yellowstone road trip planner

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!

This post may contain affiliate links.

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

Shaka guide audio tours.

I first discovered Shaka Guide Audio Tours when I was driving the road to Hana in Maui and loved being able to learn more about the area. Now when I’m planning a road trip, I always check to see if there is a Shaka Guide tour for my destination.

Shaka Guide has over 50+ audio tours for National Parks, state parks, and other scenic drives, including Yellowstone/Grand Teton, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Lake Tahoe and more.

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

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The Perfect Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

April 3, 2020 //  by  Follow Me Away //   3 Comments

If you are planning a Yellowstone road trip, you probably fall into one of two categories. Either you have been dreaming of going to Yellowstone your whole life and cannot wait to see if it fulfills all of your hopes and dreams, or you just know it is a place a lot of people go.

So which is it? Lifelong dream or lingering curiosity? Either way, we have got the perfect Yellowstone road trip itinerary for you!

Yellowstone has no end of amazing sights, and we have all the best ones. If you have heard of Yellowstone you have heard of Old Faithful, and we have that on our itinerary! But there are so many other great stops too that you might not have heard about. 

That is why we are here–for the great stops of legend, and the obscure spots that are little known gems. Yellowstone has them all! That is what makes it such a great road trip!

So buckle in and sit tight, because here we go!

This is truly one of the Best Road Trips In The USA so you are in for a real treat!

Getting to Yellowstone

Considering the fact that you clicked on a “Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary” article, we are assuming you are, you know, looking for a Yellowstone road trip itinerary. Not a cross country tour of the midwest. Therefore we recommend flying into the Salt Lake City airport in Utah.

Many road trip guides recommend flying into Chicago or Denver, but if you do this you are in for 10+ hours of driving just to get to Yellowstone. And we know, we know, this is a road trip. But it is the stops along the way that make road trips great, not the hours of driving through unchanging scenery.

Even gorgeous Colorado scenery gets a little old after ten hours, you know? Maybe you do not. But we do, okay?

So do yourself a favor and fly into the Salt Lake City airport. This way you can spend most of your Yellowstone road trip in…drum roll, please…Yellowstone.

Keep in mind that this area of the world gets cold and snowy in the winter–enough so that they close roads. Pick a different season for visiting Yellowstone.

Don’t forget to check out our Detailed Road Trip Packing List so you don’t forget any essentials for your trip!

Getting Around Yellowstone

We whole-heartedly recommend renting a vehicle for this road-trip. You can rent a car directly from the ground floor of the parking garage at Salt Lake City Airport. If you have read any of our other itineraries though, you know that we recommend doing so beforehand.

As with all travel planning, the sooner you take care of things, the less they will cost you. There are a number of rental car agencies that will shuttle you from the airport to their office.

You have the most control over timing and destinations if you rent a car. Granted, the five hours it takes to get from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is a bit of a doozy. However, you can make some great stops along the way to make it worth your time.

We have all the best stops from Salt Lake to Yellowstone and back. If you are all about Yellowstone then skip a few stops and drive straight there. Choose the ones you like the best to make your perfect Yellowstone Itinerary!

Stop 1: Begin Your Yellowstone Road Trip in Salt Lake City

If you are looking for stops specific to Yellowstone, skip down to Stop 4. However, if you do not live in the vicinity and are flying into Salt Lake to begin your Yellowstone road trip, you might as well check some of the surrounding areas out. 

After all, the point of a road trip is to explore and find new experiences. If you are open to new experiences in Salt Lake City, you might be surprised what you might find.

While this is easily Utah’s biggest city, it is surrounded by majestic mountains and is only a short drive away from the rugged wilderness. If you choose to spend some time here, you will find a lot more variety in the activities you can do than you might expect.

Take a look at our recommended activities below and you will get an idea of what we are talking about. Don’t forget to check out some additional tips for your first Yellowstone trip too!

Things to Do in Salt Lake City

Check out sundance mountain resort.

A short ride away from Salt Lake City exists the famous Sundance Mountain Resort. Here you will find all kinds of outdoor activities. 

While this place is North America’s top ski resort, there are still plenty of fun things to do in the summer . (Which is good, because Yellowstone is closed in the winter–do NOT do your Yellowstone road trip in the winter!)

Hiking abounds in this region, but that is not all this mountain retreat has to offer. You can also do a zip tour–yeah a zip  tour , not a zip line. The ski lifts give you an excellent view of the mountain landscape and greenery in the warmer months.

If you like a slower pace, try out the mountaintop yoga or the art studio classes. You can even go to the spa!

Go Axe Throwing

Want to do something  really different that just might help you be better prepared for some of Yellowstone’s wildlife? Go  axe throwing ! Social Axe Throwing takes walk-ins, or you can book your unique experience in advance.

This makes it a great activity to check out if you happen into some extra time. It typically takes a couple of hours, so it is not a quick-minute thing, but it is a ton of fun. 

Do not worry if you have never thrown an axe in your life before, this place has coaches to teach you. They will also show you different games–no simple target practice here.

Keep in mind that this is not an activity for little kids. The age limit is 13+. You have to have a party of 6 to reserve in advance but can walk in with a smaller group, you just might have to wait for a bit.

Hike Grandeur Peak

To get an early taste of the hikes you will be doing in Yellowstone, check out Grandeur Peak. It is a six and a half miles round-trip, and it will highly reward you for the effort you put in with astounding views. 

Mountains in Utah are no joke, and Grandeur Peak is steep. What we are trying to say is, wear serious shoes for this one and bring water. 

However, the entire trail is beautiful in every way. You will love the wildflowers and the way you can see the entire valley along the trek.

Campgrounds and Hotels Near Salt Lake City

Spruces campground.

If you just cannot wait until Yellowstone to start camping, Spruces Campground is a great place to stay. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, it is right outside of the city. The setting is serene, with a multitude of aspens and spruce to keep you company.

While there are no showers here, there are flush toilets and drinking water. Picnic tables and grills are provided, making for easy outdoor cooking. You can also use the fire rings–smores, anyone?

All of the roads are paved, making this an excellent ADA friendly location to stay the night.

Grand America

If you would like to start your Yellowstone road trip off in a ritzy way, you pretty much have to stay at The Grand America . Located right in the heart of the city, you will have great access to all the city activities you could want. Or you could just as easily stay in for the night and enjoy all the great amenities this hotel has to offer.

One of those amenities is a Parisian style bakery–if you were not planning to get a little taste of Paris on your way to Yellowstone, it is time to amend your plans. You do not have to stay at the hotel to check out the bakery!

Everything about this hotel is pure luxury, from the marvelous art to the carefully cultivated gardens.

Check Rates: booking.com | hotels.com

The Little America Hotel

If you are not quite ready to start camping, but also are not quite ready to drain your bank account, check out The Little America Hotel . It is actually right across the street from The Grand America, so you can still go get that taste of Paris from here.

You can also swim in the largest indoor/outdoor pool in Salt Lake City, which just so happens to be inside this hotel. While the Little America Hotel does not have its own spa, it does have a sauna and a coffee shop.

You do not have to break the bank to stay in a nice place with plenty of its own perks!

Stop 2: Drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is one of the closest cities to Yellowstone. It actually has its own airport too, but flights tend to be more expensive. Still, if you would rather skip Salt Lake City and get started on your road trip in Yellowstone sooner, you might want to just fly to Jackson Hole.

If you drive, however, there are some great stops along the way. On your way from Salt Lake City there are some interesting places to see and experience. It all depends on how much time you have as to how long you will want to take.

Learn about some of the best stops along the way below. You might even find a paradise you never would have considered before!

Places to Stop Along the Way

Okay, when we mentioned paradise, this is the place we were talking about. Bear Lake is a gorgeous freshwater lake at the top of Utah and the bottom of Idaho. It is where all the locals (meaning basically everyone in Utah and Idaho with a boat) like to spend their summer weekends. 

The lake is, of course, the main attraction, but there are lots of other things to do here as well. Hikes ranging from easy to moderate abound, and you can go golfing too! You can stop here for the afternoon or for the day.

You might love it enough to come back just for Bear Lake!

Getting a little closer to your Yellowstone goal, you will find Afton Wyoming. There is not much to this little town of 2000 people, but what there is, is pretty impressive.

Even if you just drive through, you cannot miss the elk antler arch. You seriously can’t. It arches over the entire four lanes of the highway!

As is common with every other stop on this Yellowstone itinerary, Afton also has its own hikes. You can also go fishing and camping here. And you just cannot go wrong with small home town cooking, which is one of Afton’s specialties.

As your introduction to Wyoming, it makes a pretty good presentation!

Snake River

The Snake River rushes along not far from Jackson Hole. You know that song from Disney’s Pocahontas,  Just Around the Riverbend ? We know it is not about this river, but it could be. 

People come from all around the world to raft down this pristine river. Depending on where you raft and what time of the year it is, you will have an easy go of it or an intense adventure.

If you have never rafted before or do not really like leaving things up to chance, get a guide. You can find guides for canoes, kayaks, and rafts. If you do not want a guide that is fine too–you can just rent whatever watercraft you want to use.

You can also ride the river on a surfboard or paddleboard if you would like!

Jackson Hole

So technically “Jackson Hole” is the valley, and the city is just “Jackson” but you will hear the city referred to as both. The valley offers three different ski resorts, giving it some similar capabilities as Sundance Resort in Salt Lake.

Even though you will be visiting in the summer and therefore unable to ski, you will love all the mountain activities.

If you are not quite ready for the outdoor scene that will be your entire Yellowstone road trip, take some time to peruse the shops and restaurants Jackson has to offer. The town has some beautiful boardwalks and a historic town square.

Places to Stay Near Jackson Hole

Curtis canyon campground.

Curtis Canyon Campground is right outside of Jackson, but you will feel like you have found the wilderness you are coming to Yellowstone looking for. It is also right next to the National Elk Refuge, which means you are probably going to see some exciting wildlife. 

This place has fantastic views and will give you a taste of our next stop (Hello Grand Teton). 

Amenities include a food storage box, toilets, drinking water, and picnic tables. It is set up for tent camping and RVs. Sometimes there are fire restrictions based on the fire risk in the area, so you will want to check before building a roaring campfire.

The Lodge at Jackson Hole

For a lovely, (surprisingly affordable) hotel option in Jackson, we recommend considering The Lodge at Jackson Hole . It is very reasonably priced and beloved for its friendly staff and fabulous amenities.

Along with an indoor  and  outdoor pool, The Lodge also offers a soaking pool and sauna. You will love the included breakfast too!

Keep in mind that this option is more affordable the more you are able to book it in advance. If you are trying to book it in high tourist season, the rates will be much higher.

Stop 3: Visit Grand Teton National Park On Your Yellowstone Road Trip

If you are going to go to all the effort of visiting Yellowstone, it would be a shame not to spend at least a little time checking out the Grand Teton National Park. It is right next to Yellowstone, and it is fantastic.

Like many national parks, Grand Teton National Park really does a lot to get kids involved with their Junior Ranger program.  Any little ones on your trip will love the chance to learn about the park, and you will love having someone else entertaining them for a minute. 

Visiting the Grand Teton National Park gives you the opportunity to experience the majestic beauty of Yellowstone from above. This majestic mountain range is filled with awe-inspiring peaks, tree-filled forests, green meadows, and some of the purest air you will breathe.

Grand Teton National Park is worth spending a few hours or a couple of days in, whatever you can spare!

Adventures to Enjoy in Grand Teton

Do the jenny lake scenic drive.

For a quick Grand Teton Adventure that will not distract from your Yellowstone goals for too long, try out the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive ! It only takes 15-30 minutes, and will give you views of Jenny Lake as well as some of Grand Teton’s peaks!

This is also a great little drive because there are plenty of amazing photo opportunities. Whether you are looking for an epic selfie or want to take a killer reflection picture with the lake and the mountain, this scenic drive has your back.

There are also conveniently located pull-offs in case you want to spend a little more time taking in the view. Keep in mind that this is the wilderness, and just because there are paved roads going through it, there are also tons of wildlife around. Keep an eye out for your safety and theirs! 

Inspiration Point

The hike to Inspiration Point pretty much has a cult following. It has more than earned its place as one of Grand Teton’s highest-trafficked trails. 

Along the way, you will have panoramic views of Jenny Lake and there is also a 100 ft waterfall! 

There are a couple of ways to do this hike. If you are doing the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, it will set you up nicely for this hike because the trail begins at the south end of the lake. However, there is also the option to really shorten the hike by taking a shuttle across the lake.

Keep in mind that if you take the shuttle you will have to pay for a ticket. Doing so will shorten the overall 5.8-mile hike down to 3.8 miles.

Swan Lake Loop Trail

If you are interested in seeing some nature but do not want to spend hours hiking before you even get to Yellowstone, give the Swan Lake Loop Trail a try. You will see two ponds along this trail, and it will only take you about an hour–two at most!

Swan Lake Loop Trail is about 3 miles round trip, and there is not a big increase or decrease in elevation, making it a relatively do-able hike. 

Not only that, but you will also be able to see the gorgeous wetlands and the way the forest edges them. This trail is proof that you do not have to exhaust yourself with ginormous strenuous hikes to get a truly marvelous experience.

Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park

Signal mountain lodge.

Signal Mountain Lodge is a Grand Teton classic. It is not far from Jackson and is actually right next to Jackson Lake. The lodge takes full advantage of its location and has a marina where you can rent a boat or sign up for a guided fishing trip.

Besides all the exciting adventures the lodge offers, the sleeping accommodations are not too shabby! You can stay in a room in the lodge itself or in a log cabin. You also have the option of booking a lake facing room!

Even in hotels, air conditioning is not guaranteed in most places in Yellowstone. Staying at Signal Mountain Lodge is a good opportunity to take advantage of air conditioning before you fully embrace the wilderness.

Signal Mountain Lodge is also pet friendly, although some of the rooms do not allow pets. If you are bringing a pet, just make sure you let them know when you book your room so that they can set you up with the right accommodations.

Jenny Lake Campground

After driving by and hiking around Jenny Lake, you just might think to yourself, “wow, I would love to spend more time here.” Well good news! You can!

The Jenny Lake Campground is set up for tents–there are not any electric or RV hookups. Trailers and campers are not allowed. But what it lacks in RV amenities, it more than makes up for with its wildly beautiful aesthetic. 

Nearby, a short five-minute walk away, the Jenny Lake Store has you covered with firewood and snacks. Keep the wildlife in mind, and store your food responsibly. Jenny Lake does not have food storage lockers as many other campsites do.

Stop 4: YELLOWSTONE!!!

Alright folks, we made it to Yellowstone!!!!!! (You might think that six exclamation points are excessive here, but once you have been to Yellowstone you will not feel that way anymore!) YAY Yellowstone!

Some of the stops in Yellowstone might seem cheesy or over-done (we are looking at you, Old Faithful), but there are reasons why they are famous. We are so excited for you to visit Yellowstone and experience them for yourself!

And of course, along with the super mega popular stops, we have thrown in some equally breathtaking but less well-known stops. For this first Yellowstone stop you will see a lot of the classics. But stay tuned, because we have all the best stops in this Yellowstone itinerary!

What to Do First When Visiting Yellowstone

Grant village visitor center.

Visitors centers are a great way to get the things you need to be successful, like maps, water, and that preliminary bathroom break that makes sure you are prepared to go adventuring. Stop by Grant Village Visitor Center and you will get that all done, plus have a great opportunity to get familiar with this fantastic area you are going to explore!

Grant Village Visitor Center will educate you on all kinds of things if you let it. This is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone because it educates you on the history. The exhibit hall has a ton of information about the different ecosystems that make up Yellowstone.

You can also learn about the history of the park and how it came to be. It is named for President Ulysses S. Grant, who is the president who signed Yellowstone into National Park-hood. The visitor center is nicely maintained and a nice start to your Yellowstone road trip experience.

Old Faithful

You know that saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans do?” Well, when in Yellowstone, do as the tourists do. At least some of the time, anyway.

When planning a trip to Yellowstone, you simply cannot skip Old Faithful. It is touristy, it gets crowded, everyone  does it, and you, our friend, must also do it.

Okay, you do not have to, but there is a reason why it is a crowd pleaser! This geyser is truly magnificent, and there are not many experiences in the world like watching this thing erupt. It is a force of nature that you will not forget.

Just keep in mind that people  love  this place. Plan on getting there early if you want a good seat/view. You do not have to go crazy early, about 15 minutes will do, but plan that 15 minutes into your schedule.

If you are going to go to the effort of seeing the place, you are going to want to be able to actually see it. And trust us, you will want to see it.

Old Faithful Inn Tour

For an inn that was built in 1904, you might not think that the Old Faithful Inn was revolutionary, but it was. At the time the inn was built Yellowstone was even more of a wilderness than it is now. 

Rather than building an inn that separated its guests from the wilderness, Robert Chambers Reamer designed the Old Faithful Inn to embrace the wilderness. You will feel perfectly comfortable and safe when you visit, but you will also be able to feel the ambiance of the location rather than being separated from it.

The inn’s lovely tour is free, making it a no-brainer. You will get the chance to see and learn about a century-old building that was revolutionary for its time.

Where to Stay Near Old Faithful

Old faithful inn.

Do the tour, and then stay the night at Old Faithful Inn ! Why not? The historic inn has a ton to offer to guests that you will not get from the tour alone!

Not to mention that if you stay at the inn, you are only a 5-minute walk from Old Faithful! It is so much easier to get there a little early if you are sleeping 5 minutes away!

Along with its stellar location, the Old Faithful Inn also offers a great breakfast. It has not one, but two restaurants, making dining a cinch. 

The rooms are immaculate, and the staff are friendly and helpful. This is a great place to stay!

Check Rates: hotels.com

Grant Village Campground

Located close to the Grant Visitor Center lies the Grant Village Campground .  Conveniently located for your early Yellowstone adventures, it is equipped for RVs and Trailers. Even though it is barely inside the park, you will definitely feel like you have found the Yellowstone camping experience you are looking for.

Nestled in the Yellowstone woods, this campground still has three ADA accessible sites. The main road is also paved. 

This is one of Yellowstone’s largest campgrounds, but it still fills up. Get here early to get your spot (hint: this is going to be a theme with Yellowstone campgrounds).

Stop 5: Upper & Midway Geyser Basins Will Not Disappoint

This is the point in the itinerary where, if you have not been dreaming of Yellowstone for a long time, you might not recognize any more of the stops. After Old Faithful, what does Yellowstone have to offer?

So, so much. As your Yellowstone road trip continues on from the Old Faithful you will enter the Upper Basin. The Upper Basin is actually home to Old Faithful, but it has a lot more than that to keep you around.

Did you know that Yellowstone actually has a ton of geysers? The different basins are basically different areas of geyser territory. Old Faithful is the Upper Basin’s most famous geyser, but the area has way more.

Where there are geysers there are geothermal pools, which is why people explore the different basins. The geysers are cool, but the geothermal pools…They are spectacular.

The region is famous for its very colorful natural pools, as well as for the overall beauty and mysticism of the area. With so much to explore, it is hard to narrow down where to really spend your time. We have our three favorite basin locations below!

Where to Go in the Upper & Midway Basins

Castle-grand group.

The Castle Geyser is like the powerful matriarch geyser of Yellowstone. Quite possibly Yellowstone’s oldest geyser, it represents the adage “age before beauty” quite well. It erupts every ten hours or so, and its geyser is quite tall at nearly 200 feet.

Close by, Grand Geyser is equally impressive and regular. A few other geysers are worth checking out in the area, and if you just so happen to catch Spasmodic Geyser’s eruption count yourself lucky. This one is very irregular, both in height and eruption times.

You will also love the two hot springs in the Castle-Grand group, Twilight Spring and Crested Pool. As is a theme for many Yellowstone hot springs, these are much too hot to bathe in, but still fun to see!

Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls will NOT disappoint! It is a great hike to a stupendous waterfall. Coming in at about 7 miles round trip if you do the whole hike, you can also do the short version which is about 5 miles. 

The hike takes you through a scrubby pine forest, and if you do the long version you will also be able to see some of Yellowstone’s other geysers!

Keep in mind that this hike has two trailheads–do whichever one is more convenient for you! One begins at Fountain Flat Drive, or there is another one a mile away from Midway Geyser Basin. The second is the more traditional one and the parking lot is actually named for the falls, but either works just fine!

Pets are not allowed on this hike, so keep that in mind if you are bringing along a furry friend.

Grand Prismatic Spring

If you want to know what the biggest hot spring in Yellowstone looks like, or if you are just into unusual bits of nature, you are going to want to check out Grand Prismatic Spring. It is amazing. As if it is not cool enough by itself, you get to pass by Excelsior Geyser on your way!

The trail to Grand Prismatic Spring take you across the Firehole River to an unearthly landscape. Hydrothermal pools higher up release boiling runoff which finds its way to the river below, and when they combine it creates something astounding. 

While the Excelsior Geyser is not one that regularly erupts, that is actually a good thing. When it does, it is extraordinarily violent. Its eruption in the 1800s was so powerful that it destroyed the geyser system beneath it and it didn’t erupt again for almost another century.

Even though it is not constantly erupting though, it is putting out a regular 5 million gallons of boiling water into the river every day. Yeah, this is another hot spring you do not want to bathe in.

Where to Stay in the Basins

Madison campground.

You are in the heart of Yellowstone at this point, so for hotel lodging at this point in your Yellowstone road trip, you will either want to trackback toward Old Faithful or head forward toward Mammoth. However, if you are camping, we highly recommend Madison Campground !

Madison Campground is pretty popular, but it is right by the basins, making it easy to go get your spot at the beginning of the day before you explore the basins. 

Along with having a great location, Madison Campground also has a spectacular setting. It is right next to the Madison River, and the wildflowers in this area are breathtaking. So is the wildlife!

This campground is RV and trailer friendly. It also has three ADA accessible campsites, as well as an accessible vault toilet and designated accessible parking.

Stop 6: Mammoth is a Major Yellowstone Road Trip Must

Welcome to Northern Yellowstone, a beautiful place of meadows, hot springs, and geysers. If that sounds like the rest of Yellowstone, well, that is because this is a Yellowstone road trip itinerary. But the north has its own charms that you are going to want to see.

Mammoth was once an area that was populated by the army. In the early 1900s, the national park was actually protected by cavalry troops, and the leftover buildings from that time are the housing units that the soldiers stayed in.

Plus, there is a hot spring just under 3 miles north of the Mammoth hot springs that you can actually get into without boiling alive!

Places Around Mammoth to Check out

Park ranger museum.

You know the soldier housing we mentioned above? Some of it was converted into Mammoth’s Park Ranger Museum. This museum has tons of exhibits to help you understand how Yellowstone came to be and continues to function.

Park Rangers give some great tours that you can access through the Park Ranger Museum. They make it their business to know everything there is to know about the area, and are great sources of information!

In addition to all that, you can get permits for all of your camping, boating, and fishing needs right downstairs!

Norris Geyser Basin

One of the coolest things in the Mammoth Hot Springs area is the Norris Geyser Basin boardwalk system. You can trek all over this place with the boardwalks that go directly over the hydrothermal areas.

Without the boardwalks, this area would be much more difficult to explore. Very little of the water here is less than boiling, and it is also mostly acidic. That means there are acid geysers here, which are extremely rare.

The boardwalk trail is about 1.5 miles, with some bare ground areas where you can walk as well. It is a very easy walk that you will never forget.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Let’s talk about the hot springs themselves, shall we? The Mammoth Hot Springs is a sight unlike any other. These are not your everyday Yellowstone hot springs (if you could ever really use the phrase “every day” to describe anything about Yellowstone).

Fun fact: underneath Mammoth is a chamber still partially made up of molten magma. Heat radiates up from the magma to melt the frozen water that has collected in the earth. As the two combine with a few other elements, it becomes an acidic solution that dissolves the limestone in the area.

However, when this mixture reaches the surface the limestone resolidifies, which is what has created the awesome formations in the area. This place is truly a wondrous work of nature.

Where to Stay Near Mammoth

Mammoth hot springs hotel.

While the original Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel was built in 1911, only one wing of the hotel is from that time. The rest was built in 1936. Any way you look at it, the hotel is historic and a pleasant place to stay the night.

And even though it is historic, it has undergone very recent renovations to increase its comfort levels.

A live pianist plays in the bar every evening, and the hotel offers many different accommodations. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has rooms in the hotel as well as cabins. And folks, four of those cabins have a hot tub!!!

Mammoth Campground

If you ignore our recommendations to come to Yellowstone during any season other than Winter, good news. There is a campground that is actually open year-round: Mammoth Campground ! Located right by Yellowstone’s North Entrance, it is in a great location for general exploring and adventuring.

While it does not have some of the water features of other campgrounds we have recommended, the setting has its own charms. One of those is that it is very close to hiking and fishing. Plus it is right by the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces!

Mammoth also has  five ADA accessible campsites, and an accessible shower and bathroom. Yeah, this campground has showers people. 

Stop 7: Soak up Boiling River Hot Springs and Lamar Valley

We only have a few more stops to go folks. Stop 7 has got to be one of our favorites. Any Yellowstone itinerary is incomplete without some mention of Boiling River Hot Springs, or Lamar Valley. 

While this area of Yellowstone is not as high adventure or mystical as some other spots, it has a rustic laid-back charm. After all the excitement of the last few stops, laid-back is exactly what you will want and need.

Just outside of Mammoth, Boiling River Hot Springs are some that you can actually sit and soak in. And when you are done with that, a scenic drive down Lamar Valley is the perfect way to finish out the day. 

Welcome to the most relaxed stop on our Yellowstone road trip!

Boiling River Hot Springs

Like Fire River above, the Boiling River is created by a hot spring entering a river–Gardner River, to be precise. The combination of the two is just right so that you can enter the water without burning yourself.

You should absolutely follow the rules of Yellowstone and only enter hot springs that are safe. That is part of why we made sure to include Boiling River–with so many hot springs around how can you not take the opportunity to soak? Soak here folks, soak here.

You will need to walk about half a mile from the parking area for the hot springs. It is a very flat trail and easy to navigate. Even though you are going to hot springs, bring warm clothing because it is usually cold in this area.

The Boiling River does close once dark hits, so please keep that in mind when fitting this stop into your day. Also keep in mind that this spot does not open until mid-summer because the water is too high and dangerous during the spring. Finally, be sure to bring a swimsuit!

Lamar Valley Drive

Lamar Valley is one of the most pleasant parts of Yellowstone, with meadows that go on for miles. Some might call them fields, but meadows just sounds more lyrical, you know? Lamar Valley is gorgeous year-round, but especially so during wildflower season.

Take a leisurely drive through this valley and you will be able to make as many stops as you want to check out the wildlife, scenery, and beauty. If you are particularly interested in seeing the local flora and fauna, check out the Mary Mountain Trail. It is 21 miles long, but you do not have to go the full 21 miles–just hike as long as you want to in order to see what you want to see!

Some of the local wildlife includes coyotes, wolves, and grizzly bears. Keep your distance (seriously, please do–people are injured by wildlife every year at Yellowstone because they get too close) and enjoy the opportunity to see creatures you might never otherwise see!

Our best advice is to find a good lookout point where you can park your vehicle and wait for the wildlife to make an appearance.

Places to Stay Near Lamar Valley

Pebble creek campground.

Pebble Creek is pretty standard as far as Yellowstone campgrounds go. It is equipped for tents, RVs, and trailers, although there are no hookups for the RVs and trailers. You will also find the usual food lockers for keeping you and your food safe from the wildlife. 

This Campground is located right in the heart of Lamar Valley, making it a great place to stay the night if camping is an option. People like it because it is less crowded than some of the more popular campgrounds in Yellowstone.

You cannot make a reservation here, it is first come first serve. As with many of our other recommended campgrounds, it would be wise to come here  early in the day to secure a stop before going adventuring. People show up as early as 6 AM to get a spot by the creek.

Pebble Creek does have one ADA accessible campsite, and the road through the campground is paved.

Roosevelt Lodge

Alright, as far as hotels go, the Roosevelt Lodge is, well, not really a hotel. It is more a collection of cabins. It is our ‘hotel’ recommendation for this stop because it has running water and bathrooms.

Not all the cabins have running water and bathrooms, but some do. Those that do not  do  have access to communal bathrooms and showers, and still have beds. 

Plus (and this is the kicker) these cabins are heated by wood-burning stoves! We do not know about you, but for us, there are few things speak to adventures like wood-burning stoves in rustic cabins do.

You will not find televisions or air conditioning around these parts. That is just one of the perks (or caveats, if you will) of roughing it in the wilderness of Wyoming.

For an actual hotel, you will want to head back toward Mammoth. For a few more options, head north to Gardiner, which offers a few different hotels with electricity, running water, and airconditioning. Just keep in mind that it will take you at least an hour to get there from Lamar Valley, depending on how far you go exploring.

Stop 8: Hike Tower Fall and Dunraven Pass

Our eight stop reflects the absolutely spectacular beauty available in the Yellowstone countryside. Here we have two different hikes to showcase Yellowstone’s wonder.

First is Tower Fall, which is relatively short and simple. Anyone can do this one, and it has an awesome payoff for the effort you put in.

Second, and certainly much more difficult, is Dunraven Pass. It is a lot longer and will be a lot more physically taxing, but this means it is also less crowded.  And it is amazing.

Places You Have to See

Old Faithful may be the hallmark of Yellowstone in our age, but in Yellowstone’s early days Tower Fall claimed that title. Framed by volcanic rock, this iconic attraction cascades down 132 feet. Painted by many famous artists, it was just one such painting by Thomas Moran that inspired the transition of Yellowstone into becoming the world’s first national park.

You might be happy to hear that the hike to this water fall’s viewpoint is an easy one. Only 1-mile round-trip, the trail starts right next to the Yellowstone General Store in the area. That is right, you have your trail mix and eat it too while you hike!

The trail does go on past the lookout point, but parts of it were damaged and closed due to a mudslide and the parts that remain are difficult with little payoff. We recommend sticking with the 1-mile lookout point trail.

Dunraven Pass

For a heftier trail experience, try out Dunraven Pass! It is 6 miles round-trip, and it can be a challenge. Due to the area being a popular spot for grizzly bears, you should not hike this trail in September or October.

However, it is a great trail for the summer! Dunraven has some spectacular views, and the forested landscape is absolutely breathtaking. Bighorn sheep also frequent this area, and they are such fun creatures to watch!

Bring your water with you, wear your good hiking shoes, and pack snacks for this one. It is a serious hike, and it is not for everyone. But if you are up to it, it is an amazing experience.

Where to Stay Nearby

Tower fall campground.

For your more traditional camping experience, we recommend Tower Fall Campground . Traditional meaning the toilets are seasonal and there are no showers. If you are into roughing it, this is the place.

Located very close to the Tower General Store, you might also guess from the name that it is close to Tower Fall. However, there are not many amenities here, which might be just how you like it!

This campground does allow RVs and trailers, but does not have hookups. It also does not have any ADA accessible campsites.

Norris Campground

Norris Campground has a few more creature comforts when compared with Tower Fall Campground. While its flush toilets are still seasonal and it does not have showers, it does have a couple of ADA accessible campsites. 

Closer to Mammoth than to Dunraven Pass, this one is pretty popular due to its stellar location and fills up quickly. Is this news getting old yet? Show up as early as 6 in the morning to reserve your spot.

It is beloved for the constant shade from the plentiful trees, and its proximity to the Norris Geyser Basin Boardwalk. However, it does get crowded and the spaces can be a little close together. We recommend Tower Fall over this one unless you need the ADA accessible spaces or do not want to be as removed from everything.

Canyon Lodge & Cabins

If you really want some comfort (read: showers) try Canyon Lodge & Cabins . In fact, they offer a whole lot more than just showers. For one thing, this place actually has wi-fi.

Now, that wi-fi is just in the main lodge, but they still have it, which might be a new experience for you after the last few stops. Meals are not included with your room, but the lodge has 2 restaurants and 2 coffee shops, as well as a bar and lounge.

You can also book horse riding at the lodge, for something a little different.

This one is a little more on the expensive side, so keep that in mind if you are visiting Yellowstone on a budget. If you decide not to stay here, you should still absolutely check out the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone located close by. 

Stop 9: Winding Down Your Yellowstone Road Trip

At this point in your Yellowstone road trip, you will not have much further to go and might be feeling a little nostalgic about this rugged place you have come to love. It is hard to visit Yellowstone without falling in love with the place.

Our recommended spots for this last stop are ones that will leave you with fond memories for the beauty and wildness of this magical place. Even if you do not take any souvenirs home with you, your time here will stay with you.

You will find beauty, power, and the beauty that results from chaos in these last stops. 

Check These Ones Out Before You Go

Artist point.

Folks, there is a reason for this place’s name. Artist Point is an overlook for Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, and it is an exceptional piece of nature. Between the canyon, the Yellowstone River that courses through it, and the Lower Falls waterfall–this place will bring every wilderness loving bit of your imagination to life.

Pine trees guide you along the very short 0.1 mile paved trail until you reach the Artist Point lookout. If you are up for a longer hike just stay on the path pst the trail and you will reach Point Sublime. 

It is totally fine to just stop at Artist Point though. The view from there is hard to top, and we get it if you are a little hiked out at this point in your Yellowstone road trip.

Sulfur Caldron

Sulphur Caldron is another acid hot spring, and earned its name because of its constantly bubbling waters. Fun fact: batter acid is only a  little  more acidic than the water in this place. Due to the bacteria that thrives in it, the water has a yellow hue to it.

This site is a quick one–there is not much more to do than to just check it out. However, it is still a fun sight to see and worth stopping by to remember it. Sulphur Caldron is less popular than some other places, which means you can escape the tourist crowds for a bit.

It also means you do not have to get here super early in order to get a good view! Another fun fact is that this area was once a parking lot, which just goes to show the truly dynamic nature of this national park.

Mud Volcano

Another aptly named spot, Mud Volcano requires a bit of a steep descent to access. Initially, this was a mud geyser powerful enough to coat the nearby trees in its mud. However, it has settled down in the last century and a half, and now is a bubbling mud crater.

Geysers like Mud Volcano form due to the shifting magma chambers that still flow beneath the park. Yellowstone is actually a volcano, which is why there is so much thermal activity going on. The majority of the park is a volcanic plateau.

Mud Volcano is a bubbling reminder of the power and heat that stirs below the surface of Yellowstone.

Nearby Places to Stay

Lake yellowstone hotel.

This charming lakeside hotel is sure to steal your heart the second you set eyes on it. Lake Yellowstone Hotel has a pretty yellow exterior with white banisters–it is the epitome of a countryside retreat.

It is about as bougie as Yellowstone gets, with a late 19th century aesthetic. Even if you do not stay the night at the hotel, it is worth a visit to bask in the ambiance of the old-timey bar and restaurant.

Right next to the lake, it is hard to beat the atmosphere of this cozy location. You will be able to watch the wildlife from the comfort of your hotel room. Some of the hotel rooms even face the lake!

If you want to get a little closer to the beautiful lake, you can also rent a boat directly from the hotel.

Keep in mind that the internet here is slow and that there are not a ton of creature comforts for it being a hotel. For some, the historic feel and aesthetic is well worth not being able to utilize technology. It is up to you whether that is a deal-breaker or not.

Lake Lodge offers an alternative to Lake Yellowstone Hotel if Lake Yellowstone is already filled up. The location is just as nice, although the prices are about the same if not more expensive.

As Yellowstone’s oldest functioning hotel, Lake Lodge offers its own historic atmosphere. It also comes with wi-fi and laundry facilities, which can be a must if you have been camping prior to this stop and need a refresh.

You also have the choice between a hotel room and a cabin, if you make reservations early enough! As will everything Yellowstone, the sooner you can make your reservations the more likely you will be able to get a room, let alone a nice one.

In general Lake Yellowstone Hotel has better reviews and we recommend checking it out first. But if Lake Yellowstone is already full, Lake Lodge makes a good alternative! 

Bridge Bay Campground

If you are not shy about having wildlife at your door (or tent flap) you will love Bridge Bay Campground . Right next to Yellowstone Lake, you just might wake up to find bison grazing within your view.

Yellowstone Lake makes a majestic backdrop as one of North America’s largest fresh-water lakes. A forest of trees reaches for the sky, with mountains visible beyond. 

Bridge Bay comes with food storage lockers, and campfires are usually permitted. You will want to check before you make a fire in case there are any seasonal restrictions in place, just to be safe.

This campground also has three ADA accessible campsites, making it one of the more disability-friendly locations in Yellowstone.

Stop 10: Fly Home From Jackson, WY, or Salt Lake City, UT

If you are done with driving at this point in your Yellowstone road trip, check out return flights from Jackson, Wyoming. It just might be worth some extra cash to take it easy at the end of your visit to Yellowstone.

Jackson is also a great place to wind down and spend a little time reintroducing yourself to civilization. You can check out the Grand Teton National Park a little more, or just relax in the comfort of the town.

Another option is to drive back to Salt Lake City, UT, so that your flight can be round-trip. The decision is ultimately yours as to which city you want to end your road trip in Yellowstone in. Either way, this is your last stop. You can officially check Yellowstone off your bucket list!

We hope that this Yellowstone itinerary helps you plan your perfect Yellowstone road trip. Let us know which stops you choose, and if there is anywhere else you go in Yellowstone that we should add to our list! Safe travels and happy trails!

Reader Interactions

October 19, 2020 at 9:58 pm

This article on Yellowstone was very interesting and informative. There is so much more than I saw in two trips already. My third trip id bring planned with my great grandson for this summer. With this article, it will be much more than I had imagined. Thank you.

October 19, 2020 at 10:46 pm

Yay!!! Enjoy your trip! Yellowstone is an amazing place!

May 13, 2021 at 11:11 am

Quick question- We are flying in and out of SLC. We have 6 days total and have reservations at Bay Bridge Campground our second and third night. Then move on to Canyon for our fourth night and a hotel in SLC for our final night. Where do you recommend staying on our drive in (first night) so that we can start day 2 off getting to Yellowstone on quickly and be near our campground. Still Jackson??

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Adventure & Storyteller

Yellowstone Road Trip: Denver to Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone

Start / End

Denver, Colorado

States Covered

National parks.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Wind Cave

Total Distance

2,000 Miles (3,219 KM)

Suggested Days

At least 14

Suggested Seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall

#ThisIsMyRoute

Getting started.

This Yellowstone road trip route is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of the open road and some of America’s most untamed areas. Embark on a journey that is so much more than just national parks! Experience an epic American road trip complete with old western towns, historic monuments, intriguing culture, and unbelievable scenery. Arrive at Denver International Airport where you can spend some time exploring the Mile High City or immediately get started on your road trip journey. From Denver, head north for a quick stop in the “Craft Beer Capital of Colorado,” in Fort Collins. It’s a fun, happening town that will get you excited to explore everything else to come. Later, head further north to Wyoming. Stop in Cheyenne, one of the most well-known western towns in the world. Afterwards, head towards South Dakota to see the Black Hills. Return to Wyoming and visit Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, Devils Tower, and more! After all the excitement of Jackson and the parks, slow down and enjoy the small towns of southern Wyoming.

While this is the route we recommend, you can always skip or add days as you see fit. If you don’t have enough time to see it all you may just have to plan another road trip in the future! 

Arrive in denver and head to fort collins, 1.5 hours/72 miles.

We suggest arriving early into Denver and renting your car from the airport. Head north on I-25 towards Fort Collins, Colorado. It is the perfect town to get prepared and excited to start your road trip! Don’t worry, you will have a chance to explore the mile high city at the end of your trip if you choose!

Travel Tip: drink tons of water! The elevation in the Rocky Mountain West is real, and if you’re heading from lower elevation, increased hydration will help you stave off altitude sickness.

Fort Collins, Colorado This vibrant town is full of activities, but offers the tranquility of nature just a few miles away. If you want to walk on cobblestone streets next to historical buildings, you will love Old Town Fort Collins! Boutiques, pubs, galleries, events, local eateries abound in this downtown area.

Best short hike:

KIMMONS TRAIL

Best place for breakfast:

SILVER GRILL CAFE

Best place to watch the sunset:

CATHEDRAL TREE TRAIL

Best place to stay:

OLD TOWN FT. COLLINS

Best swimming hole:

CACHE LA POUDRE

Best place for local brew:

NEW BELGIUM BREWERY

Fort collins to cheyenne, 50 minutes/47 miles.

Grab breakfast and get an early start towards your first stop in Wyoming. Cheyenne, Wyoming is the perfect town to get a real feel for the American west. It is famous for its cowboy culture, rodeos, and trains. After you take in all the entertaining events, historic museums, steam engines, and western-themed attractions, take a day trip east on I-80 to nearby outdoor recreation areas like Vedauwoo and Curt Gowdy State Park. Here you will discover beautiful views, world class climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. Cheyenne is also known for its art and the beautiful botanic gardens.

Read more here .

Best experience for the whole family:

TERRY BISON RANCH

Can’t miss it:

CHEYENNE DEPOT AND MUSEUM

Must see it:

BIG BOY STEAM ENGINE

Best place for a hike:

CURT GOWDY STATE PARK

Best burger in town:

2 DOORS DOWN

Best morning grab and go:

MORT’S BAGEL

Cheyenne to hot springs, south dakota, 3 hours/240 miles.

To begin a longer travel day, head north on I-25 for a little over an hour until you reach Wheatland. This small Wyoming town is a good rest stop filled with quaint shops and murals. Then head northeast on Highway 26 towards Guernsey. Another very interesting part of American history lies just half a mile south of the town, where some of the best examples of the Oregon Trail ruts are still visible. After a bit of American history and a relaxing picnic in Guernsey State Park, head northeast for about two hours toward Hot Springs, South Dakota . If you make it before nightfall, end your day with a swim at Evans Plunge, the oldest attraction in the Black Hills.

Best place for a picnic:

GUERNSEY STATE PARK

Best place to stay: 

HISTORIC LOG CABINS IN HOT SPRINGS

Oregon trail ruts.

Where to soak:

EVANS PLUNGE MINERAL SPRINGS

Jh keith park and whitney preserve, hot springs to rapid city, 2.5 hours/100 miles.

Next, have an action packed day exploring the gems that surround the Black Hills ! If you have time, visit the Mammoth Site, which boasts the largest concentration of mammoth fossils in the world and the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Afterwards, drive up north toward Wind Cave National Park. After the visiting this unique national park, head up the quintessential old west town of Custer. Grab a bite to eat and then head to Custer State Park to explore granite peaks and rolling hills. After some time in the park, come face to face with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln at Mount Rushmore . This national monument teaches the story of America’s birth, growth, and development. Venture northeast for a night in Rapid City. Here you will find a vibrant town with great places to eat, drink and stay.

WIND CAVE CANYON TRAIL

Best photo op:

JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Great place to go:

FORT HAYS OLD WEST TOWN SQUARE

Rapid city to gillette wyoming, 3.5 hours/220 miles.

Rapid City is a fun bustling town, so wake up to enjoy a walk through downtown with a coffee in hand. Then head up Highway 90 towards Spearfish. It doesn’t matter when you visit, this region has year-round adventure. There is an abundance of hiking, fishing , camping, hunting, climbing, and biking . The art and history surrounding the area is an attraction in and of itself. If you want some final Black Hills views, drive through Spearfish Canyon to Interstate 90 towards Gillette, Wyoming . When you hit Highway 14, go north towards Devil’s Tower National Monument. This landmass is America’s first national monument for a reason: it is one of the most striking, naturally-formed landscapes in the country. After seeing Devil’s Tower, make your way to Gillette. This town will get your taste buds buzzing with all their delicious culinary options.

Best history:

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

Best place to get dinner:

PIZZA CORRELLO

Arbuckle lodge, gillette to cody, 4.5 hours/250 miles.

As you leave South Dakota and make your way across eastern Wyoming there are a few stops to choose from before reaching the eastern gateway of Yellowstone National Park.

Your first stop is Buffalo, an adorable town nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains . A dozen historical buildings, ice cream shops, art galleries, and restaurants line Main Street. Head towards Ten Sleep, a unique, small western town that hippies, hunters, cowboys, and climbers alike call home. Next, stop in Worland, home of the Washakie Museum.

We highly recommend making a short detour to Greybull before your final destination. The dinosaur tracks site and the Dinosaur and Geoscience Museum will put your travels in a whole new perspective. The folks who live in this community nestled into by public lands like to say, “We are around so few and surrounded by so much,” so ask for a recommendation for hike and a lunch before leaving town.

Now it’s time to head for the lively western adventure town of Cody, Wyoming . The best way to get a taste of the Wild West is by watching bucking broncos and fearless cowboys at one of the nightly rodeos. For more country western culture, walk around Sheridan Avenue and follow the noise of live music and two-steppinb boots. Before you leave for your official Yellowstone road trip in the morning, don’t forget to learn about the man that the town is named after, Buffalo Bill Cody, at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West .

Best place for a local brew:

TEN SLEEP BREWING COMPANY

Gooseberry badlands.

Best place to take the kids:

RED GULCH DINOSAUR TRACKS

Best scenic byway:

CLOUD PEAK SKYWAY

Best night out:

CODY STAMPEDE RODEO

Yellowstone road trip.

Wake up early and hop on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway that connects Cody to Yellowstone National Park. Called one of the most beautiful drives in America, the rushing Shoshone River, amazing rock formations, and the mountains views are bountiful. If you want to get out and stretch your legs, there are multiple scenic vista stops along the highway. Once you reach the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, don’t forget to grab a park map! Remember, Yellowstone covers a huge tract of land. If you want to get the best experience without a lot of driving, we suggest staying one night within Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Road Trip Attractions:

• Lake Butte Overlook
• Fishing Bridge Visitors Center
• Yellowstone Lake
• Mud Volcano
• Sulphur Caldron
• Virginia Cascade
• Beryl Spring

Best place for wildlife:

THE LAMAR VALLEY

Storm point nature trail.

Best place to ride a horse:

LODGES OF EAST YELLOWSTONE

Best point of interest:

LAKE YELLOWSTONE HOTEL

Best iconic American landmark:

OLD FAITHFUL

Grand canyon of the yellowstone  and  emerald pool, grand teton national park and jackson.

The next stop on your Yellowstone road trip is the gorgeous natural wonder of Teton National Park. Explore crystal clear lakes, flowing rivers, and incredible photography spots along the rugged Grand Tetons. If you really want to enjoy Grand Teton National Park you can avoid the crowds and bike some of the many trails. (Map attached below!) After experiencing Grand Teton grandeur, head towards Jackson Hole. As you approach the famous Wyoming tourist town, look for the National Elk Refuge, which offers tons of activities. Once you get to Jackson it’s time to enjoy the culture, cowboy bars, and delicious restaurants! If you want to see it all from above we suggest taking a ride up the Aerial Tram. 

Best road for photo ops:

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN SUMMIT ROAD

Colter bay lakeshore.

Best museum:

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART

Carriage ride through the national elk refuge.

Best local brew:

SNAKE RIVER BREWING

Jackson to lander, 3 hours/160 miles.

Leaving Jackson Hole, as you begin to see the Grand Tetons disappear in your rearview mirror, you will reach the town of Dubois . This charming hidden gem is one of the last real Old West towns. This small town is packed with outdoor adventures like mountain biking, hiking, ATV riding, kayaking, and much more. If you are here in the winter, don’t miss out on snowmobiling! Additionally, get to know the Wind River Mountain Range. Drive along the mountains toward Riverton, one of the most underrated towns in Wyoming. This small mountain town is worth an overnight stay, so you can learn all about the local Native American culture . If you are lucky, you may just be here for one of the many events that take place over summer. For an outdoor adventure, head to the next town over, Lander . Discover the beauty of the untamed Wind River Mountains, starting with the fascinating Sinks Canyon State Park.

Try your luck:

WIND RIVER HOTEL AND CASINO-RIVERTON

Popo agie falls trail.

Best scenic drive:

THE LOOP ROAD

The lander bar, lander to denver, colorado, 5.5 hours/350 miles.

Continuing on your Yellowstone road trip, get ready to explore some of America’s best kept secrets in Southern Wyoming. Your first stop is the town of Rawlins. History buffs rejoice, as Rawlins is home to the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum . After you have stretched your legs, it’s time to hit Saratoga. Your drive will feature vast open spaces and the towering peaks of the Snowy Range. Saratoga will be a good stop for lunch before you head west on Highway 130 for Medicine Bow National Forest. This area is full of lakes and peaks with many spots to sit by the water and relax. After you have enjoyed one of the best outdoor areas in Southern Wyoming, head for Laramie . Laramie is an idyllic American town with rich history, fun local happenings, and tons of outdoor recreation. If you didn’t get a chance to visit Vedauwoo the first time, this is your second chance. Take some time to walk around downtown Laramie where you will find great restaurants, art shops, souvenirs and more. For some, this may be the last stop of your trip before heading back to the airport. For others, head to Denver, Colorado, for a taste of the city life.

Great Coffee:

DEB B’S FAMILY ESPRESSO & ICE CREAM-RAWLINS

Hobo hot springs -saratoga.

Great Museum:

SARATOGA MUSEUM

Lake trails, wyoming territorial prison-laramie.

Best outdoor recreation:

VEDAUWOO RECREATION AREA

Denver, colorado.

Exchange your country boots for your city shoes because you are now in the Mile High City. Denver is known for its foodie paradise, vibrant neighborhoods, music scene, thriving beer culture, amazing art, and sporting life. During your visit you may hear many expressions such as “LoDo,” “SoDo,” “RiNo” and many more. These are references to Denver’s is ten diverse neighborhoods. Whatever you are looking for during your vacation, you will find it within one of these eclectic neighborhoods.

Historic neighborhood:

LARIMER SQUARE

Denver art museum.

Haven for Art Lovers:

THE ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE

Shopper’s Paradise:

CHERRY CREEK

Union station.

Best hotspot for food and culture :

SOUTH PEARL STREET  AND  OLD SOUTH GAYLORD

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Finding Wonder and Adventure Everyday Together

Our Epic Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

We recently completed the most epic road trip of our lives. We went 6,200 miles from our home in the Triangle area of North Carolina to Yellowstone National Park and back again in 13 days. Now, a lot of people think we are crazy – and we might be – but we LOVE a road trip vacation more than anything else. And this Yellowstone road trip was one we will remember the rest of our lives.

When you are planning a road trip you have to ask yourself the question – “Do you want to see a lot of a little or a little of a lot?” There is no wrong answer to this question. Depending on where we are going we can answer it multiple ways. Right now in our lives when we are traveling farther away from our house we want to see a little of a lot. We believe that if we can get a good feel for different areas, we will go back to the places we want to explore more in depth. This trip gave us plenty of those spots.

So, how do you pack 6,200 miles in 13 days? You do a lot of driving and you see a lot of the country. And it was incredible! Before we get to our itinerary, a couple of answers to some common questions.

What Did You Drive?

So, if you follow us on Instagram you know that we have recently converted a school bus into an RV. At the time of our trip, our skoolie was not 100% ready so we took our car. We probably would have done this even if the skoolie was ready because we had a lot of ground to cover and the skoolie doesn’t get places too fast. No way we would have made it and experienced all we experienced if we took the bus.

Where Did You Sleep?

Ok, we love to camp but for this trip we stayed in hotels, namely the Hampton Inn. We are Hilton Honors members and we were able to get some really great deals. it is easy to sign up and it saved us some cake. There were plenty of nights where we did stay at a couple of airbnbs and local hotels.

We are glad we did this because driving like that can get tiring. It was good to have a cozy bed and warm shower every night. We actually met a family from North Carolina while we were in the Badlands in South Dakota who was camping. They were loving it a couple of days into their trip. We just so happened to see this same family again in Yellowstone at Mammoth Springs. Though they loved their trip, they were starting to get pretty drained. Having a room to sleep in helped keep us refreshed.

Was It Expensive?

Well, we are not rich by any stretch of the imagination and we were able to do it. The key for us was saving up and budgeting while on the trip. We actually did it for under what we had budgeted. In all, the trip cost us around $4,000. This includes gas, hotels, food, souvenirs, and everything else. We have spent more on a week long Disney trip.

What Did We Eat?

One of the reasons we love to travel is because we get to try out all of the local foods. When we did our big San Antonio trip we had a blast trying out some incredible food. This trip though we weren’t able to do that as much. We visited a ton of National Parks (21 sites in total) and did a lot of driving so we mostly packed a lunch or got some fast food. Not our favorite way to do it (well, we love picnics, just not fast food), but we did what we had to do on this trip. This definitely wasn’t a foodie trip, but we did find a couple of good spots.

Now that those preliminary questions are out of the way, here is our itinerary for the trip…

Day 1 – Apex, NC to Richmond, IN

So, we left around noon on a Sunday and we wanted to get as far west as we could. We really did not stop too many places, we tried to get as many miles away as possible. On a long weekend we can visit most of the states that we went through, so we didn’t want to stop at too many places on this leg of the trip.

We drove through parts of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. In total we drove for about 9 hours. For future reference, we typically had the cruise control set at 7 or 8 over the posted speed limit.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Driving on the West Virginia Turnpike. This was the only toll road that we took the whole trip, but it was a beautiful drive.

Total Miles: 550 miles

Day 2 – Richmond, IN to Mason City, IA

So, this is where the trip really started for us. We got over 500 miles in the first day and we wanted to get going early so we could stop at a couple of spots on day 2. We cut across Indiana and Illinois, then crossed the Mississippi River on our way into Iowa. Pretty cool how all of the “I” states are right next to each other. We had never been to Iowa but knew we wanted to make a couple of stops. We ended up spending the whole day in Northeast Iowa and had a blast. This state is beautiful, green everywhere. And the people are amazing!

Field Of Dreams Movie Site

Our first stop in Iowa was the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville. This is one of Justin’s favorite movies of all-time so when we saw that we were passing through there we knew we had to stop. When we pulled up we felt like we were in Heaven. It is just like the movie. The house, the field, the bleachers – just spectacular. We packed our gloves and were able to play catch, field some grounders, and run around the bases. And, of course we walked in and out of the cornfields. You can go into the house but there is a fee for the 30-minute tour. If you are ever in the area, make sure you check it out!

Effigy Mounds National Monument

The first National Park unit we visited was Effigy Mounds National Monument. This park is in Northeast Iowa in Harpers Ferry on the banks of the Mississippi River. To get there you will have to take the Iowa Scenic Byway along the river, so pretty! This park is known for its American Indian mounds. These have been here for hundreds of years. We had a blast hiking around the beautiful grounds hunting down the animal shaped mounds. We also enjoyed learning about the different theories out there as to why they made them in the first place. If you go, know that the north end of the park is where you will do the climbing up to the cliffs. It is a tough hike, but doable for most people.

Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak State Park is located just south of McGregor, Iowa. This is a great place to go hiking along the cliffs of the Mississippi. From this park you will have a ton of great views of the river. You even have a waterfall just a short hike from the main parking lot. There is no entry fee to get into the park, but there are fees for camping. Overall, there are 11 and a half miles of hiking with views of the surrounding towns, Bridal Veil Falls, fossil remains, and the sheer limestone walls. This is a great place to stop for the afternoon – or spend the night if you have a skoolie or RV.

Historic McGregor

McGregor, Iowa is a historic town on the Mississippi River in between Effigy Mounds and Pikes Peak State Park. This town rose to prominence during the 1870’s because the ferry service that ran between the two banks of the river. When a train was headed west, they would disassemble the cars, ferry them across, and put them back together in McGregor. At that time, McGregor was the busiest shipping port west of Chicago. Unfortunately for the town, the railroads decided to build a bridge, and the boom town went bust.

Today though McGregor is a quaint little downtown that transports you back in time. They have some pretty cool shops, a lot of food options, and even an “old west” themed area. McGregor is a great place to take a break after a day at one of the two local parks.

Barrel Drive-In

Barrel Drive In. Yep, that’s the name. The Barrel Drive In is a 1950’s era drive in diner located in West Union, Iowa that specializes in broasted chicken. If you are wondering what broasted chicken is – we were too. We asked our carhop what it was. His response “it is chicken that is put in our broaster.” Well…thanks, I guess? We laughed and laughed because we have no idea what a broaster is anyway. (The service here was awesome, the kid we asked was like 13 and had no idea, but they were amazing!!!)

So, broasted chicken is a midwest tradition. It is kind of like fried chicken but cooked with a combination of pressure cooking and deep frying. It is pretty delicious. The best things that we had there though were the onion rings, the milkshakes, and Megan especially loved the chocolate malt. We felt like we were in Back To The Future when we were there. Definitely check that out.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Playing catch with our son on the Field of Dreams.

Total Miles: 641 miles

Day 3 – Mason City, IA to Wasta, SD

This was our last day of really burning up miles on our trip. We knew the first three days would be full of driving, and at the end of this day we would have close to 1700 miles under our belts. Our destination for the night was an awesome little airbnb in Wasta, South Dakota about 30 minutes outside of Badlands National Park. In order to get there, we had to head north to I-90, which so happens to have plenty of quick roadside attractions to stop at. This was that kind of day (except for our stop at Pipestone).

Stockman House

Frank Lloyd Wright is considered the greatest architect in American history. In 1908 he built a house, The Stockman House, in Mason City, Iowa. This house remains as an early example of the Prairie School style of architecture. We aren’t really into architecture, but were wowed by this building. What stood out to us the most was the fact that it was built so long ago. The house feels so modern yet it is over 100 years old.

Tours are available on a first come, first served basis. They can get expensive, around $15 per person and they last an hour. If you want to just walk around the grounds you are able to do that. We happened upon someone who was part of the historical society. They were great and told us all we needed to know.

Jolly Green Giant Statue

Yes, we stopped in Blue Earth, Minnesota to visit the Jolly Green Giant statue. This is actually a really great place to stop and stretch out your legs. They have a great visitor’s center with really clean bathrooms. Naturally, we picked up a pin for our collection.

The statue itself is massive, standing over 55 feet tall. You can climb the stairs and get a picture underneath the massive vegetable mascot. It is a quick stop off of exit 119. You can visit it and be back on the road in about 15 minutes.

Lange’s Cafe

We went to Pipestone, Minnesota to check out Pipestone National Monument. This is about a 30-minute drive off of I-90. We got there around lunch time and stopped at Lange’s Cafe. This is the place that everyone told us to check out and we are so glad we did. It is an awesome little diner that has some great comfort food. All of it was extremely fresh, I guess because it is surrounded by so many farms. Their specialty though is their desserts. They have just about every kind of pie you can think of. We got a slice of the lemon merengue and it was bomb!

Pipestone National Monument

Our next stop was Pipestone National Monument . We had no idea what to expect and that is a really great thing. It is so fun to be unexpectedly blown away and this place did that for us. Pipestone is an old quarry where American Indians dug for the pipestone that they turned into different items, most notably pipes.

There is so much natural beauty here. The main trail takes about an hour to do and it takes you through the whole park. You walk through the Tall Grass Prairie, the Pipestone Rock Formations, climb to get a view up top and see the oracle, walk to Winnewissa Falls, follow the river path and see an active quarry. So much to see in less than a mile! This really is a great place for kids to run and explore. Don’t forget to get your junior ranger badge too!

Corn Palace

Our next stop was the world’s only Corn Palace. This is a tourist spot for sure, but we wanted to get off the highway and take a quick break so we checked it out. The Corn Palace is in Mitchell, South Dakota off of exit 332 on I-90. It is a basketball arena made out of corn (not entirely, but the murals on the outside are). Admission to get into the building is free (and we even got free popcorn while we were there). There is a fun gift shop area on the basketball court and some other displays. The surrounding area has a bunch of little shops, restaurants, and places to get some sweets. For us, we were glad to take a little break and see something unique. You should see it once in your life, that might be it.

Dignity Statue

Another stop right off of I-90 is the Dignity Statue at exit 263. We would not call this a roadside attraction, it is a beautiful work of art celebrating the Lakota and Dakota people of South Dakota. This incredible 50-foot tall monument overlooks the Missouri River outside of Chamberlain, South Dakota. They have some hiking trails there that you can take down to the river. It is pretty steep so be prepared for that if you want to take the hike. This is definitely a can’t miss in our minds.

Well, what trip to South Dakota is complete without a trip to Wall and maybe the world’s most famous tourist trap, Wall Drug. This isn’t usually our thing, but we felt like we had to stop because we were there. This place is massive, the whole town block is owned by Wall Drug, and the surrounding area is full of stores and restaurants.

Wall Drug is something, just room after room of souvenirs, $.05 coffee, statues of famous cowboys, animatronic scenes, stuffed animals and playgrounds. There are plenty of places to put quarters in machines and to spend your money. Come prepared – one way or the other. Our favorite part of our time in Wall was by the giant dinosaur at Exit 110.

Favorite Part Of The Day: The unexpected greatness of the Pipestone waterfall.

Total Miles: 569 miles

Day 4 – Wasta, SD to Rockerville, SD

Day 4 of our trip was the day that we were able to kind of breathe and not travel as much. We wanted to spend the majority of our time exploring the Badlands and that is what we did. This National Park is amazing, we would go back there right now. When we go to National Parks we try and get there as early as possible. It is so much better to beat the heat and crowds. This is what we did this day.

Wasta is about 25 miles to the west of the Badlands, so we had to circle back east to get there. Not a big deal and we were happy with our place in Wasta. And, it just so happens to be that there is another National Park Site at the exit to the Badlands (Exit 131 off of I-90).

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Minuteman Missile tells the story of the thousands of Cold War Era missile silos spread throughout the plains of the United States. These were hidden in plain sight and you can still tour some of these facilities today. In order to do that you need to get a reservation. When we were traveling here they were not offering tours underground, so we were only able to go to the visitors center and tour the museum. They have a great place there and it is worth a quick 20 or 30 minute stop to learn a little, get your Junior Ranger badge, and pick up your stamp.

Badlands National Park

The highlight of our day and one of the highlights of our whole trip was our time spent in the Badlands. We had driven by the day before and were blown away from the road. When we got to explore up close – just wow! This is one of the best National Parks we have been to. There is a north unit and south unit to this park. When we went the south unit was closed.

We got there around 9:30 because we had to hit up Minuteman Missile first, but we still beat most of the crowds. In total we spent about 7 hours at this park. This was one of the days were we packed a lunch because there isn’t a lot around. We feel like we got a good overview of the park, we didn’t get to hike some of the longer trails, but we did do the ones that we wanted to.

We were able to hike the Door Trail, Window Trail, Notch Trail (has a fun ladder and great views at the end), Cliff Shelf (straight up), Saddle Pass, and Fossil Exhibit. That is only 3.5 miles of (marked) trails, but the Badlands has an open hiking policy, so you can hike wherever you want to in the park, on the trail or off. For instance, the Door Trail goes on and on and on past the maintained entrance. We loved climbing all over the place here. Our kid especially loved it – no rules! He loved jumping from rock to rock, just be careful, there are some pretty big drops (and snakes!). It gets hot hiking here so make sure you have plenty of water.

Most people exit the park at the Pinnacle Entrance and head north on 240 to Wall. We decided to drive all the way down the Sage Creek Rim Road and exit to highway 44. This took us through the wilderness area and we saw a ton of bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and prairie dog towns. There are also a ton of really great overlooks and the drive is just beautiful! Much of this section is gravel road, so be prepared for that.

Dinosaur Park

When we left Badlands we headed to our hotel in Rockerville, the Rockerville Lodge . They have cabins and a hotel, we stayed in the hotel. This place was great – an awesome price, great location, friendly staff, and wonderful rooms. We highly recommend this place.

We had to drive through Rapid City to get there so we got some food at a Culver’s and had a picnic at Dinosaur Park. This park is located on Skyline Drive overlooking Rapid City. We recommend this road even if you are not visiting the park. It has a ton of great views of the city. Dinosaur Park is full of giant green concrete dinosaurs. It was built in 1936 and has entertained visitors for generations. It looks old, but it is something fun for kids. You do have to climb up a bunch of stairs to the park from the parking lot. Not fun after climbing all over the Badlands.

Rapid City is a cool town as well. The downtown is great and has plenty to do. Many people use this as a launching off point for a South Dakota vacation. It is centrally located and a good option.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

We still had about an hour of daylight so we headed up to Mount Rushmore. We were planning on doing this the next day, but because of the time we decided to go ahead and do it. This was one of the most disappointing parts of our whole trip.

When we went everything was closed off. The walkway with the flags, the trail down to the base of the mountain. The only thing that was open was the plaza. It is beautiful, we just had a pretty bad experience. We actually liked our views from the Iron Mountain Highway the next day better. Sometimes when you are traveling things don’t go as you had hoped, it is part of it.

Favorite Part Of The Day: The Notch Trail at Badlands National Park. The ladder was great and we had the whole trail to ourselves.

Total Miles: 201 miles

Day 5 – Rockerville, SD to Deadwood, SD

This was a day we were super excited about. Our plan was to explore the Black Hills of South Dakota and see all that we could. We pretty much did a giant loop in the order listed below. We were able to visit two National Park sites and probably the best State Park we have ever been to.

The reason why we were able to visit so much was because the two caves that are part of the National Park System that we went to were both closed. We were only able to do some hiking above ground, check out the visitors centers, and drive around. We did get in plenty of fun at Custer State Park which made it an amazing day.

Custer State Park

We woke up really early and headed to Custer State Park. This was a place that we were really excited to visit. We have a full day trip post on Custer , so check it out. We will just give you the highlights here.

Custer is all about the roads you take. We entered by the Iron Mountain Highway. This is an incredible drive and one you can’t miss. There are some epic views of Mt. Rushmore through the tunnels and they have some awesome corkscrew bridges. We had never been on these before and they are so much fun. This takes you through Black Hills National Forest and drops you off at the east entrance of Custer.

The next drive is the Wildlife Loop. We went there first because we wanted to be able to see the wildlife in the morning. We were not disappointed. The highlight of the road was getting stuck in a bison traffic jam. It is scary and fun to have these massive animals walk all around your car. You get up close and personal. If you are lucky you might even see the begging burros.

The third main drive is Needles Highway. You have to do this. It takes you high up to the needle shaped rock formations. It is like you are in another world. This road is unlike anything we had ever seen. Just spectacular.

At the end of Needles Highway you get to Sylvan Lake. This is one of the four main lakes at Custer. All of them have their own beaches and you can swim in them. We visited all of them but Sylvan stands out as the best. The rock formations and trails in and around the lake are so unique. We loved our time here.

Overall we were in Custer for about 9 hours. We could stay there for multiple days no problem. We did a lot of hiking, but we weren’t able to do all of the trails we wanted to. This should be a National Park, it is that good.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave is the 7th National Park in the whole system. This park is just south of Custer State Park. When we went the cave was closed, but there were still plenty of activities to do. This park is beautiful; full of bison, prairie dogs, and other wildlife. There are plenty of trails to keep you busy as well. We were able to hike to one of the entrances to the cave, but we really only were here for about an hour total.

Jewel Cave National Monument

This was another quick stop that would have been longer had the cave been open. We ended up taking the trail along the visitor’s center. There are some pretty cool views from up there. The visitor’s center is pretty great, the main area is a replica of the cave, but it would have been way cooler to be able to get into the cave.

We ended the day in Deadwood. This place was on our list because it is one of the main Old West towns that you can visit today. This is where Wild Bill was gunned down and the Dead Man’s Hand originated. We visited the tombstones of Wild Bill and Calamity Jane and checked out the super touristy downtown area. There are plenty of re-enactments and Old West saloons that you can check out. For us, it was a little bit of a let down. It wasn’t what we expected from Deadwood, just a little too commercialized for us. We would recommend going and checking it out (especially if you are into the Old West), we didn’t hate it, just didn’t love it.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Getting stuck in the bison traffic jam.

Total Miles: 143 miles

Day 6 – Deadwood, SD to Gardiner, MT

This might have been the most frustrating travel day we have ever had, but we had some amazing experiences along the way. Our goal was to get to Gardiner, Montana outside of the north entrance to Yellowstone. We wanted to hit up Devil’s Tower, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Little Bighorn along the way. We made it to two of the three and ended up driving about 300 miles that we shouldn’t have.

The reason is because the website for Little Bighorn had the wrong hours of operation. If it had the right times, we would have just headed to Gardiner after Bighorn Canyon. Instead, we drove for hours and hours out of the way. This area of the country is so difficult to get to, so we wanted to hit up Little Bighorn while we could. We probably would have gone to the north end of Bighorn Canyon instead of the south if we had the right hours. Of course, we think that the south entrance is where it is at! One negative of taking this route was we didn’t get to do the Beartooth Highway. This is one we will be doing next time.

This was the second latest we arrived at one of our hotels during this trip. We got in around 11:00 pm. Not ideal because we had to get up super early the next day to go to Yellowstone!

Devil’s Tower National Monument

Devil’s Tower is the first National Monument in the United States. The tower is an awe-inspiring 1,200+ foot rock formation that looks like the trunk of an ancient tree. This rock has meant so much to so many through the years and looking at it you can easily see why. The cost to get in is pretty steep (pardon the pun) at $25 per car (thank you National Park pass). There are some great hiking trails, but there is little to no shade and the trails are steep the farther you get from the mountain (is it a mountain?). If you are going, get there early because parking is limited and it fills up fast.

Wyoming Scenic Byway/Bighorn National Forest

So, in order to get to the south entrance of Bighorn Canyon from the east you have to take Highway 14 through the Bighorn National Forest. Let us tell you, this is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever go on. But, you better be comfortable with steep grades both ways. We are talking first gear all the way.

Bighorn National Forest is gorgeous. Highway 14 takes you to the top of the mountains and you get to drive through beautiful mountain meadows covered in flowers and streams. It is like you are in the Sound of Music. There are plenty of places to get out and walk around. Simply stunning. the views coming down on the western side of Burgess Junction are just ridiculous. It is almost like you are going to take off through the clouds. We did this in July and there was still snow on the ground. That was kind of weird for us North Carolinians.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is one of the lesser known National Park sites in this area. With so many other great options this one is just passed over (and it is tough to get to). The south unit visitor’s center is in Lovell, Wyoming. We had a great experience there with the park rangers. The actual entrance to the park is about 15 miles away. We had the whole park to ourselves.

There are a bunch of trails but because our schedule was so wacky this day we only had time to check out some of the scenic overlooks. They were spectacular! The Devil’s Canyon Overlook was one of the coolest things we saw this whole trip. We were all in awe of how amazing it was. This canyon is massive and nobody has heard of it! If you have time, check it out. We would love to one day take a boat along the river at the bottom.

We made it to Gardiner and checked in to the Yellowstone Big Rock Inn. This place was great. We got a really good price for the location. Room was really big. If you are staying for a couple of days, this place would be perfect. Unfortunately, we were only in the room for about 8 hours!

Favorite Part Of The Day: Getting to our hotel room after 16 hours on the road (but also Bighorn Canyon).

Total Miles: 735 miles

Day 7 – Gardiner, MT to Island Park, ID

By this time we had already had enough fun and made enough memories to last until the next road trip, but we were only halfway there! This was day one of two here in Yellowstone. We still had plenty of fun and adventures left.

The main reason why we stayed in Gardiner was because it is by the north entrance – home of the Roosevelt Arch. Roosevelt just happened to be vacationing at Yellowstone when the cornerstone to the arch was going to be laid. He was asked to say some words and lay the cornerstone, because of that, the arch was named after him. We got there early in the morning, were the only ones there (except a jogger who took our picture), and had a blast walking in and around it.

Yellowstone National Park Day 1

What can you say about Yellowstone? This is America’s first National Park. We had never been here before and honestly we were worried that our expectations would not be met. Everyone who has come here has gone away just scratching their heads at how crazy awesome this place is. After two days this place had the same impact on us.

You can’t grasp how big this park is until you actually go there. Because of that, it takes a long time to get from one place to another – that isn’t a bad thing, because the drive is full of awesome stops. We had a bunch of people tell us that you could spend months here and never see it all. We thought there is no way. They were right. We felt like we did a ton in two days and yet there is so much that we left unexplored. We cannot wait to get back to this place. It is like you are in another world.

There were a ton of other things that we did at Yellowstone, many not mentioned below. So many quick stops for animal viewing or viewpoints. These are just the highlights.

Lamar Valley

We entered Yellowstone around 6:30 am and headed to Lamar Valley. This is where you go to see wildlife. We wanted to get there early because that is when the animals are the most active. It took about an hour to get there. We would recommend getting there by 7. Lamar Valley is huge – make sure you bring binoculars. There are plenty of places to pull of and check everything out. When we were there we saw tons of bison, a brown and cinnamon bear, pronghorns, and a couple of wolves. It was awesome.

At the end of Lamar Valley is the Silver Gate. This is one of the least used gates to the park. We decided to slip out real quick and head to Cooke City to get some breakfast. This is a cool little mountain town with some fun shops and cafes. We stopped at Pilot’s Perk for some good coffee and breakfast sandwiches. While we were waiting for our food on the outside deck we watched a bison walk right down the middle of the street. Too cool.

Random Stops

Lamar Valley is in the northeast corner of the park. In order to get back to the main part of the park we had to double back through the valley. We stopped at a ton of great spots – don’t miss that at Yellowstone. Right by the Silver Gate there is a sheer rock wall that has mountain goats on it.

We were not able to take the road between Tower Falls and Canyon Village because it was closed. If it wasn’t, we would have hit up Tower Falls and Mt. Washburn. We were pretty bummed about that.

Because that road was closed, we took the road back to Mammoth Hot Springs. Along the way we hit up Slough Creek, a nice trail where you can see some wildlife and saw the petrified tree. Just a couple of little stops along the way.

Wraith Falls

We were driving to Mammoth Hot Springs and saw a sign for Wraith Falls and we thought, why not? This is a quick half-mile trail to the waterfall. This is why Yellowstone is so cool. There is so much to see and do. It might be crowded, but you can always find a place to get away from people. Wraith Falls is one of those places. Such a peaceful place.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs was the first of the incredible hydrothermal natural wonders we saw. This one is in the the northwest corner of the park. The old Fort Yellowstone is located here as well and you can tour the grounds and hit up the restaurants and gift shop. We highly recommend going into the gift shop and getting some huckleberry ice cream.

There are upper and lower terraces where you can check out the springs. The lower area has boardwalks surrounding it. There is plenty of room to maneuver and you get up close and personal to these features. There are a lot of stairs, so if you don’t like them, you can just stick to the lower areas.

You can take the stairs to the top or you can drive around to the top and take the walking trail around the upper area. This loop trail is not that bad and can be done in about 30 minutes.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Before we headed out for the night we drove over to Canyon Village to check out the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We stayed on the north rim and walked to Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. These views were all spectacular. The upper and lower falls are amazing, but don’t sleep on the view of the canyon from Inspiration Point. It is spectacular but nobody was there except for us.

West Yellowstone and Island Park

We headed out to our place for the night in Island Park, Idaho. This is about 10 minutes outside of the town of West Yellowstone. We stopped in West Yellowstone for a little bit to get some supplies and check out the town. This place is busy! People everywhere, every restaurant was a super long wait. If you are trying to eat here, go early or stay in the park really late and grab something after.

We found a super cool cabin in Island Park on airbnb for a pretty good price. This is not a secluded cabin, more like a cabin park. They are all private, incredibly comfortable, and a great place to sleep for the night. Also, we got to spend the night in Idaho at the foot of Sawtell Peak. This is a 9,875 foot mountain that you can drive to the top of and enjoy some views of Yellowstone and the surrounding valley. Definitely check that out if you have the chance.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Checking out the animals in Lamar Valley. We felt like we were in a National Geographic documentary.

Total Miles: 275 miles

Day 8 – Island Park, ID to Jackson Hole, WY

Our second day in Yellowstone was just as amazing as our first. We did a lot of driving around this day because we hiked about nine miles the day before and we knew we were going to do about the same the next day. On this day, we hiked around four miles. This was kind of a surprising day because a lot of what we did just kind of snuck up on us – especially with Firehole Canyon and West Thumb. We think this is what makes Yellowstone so special. There is so much to do and so many amazing places that people don’t really know about.

Yellowstone National Park Day 2

Firehole Canyon

As we were heading into Yellowstone from the west entrance we saw a turnoff for Firehole Canyon. It is right after you turn south on the Grand Loop to head toward Old Faithful. We decided to take the scenic two-mile drive and we were so happy that we did. You drive along the canyon floor along the Firehole River. Take some time to get out and look up at the canyon. There aren’t a ton of turnoffs, so when you find one you will have the whole place to yourself.

You gradually climb up out of the canyon and get to have some awesome views of waterfalls and the river. Our favorite stop along the drive was the Firehole Falls overlook. Just another amazing waterfall that we just happened upon. You can also swim farther up the river, so bring your suit if you are feeling that.

Grand Prismatic

Our first planned stop was the Grand Prismatic Pool in the Midway Geyser Basin. We stopped in the main parking area and walked around the Midway Geyser Basin Trail. This is a boardwalk that takes you to the different pools in the area. They are full of color and so beautiful. If you want a bird’s eye view, drive about a mile down the road and park at the Fairy Falls trailhead.

This is a short hike to the overlook, about 1.2 miles roundtrip. It is definitely worth the views. Great perspective from up there. You can continue on the trail to Fairy Falls. If you do this, it is about 3.2 miles roundtrip.

Old Faithful

The icon of Yellowstone is definitely Old Faithful. There is a whole village surrounding Old Faithful. We were so surprised about how big this area is. This is the one place where parking is plentiful! This is also the place where we battled the most crowds. It was cool to see Old Faithful erupt, you have to make the stop if you are in Yellowstone, but it definitely isn’t our favorite thing in Yellowstone. We saw it, but if we never see it again we will be ok.

In doing our research for Yellowstone we didn’t see a lot of people talking about West Thumb. After going here, this might be the best place we went to during our two days there. This is another geyser basin but this one is right along the shore of Yellowstone Lake. The lake itself is spectacular, but couple that with the colorful pools and you have something out of a storybook. There is a great boardwalk trail that takes you through the geyser basin, a perfect place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a leisurely stroll. West Thumb is definitely a hidden gem of Yellowstone.

Lewis Falls

We left Yellowstone through the southern entrance but before we got totally out of the park we stopped by Lewis Falls. This is just a small pullout from the road but the waterfall is really beautiful and it makes for a great place to relax for a bit. There is a trail to the top, but we went the other way by the river and got down to the bottom. We had the whole spot to ourselves, it was awesome. This was just another one of the many unexpected spots we came upon.

Rockefeller Memorial Parkway

The road that connects Yellowstone to Grand Teton is the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. This is actually a National Park Unit. This is an iconic drive and you have the first views of the Tetons while driving on it. They took our breath away. There is a small visitor’s center where you can get the National Park passport stamp. It is closed often. If you are there and it is, you can get your stamp for this place at Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton.

Entering Grand Teton

We got into Grand Teton about 5 pm and spent about an hour driving through the park heading to Jackson Hole. There were a couple of places that we stopped off, but for the most part we just cruised through and scoped out places we wanted to visit the next day.

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is an awesome town outside of Grand Teton. It is an expensive place to stay, but is super convenient and has plenty of places to eat. The downtown area is really great, tons of shops and restaurants. Also, there are a ton of people everywhere. We ate at a place called Cutty’s by our hotel. Food was really great and the atmosphere is really cool. They have a fantastic outdoor patio and lawn area. This was a perfect place to relax after a couple of days in Yellowstone. We went back to the hotel and got to bed early. We wanted to wake up really early to get as much of the Tetons in as we could.

Favorite Part Of The Day: West Thumb was spectacular. That is hard to beat for us.

Total Miles: 235 miles

Day 9 – Jackson Hole, WY to Casper, WY

We woke up early and headed into Grand Teton National Park, knowing we only had about 10 hours in the park and wanting to get in as much as we could. We are glad we got there early because boy did some of these places get crowded. There are so many trails here and we will be back to hike them. For this trip we were only able to do two of them for a total of about 9 miles.

Grand Teton National Park

We got to Jenny Lake around 7:30. We had heard that this was one of the most popular hikes so we wanted to beat the crowds. All of this is true. Get there early. We were able to do what we wanted to do before the crowds came. On the way back there were so many people going to where we were.

The Jenny Lake trail takes you from the main parking area to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. You can opt to take a boat across the lake which cuts about two miles off of your hike. We decided to do this because we wanted to ride on the boat. It is a 10-15 minute ride and costs $10 per adult and $8 for kids. It was worth it to us for the experience.

From the boat landing we went up to Hidden Falls (wow!) and Inspiration Point. You can continue farther down the trail into the mountains, but we headed back after Inspiration Point. The trail up to Inspiration Point is stunning. Great views of the Tetons and along a rocky ledge. A great experience.

We only did the boat one-way so we were able to hike back on the Jenny Lake Trail. This trail is beautiful, great views along the water. It is pretty narrow, so you will be stopping often for people heading the other direction. We didn’t see any wildlife, but we heard there are a lot of moose and bears around where we were. The crowds probably scared everything away.

Colter Bay Village

Our next stop was Colter Bay Village. We needed to stop by the book store to get our Passport stamp for Rockefeller. This was pretty out of the way but it allowed us to grab our stamp and enjoy a drive through the park. Driving in the Tetons is so cool. Great views wherever you go. We stopped at a bunch of places for the views, had a picnic by the lake, and just rested from our morning hike.

Taggart Lake

Out of all of the hikes we did on our trip this was probably our favorite. We were pretty tired and weren’t really feeling another 4-mile hike but we figured we better do it because we weren’t sure when we will be back. This trail is just amazing. We began by crossing over a cascading river, by a horse farm, and through a beautiful meadow. What is really cool about this hike are the incredible views of the Tetons. This was easily the best views we had of the range.

We went at just the right time, middle afternoon. We had the trail to ourselves for the most part and just enjoyed being a family together. It was tough for us that afternoon, not a difficult hike, we were just exhausted. However, we pushed each other and made it to Taggart Lake. Boy, that was an awesome feeling. What an incredible view. We jumped in the lake and celebrated on the rocks. Such a special memory.

The most iconic view of the Tetons is from Mormon Row. We stopped by there on our way out to check out this cool spot. It is best visited in the morning so you get the light on the mountain range, but we did what we could. We had a good time just walking around for a couple of minutes and heading out.

The Road To Casper

This was terrifying. We headed out of the park around 6 pm and started our drive back east. This was a big mistake. Our trip started beautifully heading on some pretty scenic roadways on Highway 26. Eventually, the sun went down and when the sun went down the animals came out. It is so frightening to be going the speed limit and have animals jump all around you. Plus, there is one town with more than 50 people on this road. There is absolutely nothing. We ended up driving 40 mph in an 80 mph zone. The drive took 6 hours instead of the 4 it was supposed to take. We will never do that again.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Taggart Lake Trail, easily.

Total Miles: 378 miles

Day 10 – Casper, WY to North Platte, NE

At this point in our trip we were starting to feel all sorts of emotions. We were traveling back east and we knew that our trip was coming to an end in a couple of short days. Also, we were starting to get pretty tired. We knew we had to go two-thirds across the country in a few short days, but we still wanted to see what we could while we were heading home. We feel like we did just that, hitting some special stops along the way, but still putting those miles on the dashboard.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Fort Laramie was originally a trading outpost for fur traders, but as America moved west it became the largest military post on the Northern Plains. This is a sprawling compound with plenty of historical significance. You can explore the different buildings. Old Bedlam is probably the most famous. It is Wyoming’s oldest building. Our favorite was the store that had been restored to its original. We had a lot of fun talking to the shopkeeper. As with most National Park sites, the Rangers and volunteers are just amazing here.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff was another one of those beautiful, unexpected stops. The bluffs shoot up 800 feet seemingly out of nowhere in the middle of the plains. They are sheer cliffs with a beautiful color no matter what time of day you visit. The day we visited it was over 100 degrees. We checked in at the visitors center and drove up to the top. There is a trail, but with the temperature we opted for the road. Of course, one of the reasons you have to drive is because this is the home of the only tunnels in all of the state of Nebraska. We couldn’t pass that up.

At the top parking lot there are a couple of really fun trails that give you spectacular views any direction you look. If you can, check those out – just watch out for the rattlesnakes. At the base of the bluffs, they have a couple of covered wagons because the Oregon Trail went right by here. You can actually see some of the original wheel ruts. We had a lot of fun reminiscing about elementary school, hunting for bears and squirrels and trying not to die from dysentery.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Our next stop was a little off the highway, but we had to hit up Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Harrison, Nebraska. As with most of this trip, National Park sites guided us. This is where they have found fossils and you can check out their location on one of two trails, the Daemonelix Trail and the Fossil Hills Trail. It is beautiful out here, the grasslands and the Niobrara River make for some incredible landscape. Best part about this place for us though might have been the porcupine we saw on the way to the park.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Driving up Scotts Bluff.

Total Miles: 455 miles

Day 11 – North Platte, NE to Brookfield, MO

Ok, not going to lie. Nebraska is massive. We had no idea until we drove the whole stretch of I-80 from the northwest corner to the southeast corner of the state. That is a long haul. Nebraska is great, but it isn’t for anyone. Seriously, the state Tourism Commission literally used the slogan “Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” For our day and a half in the state, it was for us. Not sure when we will be back, but we did enjoy our time there.

Buffalo Bill Ranch

We had no plans to stop here when we initially planned our trip, but when we were looking at things to do on our way home this came up in a search. We actually stayed the night in North Platte because of its proximity to the ranch. The ranch was Buffalo Bill’s home from 1886 until 1913. At one time the ranch covered 4,000 acres. Now, it is significantly smaller, but there is plenty to see and do.

On property you can wander through the restored buildings, by relaxing ponds and creeks, and even see a couple of buffalo that they have on site. The highlight of the ranch is the barn. This barn is original and used to hold Bill’s horses. Now, it is a museum for the world famous Wild West Show. The memorabilia that is here really is one of a kind. Our favorite items had to have been the giant posters that were plastered about. They are true works of art.

There is a small fee to explore this property, but we found that it was well worth the price of admission.

Pony Express Station at Fort Kearney

The Pony Express was a mail service that delivered mail from Missouri to California for about 16 months in 1860-61. I always thought that it was longer than that, but that was it. In that time it became the stuff of legend. Riders on horseback would sprint from station to station as fast as they could in a giant relay race to get the mail across the country as fast as possible. It made it so mail would only take 10 days to travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. When the telegraph came along, it went away.

There are numerous Pony Express Stations found throughout the Central Plains, the Rockies, and into California. The National Park Service actually has a Pony Express National Historic Trail that stretches from Missouri to California. Along the route there are numerous National and State Parks that you can visit. It is 2000 miles of history in some pretty crazy and remote places.

We saw a sign for Fort Kearney as we were driving down I-80 in Nebraska so we pulled off for a bit and explored the little museum. This was the site of one of the over 150 stations on the trail. It made for a fun little stop with some pretty interesting history. It is pretty weird that this building sits in the middle of a neighborhood. The town just built all around it and made it a park.

You can’t get a National Park stamp here, those are found in Old Sacramento in California, the Fort Sedgwick museum in Colorado, or the Pony Express museum in Kansas.

On most of our trips, we do a story on Instagram or Facebook. We had some people reach out to us when we were going through Nebraska and they told us we had to stop at Runza, it is a Nebraska institution. Hey, we understand, we are from North Carolina, home of Bojangles. We did, we loved it, and we will be back. Just wanted to let everyone know we went to Runza.

Homestead National Monument

Our last stop in Nebraska was Homestead National Monument in Beatrice. This National Park unit tells the story of the homesteaders who settled the west. We had way more fun here than we thought we would. This is an incredibly well put together museum and grounds, they make the story come to life. There is an original homesteader cabin on the grounds and a school a mile down the road. You can go inside these and explore.

We learned about what homesteaders went through to get their land, and learned of the last homesteader in America – a dude in Alaska who moved there, built a cabin, and was given the deed to the land. The U.S. government used to give people 160 acres of land if they lived on the land for five years and improved it. Pretty crazy.

Favorite Part Of The Day: The unexpected greatness of the Buffalo Bill Ranch.

Total Miles: 484 miles

Day 12 – Brookfield, MO to Vincennes, IN

This was our American legend day. We went to the hometowns of two men who have helped shape America through their creativity and art. Walt Disney and Mark Twain. It was such a fun day walking around where these two icons grew up.

Why in the world would we want to make a stop at a small town of just over 2,000 people in central Missouri? Because it is the hometown of Walter Elias Disney. We are pretty big Disney fans and we were very excited that our route would take us by his hometown. Main Street in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom over in Disney World are modeled after this fun little town. This is a great stop for any Disney fan, or anyone really. We were able to check out the family farm, the museum full of awesome Disney collectibles, have a yummy meal at Ma Vic’s and walk right down the middle of Main Street.

Disney Family Farm

The Disney family farm is located on W. Broadway just outside of downtown Marceline. It is a private property now, but near it is a small parking area with a path that takes you to the replica barn and dreaming tree. The barn was raised in 2001 and is an exact replica of the one that was on the Disney farm while Walt was growing up. You can walk all around this area, inside the barn, and add your signature to the thousands that are already there. We recommend bringing a sharpie with you. See if you can find any familiar names – including Go The Adventure Way!

Walt Disney Hometown Museum

This is one of the coolest museums we have ever been to. There are pieces of Disney memorabilia here that you can’t find anywhere else. This museum tells the story of Walt’s time in Marceline and where he got his inspiration. The coolest part of the museum to us though was the collector’s wing. Here, Disney fans from all over the world donated their collections to be on display for everyone to enjoy. Some really great pieces of Disney history are in this area.

The museum is open year round Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 4 pm, and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays. The museum is located right in downtown, fittingly in an old train station.

Ma Vic’s Corner Cafe

Ma Vic’s is the place to grab lunch in Marceline. It is located right on Main Street across from the town square and museum. They have plenty of great food to choose from here and the service is awesome. It is run by a family and you could tell they loved it. We spent some time talking to them and it was good to get to know them a little bit. That is what is so cool about traveling the States. There are so many interesting people with interesting stories to tell. Try and go to the museum before you go here. If you bring your museum ticket in, you get a free dessert. The Dusty Miller. Once you get the small size, you might opt for a larger one! We loved our time at Ma Vic’s!

Hannibal is the hometown of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. This town is only 90 miles down Highway 36 from Marceline. The town sits right on the banks of the Mississippi. Hannibal is a blast from the past. They have kept a lot of the historical waterfront buildings and it is so fun to walk through the old town. it is like you are back in time getting ready to hop on a riverboat (which you can do here). Most people tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. It is an incredible little town block where you can whitewash a fence, see Becky Thatcher’s and Huck Finn’s houses, and go into an old drug store. There is a fee to enter them, but one ticket covers all of it.

On Main St. there are a bunch of great shops and restaurants to visit. All of them selling your typical souvenirs. We did buy a coffee mug and a pin here. Make sure you go to Dutch Country General Store. This is a super fun place to shop and walk around. But they do something here that nobody does – they give you free ice cream, popcorn, and coffee! And the people there are some of the nicest people we met on our trip. Just fantastic.

Take some time to climb (or drive) up to the top of the hill where the lighthouse is at the end of Main St. This was a fun little adventure that we went on. There are a lot of stairs, so if you can’t do them, take the winding road up to the top. We always love a good river lighthouse.

We were only here for about two hours, though you could spend a week here. No doubt we will be back to visit.

Gateway Arch National Park

The Gateway Arch is one of the icons of America. It stands 630-feet over the Mississippi River city of St. Louis. The arch symbolizes the westward expansion of America. This National Park unit is by far the smallest unit with a National Park designation.

We stopped here in the afternoon and had just enough time to go underground, get our stamp, and talk to the Rangers. There is a great museum down there that tells the story of the arch and the move west for America.

The elevator to the top was down when we got there, but we will be back one day to travel to the top. There is a fee of $12-16 for adults and $8-12 for kids depending on what day you go.

Even though we couldn’t ride to the top, we had fun walking around the grounds, sitting under the arch, and checking this place out from all sorts of angles. It is something to see in person. Another really cool thing about it is it is right on the banks of the Mississippi. A great place to sit and watch the riverboats roll down the river.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.

Total Miles: 375 miles

Day 13 – Vincennes, IN to Apex, NC

This was our last day on the road and the one that we covered the most ground. We originally planned to do this in 14 days, but we decided it would be best for us to get all the way home and have a rest day before going back to work. After this epic adventure, it was pretty wise. However, we were still able to make four more stops along the way. That is what makes road trips so awesome, getting there is half the fun.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

Ever heard of George Rogers Clark? We hadn’t either until this trip. He was an American Revolutionary War hero who led the army in what was then the Northwest Territory of the United States. There is a National Park unit bearing his name in the town of Vincennes, IN. The grounds here are quite stunning and the monument is one of the most unique in the U.S.

The park is located on what is believed to be the site of Fort Sackville. When Rogers and his men captured this fort, it solidified the western frontier for the colonists. It has a beautiful rotunda with a statue of Clark. Inside are massive paintings depicting the westward movement of the U.S. This is the largest memorial on any battlefield in the country. There is a nice little visitors center as well here, so don’t forget to pop in and get your passport book stamped.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

This was the first of our two visits to a Lincoln National Park unit on the day. There are a handful of these spread throughout the midwest. Lincoln’s boyhood home is located Lincoln City, Indiana right outside of Santa Claus (more on that in a minute). This park is on the property where Lincoln grew up. The visitors center is really great, very unique. The outside is its own museum with great art telling the story of Lincoln.

You can take a short half-mile walk to the actual land where Lincoln grew up or drive to the nearby parking lot. The Lincoln historical homestead is awesome. The Rangers on site are dressed in clothing from that period and they teach visitors what it was like on the farm in those days. They also have animals on site. If you have time, check out the Trail of the Twelve Stones which does a great job telling the story of Lincoln’s life.

Santa Claus, Indiana

We weren’t planning on stopping here, but when you pass by a town called Santa Claus, you have to take the time. We were just here for a quick minute, but we had fun going to the Santa Claus Christmas shop, buying an ornament, and grabbing some fudge and cookies. Also, check out the post office in town. This is where all of Santa’s mail gets delivered to.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Our last official stop for our whole epic road trip was the Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville, Kentucky. There are two sections to this park, the main section is on Highway 31E. This is a beautiful park with a great museum and movie on Lincoln’s life. The highlight is the Memorial Building. This building houses the actual log cabin that Lincoln was born in. It was really special to be able to walk around this cabin. It was one of those things we will never forget.

When we got done with our time with Lincoln we decided to just hit the road hard and get back to our house. It was 570 miles but it was a good choice to sleep in our bed. It was great spending the afternoon and evening enjoying the open road and reminiscing on the previous two weeks. A great way to end our trip.

Favorite Part Of The Day: Seeing the cabin that Lincoln was born in was pretty sweet.

Total Miles: 747 miles

This was the most epic trip we have ever been on. We loved every single day, experienced so much, and made so many memories. This trip was something we wish everybody could experience. Life is good when you Go The Adventure Way.

If you want some more in-depth information on some of our stops, check out our post on Pipestone , Grand Tetons , Custer State Park , and our time in Iowa .

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48 Hours In The Tetons

10 great north carolina state park hikes.

Road Trips To Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a dream destination for many people. But getting there can be just as much fun as being there. In this post, I share fun road trips to Yellowstone. 

You’ll find what to do and where to stay on the way to Yellowstone. And if you need more help planning your Yellowstone vacation, make sure to check out my itineraries and guidebooks .

You can also join my Facebook group: Yellowstone, Glacier, and Montana Trip Planning

Choose Your Road Trip to Yellowstone

In the sections below I include a map and itinerary for each drive to Yellowstone.

Click on the link to go directly to that road trip.

Denver to yellowstone road trip.

• Minneapolis to Yellowstone Road Trip 

Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone Road Trip

• Seattle to Glacier National Par k to Yellowstone Road Trip

Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Road Trip

Grand canyon to yellowstone road trip, road trip yellowstone.

Day 1: Denver to Jackson 

Do: Today is mostly driving to Yellowstone area.

Stay: There are many hotels in Jackson to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds. Contact me for specific recommendations for your Montana Wyoming road trip.

Day 2: Jackson, Wyoming (Jackson Hole)

Do: First thing, take a hike up Snow King mountain for awe-inspiring views of the Jackson Hole valley. Explore the town square and make sure you take a picture under the iconic antler arches.

Thrill seekers will like the adventure course or Cowboy Coaster at Snow King. Other places we love include, the National Museum for Wildlife Art and other art galleries, Vertical Harvest, white water rafting, and bike riding town trails. Don’t miss the Bar J or Bar T 5 chuckwagon dinner.

Eat: There are a lot of good places to eat: Persephone Bakery,  Nora’s Fish Creek Inn, San Juan Restaurant. Liberty Burgers, and the Snake River Grill are a few favorites.

Stay: There are many hotels in Jackson to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds.

I used to live in Jackson and have a ton of ideas for things to do in Jackson Hole .  

Day 3: Grand Teton National Park 

Do: Visit Mormon Row at sunrise and spend the morning driving the 42-mile scenic loop drive. Stop at Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook, and Oxbow Bend. Take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.

Eat: We always stop at Dornan’s in Moose. The food and drinks are good and the view is one of the best in the world. 

Stay: Either stay in one of the hotels in Jackson again or at the Jackson Lake Lodge or in Colter Bay to be closer to Yellowstone for the next day.

Day 4: Yellowstone National Park

Do: Explore the Old Faithful area including, Firehole Canyon Drive, Old Faithful, Kepler Cascades, West Thumb (if time allows), Midway Geyser Basin, Fountain Paint Pots

Eat: Bring a picnic lunch and snacks to eat on the road or grab lunch at the Grill at Old Faithful. Dinner in West Yellowstone.

Stay: There are many hotels in West Yellowstone to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds.

For more on what to do and where to stay in Yellowstone, grab my three-day Yellowstone itinerary . It provides specific details about what to see at each stop and how long it will take you.

Day 5: Yellowstone National Park

Do: Explore the Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Eat: Bring a picnic lunch and snacks to eat on the road or grab lunch at the Canyon Grill. Dinner in West Yellowstone.

Stay : There are many hotels in West Yellowstone to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds.

Day 6: Yellowstone National Park

Do: Explore the northwest section of the park including, Artists Paintpots, Mammoth Hot Springs, Fort Yellowstone (at Mammoth), Boiling River, and Roosevelt Arch.

Eat: Bring a picnic lunch and snacks to eat on the road or grab lunch at the Mammoth Grill. Dinner in Gardiner.

Stay: There are many hotels in Gardiner to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds.

Day 7: Outdoor Adventures and Hot Springs

Do: If you want to add a little adventure to your trip, start the day with a combination of horseback riding and rafting. Wild West Whitewater Rafting and Flying Pig Whitewater both offer a “Paddle and Saddle” package.

Stop at Yellowstone Hot Springs or Chico Hot Springs for a relaxing soak. Or take an early morning wildlife tour into the Lamar Valley.

Eat: Grab some grub in Gardiner.

Minneapolis to Yellowstone Road Trip

This Yellowstone road trip starts in Minneapolis, but can be used if you are starting from Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, or other parts of northern middle America. 

There are at least two routes- a shorter, northern route, and a longer (by a couple hours) southern route. This Yellowstone road trip planner covers the northern route through North Dakota. If you prefer the southern route, scroll down to the Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone route. 

Day 1 : Bismarck, North Dakota

Do: Driving will take a big chunk of your day. Bismarck is a stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail (see all the Lewis and Clark Trail in Montana ) and you can see a 55-foot full-scale replica keelboat like the one used by Lewis and Clark at Keelboat Park . Plus, there are trails and walking paths to stretch your legs. The Thunderbird sculpture created by United Tribes Technical College students is another draw to the park.

Eat: Keeping with the Lewis and Clark theme, the Pirogue Grill is tasty. The Lewis and Clark Riverboat has daily cruises (May-Sept) on the Missouri River, including a dinner cruise. 

Stay: There are plenty of hotels in Bismarck, ND . We like the Holiday Inn Express Bismarck . Or camp at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Day 2 : Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Glendive

Do: On your way out of town, stop at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park to see the replica Mandan On-A-Slant Indian Village and reconstructed military buildings including the Custer House.

The next stop is Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit). Take the gorgeous 36-mile Scenic Drive, stopping often in designated pullouts to soak in the view. There are several short trails – Ridgeline Nature Trail (0.6 mile), Coal Vein Trail (0.8 mile), Wind Canyon Trail (0.4 mile), and Buck Hill (0.1 mile).

Then mosey on over to Glendive for the night.

Eat: In Medora (adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park), there are pizza places, coffee shops, burger joints, etc. In Glendive, Bloom Coffeehouse and Eatery is my favorite for breakfast or lunch. Los Amigos serves yummy Mexican food. 

Stay: Spend the night at a hotel in Glendive, MT or camp at Makoshika State Park. 

Day 3: Makoshika State Park and Glendive, Montana

Do: Spend the morning at Makoshika State Park . There are several shorter trails (Paramount Trail, Diane Gabriel Trail, Natural Bridge Trail, Twin Sister Trail) and viewpoints as you drive through the park.

Stop at Hell Creek Music for guitars, comic books, an escape room, and a huge T-rex skeleton. There is also a Creationist dinosaur museum in Glendive. 

Eat: Spend the night at a hotel in Glendive, MT or camp at Makoshika State Park.

Stay: Bloom Coffeehouse and Eatery is my favorite for breakfast or lunch. Los Amigos serves yummy Mexican food. 

Day 4: Terry Badlands, Miles City, and Billings, Montana

Do: In Terry, head out into the Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area to take in some of the most spectacular and uncrowded scenery in Montana. You’ll find colorful, banded cliffs overlooking rolling prairie. Geologic features include sandstone bridges, spires, table tops, and buttes divided by many deep gullies all formed by thousands of years of wind and water erosion. 

I recommend driving/biking/walking the Calypso Trail. Find visitation information on the  BLM website .

Stop for lunch at lunch at the  Montana Bar  in Miles City for real Western atmosphere. It’s family friendly before 8 pm.

There are so many fun  things to do in Billings  and great places to eat. Get a hands on history lesson at the Western Heritage Center or enjoy modern western art at the Yellowstone Art Museum. Catch a show at the Alberta Bair Theater.

Eat: Lunch at the  Montana Bar  in Miles City and  Last Chance Pub and Cider Mill  or  Commons 1882  in Billings for dinner.

Stay:  We like the  Northern Hotel , the  Dude Rancher Lodge , or some of the many other hotels in Billings .

Day 5: Billings, Red Lodge, and the Beartooth Highway

Do: Start the day with a visit to  Four Dances Natural Area and Pictograph State Park then point the car toward Red Lodge, Montana. 

There is a lot to do in and around Red Lodge , but I suggest stocking up at the Montana Candy Emporium , an old-fashioned candy shop, and take a quick walk downtown. 

Then drive the highly scenic Beartooth Highway stopping at overlooks to take in the incredible alpine views. If you want to stretch your legs, the trail along Island Lake, near the top of Beartooth Pass, is relatively flat and drop-dead gorgeous.

Eat: Try  The Sassy Biscuit Co.  for breakfast, picnic along the way for lunch, and dinner at the Log Cabin Cafe in Silver Gate.

Stay: Spend the night at my favorite vacation rentals, The Lamar Cabin or the Silver Falls Cabin (they are adjacent to each other and across the street from the Log Cabin Cafe.

Do: Get out early and spend the morning on a wildlife watching tour in the Lamar Valley. We like Yellowstone Wolf Tracker . In the afternoon, hike one of the trails near Cooke City or in the northeast section of Yellowstone.

Eat: Breakfast will be included in your wildlife watching tour, lunch and dinner at the Log Cabin Cafe, one of the restaurants in Cooke City, or whip up something in your vacation rental.

Day 7: Yellowstone National Park

Do: Explore the northwest section of the park including: Mammoth Hot Springs, Fort Yellowstone (at Mammoth), and Artists Paintpots. Drive on to West Yellowstone.

Eat: Bring a picnic lunch and snacks to eat on the road or grab lunch at the Mammoth Grill. Dinner in West Yellowstone.

Day 8: Yellowstone National Park

Day 9: yellowstone national park.

Stay: There are many hotels in West Yellowstone to choose from, along with RV parks and campgrounds. Or drive to Grand Teton National Park or Jackson, Wyoming.

For more on what to do and where to stay in Yellowstone, grab my three-day Yellowstone trip itinerary . It provides specific details about what to see at each stop and how long it will take you.

Continuing the Minneapolis to Yellowstone Road Trip

If you want to continue the road trip and visit Grand Teton National Park, see the first itinerary on the page for what to do, see, eat, and where to stay.

Day 1: Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Do: Spend the day exploring Mount Rushmore . Walk the Presidential Trail (0.06 miles), visit the Sculptor’s Studio, complete the Junior Ranger program, attend a ranger talk, and eat ice cream.

In the afternoon, stop by the Crazy Horse Memorial – a mountain-size carving of an American Indian hero. Considering the U.S. Presidents were carved into mountains held sacred by local indigenous people, it’s nice to counterbalance a visit to Rushmore with one to Crazy Horse, which is meant to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.

Eat: Picnic or lunch at the cafe at Mount Rushmore. Dinner in Custer or at your campsite.

Stay: There are plenty of hotels in Custer, SD or camp at one of the many campgrounds along Highways 385 and 16.

Day 2: Jewel Cave National Monument and Devils Tower National Monument

Do: Start the day with a hike and a cave tour at Jewel Cave National Monument . Cave tours often fill up, so make an advanced tour reservation by contacting  Black Hills Vacations  or calling (605) 717-7629. Advanced reservations are only available for Scenic Tours and can be made up to 72 hours before your arrival date, or up to 90 days in advance.

Next head to Devils Tower National Monument . Whether you are with kids or not, your will find many reasons to love Devils Tower . Circumambulate the Tower on the paved path, sit in the shade, or wander on the other trails.

Eat: You’ll find fast food, diners, and a grocery stores in Newcastle, Upton, and Moorcroft, Wyoming.

Stay: Camp at Devil’s Tower or stay an hour west in one of the hotels in Gillette, Wyoming .

Day 2: Cody, Wyoming

Do: Point your rig toward Cody, stopping at Meadowlark Lake in the Bighorn National Forest for a picnic or swim. 

In Cody, don’t miss the Buffalo Bill Center of the West , the nightly shootout in front of the Irma Hotel (not Sundays), chuckwagon dinners, horseback riding, and hiking. 

Eat: There are lots of restaurants in Cody. I particularly like Juniper for small plates and cocktails.

Stay: If you like historic, try the Irma Hotel . Otherwise, choose from one of the other hotels in Cody, Wyoming or camp nearby. 

Day 3: Cody, Wyoming

Do: Do all the things you didn’t get to yesterday evening – horseback ride, hike, explore the town.

Stay: If you like historic, try the Irma Hotel . Otherwise, choose from one of the other hotels in Cody, Wyoming or camp nearby.

Do: Drive into Yellowstone and when you get to the lake, take an easy stroll to Storm Point , drop in on the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, wander out to the Natural Bridge, and walk among the hot springs and fumaroles at West Thumb Geyser Basin . 

Eat: Pick up food in Cody. Some food is available at the General Store in Fishing Bridge, the General Store at Lake, and in the Lake Hotel.

Stay: Spend the night at the Lake Hotel or in the Old Faithful Area. You can also use Cody as a basecamp, but it means a lot of driving everyday.

For more on what to do and where to stay in Yellowstone, grab my Yellowstone trip itinerary . It provides specific details about what to see at each stop and how long it will take you.

Do: Explore the Old Faithful area including, Kepler Cascades, Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, and Fountain Paint Pots.

Do: Explore the north end of the park, including Mammoth Hot Spring and the Northern Range.

Eat: Bring a lunch from West Yellowstone or eat at the grill in Mammoth. There are a handful of restaurants in Gardiner, as well.

Stay: Either stay at one of the many hotels in West Yellowstone , if you plan to head down to Grand Teton National Park or up to Glacier National Park. Otherwise spend the night in Gardiner, Montana .

Continuing the Road Trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone

If you are looking to get another National Park visit in on this trip, you can check out one of the other itineraries on this page. 

From West Yellowstone, it is about it is about a 6.25-hour drive to West Glacier at the west entrance to Glacier National Park .

To get from West Yellowstone to the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park , it takes about 2.5 hours (going through Yellowstone). From West Yellowstone to Jackson, Wyoming is 2.5 hours (going through Island Park, west of Yellowstone). 

You could also spend a couple nights in Gardiner, Montana and raft, ride horses, soak in hot springs, fly fish, or just relax . 

Seattle to Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Road Trip

(coming soon! If you want an itinerary right now, sign up for my vacation coaching plan and I will design a custom trip for you.)

See all the details for a road trip through Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park on my other site. It’s the first itinerary of three Montana road trips .

(coming soon! )

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• Best Things to Do in Yellowstone
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Yellowstone Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days (+Map & Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 25, 2024

Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park and wondering how much time you need to visit the park, how to plan your trip, or what’s the best Yellowstone itinerary for your vacation?

In this post, we share our experience-based advice for visiting Yellowstone National Park, essential tips for planning your trip, and a suggested Yellowstone itinerary for one to five days . Find out!

These planning tips, Yellowstone itinerary for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, and handy maps will help you get the most out of your trip to Yellowstone, no matter how much time you have.

Good to know: Note that these are all summer itineraries only (approx. mid-May to mid-October). That’s the period when all the roads are open and you can explore Yellowstone to the fullest. In winter, most of the roads in Yellowstone are closed and you can only visit the Old Faithful and the Mammoth Springs areas.

TIP: If you want to visit Yellowstone, but are overwhelmed with all the planning, you can also easily see the park with an organized tour. There are day trips or multi-day tours available. Here you can find our selection of the best Yellowstone tours .

Below, you can find a detailed day-to-day itinerary for Yellowstone. I also included a map for each recommended Yellowstone trip itinerary. That way you have a better idea of where all those places are and how to best plan your time when visiting Yellowstone.

Of course, you don’t have to follow these itineraries precisely, but it gives you a good idea of the main landmarks and the time you need to see them.

TIP: You can jump straight to our Yellowstone trip itinerary suggestions . However, before going into the details of your Yellowstone itinerary and starting to plan your trip, there are some important things you should know! So I suggest that you read that information first. Take a look!

Yellowstone Itinerary & Trip Planning Tips – OVERVIEW

• Essential info – read before planning a trip to Yellowstone!
• How much time you need in Yellowstone?
• Entrance fee
• 1 day in Yellowstone
• 2 days in Yellowstone
• 3 days Yellowstone itinerary
• 4 days Yellowstone itinerary
• 5 days Yellowstone itinerary

Important Info for Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

ACCOMMODATION: Your Yellowstone itinerary will depend so much on the location of your accommodation. Price-quality-location-wise, West Yellowstone is one of the best places to stay near Yellowstone. You can also see what’s available in this area for your travel dates via the map below.

Alternatively, check our detailed guide to the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone via the links below.

READ MORE: Where to Stay In Yellowstone National Park Best Hotels & Cabins Near Yellowstone

TIP: Using the map below, you can find the best deals for your stay. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see all the best deals for accommodation near Yellowstone.

DRIVING DISTANCES & TRAFFIC: Don’t underestimate driving distances in Yellowstone. The park is big and the traffic is busy in summer. On top of that, you may experience delays due to road works and wildlife traffic jams. Furthermore, parking spots at the most popular landmarks are scarce, so you may need some extra time and patience.

Important!!! Please always check the official website for up-to-date information on any road closures or planned works in the park when planning your trip! Also, things can change before your trip, so it’s always a good idea to check it again a few days before your trip.

HOW TO ESCAPE THE CROWDS: All that being said, we visited Yellowstone end of July, the busiest season of the year. It was only busy around the most popular attractions. Actually, it’s quite easy to escape the crowds in Yellowstone if you want to – just go for a walk.

I read somewhere that around 80% of Yellowstone visitors never walk further than 10-15 minutes from their car. We could definitely confirm that from our experience. Don’t be one of those tourists! If you have some time to spare and are physically capable, make sure to make at least several short walks in Yellowstone.

Of course, you have to see the main landmarks and attractions of Yellowstone , but it’s those unplanned experiences, hidden gems, and unexpected encounters that will make your trip more memorable.

WHEN TO VISIT: If you are not sure when to go to Yellowstone, please check our guide for the best time to travel to Yellowstone . If you are planning to visit in the peak season, please check out our experience-based tips for visiting Yellowstone in July and in August .

How much time do you need in Yellowstone National Park

When I was researching our American road trip itinerary , I quickly realized that one or two days are simply not enough for visiting Yellowstone. Not only is Yellowstone the oldest National Park in the world, it’s also one of the biggest and most diverse National Parks we ever visited.

After thorough research, we decided to spend four full days in Yellowstone. It gave us just enough time to see all the main highlights without having to rush. We did quite some hiking, went for a swim, spent time driving the scenic loop road and looking for wildlife…

Yellowstone is so big and so diverse that you could easily spend a week or two here and never get bored. However, if you just want to see the main landmarks of Yellowstone, three or four days is enough. You can also see a lot with just a day or two, especially if you plan your time well and focus on the ‘musts’ – our itinerary suggestions below will help you do just that!

TIP: Don’t pack your days too much and leave some space for unexpected wildlife encounters, bison traffic jams, a beautiful hike, a soak in the warm river, etc. Yellowstone is so much more than just the most famous landmarks!

LEARN MORE: Tips for Your First Trip to Yellowstone

Yellowstone Entrance Fee

You’ll need an entrance pass for Yellowstone. It costs 35 USD per private vehicle and is valid for 7 days. You can buy it at any entrance gate of the park.

However, if you are visiting several National Parks in the same year, it’s better to get an annual National Parks Pass. It’s called America the Beautiful Pass and costs 80 USD for the whole family traveling in the same vehicle. It is valid in all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States for one year from the month of purchase.

TIP: If you only visit for a day, you can also opt for this day tour that includes all the fees . Also this popular 4-day tour includes entrance fee, so you don’t have to worry about any of that.

And now that you know all the practicalities, below, you can find our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions. Take a look!

Here are our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for any trip duration:

One Day in Yellowstone National Park

If you only have one day in Yellowstone visit the Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin , Grand Prismatic Spring , and drive at least part of the scenic lower loop road .

If you are short on time when visiting Yellowstone, I suggest driving the lower loop passing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (stop by Artist Point), Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.

Below is a map indicating all the main landmarks that you should be able to see in Yellowstone in one day.

One Day Yellowstone Itinerary:

• Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
• Grand Prismatic Spring
• Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail (optional)
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Hayden Valley
• Yellowstone Lake
• West Thumb Geyser Basin

For more details and information for this Yellowstone itinerary, please see our 1-day itinerary via the link below.

READ MORE: One Day in Yellowstone

TIP: If you only have one day in Yellowstone, it might be wise to join an organized day trip rather than go on your own. Experienced local guides will make sure that you get the most out of your very short stay in Yellowstone. Here’s the best Yellowstone day tour (departing from Jackson Hole or Teton Village) that I was able to find. And here is a one-day tour from West Yellowstone .

Here is a map indicating all the best places that you should be able to see in Yellowstone in one day.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

2 Days in Yellowstone

This is our suggested two day itinerary for the best of Yellowstone. Please note that to see all of this in just two days you will need to start really early and you won’t have much extra time to explore deeper.

This itinerary will make sure you get to see the very best of Yellowstone in 2 days. Take a look!

Two Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, and the Morning Glory Pool (Upper Geyser Basin). Grand Prismatic Spring. Norris Geyser Basin. Mammoth Hot Springs .

Day 2: Undine Falls and/or Wraith Falls. Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass. Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Hayden Valley. Mud Volcano. Yellowstone Lake. West Thumb Geyser Basin.

You can find our detailed 2-day Yellowstone itinerary and tips for your trip via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Two Days in Yellowstone

TIP: If you have 2 days in Yellowstone and want to see the very best of the park without having to do much planning, consider joining this highly-rated and very complete Yellowstone 2-day/1 night tour (departs from Jackson, WY).

Below is the map illustrating the 2-day itinerary suggestions for Yellowstone. The places indicated in red are described in the 1-day itinerary above, purple – day 2.

Yellowstone Itinerary for 3 Days

If you have three days in Yellowstone , you can explore all the main areas at a more relaxed pace. In addition, you’ll have some time for some lesser-known places that will make your Yellowstone trip even more special. Below is our suggested itinerary.

Three Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Old Faithful and the Geyser Loop Trail (don’t miss the Morning Glory Pool). Grand Prismatic. Norris Geyser Basin.

Day 2: Mammoth Hot Springs . Undine Falls. Wraith Falls. Petrified Tree (not a must). Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass.

Day 3: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone River (Artist Point, Lower Falls). Hayden Valley. Yellowstone Lake.

TIP: If you’d like to do some hiking in Yellowstone, on day 3, you could go hiking along the rims of the Yellowstone Canyon. There’s also a very highly-rated hiking tour with a local guide that you can join in this area.

This Yellowstone itinerary for three days includes pretty much all the main landmarks that you really have to see in the park.

Below is the map showing suggestions for things to see when visiting Yellowstone in 3 days. Places indicated in red are the ones described on day 1 of this itinerary, purple on day 2, and yellow – on day 3.

4 Days in Yellowstone

We stayed four full days in Yellowstone with kids , but our trip itinerary can be used by all types of Yellowstone visitors. More adventurous travelers might want to do a bit more hiking, but if you want to see all the main highlights of Yellowstone without having to rush – this is it .

Here is my suggested four-day itinerary for Yellowstone based on our experience. We visited the Grand Prismatic and the Old Faithful area at the end of our trip and I think it was a good decision. It’s often better to leave the most impressive places for last; that way you appreciate the rest more.

We also spread the visit of three thermal areas (West Thumb Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, and the Grand Prismatic/ Old Faithful areas) over separate days. That way you have more diversity every day. Otherwise, it’s easy to get ‘geysered out’ in Yellowstone :).

Four Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Lewis Falls. West Thumb Basin. Yellowstone Lake. Storm Point hike. Mud Volcano area. Hayden Valley.

Day 2: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (Artist Point, Lower Falls). Norris Geyser Basin. Firehole River (swimming, if possible – check here for up-to-date info).

Day 3: Mammoth Hot Springs. Undine Falls. Wraith Falls. Petrified Tree (optional). Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass.

Day 4: Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic). You can also hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. Lower Geyser Basin. Upper Geyser Basin (the Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, and the Geyser Loop Trail), also Biscuit Basin and/or Black Sand Basin.

TIP: If you are looking for the best guided tour option, check out this beautiful 4-day/ 3 night Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip with a focus on wildlife (departs from Jackson, WY).

Below is a map indicating each of the suggested places from our 4-day Yellowstone itinerary. Places indicated in red are the ones described on day 1 of this itinerary, purple – day 2, yellow – day 3, and green – day 4. The blue dots are the places that we mention in the 5-days Yellowstone itinerary further below.

5 Days in Yellowstone

If you have five days in Yellowstone, make sure you see all the main landmarks and highlights described in the four-day Yellowstone itinerary. In addition, you could hike to Mount Washburn . It’s a long hike (6-7 miles (10-12km) depending on the route you choose) and requires a good part of the day.

Another nice option on foot or by bike is Lone Star Geyser . It’s located about 3 miles south of the Old Faithful area and can be reached via a hiking/biking trail from there. It erupts every 3 hours.

Otherwise, you can find plenty of other nice hikes, go for a boat ride on Yellowstone Lake, go for a scenic float or rafting nearby, join a hiking tour , etc.

Take a look at the map above (4 days in Yellowstone) – the blue dot next to Dunraven Pass is Mount Washburn, and the blue dot south of the Old Faithful is the Lone Star Geyser.

So, these are my suggestions for the best way to plan your Yellowstone trip and see the main landmarks of Yellowstone. None of these itineraries are very detailed as they would require separate articles, such as the ones for 1 and 2 days that we linked to above. So if you have any specific questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try to help.

Please note that every trip and itinerary will be somewhat different because so much depends on the location of your accommodation. We have lots of information and detailed guides for visiting Yellowstone , so please check those articles for more suggestions on how to plan your Yellowstone trip.

Update: Since so many of our readers asked for suggestions on how to best combine Yellowstone NP with Grand Teton NP, Glacier NP, and also with visiting Mount Rushmore, we have published dedicated articles about those places as well. Take a look below!

• Here you can find info on the best places to see and things to do in Jackson Hole .
• Here you can read more about the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park in one day .
• Here you can find a suggested itinerary for both, Yellowstone and Grand Teton .
• Here you can find Glacier National Park itinerary suggestions .
• Here you can read more about visiting Mount Rushmore and things to do near Mt Rushmore .

More information for planning your trip to Yellowstone:

• Overview: Yellowstone Travel Guide
• What to see: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone
• When to go: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone
• What to pack: Yellowstone Packing List
• Accommodation: Where to Stay in and Near Yellowstone & Best Hotels Near Yellowstone
• For families: Yellowstone with Kids
• Must-see: Grand Prismatic Spring & Old Faithful Geyser
• Fun to do: Boiling River

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Tracy Hughes

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

What airport did you fly into? Also, how far was the drive from the airport to Canyon Lodge?

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

Hi Tracy, Yellowstone was just part of a much bigger road trip for us. We flew out of Salt Lake City after we left the park. That was like 6 hrs drive. But there are plenty of smaller airports nearby (1-3 hrs). You can find this information in our Yellowstone travel guide.

Tuesday 19th of September 2023

We just returned from Yellowstone and I wanted to thank you for all the information on your website. It was invaluable for our trip. We could have never seen this much without your tips. THANK YOU!

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Glad to help, Muryel.

Friday 11th of August 2023

Hi Jurga, I'm planning a camping trip to Yellowstone NP for my family in early Sept 2024. We'll be pulling a 30' camper. I like your 4-5 day Yellowstone itinerary and was wondering if you stayed at one particular camp site or did you move to different camp sites to cut drive times? Which one(s) would you recommend? Thank you so much for your help! Brent D.

Sunday 13th of August 2023

Hi Brent, we do not camp so we stayed at the hotels - Canyon Lodge most of the time, plus the Old Faithful Lodge for a night. You can find more info about Yellowstone campsites here.

Monday 24th of July 2023

hi jurga i am thinking to come in oct end and thinking where ot fly from NY and with best price in mind where to stay and how to plan for 4-6 days total .

Tuesday 25th of July 2023

Hi Claudia, first, keep in mind that most roads in Yellowstone close for the winter season on November 1. End of October can also already be quite cold and snowy, so you have to be prepared for some uncertainty. Check the official site for the road conditions and planned closures. For the rest, if you do indeed go in October, you should be able to visit most places as described in our itinerary suggestions, so please check our article for how you could plan your time. As for where to stay, many accommodations inside the park will also be already closed for the season. Only Mammoth Hotel and OF Snowlodge remain open somewhat longer in October, but also not the entire month. So the best places to stay are likely West Yellowstone and/or Gardiner. Please take a look at this article for more information on the best hotels near Yellowstone. Having said all this, if you can plan your trip somewhat earlier, even if just a few weeks, it will make a big difference. End of October is really the very end of the main season. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Sunday 14th of May 2023

We’re booked for 7 nights at Grizzly RV park in mid July. This will be our first trip to Yellowstone! We’re traveling in an RV with a tow vehicle, so we’ll have transportation for traveling around. Any thoughts? I’ve been looking at itineraries and it almost seems like we should have tried to stay in a couple of different places. We’re heading to Lava Hot Springs after that and making our way to Salt Lake City. Thanks!

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hi Mindy, this RV park is located in West Yellowstone which is really one of the best locations to stay for Yellowstone if you can't find a place inside the park. My best recommendations would be to focus on different area each day so that you can explore deeper and drive a bit less. But yes, it's quite inevitable that you will have to cover big distances on some days, for example, if driving to Lamar Valley. So yes, with a week, ideally, you would split your stay between several different areas in the park, but if you can't change your bookings anymore, just make the most of it. With good planning and early start (to avoid the long queues at the park entrance), you can see all the best places using West Yellowstone as your base location. Have a great trip!

Yellowstone | Grand Teton | Winter Glacier | Badlands

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Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone

Discover the beauty of Yellowstone's neighbor national park to the south, Grand Teton, and its neighboring town, Jackson.

• Signal Mountain Lodge in Grand Teton National Park - Stay at the only resort located on the shores of Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park, with camping and boat rentals available.

Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone

One of the most direct routes to Yellowstone launches in Salt Lake City, with attractions all its own, and travels up the west side of the Teton Mountain Range. Stunning wildlife, ski towns and western culture dominate this tour.

• Diamondville/Kemmerer Area  - Gateway to the Bridger and Teton National Forest, including Yellowstone. Unearth a fossil, visit the JC Penney Motherstore and camp in the Hamsfork Recreation Area .
• Southeastern Idaho  - The 11 communities of Southeast Idaho have museums, an historic state park, hot springs, Bear Lake and fantastic wildlife-watching for the Yellowstone and Grand Teton vacationer .
• Eastern Idaho's Yellowstone Teton Territory - Eastern Idaho is full of adventure and great outdoor activities such as Yellowstone Bear World, fly-fishing, biking, rafting and camping.
• Flaming Gorge Country - Halfway between Yellowstone and Arches National Parks is an unspoiled playground of stunning natural features. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area offers year-round adventure for families of all ages. Scenic trails. Superb boating. DIY rafting. Trophy fishing. Wow. Flaming Gorge is a ‘must see’ stop on your next western journey.
• Cache Valley, Northern Utah - Stay a day and explore Logan, Utah. Famous for outdoor beauty, hands-on heritage experiences, food tour and performing arts.
• Salt Lake City, Utah - Salt Lake is a combination of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains embracing Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown.
• Park City, Utah - Discover the endless activities this charming mountain town has to offer including hiking and biking on over 400 miles of trails. After a day of adventure, explore the shops, galleries and restaurants on Historic Main Street and wind down with a local craft beer or whiskey.
• Dinosaurland - One of the West's biggest secrets is northeastern Utah, an easy day's drive south of Yellowstone National Park. Some call it Dinosaurland, and you'll find it offers adventure and sites not seen anywhere else in the world.
• Bear Lake Valley - Come to the "Caribbean of the Rockies" with an intense turquoise blue lake. Jet ski, go sailing, boating, fish, swim and play on our sandy beaches. Winter offers snowmobiling, ice fishing and snow skiing.
• Yellowstone Vacations - Stay in West Yellowstone, Mont., and you will be one step closer to enjoying the majestic scenery of the national park. The west entrance is the closest entrance to world famous Old Faithful geyser and Grand Prismatic Hot Spring.
• Days Inn by Windham West Yellowstone - Conveniently located off highways 191 and 20, this hotel near Yellowstone’s West Entrance offers great value and quick access to the most popular attractions in the area.
• Natural Retreats Park City - Handpicked for prime mountain access and high-end amenities, these vacation rentals include private homes nestled on the slopes, luxury lodge condos at Silver Star, and ski-in, ski-out estates in gated communities at both Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort.

Yellowstone to Glacier National Park

On the north side of Yellowstone, you'll find wildlife galore along the banks of scenic rivers. But there is culture here too. See a world-class art museum, hot springs, historic towns and high peaks under Montana's big sky on the way to Glacier National Park.

• Montana’s Glacier Country - Home to iconic Glacier National Park, Western Montana’s Glacier Country is a region that needs to be explored. It’s time to discover your Montana moment.
• Great Falls, Montana - Resting on the high plains along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front Range, Great Falls is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Sun Rivers, the ideal gateway for your Genuine Montana experience.
• Missoula, Montana - Situated halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Missoula is an impeccable balance of ultimate adventure by day and unique, hip culture at night.
• Southwest Montana - Hemmed by the snow-crowned peaks of Glacier National Park to the north and the geological marvels of Yellowstone National Park to the south, this vast region holds the best of Montana.
• Visit Yellowstone Country - This unparalleled year-round vacation destination, made up of five Montana counties: Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Carbon, offers recreation, lodging, dining, seasonal activities and cultural treasures.
• Visit Helena - Helena truly offers an extraordinary range of mountain biking and convenient trailhead shuttles. Or get out on a hike or boat the waters at Gates of the Mountains. After your adventure, drop into town where five microbreweries await.
• Central Montana - Wide-open spaces. Gracious people. Where a rugged past meets a vibrant present. Central Montana remains an authentic experience unlike any other.
• Gardiner, Montana - Quaint, Old West-style Gardiner sits on the north edge of Yellowstone, making it a convenient gateway town. It's the only year-round entrance to the park.
• Big Sky, Montana - Tucked in the flanks of the green mountains that roll up to Big Sky Resort, come to Big Sky for world-class recreation such as hiking, biking, rafting and in the winter, skiing.
• Natural Retreats - Offering Big Sky vacation rentals to suit every vacation style, from mountain chic slopeside homes to grand hilltop chalets and modern condos.

Chicago to Rushmore to Yellowstone

Take your family on the All-American road trip starting in the Midwest and traveling through South Dakota's Badlands on through Wyoming's cowboy country to Yellowstone. Explore the Black Hills, Devils Tower and more en route.

• Drive the Safest and Easiest Route to Yellowstone - See hidden treasures on the way to Yellowstone via HWY US 16: The Cloud Peak Scenic Skyway, Ten Sleep Canyon, Petroglyphs, Ancient Mammoth Hunters and Museum.
• Billings, Montana - Billings is the scenic home base for Yellowstone trips and a wild West destination in its own right. In the heart of southeast Montana, Billings is knows as "Montana's Trailhead."
• Southeast Montana - Visit epic battlefields, breathtaking canyons, museums, dinosaur dig sites and more en route from the Black Hills to Yellowstone National Park.
• Crazy Horse Memorial - Near Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, another rock carving in process honors Crazy Horse, the legendary Lakota leader, and his people.
• Missouri River Country - This unspoiled land offers a fantastic getaway for those who truly enjoy the outdoors and have a spirit of adventure - from hunting and fishing to exploring the history of dinosaurs and Lewis and Clark.
• Rapid City, South Dakota - Explore nearby South Dakota national parks, learn about American heroes, take in local arts and culture, explore the outdoors and indulge in a unique dining scene in Rapid City.
• Park County Travel - Explore the communities of Buffalo Bill’s Cody Yellowstone and see that the Wild West isn’t so wild after all. Find welcoming accommodations, fine restaurants and plenty of adventure.

Denver to Yellowstone

Start your trip to the park in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Then travel through Wyoming's southern cowboy towns and native nations before exploring Yellowstone's southern ranges.

• Sweetwater County, Wyoming - Take a national park road trip & fill up on adventure, history and the cowboy spirit in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, the perfect stopping point to refuel and rediscover.
• Carbon County, Wyoming - Carbon County is a year-round destination for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. We say, “Star count is more important than thread count."
• Cheyenne, Wyoming - Get a cowboy’s welcome at the place known for the world’s largest rodeo, Old West museums and huge painted boots scattered about town.
• Colorado State Parks & Wildlife - Colorado’s 42 state parks are places to have fun, get away and recreate in beautiful settings. Book your camping reservations or find activities across the state.
• Moffat County, Colorado - The 1.7 million acres of pristine, picturesque public lands, abundant wildlife, wild horses, and untamed rivers define Moffat Country.
• Casper, Wyoming - World-class fly-fishing is not the only game in town. From a rowdy ride on a pioneer wagon to a hike up Casper Mountain, you’ll be doing your own trailblazing.
• Laramie, Wyoming - Explore a colorful historic past and some of the region’s best scenery. Find unparalleled adventure within a short drive of the city or visit the historic downtown with great lodging, art culture, nightlife and unique shopping.
• Wind River Country - Towns like Riverton, Lander, Dubois and the 2.2 million-acre Wind River Indian Reservation offer incredible outdoor recreation and the history of Wyoming from the Mountain Man to wild mustangs.

Tour Guides and Tour Apps

Don't miss a thing by following an expert - a literal "Yellowstone Travel Guide."

• GuideAlong - Get the driving app that’s like having a tour guide in your car. GuideAlong automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go.
• Active Adventures - Explore the best of the world’s most beautiful destinations, from the well-known to the well-hidden. Discover natural wonders and dynamic cultures with expert guides leading the way and every detail handled from start to finish.

About Outside Interactive, Inc.

Lodging (Hotels and Cabins)

Blacktail deer creek pull off, self-guiding trail.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

"for the benefit and enjoyment of the people", 2024 wildlife calendar.

Get your Yellowstone Wildlife

C alendar today while supplies last!

The Entire Park Mapped Out For You  

Yellowstone is an alluring place; a land of spectacular views, majestic features, wondrous wildlife, a land to be explored, and a land of individual discovery for all.  

Many, if not most, visitors to the park will experience the grandeur of iconic features such as Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden and Lamar Valleys, the ever changing and peculiar geyser basins, and of course the abundant and diverse wildlife. However, along the way to these and other acclaimed features are hidden gems of the park, lesser known things to see, do, and experience. Each of these providing unique opportunities to enjoy both the famous as well as the little things of this land of wonder, experiences we are confident that you look back on, and recognize them as time well spent and memories created.  

The Yellowstone Interactive Map is an awesome tool to help you customize your own Yellowstone exploration -- your adventure, your way. Research each  Yellowstone road section and choose those areas or points of interest and those activities that fit your likes and priorities, and where you want to spend your time. Use the Yellowstone Interactive Map to plan your trip – the stops you will make and the adventures you will experience. It provides detailed information about notable features, campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, historical markers, rivers to fish and the flies to use, key animal spotting areas, park activities, roadside restrooms, wheelchair friendly locations, unique family/children activities, and other important features – those hidden gems not to be missed along the various road sections throughout the park.

What is the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem?

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), with Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres at its core, comprises 34,375 square miles (covering parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho) and is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on earth. Its diversity and natural wealth includes half the world’s active geysers, the largest free-roaming, wild herd of bison in the United States, one of the largest elk herds in North America, one of the few grizzly populations in the contiguous United States, and unique geological interplay between volcanic, hydrothermal, and glacial processes, and the distribution of flora and fauna. Most of the park is 7,500 feet above sea level (2,286 m) with snow covering the terrain most of the year. The terrain supports forests dominated by lodgepole pine interspersed with alpine meadows, and sagebrush and grasslands on the park’s lower-elevation northern range provide essential winter forage for elk, bison, and bighorn sheep.

Where is Yellowstone National Park Located?

Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest region of the United States, covering parts of the states of Wyoming (96% of the park), Montana (3% of the park), and Idaho (1% of the park), and in the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The park covers 3,472 square miles or 2.2 million acres.

The park has five entrances. To help you determine which entrance is best for you to enter the park, “ Entrances to Yellowstone National Park ” provides information specific to each entrance community such as its history, lodging, places to eat, specific attractions, stores, churches, and activities. “ Things to Do, See, and Experience Along Your Way to the Park ” provides some awesome and highly recommended adventures to consider along your way to the park, specific to each respective entrance. The  Yellowstone Park Interactive Map  provides you with information of what to do and see while in the park and breaks it down by road sections.

A Brief History of Yellowstone National Park

Scientists believe that human history in Yellowstone National Park dates back approximately 11,000 years based on evidence at archeological sites, trails, paleoindian artifacts, etc. Early Native American tribes, such as the Crow and Sioux, arrived sometime during the 1500s and 1700s, respectively. Other tribes, some dating prior to this time, are known to have lived in and passed through the park as it was a place where they hunted, fished, gathered plants, quarried obsidian, and used thermal features for religious and medicinal purposes. One such group, known as the Sheep Eaters were Shoshone Indians who adapted to mountain existence. Their name has its origin from the bighorn sheep whose migrations they followed. The sheep provided meat for their diet, hides for clothing, and other parts for crafting tools. More than 1,800 archeological sites have been documented in Yellowstone National Park, with the majority from the Archaic period (1,500 to 7,000 years ago).

Coming Soon

There are five entrances to the park. From what direction you approach the park, and what you want to do and see while in the park, will ultimately determine which entrance is best for you when traveling to Yellowstone. Click on the specific Park Entrance to find information about that community, such as its history, lodging, places to eat, specific attractions, stores, churches, and activities.

Yellowstone Itinerary 4 Days: The Ultimate First Time Visitor Guide

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 18, 2020

UPDATED: May 21, 2024

Yellowstone National Park is an extraordinary and unique landscape. After visiting the park in both April and October, we know how challenging but rewarding planning the best Yellowstone National Park itinerary can be. We’re going to share all of our knowledge about Yellowstone National Park here, including an amazing 4 days itinerary example.

Above ground, Yellowstone can be described by every synonym of the word breathtaking. But lurking just below the surface is a super-volcano known as Yellowstone Caldera.

As hot magma rises from Earth’s Mantle toward the Crust, pressurized heat escapes in the form of thermal geysers, creating a spectacle worthy of millions of tourists each year.

This ultimate Yellowstone National Park Itinerary explains how to get to Yellowstone, all the best things to do, where to stay and of course walks you step-by-step through 4 amazing days ticking off everything that makes this place so special.

Let’s get stuck into planning your Yellowstone itinerary!

Why Visit The World’s Original National Park?

What is the fist thing you think of when you consider Yellowstone National Park? Probably super heated geysers blowing steam high into the sky, right?

We’d seen geysers before high up in the Chilean Altiplano and they were the one thing we knew for sure we would see here at Yellowstone.

However, the billowing plumes of pressurized steam had stiff competition for our favorite aspect at the park.

Spotting wildlife immediately becomes more exhilarating than looking at steam, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is immeasurably more awe-inspiring than steam, and the sheer scale of the world’s very first National Park blows the mind more than steam.

Now, that’s not to say we weren’t impressed by the gigantic geothermal caldera and all of its features, trust us, we were. It’s to let you know Yellowstone is far more than simply clouds of hot, sulfuric acid smelling steam.

Yellowstone is one of the most immense USA national parks and it covers a total of 2.2 million acres of land. Yes, it’s a little bigger than your back yard!

So in a nutshell, why should you visit Yellowstone National Park?

• Beautiful scenery throughout the entire park, plenty of wow-factor moments
• Some of the best wildlife spotting in America – including Grizzly Bears
• Fantastic hiking opportunities surrounded by nature at its finest
• Majestic waterfalls with multiple viewpoints cascading into deep canyons
• And of course Geysers, Hot Springs, Steaming Rivers & Bubbling Mud-Pots

Why 4 Days Itinerary For Yellowstone National Park?

For us personally, Yellowstone National Park had been sky high on our travel bucket list since – well, forever! Who hasn’t always wanted to visit one of Earth’s most unique and natural marvels?!

But we made one mistake the first time we visited. We only gave ourselves 3 days to explore this vast volcanic landscape. We needed 4.

Needless to say we never made the same mistake again second time we visited Yellowstone and planned a full 4 days itinerary.

If you’ve already been to the park before and this is a second or third visit, you might not need as many days. However, if you are planning for a first visit to Yellowstone, plan for 4 days.

Here’s why:

• With 3 days in Yellowstone you aren’t going to have enough time to see and do everything. You’ll spend a lot of time driving, and you’ll rush some of the most popular attractions. Plus, you will have to compromise on some things.
• With 5 days in Yellowstone you are going to find you have already seen and done everything. You will spend a lot of money on accommodation and you should instead drive down to Grand Teton if you do have this spare time.

You will strike the perfect balance between costs, attractions, drive time and being efficient if you plan a 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary.

Grand Teton : Combine Yellowstone with the  stunning  Tetons for the ultimate 6 or 7 day vacation. Our extensive Grand Teton National Park  travel guide covers the 7 best things to do and an ultra scenic 2 day itinerary.

Park Statistics And Factfile

Address : PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 Website : nps.gov/yell Phone : (307) 344-7381

Park Hours : All day, every day Entrance Fee : US$ 35 Vehicle (free with America the Beautiful Annual Pass )

Backcountry camping : Permitted, you will need a backcountry permit Accommodation : Hotels, Lodges, Cabins and Campgrounds

Annual Visitors : 4 million Peak Season : July-August

Size: 2.2 million acres Yellowstone Caldera : 45 by 30 miles Last Eruption : 640,000 years ago Geothermal Features : 10,000 Geysers : 300

How To Get To Yellowstone National Park

Okay, we’re talking about Yellowstone and 3,500 square miles of wilderness here! The park has several entrance and exit points, so getting to Yellowstone will depend entirely on where you begin your journey.

There are no fancy names for the entry points, simply the direction they bring you into the park from. But we have included the nearest town to each entrance for reference:

• North – Gardiner, MT
• Northeast – Cooke City, MT
• East – Cody, WY
• South – Jackson, WY
• West – West Yellowstone, MT

Once inside the park, getting around is easy thanks to a well maintained 142-mile figure of 8 road network known as ‘Grand Loop Road’.

Be aware this road will be almost unbearably busy if you visit in Summer, we even experienced some traffic flow issues in snowy October!

Here’s a factor to consider that will impact your 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary:

• Are you visiting only Yellowstone, from point A with a plan to return to point A afterwards in a loop?
• Or is Yellowstone part of a wider road trip?

For example, on our first visit we drove West from South Dakota to Yellowstone, before heading South.

We visited Badlands , Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore , and stopped at Devils Tower National Monument on the way across Wyoming. We then took the South exit out of Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park.

Therefore, we entered and exited Yellowstone at different entrances. That meant we had to work out how to efficiently see the park on both loops of the figure 8 road without driving back on ourselves.

Consider which entrance you plan to use on the way in and out when planning your visit.

Important Note : When we visited Yellowstone in October after a heavy snowfall, many of the roads in / out of the park were closed. Please be sure to check current road conditions  before setting off.

Popular Yellowstone National Park Road Trips

Salt lake city to yellowstone.

• Option 1 : Take I-15 North to Idaho Falls, then 20 to Yellowstone West entrance (320 miles / 4h 45m).
• Option 2 : Take I-80, 16 and 89 to Jackson, WY and Grand Teton before entering Yellowstone South entrance (330 miles / 6 hours).

The route via Jackson is far more scenic but takes much longer once you factor in driving through Grand Teton.

Read our amazing 7 day  Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton  road trip itinerary for more information.

Denver to Yellowstone

• Option 1 : Take I-80, 287 and 26 to 191 which is the link road between Grand Teton and Yellowstone South entrance (500 miles / 8h 30m).
• Option 2 : Take I-25, 26, 20 to Cody, WY and 14 into Yellowstone East entrance (545 miles / 8h 30m).

South Dakota to Yellowstone

• From Mt Rushmore, drive through Spearfish Canyon and take I-90W towards Buffalo, WY.
• Scenic Byway US-16 from Buffalo to Ten Sleep (Cloud Peak Skyway) is awesome.
• Take 31, 20 and 14 to Cody, WY and then on to Yellowstone East entrance (440 miles / 8 hours).

Read our popular 10 days road trip itinerary from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone for a day by day break down of best things to do.

North Dakota / Billings to Yellowstone

• Take I-94 to Billings, I-90 briefly and US-212 (known as Bear Tooth Highway).
• This is the route we eventually took first time as we were forced to enter Yellowstone via its Northeast entrance due to road closures.
• Bear Tooth Highway is one heck of a scenic drive – particularly when covered in snow (150 miles / 3 hours).

Jackson, WY / Grand Teton to Yellowstone

Take US-191 scenic road (John D Rockefeller Jr Road) all the way to Yellowstone South entrance (80 miles / 1h 45m).

Need help planning your trip to Yellowstone?

Our popular Yellowstone travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your visit, including what to see in each region, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

Best Airports To Use For Yellowstone

Yellowstone is enormous and if you’re traveling from further afield in the US or internationally, you will of course need to fly.

Our in depth guide to the 6 best airports near Yellowstone will help you plan exactly which airports to arrive into and depart from near the park.

Pro-tip : Remember, you can fly into one airport and leave from another.

There are a dozen or so airports ranging in size close to the park, here’s  a summary of the best airport options along with which entrance you would enter Yellowstone:

• Bozeman, MT (North entrance)
• Cody, WY (East entrance)
• Jackson, WY (South entrance)
• Yellowstone airport, MT (West entrance – seasonal)
• Salt Lake City, UT (South entrance)
• Denver, CO (East entrance)

International travelers can fly directly into SLC or Denver and either drive or take a connecting flight to on of the smaller regional airports listed above.

For US based travelers, check prices for all airports from your closest origin airport. The smaller and closer airports are far more expensive than SLC or Denver. You will pay for convenience!

• When it comes to booking flights, we always use and recommend  Skyscanner flights search engine  for finding the best value in air tickets.
• Similarly, when we need to pick a car up at the airport, we always use  Rental Cars hire car search engine  to find most options and best value for vehicles.

What Are The Best Things To Do At Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is blessed with having an endless amount of amazing things to do for visitors to include on a 4 days itinerary. You could spend a month here and still not see or do everything this incredible place has on offer.

The only way to plan effectively is by structuring the park into regions. Therefore, in this guide we will break down each region of the park and explain some of the best things to do in each.

Read our ultimate list of the 30 Best Things To See And Do In Yellowstone National Park next for a detailed overview of the most popular geysers, waterfalls, hikes and wildlife spotting areas.

There’s a lot of information coming your way but we will organize it and clearly display everything on a map!

First up, let’s take a look into what makes Yellowstone National Park one of the most sought after landscapes in the world, before we break the park down into 6 distinct regions.

Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Spotting

Wildlife spotting is one of the biggest drivers of tourism to Yellowstone National Park and it has to be a major part of your 4 days itinerary.

This is one of the best places in America to observe a wide range of wild animals in their natural environments.

You have the opportunity to see Grizzly Bears – seldom seem in the lower 48 US States – if that is of interest to you. Personally, we didn’t mind NOT seeing a grizzly!

However, Grizzlies are just the beginning. If you are lucky you might also see Black Bears, Wolves, Elk, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Antelope, Mule Deer, Coyotes, Lynx, Mountain Goats, Cougars and Bald Eagles.

It is extremely difficult to predict exactly where these animals are going to be at any given time. But you can give yourself the best shot at seeing wildlife by visiting the right places at the right times of day.

That being said, if these particular areas become busy with humans, animals are likely to move to quieter areas. In truth, we saw more wildlife when we didn’t go looking for it, instead we waited for them to come to us.

Top-tip : If you see small gatherings of people with professional looking photography / telescopic equipment, there’s a good chance of spotting wildlife. However, be polite, don’t make a lot of noise. You might even get a chance to look through their equipment .

Wildlife Respect & Safety

Something vitally important to remember is respect for wildlife. Keep your distance, don’t try to feed them and don’t intimidate the wildlife.

Our number one disappointment with Yellowstone was other tourists. Yes, it can be exciting to see an animal, but that doesn’t mean slamming on your brakes and abandoning your car in the middle of the road so you can take a picture.

More than once, we witnessed altercations between tourists who wanted the best angle from their car window. Be civil toward each other, as well as animals and the environment .

We use the word safety and that’s not for the animals, its for you.

Each year, Yellowstone National Park has to deal with injured tourists who thought they could get close to animals, but they were wrong. Bear in mind (pun intended!) that some of these animals can become dangerous if threatened.

Yellowstone Geyser Basins & Hot Springs

There are over 10,000 geysers and hot springs within the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park, making this the largest geyser field on the planet.

Almost all geysers and hot springs throughout the park can be viewed from safe distances along wooden boardwalks. It is important to stay on designated board walks, otherwise you may lose a toe or two!

We will cover Yellowstone’s most famous geysers and hot springs within each region of the park below.

You will either have to visit the lesser known basins or plan your visit outside of high season (more on seasons later) if you’re looking for a less crowded experience

Remember there are also bubbling mud pools, smaller colorful geysers and lesser known hot springs. If Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring are too busy, try again early or late in the day.

Yellowstone Hiking

Hiking is less synonymous with Yellowstone than geysers and wildlife, however, you should not overlook this aspect of visiting the park.

Did you know there are over 900 miles of hiking trails here? The problem is, how do you choose which trails to hike?!

To begin with, err on the side of caution by checking Yellowstone’s backcountry situation report   – particularly if you intend to hike away from major trails.

This live updated report will inform you of bear activity, trail closures, rising water levels and depth of snow among other important aspects.

Hiking is the best way to escape crowds and see Yellowstone’s best sites from different (and quieter) perspectives. Plus, you drastically increase your chances of spotting wildlife away from roads and hordes of tourists.

The downside to hiking at Yellowstone National Park is how much time you will lose from an already tightly packed itinerary. Can you really afford to lose a day hiking a 10 mile trail?

That depends on what your goals are and how you like to explore new places.

There are a number of shorter hikes well worth your time, but the longer hikes / backcountry hiking should be reserved only for those who are more interested in hiking than sightseeing.

Is this your second or third vacation to Yellowstone? Try hiking more on this visit if you’ve visited the famous geysers on previous trips.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone / Yellowstone Upper and Lower Falls

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone has allured avid photographers to the park for decades. Upper Falls is an impressive spectacle but Lower Falls is the major draw and has to be included on your 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary.

The Yellowstone River crashes into a stunning canyon from 308 ft (twice the height of Niagara Falls), making Lower Falls a paradise for lovers of dramatic scenery.

The best part?

There are various viewing platforms along both the North and South Rim drives running adjacent to the river. Each observation point offers its own perspective of the mighty falls, plus the chance to escape big crowds.

Our top recommendation is to visit the falls on more than one occasion and preferably at sunrise (for more special sunrises see our guides to Sunrise in the Grand Canyon and  Mesa Arch in Utah ).

Although temperatures were below zero in mid-October, we witnessed a gorgeous sunrise over Lower Falls with just a handful of others.

Let’s Break The Park Down Into Regions

As we mentioned earlier, it’s hard to apply a typical list of ‘best things to do’ list for a place like Yellowstone, then expect to turn up and tick them off easily. It is simply too vast a landscape.

Many of the ‘must visit’ sites are spread out across the National Park, meaning planning your visit can become a little overwhelming (one of the reasons we recommend your Yellowstone itinerary to be 4 days and not 3 days).

Therefore, we will break down the park into regions. Take a look at the image below depicting the 6 major regions of Yellowstone:

• Mammoth Hot Springs (North)
• Tower-Roosevelt (Northeast)
• Canyon / Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (Central / East)
• Norris Geyser Basin (Central / West)
• Old Faithful / Upper Geyser Basin (Southwest)
• Yellowstone Lake / West Thumb (Southeast)

Within each region, we will discuss the following where appropriate:

• Most prominent Geysers / Hot Springs
• Best hiking trails
• Wildlife spotting opportunities
• Must visit miscellaneous attractions
• Lodging / Camping

Note : At the end of this section, study the interactive map showing all accommodation and sites of interest. The map will give you an idea about which regions will be top of your wishlist.

1. Mammoth Hot Springs (North)

Mammoth is one of the more built up areas inside Yellowstone National Park and is located just 5 miles from the North entrance.

You will find a hotel, cabins, a grand dining hall, post office, gas, campground, shopping and Albright Visitor Center. Nearby attractions are all within a stones throw of Mammoth village.

Mammoth Geysers and Hot Springs

A spectacular complex of terraces formed by calcium carbonate (travertine) dominates a hillside just minutes from Mammoth village.

By far the busiest attraction in Mammoth, these terraces are best seen at sunrise to avoid crowds and enjoy the first light of day burn through hazy steam in the morning.

Mammoth Hiking Trails

Mammoth isn’t known for epic hikes and we would recommend not using up any time on your 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary with a hike here.

That being said, if you have extra time in the area, there are 2 shorter trails worth looking into:

• Boiling River  – a popular short hike (1 mile roundtrip) and don’t forget your swimwear!
• Lava Creek  – mid-distance (7 miles round-trip) passing by Undine Falls – 60 ft waterfall.

Mammoth Wildlife

Although this area is not usually regarded as prime wildlife spotting territory, we saw our fair share around Mammoth. There were around 30 or 40 bison walking through Mammoth village during our second visit in April, which was really cool to see.

You will more than likely see mule deer wandering the hotel and dining hall car park when you arrive. We also saw pronghorn and elk but bison are well known to be regular visitors to the area.

Black bears can be found around Mammoth. If you want to find one, look in forested areas around less busy areas away from the travertine terraces.

But if you want to avoid bears (particularly if you head up to the terraces for sunrise) is to make noise, talk and clap intermittently.

Mammoth Accommodation

Campgrounds – Mammoth campground is the only campground open all year at Yellowstone. This is a first come first served site and costs US$ 20 per night. More information .

Hotel and Cabins – Mammoth offers a Frontier Cabin, Hot Tub Cabin, Suite, Premium Hotel Room and Cabin without bath. We stayed in a Frontier Cabin and it was perfect with a wonderful hot shower. More information .

2. Tower-Roosevelt (Northeast)

Tower-Roosevelt is located to the Northeast of Yellowstone and is one of the lesser built up areas of the park. You can find gas, primitive lodging and camping here.

This region is best used as a gateway for wildlife spotting in Lamar Valley and hiking Mt Washburn before continuing on to another region for accommodation.

Unfortunately, the section of road between Tower and Canyon has been completely closed for the entirety of both our visits.

Therefore we are yet to hike Mount Washburn or see Tower Fall. There’s always the third time, right?!

Tower Hiking

Mount Washburn is one of the most popular hikes in Yellowstone National Park and one of the most iconic hikes in the US thanks to its panoramic sweeping views stretching as far as Grand Teton on a clear day.

At 10,243ft (3,107m) and with just a 2.5 mile one-way hike from Chittenden or 3 mile on-way hike from Dunraven Pass, the rewards are more than worth your efforts!

Specimen Ridge is a long point to point hike beginning just after turning onto the road into Lamar Valley. It is the perfect trail for those searching for wildlife who want to get away from the main road filled with tourists.

You can hike for 10 minutes or an hour before turning around but you can expect to see wildlife, particularly early in the morning.

Tower Wildlife

Tower Junction is where Yellowstone’s top rated wildlife viewing area ends, as US-212 reaches grand loop road from the Northeast entrance.

This area is known as Lamar Valley and it is the place to be if you are visiting Yellowstone for wildlife observation.

We strongly recommend you visit early or late if you want a real chance of seeing abundant wildlife. You’re all but guaranteed to spot Bison roaming but you can see much more if you time it right.

We entered Yellowstone via the Northeast entrance and drove the entire way through Lamar Valley but it was right before midday (and snowy!) so we didn’t see many animals.

Note : If you are visiting Yellowstone primarily for wildlife spotting, Tower Fall campground is the closest accommodation to Lamar Valley.

Tower Attractions

Yellowstone River Overlook  and Tower Falls are the two major attractions around Tower-Roosevelt region.

Tower Falls is a 132 ft narrow needle-like waterfall. A 4 mile roundtrip trail allows you to see the Yellowstone River flowing powerfully through a gorge.

The trail is family friendly but there are steep cliffs for children to be aware of.

3. Canyon (Central / East)

Canyon is one of the most popular places to set up base in Yellowstone thanks to its central location and volume of accommodation, with over 500 rooms available.

You will also find a good selection of food at Canyon Lodge Eatery, which is more like a canteen than restaurant.

Canyon is your best choice if you prefer to stay at just one place for your entire Yellowstone visit. Right around the corner is Yellowstone Falls.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone Falls

Prepare to be blown away!

This is one sight you will not forget from your Yellowstone National Park itinerary. We encourage you to visit each and every viewpoint along both North and South rim drive – and do that more than once.

For the best photographs, arrive before sunrise to Artist Point . We couldn’t get enough of these dramatic views as the Yellowstone River pounds its way through the breathtaking canyon.

Canyon Hiking

There are no hikes worth mentioning around Canyon for a Yellowstone itinerary only lasting 4 days. With more time, maybe!

We don’t consider each of the small trails along North and South Rim roads to Yellowstone falls viewing platforms as hikes.

Canyon Wildlife

Just South of Canyon Village and Yellowstone Falls, you will find Hayden Valley , regarded as the second best part of the park for wildlife spotting.

This is the place we saw by far the most wildlife including coyotes, mule deer, bison and our first ever bald eagle . We saw bald eagles here again the second time we visited so you do stand a good chance of seeing one soaring around this area.

Again, it is best to arrive early or late to increase chances of spotting animals but be warned – Grizzlies roam alongside Yellowstone River. We never saw a grizzly, but we did see a lone Grey Wolf from afar, which was awesome .

Canyon Accommodation

Campgrounds – Canyon campground is open late May to Mid Sept. There are 273 reservable sites at a cost of US$ 32 per night. More information .

Hotel and Cabins – Canyon offers the most accommodation by far at Yellowstone. It is open from the beginning of June until early October.

You can choose between a Western Cabin, Standard Lodge Room, Superior Lodge Room, Premium Lodge Room and Suite.

We snagged a free upgrade to Premium Lodge Room (from Western Cabin) which was a welcome escape from the cold nights! More information .

4. Norris Geyser Basin (Central / West)

Norris is the oldest and hottest of Yellowstone’s thermal regions, with the highest recorded temperature measuring a whopping 459 f (237 C) just over 300m below the surface.

This region is where your Yellowstone geyser hunting experience springs to life and you can witness the tallest active geyser in the world.

Norris Geysers and Hot Springs

At Norris geyser basin you will find several thermal geysers in very close proximity. The area is easy to explore via boardwalk and has to rank as one of the must visit regions on your 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary.

Waters around Norris basin are acidic, rather than alkaline, which means bacteria creates those colorful patterns you associate with Yellowstone.

Steamboat geyser – the world’s tallest at 300ft – went years with barely any activity but in 2019 there were 48 eruptions.

But there’s no guarantee boiling hot water will erupt the day you visit and you could be standing around a long time waiting. We saw it blow a few times but not to it’s maximum height.

Norris Hiking

Artist’s Paint Pot – This 1 mile hike beginning just South of Norris Geyser Basin is definitely worth a quick stop off.

After a short walk through a forest you will come across a small open area featuring thick grey mud bubbling pools and blue/grey/brown colored holes in the ground.

Highly recommended easy hike.

Norris Region Campgrounds

Norris campground – Open late May to late September and just to the North of Norris Geyser Basin. There are 111 first come first served sites at a cost of US$ 20 per night. More information .

Maddison Campground – Located 14 miles Southwest of Norris and open late April to mid October. Longer opening times and central location make this one of the most popular campgrounds at Yellowstone. There are 278 reservable sites for tents and RV’s at US$ 27 per night. More information .

5. Old Faithful (Southwest)

Old Faithful is the iconic Yellowstone geyser everyone knows about before visiting the park.

But the Old Faithful region has much more on offer, including perhaps the most eye catching feature of all: Grand Prismatic Spring.

This region contains Lower, Midway and Upper Geyser Basins – which means a lot of geyser hunting. You can find almost all amenities here, except a campground.

Old Faithful Region Geysers and Hot Springs

Lower Geyser Basin – Fewest geothermal features in the region but one of the most sought after spots for sunset in Great Fountain Geyser along Firehole Lake Drive (closed in Winter).

Midway Geyser Basin – Smaller in area but possibly the most rewarding in terms of natural beauty.

The vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring are difficult to appreciate from its boardwalk, so you will need to climb Fairy Falls Trail for that postcard perfect view.

Excelsior Geyser can not be overlooked as it’s on the same boardwalk and produces an enormous amount of hot steam, often shrouding the Firehole River.

Upper Geyser Basin – The crown Jewel, Old Faithful is located here along with the highest density of geothermal activity in the park.

Old Faithful erupts once every 35-120 minutes for anywhere between 1-5 minutes. This isn’t the most spectacular of geysers, it’s just the most regular and predictable.

Don’t miss Morning Glory Pool at Upper Basin.

Old Faithful Hiking

Fairy Falls – Begin at Fairy Falls Trailhead for an easy 5 mile roundtrip to one of Yellowstone’s most spectacular falls. This trail also offers postcard-perfect views over Grand Prismatic Spring.

Observation Point – If you want to escape the crowds (knows as ‘the bleachers’) sitting in a half circle around Old Faithful, take this moderate 1.5 mile roundtrip hike.

You will be rewarded with a much more tranquil viewing platform.

Old Faithful Accommodation

Old Faithful Lodge – Simple Frontier Cabins are more affordable and offer views over Old Faithful. More information .

Old Faithful Inn – 327 rooms and open from early May to mid October, but get in early as this is the most requested lodge in Yellowstone. More information .

Old Faithful Snow Lodge – Open mid December to end of February, only accessible by over snow vehicles. Wide range of rooms available at various prices. More information .

6. Yellowstone Lake / West Thumb (Southeast)

One thing you probably don’t know about – and certainly won’t appreciate until you see it – is the sheer scale of Yellowstone Lake. It is enormous!

We’ve combined West Thumb Geyser Basin and Grant Village with Fishing Bridge and Lake Village into the one region here.

They all hug the lake edge in Yellowstone’s Southeast corner. All amenities can be found at both locations on the lake.

Yellowstone Lake Geysers & Hot Springs

At the Southern end of Yellowstone Lake you will enter West Thumb Geyser Basin. What makes this place unique is stunning views of Yellowstone Lake and snow capped mountains behind geothermal features.

A boardwalk loops around West Thumb Basin allowing you to see the most impressive features while enjoying some of the best views in the park.

Look out for Fishing Cone and Big Cone Geyser in the lake.

Yellowstone Lake Hiking

Yellowstone Lake isn’t the place to visit if you’re looking for serious hiking trails on your 4 days itinerary. However, there are two easy going walks ending with excellent views over the lake and West Thumb.

Lake overlook – Easy to moderate 1.5 mile roundtrip hike from West Thumb parking lot for elevated views over West Thumb Basin.

Storm Point – Easy 2.5 mile roundtrip beginning close to Fishing Bridge for close up views over Yellowstone Lake.

Yellowstone Lake Wildlife

The Northern part of Yellowstone Lake is where Yellowstone’s East entrance (from Cody) arrives into the park.

Areas surrounding East entrance road are known to be a favorite of the Grizzly Bear, but you can also expect to see a wider variety of wildlife in this region.

We saw coyotes and mule deer (pictured above) around Lake Lodge during our visit.

Yellowstone Lake Accommodation

Campgrounds.

Bridge Bay has 432 reservable sites at US$ 27 per night. It is open late May to early September ( more information ).

Grant Village has 430 reservable sites at US$ 32 per night. However, this one is only open mid June to mid September ( more information ).

Fishing Bridge RV Park has 310 RV only electrical hookup sites at US$ 79 per night. The RV park is open early May to mid September ( more information ).

Hotel and Cabins

• Lake Yellowstone hotel offers a wide variety of rooms from basic to extremely expensive ( more information ).
• Lake Lodge Cabins – Consisting of 186 Frontier and Western cabins at much more budget friendly prices ( more information ).

Example Of A Perfect 4 Days Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

You can begin to construct your plans now you have an idea about each region inside the park.

The following example itinerary is 4 days long, which means you can relax and take things slowly but still see and do the best of Yellowstone National Park.

Our biggest frustration when first visiting with 3 days was only having enough time to visit each attraction once and having to rush through. If a geyser or waterfall viewing area was crowded, or if the weather wasn’t playing nicely – well, that was just tough luck.

But with that extra fourth day, it means you can re-visit any place you missed, was too busy or you enjoyed the most.

Best Entrance To Begin 4 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary?

You can start your itinerary at any entrance. The figure 8 road inside the park makes it easy to adapt this itinerary to suit beginning from any direction.

The most popular entrance into the park is West Entrance / West Yellowstone and the second most popular in North Entrance / Gardiner / Mammoth.

However, we will begin this itinerary as though you are entering from Northeast Entrance / Cooke City and exit on Day 4 via South entrance to Jackson and Grand Teton.

This is the most efficient way to visit because you can drive through Lamar Valley early on your first morning for the best chance of seeing abundant wildlife, see the park and leave without driving back on yourself too much.

If you are staying in West Yellowstone or Gardiner for the duration of your visit, or are entering via any other entrance, simply move around the days as we list below. The same things to do still apply, you can just adjust the itinerary to fit.

Driving Distances Between Major Yellowstone And Grand Teton Regions

One final thing to touch on before we get into an example Yellowstone itinerary is driving distances between major areas in the park.

We have mentioned it’s a big park and there can be a lot of driving, but we thought it would be more helpful to show you in numbers.

Use the distances to gauge how far you might travel on any given day during your Yellowstone itinerary.

This is a Yellowstone guide but many visitors will also want to see Grand Teton either before or after, so we included Jackson and Jenny Lake for reference.

We have also included West Yellowstone because a lot of people stay here for their entire visit to Yellowstone and it helps to see how far it is to each major region.

OK, let’s finally get stuck into our 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary example!

Yellowstone Itinerary Day 1 – Lamar Valley, Tower-Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs

Lamar Valley

Entering via Northeast entrance isn’t always reliable in Spring or Fall, but North entrance is always open. If you can’t enter via Cooke City, it’s easy enough to enter at Gardiner and drive straight to Lamar Valley early in the morning.

Approaching from Northeast / Cooke City – As you draw closer to Grand Loop Road you will pass through Lamar Valley , widely regarded as the best wildlife spotting in Yellowstone.

Try to arrive early morning for the best shot as seeing Bison and other animals. Spend an hour or two stopping at various pull-offs. Remember, if you spot any serious gear, that’s where you need to pull out your binoculars .

Just before Grand Loop Road you will find Specimen Ridge Trail , hike this trail if you didn’t see a lot of wildlife in Lamar Valley, you want to see even more wildlife or you just love hiking.

Tip : By getting away from the road you give yourself a much better chance at seeing animals in the wild.

When you arrive at Tower Junction turn left and drive a few miles to see  Tower Fall  and if time allows, hike to Yellowstone River Overlook.

Turn around and head back the same way but pass US-212 and continue on Grand Loop Road towards Mammoth.

Your next stop is Yellowstone’s  Petrified Tree . Now, this gated tree stump isn’t the most wow-factor attraction you will see on this 4 days Yellowstone itinerary.

But it is around 50 million years old, which means it is in fact, mightily impressive.

Mammoth Hot Springs

There’s not much else between Tower and Mammoth with the exception of Lava Creek hiking trail. If it’s earlier than you expected, hike this trail past Undine Falls, but if it’s already getting on, it’s time to check in at your Mammoth accommodation.

You’re likely to see mule deer and / or bison wandering around the car park so drive carefully .

You need to check in inside the hotel whether you’re staying in the hotel or a cabin. Mammoth dining hall is directly across the car park ready for once you’re all settled in to your room.

Alternatively, Gardiner is the best place to stay outside of the park boundaries on this first night.

After dinner (depending on light and time of year), drive a couple minutes up to Mammoth Hot Springs for a quick look around the area.

Don’t forget your camera because these terraces are extremely photogenic. It’s a shame the sunset is directly behind a huge hill but you’ll be back here at first light.

Yellowstone Itinerary Day 2 – Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Mount Washburn and Yellowstone Falls

Norris Geyser Basin

Wake up early. If you’re animal mad, head back out to Lamar Valley at sunrise, otherwise make your way over to see the vibrant colors of Mammoth Lower and Upper Terraces and dense steam penetrated by soft rays of morning light.

We’ve seen Mammoth at sunrise and in midday. Sunrise in October was in the snow and stunning but we didn’t last long. Midday is busy but allows you spend more time walking the boardwalks comfortably and better chance to see the radiant springs.

Return to your cabin or the dining hall for breakfast, check out and get on the road heading South towards Norris Geyser Basin . Scenery along the way is gorgeous, stop if you see anything you like the look of but not for too long .

There’s a lot to see today!

Park up at Norris, be sure to look around the educational Visitor Center before spending the next few hours wandering the Geyser Basin boardwalks.

You have plenty of geysers to take in throughout two loops of boardwalks . D on’t miss Steamboat geyser – it was extremely active when we visited.

There are dozens of springs and geysers in all colors and varieties here, just keep following the boardwalks and the crowds.

Echinus geyser is a popular stop, however, this once prolific steam sprayer has become far less inclined to blow its top in recent years.

A few minutes drive South you will find Artist’s Paintpots trail . We highly recommend this quick 1 mile roundtrip hike where you can see deep earthy colors surrounding small hot springs.

In addition, you have an opportunity to get up close and personal with boiling mud bubbling in grey molten clay-like pools. Don’t miss this hidden gem.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Take Norris Canyon road due East towards Canyon without stopping before checking in at your Canyon accommodation. If you’re not staying inside the park tonight, book a hotel room in West Yellowstone.

Drive a few miles North from Canyon and park up at Dunraven Pass, before setting off on the most popular hike in Yellowstone National Park – Mount Washburn . Panoramic views from the summit will be worth the time and effort.

Closure : This is the hike we unfortunately couldn’t access and unfortunately it is still scheduled to be closed in 2022 as the road between Canyon and Tower is under works.

• If the road and hike are open, it will be late afternoon / early evening by the time you finish your hike.
• If not, head straight down to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Drive back past Canyon and turn onto one-way North Rim Drive.

Your first time seeing the powerful  Yellowstone Lower Falls is from Lookout point, which is awesome, but less awesome than some of the other viewpoints coming up.

Continue driving round to Grand View, before either driving or hiking (if time allows and you’re not too tired) to Inspiration point – the best observation area along North Rim Drive. It shouldn’t be long until the sun sets directly behind Lower Falls.

At dusk, on the way back to Canyon, drive slowly and look out for wildlife. We saw Bison and a lot of Mule Deer on this stretch with a stunning deep purple sky sunset and moonrise over the plains.

Yellowstone Itinerary Day 3 – Yellowstone Falls, Hayden Valley & Yellowstone Lake

Hayden Valley

Another early start and this one is non-negotiable!

Check out and leave at least 30 minutes before sunrise ( check times here ) so you can get parked, walk the very short trail to Artist Point .

Get your camera set up before the sun rises and illuminates the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone . It’s worth waking up for this iconic Yellowstone sunrise.

On the way back out of South Rim, stop off at Upper Falls View and hike down Uncle Tom’s Trail for an amazing close up vantage point of Lower Falls.

The steep staircase trail descent was not open when we visited so be sure to check trail closures and current conditions before you visit.

Once the sun has risen and you’ve marveled enough at the wonderful canyon, jump back in the car and drive South towards Hayden Valley .

This is Yellowstone’s second major area for seeing animals and if you’re early enough, you’ll have a high probability of spotting wildlife.

The key is not to go looking for the animals, but to park up where nobody else is parked along the Yellowstone River and wait for them to come to you.

You might see a multitude of amazing wildlife, or you might not see any animals at all, it all comes down to chance. Be prepared for both eventualities.

Next up as you head South is Mud Volcano. There’s a short circular boardwalk here covering a number of caldrons and springs, most notably Dragon’s mouth spring .

No need to spend long here and you’ll be hungry by now. Grab lunch at Fishing Bridge / Lake Yellowstone. 

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin

Remember that just because an area isn’t recognized as a wildlife ‘hotspot’ it doesn’t mean you won’t see any animals.

We spotted a gang of Elk and more coyotes right on the lake edge around Lake Yellowstone lodge. Explore the area before following the Lake South to West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon walking around West Thumb Basin , taking in the likes of Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Big Cone Geyser and Fishing Cone.

Don’t forget you can take the short Lake Overlook hike right from West Thumb parking lot.

Drive West to Old Faithful and check in to your final accommodation. Again, if you’re not staying inside the park on night 3, book a hotel room in West Yellowstone.

Depending on the time, you can either stick around Old Faithful for sunset or drive 11 miles North to Great Fountain Geyser , which has a magnificent sunset.

Yellowstone Itinerary Day 4 – Lower, Midway and Upper Geyser Basins

Grand Prismatic Spring

You get to sleep in a little (finally!) on your last day. No rush this morning, you’ll be driving up to Lower Geyser Basin and working your way back down to Old Faithful. Slowly does it today.

It is important to note here – if you want to get photographs of one particular area such as Grand Prismatic Spring, it might be worth beelining straight there first thing in the morning.

Start the day by entering one-way Firehole Lake drive – where you can now visit Great Fountain Geyser if you didn’t the night before.

Opposite the one-way exit from Firehole Lake road, park up at Fountain Paint Pot trailhead and walk the very short trail.

If you missed swimming in Boiling River at Mammoth due to closure, you could drive a few miles North to Firehole swimming area .

Otherwise, heading South once more, your next stop is one of Yellowstone’s finest geothermal features: Grand Prismatic Spring .

Firehole River will likely be engulfed in a cloud of steam as you walk towards Grand Prismatic, giving off an eerie effect. This huge heated cloud is produced by Excelsior Geyser , which was once the tallest geyser at Yellowstone.

Without question, the place will be packed with tourists, so try to be courteous as you walk the relatively narrow boardwalks.

Stop off as much as possible on the looped boardwalk to soak up Yellowstone’s largest hot spring and one of its most iconic features.

If you would like to see Grand Prismatic Spring’s colors in all their glory from above, you will need to drive a few minutes to Fairy Falls Trail and hike a 1 mile round trip trail to GPS overview.

Old Faithful

Finish your 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary back where you started this morning at Old Faithful .

What better place to sign off an incredible experience than its most iconic feature. Check times of eruptions, noted all around Old Faithful area including the dining halls. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the predicted eruption.

The bleachers will be busy so be sure to walk around and behind Old Faithful, before taking the Observation Point trailhead to a much better vantage point.

The crowds will cheer once Old Faithful begins to erupt and you will have finally seen the most famous geyser in the world spurt its hot steam into the deep blue sky above!

Don’t forget that you are in Upper Geyser basin, the most active of all geothermal areas within Yellowstone and more than a one trick pony.

Behind Old Faithful – past the trailhead for observation point – you can follow a path leading to multiple hot springs and geysers.

Geysers : We highly recommend you do spend time walking behind Old Faithful as far as incredibly vibrant Morning Glory Pool, one of our favorites in the entire park.

Exit Yellowstone via the South entrance towards Grand Teton National Park. If you like to kayak, Lewis Lake on the way out of Yellowstone is the best place in the park to paddle .

There’s plenty of time left on Day 4 to make it down to Jackson, WY with a few detours along the way in Grand Teton.

It’s almost like you planned it that way!

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

Animals are very active as they come out of hibernation, grizzlies are very grizzly so care must be taken. Snow melting causes waterfall volumes to increase and the weather begins to warm slightly. May and June are excellent months to visit Yellowstone before it gets too crowded.

April in Yellowstone is interesting, you will have attractions almost to yourself but road access is limited and no park lodging is open.

Summer in Yellowstone is jam packed with tourists, which personally isn’t our cup of tea. However, you get more daylight and warmer temperatures which means perfect conditions for crushing hikes, sightseeing and comfortable camping.

Of 4 million annual visitors to the park, over half visit in July and August. Not only will every attraction be busy but getting a camping spot or hotel room would be tough going.

When we visited Yellowstone in October it had snowed heavily just a few days before our arrival. The scenery was staggeringly attractive, with glittering ice and snow dancing under sunlight.

It was the first big snowfall of the year so we just missed those beautiful rustic fall colors. September would be a fantastic alternative if you prefer to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Yellowstone in Winter

Although we didn’t technically visit in Winter, both April and October had a ton of snow and cold temperatures. Most of the park shuts down in Winter and access can only be achieved by snowmobiles.

Our photographs will give you an idea of what Yellowstone would look like if you were to visit in Winter. We were blown away by the ‘Winter Wonderland’ scenery and felt fortunate to have visited when we did.

Following a huge snowfall, the temperature stayed below zero for 3 days but the sun was shining brightly from a deep blue clear sky every day.

On our second morning in October we woke up to a thick mist and fog which left Yellowstone feeling positively spooky!

Yellowstone Accommodation

Certain US National Parks can be notoriously difficult to secure accommodation. Yellowstone is one of those parks.

There are options inside the park (as we listed in each region earlier) but they are in high demand and can be out of many visitors’ budget range. You can instead stay at hotels near the park boundary.

Either way, you need to be as organized as possible when it comes to booking your Yellowstone lodging. Start booking as soon as you have dates to avoid missing out on rooms inside the park or at good value near the park.

We think booking hotels, lodges or cabins is the most difficult and important part of planning this vacation. Once rooms are secured, you can begin to plan your Yellowstone itinerary.

Resources and Tips

• Lodging – We have written an extremely popular where to stay in Yellowstone guide to help you figure out the best places to stay for your visit. It has helped thousands of visitors to find lodging around the park.
• Hotel tips – If you decide to stay outside the park in hotels, you have control over budget. Read our ultimate guide to booking cheap hotels  to learn about ways you can save money.
• Booking platform – We always use and recommend booking hotels with  Booking.com for best value and most options to suit your budget.
• Camping – Take advantage of our exclusive  30 day free trial of The Dyrt PRO  to get reservations at sold out Yellowstone campgrounds with no extra booking fees, and gain access to free dispersed camping locations around Yellowstone National Park. You can try The Dyrt PRO for free, no strings attached!
• The earlier you book, the more chance you have of securing the exact locations you prefer. Be flexible and adaptable if planning your vacation last minute.

Suggested Lodging for this 4 Day Itinerary

• First Night – Mammoth Hot Springs or Gardiner MT
• Second Night – Canyon
• Third Night – Old Faithful or West Yellowstone
• Fourth Night – Jackson WY

Note this is a North to South route. If your entrance and exit points will be different, plan your accommodation accordingly.

If you want to take a much closer look at the top rated hotels around Yellowstone, head over to our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere to see the best hotels in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cody and Jackson.

You can only book accommodation inside the park using  Yellowstone National Park lodges  service, which means set prices and limited availability.

Expect to pay handsomely for hotel rooms if you stay inside the park, it is Yellowstone after all!

Read More About Yellowstone and Grand Teton …

• Things To Do: 30 Most Popular Things To See And Do In Yellowstone National Park
• Airports: 6 Best Airports Near Yellowstone for Domestic and International Travelers
• Hotels: Where to Stay Inside and Near Yellowstone – Best Hotels and Locations
• Spring: 10 Key Things To Know About Visiting Yellowstone In April
• Fall: 10 Important Things To Know About Visiting Yellowstone In October
• Grand Teton: 7 Amazing Things to do and Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
• Mormon Row: Sunrise and Sunset Photography Guide to Mormon Row Grand Teton
• Schwabacher Landing: Complete Photography Guide to Stunning Schwabacher Landing

Yellowstone Road Trips:

• SLC – Salt Lake City to Yellowstone 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary
• Rushmore – Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary

More Incredible US National Parks …

• Death Valley: Perfect One Day Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary (Las Vegas and Yosemite)
• Zion & Bryce Canyon: Epic 3 Day Road Trip Zion and Bryce Canyon Best Bits
• Yosemite: The Ultimate Guide to Yosemite For First Time Visitors
• Grand Canyon: Perfect One Day Itinerary Grand Canyon South Rim

We hope this guide helped with planning your 4 Days Yellowstone National Park Itinerary!

Yellowstone is one of the very best places to visit in the USA and we sincerely hope you have the most amazing vacation to this special part of the world.

Please let us know if you have any questions or you need any help planning your Yellowstone trip, we’ll be happy to help.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

24 thoughts on “Yellowstone Itinerary 4 Days: The Ultimate First Time Visitor Guide”

Hello, I am driving from spokane to Teton on June 7th. I want to do teton, YN and glacir and drive back to spokane. So I think it would be best for me to stay in jackson or teton for one night and then drive up to west entrance for 2 nights and stay in Gardiner for one night because my plan is to do teton in one day 3 or 4 days for Yellowstone and then drive on to Glacer national park. I know it makes perhaps more sense to to go Glacier first and then drive down to YN and to teton but I have to take a return flight from spokene and Galcer sun road is not open untill June 15th or so, so I decided to drive down to Teton via Misoula and then drive up so I reach Galcier park around 13th or 14th and have more chances to see the sun road. I know it is driving double a little but looks like best optin to me. I am also doing this loop so I can take the car from spokane and return it at spokane. Taking a car from spokane and returning at teton is very expensive.

Am I on right track?

Hi Anjana, yes it sounds like you’re exactly on track with your plans. That’s exactly what we would do in your circumstances. Have a great trip!

How long does it take to get a guidebook to Yellowstone? Is it downloadable?

Hi Melissa, yes our Yellowstone guidebook is a digital download so you can get it instantly to your phone and computer. Thank you and have a fantastic trip!

Looking to also go in through Cooke City. Any recommendations on where to stay in Cooke City that night before entering the park? Thanks!

Hi Bret, glad to hear you will be visiting Yellowstone soon. Take a look through our where to stay in Yellowstone guide to see our hotel recommendations for Cooke City. It is a great place to start because you get instant access to Lamar Valley for wildlife at dawn. Have a great trip!

is there an actual print out of just the 4 day yellowstone itinerary? point to point to see?

Hi Tricia, At the moment we do not have a printable version of this itinerary, but we hope to have one soon. You are more than welcome to print out the travel guide and if you have any specific questions about Yellowstone, feel free to ask any time. Have a great trip!

Yikes! We are planning a trip this summer starting in South Dakota and heading into Yellowstone for 4 day. Unfortunately we have to go in the summer since I work at a high school. Yellowstone is so overwhelming and it looks like we will be entering Yellowstone the week of July 4th. Planning is so overwhelming 🤪 We will be pulling our RV as well. There are no campsites available in Yellowstone so hoping to find something not too far away. Since we will be driving in each day which entrance makes themost sense or should we split time between a couple of. Entrances?

Hi Holly, we are glad to hear you have a trip planned to Yellowstone but “yikes” is definitely a great word to describe your situation! If it were us, we would try staying at a campground in or around Gardiner the first and maybe second night, then staying at a campground in West Yellowstone for the next 2 nights. We have driven from South Dakota to Yellowstone twice, entering once into northeast entrance and once into north entrance at Gardiner. Your drive over on I-90 won’t be very exciting but for you it will be about efficiency and getting to Gardiner as quickly as possible is your best bet. Then you can see the “top half” of Yellowstone in the next 2 days, before pulling your RV to a campground in West Yellowstone so you have easier access to the “bottom half” of Yellowstone. Hope that helps and best of luck getting booked up. Have a great trip!

I’m so grateful to have found this site. It’s amazing! You are so thorough and organized – I am in awe. Without this guide I would have just booked a full week in West Yellowstone and then spent most of my days driving and being stressed about being in the park after dark. Now I think I’ll book 4 nights at YGI and 3 nights in Jackson. I have dogs, so I can’t stay in the park or move around too often. We primarily want to see wildlife – I hope we see a wolf!!!

Thank you Noelle, we’re glad our guide has helped you plan your trip to Yellowstone! Last time we visited we saw a wolf near Grand Prismatic Spring, just look for a group of people with expensive cameras / binoculars / telescopes and it’s either a wolf or a bear. Have a great time!

Hi, how does one find out the driving time or distance to different areas within the parks – Yellowstone and GTNP?

Hi ALice, thanks for getting in touch with a great point – we have updated our Yellowstone itinerary with a driving distance chart to show how far it is between the major regions in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We didn’t include times because that will change heavily depending on season but it should give you a better idea of how much driving will be involved during your visit.

Wow thanks for taking the time and sharing all that info! With that said, it is a bit overwhelming 🙂 appreciate your help in planning my trip with my teenage daughter in early July 2022. We’re flying in from San Francisco for 4 days. Is there any way to contact you directly? Thanks

Hi Meytal, yes planning a trip to Yellowstone can be overwhelming! Head over to our contact page and send us a message with any questions you have for your trip 🙂

Great article, thank you for the detailed information. We are headed for 4 days with a stay booked at the West entrance for all nights. All things considered, would you advise that I keep that spot or split it up between other entrances? All of the lodging INSIDE the park is booked up…so our only options would be to head out of the park for overnights. Looking at your itinerary for the 4 days it looks like staying where we are may just be the best option vs moving each night out to the North and then the East entrances…what do you think having been?

Hi Mel, yes getting booked inside the park is going to be a challenge this year. Stick with what you have booked in West Yellowstone for the 4 days. It’s the most central location with easier access to each of the areas inside the park. We were in Yellowstone again a few weeks ago and stayed in West Yellowstone both nights. It is a bit of a pain driving in and especially out each day as you drive directly into the sunset, but it’s by far the best option for keeping drive time down. That being said, if you are really keen to see wildlife, Lamar Valley at sunrise is your best bet and staying one night in either Gardiner (North entrance) near Mammoth or even Cooke City (Northeast entrance) would cut your driving time down significantly early in the morning. You will see wildlife without doing that but it would likely be a better experience. The drives East to Cody and South to Jackson are too long. Let us know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!

planning a trip for the summer, reading through piles of pins about Yellowstone and this is the most helpful yet! thank you so much!

Thank you Chelsea, we’re glad you were able to find the info you needed for Yellowstone. Please let us know if you have any questions about your plans but if not have a great trip!

This is such a helpful and informative review! With limited time in Yellowstone, we will be following your suggestions, but in reverse, coming up from Tetons.

Thank you Sarah, we’re glad you found it helpful – doing both Grand Teton and Yellowstone is such an amazing trip. Please do let us know if you have any questions about either park and have a great time!

Wow this has to be the best national park yet, something for everyone there, it must of been amazing.

Yes this was one of the most diverse US National Parks we visited, you’re spot on with something for everyone. We had a love / hate relationship with the snow, it was freezing cold and we might have missed out on some wildlife spotting opportunities, plus the Mt Washburn hike was closed and we couldn’t see much at Grand Prismatic Spring – but the Winter Wonderland scenery was unique and spectacular. Hope you are able to visit Yellowstone one day Graham!

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Best 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary For First Timers (2024)

Feeling overwhelmed about planning your 4 day Yellowstone itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

Yellowstone National Park embodies the ideal road trip destination. It’s got wildlife, natural wonders, beautiful scenery, lots of outdoor adventures, family-friendly activities, and so much more!

Planning your trip? Use our favorite resources!

For accommodations –   Hotels.com  |  Expedia  |  VRBO ​ For car rentals –   Discover Cars ​ For tours & excursions –   Viator ​ For cheap flights – FareDrop ​ For travel insurance –   Safety Wing

My husband and I visited Yellowstone as part of a 2-week trip out west in August 2020. We had four days designated to Yellowstone, and for a first-time visitor, I think that’s about the perfect amount of time to see the highlights and get a good feel for the park and what it has to offer. While there is so much more that we didn’t get to see, I feel that we did the park justice in the amount of time we had.

related: One-Week Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton Itinerary

So if you are looking for the best Yellowstone 4 day itinerary, look no further! Let me be your Yellowstone trip planner! Here’s everything you need to plan and make the most of your trip!

Best 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary

Ok, let’s get into the good stuff! Here’s the road trip itinerary for four days in Yellowstone National Park.

This itinerary was created with West Yellowstone being the base camp for your trip. All maps, mileage, and drive times are based on this. I suggest you stay in this vicinity in order to make the most of your time at Yellowstone. I found it to be a great area to stay. If you are staying somewhere else, then your mileage and drive times will differ, but you can easily adjust this itinerary to work with wherever you’re staying.

Day 1 – Northern Section

Total distance: 171 miles Length of drive: 5 hours

Start your Yellowstone trip itinerary by exploring the northern section of the park.

Blacktail Plateau Drive

Get an early start and drive north through the park towards Lamar Valley. You can head directly there if you’d like, but a nice detour is Blacktail Plateau Drive. It’s a one-way dirt road so if you’re going to take it, take it on your way to Lamar Valley. It offers some nice scenery and when we took it in August, we only saw a few other cars, so it’s a nice place to drive to get away from the crowds when visiting Yellowstone.

• Lamar Valley

After finishing the Black Plateau Drive, continue through Lamar Valley. The earlier you get here, the better your chances of seeing the wildlife.

Did you know that Yellowstone has the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states? While some animals are more elusive than others (wolves, moose, bear, etc.) you have the potential to see bighorn sheep, bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, mule deer, pronghorn, white-tailed deer, black bears, Canada lynx, coyotes, grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolverines, and wolves.

We were fortunate to see bison, elk, pronghorn, a coyote, and a moose while in Yellowstone. We didn’t get to see a bear which was on my bucket list, but there’s always next time!

After you’ve spotted some wildlife, make your way to Trout Lake.

It’s a short hike to the lake but it’s steep, so make sure you have proper footwear. This is a nice scenic area where you can walk around the water and take a little break. There weren’t many people here either when we went, so you’ll also get a break from the crowds.

If you packed a lunch this would also make a great spot for a picnic or a snack.

Lamar River Valley and Specimen Ridge Trails

After a bite to eat, if you want to do a bit more hiking, consider exploring parts of the Lamar River Valley and Specimen Ridge trails. I’m sensitive to heat so it was a little too warm for me to do these hikes in August, but they are on my list for next time!

More details on these and other trails can be found on the AllTrails website or app.

After a bit of hiking (or after Trout Lake if you don’t want to hike) swing by Tower Fall. You can admire it from the viewing area or take the hike down to the bottom.

Mammoth Hot Springs

End your day with some time exploring Mammoth Hot Springs. Take some time to walk around the geothermal wonders and then take the Upper Terrace Loop drive to see some more of the features up close.

Day 2 – Geysers and Waterfalls

Total distance: 135 miles Length of drive: 3 hours 30 minutes

BONUS: Mount Washburn

If you’re a hiker and want to get a good trek in this morning, get an early start, head to Dunraven Pass, and take the hike up to Mount Washburn. It’s a 6.8-mile out-and-back trail and is rated as moderate. You can get all the hike details here.

Upper and lower falls

This can either be your first stop of the day, or you can head directly here after hiking Mount Washburn. The Upper and Lower Falls of Yellowstone River near Canyon Village was one of my favorite parts of our 4 day Yellowstone road trip .

There are so many different places you can view the falls based on how much walking you want to do and how much time you want to spend. At the very least, I recommend checking out the Lower Falls from both sides of the river and then going down ALL the steps to the brink of the Lower Falls. It’s a LOT of steps but it’s worth it.

When we were there we hiked the South Rim Trail to Artist Point which was a beautiful walk with lots of lookouts. We had wanted to do Uncle Tom’s Trail but it was closed when we were there.

• Hayden Valley

This is another great area of the park to see wildlife. This is also where we saw the moose! Drive along and see what you can spot!

Just be courteous to other drivers and if you do see any wildlife and want a closer look, find a safe, designated place to pull over to view. Don’t stop in the middle of the road and do your best to allow traffic to keep moving.

Hayden Valley is a very busy section of the park because of all the wildlife, especially the bison. They can sometimes wander into the road and cause a “bison jam” which will back up traffic. Park rangers will sometimes use emergency vehicles to move the bison off the road. Just keep alert and be patient if you have to wait for the wildlife. This is their home after all!

Mud volcano

This area has a lot of cool features, like Dragon’s Mouth Spring and the Mud Volcano .

Norris geyser basin

Wrap up your day with the Norris Geyser Basin. As the name implies, there are a lot of geysers here, like Steamboat Geyser and Echinus Geyser . See how many you can catch erupting!

Day 3 – The Famous Attractions

Total distance: 64 miles Length of drive: 1 hour 45 minutes

Today is all about seeing the sites that make Yellowstone famous!

fountain paint pots

If you’re not tired of geysers yet, start your morning by walking around the Lower Geyser Basin and the Fountain Paint Pot Trail.

grand prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic is part of the Midway Geyser Basin and is world-famous for its rainbow of colors. Anyone planning a trip to Yellowstone needs to stop here! Visiting in the middle of the day will show off the colors the brightest and has a better chance of not being too foggy.

You should view it from ground level first and then head down the road a minute or two to Fairy Falls Trail parking lot to hike up to the Prismatic Spring Overlook.

fairy falls

If you’re up for an easier hike today, continue down the trail from the Grand Prismatic overlook to Fairy Falls. It’s a 4.8-mile out-and-back trail. It can get a little crowded but it’s a beautiful waterfall and worth the hike.

This would also be a nice place to eat a packed lunch. You can see the hike details here.

Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool

This is another section of geysers and pools that would be a great way to spend some time while waiting for the next eruption of Old Faithful.

I would suggest heading directly to Old Faithful after Fairy Falls and finding out when the next eruption is predicted. If you have time, hit up some of these trails. If the next eruption is soon, then you can explore these if you want to afterward.

old Faithful

Finish out your day with the grand finale of Old Faithful. This famous geyser erupts every 44 minutes to 2 hours and is well worth fighting the crowds to see.

As mentioned above, if you have some time to kill before the next eruption, you can explore the Upper Geyser Basin or just relax and walk around the general store, visitor center, lodge, and the beautiful Old Faithful Inn.

Day 4 – Southern Section

Total distance: 150 miles Length of drive: 3 hours 30 minutes

On the final day of your 4 day Yellowstone itinerary, you can either hit up some of the areas you might have missed during your first 3 days or you can spend some time in the southern section of the park. When we were in Yellowstone, most of this part of the park was closed due to a wildfire, so this is the itinerary I would have done if the roads had been open.

Lone Star Geyser

Begin your day with a hike to Lone Star Geyser . This is an easy 5.3-mile out-and-back trail.

Lewis Falls

Next, take the drive down to view Lewis Falls.

• West Thumb Geyser Basin

This area of geysers right along Yellowstone Lake looks very scenic.

• Yellowstone Lake

Take the rest of the day to drive along Yellowstone Lake. You can either drive partially along it and then turn around and head back the way you came, or you can drive all the way along Route 20 until you reach Grand Loop Road and then drive back to West Yellowstone through Hayden Valley again for more wildlife viewing. The time and distance will be about the same for either choice.

If you have less than 4 days in Yellowstone…

If you can’t do Yellowstone in 4 days because you have less time, here are a couple of modified options to help you still see the best of the national park in the time you do have.

If you have 1 day in Yellowstone:

Make sure you hit up the main attractions:

• Upper and Lower Falls
• Norris Geyser Basin
• Grand Prismatic
• Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Geyser

If you have additional time, you can drive up to see Mammoth Hot Springs or drive to Hayden Valley to look for wildlife.

If you have 2 days in Yellowstone:

On Day 1, visit Mammoth Hot Springs, drive through Lamar Valley to look for wildlife, stop at Tower Fall, continue to Upper and Lower Falls, and end at Norris Geyser Basin.

On Day 2, visit Grand Prismatic, head to Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful, drive along Yellowstone Lake and spend some time there, and then head up through Hayden Valley for wildlife watching in the evening.

If you have 3 days in Yellowstone:

Follow my four-day Yellowstone itinerary but skip Day 4.

If you have more than 4 days in Yellowstone…

If you have more than 4 days for your Yellowstone National Park itinerary, here are some things you can add:

• Beartooth Highway –   this is one thing I wish we would have had time to do. This is a 68-mile road from Red Lodge to Cooke City that many consider the most beautiful drive in America. This road is also closed from around October to April/May depending on the snow, so check conditions before you go.
• Boiling River – a popular section of the Gardner River to go swimming. It’s located right on the Montana/Wyoming border off of Route 189.
• Add in some hikes – we did not get to do much hiking/walking on this trip so I don’t have any personal recommendations, but you can use the AllTrails website or app to find the best ones in the area. Some that I’d like to do next time include the Lone Star Geyser Trail and Shoshone Lake .
• Explore the town of West Yellowstone – we walked around the town a bit in the evenings to get dinner or just window shop. There are plenty of places to eat and pick up souvenirs, and also family-friendly activities for the kids, like the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and the Zipline Adventure Park.

Quick facts about Yellowstone National Park

• Yellowstone is not only the first established national park in the United States but also in the world! It became a national park on March 1, 1872.
• Yellowstone is 3,472 square miles, which equates to over 2.2 MILLION acres! It’s one of the largest national parks in the US. Within these acres, there are about 290 waterfalls and over half of the world’s active geysers and hydrothermal features.
• In 2023, Yellowstone was the 7th most-visited national park with 3.2 million visitors.

Top 10 Best Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Oh man, it is so hard to choose the top 10 things to do in Yellowstone! The park is massive and there are dozens of amazing sights to see.

However, here is what I believe are the things every first-time visitor needs to see when exploring Yellowstone:

• Old Faithful
• The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone / Upper & Lower Falls
• Mammoth Springs

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is open all year round and there are activities to do in every season, but parts of the park do close down in the shoulder seasons and in winter.

View current conditions for Yellowstone National Park here.

The roads in the interior of the park (Old Faithful, Upper and Lower Falls, etc.) are closed during the winter as are many visitor centers and facilities, so keep this in mind when you’re planning your trip.

However, in winter there are very few visitors, and if you enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling, you’ll get to see a side of the park not many others do! Check out what other things you can do in Yellowstone in the winter.

On the flip side, the summer is the busiest time to visit the park. Half of the yearly visitors to Yellowstone come in June, July, and August. You will for sure be fighting big crowds and the heat, and accommodations will be harder to book and will be more expensive. You also risk the chance of wildfires closing parts of the park.

However, all the facilities and roads are open at this time, so you’ll be able to experience just about everything in the park in the summer.

Spring and fall are great times to visit Yellowstone. The crowds are fewer, the weather is cooler, and you’ll have more options for places to stay. Generally, the interior roads start opening around April and start closing around October. Check the Yellowstone road status page for up-to-date information.

So no matter when you decide to visit, there are plenty of things to see and do!

How to get to Yellowstone National Park

If you are flying to Yellowstone National Park, the closest airport is West Yellowstone which has flights from early May to mid-October from Salt Lake City. Other nearby airports include Cody and Jackson in Wyoming, Bozeman and Billings in Montana, and Idaho Falls.

If you are driving, here are the approximate driving times to West Yellowstone from some of the closest larger cities:

Boseman, Montana:  1.5 hours Billings, Montana:  4 hours Cody, Wyoming: 3.5 – 5 hours, depending on seasonal road closures Jackson, Wyoming: 2.5 hours Idaho Falls, Idaho: 2 hours

NOTE: There are five entrances to the park, but the most popular (and therefore the busiest entrance) is West Yellowstone. Since this is a popular place to stay (and my personal recommendation), all the above drive times are to the town of West Yellowstone, but if you are arriving from another side of the park (Cody, WY for example) it will take you less time to reach the park itself.

How to get around Yellowstone National Park

Having your own vehicle is going to give you the best experience in Yellowstone as there are no shuttles in the park. You’ll be able to plan your own itinerary based on what you want to see and spend as much time as you want at any of the sights.

Consider downloading your maps, itinerary, and directions before leaving so you can access them offline. Cell phone service can be spotty in Yellowstone and you’ll want to make sure you know how to get around the park. Google Maps is a great option. You can download any map you create and navigate without cell phone service.

If you will need to rent a car for your road trip, I highly recommend using Discover Cars . They search all the rental companies for the best price, and if your plans change, you always get free cancellation.

However, if you do not have your own car, there are a couple of other options.

There are a few local Yellowstone tours and shuttle bus companies that operate in the area. You can find out more about them here.

However, I’d recommend using Get Your Guide to book a tour or any activities. You can check reviews and you will often have a smaller or private group and a more authentic, enjoyable experience.

What to pack for your 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary

In order to make the most of your 4 day Yellowstone itinerary, here are some things you should not forget:

National Park Pass

If you have the  National Park Pass , make sure you don’t forget it! They come with a rearview mirror holder so you can hang it up and not have to dig around for it when you enter the park.

This is a given, but you are going to be so amazed by all the beauty and geothermal wonders, you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t have a good camera to capture it all.

A good phone camera would work well for most landscapes, but if you want to get some awesome wildlife pictures, you might want something with a zoom lens.

Is that a moose or just a log? If you have binoculars, you won’t have to guess!

Hiking shoes & good socks

If you plan on doing any kind of hiking, I’d recommend hiking shoes or boots rather than sneakers. The socks you wear with your boots will also make a huge difference in how your feet feel. I like  Cloudline  wool socks, but there are lots of great brands out there.

While Yellowstone can get very hot in the summer, especially around the geothermal pools and geysers, you should make sure you pack along a variety of clothing, including clothes you can layer. If you head out early or stay out late, it might be a bit chilly and I’m sure you’d rather be prepared than be cold.

More than likely, you’ll be out and about in the park all day and may not have quick access to a store. Plus it can get VERY hot in the summer and you will want to stay hydrated.

While the visitor centers do sell water, it will be much easier to just bring lots of water with you so you don’t have to worry about running out or changing your plan in order to go find some.

Hiking pack + the 10 essentials

While most of the trails and boardwalks in Yellowstone National Park are well-traveled and you’ll see people frequently, you still want to be prepared. Bring along a hiking backpack or something with good back support and keep it stocked with the  10 essentials for hiking and you’ll be set.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than sunburn, am I right? Yellowstone is hot and often very sunny in the summer, so you’ll want to make sure you protect your skin and your eyes from the sun. A hat would be a good idea as well.

Certain parts of the park can get buggy, so just be prepared and carry some with you.

Spotting bears is one of the big things on people’s Yellowstone to-do list, but usually from the safety of your car!

If you plan to do some hiking, just make sure you hike with at least one other person and carry bear spray (and have it easily accessible and know how to use it). Pay attention to your surroundings, make plenty of noise, and you’ll be fine!

NOTE:  You can’t fly with bear spray so I’d recommend purchasing it once you arrive if you are traveling by plane.

You should also give any other animals that you encounter plenty of space too. Any wildlife can be unpredictable, and you want to keep yourself and the critters safe!

Swimsuit & Towel

If you plan to spend some time at any of the lakes or hot springs, you’ll want to make sure you have a swimsuit and towel along.

Walkie Talkies

Cell service isn’t great in the park, and if you are traveling in a group and want to split up when visiting some of the landmarks, walkie-talkies can be a great way to keep in touch with the others in your group.

Find the best road trip walkie-talkie options here.

Optional: Hiking poles

While not a necessity, I thought I’d include this one since a lot of people find them useful. I tend to use hiking poles more when I’m backpacking than just day hiking, but some of the hikes in Yellowstone can be long and challenging and hiking poles might come in handy.

For a complete road trip packing list, check out this post.

Places to eat in Yellowstone National Park

We didn’t eat out much on our trip, but we did eat at the Firehole Bar-B-Que Company in West Yellowstone and it was quite good. Some other recommended places include Ernie’s Bakery & Deli and Wild West Pizzaria & Saloon , also both in West Yellowstone. If you make it up to Cooke City, Miners Saloon is also supposed to be good.

If you’d like to eat in the park, there aren’t a lot of options. I would suggest packing a lunch along on most of your days. However, lots of people want to get a chance to eat at the historic Old Faithful Inn . There are a couple of restaurants there. This might be a nice place to relax and eat before or after viewing Old Faithful.

Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park

We stayed in our friends’ RV on this trip and parked at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park . We don’t have a lot of experience with RV parks but it was a nice one in my opinion.

If you want to stay in the park, there are nine lodges to choose from, including Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the famous Old Faithful Inn . However, these places tend to be on the more expensive side and can fill up VERY quickly.

No matter where you stay, make sure you plan ahead and book as soon as you can. Places can book up very quickly, especially in the summer .

But don’t stress! There are plenty of reasonably priced accommodations of all kinds outside of the park. In fact, I wrote a whole post on the best ones so you don’t have to spend hours doing the research!

Here are the best places to stay near Yellowstone!

How to avoid crowds in Yellowstone National Park

As the second most visited national park, it’s going to be pretty tough to avoid the crowds. Everyone comes to see Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, and for good reason!

But how do you get away from the masses when there are just so many people in the park? Here are a couple of tips:

Visit during the shoulder seasons

Yellowstone is at its busiest between June and August. If you have the flexibility, try to come during another time of the year.

If you come in late April to May, the interior roads start opening up and there will be a lot fewer visitors. Plus this is the time of year the bison and pronghorn give birth to their babies.

September to early October is also a great time of year to visit. The interior roads do start to close sometime in October, but you’ll have a greater chance of seeing bears as they come down from the mountains, and you’ll have gorgeous fall colors!

Arrive early and stay late

As with most national parks, the earlier you get in, the smaller the crowd will be. The park is open 24 hours a day, so if you can swing it, get in as early as you can to enjoy the first hour of daylight with fewer people around. You can catch the sunrise and have a better chance of seeing wildlife too.

You can also choose to stay in the park late. A lot of tourists leave the park around dinnertime, but if you pack your dinner and stay out until sunset, you’ll not only get a gorgeous view, but this is also a great time to see animals. This is also when I’d recommend going to see some of the biggest attractions, like Old Faithful or the Upper and Lower Falls.

Consider exploring less popular areas

Yellowstone National Park as a whole is incredibly busy, but there are definitely places that don’t see the crowds of Grand Prismatic and Mammoth Hot Springs.

The area south and east of Old Faithful, around Yellowstone Lake, and down to the Wyoming border is a less-visited part of the park that still has a lot to offer. There are tons of hiking trails and lakes along this section, and you can also see waterfalls and some geysers too.

Parts along the northern section of the park, between Tower/Roosevelt and the Northeast Entrance Station, can also be less crowded. We found hardly any other cars on Blacktail Plateau Drive and the area around Trout Lake.

If avoiding crowds is a top priority for you, consider spending more time in these areas, away from the popular attractions.

Places to visit around Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a perfect jumping-off point to so many other great locations. If you want to extend your Yellowstone National Park itinerary to include a few other places, here are some suggestions:

• Glacier National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho
• Bighorn National Forest
• Black Hills & Badlands National Park

Yellowstone National Park FAQs

When is yellowstone national park open.

Yellowstone National Park is open all year round, 24 hours a day. Parts of the park are only open seasonally because of snow, but there are things to do in the park all seasons. Check out the Yellowstone National Park Service website for more details .

How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone National Park?

A 7-day park permit costs $35 per vehicle.

If you have an America the Beautiful pass, entry is free.   I highly recommend getting this pass if you plan to visit more than one national park in a year  – it will save you money. A one-year pass costs $80.

A Yellowstone National Park annual pass is $70, but this would only be worth it if you are going to be visiting the park for longer than a week and you aren’t planning to go to any other national parks within the year.

There are also several days throughout the year when entering any national park is free!  Check out the list of free National Park days here.

How many days do you need to see Yellowstone?

We spent a full 4 days in Yellowstone when we visited in August 2020, and I think that was the perfect amount of time for first-timers. You get to see all the main sites without being too rushed, but it also leaves some time for you to relax if you wish.

If you want to do more hiking and also explore more off-the-beaten-path places, you might want to add an extra day or two.

What is the best month to visit Yellowstone National Park?

Overall, I’d say the best month to visit Yellowstone would be May or September. Most of the interior roads to the park are open, but it isn’t as hot or crowded as in June, July, and August.

How long does it take to drive the loop in Yellowstone?

There are actually two loops in Yellowstone, the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop. Essentially, if you wanted to drive them both in their entirety in one day, you would make a figure 8. This would take about 5-6 hours to complete without stops.

The Upper Loop takes approximately 2 hours to drive without stops. This section includes Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, Mt Washburn, and Lamar Valley.

The Lower Loop is a little larger and takes just under 3 hours to drive without stops. Here you would see Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, and the Yellowstone Grand Canyon.

Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone is basically the outside of the two loops. It is 142 miles around. If you wanted to drive this in one day, it would take approximately 4-7 hours. This would all depend on how many stops you wanted to make along the way.

Conclusion: 4 Day Yellowstone itinerary

And there you have it! I hope this was helpful for you in planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park.

If you want to see a more inside scoop of what our Yellowstone trip was like, check out the video below from Happily Ever Hanks . They are good friends of ours and traveled with us on our 2-week trip to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.

Want to save this for later? Pin it!

Stefanie Henne is an experienced road trip travel blogger who specializes in helping others plan their dream vacation, no matter their budget or time restraints. Go here to read more about Stef's story. If you want to send Stef a message, visit her contact page here.

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For many people, the classic American road trip is a rite of passage.

The 48 states on the continental U.S. are home to rolling hills, mountains, rivers, oceans and countless other attractions. And thanks to modern technology, planning the perfect road trip is easier than ever.

Just juice up your phone, make sure your car is ready to roll , grab your go-to road snacks, and let your smartphone do the hard work.  

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Learn more: Best travel insurance

Watch this video to learn more about some of the apps you need for your next road trip.   

Roadtrip essentials

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If you’re driving through an unfamiliar area, fill up your gas tank sooner rather than later to reduce the risk of getting stranded on empty.

Check out these apps to keep your car juiced up along the route: 

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It even includes reviews from other users to help you make the best decision for you and your pet. 

On the road again

By the way, before you hit play and take the wide-open road, download your car insurance app on your phone.

Hopefully, you won’t need it, but it can make it much easier to file a claim or call for roadside assistance. 

Reviewed-approved car recommendations 

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.  

Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of experts test everything from waterproof speakers to air purifiers so you can shop for the best of the best. 

• Customer-loved portable car vacuum: ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner  
• Durable phone car holders: Beam Electronics Phone Holder  
• A clutch jump-start box: N OCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box  
• This well-reviewed dash cam: RedTiger Dash Cam  
• A handy USB C charger: Anker USB C Car Charger  

More problems, solved

• Breeze through security: 6 tips to quickly get through airport security
• Expand workspace: Transform your iPad into a second monitor
• Pre-travel checklist:  4 things you need to do before your next trip
• Fly easier: 4 travel tips to make flying easier
• Get inspired:   3 tips to plan your next trip using social media
• Be prepared:   3 travel apps to download before your next trip
• Carry on:   5 tips to travel safely with your tech like phones and laptops
• Easily get around:  4 tech tips to easily explore a new city
• Stream offline: How to watch TV shows, movies offline
• Speak in any language: 5 ways to use Google Translate on your phone

BEST WEEK EVER

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Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip

Find ancient history, the best americana and a mirror image of the tetons many visitors miss..

Traverse the western side of the Rockies for hidden gems, gorgeous views and fresh mountain air on this Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip.

Start in Salt Lake City, a vibrant community set against the backdrop of snow-dusted peaks, capped by impossibly blue skies. From here, you’ll cross Utah, Idaho and Wyoming on your way to Yellowstone, escaping the crowds to see a side of the West that’s often overlooked.

Hit wildflower-filled trails in Park City before discovering pioneer history as you make your way north to Logan. Across the border in Idaho, Fort Hall offers a glimpse into the culture of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. If Idaho makes you think potatoes, stop in Blackfoot to learn everything there is to know about this humble tuber. Then, dive into communities like Idaho Falls, St. Anthony and Ririe where you’ll discover that this state is so much more than just fields of spuds.

As you approach the Tetons from the west, you might be surprised by the mirror-image view of the range you’ve seen photographed from the east. This side of the Tetons is home to uncrowded trails, hot springs soaks and more. Head into Wyoming where you’ll find summer fun at Snow King Resort before exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.

Exit Yellowstone via the West Entrance, taking a quick jaunt through Montana before you’re back in Idaho. Three national park sites filled with weird and wonderful rock formations and fossils, along with a massive and stunning waterfall will fill your drive back to Salt Lake City.

There’s no denying it, west is best.

Road Trip Map

Start: Salt Lake City Area

Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. www.outdoorsy.com

The Center of it All in Salt Lake Salt Lake is where the tradition meets a progressive and energetic cultural scene.

Find Your Mountain Mindset in Park City From mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music , Park City has it all and there’s no better time to visit than summer.

Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. Explore on your own or take a tour on horseback or e-bike.

Natural Retreats Park City Stay in a beautifully appointed vacation rental on your way to the parks.

Cache Valley

Go Local in Logan and Cache Valley Catch a glimpse into pioneer living, enjoy live theater performances and stroll a charming downtown with a stop in Logan .

Best of Southeast Idaho

Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho.

Stay and Play in Pocatello From restored neon signs lining downtown’s streets to floating the stunning Portneuf River, this fun town is a great place to relax .

Have a Shoshone-Bannock Native Experience The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. Here are seven reasons to visit .

Get a Potato Selfie at the Idaho Potato Museum Discover the stories behind this unsung hero of a vegetable including VP Dan Quayle’s potato incident.

On the Fly in Idaho Falls Basecamp in Idaho Falls, two hours from Yellowstone and Grand Teton, with direct flights from across the country. Here’s the top six reasons to visit .

Find prehistoric history and modern innovations at the Museum of Idaho With tons of historic artifacts and beautifully curated displays, the Museum of Idaho offers an inside glimpse at Idaho’s intriguing history.

6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons Whether you like motorized recreation or exploring via your own two feet, there’s an adventure for everyone on the Tetons’ western and – if you ask a local – better side. Here are can’t-miss stops from Idaho Falls to Ririe on the way to Yellowstone.

Jackson and Grand Teton National Park

NOTE: Teton Pass (Highway 22), the mountain road leading between Victor, Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming collapsed on June 8, 2024. The route is closed indefinitely while repairs are made. Detour from Victor to Swan Valley on Highway 31, take Highway 26 south to Alpine, Wyoming and then follow Highway 89 and 191 north to Jackson. Check for updates at WyoRoad.info .

2 Days in Grand Teton National Park Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton from amazing hiking trails to scenic boat rides and the best huckleberry milkshake ever.

3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park From historic homesteads to breathtaking river valleys, here are our top stops for a fantastic scenic drive plus road-trip advice.

Fun on the Snake River and Grand Teton Lakes With temperatures reaching new highs, figuring out how to stay cool is key to enjoying your summer.  Enjoy adventures in Jackson and nearby Grand Teton National Park .

Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips Grand Teton Lodge Company Jackson Hole Whitewater Mad River Boat Trips Solitude Float Trips

Three Park Entrances and a Surprise Grand Teton National Park is shaped a bit like your left-hand thumb and is dotted with three main entrances . A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton.

GuideAlong Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour App Download the Yellowstone tour app that’s like having a tour guide in your car. GuideAlong automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go.

Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch Just minutes from the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the northern section of Grand Teton National Park, stay at the Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch .

S addle Up in Jackson Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and two hours from Yellowstone, Jackson is a great stop if you’re looking for an  old West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun .

6 Big Adventures at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Right next to Grand Teton National Park, spend a day on the new  Via Ferrata assisted climbing course, riding the gondola, tackling the ropes course or biking and hiking downhill .

Summer Fun Starts at Snow King Mountain Resort Jackson, Wyoming’s best-kept secret offers a ton of activities for all ages, plus bike and SUP rentals .

Town Square Inns of Jackson Hole With four Jackson locations and over 400 rooms and cabins, the Town Square Inns have more options to meet your style and budget than any other area hotelier.

Antler Inn Cowboy Village Cabins and Lodge Elk Country Inn 49er Inn and Suites

Yellowstone National Park

Enter the South Entrance to Yellowstone

2 Days in Yellowstone Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by visiting  some of our favorite spots in the park  including wildlife watching, dining at historic lodges and see geysers erupt.

Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park If you want to feel on top of the world,  here are 5 views you must see  including Artist Point, Lamar Valley, and the Yellowstone River cutting thru lava spires.

Fun on the Water in Yellowstone National Park Leave dry land behind to explore the rivers and lakes of Yellowstone.  Go paddling, fishing, boating, or take a boat cruise tour  in the national park.

Whose Land Am I On? Long before Yellowstone became the country’s first national park, this land was important to a diverse group of people. Philetus W. Norris, the park’s second superintendent, convinced America that Native Americans avoided Yellowstone because of their fear of the park’s geysers. This came at a time when the U.S. was at war with many Indigenous groups so it was a convenient story, but it couldn’t have been further from the truth. Native Americans hunted, fished and gathered plants in the park. Some visited the geysers and conducted ceremonies while others collected obsidian. The Fishing Bridge area was used as a gathering place and the thermal waters of the park were used for ceremony and healing. There are 27 Native American groups with historic ties to Yellowstone who are now spread across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

Exit the West Gate of Yellowstone

West Yellowstone

7 Sights at West Yellowstone The town of West Yellowstone sits right at the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park.  Here are the top seven ways to avoid the park’s crowds and see the best of the area .

Natural Beauty in Southern Idaho

Craters of the Moon National Monument Feel Like You’re On Another Planet as you explore volcanic formations, including lava tube caves, on the trails and scenic drives at this uncrowded national park site .

9 Uncrowded Gems in Southern Idaho After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions , including two national park sites, you won’t find elsewhere.

Rural and Wild History and Nature in Challis The heart of Challis, Idaho is its unique and all-encompassing state park, Land of the Yankee Fork which includes a hot springs pool and three well-preserved ghost towns.

End: Salt Lake City

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