Here is a week-long suggested itinerary of how Mom and I spent our time in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. To save money on airfare, we chose to fly Southwest in and out of Salt Lake City. The additional travel time added to our trip, but the drive through Utah and Wyoming is beautiful. Please feel free to use this as a guideline when planning your own trip and refer to my specific blog posts for more details. I also highly recommend packing binoculars and downloading the GyPSy guide app. We visited the end of May and found it ideal for more relaxed crowds, but I encourage you to research the best time of year to visit considering your interests. Keep in mind that a few major roads in the park close for the winter. Questions? Please feel free to contact me here. I’m happy to share more tips from our experience!
Day #1
Land in Salt Lake City, UT
Pick up rental car at airport
Drive 4.5-5 hours to Jackson, WY
Evening drinks at the breweries in town
Accommodation: Jackson, WY
Day #2: Grand Teton National Park
Binoculars, a beaver and Buffalo Bill
Jenny Lake scenic drive (one-way road traveling North to South)
Signal Mountain Summit Road scenic drive (if open)
Lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge
Watch for beavers at Schwabacher’s Landing
Mormon Row and Moulton Barn
Dinner at Bin22 in Jackson
Accommodation: Jackson, WY
Day #3: Grand Tetons and Yellowstone
Recycled Bison Poop
National Elk Refuge
Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park
Drive from Grand Tetons into Yellowstone
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Sunset tailgate in Hayden Valley
Accommodation: Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone
Day #4: Yellowstone National Park, east side of loop
Dumb Ways to Die
Sunrise animal watching in Lamar Valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Sulphur Caldron and Mud Geyser area
Afternoon drinks at Lake Lodge
Accommodation: Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone
Day #5: Yellowstone National Park, west side of loop
Geyser Gazers
Norris Geyser Basin
Mammoth Hot Springs
Dinner and drinks at Mammoth Hotel
Accommodation: Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone
Day #6: Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful area
Old Faithful Happy Hour
Artist Paint Pots
Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail
Bison bratwurst for lunch at the Old Faithful Inn
Grab a beer and watch Old Faithful from the upstairs balcony at the Inn
Accommodation: West Yellowstone, MT
Day #7: Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful area
Grand Prismatic Spring *Consider heavy traffic in and out of Midway Basin
Biscuit Basin
Walk through Upper Basin to Morning Glory Pool
Taco truck dinner in West Yellowstone
Accommodation: West Yellowstone, MT
Day #8
5-hour drive from West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City via Idaho
Pit stop at Upper Mesa Falls
*If deciding on a route, the drive through Wyoming is much prettier than through Idaho
Accommodation: Salt Lake City, UT
Day #9
Fly home from Salt Lake City
Steph Dobson 