The first one I list is an 8-day Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary that can be done point-to-point or as a loop. The RV park was very nice and the cabins were so darling. You can even take a picture at the Idaho Potato Museum. If you have plans to drive between Yellowstone and Devils Tower or Mount Rushmore, take your pick between Cloud Peak Skyway and Bighorn Scenic Byway. The drive time from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park is 10 hours. As a second option, you can fly into Yellowstone Airport in West Yellowstone or Idaho Falls Regional Airport. However, we frequently get emails and comments about how to add this on to a trip to Yellowstone, so I am including it here. The boardwalk trail is one-way only. There are 6 ways to get from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole by bus, train, car, plane, taxi or shuttle. This is the fastest route and will take you from SLC to Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone on I-15. Airports near Yellowstone and Grand Teton | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you spot wildlife along the road or in the distance, pull off the road in a safe area. Bison might look slow, but they can run a lot faster than you and they have been known to charge at people. Explore the states five national parks, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Your total driving time including your drive back from Yellowstone to Salt Lake City is 12 hours and 734 miles. If this is something you are planning to do, check out this post. Read More: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park. On day 2 of this itinerary, you could drive first to Lamar Valley, aiming to get there by 10 am, and work your way back to Island Park. Mount Washburn is one of the most popular hikes in Yellowstone. 9. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park . This really cuts down on the amount of driving you will do. Pingback: Top 7 easy hikes to do with kids in Yellowstone National Park - Glorious Sunrise, Pingback: 25 Beautiful Road Trips to take in the USA - Plaid Shirt Yoga Pants. WebThe top stops along the way from Salt Lake City to Jackson (with short detours) are Antelope Island, Lagoon Amusement Park, and Lava Hot Springs Foundation From here, you can ride the tram back down to Jackson Hole or hike to one of the other chairlifts or gondolas on the mountains. This is an awesome pass that will get you into both Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons as well as thousands of other sites throughout the country. Even if you cant get reservations inside the park, there are lots of great options near the park. The afternoon and early evening is prime time to be here for wildlife spotting. Grand Prismatic Spring is located in Midway Geyser Basin. We like Porcelain Basin more than Back Basin, with its loud fumaroles and light blue thermal pools. If you want to go farther into the Teton Range, hike to Inspiration Point and then continue on the Cascade Canyon Trail into Cascade Canyon. Lamar Valley is one of the best spots in Yellowstone to spot wildlife. More information about this error may be available Here are the details on each to help you plan your adventure to the countrys oldest national park. Ride the Jenny Lake Shuttle across the lake to the trailhead for the Cascade Canyon Trail. It is 2-miles out-and-back, takes an hour or two, has 420 feet of elevation gain, and leads up to a wonderful view over Jenny Lake. We hope you have found this guide helpful in planning your next road trip. Phelps Lake | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. The closest major international airport to Yellowstone is the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah. A road trip always goes smoother if you are prepared and have a good idea of what to expect. There is even a beach at the far end of the hike. Copyright All Rights Reserved. Whether youre flying into the airport, or you live in this area, the SLC valley is a great place to start a road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. Expect major difficulties finding a parking space midday and be prepared to share hiking trails with many other visitors. This is the second largest airport on this list. However, everything is pretty close, so it just depends on if you want to be closer to the park or to the restaurants and amenities in town. What companies run services between Salt Lake City, UT, USA and Jackson, WY, USA? Julie Last updated: March 7, 2023 United States 109 Comments. We hiked the Cirque Trail, a 1.8 mile mostly downhill trail to Bridger Gondola and then rode this back into town. The Boise airport is pretty small and Salt Lake is a much better airport to fly into. In Afton, a small town, you can see the worlds biggest Elkhorn Arch. Look into Bozeman, Jackson, the smaller regional airports, and Salt Lake City. Moose along Moose Wilson Road | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. I would base your decision if youre most interested in seeing Bear Lake or Park City. To get to Lamar Valley from Norris Geyser Basin, its a bit of a drive. There are three places to watch the eruption: The view from Observation Point | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. I wouldnt really recommend flying into Boise to start your road trip unless you are meeting up with family or friends before starting your Yellowstone trip. Here are the best hotels to stay at in Jackson , Budget: Elk County InnMid-Range: Wyoming Inn of Jackson HoleMid-Range: The Lodge at Jackson HoleCabins: Cowboy Village Resort. Lookout Point: Easy walk to one of the best viewpoints of Lower Falls. Here is a list of the top things to do in Grand Teton National Park: It is possible to visit Grand Teton in one day. Cascade Canyon | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. Tonight, the best places to stay are Canyon Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, or Gardiner, Montana. Here is an overview of the North Rim viewpoints as you will get to them on North Rim Road: South Rim Road is two-way so you can visit the viewpoints in any order you like: Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin, Day 4: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring & Geyser Basins, Day 5: Drive to Grand Teton National Park, Day 6: Mormon Row, Jenny Lake & Cascade Canyon, Day 7: Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Phelps Lake & Jackson, Optional Detour: Phelps Lake Overlook & Death Canyon. If you choose this option, the best places to stay tonight are Old Faithful Village, Canyon Village, Yellowstone Lake, or West Yellowstone. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information about each point of interest. WebScottsdale, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon National Park, Springdale, Zion National Park, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Sheridan, Rapid City Tour Packages NORTH AMERICA PACKAGES National Parks Of America What time is your flight out of SLC? If its a late afternoon or evening, I vote for another night in GTNP or in Jackson. If you did an early depar As you approach Grand Teton, take in the view from Jackson Lake Overlook and make a pitstop in Colter Bay Village. Hike or ride horseback In the evening, return to your hotel. Day 2: Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin & Lamar Valley, Day 3: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Hayden Valley with an Optional Detour on the Wild Bill Cody Scenic Byway. This is good to do BEFORE locking in flights and rental cars, to avoid any unfortunate surprises. Lamar Valley in August. Crowds are enormous during the summer months, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: As a Loop, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: One-Way. SCENIC DRIVES IN WYOMING: Beartooth Highway is located along the border of Montana and Wyoming, near Yellowstone, and is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. Fairy Falls | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. This lovely little hike takes you out-and-back along String Lake and has a viewpoint of Leigh Lake. your request. If you are just driving to Yellowstone and back without passing through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, you will drive through northern Utah and eastern Idaho. This takes 45 to 60 minutes. If you dont have a full seven days for your vacation, I would recommend spending a little less time in Salt Lake and going directly to Jackson. WebHello! It is a drive-thru wildlife park where you can see bears, deer, bison, and other animals. 7 to 8 days is the perfect amount of time, since that gives you three days in Yellowstone, two days in Grand Teton, and travel time to and from the area. We visited in early October one year and ended up wearing our winter coats. Hike into the Tetons, explore the geyser basins and hot springs in Yellowstone, and spot elk, bison and bear as you tour the parks. Salt Lake City, Utah to Jackson Hole just over 300 miles or between 5 and 6 hours There are about five ways to get to Jackson Hole from Salt Lake City. Sometimes, shifting travel days to the weekdays lowers flight costs and gives you more flight options, particularly if you are planning your trip at the last minute. Heading northbound on Wyomings Highway 191 we set ourselves up for a different kind of American dream. The end of September is our favorite time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. It adds about two hours to your driving time to stop by the Tetons and Jackson, Wyoming. Conditions may still change in the park, and I plan to keep this article updated, but the best place to go for current conditions is the official National Park Service website. The hiking trailheads are located on Grand Loop Road just north of Canyon Village. We know, weve done it, and it was awesome. It is possible to spot wildlife from all of the roads in Yellowstone. Along with the drive around Jackson Lake, this has got to be one of the most stunning drives in the United States. PLACES TO GO IN YELLOWSTONE: In our detailed guides, learn how to visit Old Faithful, find out where to get best view of Grand Prismatic Spring, learn about the geyser basins in Yellowstone, and find out where to get the best views of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park usually does not open until early-May. Tonight, have dinner in Teton Village or Jackson. Outdoorsy is a company that connects RV owners with adventurers. IMPORTANT:In 2022, Moose Wilson Road will be closed between the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and the Granite Entrance Station. Make your flight, rental car, and hotel/lodging/campsite reservations. Taggart Lake | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. If you only have 7 days, eliminate a day from Grand Teton. As you come through Logan Canyon, be on the lookout for the Bear Lake Rest Area and Overlook. Southern Idaho has lots of unique things to see like the Mesa Scenic Byway, Lava Hot Springs, and Craters of the Moon National Monument. The drive from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City is about 4.5 hours. It has about 2,800 interconnected elk antlers that go over the entire road. Another route is to turn off the I-15 where a two-hour detour will take you through Logan and Bear Lake, a beautiful lake town known as the Caribbean of the Rockies. You can visit Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Black Hills, and Devils Tower before arriving in the national parks in Western Wyoming. A visit here lasts 15 minutes to an hour. This is an awesome road trip and so far, we have done it twice. Artist Point | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. West Yellowstone also has a bunch of private rentals on VRBO. Once you get to Cody, have dinner in town and check into your hotel. This byway ends at the Snake River Canyon. This is like Cascade Canyon but much better, in my opinion. Phelps Lake Overlook is a great viewpoint of Phelps Lake. From the Phelps Lake Trail, its an uphill, 0.8 mile walk to get here. We are planning a trip with our teenagers in early June. How far in advance you are planning your trip can also affect rental car prices (if you are planning a trip at the last minute, expect to pay a lot for your rental carand keep your fingers crossed that you can even get one). However, it is possible to stay in Old Faithful Village, at Yellowstone Lake, or even Coulter Bay Village in Grand Teton, to visit both parks, but you will do A LOT of driving. You can also visit some of the more popular natural wonders in the park, like the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful Geyser, after 4 or 5 pm to avoid the crowds. Here is a list in order as you drive north on Grand Loop Road: Artist Paintpots | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. Inspiration Point | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. Salt Lake City is a great place to start a road trip to Yellowstone. The overall geographical area is much smaller than Yellowstone and you shouldnt really run into any traffic jams or delays like you do in Yellowstone National Park. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. Our family travels throughout the United States in our RV visiting beaches, national parks and everything in between. 1. Because of stunning views and the easy nature of this hike, this is an extremely popular hike in Grand Teton National Park. The best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton is from June through October. Inspiration Point: From here, you are very far away from Lower Falls (skippable if you are short on time). You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. A visit here, combined with watching Old Faithful erupt, can last from two to four hours. Finding a place to stay in Yellowstone can be tricky because it is such a popular place to visit and places to stay in the park is pretty limited. Another great option that works really well for our family or if you have multiple groups that want their own room is a private rental through VRBO. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. There are five Yellowstone entrances North Entrance, Northeast Entrance, South Entrance, East Entrance and West Entrance. Lastly, if we did stay in Island Park area, of your itinerary days, which would be the longest amount of time in the car? Taggart and Bradley Lakes are two beautiful lakes with spectacular views of the Teton Range. Every time we drive through here, we see several herds of bison. Salt Lake City is the heart of the Mormon religion, and Temple Square is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Other Popular Routes Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City As low as $39 Las Vegas to St. George As low as $30 Cedar City to St. George As low as $20 Both will take you through the beautiful Utah mountains. The Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip is a lot of fun with amazing views. Go shopping and have dinner. Crowds are enormous during the summer months, peaking in July and August. Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb Geyser are some of the first things you will get to coming in from the South Entrance. The remainder of the park roads will open in late spring. I would recommend making a loop if you are wanting to spend some time in Grand Teton National Park. 12:40 pm Boysen Reservoir. Over the years, this land was donated to the national park service. With lots of daily flights and rental car options, it also is a great starting point for a round-trip itinerary. We will present the 3 which we feel are the best routes. On this website, we already have a detailed itinerary for Yellowstone National Park and very popular road trip itinerary for Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. misconfiguration and was unable to complete WebFrom Jackson Hole to Yellowstone the Southern Gateway for the perfect Yellowstone itinerary. They can be visited in either order, depending on the route that you are traveling through the country. Artist Point: Its a short, easy walk to this iconic view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Another fun thing to do is drive the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. 2 nights in Grand Tetons You are also not permitted to leave them in a car while you go hiking. These floods washed aways portions of the roads between Gardiner, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone and roads near the northeast entrance of the park, essentially closing huge sections of the park in the summer and fall of 2022. Get lunch in Old Faithful Village before moving on. 5. Make sure to pack plenty of layers, even in the summer. WebUtah represents the best of both the Rocky Mountains and the Desert Southwest. If you want to visit Park City as well as Bear Lake, you can take a short day trip up to Park City and then drive to Jackson Hole through Bear Lake. It is a great way to learn more about the settlement of Salt Lake and get a great overview of the town in a short amount of time. Moose Wilson Road is one of the best places in the area to see moose. We're thinking of driving through Idaho and make several stops just PRO TRAVEL TIP: It takes about two hours to walk the boardwalk trails in the Upper Geyser Basin and hike to Geyser Hill, if you thoroughly explore the area. You can either continue north on I-15 and will pass Lava Hot Springs and the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. You will stay in Jackson or Grand Teton National Park for the remainder of this itinerary (no more packing and unpacking). If you want to do the above itinerary in the opposite direction, this is what it would look like: Day 1: Arrive in Jackson Day 2: Grand Teton: follow day #6 above Day 3: Grand Teton: follow day #7 above Day 4: Drive to Yellowstone: follow day #5 above, reversing the order of the sights Day 5: Yellowstone: follow day #4 above Day 6: Yellowstone: follow day #3 above Day 7: Yellowstone: follow day #2 above Day 8: Fly home. Yellowstone is also very busy, especially during the summer months so planning ahead can save you some headaches and frustration. WebItd be best if you have about 10 to 12 days for this trip, but it can be done in eight days if you dont mind driving a bit every day. Most of this drive will be on the Wild Bill Cody Scenic Byway. The best airport can depend on a lot of factors including where you are flying from, your budget for flights, and how far you are willing to drive. Skip Grand View Point, Inspiration Point, and Seven Mile Hole Trail, and then move on to the South Rim. This is where you will see Morning Glory Pool, Castle Geyser, Solitary Geyser, and Grotto Geyser. To do this as a loop, I recommend taking the Woodland Trail to Phelps Lake, walking counter-clockwise around the lake, and coming back to the Visitor Center on the Lake Creek Trail. WebThe most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is going through Park City or Logan Canyon and Bear Lake. The driving time from Salt Lake to Yellowstone National Park is about five hours depending on traffic conditions. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, which I discuss later in this guide. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: Read our Yellowstone National Park Travel Guidefor important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. The bare minimum amount of time you need to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton is two days. Continue south on Grand Loop Road. To get here, drive Highway 191 north from Jackson, turn left on Teton Park Road, and then turn left on Moose Wilson Road. I would add Teton time. Along the way to Yellowstone, weve included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites that offer different experiences than Yellowstone. Visitors will now travel on Old Gardiner Road to enter through the North Entrance, which connects Gardiner, Montana to Mammoth. If you are just staying in Salt Lake overnight and wont be exploring much of Salt Lake, I would recommend just staying close to the airport before you drive to Jackson. I would not say the drive is especially pretty after leaving the beautiful Salt Lake Valley mountains until you reach about Idaho Falls if you are traveling on I-15. This annual park pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to visit all of Norris Geyser Basin. Along the way, dont miss the huge boulder that serves as a diving board in the summer months (on the east side of the lake) and Huckleberry Point for its view over the lake (on the west side of the lake). The Salt Lake City Temple Square, Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Bear Lake, Grand Teton National Park, John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway, Yellowstone National Park, and Mesa Falls were some of the exuberant highlights of this super scenic road trip. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Thank you - good to know! Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton as a loop from one airport will most likely be the cheapest way to plan your itinerary. and the actions you performed just before this error. The most scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone would detour through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to visit this area. There is a small version of the elkhorn arch in downtown Jackson. But as a very rough estimate, rental car prices can range from $100 to $200 per day and a rental car drop fee can cost you several hundred dollars. Why 8 days? Budget: Salt Lake Plaza Hotel Temple SquareBudget: Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City DowntownMid-Range: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake CityLuxury: The Grand America HotelRV Park: Salt Lake City KOA. Jackson is home to three ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort. Every additional day you can add gives you more time to either go hiking or explore off-the-beaten-path places. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs in north Yellowstone. Having driven the routes between Jackson and SLC many times, there are no towns that are interesting enough to warrant an overnight stay. If you us Just be aware that this will add a lot of driving on to the day and it is only worth it if you spend the night in Cody. In my opinion, its still worth the extra drive to visit Rendezvous Peak since the views are so great. Absolutely. Can I stay in one location to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton? If you want to do more hiking and relaxing, you could easily spend four to five days exploring Yellowstone National Park. That gives you one day in each park. Even though these parks are located close together, they are both quite large, and there is not one good location to stay in to visit both parks. If you want to limit driving time, you could stay one night in Jackson and the second inside the park, but they are close enough for us that we would just stay at one place and do a little bit of extra driving. Determine how many days you can travel. There are lots of bison in this photo (they are tiny specks in the grassland) and as you drive farther into the valley, there is a good chance you will drive past (or even through) several herds of bison. For dinner in Jackson, the Gun Barrel Steak & Game House is a popular spot. The bison in Antelope Island will get you excited to see all of the wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. 8. Please contact the server administrator at 12 years ago. Here are our favorite things to do in Yellowstone: Read More: 21 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park. I group Jackson and the Tetons together because they are very close. Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. We are going to be flying into Salt Lake City a couple days before the rest of our family. Jackson is a very popular ski resort and has a very charming downtown area. From Bozeman, it takes 90 minutes to drive to the north entrance of Yellowstone. Denver is the second closest international airport to Yellowstone National Park however the drive is much longer. Reservations for inside the park can book out a year in advance. Its so reliable that you can download an app to get predicted eruption times. When you are hiking around the far end of the lake, you can take a detour to Phelps Lake Overlook and/or Death Canyon. There are lots of great starting and stopping points for a Yellowstone road trip, especially if you are open to flying in and out of different airports. Plus June will be a little less crowded than July. If you have any other questions please let me know. Traveling point-to-point (for example, from Bozeman through Yellowstone and Grand Teton, ending in Jackson) saves you time, since you dont have to drive back to your starting point. The highlight is Abyss Pool, a brilliantly blue hot spring, but it is also very cool to see geothermal activity right along the edge of the lake. Many people visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton on a 5 to 10-day trip. From Island Park, your longest driving days will be to Lamar Valley (3 hours one way), Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (2 hours), and Hayden Valley (2.25 hours). North Entrance, open year-round, brings you to Mammoth Hot Springs Northeast Entrance puts you at doorstep of parks It is a pretty small park so unless you want to do a ton of hiking, you can see most of the park in a day to a day and a half. We have reservations for Jackson Hole and then Yellowstone for one week this summer. This road is one of the best scenic drives in the USA. Web6 Best Road Trips. They are some of the best places to visit in the American west. in the server error log. The most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is going through Park City or Logan Canyon and Bear Lake. The best time to visit Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is in the morning, before it gets crowded. We would have no problem staying at this property again. Route 1 has the advantage of driving past the Shoshone National Forest and passing between the Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the way to Yellowstone. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. Both of these parks are popular road trip destinations for those traveling by RV. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. Mid-Range: The AlpenhofLuxury: Teton Mountain LodgeCabins: Fireside ResortRV Park: Fireside Resort RV Park. We are interesting in hiking, seeing wildlife, having a good meal, It takes you up to Rendezvous Peak and at an altitude of 10,450 feet, its one of the highest viewpoints in the area. There are several things to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone, including the Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, and the Yellowstone National This park is so big that there are several villages inside the park, each with lodging, campsites, and food services. After your hike, take a few minutes to visit the visitor center. Here are some other fun things to do in Salt Lake , Read More: 15 Fun Things to Do in Salt Lake City, If you are visiting with kids, there are lots of great things to do there with your kids. Get costs for round trip flights to these airports and how much it would cost if you went point-to-point from Bozeman to Jackson. Required fields are marked *. As you head north, you will pass Antelope Island State Park and Lagoon, a fun-filled theme park in Ogden, Utah. You can also drive through the beautiful Utah mountains enjoying the small towns along the way like Park City and Bear Lake. Lots of visitors, road construction, and animal traffic jams can cause hour delays in driving through the park. As you are crossing the Idaho-Wyoming Border on US-89 enjoy the beautiful views of the Star Valley Scenic Byway. You can also easily visit Jackson, Wyoming, and Grand Teton National Park. You can visit the highlights of the park in this time frame. I wish I could tell you what to expect for rental car prices and drop fees. Im wondering about your experience of weather that time of year. Drive down Teton Park Road to Jenny Lake, and if you want another nice view of the park, drive Signal Mountain Summit Road to Jackson Lake Overlook. You should also plan for driving times to take longer than expected, especially during the summer months. From Old Faithful, it is a short drive to Grand Prismatic Spring. Here are some of the best things to do between Boise and Yellowstone National Park. 2018-2023 CS Ginger. Before heading to Norris Geyser Basin, grab lunch at the Mammoth General Store or Mammoth Terrace Grill.

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