The most beloved of Yellowstones geysers is Old Faithful. Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. 2 Days in Yellowstone Grand Teton Lodge Company. Of all the natural wonders in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is among my favorites. Save. Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake (See the park website for 2020-2022 planned road closures.). Salt Lake City, UT. West entrance is close to Lower, Midway and Upper Geyser Basins where you will find Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. . The Abyss Pool is equally mesmerizing. USA Glacier Grand Canyon Yellowstone Yosemite Zion. I would love to do this road trip one day. If you're interested in wildlife we would recommend getting away from the crowds, maybe try to east side of the park around Hayden Valley and the road to east entrance (Cody). But the options are endless. The road to Gardiner is closed. But they might be worth a stop if you have enough time, which is why we have included several SLC to Yellowstone road trip itinerary ideas later in the guide. Salt Lake City - Vernal - Jackson - Yellowstone - Helena - Glacier Park - Missoula - Sun Valley - Pocatello - Salt Lake City. It is valid for one year for admission to any national park or federal recreation site, including Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Salt Lake City is the closest big city to Yellowstone and Grand Teton with a major international airport. Some may want to enjoy more of the Tetons but others will want to get right into Yellowstone. This road trip offers continual opportunities to spot wildlife. Utah and Arizona are fantastic places to visit in November / December. Heres how we might plan a 6 day itinerary: Day 2 Spend the full day hiking and taking photos in Grand Teton, before staying at a hotel near Moran. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_14',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',120,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1-0_1');.narrow-sky-1-multi-120{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}FindGooseIslandViewpointat a pullout along Going-to-the-Sun Road. And their proximity to one another makes combining a visit to. I also cant believe a bear just sauntered out by you! Similar to fireworks and rotten eggs. They are lightweight for everyday use as well which is helpful when I want to travel with only a few pairs of shoes. And crowded. Farther north, youll discover Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park WY-Wyoming, Lake Yellowstone Vintage Postcard. This is such a great itinerary. You will want to stick around looking out for bears and wolves but you do have to get back to SLC today. Grand Teton National Park is shaped a bit like your left-hand thumb and is dotted with three main entrances. In spring and fall you should be able to book night 5 in Canyon quite easily, but for a summer visit you might run into issues with Canyon being fully booked. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. Great guide! www.outdoorsy.com. I loved the authentic Montana dcor. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. I actually went from Glacier NP area to Steamboat Springs, CO. All of the National Parks and landscapes are fascinating and I loved all the smaller cities like Bozeman and Missoula. A short walk through forest ends with bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs. Follow Teton park road as far as Chapel of the Transfiguration. I must put Steamboat Springs on my bucketlist! Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Thank you! It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. We have spent a night at both a Mammoth Hot Springs cabin and a Canyon Village hotel room. ), From West Thumb drive 1.25 hours to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. A 4.5-mile round-trip hike leading to wide-open views of the crystal-clear Avalanche Lake surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 15 Days From $5,399pp. There isnt much to see between Tower and Mammoth. Why trust us to help with planning your once in a lifetime trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone? Next, follow the Yellowstone Loop Road until you reach Old Faithful. Head over to our Wyoming Travel Guides to explore Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and beyond. Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone's Midway Geyser Basin. Then head back to town to explore pioneer life or see a live show. However, if you stayed in West Yellowstone, you will need to drive back to Old Faithful to begin Day 5. Drive 21 miles south to Norris Geyser Basin. The closest entrance into Yellowstone from Salt Lake City is west entrance, which is 320 miles drive and should take around 5 hours. I recommend:The Little America HotelAn affordable 4-star hotel great for families and with a touch of elegance.The Grand America HotelTHE top-rated hotel in Salt Lake City. Schedule plenty of time to enjoy Jenny Lake. Action packed day, sleep in Canyon Village. Cowboy Village Cabins and Lodge Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. US-191 turns left and your next stop is Oxbow Bend for more stunning mountain reflections. Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. . What a glorious trip! The top cities between Salt Lake City and Glacier National Park are Missoula and Ogden. An affordable hotel near the town square restaurants and shops.Cowboy Village ResortI stayed here in 2016, during my first visit to Jackson. On the way back, stop at Upper Falls View and Uncle Toms Trail if it is open. Find the travel option that best suits you. Craters of the Moon National Monument Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Salt Lake City; Highest Elevation: 8,000 feet. The drive time from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park is 10 hours. My regular rotation of footwear and socks include Ahnu hiking shoes with Darn Tough ankle socks for hiking, Asics running shoes with Smart Wool running socks for walking and paved trails, and Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops for everything in between. I was spellbound every few feet as I walked the boardwalk around the massive Black Pool. Jackson is Wyomings incredibly popular and wealthy ski resort town located just 12 miles from Grand Teton National Park loop road. Yellowstone National Park (139) Worldwide. Argentina (6) Australia (9) Austria (32) Bhutan (10) Bulgaria (10) . Solitude Float Trips Unfortunately, Our Mammoth Lodge reservation has been cancelled and it appears the Northern Loop is going to be closed the remainder of the Summer. Walk the loop trail before continuing up the loop road. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sunshineandvine_com-netboard-1','ezslot_18',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-netboard-1-0');Drive 4 miles south to Artist Paint Pot Trail. Day 4 Revisit any favorite spots in the Tetons before driving to West Thumb and Old Faithful. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Pro Tip: Exploring three national parks in one week requires a lot of walking and hiking. That is what makes creating an example road trip itinerary so challenging. Hi there! However, hotel prices here are much higher on average and there are fewer places to eat out. Discover the citys vibrant restaurant scene and explore its stunning outdoors. Read more in our disclosure policy.*. Trust your senses.Trust your gut.If youve planned well and it feels right, do it!If it doesnt feel right, dont. Kids will love this place. Once I start travelling, I will be pre-checking all of your advice for the places I am going. Dont forget deicer and a scraper for your windshield if you do plan your trip for when snow and ice is possible. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. This will be one of the best days on your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip because many of Yellowstones top attractions are covered today. We have visited Yellowstone on separate occasions and we have helped thousands of first time visitors plan trips to this region through our various Wyoming travel guides. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. The long stretches of road are beautiful and often filled with bison. GyPSy Guide automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go. This place is alway hoppin. But if you have an afternoon flight we recommend you drive south past Norris Geyser Basin before leaving the park via West Yellowstone. You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. Two Things You Must Do at Bear Lake Logan Pass is the highest point along Going-to-the-Sun Road and a site where the Continental Divide passes through. Driving through Yellowstone and Grand Teton is easily one of the best USA road trips, but first you have to get to northwest Wyoming. Want to know more about Grand Teton? Hi Jim, yes you'll need to cancel your Gardiner reservations but you will still be able to complete your full Yellowstone itinerary within the park. Hike to Mt Washburn summit for some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. Hi Ashley, yep you'll definitely be too late for Yellowstone and Grand Teton end of November, we would recommend heading south from Salt Lake City instead. The cheapest way to get from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park costs only $97, and the quickest way takes just 7 hours. What about a trip week of thanksgiving? A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton. Grand Teton National Park: 4-Hour Wildlife TourEnjoy this excursion in the morning or evening to increase the likelihood of spotting moose, bison, grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, eagles, and more. Yellowstone and Glacier are not RV friendly and cannot even take some RV's on the GTTSR in Glacier. I loved the park just as much this time as I had the first. Right out of Firehole drive park up at Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is Lower Geyser Basin. Flights from Kalispell to West Yellowstone via Salt Lake City Ave. Salt Lake City is the natural stopping off point between visiting Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, and the 5 Utah national parks to the south for those on longer US road trips. Most people planning a Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip have very limited timeframes, which means it is usually a straight-shot for Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Considering how close they are to one another, it is amazing how much Grand Teton and Yellowstone differ, not just in scenery but also in the overall experience. I'm not into being in the car for 10 hours to get to Glacier. I need to flip the itinerary to travel from N-S due to our flight timings. Spend around two hours walking through Upper Geyser Basin, the area with the highest concentration of geysers in Yellowstone. Head back to Mormon Row for sunset, which is equally as spectacular as the sun set behind Teton mountains. Day 2 - Spend the whole day in Grand Teton, do Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing for sunrise if possible. Look for the worlds largest Elkhorn Arch as you enter town, it is hard to miss with over 3,000 intertwined elk antlers! Teton Village is a quieter and more upscale place to stay for visiting Grand Teton. This makes Grand Teton and Yellowstone accessible to millions of potential tourists. I am bookmarking this for a future trip! Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. $7.99 . Idaho National Parks Northwest Road Trip Utah Wyoming Prepared By: Tobey Schmidt This historic warehouse building has been renovated with several warehouse-style rentals available on Airbnb. From the park, head southwest to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, Sun Valley, Boise and Twin Falls before reaching City of Rocks National Reserve on your return route to Salt Lake City. Wow. You might be able to find a cheaper rate with Hotels compared to going direct so it is worth checking. I chose to drive up and down this road several times in the early morning to watch for wildlife. It will be about a 40 minute drive just to get to the nearest points of interest in Yellowstone. This attractive route has the most picturesque views and spends less time on freeways or interstate roads. Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. While the airflow at highway speeds seemed to be cooling the car, the temperature would start climbing towards red as soon as we slowed down. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. About this Itinerary if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-4-0');This was my second visit to Yellowstone. Continue north to Snake River Overlook and look for bison roaming on the flatlands. If you cant get a room in Old Faithful or they are too expensive, book a night at a hotel in West Yellowstone such as Kelly Inn or Explorer Cabins. However, there are more places you can visit on the drive between Utah and Wyoming: In truth, none are comparable with the beauty and uniqueness of the two national parks, so we definitely do not recommend prioritizing these places over the Tetons or Yellowstone. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. If theres a Utah Jazz basketball game on. If you are looking for ghosts, Savannah, Georgia is the place. Spread . Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Do you prefer visuals to text when absorbing information? In Park City theres a trail for everyone, from mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music,and theres no better time to hit them than summer. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. Day 3 - Morning in Grand Teton, then drive to Old Faithful via West Thumb, exploring all of Upper Geyser Basin once arriving at Old Faithful. Barker Ewing by Jackson Hole Whitewater About Old Faithful, Yellowstone's Famous Geyser. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Next, drive north and park at Fairy Falls Trail lot to hike 0.8 miles so you can enjoy Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. I chose the Comfort Inn Yellowstone North. Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. You may even get a colorful sunset as you gaze down at the world famous geyser and main attraction in Yellowstone. In truth, booking your hotels will be the hardest part of planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. For a more relaxing experience you should plan for 8 or even 9 days. What do you need to know about the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone? It is worth sticking around here until later in the day because this is regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. I would recommend it, especially during low-traffic seasons. going to print this out and put this on my boyfriends desk as a *hint hint* haha . We will experience some stunning scenery with a chance to explore a couple of very scenic byways on our way north. Glacier National Park National Parks Collectible Non-Topographical Postcards, . And I love having a detailed road trip packing list to use as a guide. Also, keep an eye out for ultra-photogenic Star Valley Mormon Temple as you drive through Afton. Book a trip with one of Yellowstone Anglers fishing guides. Both Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool are worthy of keeping the camera handy. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. Dont miss the Tabernacle right behind Salt Lake Temple. There are plenty of interesting and smelly geysers here but it is only a quick stop. Americans can fly into SLC from almost all airports in the US, whereas only certain origin airports will fly direct into airports closer to Yellowstone, such as Bozeman MT. Due to road construction in 2020, we were unable to visit the Many Glacier area. And if you are looking for the best Savannah Ghost Tour, I have two, I love road trips. Thank you. Day 1 - Fly London to Salt Lake City - overnight at airport Day 2 - pick up hire car - Salt Lake City to Jackson for 2 nights via I-89 - overnight at Inn on the Creek Day 3 - explore Jackson Day 4 - Jackson to Ketchum, Idaho. Make the most of your time by visitingsome of our favorite spots in the parkincluding wildlife watching, dining at historic lodges and see geysers erupt. Day 6 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before driving back to SLC airport. Stay in Canyon. Heres how we might plan a 9 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. If you have a late flight or a next morning flight from SLC airport, spend this final day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. Also be sure to check out City Creek Center, a popular covered shopping and dining complex with high end shops and fountains. Scroll around, zoom in and out, look for clustering of colored icons representing each day on the road trip and see the corresponding day in the left column. Sleep in Jackson or Moran. Hit desert highlights on this road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, returning through Craters of the Moon National Monument and southern Idaho. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass can be purchased at any of the parks. What if you have more or less time than 7 days? After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions, including two national park sites, you wont find elsewhere. Stretch your legs on local trails in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Cache Valley, including a 2-mile one-way trek to see a triple arch rock formation and the Wind Caves. Witness spectacular views atop Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, then board classic red vintage touring cars for an exciting drive along Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. Its almost like you planned it! Now you know the best things to do and places to stay in Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. If not, you will have to drive another 31 miles back to your West Yellowstone hotel. There is so much to see and explore. This visitor center parking lot fills up between 9 am and 4 pm so it is a good idea to arrive early. Yes, it is such a beautiful part of the country! This is particularly pertinent if you drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the shoulder season month of April and October. Day 4 - See Midway and Lower Geyser Basins (inc Grand Prismatic Spring), Artist Paintpots, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park Outside the park your best bet is West Yellowstone, which has several hotel options and makes it easy to leave for SLC the next morning. Watch for my upcoming Salt Lake City Travel Guide. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons Check for availability at a hotel such as Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Riverside Cottages if you want to stay in Gardiner. Helena is another great college town and the capital of Montana. Your road trip ends in Glacier National Park, one of the USA's most beautiful national parks. This is a coveted area for lodging and RV parking as well. Will land at Salt Lake City. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. Read our popular 2 days in Grand Teton itinerary which organizes the best things to do into two easy days. Visit a museum or go for a hike. Spending a few minutes considering what you need to pack for your SLC to Yellowstone road trip can save you time, money and energy later in your vacation. Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, this recreational paradise is known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat. As part of our first 3 month US road trip, we actually drove from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone before driving through Grand Teton to Salt Lake City and onto the Utah parks. Mormon Temple at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT. Take a self-guided walking tour of buildings and establishments preserved to reflect their historic past. Want to know more about Yellowstone? *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Gardiner, Montana is an Old West town near the Yellowstone north entrance, the only year-round entrance to the park. This hike offers incredible views, mountain goat sightings, and other wildlife. 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. Instead of driving all the way from Jackson through Grand Teton to reach Yellowstone south entrance, you could instead leave from a hotel near Moran (the area north of Grand Teton) and drive straight to south entrance. At 2.2 million acres, with 5 entrances and over 4 million tourists each year, Yellowstone is one of the biggest and most popular USA national parks.