You can go the full distance (this will take the full day) or turn around at Rock Creek Vista. However, keep in mind that the park is very large. This is one of the best spots to see moose. And do not approach bison or other wildlife. Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary, Ultimate Yellowstone Itinerary: Best Way to Spend 1 to 5 Days in Yellowstone, One Day in Yellowstone: 6 Epic Road Trip Itineraries, The Perfect Yellowstone Day Trip from Grand Teton National Park. This is good to do BEFORE locking in flights and rental cars, to avoid any unfortunate surprises. Second, I had looked at staying in an Airbnb in Teton Village and then one in Island Park, ID. It takes you up to Rendezvous Peak and at an altitude of 10,450 feet, its one of the highest viewpoints in the area. It is located inside of Grand Teton National Park and it takes 90 minutes to get to Yellowstone. Over the past three years, we have visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton multiple times. salt lake city Here is the awesome view: OPTIONAL: Hike to Fairy Falls. You can also take a short detour to visit Lava Hot Springs or Craters of the Moon National Monument in southern Idaho. 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. Cascade Canyon | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. To do everything on this list, you need a minimum of three days, and even then, they will be very busy days. The drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone is short, especially if you are entering through the south entrance. If you want to stay in Grand Teton National Park, there are some really pretty lodges (with amazing views) as well as some cabins. Bison are frequently seen, sometimes halting vehicle traffic, and other times they are tiny specks off in the distance. It starts near the northeast corner of Yellowstone and ends in Red Lodge, Montana. With lots of daily flights and rental car options, it also is a great starting point for a round-trip itinerary. At all times, your dog must be on a leash and owners must dispose of pet waste. Another fun thing to do is drive the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. The view of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range from the Lakeshore Trail. some of the most thrilling hiking trails in the national park system. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park . Hike, climb, and mountain bike, enjoy white-water rafting, or discover bird and wildlife watching around the state. Save. Laurance S. Rockefeller Visitor Center | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. The closest airport is the West Yellowstone airport. We are usually able to get cheap, direct flights into this airport. We are interesting in hiking, seeing wildlife, having a good meal, Plus, the scenery is so pretty that driving around the park is a treat in and of itself. If you want to do more hiking and relaxing, you could easily spend four to five days exploring Yellowstone National Park. 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. This is a great option for those with limited time. There is even a beach at the far end of the hike. These fees vary a lot from month to month and year to year. This lovely little hike takes you out-and-back along String Lake and has a viewpoint of Leigh Lake. If you have 10 days, you can even add on Glacier National Park. Is there It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to visit all of Norris Geyser Basin. Other popular stops include Lagoon Amusement Park, Lava Hot Im envious of your ability to explore the world so well! Copyright All Rights Reserved. Skip to Main Content. I would recommend making a loop if you are wanting to spend some time in Grand Teton National Park. There are two routes that are most commonly taken when traveling between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone. If you're planning a road trip to Jackson Hole, you can research locations to stop along the way. This is another great choice for either a point-to-point or round-trip itinerary. Pets are only allowed in developed areas (basically, in parking lots and campgrounds). The town has lots of fun things to do and is surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Traveling in an RV is so much fun and it is so nice to have all of your food and everything with you during your drive from SLC to Yellowstone National Park. There are lots of great hotels in Jackson as well as in the surrounding area. 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. Not only are crowds lower on this trail, but you have an excellent chance to spot moose and other wildlife. From Hayden Valley, it takes 2 hours (85 miles) to drive to Cody. Below are several different ways to plan your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. I would base your decision if youre most interested in seeing Bear Lake or Park City. West Yellowstone is a really cute town with lots of restaurants and souvenir shops as well as the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. The nearby mountains have lots of great hiking and biking trails as well as hot springs and mountain towns. We have stayed at a few in this area and always enjoy having a kitchen and multiple bedrooms. If you like scenic drives, this is worth adding on to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. If you only have five days, spend all of your time in Yellowstone and day trip to Grand Teton. Inspiration Point: From here, you are very far away from Lower Falls (skippable if you are short on time). Now that you have flights and rental car prices, plan your itinerary using one of the suggestions below (or if you leave a comment below, Tim and I can help you with your plans). Mt. Tonight, the best places to stay are Canyon Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, or Gardiner, Montana. Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton as a loop from one airport will most likely be the cheapest way to plan your itinerary. The most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is going through Park City or Logan Canyon and Bear Lake. Missoula, Montana Missoula is home to the University of Montana and has an active downtown with numerous restaurants and access to outdoor activities. Along with the drive around Jackson Lake, this has got to be one of the most stunning drives in the United States. Both will take you through the beautiful Utah mountains. Artist Point: Its a short, easy walk to this iconic view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Mid-Range: Old Faithful Lodge and CabinsMid-Range/Cabins: Canyon Lodge and CabinsMid-Range: Mammoth Hot Springs HotelLuxury: Old Faithful InnRV Campground: Fishing Bridge RV Park. ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: Learn how to put together Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks into one amazing 10 day road trip. Jackson to Salt Lake Explore Along the Way We love traveling in our RV and always have a great time when we take our RV through Yellowstone and the Tetons. Old Faithful erupts every 60 to 110 minutes, which is about 16 to 17 times per day. We have a guide to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which has more information about how to visit this area and many more photos, but here are few essential tips and things to do. Distance: 7 miles | Time: 3 to 4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 800 feet. Southern Idaho has lots of unique things to see like the Mesa Scenic Byway, Lava Hot Springs, and Craters of the Moon National Monument. Denver is the second closest international airport to Yellowstone National Park however the drive is much longer. Plus June will be a little less crowded than July. Yellowstone is also very busy, especially during the summer months so planning ahead can save you some headaches and frustration. Scattered around Yellowstone and Grand Teton are several airports that make great starting points. We would recommend spending some time in the historic downtown area along Main Street, grabbing some lunch, and visiting the Olympic Complex here before finishing your drive to Jackson. Jackson to Salt Lake Explore Along the 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. Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: Best Routes, Maps, Have fun exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton! There are lots of fun stops to see along the way and you can easily fill a day with fun activities. In this guide, we cover how to plan a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, followed by several itineraries, depending on your travel style and the amount of time you have. Visiting in May is one of our favorite times to visit because you arrive before the large summer crowds but most everything in the park, including the most popular attractions, is open. Grand Prismatic Spring is located in Midway Geyser Basin. Grand View: OK views of the canyon (skippable if you are short on time). Purchase your America the Beautiful Pass. Mormon Row is one of the most photographed spots in Grand Teton National Park. 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. For a point-to-point Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, Bozeman makes a great starting or ending point. To avoid the crowds, plan your visit for mid-September through mid-October. There are two barns to visit, and photograph, if you are interested. Taggart and Bradley Lakes are two beautiful lakes with spectacular views of the Teton Range. Other great restaurants include Caf Genevieve, Bin22, Liberty Burger, and Blue Lion. Mount Washburn is one of the most popular hikes in Yellowstone. Over the years, this land was donated to the national park service. There are lots of great things to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone. 3. The Rockefellers once owned over 3,000 acres of land near the southern end of the park. In my opinion, the amount of extra driving you will do is not worth it for many people. The drive from Boise to Yellowstone is about six hours. Reservations for inside the park can book out a year in advance. UNLESS you like hiking. This itinerary can be done one-way, starting in northern Yellowstone and ending in Jackson, Wyoming, or as a loop from Bozeman. IMPORTANT:In 2022, Moose Wilson Road will be closed between the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and the Granite Entrance Station. Once you have a basic itinerary, check hotel prices and availability. WebAttractions. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to Since it is a large facility, it is generally cheaper to rent a car and take it on a point-to-point trip. Not only will you book a round-trip flight to one airport, but you also avoid rental car drop fees. This is a big detour out of the park, but the drive is very scenic and you can end the day with dinner in town. Jackson has almost anything PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you spot wildlife along the road or in the distance, pull off the road in a safe area. To get here, drive Highway 191 north from Jackson, turn left on Teton Park Road, and then turn left on Moose Wilson Road. 6. one of the best scenic drives in the USA. your request. The remainder of the park roads will open in late spring. 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. top things to do in Grand Teton National Park: possible to visit Grand Teton in one day. A visit here lasts 15 minutes to an hour. The driving time from Salt Lake to Yellowstone National Park is about five hours depending on traffic conditions. Yellowstone is primarily located in Wyoming, although a small part of the park crosses the border into Idaho and Montana. From Bear Lake, you can continue to the south or west entrances to Yellowstone National Park. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. 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. Numerous lakes are located along this mountain range, as well as some of the most thrilling hiking trails in the national park system. Here are the links to both national park websites. A great way to spend this time and get one of the best views on this entire Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, is to ride the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Peak. This park is named for the Teton Range, a jagged, rocky mountain range that runs through the heart of the park. 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. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Lookout Point | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. A visit here can be quick, with a short walk to one or two viewpoints. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone stay for about 1 hour. WebFull-day Yellowstone National Park and wildlife tour from Jackson Hole, Wyoming Travel through Grand Teton National Park in the early morning to observe animals and beautiful scenery Observe Old Faithful geyser and the fountain paint pots and mud pots Visit Old Faithful Inn, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Can I stay in one location to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton? It covers over 2.2 million acres and has five entrances. One of the most common airports to fly into when visiting Yellowstone National Park is in Salt Lake City. The second route you can take will first take you through eastern Utah and Southern Wyoming as well as the Tetons and Jackson Hole. Salt Lake city to Jackson Hole--Where to stop in between for a If you have any other questions please let me know. 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. 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. For dinner in Jackson, the Gun Barrel Steak & Game House is a popular spot. Note: During the winter months, only the road between the North Entrance and Northeast Entrance are open. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. Airports near Yellowstone and Grand Teton | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. Download your Google maps of the parks ahead of time and use the Yellowstone app. On the hike back to the parking lot, take the trail to Taggart Lake, where similar views await. Here are some of the best hotels to stay at in downtown Salt Lake. The park is known for its beautiful mountains, the Teton Range, most famous for its sharp peaks. To get a parking space, you need to get early: I recommend getting here by 8 am or earlier. The Best 8-Day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip If your flight is not until late in the day (and you are flying out of Jackson), you can spend the morning canoeing on Jenny Lake or hiking another trail in Grand Teton. And sitting just outside of the park are small towns, such as Gardiner and West Yellowstone, that also make great places to stay. Since they sit side-by-side, its easy to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton together. 32 Best Stops Between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National The weather in June should be greatcomfortable temperatures, not too much rain (baring any unusual weather event). From early November through late-May, many roads in Yellowstone are closed. best views of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This byway ends at the Snake River Canyon. Before heading to Norris Geyser Basin, grab lunch at the Mammoth General Store or Mammoth Terrace Grill. Continue south on Grand Loop Road. Required fields are marked *. 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. After Afton, be sure to enjoy the scenic views of the Snake River. Within the Salt Lake area, there are lots of fun things to do. We have driven through this area many times over the years, at all times of the day, and the time of day does not seem to matter much here for spotting wildlife (unlike Lamar Valley). From the Fairy Falls parking lot, drive up the road to the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot (or park along the road). WebThe top stops along the way from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park (with short detours) are Jackson Town Square, Antelope Island, and Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides. This airport is the most convenient on this list because of its location. This takes 45 to 60 minutes. This is an awesome road trip and so far, we have done it twice. Absolutely. Grand Teton is ablaze in fall colors and crowds are lower in Yellowstone. If you choose this option, the best places to stay tonight are Old Faithful Village, Canyon Village, Yellowstone Lake, or West Yellowstone. Wild Bill Cody Scenic Byway | Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary. What are you thoughts on those places? Look into Bozeman, Jackson, the smaller regional airports, and Salt Lake City. Tourists love to snap photos here standing under the famous elk antler arches, or gliding around the tiny ice-skating rink. From Bozeman, it takes 90 minutes to drive to the north entrance of Yellowstone. Our favorite restaurant in Jackson is Local Restaurant & Bar. SLC to Jackson Hole - Route Advice Websalt lake city logan jackson visitloganutah.com 1-800-882-4433 visitloganutah.com 1-800-882-4433 How Far From Salt Lake City to: Afton, WY 206 miles Alpine, WY 233 miles Bear Lake, UT 122 miles Brigham City, UT 60 miles Idaho Falls, ID 214 miles Layton, UT 25 miles Logan, UT 83 miles Montpelier, ID 152 miles Ogden, UT 38 miles 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. WebSalt Lake City boasts a surprisingly robust food scene and the incredible Temple Square, with its namesake masterpiece that took 40 years to complete. I would add Teton time. It is so nice to just have a quick five-minute drive to or from the airport, especially when we have our kids with us. We also have important planning information and travel ideas in our Wyoming Travel Guide. Nearby Teton Village also has lots of hotel rooms and rentals available. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Miazgas has a wide range of food.