Yellowstone and Grand Teton have been on my bucket list for years. When the opportunity for a last minute trip came up, I jumped at the chance to visit. I only had 7 days to cram in as much sightseeing as possible, and I’m going to share the itinerary I used to make the most of my time out west. Ideally, a few more days would allow for a more relaxed trip, but visiting these two spectacular parks in one week is still an enjoyable experience.
Ready to road trip? Use this Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary as a guide for one extraordinary week exploring two of America’s most beautiful national parks.
When to Visit
Yellowstone and Grand Teton are beautiful at any time of the year, but I’d recommend visiting in the fall. I went in early September and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Warm days and chilly nights, along with a much smaller crowd than during the summer months, make it an excellent time for hiking and sightseeing.
Day 1: Bozeman to West Yellowstone
Because you only have a limited amount of time for this Yellowstone to Grand Teton road trip, you’ll fly into Bozeman, Montana and out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Upon arrival in Bozeman, pick up your rental car and get on the road right away. Depending on what time your flight lands, you can either stop for lunch in downtown Bozeman or immediately start driving to West Yellowstone. If you decided to go downtown, it’s about a fifteen minute drive from the airport. Otherwise, the drive to West Yellowstone, where you’ll spend the first three nights, is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Keep in mind that cell service will become spotty, but take your time and enjoy the views on this scenic drive down highway US 191.
About one mile outside Yellowstone’s west entrance, Crosswinds Inn is conveniently located right in town. This simple but very clean hotel is within easy walking distance to West Yellowstone’s shops and restaurants. The staff is friendly and the hotel offers an extensive complimentary breakfast buffet including a selection of eggs, biscuits, pancakes, muffins, yogurt, coffee and much more. The pool area was nice and would be a great way to spend an afternoon or evening after sightseeing in the park.
It’s motel style lodging, where the rooms are accessible from outside. You can park in front of your room, but it should be noted that there are no elevators. If you end up with a room on the second floor, you’ll have to carry your bags up a flight of stairs.
After checking-in, leave your rental car at the hotel and walk to one of the several dining options in town. I’d recommend Firehole Bar-B-Que, which is a two minute walk from the Crosswinds Inn. It’s extremely popular, so don’t be surprised if the line is long, but it moves pretty quickly. Try the brisket, cole slaw, and mac & cheese and you won’t be disappointed!
Day 2: Yellowstone National Park
Wake up early, grab a quick breakfast at the hotel, and head into the park before sunrise. Not only will lines at the entrance station be practically non-existent, but there’s a much greater chance of seeing wildlife this early in the morning. Also, your first few stops of the day will be a lot more pleasant with only a few other visitors in the park at this time. Make sure to download an offline map of Yellowstone in Google Maps before you leave the hotel because cell service will be extremely poor for most of the day.
Today, you’ll concentrate on Yellowstone’s Upper Loop and the Hayden Valley. The Upper Loop includes stops such as Norris Geyser Basin, Roaring Mountain, Mammoth Hot Springs and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Additionally, the Mud Volcano Area is convenient for a quick stop if you have more time after Hayden Valley.
Norris geyser basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of my favorite spots in Yellowstone. This collection of geothermal pools is the hottest and one of the largest geyser basins in the park. The turquoise color of these thermal hotspots looks incredible during sunrise as the steam rises up into the air. There’s a boardwalk that takes you down into the basin and loops back up the other side, allowing you to view the pools up close.
Roaring mountain
Roaring Mountain, a hillside of fumaroles (steaming vents), was named for the intense roaring sound the steam and gases once made as they escaped into the air. Today, however, the roaring isn’t as extreme – it’s more of a quiet hiss. Situated between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin, Roaring Mountain isn’t the most spectacular sight in the park, but it’s worth a quick five minute stop along your drive.
Mammoth hot springs
Located near Yellowstone’s north entrance in Gardiner, Montana, Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the park’s most interesting sites. This impressive geothermal formation consists of several travertine terraces, easily viewed from a paved or wooden walkway. There are two boardwalks, Lower Terrace and Upper Terrace, which total about 1.75 miles and a 300 foot difference in elevation. It can get crowded here, even in the morning, so you may have to loop around the parking lot a few times before finding an open spot.
Grand Canyon of the yellowstone
While not as grand as the actual Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is impressive in its own right. Both the North Rim and South Rim offer picturesque views of the waterfalls, as well as hiking trails for those who want to spend more time here.
I’d planned on doing both the North Rim and South Rim drives but when I arrived around noon the area had gotten very crowded. Luckily, I was finally able to find parking near Lookout Point on the North Rim. I snapped a few photos, walked around for a bit, then was happy to move on to the next stop of the day.
hayden valley overlook
Hayden Valley Overlook is the prime wildlife viewing spot in Yellowstone. If you haven’t spotted any bison yet during your drive through the park, chances are that you’ll see some here. This area is home to the largest herd of free roaming bison in the world. Along with bison, coyotes, elk and grizzly bears are also commonly seen here.
Mud volcano area
The last stop of the day, the Mud Volcano Area is a group of mud volcanoes and fumaroles, situated about six miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction. It’s not the most beautiful place in the park, but it’s very cool to see the bubbling mud in these hydrothermal features. Dragon’s Mouth Spring, Black Dragon’s Caldron, and Churning Cauldron are a few highlights of this stop.
Now it’s time to make your way back to your hotel in West Yellowstone. Relax in the pool or hot tub for the rest of the afternoon, then grab takeout from a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Get excited for a fun day on the water because today you’re going kayaking on Yellowstone Lake! A true bucket list experience, this 5 hour small group tour with Yellowstone Geyser Kayak Tours will take you along the shores of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Expert guides will not only provide instruction on kayaking basics, but they also delve into a brief but interesting history lesson about the area.
Work up an appetite after a morning of paddling, then take a short lunch break on the beach before returning to the launch point in the early afternoon. In my opinion, this off the beaten path experience is a highlight of any Yellowstone itinerary and one that you’ll never forget!
After the tour ends around around 2pm, go to West Thumb Geyser Basin to see some of the same sights you paddled by earlier in the day from a different perspective. Take a short walk around the boardwalk and you’ll be rewarded with brilliant views of various thermal features. Fishing Cone, Abyss Pool, and Thumb Paint Pots shouldn’t be missed.
Return to the hotel and spend the evening in town. Go out to dinner, buy a souvenir, or simply wander from store to store, while you enjoy your last night in West Yellowstone.
Day 4: Yellowstone to Grand Teton
Today, you’ll check out of your hotel and drive through Yellowstone to Grand Teton and Jackson, making a few stops along the way.
Yellowstone
First up is Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s one of the most famous stops in Yellowstone and the largest hot spring in the park. Known for the bright bands of color that surround the spring, this stunning feature should be a definite must on your Yellowstone itinerary.
To get the best view of Grand Prismatic Spring from above, park your car at the Fairy Falls parking lot. Then, take the Fairy Falls Trail for about half a mile until you reach a fork in the trail. Take the path to the left and after a short, but slightly steep walk, you’ll arrive at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
It should be noted that while it’s much easier to find parking in the early morning, sometimes steam from the spring will cloud your view. I arrived around 8 am and this is exactly what happened during my visit. Nonetheless, I still recommend this bucket list stop, no matter what time you manage to fit it into your plans.
Next, stop at Old Faithful Geyser. Named for its frequent and regular eruptions, this world renowned geyser is one of only a few that park rangers are able to predict with reasonable accuracy. You can check the time of the next expected eruption online before you arrive, saving you time at this stop. This area of the park has a visitor center, shops, restrooms, an inn, and a few dining options. Grab a snack and a seat around the geyser while you wait and the time will fly by
Grand teton
At this point, it’s time to say goodbye to Yellowstone and continue on toward Grand Teton and Jackson. The views along the way will incredible! Whereas Yellowstone has so many different elements – hot springs, geysers, cauldrons, etc., Grand Teton looks more like what I think of as a typical Wyoming ranch. Stop at the famous Oxbow Bend and Snake River Overlook for a quick photo op on your drive.
Arrive at your hotel, Cowboy Village Resort, in the early afternoon. This adorable, rustic hotel is broken up into several small, individuals cabins, rather than one large building. If you arrive before check-in, park your car and walk a few minutes into the heart of downtown Jackson.
A picturesque Western town, Jackson is one of my favorites. Gorgeous flower baskets hanging outside all the shops, wooden sidewalks, and the famous antler arches in the town square all contribute to the town’s charm.
Grab a coffee and snack from Cowboy Coffee Co and relax in the town square until your room is ready at the hotel. Later in the evening, have a nice dinner out on the town or grab a pizza from Pinky G’s and bring it back to your cabin to enjoy on the porch outside.
Day 5: Grand Teton National Park
Spend your first morning in Grand Teton watching the sunrise at Mormon Row. This spot is popular with photographers and for good reason. Seeing the light bouncing off the Moulton Barn with the Tetons in the background is breathtaking! The little pink stucco house was also a favorite of mine, but I may be slighted biased because of my love all things pink.
This area is also a great place to spot bison and other wildlife. Just as I was getting ready to leave, a herd of bison and pronghorn began approaching. I can’t put into words what an incredible experience it is to see them up so close in the wild.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Grand Teton however you wish. During my visit, everything was incredibly hazy because of smoke from wildfires out west, so I opted return to downtown Jackson after only a few hours in the park. Take advantage of Jackson’s spectacular shopping and have a late lunch in town.
You should definitely try Bubba’s Bar-B-Que, which is located next to Cowboy Village Resort, at some point during your stay. They offer excellent barbecue (my favorite of the entire trip) at very reasonable prices. Although I didn’t try the breakfast so I can’t say from personal experience, it comes highly recommended.
Day 6: Grand Teton National Park
Make the most of your last full day in Wyoming by crossing off the final items on your Grand Teton wish list. Start the day with breakfast and coffee at Persephone Bakery, an adorable cafe offering everything from fresh pastries and breads to espresso beverages to omelettes and sandwiches.
After breakfast, explore on your own by taking advantage of one of the several scenic hiking trails in the park or opt to join a guided tour. Visit the National Elk Refuge, go horseback riding, or hop on a wildlife safari tour.
When I visited, the haze finally started to lift on my last day so I drove to a few viewpoints in the park I’d missed the day before. Jenny Lake Overlook is a great spot for photos and Moose-Wilson Road is a scenic drive in an area where moose are commonly spotted.
Day 7: Fly Home From Jackson Hole Airport
Your Yellowstone to Grand Teton road trip has come to an end and it’s time to fly home today. Grab a quick breakfast at Pearl Street Bagels then head to Jackson Hole Airport, which is actually located in Grand Teton National Park. Return your rental car at the airport and you’re ready to go home.
READ MORE: 9 Stops You Must Make In Yellowstone National Park
