Both Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool are worthy of keeping the camera handy. The most popular trail at Logan Pass leads to Hidden Lake and is accessed via the Hanging Gardens Trailhead. Yellowstone, America's first national park, was established in 1872 to protect the area's unique geothermal features and is also a wildlife sanctuary for hundreds of species. A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton. Whitefish is a great town to explore. This route is 394 miles and 8 hours, one way. Covering over 2 million acres, Yellowstone is one of the largest national parks in the United States. Do you prefer visuals to text when absorbing information? However, we know many visitors prefer to book one hotel and stay there for the duration. Sedona is one of our favorite places in the southwest and the end of November means comfortable temperatures for hiking. Editors' Picks. Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. This is a coveted area for lodging and RV parking as well. Western-style cabins with kitchenettes.The Wort HotelAn upscale experience near town square restaurants and shops.Teton VillageWhat a happy ski resort area. Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. Take the drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park on the evening of day 2 or morning of day 3. Tour Date & Pricing . No other geyser is more dependable, erupting at least every two hours. Drive over to Mammoth and explore the terraces. 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. I think you will too. If you are not interested in kayaking, continue until you reach West Thumb Geyser Basin. Take a self-guided walking tour of buildings and establishments preserved to reflect their historic past. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Here are the top rated hotels in each place you will stay: Depending on your flight times into and out from SLC airport, you may need to book a night at a hotel airport either side of your road trip. Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park I chose to explore the parks in order from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. Just watch for the crowd taking pictures. In addition, we have noted which hotels we have personally stayed at and impressed us. Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. We think 7 days offers the best balance between speed, cost and overall experience. It's around 350 miles off, but the essential thing to know is that a few Canadian, European, and Mexican cities have nonstop flights operating into SLC. Hi Matt, thanks for getting in touch and we're happy to hear you are following our itinerary. 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. Stay in Canyon. You can then grab dinner either back in SLC downtown or at the airport. Input Salt Lake City and your travel dates to see your options. Park alongside the Yellowstone River and look carefully for bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, eagles and dozens more species. 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. Take the right turn off loop road at Tower Junction to enter Lamar Valley. Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Salt Lake City; Highest Elevation: 8,000 feet. Not Ready to Leave the American Northwest? The drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park's south entrance covers around 330 miles and takes about five and a half hours. Eruptionschedules can be found at theOld FaithfulVisitor Education Center, park lodges, the NPSYellowstoneGeysers app, and onTwitter. For a fun (disturbing) time, visit the Shine Beer Sanctuary restroom area and choose the first door on the right.Teds Montana GrillA local favorite.Western CafeAnother local favorite. Alternatively, you could spend a night at Jackson Lake Lodge or another hotel near Moran. The airport is only an eight minute drive from Downtown . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Figuring out the best places to stay in several places on consecutive nights can become challenging. Drive the winding road to Signal Mountain summit for amazing views, descend and continue until you reach Jenny Lake road. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If you have time and energy before sunset, hike up to Old Faithful viewing area to see the eruption from an elevated position. Of course, you could skip the last part of Day 5 and instead of driving to Canyon, drive back from Norris to West Yellowstone. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. A woman viewing Morning Glory Pool from the boardwalk, Discover an eclectic ecosystem in Salt Lake City, from mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music, Then head back to town to explore pioneer life or see a live show, known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat, Discover the stories behind this unsung hero of a vegetable, Youll lose the crowds and find affordable lodging options, Here are some of our favorite things to do, Enjoy adventures in Jackson and nearby Grand Teton National Park, old West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun, Via Ferrata assisted climbing course, riding the gondola, tackling the ropes course or biking and hiking downhill, a ton of activities for all ages, plus bike and SUP rentals, Go paddling, fishing, boating, or take a boat cruise tour, Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area, Yellowstone Essentials: 12 Basic Things You Need to Know, 6 Best Hiking Trails in Grand Teton National Park, Soak in Montanas Beauty at Under Canvas North Yellowstone Paradise Valley. You can really slow things down with a 9 day itinerary for this route. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy You might not be interested in spending a day in SLC, at which point you can spend an extra day in either Grand Teton or Yellowstone. Heres how we might plan a 9 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. A little further south you will reach Mud Volcano and Mud Geyser. 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. Check the weather before you go. Overnight Ketchum, Best Western Kentish Lodge. Starting your road trip to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City means you can access both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park within 5 hours drive time. You can then hire a car in Jackson so you only drive around Grand Teton and Yellowstone before taking the bus back to Salt Lake City from Jackson. When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. Fun on the Snake River and Grand Teton Lakes Was This Guide Helpful? During my September visit to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park, the days were sunny with lows around 40F and highs between 60F and 75F. Continue to both Grand View and Inspiration Point and if you arrive at the right time, you will be at Inspiration Point for sunset directly behind Lower Falls. Thank you. Gas: Not available inside the park.Picnic areas: Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche Creek, and Rising Sun.Camping areas: Located throughout the park, including along the road at Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche Creek, Rising Sun, and St. Mary.Visitor centers: Apgar Visitor Center, Logan Pass Visitor Center, and St. Mary Visitor Center. I am a first time visitor to Yelliwstone. Lets assume you will arrive into Salt Lake City or SLC airport the night before we begin this itinerary on Day 1. Nearby Teton Village nestled at the base of Jacksons ski lifts is the main alternative to staying in Downtown Jackson. There is so much to see and explore. Mormon Row is incredibly beautiful at sunrise. It is one of only 2 places you are permitted to swim in Yellowstone. At the highpoint of the trail, along Paint Pot Hill, is an active mudpot. You can continue south to Yellowstone Lake but in this 7 day itinerary you will head back towards Canyon and continue until you reach a parking lot at Dunraven Pass. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You will not go hungry. Solitude Float Trips Guided tours are a great option when exploring a new area or traveling solo. Next, follow the Yellowstone Loop Road until you reach Old Faithful. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. Next time, I want to visit Jackson Hole. We are planning on doing this in September. Once you have seen enough, quickly drive over to Schwabacher Landing to catch the end of sunrise. Watch for signs to Apgar Visitor Center. Check for availability at a hotel such as Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Riverside Cottages if you want to stay in Gardiner. Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. Hi Roopa, right now we don't have a pdf version but we are currently working on creating pdf guidebook itineraries for all our popular road trip guides. Here are our popular road trip resources for planning and packing: Packing for Grand Teton and Yellowstone is fairly straightforward year round. Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. Hike to Mt Washburn summit for some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? 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. . The road to Gardiner is closed. Clean and Green in Pocatello 9 Uncrowded Gems in Southern Idaho document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Planning a trip but have to drive from las vegas. Stay west of the Tetons to discover all the gems in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. Day 2 - Spend the whole day in Grand Teton, do Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing for sunrise if possible. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Along the 1,398 mile road trip, find ancient history and the best Americana. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. Also, keep an eye out for ultra-photogenic Star Valley Mormon Temple as you drive through Afton. Start your journey in the historic and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square. With the recent developments, I could use some help creating an alternate plan for the Yellowstone portion. Best car for this trip: SUV. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. 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. going to print this out and put this on my boyfriends desk as a *hint hint* haha . Hood and Ponderosa State Park. 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. Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Jackson, WyomingSpend a day touring Yellowstones Lower Loop, departing and returning from Jackson, Wyoming. Gather RestaurantAn upscale restaurant serving tasty small portions.Liberty BurgerServing great burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.The Bunnery Bakery and RestaurantA local favorite serving traditional breakfasts, sandwiches, baked goods, and desserts.Snake River BrewingRefined comfort food and certified organic brews served in a chill atmosphere.Drive south 5 hours to Salt Lake City, if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');There are numerous great options for lodging in Salt Lake City. But I had NO trouble justifying paying for THE BEST steak I could find while in Bozeman.:-). Dramatic Scenes in Logan and Cache Valley LOVE them! In truth, booking your hotels will be the hardest part of planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs This is a great place to grab a snack and take in the relaxing view of McDonald Lake. 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. If so, you might benefit greatly from taking a look at this interactive Google Map we created to show show the potential stops you can make each day for 7 days on our Salt Lake City to Yellowstone example itinerary, which is featured right after the map. 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. You might want to consider leaving the park via west entrance to eat a late lunch in West Yellowstone before re-entering the park to visit Norris Geyser Basin. In our example itineraries we have you driving into Yellowstone via the prettier route and then back to SLC via the quicker freeways. Spend the night in Salt Lake City at Grand Americaor Homewood Suites. And a 2-hour direct flight from Salt Lake City International Airport. Day 2 Drive to Jackson and spend the late afternoon around Mormon Row. Argentina (6) Australia (9) Austria (32) Bhutan (10) Bulgaria (10) . Day 4 Revisit any favorite spots in the Tetons before driving to West Thumb and Old Faithful. Denver International Airport will be the best alternative for many, but the drive distance and drive time are around 40% longer to reach Grand Teton or Yellowstone. Head south on US-20 W as far as Idaho Falls and join I-15 S all the way to Salt Lake City airport. These two places have the better locations for accessing other parts of the park, and they have plenty of places to eat. Elk Country Inn The drive time from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park is 10 hours. We will experience some stunning scenery with a chance to explore a couple of very scenic byways on our way north. That pricey but exquisite steak is calling my name. Head back to US-191, turn right and not long after take a left on Schwabachers Landing road. First choice here is a room at one of the Old Faithful lodges for convenience. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-2','ezslot_3',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-136{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}, (Avid anglers will love spending a day fly fishing the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Montana. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park 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). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. If you are looking for ghosts, Savannah, Georgia is the place. 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. Duration 5h 46m When Every day Estimated price $400 - $1,200 . I loved the park just as much this time as I had the first. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Honestly Im dying to go back out west for a trip like this! And their proximity to one another makes combining a visit to. However, if you really dont want to drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton, you can take the Salt Lake Express bus from SLC to Jackson. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. With temperatures reaching new highs, figuring out how to stay cool is key to enjoying your summer. 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. We hope the long list of hotel options is helpful and not overwhelming! 4. Notice the front door and impressive lock, lobby mission-style furniture, candelabra-style light fixtures, and massive wrought iron and brass lobby clock, and dining room hickory chairs and chandeliers. More. Rental Caror Personal CarIf you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. From the overlook, look for Fairy Falls in the distance. Thank you! If you are staying at one of the three Old Faithful lodges you can check in now, before heading straight out to catch the next timely Old Faithful geyser eruption. This makes Grand Teton and Yellowstone accessible to millions of potential tourists. Continue north to Snake River Overlook and look for bison roaming on the flatlands. Check Grand Teton sunrise times the night before and plan to arrive at Mormon Row at the start of civil twilight with camera in hand. Head over to Lower Falls. When we hit the national park with its 25 mph speed limit, the car wasn't happy. Need help! Day 5 Slowly explore Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. You can go inside with free entrance and might even strike it lucky with a choir performance. Salt Lake City is less than 5 hours drive from Grand Teton National Park, 3. About Old Faithful, Yellowstone's Famous Geyser. This elegant hotel offers Victorian-style architecture and dcor.For Airbnb lovers, try one of the Warehouse Condominium lofts on the west side of downtown Salt Lake City, an up-and-coming area for great food and nightlife. In June, my family loved staying in Danes Newly Renovated Industrial Modern Downtown Loft.. 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. Haha! Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. Day 3 See Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, explore Norris Geyser Basin and drive over to Canyon so you can check in to a hotel. 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. You will love the Portland area. What Is The Closest Entrance To Yellowstone From SLC? Saddle Up in Jackson Pin It For Your Road Trip! Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. And crowded. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. Spend day 2 exploring Yellowstone National Park. Watch for a majestic bull elk resting in the grass keeping watch over his lady-herd. Journey north to Yellowstone, a national park that is situated on top of the world's largest supervolcano. Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and two hours from Yellowstone, Jackson is a great stop if youre looking for anold West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun. I love this area so much. If you choose to spend a day in downtown SLC there are plenty of hotel options available. You can either stay at hotels, lodges and cabins inside the park boundaries or you can stay in resort villages right outside the park boundaries. Take the backroad, Moose-Wilson Road, at dawn and dusk. See the West Glacier Village website for details and hours. Barker Ewing by Jackson Hole Whitewater What about a trip week of thanksgiving? Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with small portions of the park crossing over into neighboring Idaho and Montana. Sleep either Old Faithful or West Yellowstone. If you are tight on time you can do it in 5 or 6 days but it will be a rush. GyPSy Guide automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go. Watch for my upcoming Salt Lake City Travel Guide. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. Day 2 Drive to Park City in the morning, before heading to Jackson later in the afternoon. 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. If you are traveling east to Salt Lake City, arrival time is around 3 a.m. without delays, and scheduled arrival of . Would love to spend some time in Glacier National Park next time! Funky art installations are scattered throughout this expansive trail system. Yellowstone National Park (139) Worldwide. It is the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton and enjoying the culinary scene after a long day in the park. Yellowstone In October: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting, Where To Stay In Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels + Lodging. Day 6 Explore Norris Geyser Basin, then visit Lower Falls and Hayden Valley. Its time to put it all together and create an unforgettable 7 day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary! I spent so much time enjoying Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks that there was no time to make the drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park. Due to road construction in 2020, we were unable to visit the Many Glacier area.