I would love to do this road trip one day. I prefer hiking shoes over hiking boots and certainly for easy and short hikes. Day 1: Start by renting a car at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Will be flying in and out of Salt Lake city. I was stunned by a little bear who emerged from the tall grass and sauntered across the road to scale a tree. Next, drive north and park at Fairy Falls Trail lot to hike 0.8 miles so you can enjoy Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. We think Salt Lake City is one of the best places to visit in the US and we have plans to spend more time in the city next time we head out west. You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. Day 5 Slowly explore Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. With temperatures reaching new highs, figuring out how to stay cool is key to enjoying your summer. For Yellowstone, we have reservations at the Lake Lodge (July 29), Canyon Lodge (July 30) and Mammoth Lodge (July 31) before heading back to Salt Lake City (August 1). The next morning you can drive to Canyon and pick up the itinerary, but it would mean you miss sunset over Lower Falls and would add on a total of 62 miles of driving. Lewis Lake is one of the best stops for kayaking in the park and you will pass it as you approach the south entrance to Yellowstone. Schnees Boots, Shoes, and Outdoors is one of my favorite. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park Spend the night in Salt Lake City at Grand Americaor Homewood Suites. With the recent developments, I could use some help creating an alternate plan for the Yellowstone portion. You can then grab dinner either back in SLC downtown or at the airport. Changing between three styles of footwear (hiking shoes, running shoes, and flip flops) kept my feet happy. Day 4 Walk around Artists Paintpots and Norris Geyser Basin, before driving over to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Visit the Old Faithful Area, Midway Geyser Basin, Fountain Paint Pots, the Canyon Area, Hayden Valley, and more! The cheapest way to get from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park costs only $97, and the quickest way takes just 7 hours. 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. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. Assuming you stayed in Jackson on night 3, begin your fourth day with another sunrise but this time head straight to Schwabacher Landing to get there before the sun rises. Insurance, license, registration, identification, roadside assistance and extra car keys. There are so many different ways you could plan your itinerary for visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake City. Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. Discover an eclectic ecosystem in Salt Lake City that involves unique coffee houses, artisan cocktails and a short hike that gives you fantastic views of the city. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. But I had NO trouble justifying paying for THE BEST steak I could find while in Bozeman.:-). The Clark Fork River runs through the town and offers some of the best opportunities for white water raftering in the region. This is an amazing hike with serious wildlife spotting potential and we cant recommend it highly enough. In winter or early spring, you will instead turn right onto Gros Venture Road at an earlier roundabout. Fun on the Snake River and Grand Teton Lakes Cross into Wyoming and experience the bustling town of Jackson, the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-3','ezslot_5',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-3-0');West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the most overlooked areas of the park. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. Hood and Ponderosa State Park. Grizzly bears are seen occasionally as well. 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. Of all the natural wonders in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is among my favorites. Whether you like motorized recreation or exploring via your own two feet, theres an adventure for everyone on the Tetons western and if you ask a local better side. The bison and elk are incredible. We're Mark and Kristen Morgan, former career scientists turned travel, hiking and photography experts after an 18 month honeymoon around the world forever changed our lives. There are a handful of hotel options in between Grand Teton and Yellowstone which could work perfectly if you would prefer to spend more time in Yellowstone. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. Explore the hidden park and trails behind the public library. In Yellowstone National Park, enjoy a tour of this incredible land with a park guide. Fly out of Glacier Park International Airport on day 4. Wildlife in Glacier National Park includes . Similar to fireworks and rotten eggs. Day 4 Enjoy a sunrise over Lower Falls from Artists Point and explore Hayden Valley. Helena is another great college town and the capital of Montana. Drive over to Mammoth and explore the terraces. Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, this recreational paradise is known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat. If you are lucky there will be wildlife drinking fresh water or playing in the river. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel of switchbacks passing through and to numerous trailheads, glacial pull-outs, and overlooks. Rome2rio makes travelling from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park easy. Jackson is Wyomings incredibly popular and wealthy ski resort town located just 12 miles from Grand Teton National Park loop road. Need help! Stunning waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife and the most popular hiking trail in Yellowstone will make this a memorable day. Is there a pdf version for a quick reference? Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. The mountain city is safe, clean, walkable and has a wonderful vibe. During my time in the parks, I got a lot of use out of my Ahnu hiking shoes. Guided tours are a great option when exploring a new area or traveling solo. Note: For those who prefer a guided tour, the Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Jackson, Wyoming is a great option. Only have 5 nights 6 days. 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. 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. Day 4 Revisit any favorite spots in the Tetons before driving to West Thumb and Old Faithful. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. The speed, the sun, the wind, the fantasy of never looking back, and the sheer diversity of . US-89 transitions into US-191 N and not long after you will arrive into Jackson, Wyoming. When searching for flights to Salt Lake City or any other nearby airport, we personally use and recommend Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines. I also cant believe a bear just sauntered out by you! If you get a good sunrise the waterfall, canyon and sky will light up with stunning browns, blues, greens, pinks and purples. Saddle Up in Jackson If you were able to get a room in Old Faithful, you can begin Day 5 right as you leave your lodge in Upper Geyser Basin where Old Faithful is located. Flights from Kalispell to West Yellowstone via Salt Lake City Ave. If possible, we would suggest you try to book your third night at any of the Old Faithful Lodges. Without stopping the drive should take around 5 hours, but you will be stopping so plan for more like 6-7 hours. Read our popular 2 days in Grand Teton itinerary which organizes the best things to do into two easy days. Well, we have personally driven this route ourselves, stopping to explore Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Pin It For Your Road Trip! Leave dry land behind to explore the rivers and lakes of Yellowstone. Since Jackson Hole Airport is only 5 miles from Grand Teton National Park, it is possible to do a driving tour the same day you arrive. Day 6 See Hayden Valley, hike Mt Washburn, walk to Tower Fall and drive into Lamar Valley. The only road currently closed that will impact a typical Yellowstone visit is the road between Tower-Roosevelt and Cooke City, that means you won't be able to go out into Lamar Valley which is one of the best places for spotting wildlife in the park. Jenny LakeStroll through this busy lake-park area for stunning views of the Tetons and access to trails. I recommendWorld Nomads, an insurance provider trusted by seasoned travelers worldwide. Bozeman is a fantastic town. That pricey but exquisite steak is calling my name. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. The long stretches of road are beautiful and often filled with bison. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - 5 Hours to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone You can read more about the pros and cons of each airport for flying into Yellowstone here. you will have limited camping options in the parks so book now for 2015. Continue to the end of North Rim Drive and walk out to Artist Point, which is our personal favorite viewpoint into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Head to Idaho Falls for a dose of culture and explore off-the-beaten path towns like Ririe and St. Anthony. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. I must put Steamboat Springs on my bucketlist! It is best to begin driving through the park as early as possible to avoid traffic and crowds. After multiple long term US road trips we have learned a thing or two about how to best prepare for a successful adventure. The New Salt Lake 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. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. Whether you are driving your own car or a hire car make sure you are carrying all of the following items: The roads around Grand Teton and Yellowstone are flat and easy to drive. The Yellowstone Route is a longer 1,570-mile drive that takes about 26 hours. Lets assume you will arrive into Salt Lake City or SLC airport the night before we begin this itinerary on Day 1. This makes Grand Teton and Yellowstone accessible to millions of potential tourists. Day 7 Explore Mammoth Hot Springs. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. A boardwalk loops through other incredible hot springs as well as a wonder-inducing pool and dormant geyser, the Excelsior Geyser Crater. I chose to get the hardest driving day out of the way with plans to reach Kalispell, a small town not far from Glacier National Park, soon after dark. Right out of Firehole drive park up at Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is Lower Geyser Basin. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. It sounds so beautiful! When we hit the national park with its 25 mph speed limit, the car wasn't happy. 1. But we have filtered through every lodging option at each stop you will make and have listed only the top rated hotels available. If theres a Utah Jazz basketball game on. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Day 6 - Drive back to Las Vegas. Chapel of the TransfigurationA picturesque little church with views of the Tetons.Menors Ferry Historic DistrictTake a short ride on a replica of a historic ferry. Only have 48 hours? 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons Then see Tower Fall, Lamar Valley for wildlife, Mammoth Hot Springs and sleep either Mammoth or Gardiner. Farther north, youll discover Yellowstone National Park. Glacier National Park features over 20 glaciers and 200 lakes as standing reminders of the last ice age. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. Located in the North Section of Upper Geyser Basin / Old Faithful area, follow the easy 2.8-mile round-trip trail passing by several geysers along the way. Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho. Drive back to Jackson. You can read our guides to visiting Yellowstone in April and visiting Yellowstone in October if planning your trip for early spring or late falls. At the highpoint of the trail, along Paint Pot Hill, is an active mudpot. We reached the park around 7:45 am and enjoyed watching the sun begin illuminating streams, mountainsides, and glaciers. Have a Shoshone-Bannock Native Experience Stay in a cabin, hotel room or your RV on the shores of sparkling Bear Lake with Sun Outdoors Garden City. From Glacier National Park, drive 4 hours to Helena. Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. Yellowstone In October: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting, Where To Stay In Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels + Lodging. In 2016 I planned a 4 day road trip with the expectation to do a quick driving tour of Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Once you visit Jackson, you will not want to leave. A little further north on the loop road take the right turn onto Firehole Lake Drive, stopping to look at the various pools and geysers. Accommodations here are fairly reasonable and book up quickly.Lake McDonald Lodge inside the parkThis is a great option though books up quickly and is expensive. 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. Possibly visit Craters of the Moon on the way. This visitor center parking lot fills up between 9 am and 4 pm so it is a good idea to arrive early. Note: If you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. The next closest is Yellowstone south entrance, which is 340 miles and would take around 6 hours and 10 minutes to drive. 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. Sunrise is when animals are most active in Yellowstone, so dont miss this final opportunity.
