, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley) and Day 6 (Sunrise Wildlife Drive, String Lake, Mormon Row, and Sunset Wildlife Loop) of this itinerary. 

You could easily add a sunrise or sunset drive onto your first and last days in Grand Teton. And, it isn’t too far to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, so if you really need to see the falls and the canyon, that could warrant a short visit in place of an activity on the 3rd day of this itinerary.

Tips for Your Trip

Here are a few things to keep in mind for your Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary. 

National Park Pass vs. Pay-per-Day

You will need to pay for entry into these parks. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass (which gets you into any national park and also covers parking fees at most national monuments or national forest trailheads) is $80, and a single day pass into any national park, per vehicle, is $30. We think it’s definitely worth it to get an annual pass for this trip, especially if your lodging is located outside the parks.

Parking and Crowds

Because Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most visited in the US and there is limited parking, we recommend that guests that want the best accessibility to the parks arrive early in the morning (9:00am at the latest). 

Arriving at these parks midday during peak summer months can mean a headache, waiting in lines for parking slots to open up. 

We have compiled some great guides for sunrise drives on this itinerary to get you in the park as early as possible — they will not only let you avoid mass crowds and the heat of the day, but will present you with the best opportunities to see wildlife like wolves, moose, and bears.

Elevation Acclimation and Altitude Sickness

There is quite an extreme elevation in the park (6,800 feet at the valley floor of Grand Teton, and Yellowstone is even higher), so many of the hikes on this list have significant elevation gain, and visitors should be wary of trying high-altitude strenuous hikes without acclimating to the elevation first. 

Symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath. A general good rule is to take it easy and do some less strenuous hikes in the area before trying to ascend or summit anything. 

Gentle lake loops or spots of interest that don’t require much activity or additional elevation gain, like the ones on this itinerary, would be perfect!

Wildlife Safety

Bear spray is a necessity while in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. You should have basic knowledge on how and when to use bear spray, and keep it within easy access on the side or front of your pack or belt. 

If this is a one-off trip or you’re flying into the parks, we recommend renting bear spray. 

• Teton Backcountry Rentals in Jackson, Wyoming rents bear spray for $8 a day.
• Explore Rentals in Bozeman is conveniently located near the airport and offers bear spray rentals and free tutorials.

In addition, making noise or carrying a bear bell, especially while traveling through huckleberry patches, is a great way to alert nearby wildlife that you are passing through. Wildlife are a lot less likely to spook, charge, or maul if they are aware of nearby hikers.

Bears are not the only dangerous animals in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. There have been many tragedies for both humans and animals within both parks — especially in recent years.

 Please respect wildlife and do not approach moose, elk, bears, wolves, or bison at all. A general rule is to not interact with any wildlife — including feeding small critters like chipmunks. Feel free to take pictures and observe (that’s half the experience of visiting the parks!) but do so from a very safe distance.

Leave No Trace

Lastly, it’s always important to practice Leave No Trace principles. Conservation is a massive issue of philanthropy and federal protection in and around these parks, though folks sometimes forget that the smallest actions also add up and can affect local ecosystems. Especially with wildlife living on and around the same trail systems that hikers use, we urge you to please make sure to pack in what you pack out.

Road Conditions

We just came back from the west and went to Grand Teton for a day trip. The Moose Wilson road that leads to Phelps Lake was a disaster. It took us forever because of how many deep potholes there were, and we had a truck. Always make sure to check road conditions for closures or hazards ( here ).

Getting to the Parks

To get to these two national parks, you have a couple of options. If you live close by – Salt Lake City, Denver, or Idaho, for example – you can drive to the starting point in Bozeman. Otherwise, flying in is the way to go.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are both surrounded by vast amounts of open space. The two closest major cities with travel hubs and amenities are Salt Lake City and Denver.

From Salt Lake City

Distance : 281 miles to Grand Teton

Time : 4 hrs 45 mins

Route : The fastest route takes you up the western border of Wyoming, through Evanston, Afton, and Alpine on I-80 and route 89.

From Denver

Distance : 480 miles to Grand Teton

Time : 7 hrs 45 mins

Route : The fastest route takes you through Fort Collins, CO, and into Wyoming through the western towns of Laramie, Lander, and Dubois.

Because driving from any city that is further out will require extra commute travel days, we think the best way to do this trip is flying into Bozeman and flying out of Jackson (or the reverse). Bozeman and Jackson have bookending airports to these national parks. 

Alternatively, you can plan an out-and-back trip from one airport (e.g. fly into Bozeman, do two days in Yellowstone, three days in Teton, two days in Yellowstone, return to Bozeman airport). However, that will probably add a lot more driving time to this already jam-packed road trip.

If you do plan to only fly into one of the airports, we would recommend Jackson Hole Airport . It’s a 1.5 hour drive from Bozeman’s airport to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park, possibly made longer depending on traffic. From Jackson airport there is no commute — it’s the only commercial airport located within a national park.

West Yellowstone, located at the west entrance of the park, has a smaller airport that you could also check in to for flights. However, the flight selection is limited. 

One other option that we don’t necessarily recommend would be to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport and drive to the parks from there, though that adds an additional five hours each way onto this already exhaustive adventure. If you have the time and are looking for a longer road trip, that might be a great option for you! If not, fly straight to the source.

When to Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Generally, the best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton is between May and October . 

These parks are both consistently busy between Memorial Day and Labor Day , so if you want to experience them with less people, traffic, and commotion, it’s generally a good idea to travel before June or after September .

Early fall and late spring are definitely our favorite times to visit these parks, with trees in full fall glory or budding spring bloom, and active wildlife taking advantage of the last or first of the summer season.

That said, roads begin closing and trails can become impassable late October through April. You can still visit these parks during the winter season, though there will be a lot less to do, especially for activities on this itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

That’s all folks — thanks for tuning in!

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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Quiz: Which San Diego Adventure is Right for You? 

THE ONLY 9- DAY GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY YOU WILL NEED (RV STYLE)

When our RV trip around Iceland had been cancelled due to Coronavirus, we knew we had to plan something else that was going to be just as epic.

Insert: Us coming up with the ultimate Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary (RV style)!

Crossing off all the National Parks has always been on my bucket list, so my husband and I figured this would be the perfect time to cross off two more parks. We couldn’t think of a safer way to do this trip other than by renting and RV and driving it around!

In this article, I am going to give my EXACT 9- day itinerary that allowed us to drive through the beautiful Fall foliage that the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park had to offer. 

Although Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are basically neighbors they do each deserve their own time to explore! However, I highly recommend clumping them into one trip to create a larger Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary. 

RENTING AN RV

After hours of research and talking to multiple companies, we chose to get our class C RV through Outdoorsy. 

Outdoorsy is a magnificent company that allows you to search for RVs with the exact amenities you want. It is basically Airbnb but RV style.

We knew we wanted an RV that allowed us to be able to be full remote if we needed/wanted to be. We wanted one that we could stand up in, an RV with a full kitchen and one with a bathroom and shower as well. 

How it works: Any RV owner can list their vehicle on this website for rent (of course after going through background checks, etc.). It is a peer to peer kind of marketplace. 

the customer searches for what they want, you book the RV, and you can either pick it up or have it delivered if available.

Now you are ready to hit the road!

The entire process was smooth. We chose to go with an older and more vintage RV (the Montana Warrior) because it helped decrease the cost significantly. 

This thing was awesome! I loved the retro look to it! Melissa, the owner of the RV, was spectacular to work with. She was very accommodating and made the process simple.

Our RV was stocked with blankets, towels, dish soap, cookware, toilet paper and much more! We chose to add on two cans of bear spray as well as two outdoor chairs for our trip!

HOW TO FIND CAMPING

Living in an RV for the week is very similar to car camping. 

There are a few ways you can find a place to park your RV for the night.

Campgrounds: The most popular way would be to find designated campgrounds and make your reservation ahead of time. There are also first come first serve campgrounds.

The first come first serve campgrounds tend to fill.

Free parking: There are definitely spots where it is legal to park for free. You can use an app such as TheDyrt to find such a place.

BLM Land: BLM land is free land that anyone at anytime can pull their car up on and set up camp.

GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY: TIPS

While google maps says the overall driving time between the two parks is only two hours, plan to spend a lot more time in the car than that. 

There are so many incredible places to stop and check out that you will almost feel like you don’t have enough time. 

If you want to for sure for sure see Bison and Elk then you should make time to go to Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. We unfortunately were unable to make it to that side of the park and regret that decision.

We still were able to see 1 bison up close and quite a few Elk. Surprisingly, we did not see any bears. Maybe they saw us though 😉

My last tip is that to get the best views with the least crowds you will want to wake up early!

DAY 1: YOUR GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY

Let’s get started! You made it! 

Depending on where you are flying in from or driving in from will determine where you start your trip; however, I recommend flying into Bozeman. 

Tip! If you are renting an RV-ask if they can deliver it to the airport! It will make your trip that much easier!

After you get the rundown of how your RV works head to the grocery store to stock up on food for the week. There is an Albertson’s just 5 minutes away from the Bozeman airport. 

Looking for ideas on what to cook for your trip! Check out these easy camping meals!

A note on COVID: If you are visiting these National Parks during the pandemic be aware that a lot of the restaurants in the park are closed, so make sure to have enough food for yourself. 

It was already getting to be late for us, so we just decided to find a place to sleep for the night and enjoy cooking dinner while it was still light out.

We used the app TheDyrt to find our free sleeping spot for the night. It was up a long, dirty, bumpy road, but our RV made it. A little sketchy, but we did it!

DAY 2: FIRST DAY IN YELLOWSTONE

You will see throughout the course of this itinerary that I recommend getting up for sunrise each morning . 

Start your morning off by going through the north entrance of Yellowstone. There is a large entry way you can drive under.

Your first stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs. This place was beautiful! 

You can read all about how to get Mammoth Hot Springs all to yourself here.  

If you have time you can stop at the Boiling River , but it was closed due to COVID on our trip.

The next stop will be Artist Point: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

For more details on trails and hikes you should do near Artist point check out my complete Yellowstone itinerary breakdown.

End your day by driving through Hayden Valley Towards West Yellowstone.

Make stops at the West Thumb Basin Geyser. 

Sleep at: Wagon Wheel RV park in West Yellowstone

DAY 3: SECOND DAY IN YELLOWSTONE

Have a slow morning and enjoy breakfast in your RV. 

Head to Fairy Falls and enjoy a beautiful hike. On your hike back from Fairy Falls you will want to go to the Grand Prismatic overlook . 

Next up! Head over to the infamous Old Faithful for the spectacular show!

End your day at Lewis Falls -a gorgeous waterfall! 

For sleeping at night we attempted to sleep in the park; however, all the campgrounds quickly filled up. 

But! Insider’s tip here: they allowed us to sleep in the parking lots right outside the campground!

DAY 4: A DAY IN THE GRAND TETONS

I was amazed by this park as I knew I would be. The mountainscape is just absolutely incredible. 

We started our morning off by watching sunrise at the Snake River Overlook . However, I think better spots could be found for sunrise. 

Personally, I would recommend watching sunrise from Oxbow bend . We went here after sunrise and it was stunning. 

We stopped by Jenny Lake to walk around prior to our next adventure. 

The rest of your day will be spent kayaking. If you have a car with the capability of putting a canoe or kayak on the top of it then I recommend renting one from Dornan’s Adventure Rentals .

If you don’t have that capability then you can head to Rendezvous Sports in Jackson and pick up an inflatable kayak. 

Bring your kayak to String lake and the hike it over to Leigh Lake for more kayaking. 

Here is a guide on paddling String Lake and Leigh Lake .

End your night with a sunset view from Signal Mountain Summit . 

We headed back to the parking lot of Colter Bay Campground for the night. 

DAY 5: SECOND DAY IN THE GRAND TETONS

This will be a big hiking day. If you are an avid hiker then I highly recommend hiking to Delta Lake . 

But first, let’s talk about your sunrise spot. This is the best sunrise spot! Make sure to stop here at some point during your trip. It is called Schwabacher Landing . 

After sunrise, plan to spend your day hiking to Delta Lake. It is a strenuous hike (especially at the end) and you will want to make time to relax at the top. Or even jump in the glacier water 🙂

We ended our night by watching sunset from the Mormon Barns on Mormon Row. 

For sleeping purposes, this night we slept in the parking lot of 

DAY 6: A DAY IN JACKSON

For this part of your Yellowstone and Grand Tetons itinerary, you will actually be outside of the park. You will be spending the day in Jackson, Wyoming. 

I have a complete guide to spending the day in Jackson here , but the main things you will do is:

-Bike riding

-Wine Drinking 

-Pizza Eating

DAY 7: HIKE TO PHELPS LAKE

Our Yellowstone and Grand Tetons itinerary actually had a change in plans. We were going to go to Idaho at the end of our trip, but we loved these two national parks so much so that we decided to stay longer.

Sleep in this day! Treat yourself considering the rest of this itinerary had you getting up for sunrise each morning. 

Hike to Phelps Lake during the day and make sure to bring your swimsuit for some cliff jumping!

Sleep at Gros Ventre Campground tonight. 

DAY 8: FREE FOR ALL DAY

This was a rainy day for us, so we chose to spend the day relaxing back in the cute town of Jackson. 

We spent our time at a coffee shop working on our computers and enjoying a cup of Joe. There was a farmer’s market going on, so we walked around that and then we bought souvenirs from the trip.

Oh and we got the best Vegan salads from the Healthy Being Cafe and Juicery. 

DAY 9: TIME TO HEAD HOME

Another travel day. Enjoy a nice breakfast before you head home. 

We always try to book a flight that will get us home in the afternoon to allow us time to prepare for the upcoming week.

Through lots of trial and error we found the afternoon return time decreases our stress. 

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM YOUR OUTDOOR LOVING GIRL

I hope this complete Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Itinerary has helped you plan your next trip!

This trip was so different and so fun! If you are looking to do a National Park trip ever then renting an RV is honestly the way to go. 

Like this post? Pin it for later!

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Wow! These pictures are to die for. We have 5 kids (4 still at home), but we have said for years that when we retire this is what we want to do. I had no idea the options for renting an RV and finding camping ground. This is all so helpful and has me thinking how we can do a trip like this before retirement.

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are on my bucket list. I think you’ve made me an RV convert, I never would have thought to rent one. Brilliant. There looks like so many beautiful places to see.

This Yellowstone and the Grand Teton itinerary is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

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Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton National Park, According to Experts

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Grand Teton National Park.

How to Get There

Know before you go.

• Best Time to Visit

Best Things to Do

Places to stay, places to eat.

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

There are few national parks as recognizable, or as photogenic, as Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The steep, craggy, and commonly snow-capped peaks of the northern portion of the Teton Range tower over the park’s glorious alpine lakes, rivers, and impressive wildlife population that includes moose, grizzly bears, bison, and wolves. 

The park didn’t take its current expanded form until 1950, following its official establishment in 1929, but this part of the country has been drawing visitors for thousands of years. If you spend even a couple of hours taking in the majestic scenery — whether you’re taking an ice-cold dip in Jenny Lake or experiencing an unforgettable sunrise at Schwabacher Landing — you’ll quickly understand why. 

Thanks to continued conversation efforts, Grand Teton National Park has maintained a natural, rugged beauty that captivates more than 3 million visitors every year. It’s also one of the top attractions for travelers coming to Jackson Hole (the town of Jackson is just a 10-minute drive from the Moose Entrance Station). Given the park’s popularity and proximity to hundreds of square miles of sheer wilderness, it’s critical for visitors to enter the park prepared. That means not only knowing where to go and how to keep themselves safe, but also understanding the importance of respecting both the ecosystem and fellow travelers. “Ultimately, we are all stewards of the natural world,” explains Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience. “We need to be visitors to the landscape.”

To develop a comprehensive guide explaining what that entails, we tapped Shill, as well as Monica Robinson, a naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, to give us the lowdown on everything you need to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park.

Meet the Experts

• Cathy Shill is the founder of The Hole Hiking Experience , a company that provides customized, guided hiking tours in Jackson Hole.
• Monica Robinson is a naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris , and she leads wildlife tours through Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, and the surrounding areas. 

Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park (it’s the only commercial airport inside a national park in the county), so there’s a good chance you’ll get your first glimpse of the Wyoming wilderness before landing. To actually explore the park, though, you’ll likely enter through one of the three main road entrances. Most travelers head north from the town of Jackson on Highway 89 and enter via the Moose Entrance Station, which sits on the eastern side of the park. This is where you’ll find the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center . The Moran Entrance Station is also off Highway 89, but it’s located further north and is often used to get to Jackson Lake. The Granite Canyon Entrance is just 1.5 miles north of Teton Village, and the route into the park is typically the slowest (but the most scenic). 

From each entrance, you’ll be able to access Grand Teton National Park’s popular 42-mile Scenic Drive. The circular route brings you along Highway 89 and Teton Park Road, also known as the park’s “Outer Road” and “Inner Road,” and hits top tourist spots like Schwabacher Landing, Oxbow Bend, Jackson Lake Dam, Jenny Lake, Moulton Barns on Mormon Row, Elk Ranch Flats Overlook, Signal Mountain Lodge, and the Chapel of Transfiguration.

It’s important to note that while Grand Teton National Park is open all 12 months, several sections of Teton Park Road and Moose-Wilson Road are closed to vehicles during the winter; construction and maintenance often cause closures and delays, as well. Always be sure to check the National Park Service website or app before planning your route. 

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Aside from a few select national holidays when park entry is free, visitors are required to have an entrance pass. One-time standard entrance fees range from $20 for cyclists and pedestrians to $35 per vehicle, but you can also enter with the $70 annual pass or the $80 America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass , which covers one private vehicle entering the park (or four individuals on foot or bike) for an entire year. 

If you’re planning on hopping aboard a morning flight to Jackson Hole, leaving you the entire afternoon to hike in the national park, think again. The elevation within Grand Teton National Park ranges from 6,320 feet on the valley floor to 13,770 feet at the top of Grand Teton, and travelers who aren’t used to this elevation may experience headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. “It's better to start gently,” says Shill, who suggests saving any strenuous hikes for the second or third day you’re in the area. To better acclimate to the elevation, she advises following the adage “climb high, sleep low,” drinking lots of water, eating well, and avoiding alcohol. 

Weather is also one of the most important factors to be aware of when heading into the park, as it may impact what you bring with you and where you go. “Expect sudden weather changes,” says Shill. “The weather can come in fast here. With the way the Tetons are positioned, north to south in Jackson Hole, the weather usually comes from the west and up and over them.” With that in mind, she says the best protocol is to “hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” meaning you should always bring a raincoat, extra layers, a light hat, gloves, and proper footwear. Other essentials to have on hand include plenty of drinking water and bear spray (no matter the season). 

Knowing what to bring is important, but so is knowing what not to bring. “Drones are illegal in national parks. While it might seem like the perfect place to take your drone for a spin, they can stress out the wildlife, get lost in irretrievable locations, become litter, and negatively impact other visitors' experiences,” says Robinson. You may also want to consider leaving your dog at home. “Dogs are welcome in the park, but with limitations,” she explains. “They’re also not allowed on trails or boardwalks and must stay within 30 feet from the roadside. Think of it this way: Dogs can only go where cars can go.”

With more than 60 species of mammals that call it home, Grand Teton National Park is known for its spectacular wildlife sightings. “Wildlife is wild,” says Robinson. “Understand wildlife etiquette and follow wildlife viewing guidelines for your safety and for the wildlife, keeping the required distance from the animals.” Those required distances are as follows: Always stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from any other wildlife. Oftentimes, especially on your first visit to the park, it’s better to go with a guide; local companies like Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris offer a range of half-day and full-day tours through the park. Not only will their expert naturalists ensure your safety, but they also know the best spots and times to see elk, moose, pronghorn, and even bears. 

Best Time to Visit 

Grand Teton National Park is a year-round destination, with each season offering something completely different. If you’re in town to observe the wildlife, the shoulder seasons will be your best bet. “Ask any wildlife guide, and they’ll tell you that both spring and fall are the best times for animal sightings,” says Robinson. No matter when you’re visiting, though, Shill says it’s best to “go early,” and try to “stay away from weekends” if you want to beat the crowds. 

Spring in Grand Teton National Park

As the snow starts to melt, out comes the park’s bear population. “Spring is one of the most common times to spot grizzly bears and black bears… They are just waking up from hibernation and are hungrily searching for food. Additionally, unlike most other animals, spring is their breeding season, so they will be covering more ground actively searching for mates,” says Robinson. This is also the season when elk, moose, and bison get ready to birth their calves. “If you’re lucky, you might spot them,” she adds. 

Summer in Grand Teton National Park

Calving season continues into June, so there’s a chance you’ll see bison, elk, and moose with their newborns. As the temperatures rise, wildlife, apart from bison and pronghorn, may be more elusive. “Some animals move up higher into the mountains to escape the heat and find better forage,” says Robinson, who notes there’s a greater chance of summertime sightings “during the early morning hours around sunrise and later evening hours before sunset.”

Summer is the most crowded season in the park; in 2023, around 18,000 visitors came through the park each day. If you’re prepared to navigate the traffic, you’ll be rewarded with pleasant weather and miles of beautiful wildflowers. “Summer is fairly consistent with warm days and cool nights. When rainstorms do occur, they typically don’t last very long,” says Robinson. These pleasant temperatures give way to wildflowers blooming in the park’s different growing zones: the sagebrush valley, the forest floor, and the alpine zone. “Mid to late July is when you're going to have that mixed meadow beauty,” says Shill. Depending on which zone you’re in, you may see plants like yellow balsamroot, blue lupine, red gilia, sunflowers, and mountain bluebells.

Fall in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park really shows off in the autumn, when fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, bright yellow fall foliage, and breeding season converge. “Elk take center stage during their rut as bulls with stunning antlers round up large harems of females. Hearing their bugle is one of the most exciting elements of fall in the Tetons,” says Robinson. Not to be outdone, bull moose come out later in the fall to show off their size and search for female moose. This is also a season where bear sightings are not uncommon: “Bears are feverishly packing on the pounds during this time (a process known as hyperphagia), and can be seen gorging themselves on berries along some roadsides,” she explains. 

Winter in Grand Teton National Park

Thick snow covers the ground in Jackson Hole in the winter, and Grand Teton National Park becomes a haven for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Several services in town, like Teton Backcountry Rentals and Skinny Skis , offer equipment rentals if you don’t have your own. 

While bears may be hibernating during the colder months, other wildlife viewing is ongoing. “Coyotes and foxes are a treat to watch as they hunt for rodents under the snow, and bald eagles do well on the winter landscape,” says Robinson. “[But] probably the most exciting species that thrives in the winter months is the gray wolf. It takes good timing, a sharp eye, and some luck, but winter is the best season to wolf-watch.”

Go on a wildlife tour.

Knowing where and when to look for wildlife is a specialty for locally-owned Jackson Hole tour companies. With a guide’s expert knowledge and network of other guides in the area, your chances to spot a grizzly, an elk, or a great gray owl go up exponentially. It’s best to book tours as far in advance as possible, and always check with your hotel concierge to see if the property partners with any local companies. For instance, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole works directly with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, and The Cloudveil books its tours with Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures .

Float the Snake River.

“There are a couple different stretches [of the Snake River] to do scenic floats in Jackson Hole – and one of them is in the park,” says Shill. If you’d rather float with a guide — who will help navigate the river and advise on the history and geology of the area — be sure you book with a company that has a specific permit to float within the park. Shill suggests Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips or Solitude Float Trips .

Catch the sunrise.

Grand Teton National Park is a photographer’s dream setting, particularly in the early hours of the morning. “I often let people know that sunrise in Grand Teton is typically far better than sunset,” says Robinson. “Every second of the sunrise changes the light in unique ways, and the mountains are the perfect canvas for it. You’ll see incredible alpenglow on the peaks of the Tetons, ideal for breathtaking pictures.”

Swim in an alpine lake. 

If you’re not averse to the cold, a dip in the icy waters of Jenny Lake, String Lake, Leigh Lake, or any of the backcountry alpine lakes will be a refreshing, memorable experience in the summer. Wear water shoes — they’re helpful when navigating the rocky bottom — pack a set of dry clothes, and avoid staying in the cold water for too long. The NPS also recommends wearing a life jacket for an additional layer of safety. 

Preparation is paramount before attempting any hike in Grand Teton National Park. According to Shill, the first thing you need to do before starting your trek is “let somebody know where you're going.” Take the time to check in (and check out) with a loved one at the beginning and end of your hike. She also recommends downloading the app BackcountrySOS   — which can send your status and location information to emergency services if needed — before arriving to the trailhead. With bear spray, water, and all other backpacking essentials , as noted by the NPS, in hand, you can start hiking. 

Hidden Falls via Jenny Lake Trail 

You could complete the entire 7.2-mile Jenny Lake Trail encircling the alpine body of water, or you could shorten the trip with the moderate 4.9-mile round-trip hike to Hidden Falls , a 100-foot cascade. “This can be drastically truncated by taking the ferry from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, and this is an excellent option for children. From the ferry’s drop-off, it is only a one-mile easy round-trip hike with 300 feet elevation gain to Hidden Falls,” says Robinson. She also warns travelers to start their hike before 9 a.m. if they want to “beat the crowds, secure a parking spot, and get the best part of the day on the trail.”

Phelps Lake

For what Robinson calls a “fun and fairly easy outdoor excursion” that’s “flat, easily accessible, and full of interesting things to discover,” hike from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve to Phelps Lake. The route is about 1.3 miles one way, and it’s accompanied by creeks, wildlife, and wildflowers. Like many hikes within the park, you can choose how long you’d like to be on the trail: “After admiring the beautiful views of this glacial lake and the surrounding mountainous landscape, you have the option of turning back the way you came, or you can continue on the trail to loop around the lake for a more challenging hike, totaling 6.4 miles round-trip with 1,060 feet of elevation gain,” she explains.

Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes

Hikers who really want to test their physical capabilities can take on the strenuous, 10-mile round-trip hike from Lupin Meadows Trailhead to Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake . “This trailhead is the beginning of many different hikes in the trail system that winds through the mountains,” says Robinson, who adds that once you get through the challenging switchbacks, you’ll be rewarded by both lakes “offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks. “

Note: Grand Teton National Park doesn’t allow commercially guided day hiking.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

Hotels and Lodges

There is no shortage of places to stay in the park or in the greater Jackson Hole area. For a rustic, summer camp-esque setting, book a stay at Colter Bay Cabins , Jackson Lake Lodge , Dornan’s Spur Ranch Cabins , or Signal Mountain Lodge — all located within the park itself. If you prefer more luxurious lodging, you can’t go wrong with the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole in Teton Village; it’s right at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort , where you can take the Aerial Tram up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain and hike into the national park via the Granite Canyon Loop . Travelers who want the convenience of staying in the town of Jackson, as well as access to a 9,000-square-foot spa that’s perfect for post-hike recovery, can explore the accommodation options at Snow King Resort . 

Campgrounds

Camping is a popular pastime in Grand Teton National Park, which has over 1,000 campsites across its seven campgrounds: Jenny Lake Campground, Gros Ventre Campground, Signal Mountain Campground, Colter Bay Campground, Colter Bay RV Park, Colter Bay Tent Village, Lizard Creek Campground, and Headwaters Campground. There is a maximum stay length of seven days at Jenny Lake , but all others allow camping for up to 14 days (but no more than 30 days in the park per year). Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance; they tend to book up quickly during peak season. 

Both Robinson and Shill recommend bringing a picnic along for your national park adventure. For Shill, local favorite Creekside Market is perfect for picking up picnic supplies (the sandwiches are legendary) on your way out of town. If you’re already in Wilson or Teton Village, stop by the Aspens Market to stock up on grab-and-go items or high-end grocery goods. 

There are also a few sit-down restaurants to enjoy in Grand Teton National Park. At Dornans , a family-owned-and-operated resort within the bounds of the park, you can dine at the Chuckwagon , open from June through September, or Pizza & Pasta Company , a year-round destination that Robinson says comes with “unbelievably stunning views of the Teton Mountains from their bar and upper deck.” Incredible scenery is also on the menu at Signal Mountain Lodge’s Trapper Grill and Jackson Lake Lodge’s Mural Room . At the latter, notes Robinson,  “Every table has a view of the mountains. You might even spot some wildlife while you dine.”

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Epic 7-day Teton and Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

Combine Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks into a week-long action-packed road trip. Follow my detailed 7-day itinerary for my favorite sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

Back when I was a kid, my parents rented an RV, and we took a road trip to Yellowstone. I remember being in awe of the colorful geysers, the insane amount of wildlife, and the beautiful scenery. I’ve now been back several times in my camper van, and each time has been no less exciting. As a science-nerd, I absolutely love exploring Yellowstone’s geological wonders.

Just next door to Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park, where the scenery is completely different. You swap the easy boardwalk strolls among geysers for BIG mountains where the hiking opportunities are just endless.

The good news is you don’t have to choose between the two parks. The proximity of Yellowstone and Grand Teton makes it so easy to combine them into an incredible weeklong road trip that offers a bit of everything.

With this 7-day Yellowstone and Teton road trip itinerary, you’ll hit up a large number of the best sites in the parks without spending too much time in the car. In this day-by-day itinerary, I share the best road trip stops, hikes, things to do, places to stay, and even some restaurant suggestions to help you plan an epic visit.

Here’s the ultimate road trip itinerary for a week well-spent in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks!

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Itinerary Overview

This 7-day road trip itinerary starts with two days in Grand Teton National Park, where you’ll be hiking, enjoying Jenny Lake, and dipping in town to explore Jackson.

After that, you’ll continue north to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is absolutely massive, being the second largest National Park in the lower 48. This is why I’m devoting three full days for exploring Yellowstone. Here is a day-by-day overview of what you will see and do on your road trip.

• Day 1 : Arrive in Jackson, explore town, set up camp or check into hotel
• Day 2 : Hike Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
• Day 3 : Hike Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
• Day 4 : West Thumb Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Day 5 : Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Osprey Falls Hike
• Day 6 : Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, and Grand Prismatic Spring
• Day 7 : Drive back to your starting point

Here is a Google map of all of the hikes, campgrounds, and other points of interest I mention in this itinerary. Just click the arrow next to my profile pic to view the names of each place. If you want to save this map to your Google Maps account so you can refer to it on your road trip, just click the star next to the map title. The map will appear under the saved tab if you are viewing on your phone.

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Closest Airports to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

There are a couple of starting points options for your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, depending on where you fly into. I’ll start with the major airports first since these are going to be the cheapest to fly into to and will also have the cheapest car rentals. If you want to do this road trip in a camper van, these two cities also have a number of camper van rental companies to choose from.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is the closest major airport, about 5 hours from the southern end of Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson where the good stuff begins.

There are two different routes from SLC to Grand Teton National Park. The route pictured below is my suggested route. It provides the best scenery on the way up, and the quickest drive back to Salt Lake.

Following my suggestion, you’ll take I-80 East out of Salt Lake and then turn North at Evanston on US-89. Once you hit Alpine you’ll be driving next to the Snake River almost all the way to Jackson. This route is slightly longer than the alternate route driving through Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs (not pictured) , but it’s much prettier in my opinion. You also avoid the long boring stretch of I-15 that you will also be driving on your way back to Salt Lake after leaving West Yellowstone.

Alternate return option: If you don’t mind a longer drive on the way back to Salt Lake, you can make a full circle in Yellowstone and backtrack down through Grand Teton and Jackson. From there, you can take the same exact route back to Salt Lake, or you can drive over Teton Pass and through Victor before hopping on I-15.

Boise, Idaho

Boise is 5.5 hours from Jackson, which is about a hour longer drive than if you start in Salt Lake. I’d compare the cost of flights and car rentals to Salt Lake, and if Boise is a lot cheaper, than I’d consider flying in and out of there. Boise is also a really cool town worth exploring if you can tack on an extra day or two.

Apart from being shorter, I personally prefer the drive from Salt Lake. I think it’s prettier and the drive requires less time on big highways. However, on your route back to Boise, you do drive right by Craters of the Moon which is an interesting stop if you aren’t in a rush.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is actually the closest major airport to Yellowstone. It’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes from the north entrance. However, flights into Bozeman are typically a lot more expensive than Boise or Salt Lake City. Again, it’s definitely worth pricing out your options because starting in Bozeman will allow you to spend more time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton since you’ll cut out a lot of the driving time to get there.

If you start in Bozeman, you can still do all of the stops I mention in the itinerary below, but you’ll do them in a different order. Instead of starting in Grand Teton like I did, you’ll be coming from the north, starting in Yellowstone. You can do one half of Yellowstone on the way down and hit the other side on the way back up.

Jackson, Wyoming

It’s worth checking prices in Jackson since it is the most convenient airport to fly into for this Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. The Jackson Airport is actually inside Grand Teton National Park which is pretty cool. If you choose this option, be prepared to pay a premium. Flights and car rentals in Jackson are $$$$!

Things to Do Before you Go

Here are a few special tips for things you’ll want to do before you hit the road for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Note: This blog contains affiliate links and references to my sponsors. As always all words and opinions are my own.

Your own personal tour guide

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Detailed Yellowstone Grand Teton Itinerary

Day 1: arrive jackson, explore town, morning – arrive, eat lunch.

In the morning on Day 1, get an early start and travel to Jackson, Wyoming. Once you arrive, grab some lunch and poke around town. It’s a tourist town but has a unique tempo to it and lots of individual mom-and-pop stores. Some yummy spots in town are Figs (Lebanese), Hand-Fired Pizza, and Healthy Being Cafe and Juicery. Also, Persephone Bakery (not vegan-friendly) is insanely popular.

Afternoon – Set up Camp

If you’re staying at a hotel, it’s best to stay somewhere right in Jackson or north of town rather than out near Jackson Hole (the ski area). Staying in town or even north of town will put you closer to the things you are going to do in Grand Teton National Park. Note that hotels in Jackson (like the flights) are expensive, and you should be prepared to spend at least $200 a night for a 3-star hotel.

Personally, if you enjoy car camping, I think that’s the way to go (if you’re new to car camping, check out my Car Camping 101 Guide ). While the Grand Teton National Park campgrounds are some of the most expensive I’ve ever seen (more than $55+/night), you’ll still save a ton of money, and the locations of the campgrounds are a lot more convenient for exploring the National Park. In addition, there aren’t many restaurants along this itinerary, so having your camp cooking gear will allow you to prepare your meals as you go. Here are the Grand Teton campgrounds that work best for this itinerary.

• Jenny Lake : This is for you tent campers. It’s a small campground that is really quiet thanks to the fact that camper vans, RVs, trailers or pop-ups are not allowed. This is the closest campground to the trails you’ll be hiking, so if you’re in a tent, stay here!
• Signal Mountain : This campground is on the shores of Jackson Lake where you’ll find gorgeous views. It’s the second most convenient to the trailheads. There is a lodge here with a restaurant and a bar, as well as hotel rooms.
• Gros Ventre : The Gros Ventre campground is located outside of the South Park entrance on the other side of the highway. I stayed here during a photography workshop and loved the proximity to the Gros Ventre River.
• Colter Bay : This is a massive campground, the biggest in Grand Teton National Park. There’s an entire village with a grocery store, restaurant, showers, and more. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Jackson Lake. It’s the least convenient as far as the hikes I suggest, but being the furthest north of these four, it will shorten your drive when it’s time to move on to Yellowstone.

Even though it may result in a bit more driving, I’d stay at the same campground for all three nights that you’re in Grand Teton so you don’t have to set up and take down your camping gear more than once. However if you want to move sites to minimize driving, you should stay at Gros Ventre or Jenny Lake on night 1 and Jenny Lake or Signal Mountain on night 2 and 3.

Before you drive to the campsite, stop at the Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance. It’s a great place to grab a map, and I also purchased bear spray there, which you will 1000% want for this trip. You should have your bear spray easily accessible on all hikes and at your campsites.

Day 2: Hike Death Canyon

Morning – go hiking.

Today you’re going to hike from the Death Canyon Trailhead which is located off Moose Wilson Road by the South Entrance. There are a few different options depending on what kind of challenge you are looking for. If you choose a longer hike, you should pack a lunch since there aren’t any nearby dining options.

• Phelps Lake Overlook : From the Death Canyon Trailhead, you’ll hike just over a mile to a gorgeous overlook that peers down 700 feet into Phelps Lake. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, you can turn around here (2.0 miles, 416 feet of elevation gain, easy/moderate due to uphill stretch, trail map ).
• Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin : This starts as the same trailhead as the Phelps Lake Overlook. If you want to cover more ground, continue past the overlook, down the switchbacks, and straight at the next junction. That will that drop you into the entrance of Death Canyon. After 4.5 miles, you reach an old Patrol Cabin that was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Core. On the way, you’ll pass some nice spots along the river that make for an ideal lunch/break spot. The hike out can be hot, so make sure you bring plenty of water and some sun protection (9.0 miles, 2,097 feet of elevation gain, moderate/challenging due to distance and elevation gain, trail map ).
• Phelps Lake via Valley Canyon Trail : If you don’t want to climb up into Death Canyon, you can hike down and relax on the shore of Phelps Lake (4.4 miles, 994 feet of elevation gain, moderate due to hike back up from the lakeshore, trail map ). You can extend this to 7 miles by walking around the lake.

Bears frequent this area. You’ll want have your bear spray handy and brush up on your bear safety so you know what to do if you encounter one.

Afternoon – Relax

Post-hike head back to camp or your hotel and relax. Tomorrow you’ll be doing one of the most epic hikes in the Park, so you’ll want to rest up.

If you’re staying at Gros Ventre or a hotel in town, you can grab a bite to eat in Jackson. The Kitchen is my favorite place for dinner.

If you’re camping further from town, set up your camp chair, read a book, cook dinner, or wander around to check out your surroundings. You can also cruise up to Jenny Lake. You’ll be back there tomorrow, but you really can’t get tired of these views.

Day 3: Hike to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon and Stop at Signal Mountain Lodge

Morning – hike cascade canyon.

On Day 3 of your road trip, you are going to hike up Cascade Canyon. This is one of the most stunning (and popular) trails in the Grand Teton National Park. You’ll want to wak up early and drive to Jenny Lake. Then in order to save yourself 2 miles each way, I suggest getting on one of the first boat shuttles across Jenny Lake to the trailheads on the other side of the lake. This will give you a chance to enjoy the trail in peace before all of the crowds show up. Shuttles run non-stop throughout the day, and you don’t need a reservation.

Once you’re on the other side, the trail to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon leave right from the boat dock. Like yesterday, you have multiple options depending on how far you want to hike.

• Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Loop : An easier, shorter hike than the Cascade Canyon Trail hike listed next (1.8 miles, 419 feet of elevation gain, moderate due to rocky steps, see trail map ). This family-friendly trail can get very busy, but it offers fantastic views of Jenny Lake and a decent sized waterfall.
• Cascade Canyon Trail : Continuing past Hidden Falls, this trail travels through a beautiful mountain gorge with meandering streams perfect for soaking your feet while you eat a PB&J (9.1 miles, 1,102 feet of elevation gain, moderate/challenging due to distance, see trail map ). Wildlife sightings here are super common . There is no destination or final climax on this hike, just pretty views the entire way. If you get tired, you can turn around early without missing too much.
• Lake Solitude via Cascade Canyon Trail : If you really want to escape the crowds, hike to the end of Cascade Canyon and hang a right and eventually you’ll reach Lake Solitude. From the boat landing, Lake Solitude is around 14 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. It makes for a big day, but the scenery is unbelievably pretty. If you pack a suit you can also take a refreshing (aka very cold) dip in the lake. Just make sure to get an early start and bring a headlamp just in case. (14.7 miles, 2,395 feet of elevation gain, challenging due to distance and elevation, see trail map ).

One more thing to keep in mind is that moose and bears frequent this area, so you might get to see one (or more). If you encounter wildlife, give them space. Don’t get all up in their business trying to take photos.

Afternoon – Post-hike treats at Signal Mountain Lodge

When you return from your hike, head up to Signal Mountain Lodge for a post-hike treat. While I don’t drink anymore, and I’m plant-based, I hear the huckleberry margaritas (for passengers) and nachos are a local favorite among the park staff. Afterwards, drive up the Signal Mountain Road for an impressive aerial view.

After that, head back to your campsite. Try to get all of your gear organized because tomorrow you’re packing up and heading up to Yellowstone for the next leg of this itinerary.

Day 4: Arrive in Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Morning – drive to yellowstone, west thumb geyser basin.

It’s Yellowstone or bust! The Grand Teton portion of this itinerary is wrapping up as you pack up your car and road trip up to Yellowstone. Be prepared to see a whole new world in a very short distance on your Yellowstone trip. Ryan referred to Yellowstone as “extraterrestrial” or “something from another planet.” And, it’s true, it really has that feel.

Depending on where you camped it could take you anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to reach the Yellowstone south entrance. The drive is beautiful, hugging Jackson Lake with views of Mt. Moran. I made Ryan stop several times for photos. You also cross the Continental Divide.

On your way into the park, swing by the Grant Village Visitors Center to see the video about the famous 1988 Yellowstone fire that burned a third of Yellowstone— it helps you grasp the level of devastation Yellowstone faced, and why some areas look the way they do.

About 20 minutes after entering Yellowstone National Park and just a few minutes up from the Visitor’s Center, your first stop is going to be the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Personally, this is one of my favorite geyser basins in the Park due to the fact that it sits on the edge of Yellowstone Lake. That backdrop is something you won’t see anywhere else in Yellowstone. It’s also less crowded than some of the other geyser basins. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around here.

From West Thumb, you are going to head northeast, driving the big loop around Yellowstone in a counter-clockwise direction. Your next major stop is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. On the way, you can stop at Gull Point for another perspective of Yellowstone Lake, as well as Sulphur Cauldron and Mud Volcano. These are the park’s most acidic hot springs and are worth a quick stop along the way.

Finally, you’re probably going to want to stop and eat some lunch before the afternoon’s activities. There are several pretty places to pull off along the Yellowstone River.

Afternoon – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone is carved by the Yellowstone River and is where you’ll find Yellowstone’s Upper and Lower Falls. At 308 feet tall, I found the Lower Falls to be more impressive, but you should have time to check out both.

First you should drive down the South Rim. You can check out the Upper Falls Viewpoints before going to Artist Point. This is the furthest viewpoint of the Lower Falls, but being zoomed out lets you see the entire canyon and the river flowing through it below.

Next get back in your car, drive to the North Rim and park. Take the Rim Trail out to Lookout point where you can get a closer view of the Lower Falls and really see it’s magnitude.

Your last viewpoint I checked out was the Brink of the Lower Falls. This is a short steep set of switchbacks that drops 600 feet over 3/8 of a mile that is a bit of a doozy on the way back up. I brought my trekking poles to make the hike up a bit easier. The end point of this trail puts you right at the top of the Lower Falls where you can experience how powerful the falls really are. It’s misty and wet, and you can see right over the edge where the Falls go tumbling down. I thought it was worth the effort, but if you don’t like steep climbs, you should skip this.

Evening – Camp at Canyon Village

Your first campground for the Yellowstone portion of this road trip itinerary is Canyon Campground. Just like all of the campsites, you have to make reservations far in advance. If they don’t have any availability, you could also stay at Tower Fall (closed in 2024) or Slough Creek (a quieter experience). You should plan to stay at whatever campsite you get for 1 night since you’ll be moving again tomorrow.

Day 5: Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Optional Hike to Osprey Falls

Morning – lamar valley.

Early bird catches the worm when it comes to seeing wildlife in Lamar Valley and also avoiding the traffic that builds up on the road. While this means you’ll have to pack up your campsite early (like 5am or 6am early), I promise you’ll have a way better experience than if you roll in Lamar Valley at 10.

I once visited Lamar Valley in the afternoon, and traffic was crazy. Of course part of this that the bison walk in the road, and everyone has to stop their vehicles to avoid them, but you have a lot more ability to maneuver before there are cars everywhere.

Lamar Valley is THE place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. We literally saw hundreds (maybe thousands) of bison. We also saw elk and pronghorn. If you’re really lucky, you may also see bears and even wolves. We heard the best chance of seeing wolves was along Slough Creek, so we cruised up there, but didn’t have any luck.

After you’re done hanging with the animals, you’ll make the twisty drive over to Mammoth Hot Springs. There is food available there, as well as some picnic tables if you’re ready for lunch.

Afternoon – Hike to Osprey Falls

If you feel like you need to stretch your legs after spending all morning in the car, I really enjoyed the hike to Osprey Falls . It’s one of the lesser known trails in Yellowstone, located near Mammoth Hot Springs. I think we saw less than 6 people the entire hike.

It’s 7.3 miles roundtrip with 1,243 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderate to challenging hike. The first part travels through a flat grassy area. I will say I was a bit nervous here, as I read grizzly bears are common in this area. I had my bear spray on my hip ready to deploy if needed.

After 1.5 miles, the trail starts to gradually climb, gaining about 1,000 feet over 2 miles until you reach the base of the falls. At one section you hug the rim of a canyon, resulting in some pretty vast views. Plus, the waterfall was actually quite impressive, and we had it all to ourselves.

If you aren’t into big hikes or you are short on time, this is something you could skip.

Evening – Mammoth Hot Springs and Camp

After you wrap up your hike, the last adventure of the day is exploring Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the more unique geysers in Yellowstone. The water that pours over the hot springs has been in the ground for over 1,000 years and is responsible for all of the formations in the area as it cascades down. We went right before the sun went down and found the lighting to be very nice, and all of the people were gone for the day. It only takes about 30-45 minutes walk around here.

The most convenient place to camp tonight is going to be the Mammoth Campground or Indian Creek, which is where we stayed. If you are really feeling like you could use a shower and a bed, you could also book a room at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or head into West Yellowstone where there are lots of inexpensive motels.

Day 6: Old Faithful and Geysers Galore!

Morning – norris basin, lower geyser basin and grand prismatic spring.

By the end of today, I promise you are going to be totally geyser’ed out. There is of course more that you can see, but I’m going suggest what I consider to be the coolest geysers in Yellowstone. Most of these require a little bit of walking on a boardwalk, but none of it is too intense. Be patient when parking. These spots are popular and the parking lots can be a bit hectic.

First stop is Norris Basin, home to the hottest, oldest geysers in Yellowstone. There were some really pretty milky blue and emerald colored pools here. We spent about 1.5 hours walking around the two loops.

Next you’ll stop at the Lower Geyser Basin. My favorite hot spring here was Silex Spring. The color was an unbelievable shade of turquoise, and it was less than 100 yards from the parking lot.

Your final stop before lunch is Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the most beautiful geysers in the Park. For an even better view, take the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail up 200 feet where you can peer down and really see the contrast in the colors. Parking for the Overlook Trail is a couple minutes drive away at the Fairy Falls parking lot.

Afternoon – Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful

The last major stop on your road trip is the Famous Old Faithful. The first thing you should do when you arrive is check the schedule. The geyser erupts about every 65-90 minutes. There are signs everywhere in the area informing you of the next eruption. The viewing area is big, but it does get super crowded. So, I suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the eruption to secure a good viewing spot and earlier if you want to sit down.

If you have some time to kill, you can grab some food from the cafeteria, the bakeshop, or the dining area. There is also a picnic area near the East lot if you packed your own lunch.

Once you’ve seen Old Faithful erupt, follow the boardwalk around to explore the Upper Geyser Basin, which has the largest concentration of colorful hot pools in the world .

As the sun sets, for the final night of your Yellowstone Grand Teton road trip, head on over to the small town of West Yellowstone for a night at a local motel. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.

Day 7: Drive back to your starting point

Today your goal is to drive back to your starting point. I recommend booking a late flight so you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn and have plenty of time to drive to the airport without feeling stressed.

Have extra time?

If you have a couple extra days for your Grand Teton Yellowstone itinerary, here are some additional things to do:

Short on Time?

If you don’t have a full week for your Yellowstone Grand Teton itinerary, here is what I would cut out:

• Skip hiking to Osprey Falls in Yellowstone
• Skip Norris Basin and the lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone
• Skip the Death Canyon hike in Grand Teton

Frequently Asked Questions

Early summer through mid-fall is the best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Many of the roads close in winter making the sites inaccessible. The road between Grand Teton and Yellowstone also closes and doesn’t usually open until mid-May. September is my favorite month to visit. The Parks are way less crowded, you can usually snag a campsite, and the temperatures are still comfortable for camping. October is also beautiful with the fall colors, but the evening lows can be pretty chilly for camping, and the Jenny Lake boat shuttle usually stops operating at the end of September. That means if you want to hike Cascade Canyon, you’ll have to walk around Jenny Lake adding 4 miles to your hike. The most popular time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton is July and August. If you visit during these months, be prepared for crowded trails, full parking lots, and lines to get in and out of the Parks.

Unfortunately, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are not dog-friendly. In both Parks you can have your dog on a leash in the campground, but dogs are not allowed on any trails, boardwalks or beaches. Bringing your dog means you’re going to miss out on 98% of the activities in this road trip itinerary.

I created this 7-day Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary because I think that’s the amount of time that’s needed to experience the best things to do in both Parks. Doing it in less time than that means you’ll have to skip some of the major highlights. If you have fewer than 4-5 days total for your road trip including your drive to and from the Parks, I’d suggest choosing one Park to visit, rather than doing both. With that little time, you’d barely be scratching the surface trying to cram both Parks in. Pick one and come back another time for the other. If you have more than 7 days, you’ll still have plenty to do, allowing you to hike and explore some of the lesser known regions of the Parks.

Yellowstone is a much bigger park than Grand Teton, and driving through the Park takes significantly more time. My suggested week-long itinerary that combines the two Parks has you spending two full days in Grand Teton and three full days in Yellowstone.

No, you do not need reservations to enter Yellowstone and Grand Teton. There is also no timed entry system so you can enter and leave the Parks as you please. You do however need a reservation for the campgrounds or backcountry camping.

More Wyoming Travel Tips

• How To Backpack Cirque of the Towers in Wyoming (+ Itinerary!)
• Wyoming Hiking Guide: 10 Best Day Hikes & Backpacking Trails
• 6 Best Wind River Range Backpacking Trails
• Hotel Review: Fireside Resort Tiny House Cabins in Jackson, Wyoming

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Are you planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park road trip or have you been? Share your comments, questions, and experiences below .

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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138 Comments

Great itinerary! I do want to point out that for the Lake Solitude hike, it will likely be at least 15 miles like the external link says (it was 20 miles roundtrip for us without using the boat). There is a multi-year trail maintenance project in progress for the trail system at Jenny lake, and the detours may extend the route. I just thought I’d mention it because 10 is quite a bit less than 15-20 when it comes to hiking and it’s always good to be prepared. It’s definitely worth seeing though!

Thanks for clarifying Emily! I went ahead and updated the post to reflect the trail maintenance that’s going on up there.

I lived in the area near Jackson for 2 years and had some of my most memorable fishing moments there! This place is worth visiting, great itinerary.

I was just up there last week and got to spend some time on the Snake and Gros Ventre Rivers. Sooooo pretty! Jealous you got to live up there. Seems like a super fun place to spend some time in.

Could someone please let me know when the best time to visit the above parks would be? Would love to visit in 2016!! Great itinerary!!

The Tetons and Yellowstone will be best in June-October. The fall if you want to avoid the crowds.

I worked at Signal Mountain Lodge for 8 years and served many a plate of nachos so it was fun to see you mention it. This is a great itinerary. I would just add white water rafting in Jackson as a don’t miss.

Great addition Donna! Thanks for checking out the post and glad you liked it.

Yellow Stone is one of the next places on my traveling list. It looks super cool, I have always wanted to go!

Hopefully this post inspires you to plan that trip you’ve been dreaming about!

Planning a trip there now! Your post was so very helpful! I cannot wait to get there! Hope you get to the Great Smoky Mountains- awesome hiking there too!

Awesome Anna! Have fun and tell me how it goes.

Hey Kristin and Kim! Thanks so much for this awesome itinerary. Currently using it as inspiration for planning my own week-long adventure!

Annnnd sorry for COMPLETELY misspelling your name Kristen!

ha no worries holly! glad it was helpful!

Great info. I pinned it. We are planing on going to Yelowstone, Teton, and Glacier. Is May to early to visit? Will it be cold?

Some of the roads will still be closed in Yellowstone in May. Check this page for the latest info: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Hey Kristen! This is super helpful in trying to plan an upcoming trip sometime in July, so thank you. Can I ask what your thoughts are on solo hiking and travel through Grand Teton/Yellowstone?

I think you’d be fine, especially if you stick to popular trails. They do recommended bear spray in the Tetons, so i would definitely plan on carrying that with you when you are hiking. I also use a SPOT transponder when I hike alone: https://bearfoottheory.com/spot-gen3-review/

Kristen. Great info. – we are going late August into the beginning of September but we are staying in Jackson Hole and Bozeman not camping any suggestions?

I don’t have any suggestions for hotels, but I’d suggest you try Airbnb. I bet you can find some cool places.If you haven’t ever used Airbnb, you can get $30 off your first stay by signing up at my link: http://www.airbnb.com/c/kbor

Hi Kristen, We did our Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip based on your itinerary and had a blast! Thank you!

Do you have your hotel/lodging by each day you used with this itinerary?

I believe the author camped at the campgrounds described in the post.

I visited Teton / Yellowstone from Aug 13 to 20th with my family and followed this itinerary with little alteration. For instance, as we were not camping, we just stayed in hotels along the way. As we moved through itinerary, it became obvious that we should not alter our path much from what was suggested as most of it seemed to have purpose. For instance, being able to compare Death Canyon with Cascade Canyon or visiting Signal Mountain Lodge (we stayed there) for awesome views, nachos and blackberry margaritas (no huckleberry while we were there). In Yellowstone, besides the great sight recommendations, we also stuck with the little things such as Woodside bakery stop, Park Ranger Museum and map room in Mammoth. These were the type of things that were off the beaten path but well worth it. The suggestion to hike the Wapiti trailhead to see the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from the south side was also spectacular as was the suggestion to visit Lake Butte lookout (we almost didn’t do it, but reminded ourselves that Kim had not steered us wrong to this point). Here is the only minor alterations we made: – We added a trip to Jackson to look around and go white water rafting down the Snake River between day 1 and 2 instead of waiting until day 6 – We detoured in Mammoth to visit the boiling river which was a hoot (total time about 2 hours) All in all, this is one of the best itineraries I found anywhere and it was a huge help in planning our trip. Many thanks to Kristen for posting and Kim for writing.

Wow! Those pictures are incredible. I hope to be able to visit the Tetons soon. Thanks for sharing your trip!

Would you say March a bad time to visit?

Many of the roads will still be closed in March due to snow. This itinerary is a summer itinerary

This looks great! I know this is an old post, but if you see this – I’m trying to put together an itinerary for a large family trip to Jackson and Yellowstone. Not everyone in our party will be up for a 15 mile hike(small children and grandparents). Any thoughts on what we could cut out and what stays?

Bourbon thanks so much for your message! There are some great short paths that are excellent for children and grandparents alike, especially in Yellowstone! A majority of the major sights in Yellowstone are under 0.5 mile paths. There is a Jackson Hole Children’s Museum so make sure to check that out for the kiddos!

Just found your blog and it will be put to use! Thanks!

My husband and I are interested in a one week vacation from 5/27 to 6/3/17. We are in mid-50s and fairly active. We would be flying into Bozeman MT and check out a bit of Montana, we well as visit Yellowstone np and Grand Tetons. Can this be done in this short timeframe? Your recommendations for how to approach trip? We live on the east coast, so checking out the beauty and the uniqueness of the west is our goal.

Hey Barbara – If you are flying into Bozeman, I think your best bet would be to drive down through Big Sky and enter through West Yellowstone. Then go south on the loop once you reach Yellowstone and then exit back to Bozeman at the north end of the lake. You might be pressed to also visit Teton National Park too, but it depends how much hiking and exploring you want to do vs driving.

Hi Kristen, this is the best itenerary I’ve seen for the area, thanks for sharing! Would love your thoughts on how to approach if we are driving in from the east (coming from Wi). Trying to decide if we should start south in grand Tetons, or come in from the north and work our way down. But how to do the loop then? We would also like to add in rafting in Jackson (or elsewhere?) and possibly the rodeo in Cody? We can do 9 days, but just lost on how best to route everything out. Would love to hear your thoughts!!

Hi Stacie! Thanks for your support. I was super excited to share my itinerary for the Tetons & Yellowstone on Bearfoot Theory! That is so awesome to hear you are road tripping out west from Wisconsin. Are you visiting both the Tetons & Yellowstone? If so, I would do the Cody rodeo on your way in then do Yellowstone first, starting North at Mammoth Hot Springs and drive down to Old Faithful Inn then around to Canyon Village and then back down towards the Tetons and Jackson. You could also maybe make a game time decision based on the best weather for whitewater rafting! Feel free to drop me a person email if you want to discuss more options or even hop on the phone and discuss what you potentially could drop off the trip. The best part of your adventure though is then your drive back home from the Tetons will be a little bit different to stop! Sounds great! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Would love to hear how this goes- I am looking to plan a road trip from MN- with kids ranging in age from 4-16.

Just one tiny correction. The river that flows over the 2 falls and forms the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (I like it better than the other Grand Canyon), that river is the Yellowstone, The Snake is further south in Grand Teton. Really enjoyed the itinerary. Have been to Yellowstone and the Tetons multiple times, but discovered a new trail that we will try in October. Thanks

Thanks Mick for the correction! Great to hear you enjoy the parks! Happy adventuring!

This is great! We just got back from a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Teton and loved it. Unfortunately we didn’t have 7 days but still managed to see a ton.

Hi! Thanks so much for all the great info! I have been attempting to plan this trip forever, but have been overwhelmed with too many options! Ha! One question, how limited would we be if we had our dog with us? We really want to bring her, but know it can limit what you can do. Thanks!!!

Hey, Natalie! Great question–Kristen actually just hit Yellowstone for 5 days in her Sprinter with her dog, Charlie, so it is definitely possible! We are working on a post right now about traveling with your dog so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you know when the post is live. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry so it definitely does limit your experience in the park. There are numerous boarding and doggy day care places though in the small towns surrounding the park. Lots of options to consider to make the most of your trip for you AND your four-legged friend.

Hiya! We are doing a LONG road trip next month: Glacier (Sunday-Tuesday)–> Yellowstone (Chico HS: Tuesday-Friday) –>Teton –> Jackson–> SLC (fly out Monday) Do you have suggestions for coming “down” from Yellowstone and making our way to SLC? We don’t have anything nailed down once we leave Chico on Friday… Thanks in Advance! Lindsay

Hello Lindsay, thanks for reaching out. Not sure if you are speaking in terms of things to do or places to stay. In terms of things to do honestly, if you are leaving Yellowstone on Friday and heading through the Tetons & Jackson Hole to be in Salt Lake City by Monday you’ll be totally fine. You can easily spend a full day in the Tetons and another full day in Jackson Hole. Once in Salt Lake City if you have any extra time there are great hikes near Alta or you can also check out Park City, Utah. In terms of places to stay, I don’t have any stand out favorites but there are tons of options along that route. You could even look into a cute AirBnB.

Thank you so much for great info. Esp. like the idea of coming thru Victor Idaho, then returning difft route to SLC, where we would first arrive. Not BIG hikers, but my husband and i certainly could do the short route on Death Canyon Trailhead. You do not mention how to get back UP if we decide to go down to Lake. UT OH.Might catch us by surprise, and we cannot do an extensive trek. Good to know where to get margueritas, plus great view at Signal Mt. Lodge. Just starting to plan for trip in 2018. Thanks again for good details.

Have you personally taken the I80/89 route? I have been the other route in 2016. Both take you close to Bear Lake

Hi Melanie, this is Kim and I took the I80/89 route in 2015 when I visited the parks for the first time. I loved it.

Great itinerary! I’d add a soak in the Boiling River when you are at Mammoth. It’s the only hot spring in the front country where you are allowed to soak. You can also get into the Firehole River in one spot, but it’s bathtub temperature not hot :). As an FYI, it’s the Yellowstone River that flows through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, not the Snake River. That’s down in GTNP. I agree that the Fishing Bridge store is the best one in the park!

Thanks, Mel! We love these soaking spot recommendations! Will definitely check them out on our next trip through the park.

I live about an hour away from Yellowstone and go as often as possible! This was a great post and I would suggest this 7 day trip to anyone going to the Jackson Hole and Yellowstone! I will say this – There are still so many things that you should see if you have the time! For example, when exploring mammoth hot springs, take a short drive north to the Gardiner Entrance where you will get to see the Roosevelt Arch! It is really cool and you can get some iconic family pictures! Here is a article I wrote about the arch I think you will find it interesting! Article: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/john-f-yanceys-death-and-the-roosevelt-arch-/

Help! I am trying to plan a great trip for my family the summer of 2018. Having never done this I am a little overwhelmed by all of the options to chose from. Including what to see, where to stay and what activities to try. My plan is to fly into Rapid City SD. Spend one night and see the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Custer park. The next day travel to Devils Tower and then on into Red Lodge MT. (any advice on where we should stay (reasonably priced) and anything else we should see or do I would love to hear!) I want to take the north entrance into Yellow Stone from Red Lodge. From here I am at a loss!? Where should we stay, and how long? From YS I want to head down to GTNP and Jackson Hole. Again where to stay, see and do? I have 3 adult kids, and we would like some adventure. Any place we stay has to accommodate 5 people at a reasonable price. The plan is a 9-10 trip. Not trying to sound cheap but everything must be reasonably priced! I would love some advice 🙂

Hi Diane, have you checked out our lodging guide to Yellowstone? Here is the link: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Are you considering camping or potentially renting an RV? That would be the most reasonable option and there are some great options. When I plan long lengthy trips for a group I generally only pick 1-2 things at max to do/see a day, I find this makes it easier on me and allows time for things to be added to the list that we might discover. I haven’t been to Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, etc. so I can’t talk a lot about that area. I would plan to only do Badlands and Mt. Rushmore in one day, especially if you want to hike and explore Badlands–that is easily a full-day trip. Maybe you could do Devil’s Tower and arrive late to Red Lodge then head into the park the next morning. If you take the North entrance into Yellowstone, I’d stay near Canyon Village and spend one day doing the North Loop (we list plenty in this area to do for a full day in our itinerary) and then spend 1-2 nights in Grant Village before heading on to the Grand Tetons. Sounds like an incredible trip! Our itinerary has some great items for you to do and see. Feel free to email us @ [email protected] , if you have more questions or need support!

Hi Diane, It sounds like you will have a blast this coming summer! I have to agree with Kim with the places to stay- That article is well written and informative! When we take our kids to Yellowstone they love to go to Mammoth Hot Springs! There are a lot of fun things to do and see while you are there! Check out this article I wrote about the place: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/10-things-to-experience-during-your-next-trip-to-mammoth-hot-springs-in-yellowstone/ Have fun next summer!

We are planning a trip out in September. We have a 37 foot Class A. Would we have any troubles sticking to your itinerary using our camper? I am worried about narrow roads and dropoffs. Also, would you recommend towing a vehicle or are there car rental places in the area?

Hi Kristie, you’ll be fine on the roads in the park with a trailer that large. There are no car rental locations in the park but there are options in most major cities outside the park. I would consider towing a car.

Hi Kristen, Your itinerary and blog are great! What a resource! I’m starting my early planning for an early summer trip with my daughter (her first trip camping) where we will be flying from Hong Kong to either LA or SF and then likely up to Jackson. As time is limited can you advise: 1 . How many days do we need for Yellowstone and can we just drive through GTNP on way to Yellowstone (From JH) and if so how many days and where can we make first night camp. Eg our day 1 is your day 3? 2. Any recommended outdoor / camping stores in Jackson Hole as need to get (again) all my gears . Rentals possible? 3. Any recommendation where my wife might stay in hotel and we camp near by. She isn’t a camper but the little one wants to try out camping.

Hi Kelvin, thanks for reaching out! I would recommend at least three days for Yellowstone and at least one full day in GTNP. Check out our lodging post for lots of ideas on hotels that are literally steps away from some of the campgrounds: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Regarding gear, you should check out http://www.lowergear.com

Hi Kim, So for this itinerary, you rented your camping gear and rented a car?

Hi Jennifer! We did rent a car for this itinerary (from the Salt Lake City Airport) but we just flew with our camping gear, we didn’t rent any camping gear.

Hello, We are 2-3 families planning to visit Grand Teton and YSNP July 2018, coming from East coast, 7/8 nights, starting/finishing ,Jackson/SLC,, Could you please suggest Lodges and number of nights to book(DAY 1 to7) thank Anil

Hi Anil, check out our Yellowstone lodging guide: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/

This is the best itinerary I have read and I have read a lot ! Hubby and I are in our 60’s will be flying into Jackson in September. We have reservations at Lake Yellowstone and Canyon then on to the Tetons for two nights. Our first trip so I really appreciate all of the information. We will be coming in the South entrance , is there a link to which way we should start out ? Thank you for all of the info.

Hi Linda, so awesome to hear you are heading to Jackson this Fall. You’re going to love it. I started at the South entrance as well. You can take either route to loop all the way up and around.

I’ve convinced my husband to make this our one year anniversary trip in June. Unfortunately due to his work schedule we will be flying in on a Wednesday and Flying out on a Sunday. Anyone have recommendations for being able to stick to this itinerary best we can with a shorter stay? This is, by far, my favorite I’ve found thus far.

Great suggestions! We’re going this summer with our 3 kids, ages 3, 7 and 10. I saw the one suggestion about the Jackson Hole children’s museum – any other fun kid ideas? They’ll hike 1-2 miles, but there’s only so much hiking we can do… We’re staying in Colter Bay 2-3 days and are flying in and out of Idaho Falls. Looking for where else we should stay. Thanks!

Hey Katie! That is awesome to hear you are taking your kids to the Tetons! Check in with the National Parks regarding talks & programs geared towards kids for the time you are there. Every Wednesday & Saturday there is a rodeo in town–might be a fun night out! If you’re traveling in July there is also the County Fair to visit. Good luck with your trip!

Hi – We are from the East Coast and hoping to go to Yellowstone/Jackson Hole this August. Original thought was to fly into Billings or Bozeman and checking out Beartooth pass on the way into the park. Also looking to do some fly fishing. Any thoughts on how to adapt your itinerary by coming in from the North? Also on my initial list was Lamar Valley with hopes to see some wildlife at dawn. Is that something that should be reserved for another visit perhaps when the wildlife is more active in the spring? Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Ted, thanks for a great question! For coming in by the North you can easily adapt the itinerary. Day 4 on our itinerary, visiting Mammoth Hot Springs, would be your first day and then I would head to Yellowstone’s Canyon & Lake the next day (Day 5 on our itinerary). You could then circle back to do the Grant Village area the following day before heading to the Tetons where you’d just do our itinerary in reverse. Lamar Valley is 100% worth seeing, even if you don’t catch a glimpse of any wildlife it’s a beautiful area worth including.

Thank you Kim!

I have spent some summers in both parks. I like the itinerary you have for the week stay. If you ever get back you need to stop at Leeks Marina and go to Leeks Pizza a mile north of Colter Bay . Really, really good pizza with a great selection of toppings. Very good pasta also, you will love it. A great beer selection and a porch view of Jackson Lake and the Tetons. Did all the hikes you had listed. So much to see, you have picked some good ones.

what suggestions do u have for camping… are there places there to rent equipment or do people bring their own stuff on the airplane, we plan to stay at an airbnb for a few nights when we r outside the park but wanted the experience of camping for a night or 2 inside the park , any suggestions would be appreciated we are flying in salt lake city. plan on going to Grand Tetons for a day or two… then do Yellowstone for 3 or 4 and head back to SLC Thank you!!!!

Hi Jackie, I recommend packing your own gear for camping in the pack. Just pack the bare minimum that you’ll need to be comfortable. We are actually working on a gear rental blog piece so stay tuned! So great to hear you are heading to the parks!

I was wondering for Day 1 when you mentioned “Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance,” exactly which visitor center you’re referring to? I am planning my trip and want to follow your plan as closely as possible!

Hi Farheen, we are referring to the first Visitor Center when you enter. It is located at 1 Teton Park Rd, Moose, WY 83012 and is formally called the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

Can you tell me how many miles this trip is. I’m renting a camper van and need to know if we should purchase additional miles. Do you have any recommendations on where to rent a Camper Van?

Hi Liz, the entire trek from Salt Lake City airport to Yellowstone and back to the airport is at least 720 miles but with side trips and such I’d estimate about 800 miles to be safe. Have you checked out our post on the best places to rent camper vans? We have lots of great recs & ideas in there: https://bearfoottheory.com/campervan-rental-companies-us-road-trip/

Hey Kim, We are planning a trip out West this September leaving AL. on the 15th going to stop at MT. Rushmore 16th and then go to Yellowstone the 17th we’re staying there til the 19th then we thought about going to Teton and Jackson Hole then make our way to Cal. to Sequoia Nat. Park maybe stay there 2 days then thought about going to Las Vegas for the night then going to the Grand Canyon for 2 days then maybe Texas for 1 day then back to AL. Do you have any suggestions? We like seeing Wildlife. And is September a good time to come?

Hi Suzie, September is a great time for Yellowstone as long as snow doesn’t come too early! I would 100% allow time for Tetons; wildlife is abundant and it is breathtaking. Have you visited Yosemite before? Is there a reason you are leaving it out? Grand Canyon sounds amazing as well. Have you checked out our Ultimate Utah roadtrip itinerary of the National Parks? You might want to consider visiting one or two of those parks if it works within your schedule. https://bearfoottheory.com/utah-national-parks/ Zion generally has pretty good wildlife.

Thank you! I had the exact same question 🙂

Thank you for this wonderful and detailed itinerary! My partner and I have been planning to drive and hike around Yellowstone in June, but unfortunately I broke my ankle last week skiing 🙁 I should be out of the cast by June but likely not much of a hiker still. We are now trying to revise the plan to be primarily a driving trip with only light hiking/walking. Will you have a sense of which of the must-sees along the Yellowstone route will not be accessible without a substantial hike? We gotta return to Bozeman at the end of the trip, so we’ll likely be starting from there as well to make it a loop. Thank you for your insights – and thanks again for this travel guide which is obviously a labour of love!

Hi Mariya, this itinerary is still absolutely breathtaking without taking any of the dayhikes. Especially in Yellowstone there are numerous small paths that you can enjoy to really get a sense of the park. You can definitely see both parks without long day hikes/backpacking.

When we booked our trip to Grant Tetons/Yellowstone, I felt overwhelmed with the amount of things we wanted to see in our short 6 day trip, until I found this! AMAZING! I have a few questions… we will be coming from Salt Lake, stopping in Jackson for a day then heading into the parks. We will have 4 nights and 4.5 days to spend in the parks. How would you recommend shortening the trip a little? We were thinking 2 nights in the Grand Tetons, and 2.5 days spent hiking the Tetons. Then travel to Yellowstone midday our 3rd day, hit Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, and pitch camp at Canyon campground. Spend the most of the next day doing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Our last day in the park, going up to Mammoth Hot Springs before heading back to Salt Lake since we fly out very early the next morning (about an 8 hour drive). Do you think that sounds reasonable? Thanks in advance for your input!

Hey Frankie, you have done your research! Your trip sounds AMAZING! Honestly, I wouldn’t really change anything. I’d try on your first day to get there as early as possible to the Tetons to explore and honestly you might only need 2 days to explore the Tetons and then head on up to Yellowstone that way you’ll be building in some extra time in case you need it in Yellowstone or in case on your way back to SLC you decide to stop to see anything missed in the Tetons.

Hi all, We have booked our trip! Flying into Jackson Hole 7/31 and then flying out of Jackson on 8/8 We plan to follow the itinerary as closely as possible. The question i have is regarding the camping gear. would it be best to rent camping equipment from someplace local? Anyone with experience doing this? Thank you. Ted

This is Exactly what I Have been looking for quite some time. We plan on going to the Yellow stone National Park in the end of may this year. I have made my own itinerary covering Yellow Stone, Bad Lands and Mt Rushmore in 4 days. But, this coming from a person who has already been there should certainly help us. Thanks.

I am trying to plan my days for Yellowstone/Tetons. My wife and I will be with three of our children 12-14-16. We will be staying 3 nights in West Yellowstone and 5 nights in Jackson Hole. I am trying to figure out a plan to get the most out of our days with our launching points. Also we are interested in a good float for the family,more sight seeing than adventure but my 16yr old and I also want to do white water one day. Any advice would be appreciated!!

Hi Craig, sounds like you’re going to have a great time–those are awesome launching points and you’re set up for a good number of nights! I didn’t raft when I was there so I, unfortunately, can’t recommend a good vendor for rafting trips but personally, I utilize TripAdvisor and you might want to start there.

Thank you so much for this amazing, detailed, thorough itinerary! It is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Do you mind providing a list of what you guys packed? As far as camping/hiking gear etc? We are currently trying to decide on whether we want to do camping vs hotels/lodging due to the baggage fees on airplanes. If we do hotels/lodging, we could easily pack one carry on each which would save us $.

You bring up a really great point! I think if you did a cost comparison you’d find that camping is still less expensive even if you have to pay for 1 additional bag. We flew Southwest so we could each fly with 2 bags for free so we weren’t concerned about baggage fees. I think you’d be able to fit all your camping gear in one bag (I love the Patagonia Black Hole duffels and they work well for this situation). You really only need your tent, 2 sleeping pads & 2 sleeping bags. Those items for me all fit easily in a backpack and I traveled with my backpack and then put clothing in a rolling suitcase (carry-on size). I carried my trekking poles on the plane as well & we wore our hiking boots on the plane with flip-flops in our bag. Hotels are really expensive in the area so again I think you’d save more on camping. All of my camping gear is also lightweight & built for backpacking so it really depends on the quality/level of gear you have. We ate out so we didn’t pack any camping kitchen items. The only additional items we packed were headlamps.

Lotus cafe is closed.

Thanks so much, Sean, for the update. We are saddened to learn that.

Hi, Thanks for sharing, really helpful. We are planning to visit this August. We have made bookings and will stay first in Mammoth Frontier Cabin for 2 nights, then Canyon Lodge Western Cabin for 2 nights and in the end 3 nights in OF Inn Old House. Would you suggest how should be plan our visit as per the bookings we have made. Thanks !

Hi Ram! Nice job getting all those reservations; you’re going to have an incredible time. When you stay at Old Faithful that will be the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park (Day 1 & 2); that also is the best location for Day 3 on our itinerary. When you’re at the Mammoth Frontier Cabin you’ll want to focus on that area which is Day 4 on our itinerary. Day 5 will be best to accomplish when you are at the Canyon Lodge. If you’re wanting to visit Jackson at all you’ll also want to do that when staying at Old Faithful (but it is still a bit of a drive).

Hi Kim, We’re planning our first trip to Yellowstone, but will barely have 7 days to do it all. Plus, we’re not campers, so we’re looking at staying at the lodges in the park. Is your itinerary doable in 6 days? By the way, the header for your “Day 5” is missing above. Where does your “Day 5” begin? This page is great and full of great ideas. We plan on following it as best we can in the time we have.

Kristen and crew – I’ve been following your blog and instagram as I research camper van options. Love your posts!! I’m renting a sprinter from Venture Vans in May for a Yellowstone/Grand Teton 6 night trip. They want $100/day (not including camp fees) to assist. $600-700 seems like a lot for the itinerary, but I have not been before. I understand late-May weather can be iffy. Do you think I can follow this itinerary with a 4×4 144″WB that time of year? Camping where you suggest? Thanks so much! I appreciate any insights:) Lisa

Hi Lisa- It looks like no one here got back to you, but I think you will be fine in Late May. There has been a ton of snow, so you won’t necessarily be able to do all the hikes, and some of the campgrounds in Yellowstone might not be open yet, but the one near Mammoth should be great (It’s my favorite and we usually spend mother’s day weekend there). May is great for seeing baby Bison, and it shouldn’t be too crowded. 🙂 If you are headed to Jackson, check out this post too: myoffpistelife.com/tips-for-exploring-jackson-hole-and-grand-teton-national-park/

Great article, enjoyed reading it, especially the way you divided your trip day by day made it a much more interesting and easier read.

Copying the Yellowstone portion of this itinerary except in reverse! Canyon Village lodging was only available if I went their first and then to West Yellowstone and back down to Old Faithful area. Hope it still works well in reverse but I’m so excited 🙂

am planning on visiting grand tetons and yellowstone later this month with a group of 11- adult children in their 20’s and their parents. Renting an airbnb just outside the parks. Do you recommend any particular books for the area with hiking trails and information? Will try to follow your itinerary somewhat but will be staying in Jackson hole for part of the week and at the west gate of Yellowstone for part of the week. Thanks. Any suggestions? Ruth

Do you have an recommendations on where to stay with your group of 11?

We travel back to Texas from Alaska every summer and this year had hoped to come back for a week in Yellowstone and the Tetons in September. With life a bit unsettled now, we aren’t making definite plans, but if it works out we can hopefully use this plan from north to south, and find accommodations for our trailer. Last year we came back through Glacier National Park and had a magical trip.

It is hard to make plans right now, hopefully things settle down by the time September comes around. This itinerary will be here when you’re able to head out there! All the best from the Bearfoot Theory team 🙂

Thanks for all of these tips! We are going to be spending a month in Jackson, WY this September and can’t wait to see the Tetons and explore Yellowstone!

Nice, enjoy and travel safe! Thanks for reading 🙂

We followed a lot of recommendations from Bearfeet Theory on our visit to Yellowstone. It was the the first tie I had been and this was helpful. I suggest that you make the trip there interesting as well with fun stops along the way and also that you create video clips and edit them together to remember the whole adventure. We came from San Diego and had so much fun. Check out my video for some ideas… https://youtu.be/fEEA6r7DX4s

Glad you found this blog post helpful! Thanks for reading and for sharing your video. Looks like you guys had a great trip 🙂

We did! Thanks for the helpful post!

Excellent video of a great road trip. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! My kids watch it over and over…we just got back from another roadtrip and I have started to put the new video together this week. Subscribe to my channel and hit the notification bell to be notified when it comes out.

Headed to Jackson next week. So thankful I found your itinerary! Would this itinerary be your choice with all the smoke in the area?

Glad you found it helpful! We can’t speak to the current situation out there, but I’d recommend looking up fire maps and smoke/air quality maps for the area before deciding if it’s safe to head that way. Best of luck!

In visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, one os the 10 most scenic drives in the West, per National Geographic magazine was missed. That is the 255 mile loop to the west of the mountain range. It goes from Jackson Hole across scenic and beautiful Teton Pass to Victor Idaho. Then North on Hwy 33 to Tetonia, seeing the quaint western Town of Driggs and passing two breweries and Grand Teton Distillery. Stop for samples of Huckleberry bodka and award winning whiskeys. Then further north through Mesa Falls and Island Park where there is great fishing at Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. You end up at the West Hate of Yellowstone where you can enter the Park and loop around both upper and lower falls, pinic along the river and then bisit the lidge at Olf Faithful before heading south again through Grand Teton Park and exiting the South Gate back to Jackson. The Loop can be easily done in a day with lots of activities and magnificent views of both sides of the mountains all day.

That sounds like a fun and scenic loop. Thanks for the tip, Jennie!

My son and I visited the park last August [2020) . This would have been a great itinerary but there were road closures for mud slides, an overturned tanker, fires and road construction. The road from Canyon Village to the Tower was closed foe construction and maybe again this year. Be sure to check road closures when making your plans. We had foe days in the park and saw amazing sites including a day of snow (yes in August) . Be prepared for traffic at all the major attractions and parking. And remember a bison parade can stall your plans as they have the right of way.

Just planned a trip with our 4 adult children for this June. First time to JH area & very excited but feeling a bit overwhelmed with how/where best to drive vs hike vs raft, etc. Staying in Teton Village. Will be using this itinerary for many tips!! Can’t thank you enough for sharing; any other tips from anyone would help!

Sounds like it will be a great family adventure!

We are planning a trip this July to Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. We will be coming from the east. Should we start in GT or Yellowstone? We also would like to know the best place to rent a VRBO? Do we rent in between the two parks? Is it doable to have an in between point or just move lodging to be closer to each park?Also, is Glacier doable if we only have about 8 days for entire time out there? Would love to do the Road to the sun road trip. I have lots of questions, this is a huge trip with so many options! Your itinerary is extremely helpful.

The two parks are about three hours apart, so it’s probably best to enjoy one before heading over to the other. Which one you start with really depends on which route you coming in on from the East (rt 14 or 26). Glacier would be a lot to add to an 8-day trip, maybe keep that one for next summer!

Hello we are planning a trip this June We will be flying into Vegas, hoping to visit Hoover dam, west rim of Grand Canyon, visiting Zion NP, Bryce NP. What would be best route to go to Arches, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone from Bryce We will be flying back home from Salt Lake City.

The fastest way from Bryce to Arches would be Rt 70, but you could also take Rt 12, which would pass by Capitol Reef National Park

Thanks! Great itinerary. We are planning to visit Yellowstone and GTNP this summer coming from ND. We want to go to the rodeo in Cody also. Where would be the best place to add that stop?

Since Cody is closer to Yellowstone, it probably makes sense to tack it on at the end if you plan on following this itinerary.

Is it possible to make this 7 day trip yet only stay at two locations? I’m not sure I want to pack up my family of 6 every day. Are there central cities that we could find lodging that you would recommend (to eliminate as much repeat driving as possible?

You could stay definitely at one place within or near each Park and explore them individually. Jackson Hole is the largest town near Grand Teton and Yellowstone has nine different lodges within the park.

We are planning a 7 day trip leaving Florida on August 16th to visit both parks beginning in SLC..Both of us are looking for recommendations on economical/budget hotels during the trip as we will be enjoying the scenery from our rental car. We love to take walking trips and plan to do so when the trails are available and noted. Any advise would be helpful.

This itinerary is awesome!! If you only had one day at Grand Teton, how would you alter the itinerary? Your help is much appreciated!!

It really depends on what you’re interested in. If you want great scenery and don’t mind some crowds, the Death Canyon Trail is stunning and the Visitor Center is a great intro to the park, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to explore it. But if you prefer to get off the beaten path a bit, heading to the other side of Jenny Lake offers more hiking opportunities and more of a backcountry feel if you hike up to Lake Solitude. Both days are great, it just depends on what you’re looking for!

We are planning a Yellowstone/ Grand Teton trip this fall. Fly into Cody on Sept. 25. Will spend that night in Cody and last night in Cody on Oct 3, fly out on the 4th.We were thinking 4 nights Yellowstone and three for Grand Teton but having trouble deciding which park first and how to divide our nights. Do we come in the northeast entrance and out the east entrance? Would two nights in west Yellowstone then two in canyon, one in Colter and two in Jackson make sense? Or one in Gardiner, one west Yellowstone, 2 Canyon? Or in east entrance and down to grand Teton first? We are so confused not knowing the area at all!

Hi Christina, you could follow this 7-day itinerary by entering Yellowstone from Cody, but instead of going to Jackson at the end of the trip, head back to Cody via rt. 20. If you want to break up the drive, Boyson State Park could be a great stop.

Hi! On Day 2, as opposed to camping, what alternative lodging do you recommend?

Signal Mountain Lodge would be a great choice with beautiful views.

My husband and I did a 12 day road trip through SD/WY/MT/ND 3 years ago and did not spend anywhere near enough time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve talked about going back to specifically spend the whole time in those 2 places. This itinerary is exactly what we need to make that trip. Guess we’ll start planning for 2023!

Hi Margaret, we’re so glad you found this itinerary helpful! Agreed that Yellowstone/Grand Tetons are magical places – glad to hear you’re planning a return visit 🙂

We are planning an 8 night round trip for Yellowstone/Tetons from Bozeman in early September and I am trying to pin down our route. We arrive late the first night and will stay in Bozeman or Big Sky. I think we are too late for reservations in the park, so here are my preliminary thoughts on a route:

Night 1 Bozeman or Big Sky Night 2-4 West Yellowstone Night 5-6 Jackson Night 7 Cody Night 8 Gardiner Day 9 Depart Bozeman

On the drive from Cody to Gardner I was thinking entering northeast entrance of Yellowstone and seeing Lamar Pass and some of the other northern sites along the way. Any thoughts or suggested adjustments to this route?

Hi Mark, unfortunately the person who wrote this guide no longer writes for us, and I haven’t been to the Tetons/Yellowstone (yet!). Best of luck on tripping planning and enjoy!

Planning on doing this itinerary next month. If starting early in the mornings what time will you typically be done? Trying to decide if we have room to plan anything in the mornings or afternoons.

Hi Tasha, this was written by a former Bearfoot Theory writer so I’m not sure how many hours per day the itinerary includes. Sorry about that!

KIm We are going in and out of Jackson hole…can I use this itinerary and how can I print it

Plan, Ready, Go®

7 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton: Ultimate Guide

At Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, you will discover an incredible range of America’s wilderness, from erupting geysers to jagged mountains. This itinerary for seven days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton will help you experience the highlights and hidden gems of both national parks. In this article, I’ll prepare you for an exciting trip with useful tips and advice.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, Wyoming, and explore the town

Day 2: Grand Teton Scenic Loop

Day 3: jenny lake and hiking, day 4: northern grand teton and yellowstone upper geyser basin.

Day 5: More Geyser Basins and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone 

Day 6: Yellowstone Lake and Wildlife Viewing

Day 7: Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See disclaimer .

Know before you go

• Plan to spend three nights in the Grand Teton area and four nights in Yellowstone.
• Yellowstone and Grand Teton hotels and lodges can be booked up to a year in advance for peak travel dates. Book early to ensure you get your preferred room for your travel dates. Consider lodging options outside the parks as well.
• Consider buying an America the Beautiful pass if you plan to visit more than Grand Teton and Yellowstone within a year.
• Weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. Make sure you know what to pack .
• Weather-related road closures can affect how you tour the parks. Check the latest updates on road and park entrance closures before your trip.

7-day Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary

This itinerary is designed to give you an overview of the highlights of both parks. The itinerary starts with your arrival in Jackson, followed by a visit to Grand Teton National Park, and then Yellowstone. You can also do this itinerary in reverse.

Only have time to visit one park rather than both? Check out Yellowstone vs Grand Teton to help you make your decision.

I recommend that those traveling to Yellowstone download the GuideAlong app and purchase the Yellowstone + Grand Teton National Park Tour . It’s the perfect national park companion.

Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, Wyoming, and explore town

Once you arrive in Jackson, Wyoming, and check into your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring this fun town. Stroll around the square to see the famous antler arches, enjoy coffee at a local shop, and visit unique stores for a relaxing first day.

Stop by a store such as Whole Foods or Albertson’s to get snacks and picnic items for lunch in Grand Teton. You might end your day with dinner at a local spot like Snake River Brewing .

On your first full day in Grand Teton, you’ll explore the bulk of the park by doing the Grand Teton Loop scenic drive .

For photographers eager to capture Grand Teton’s best photo spots , start early in the morning and drive the loop counterclockwise from Jackson for optimal lighting. By following this route, you’ll reach key photo locations like Mormon Row, Schwabacher Landing, and Oxbow Bend sequentially.

These are some of the best views in the park. The morning sun shines on the front of the barns at Mormon Row, giving you the best chance to get beautiful photos of the barns with the rising sun illuminating them and the Tetons behind.

For those preferring to simply enjoy the views or start a hike early, driving the loop clockwise is ideal. We chose to do the loop clockwise, stopping first at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center when it opened and ending our day at Mormon Row before heading back to Jackson for dinner.

See my detailed guide on scenic driving in Grand Teton National Park for details about the stops on this route.

TIP:  Keep track of all the amazing sites you’re seeing in the park with  this printable Yellowstone National Park bucket list . Or turn your explorations into a game with the printable Yellowstone Scavenger Hunt . On a quest to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks?  Grab your own copy of the  printable national parks tracker  to check off your progress as you visit each park.

Spend your third day at Jenny Lake , the centerpiece of Grand Teton National Park. Take the boat across the lake and hit the trails for a hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point . You can also bypass the boat shortcut and hike around the southern end of the lake.

If you don’t want to hike today, consider doing a scenic boat tour on the lake. And don’t miss the Jenny Lake Visitor Center and store.

In the afternoon, consider adding these hikes:

• Hike to Taggart Lake
• Do the Taggart Lake – Bradley Lake Loop hike
• Hike the String Lake Loop
• Hike to Leigh Lake
• Hermitage Point 

Today you’ll leave Grand Teton National Park and head to Yellowstone, using the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, which connects the two parks. The parkway is not long. You’ll enter Yellowstone through the south entrance.

As you head to Yellowstone, you’ll drive through Grand Teton’s northern section. You can explore a few spots north of Teton Park Road before you leave. There are some lovely scenic overlooks like Willow Flats and Jackson Lake Overlook .

Once in Yellowstone, head for the Upper Geyser Basin to witness the iconic Old Faithful . Check geyser eruption schedules at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center to help with your planning.

Of course, there’s more to the Upper Geyser Basin than just Old Faithful. To plan the rest of your day in Yellowstone, read my guide to exploring the Upper Geyser Basin .

Consider staying at the Old Faithful Inn , if only for one night. It’s quite an adventure. The ‘old house’ part of the Inn, constructed in 1904, is a draw for guests with its amazing and enormous lobby. Beyond the charm of the Inn, staying there allows you to watch Old Faithful erupt multiple times with fewer crowds.

We really enjoyed the vintage rooms (with shared bathrooms down the hall). Just so you know, these facilities were impeccably clean, updated, and not overcrowded.

Day 5: More Geyser Basins and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

This morning, leave Old Faithful Inn for Midway Geyser Basin . Stop by Black Sand and Biscuit Basins on the way if you haven’t seen them yet. The key attraction at Midway is the stunning Grand Prismatic Spring . 

If you visit early on a cold morning, the spring will likely be covered in thick haze and you won’t be able to see much. If seeing Grand Prismatic Spring is important to you, plan to visit later in the day, once things have warmed up.

Next, at Lower Geyser Basin , the Fountain Paint Pot and Firehole Lake Drive are must-sees, alongside Yellowstone hidden gems like Firehole Canyon Drive, Gibbon Falls, and Beryl Spring. The hike at Artists’ Paintpots is a bit tougher, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the area.

In the afternoon, enjoy the remarkable Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and views of the Upper and Lower Falls. For all the details, see my Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone driving guide .

For the rest of your trip, Canyon Lodge is a good place to stay. Its central location in the park will give you easier access to all the other sites you plan to visit.

Day 6: Yellowstone Lake and wildlife viewing

Yellowstone is famous for its amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. Today, begin or end your day at Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley for a chance to spot elk, bison, wolves, bears, or bighorn sheep. If you want to try both valleys, my suggestion would be to do Lamar Valley at dawn today and then end your day in Hayden Valley since it’s so close to Canyon Village.

Spend the rest of your day exploring the Yellowstone Lake area . Also, make sure to visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin . This area is unique because of the hot springs and geysers at the lakeshore. 

Yellowstone Lake is the perfect place for a picnic lunch. For a special dinner, consider the Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room. Reservations are required.

Day 7: Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and free time or head home

On your final day, visit the wonderful Norris Geyser Basin. This area is large, so if you have limited time, concentrate on visiting Porcelain Basin. Back Basin’s features, which are more spread out and isolated than those in Porcelain Basin, include Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser.

Then head to the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs . The formations here are truly unique. You can explore the area through two separate loops: one for the lower terraces and another for the upper terraces. The upper terrace is vehicle accessible.

After this, it’s time to say goodbye to Yellowstone National Park. You could consider staying overnight in Mammoth or Gardiner, or you can travel on to Bozeman, Montana, for your flight home.

How to customize this itinerary

Creating an itinerary for your perfect Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip will depend a lot on how much time you have. Whether you’re short on days or have a bit more time to explore, here’s how to adjust your schedule effectively.

Visiting for fewer than 7 days

Suggestions for planning a shorter trip:

• Spend a day and a half at Grand Teton, with the first day for the scenic loop drive and a short hike. The next morning visit Jenny Lake then head up to Yellowstone to explore the Upper Geyser Basin late in the afternoon/evening.
• Reduce your Yellowstone visit by a day and skip minor stops like Fountain Paintpots at Lower Geyser Basin and the Back Basin at Norris.
• You could also do the lower loop of Yellowstone as a day trip from Jackson .

If you have more than 7 days

With extra days at your disposal, consider doing the following:

• Spend more time at each park’s main attractions and consider longer hikes, such as the Cascade Canyon Trail in Grand Teton.
• Explore surrounding areas such as Cody or Glacier National Park. Or head east to explore Devils Tower , Mount Rushmore , or Badlands National Park .

How to get there

There are a few airports nearby. If you’re going to follow this itinerary as written, I would fly into Jackson, Wyoming, (JAC) and leave from Bozeman, Montana (BZN). If you prefer larger airports, consider Salt Lake City (SLC), though be prepared for a 5-hour drive to Grand Teton or Yellowstone.

Keep in mind that weather can close park entrances and roads. Always check road conditions and entrances when planning your trip. 

TRAVEL TIP: If you have flexible travel dates you need to check out Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). You get amazing flight deals sent straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book directly with the airlines. Check out Going here. Going is my favorite way to find great travel deals. 

Where to stay

This can be an overwhelming part of planning a Grand Teton/Yellowstone trip. There are a lot of options to choose from. A LOT.

Inside Yellowstone National Park

Although it can be more expensive, I highly recommend that you stay inside Yellowstone National Park during your visit. It will save you a lot of driving time. In addition, you may find it helpful to stay in more than one location within the park.

I recommend:

• The Old Faithful Inn : offers historic accommodations right at the most famous geyser in the world
• Canyon Lodge : modern and “green” rooms close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Free Wi-Fi in the main lodge and other lodge rooms, but not in cabins.

Outside Yellowstone

• West Yellowstone, Montana: by far the most popular place to stay outside Yellowstone, it’s just a few miles from the west entrance
• Gardiner, Montana: This small town is right outside the north entrance and just over 5 miles from Mammoth Hot Springs. It would make a great place to stop your last night in the park before flying home out of Bozeman. It’s about a 90-minute drive from BZN.
• Silvergate-Cooke City, Montana: this may be a great option for you if you want to prioritize wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley.

Inside Grand Teton National Park

There are some great lodging options there including:

• Jenny Lake Lodge
• Signal Mountain Lodge
• Jackson Lake Lodge
• Colter Bay cabins
• Camping (there are nine campgrounds inside the park)

Staying in Jackson, Wyoming

While visiting Grand Teton National Park, we stayed at the Flat Creek Inn , which is between the town of Jackson, Wyoming, and the entrance to Grand Teton National Park. We enjoyed a spacious king room with a living area and a full kitchen with a small dining area. The convenient location and amount of room we got for the money make The Flat Creek Inn a great option.

Other popular options in Jackson include:

• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole is located a little outside of the center of Jackson, but still in town. The spacious rooms and comfy beds are popular with guests.
• The Lexington at Jackson Hole is located near the center of town, close to the famous elk antler arches on the town square. It’s less than five miles from the park, and you can get suite rooms with a kitchen or a fireplace.
• Cowboy Village Resort offers western-themed cabins with kitchenettes. The resort is near the center of Jackson, and it’s popular with traveling families.

When to visit

Between June and late September is the best time of year to visit Grand Teton National Park. Services are usually fully available in early June, and the crowds haven’t yet reached their peak. Be aware that even in June, the Teton weather can be unpredictable. Prepare for the unexpected and dress in layers.

Crowds will start dwindling after the American Labor Day holiday in early September when most U.S. schools will be in session, but the weather is still agreeable. About 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature in Jackson Hole in September.

Yellowstone’s high season runs from June to August , with warm weather and access to all services, roads, and trails. July and August are also when the majority of the park’s guests visit.

The shoulder seasons, May to early June and September , offer a good balance of fewer visitors and mild weather. However, prepare for possible snow in May and early fall. In reality, snow can fall at any time in the park, so it’s best to always be prepared for it.

Wildlife viewing is excellent in the spring when animals are active and there are animal babies. Yellowstone typically opens all roads by late May. Check which park entrances, lodgings, services, and roads are open before planning your trip.

To avoid disappointment, especially during the busy summer months, book your lodging and campsites well in advance. 

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Travel Tips

Park entrance fees.

Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks require entrance fees. For each park, you can expect to pay $35 per private vehicle . This fee is good for seven days for each park. 

If you plan to visit other parks besides Yellowstone and Grand Teton within a year, consider buying an America the Beautiful Pass for $80. This pass allows entry to national parks and other federal areas for one year.

Wildlife Safety

When you’re exploring the parks, you’re on the home turf of bears, bison, elk, and more. Remember, these animals are wild and can be unpredictable. Always stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife.

What to pack

The weather in Yellowstone and Grand Teton can be unpredictable, so packing layers is key. See my article about what to pack for Yellowstone for my complete advice on this subject.

See more essential tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park .

Grand Teton Yellowstone Road Trip FAQs

How far is it from yellowstone to grand teton.

The distance between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is relatively short. The drive is about 19 miles from Colter Bay Village in the Northern section of Grand Teton to the south entrance of Yellowstone. Between the boundaries of the two parks, you’ll travel along the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.

Does it matter which park you visit first?

No, it doesn’t matter which park you visit first, Yellowstone or Grand Teton. Your experience can be equally great whether you start at Yellowstone with its famous geysers or Grand Teton with its beautiful mountains. Start wherever best accommodates your preferences and travel plans.

Should I spend more time In Yellowstone or Grand Teton?

You will likely want to spend more time in Yellowstone because of its larger size and the variety of attractions it offers. There’s a lot to explore in Yellowstone. Grand Teton is smaller and so requires less time to visit. You may wish to spend more time there if you enjoy mountains and hiking.

How many days in Grand Teton is enough?

Plan to spend at least two days in Grand Teton National Park to appreciate the park’s primary sights, including Jenny Lake and the scenic loop drive. This also allows for a few short hikes and wildlife spotting. Consider adding a day to your trip if you enjoy longer hikes.

How many days do I need in Yellowstone?

A minimum of three to four days in Yellowstone is recommended to see its top attractions like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This will also give you time to spot bison, wolves, and bears.

Help planning your Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks trip

• National park tourist mistakes to avoid
• Tops tips for visiting Grand Teton National Park
• Guide to the Grand Teton scenic loop drive
• Yellowstone packing list
• Yellowstone National Park travel tips
• Hidden gems in Yellowstone
• Grand Teton National Park vs Yellowstone National Park

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Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

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geyser exploding on the left side while mountain on the right side image

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Two-Day Itinerary

June 17, 2023

Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park are very different in size and landscape, but they’re so close together that most national park enthusiasts want to visit both parks during their trip. 

Now, Yellowstone National Park is a massive two million acres, so we suggest taking multiple days to explore it all. In fact, we’ve got several handy itineraries  for multiple days of fun. 

But, if you’re limited on time and want to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a handy two-day itinerary that hits all the Yellowstone and Grand Teton highlights!

This itinerary starts at the West entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is the most popular entrance. It’s also the closest to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, which are the most popular places in the park and get very busy in midday.

We recommend starting your day by 7am to avoid crowds, maximize your time, and see some amazing wildlife before the park crowds scare them off.

Before we dive in, here’s some Frequently Asked Questions when it comes to trip planning.

Can I Really See Both Parks in Two Days?

Sure! You’re not going to be able to see everything in Yellowstone, but you can definitely see the highlights of both parks in a two-day time period.

Where Should I Stay?

If you’ve only got a limited amount of time and want to hit the Yellowstone and Grand Teton highlights, we suggest making West Yellowstone your home base. There are plenty of lodging options, and you’ll be close to Yellowstone’s West park entrance, which will save you time.

Should I Get a Hotel Near Grand Teton on the Second Day?

In other words, does it make more sense to stay near Yellowstone when you’re visiting that park and stay near Grand Teton when visiting that park? Sure, you can! But it’s not absolutely necessary.

West Yellowstone is only about two and a half hours from Jackson Hole, Wyoming (aka the very southern tip of Grand Teton). Since Grand Teton National Park is a giant loop, you’ll be able to see it all in a day, and comfortably return to your home base at West Yellowstone.

Okay! Are we ready? Let’s go!

Check out Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park Tours for an Epic Adventure!

Day One: A Snapshot of Yellowstone

See Scenic West Yellowstone

Approximate Time: 30 minutes

Start your adventure by driving along the crystal-clear Madison River. As one of the best rivers in the nation for fly fishing, it holds the honorable distinction of being a Blue Ribbon Fishery. Some sights you’ll pass by are Talus Mountain, Mount Haynes, and National Park Mountain.

Madison Junction

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

To start your epic day loop, head right at Madison Junction. Don’t forget to stop by the restroom if you need to!

Firehole Canyon Road

Approximate Time: 15 minutes

Admire the beautiful Firehole Canyon Falls and Canyon as we follow it upstream. Reach its churning cascades before rejoining the Grand Loop Road.

Fountain Flat Drive 

Take a quick detour down Fountain Flat Drive, where you’ll find a lively, grassy meadow, two small hot springs, and the legendary Maiden’s Grave. You’ll also get another good look at the Firehole River, jumping and splashing with trout. 

Firehole Lake Drive

A brief loop on the 3-mile Firehole Lake Drive leads to several stunning hydrothermal features, including the White and Pink Dome Geysers and the Great Dome Geyser. They’re all available from roadside lookouts or short boardwalk walks. 

Midway Geyser Basin (and optional hike)

Approximate Time: 1-4 hours

The Midway Geyser Basin may just end up being your favorite stop in the park. Along the short boardwalk trail that encircles the gigantic, 370' Grand Prismatic Spring, you'll also witness a number of other smaller hot springs.

If you have time, be sure to pull into Fairy Falls Trailhead and take the 0.6 mile one-way hike to Grand Prismatic Overlook. If you’re feeling adventurous, this trail continues for another 1 mile (each way) to Fairy Falls, one of the park’s most spectacular waterfalls.

Old Faithful (optional stop)

Approximate Time: 1-3 hours

It’s not a trip to Yellowstone without visiting the iconic, reliable Old Faithful . The big geyser itself erupts about every 60-110 minutes, but if you get there early, don’t fret.

There’s lots to see and do nearby, including checking out the Visitor Center, Tribal Heritage Center, or visiting one of its many surrounding hydrothermal features along the Geyser Loop Trail.

If you need a snack, coffee, or restroom break, be sure to stop by the historic Old Faithful Lodge. That’s also where you’ll find the gift shop.

Kepler Cascades 

A short boardwalk allows visitors to see the roaring Kepler Cascades. This multi-tiered fall has drops as long as 50 feet.

Continental Divide

Stop at Isa Lake and see the only lake in the world that flows into two different oceans. Not only that, this lake drains backward—the western end flows to the Atlantic, and the eastern end flows to the Pacific. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind stop.

West Thumb Geyser Basin (optional stop)

Approximate Time: 1-3 hours 

This may just be one of the best-kept secrets in Yellowstone. Without traveling too far off the beaten path, you’ll be able to enjoy one of Yellowstone’s best geyser basins. Be sure to check out the famous Fishing Cone Geyser while you’re there! The Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail is also worth a walk if you have time. It’s a quick 1.7-mile loop that’s popular with birders.

Approximate Time: 20 minutes

Take this scenic drive along the lake peninsula and enjoy a picnic stop at Gull Point.

Fishing Bridge

Fishing Bridge has a ranger station, a general store, and, of course, the fishing bridge. Be sure to walk along the bridge to scan for the Cutthroat trout that like to gather below. Then, when you’re done, rejoin the Grand Loop and continue north.

Hayden Valley

Approximate Time: 25 minutes

Continue your journey north by driving into the wildlife haven known as Hayden Valley. This marshy landscape attracts grazers from all over, and grazers attract predators. Keep on going until you reach the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

LeHardy Rapids

Take a short boardwalk down to the Yellowstone River and the roaring LeHardy Rapids. In early spring, these rapids are alive with jumping, spawning cutthroat trout. 

Mud Volcano Geyser (optional stop)

Approximate Time: 1 hour

This may not be one of the park’s best-known geysers, but it should be! Mud Volcano is one of the most unique and overlooked hydrothermal areas of the park—and one of the most acidic! Be sure to check out Dragon’s Mouth Hot Spring—a roaring, sloshing, bubbling hot spring full of personality!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone-South Rim Drive

This drive leads to two more fantastic canyon viewpoints—the Upper Falls View and Artist Point —along with some optional hikes. I recommend Uncle Tom’s Trail. Take time to admire this geological wonder: the eras of rock carved through by the Yellowstone River's awesome power are truly breathtaking.

Brink of the Upper Falls (optional stop)

After you circle around, turn right just past the North Rim Drive to get one final look at the Upper Falls. This viewpoint, right at the brink of the falls, is one of the best in the park. You’ll need to walk just over a quarter mile on an easy trail to enjoy its viewing platform.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone-North Rim Drive

Your epic Grand Canyon adventure continues with a turn right onto North Rim Drive. The Brink of the Lower Falls has one scenic stop after another, including the Brink of the Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. Most of these lookouts are roadside or accessed by a short walk. Be sure to stop by every point on your way up.

Grand Canyon Village (optional stop)

Approximate Time: Up to 1 hour

Canyon Village has a restaurant, a lodge, several shops, and a visitor center. If you do nothing else, be sure to stop by the visitor center—the displays, including one lit diorama of Yellowstone, are informative. They really help to visualize complex geological processes like the formation of the canyon and caldera.

Washburn Hot Springs Overlook

The Washburn Hot Springs Overlook is a great place to stretch your legs, look out at the Yellowstone caldera, and take a quick restroom break.

Chittenden Road (optional drive)

The drive up to Mount Washburn is sure to leave you breathless—whether from the heights or the narrow road. The stunning view that awaits you looks over the river, peaks, and valleys off in the distance. 

Tower Falls (optional stop)

Approximate Time: 30 minutes- 1 hour

Tower Falls has a general store and, as you may have guessed, a waterfall. A short boardwalk leads to several breathtaking overlooks of the plunging 132-foot falls. There is also a one-mile there-and-back trail that leads to the river and past a few bubbling cauldrons.

Up next is the majestic hot spring cone known as Soda Butte. Even though it's no longer active, it's still worth stopping by. Not to mention, cliff swallows have turned the cone into a kind of bird condominium, so be sure to check it out!

Tower Junction Pit Stop

Take a quick restroom break and fill up the tank before continuing your journey along the northern loop. If you’re feeling hungry, step into the historic Roosevelt Lodge to fill up your internal tank.

See the Petrified Tree

Take a short detour to see one of Yellowstone’s petrified trees—a fossilized remnant from a time when Yellowstone was covered in redwoods and warm-weather forests.

Blacktail Drive (optional drive)

Blacktail Drive is accessible to all vehicles, but exercise caution after rain. This gravel road is much more scenic and private than the main road, and that means you’ll have a better chance to see wildlife. Be aware that this one-way drive will take you back to Tower Junction, so you will have to turn around if you choose to take this optional side-trip.

Undine Falls

Undine Falls is where Lava Creek tumbles over basaltic stones. To reach the overlook, you just go down a few wooden steps. At the next pullover—just seconds ahead—lies the Lava Creek Trail and Picnic Area. 

Mammoth Village

If you’re here before about 4 p.m., consider checking out Mammoth Village. There’s the historical Fort Yellowstone, the Albright Visitor Center, and the Mammoth General Store. If you’re hungry, consider stopping by the Mammoth Dining Room.

Lower Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace

It’s time to check out Mammoth's famous Lower Terrace. Those stunning photos of snow-white terraces you see online? They happen right here.

You are bound to be enchanted by Minerva Terrace, Jupiter Terrace, and all of these park landmarks. I advise you to stroll the full 2.2-mile boardwalk if you have the time. Before leaving, don't forget to stop by Liberty Cap!

Upper Terrace Drive

And now, it’s on to the Upper Terrace! Some major highlights on this 1.5-mile drive are the Orange Spring Mound, Angel Terrace, and Aphrodite Terrace. You won’t want to miss this iconic drive around Yellowstone’s white, otherworldly landscape.

The Hoodoos

This quick looping drive takes you through Yellowstone’s “hoodoos.” Though we call them "hoodoos," they are actually boulders that rolled down from nearby Terrace Mountain. Real hoodoos are formed by erosion. You should take a few minutes to check out this boulder field and “false hoodoos” for yourself.

Rustic Falls and Golden Gate

These two pullovers let you admire the plummeting rustic falls and the Golden Gate viaduct. Though this new concrete bridge is much more stable than its wooden predecessor, its sheer height is sure to take your breath away. 

Sheepeater Cliff 

Pull in to see Sheepeater Cliff, a geometric basaltic wall that was named for the Sheepeater people, one of the few Native American tribes to have lived in Yellowstone year-round. These hexagonal columns formed naturally over 1.3 million years ago and cooled into the unique shape you see today.

Obsidian Cliff and Exhibit 

Because of some extra-handsy tourists (shame! ), you aren’t allowed to walk directly to the Obsidian Cliff. But we’ll get a great view as you drive past, and then we’ll stop off at the exhibit. Then, take a short 5-minute walk to get another view of the cliff, with black glass shining and shimmering in the sun.

Roaring Mountain

You’ve seen them, and you’ve smelled them. Now, let’s hear them. Roaring Mountain is pocked with fumaroles, super-hot chasms that “roar” and hiss with steam. The ash-gray color of this mountain is caused by sulfur-reducing bacteria that dissolve the lava stone over time.

Museum of the National Park Ranger

Drown down this side road to check out a film about the park rangers, browse some historical exhibits, and maybe pick the brain of a current or retired park ranger. After all, without these dedicated employees, none of what you’re experiencing would be possible.

Norris Geyser Basin (optional stop)

Approximate Time: 1-2 hours 

You’re not “geysered out” yet, are you? Because there is one more major basin to see before you head up to Mammoth Hot Springs . The Norris Geyser Basin is Yellowstone’s hottest and oldest geyser basin, featuring the tallest geyser in the world! You won’t want to miss this 2.9-mile looping boardwalk trail. 

Artist’s Paintpots (optional)

Approximate Time: 45 minutes

Artists’ Paintpots 0.6-mile boardwalk begins in pine woods and emerges into a basin full of colorful mud pots. It's one of Shaka's top spots for avoiding the crowds while enjoying the park's unique, bubbly, gurgly hydrothermals.

Beryl Spring

This is one of the most radiant hot springs in the park, with a striking blue color like that of a beryl stone. It’s just on the side of the road, so it’s more than worth the stop.

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Gibbon Picnic Area and Falls

Want to enjoy the music of the Gibbon River while having lunch? Swing by the Gibbon Picnic Area! After you’re done, it’s less than a half-mile drive to Gibbon Falls, named for early Yellowstone explorer Colonel Gibbon.

Yellowstone's early volcanic eruptions left behind this mountain of compacted, welded volcanic ash. Be sure to stop by to see it. Additionally, picnic tables and a restroom are available at the pullover.

Drive out of the West Exit

From here, it’s a scenic drive at dusk through the west exit. Then, you’ll be back in West Yellowstone and ready to rest and recharge for your day in Grand Teton!

Map of Yellowstone National Park Tour Stops Day One

Day Two: Exploring Grand Teton’s Highlights

Grand Teton National Park is roughly two hours south of West Yellowstone. If you leave “home base” around 6:00 am, you may want to stop at Old Faithful or Grand Prismatic Spring, in case they were too busy to see yesterday.

Once we’re headed south to Rockefeller Parkway, here’s our can’t-miss Grand Teton National Park stops!

Jackson Lake Overlook

Approximate Time: 5-10 minutes

Stop at Jackson Lake Overlook to get a first look at the Teton Mountain Range in all its glory, towering over the historic Jackson Lake.

Colter Bay Village

Approximate Time: 1-2 hours

Need to fuel up? Need a snack or a stretch break? Colter Bay Village has it all! General store, grocery store, gas station, and souvenir shop! If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, Colter Bay Village offers:

• lake cruises
• horseback riding
• beach-going, and more

In fact, it’s often been described as a summer camp for the whole family!

There are four places within Grand Teton National Park known as “The Famous Four,” because they are the four most photographed areas in the entire park. Oxbow Bend is one of these.

This is also the most popular place to view a Grand Teton sunrise or sunset. Stop and gaze at the crescent shaped bend in the Snake River with the Teton range in the distance. Be advised, though–this turnout gets very busy around sunset, so plan accordingly!

Cunningham Cabin

Approximate Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Cunningham Cabin is another “Famous Four” places at Grand Teton. Take a short walk through history as you explore around one of the first homesteads in the area. 

Schwabacher Landing

Approximate Time:   30 minutes

The third of the Famous Four! Schwabacher Landing used to be a popular boat launch, but in recent years, the Snake River shifted just enough that boats are no longer able to access it. Instead, you’ll have amazing views of the Teton Range and the surrounding forest reflected in the Snake River. It’s a great place for wildlife viewing, too! 

Snake River Overlook

Snake River Overlook is the fourth of the Famous Four. This one was made famous by nature photographer Ansel Adams, and for good reason. From this iconic viewpoint, you’ll be able to view the gentle bends of the Snake River set against the Teton Range.

But don’t be fooled by the serenity of the scene. Early fur trappers in the Tetons nicknamed the Snake River “The Accursed Mad River” because of its wild unpredictability.

Mormon Row was one of the first actual communities within Grand Teton National Park. In the early 1920s, it was a bustling, self-sufficient town. Today all that’s left behind are memories— and buildings, like the Moulton Barns and the Chambers Homestead.

These are now on the National Registry of Historic Places, and you’ll be able to walk among them. Also, the Moulton Barn has the distinction of being the most photographed barn in the United States. Make sure you snap your own picture!

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center offers trail information, weather, and other general information. Check out exhibits, ranger-led talks, gift shop, and stroll the LED “rivers” on the floor!

Murie Ranch

Visit the historic home of the Muries—more commonly known as the Grandparents of the Conservation Movement. In fact, the John Denver song A Song For All Lovers is based on the famous couple!

Chapel of the Transfiguration

Come and find some peace inside this beautiful little chapel nestled in the shadows of the Teton range. This chapel was built in 1925, and it’s still an active Episcopal congregation today!

Menor’s Ferry Historic District

Approximate Time: 1-2 Hours

Stroll through the historic buildings that once belonged to–and were built by–William Menor himself. In the 1920s, Menor was the first homesteader to build on the West bank of the Snake River, and with the building of the ferry, he was able to open a whole new trade route to the Teton range! 

Taggart Lake Trail

Approximate Time: Up to 3 hours

Taggart Lake Trail is a 3.8-mile loop just north of Moose Junction. It’s a moderately easy hike through sagebrush flats to the base of the Teton Mountain Range. This is a popular route for 

Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area

Sure, Cottonwood Creek Picnic Area is a nice place to stop and rest, but the real stars of the show here are the wild burros that hang out in the field across the street. As long as you remember your safety tips and keep a safe distance, the burros will let you take selfies with them!

Jenny Lake Recreation Area

Approximate Time: 2 hours

Hiking, biking, cycling, and more! The Jenny Lake Recreation Area offers it all. Swim in the lake, hike the amazing trails, take a scenic drive through the forest, and learn the tragically beautiful history of this sacred place.

Signal Mountain Scenic Drive

Approximate Time:  1 hour

This is a seven-mile drive that climbs nearly 1,000 feet above sea level. At the top, you’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of the entire Teton Valley. This drive is a little scary; the road is narrow, the switchbacks are sharp, and the sides of the road are pretty steep. But the view at the top? Totally worth it!

Signal Mountain Lodge

They’ve got dining, lodging, and shopping! They even got a marina for kayaking, boating and fighting. Signal Mountain is the perfect pit-stop place on Teton Park Road.

After you’ve explored the best of Grand Teton, make your way back to West Yellowstone or nearby Jackson Hole! 

Map of Grand Teton National Park Stops

Ready for a travel adventure like no other? Our exclusive audio tour of Grand Teton National Park is your ticket to the ultimate travel experience.

In Conclusion… 

Although Yellowstone is a massive park in it’s own right, it’s still very much possible to experience the highlights of Yellowstone and Grand Teton on one trip. If you’re looking to spend more time in each park, check out our 7-Day Yellowstone Itinerary ,  3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary , and our Grand Teton itinerary . 

Visiting both parks? Get our Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour Bundle! 

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at [email protected]

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YELLOWSTONE ARTICLES:

Yellowstone National Park: Know Before You Go

The Top 10 Things to Do At Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone vs Grand Teton—Which Park is Right for You?

The Best Hikes at Yellowstone National Park

Our 12 Favorite Yellowstone Hot Springs and Where to Find Them

Top 20 Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park

Unlocking Yellowstone's Hidden Gems: Nature's Hidden Delights

The Best Geysers You'll See in Yellowstone

What state is Yellowstone National Park in?

Yosemite vs Yellowstone: Which National Park to Visit?

Fishing Bridge Yellowstone

GRAND TETON ARTICLES:

Grand Teton National Park: Know Before You Go

10 Amazing Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Best time to visit Grand Teton National Park

Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park

Epic Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park

Getting To Grand Teton National Park

8 Stunning Grand Teton Sunrise Spots

Yellowstone National Park Tour

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