Take the backroad, Moose-Wilson Road, at dawn and dusk. Plan to park along the roadside and walk a distance. Grand Teton National Park is shaped a bit like your left-hand thumb and is dotted with three main entrances. If not adapt the itinerary below to fit your plans. 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. They are lightweight for everyday use as well which is helpful when I want to travel with only a few pairs of shoes. So many great tips here! There are so many different ways you could plan your itinerary for visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake City. Drive south 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. When we hit the national park with its 25 mph speed limit, the car wasn't happy. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Start Your Trip. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. Get an early start in SLC, set your Google Maps for Idaho State Park North Beach and hit I-15 N. Turn onto US-89 N and enjoy the winding scenic drive through Logan Canyon to the town of Garden City on Bear Lake. Moab and Arches National Park (77) Salt Lake City (151) Uinta Mountains (96) Zion National Park (70) . Day 4 Walk around Artists Paintpots and Norris Geyser Basin, before driving over to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. I loved entering the park here. Take a self-guided walking tour of buildings and establishments preserved to reflect their historic past. Want to know more about Grand Teton? Honestly Im dying to go back out west for a trip like this! The park's massive lands are connected through the Grand Loop Road. We stayed in a cabin during our first visit to Yellowstone in October and it was great. We met plenty of people who used SLC airport to start and end their road trip to Yellowstone but had no time for Downtown Salt Lake City, which is a lovely place to explore for a day. Glacier National Park is a remote wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. Missoula is home to the University of Montana and has an active downtown with numerous restaurants and access to outdoor activities. See my Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary.Coming soon: Top Things to Do in Salt Lake City and Park City. Free Yellowstone Trip Planner - Yellowstone National Park Here are the most helpful travel planning resources you might need to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. 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. Grand Prismatic Spring has bright colors of orange, yellow, and green with deep blue waters. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Mornings and evenings will be cold but during the day it warms up nicely. We think 7 days offers the best balance between speed, cost and overall experience. Epic Road Trip from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. 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. Airport Options:Salt Lake City International AirportJackson Hole AirportGlacier Park International AirportBozeman Yellowstone International AirportIdaho Falls Regional Airport, Drive Times to Consider When Planning Your Itinerary:Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park: 5 HoursGrand Teton to Yellowstone National Park: 3.5 HoursYellowstone to Glacier National Park: 6.5 Hours. The one geyser you cant miss at Norris is called Steamboat Geyser, which is the worlds tallest active geyser. A boardwalk loops through other incredible hot springs as well as a wonder-inducing pool and dormant geyser, the Excelsior Geyser Crater. This visitor center parking lot fills up between 9 am and 4 pm so it is a good idea to arrive early. But heres why SLC is a great place to begin your road trip to Yellowstone: Lets take a closer look at each of these points. Stay in West Yellowstone. Western-style cabins with kitchenettes.The Wort HotelAn upscale experience near town square restaurants and shops.Teton VillageWhat a happy ski resort area. Feel Like Youre On Another Planet as you explore volcanic formations, including lava tube caves, on the trails and scenic drives at this uncrowded national park site. The center offers clean restrooms, useful park information, and a gift shop. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. Like Missoula, Bozeman is spotless and its streets are lined with perfectly preserved historic buildings. I planned a week-long itinerary to explore these magnificent wonders. It is the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton and enjoying the culinary scene after a long day in the park. 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. Also, check out my road trip packing list. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Jackson is Wyomings incredibly popular and wealthy ski resort town located just 12 miles from Grand Teton National Park loop road. The most attractive route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is to drive via Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, Afton, Jackson and Grand Teton before arriving at Yellowstone south entrance. It looks delicious! Watch for my upcoming Salt Lake City Travel Guide. There is so much to see and explore. Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. 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. In winter or early spring, you will instead turn right onto Gros Venture Road at an earlier roundabout. Thank you! If you have time and energy before sunset, hike up to Old Faithful viewing area to see the eruption from an elevated position. I would recommend it, especially during low-traffic seasons. Once you visit Jackson, you will not want to leave. This would allow you to sleep right out in nature surrounded by the Tetons but you would have very few amenities nearby. 6-Day Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton NP, Chocolate Factory and Barstow Outlet Tour (Free Airport Pick-Up) Tour code : GOL-SLC-131A Save 7% (0) Departure City : Salt Lake City Utah Available Days : Thu (2023-06-02 To 2023-09-13) 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. The night of Day 5 is the one night we recommend you book into a hotel, lodge, cabin or even campground at Canyon Village. Of all the natural wonders in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is among my favorites. But I had NO trouble justifying paying for THE BEST steak I could find while in Bozeman.:-). Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. (The Idaho Falls Riverwalk and Butte, Montana are other great options for a stretch break.). Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. Spend day 3 touring Glacier National Park. Without stopping the drive should take around 5 hours, but you will be stopping so plan for more like 6-7 hours. 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. From Glacier National Park, drive 4 hours to Helena. 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons West Glacier Village is located at the entrance to the park and is a fantastic area for shopping, eating, drinking, mini-golf, and more. What if you have more or less time than 7 days? Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake in Utah Photo: Getty Images. Pin It For Your Road Trip! Once you have seen enough, quickly drive over to Schwabacher Landing to catch the end of sunrise. Distance From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 320 miles. Funky art installations are scattered throughout this expansive trail system. Salt Lake City Salt Lake continues to be the gateway for travelers venturing northward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Maybe even the entire day.Signal Mountain Summit RoadDrive to the peak of Signal Mountain Road to find two overlooks offering panoramic views of the Tetons and Jackson Lake.Oxbow Bend and Snake River OverlookA beautiful drive with views of the Snake River. In April, May, September and October the mornings and evenings will be cold so you need heavy layers, gloves, wooly hats and a winter coat in addition to your basic hiking or exploring gear. Read our popular 2 days in Grand Teton itinerary which organizes the best things to do into two easy days. The best driving route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Just watch for the crowd taking pictures. A short walk through forest ends with bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs. . Next, drive north and park at Fairy Falls Trail lot to hike 0.8 miles so you can enjoy Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. Not Ready to Leave the American Northwest? Gardiner has several restaurants and shops as well as lodging options. Hotels Between Grand Teton And Yellowstone, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Variations. Enjoy your time off! 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. Idaho National Parks Northwest Road Trip Utah Wyoming Prepared By: Tobey Schmidt The next closest is Yellowstone south entrance, which is 340 miles and would take around 6 hours and 10 minutes to drive. Take the right turn, stop at String Lake and Jenny Lake Overlook for beautiful lake views. 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. When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. You can choose between a lodge style hotel room or semi-detached cabin at Mammoth. However, hotel prices here are much higher on average and there are fewer places to eat out. Look for the worlds largest Elkhorn Arch as you enter town, it is hard to miss with over 3,000 intertwined elk antlers! Stroll the Walking Mall Trolley Block, an active area offering art galleries, shops, great dining, micro-breweries, and entertainment. Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before heading out into Lamar Valley around sunset. Leave dry land behind to explore the rivers and lakes of Yellowstone. 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. Maybe you would prefer to drive straight to the northern areas of Yellowstone and work down through the park, before exploring Grand Teton on the way back to SLC? Get a Potato Selfie at the Idaho Potato Museum That's because of its crazy-bright colors and enormous size. If spending a single day in Glacier National Park, driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Roadis the way to go. Two Things You Must Do at Bear Lake Similar to fireworks and rotten eggs. 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. Head to Snow King Mountain Resort for Family Fun Yellowstone National Park WY-Wyoming, Lake Yellowstone Vintage Postcard. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park What an incredible road trip guide! This night of the itinerary works just fine if Mammoth has no availability or the prices are too high for your budget because you can stay in the town of Gardiner, which is just 5 miles north of Mammoth. In addition, we have noted which hotels we have personally stayed at and impressed us. Please plan on flying into Salt Lake City one day before your scheduled tour 8 Days to Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks Day One: Depart SLC, head north towards West Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park Tour - Facts | Caravan Tours About this Itinerary Explore the hidden park and trails behind the public library. Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton is incredibly picturesque and one of the best examples of staggering natural beauty in the United States. National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah to Yellowstone & 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. What do you need to know about the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone? 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. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. The changing colors of blues and blacks reveal the depth of this fascinating pool. During my time in the parks, I got a lot of use out of my Ahnu hiking shoes. I have 7 days off! Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch Enter the chapel to take the iconic mountains through the church window photograph. Argentina (6) Australia (9) Austria (32) Bhutan (10) Bulgaria (10) . Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. . Drive 17 miles south to visit Fountain Paint Pots or 2.5 miles further to Grand Prismatic Spring. Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use, Copyright 2023 | Where Are Those Morgans, Our Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Experience. 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. And crowded. Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. Next, follow the Yellowstone Loop Road until you reach Old Faithful. Thanks in advance! It is a quiet, relaxing wild west town with saloon-style bars and a great vibe. Western USA: Road Trip to 11 Stops on the Yellowstone Loop Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips Head over to our Wyoming Travel Guides to explore Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and beyond. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. While there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend: Scenic Route: Salt Lake City to Garden City to Afton to Jackson (via Highway 89). I am bookmarking this for a future trip! Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. . Sedona is one of our favorite places in the southwest and the end of November means comfortable temperatures for hiking. Airports Near Yellowstone - The 10 Best & Closest Options I loved the adventure going from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. Thank you! Visit a museum or go for a hike. Allowing for 8 days gives you more flexibility and a bit of breathing room to slow things down. The most popular trail at Logan Pass leads to Hidden Lake and is accessed via the Hanging Gardens Trailhead. Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. The most beloved of Yellowstones geysers is Old Faithful. The Windbag SaloonServing burgers, seafood, steak, amazing mac and cheese, and more. 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. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. I loved the park just as much this time as I had the first. This route is 394 miles and 8 hours, one way. Book a trip with one of Yellowstone Anglers fishing guides. Shine Beer SanctuaryAn open-air fun place with a taco bar. 9 Uncrowded Gems in Southern Idaho Spend day 2 exploring Yellowstone National Park. Grand Teton to Yellowstone: The Best 7-Day Road - National Park Blog Nearby Teton Village nestled at the base of Jacksons ski lifts is the main alternative to staying in Downtown Jackson. Day 8 Spend the day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. For those traveling with children or wanting more time to explore and hike, consider a 10 Day road trip itinerary. 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. Covering nearly 9,000 square kilometers, Yellowstone is best known for its 10,000 geysers and hot springs. Check for availability at a hotel such as Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Riverside Cottages if you want to stay in Gardiner. 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. Where Are Those Morgans LLC is a participant in the Amazon services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Utah and Arizona are fantastic places to visit in November / December. Check into a hotel and then spend the afternoon exploring Grand Teton. And if you are looking for the best Savannah Ghost Tour, I have two, I love road trips. Drive 21 miles south to Norris Geyser Basin. Found along Going-to-the-Sun Road, just north of McDonald Lake is the Trail of Cedars. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Sleep either Old Faithful or West Yellowstone. Once past Helena, MT turning onto highway 287 will be a more scenic route and a little shorter than continuing on !-15. Why trust us to help with planning your once in a lifetime trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone? The mountain city is safe, clean, walkable and has a wonderful vibe. I'm not into being in the car for 10 hours to get to Glacier. The pullout is easily recognizable. May 3, 2021 Tori Peglar 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. Dont miss the Tabernacle right behind Salt Lake Temple. You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. Lets assume you will arrive into Salt Lake City or SLC airport the night before we begin this itinerary on Day 1. Farther north, youll discover Yellowstone National Park. My favorites are those near public transportation to Salt Lake City International Airport and close to downtown. O Yellowstone International Airshow um evento anual em Billings, Montana. Watch sunset over Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. From there head east for adventures in beautiful Park City. Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. I visited Canyonlands National Park as part of a road trip to explore the Utah Mighty Five National Parks. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip - Yellowstone National Park You could also do Grand Canyon / Zion. Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho. This is the perfect spot for extraordinary views of Lower Falls. Chicago, IL Salt Lake City, UT Yellowstone National Park San Francisco, CA Yosemite National Park, CA Seattle, WA Glacier National Park, MT Chicago, IL. There are no rail routes or train services to Yellowstone National Park and the closest Amtrak station is in Salt Lake City. Tour Date & Pricing . sights between SLC and Glacier NP - Yellowstone National Park Forum Lets take a quick look at some of the most asked questions about planning a Wyoming road trip from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Need Help! traveling from salt lake city. - Glacier National Park Forum 15 Days From $5,399pp. See Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Little Bighorn Battlefield, the Grand Teton Mountains, and of course, Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. On the north side of Yellowstone, you'll find wildlife galore along the banks of scenic rivers. The area offers hotels as well as gondolas, and a cable car with views of the Tetons. Enjoy adventures in Jackson and nearby Grand Teton National Park. If time allows, take the hike to the overlook to view from above. This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. 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. Salt Lake City. If possible, we would suggest you try to book your third night at any of the Old Faithful Lodges. Gardiner, Montana is an Old West town near the Yellowstone north entrance, the only year-round entrance to the park. The night of Day 3 is the most open to your interpretation part of this Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. 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.. Dont miss the Old Faithful Inn. We are assuming you need to drive back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas on the sixth day? Trip Details. Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Craters of the Moon National Park Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Note: If you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. Venture to America's First National Park. But the options are endless. Saddle Up in Jackson Day 9 Set off early for SLC, but stop in Idaho Falls and Craters of the Moon on your way back.