Yellowstone & Grand Teton 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

Overview

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are America's first and most famous national parks, located in northwestern Wyoming. This 7-day road trip itinerary covers the highlights of both parks, giving you enough time to experience the famous geothermal features of Yellowstone, the dramatic mountain scenery of Grand Teton, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way.

Best time to go: June to early September (all roads open, full access to the park)
Recommended duration: 7 days
Difficulty: Easy (well-paved roads, plenty of parking, developed trails)
Budget: Mid-range (America the Beautiful pass saves money if you visit multiple national parks)

Before You Go: Important Information

Entrance fees: $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) for one park, or $50 for both. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) gets you into all national parks for a year – excellent value if you're visiting more than one park.
Reservations: All in-park hotels/lodges fill up 6-12 months in advance – book as early as possible. If you can't get in-park accommodation, stay in gateway towns (West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Jackson).
Roads: Most park roads are open from late April through October. In winter, only the north entrance from Gardiner is open.
Wildlife safety: Stay at least 25 yards from bison, elk, and deer, and 100 yards from bears and wolves. Never approach any wildlife.
Bear spray: Rent or buy bear spray if you're doing any backcountry hiking – it's your best defense against surprise bear encounters.

Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, WY → Grand Teton National Park

Start your trip by flying into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), which is actually located inside Grand Teton National Park – you'll have amazing mountain views right when you land. Pick up your rental car and enter Grand Teton immediately.

Must-see stops on Day 1:

Jackson Town Square: Walk through the town square with the famous antler arches, grab coffee or lunch before heading into the park
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive: One of the most scenic drives in the park – views of the Tetons reflected in the lake are spectacular
Jenny Lake Visitor Center: Get park information and check current trail conditions
Schwabacher's Landing: The classic spot for Teton photos – the Tetons reflected in the Snake River. Go early (sunrise) for the best light and fewer crowds.
Snake River Overlook: Made famous by Ansel Adams' iconic photograph – still a great stop for photos.

Where to stay:

Inside park: Jenny Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge (very expensive, book early)
Outside: Stay in Jackson – 30-45 minutes from park entrance. Mid-range hotels $150-250 per night.

Food tip: Stock up on groceries and water in Jackson – food inside the park is more expensive and lines can be long.

Day 2: Grand Teton Exploring

Spend a full day exploring Grand Teton. The park is smaller than Yellowstone but just as spectacular – the jagged peaks rising straight from the valley floor are unforgettable.

Top activities:

Jenny Lake Loop Hike: Walk the 7.1-mile loop around Jenny Lake for incredible views of the Cathedral Group. The Inspiration Point viewpoint is a highlight. For a shorter hike, just go from the boat dock to Inspiration Point (1.2 miles one way).
Taggart Lake Trail: Another great easy hike with amazing Teton views (3 miles round trip).
Signal Mountain: Drive up to the summit for panoramic views over the entire park and the Snake River.
Jackson Lake: Stop at the Colter Bay area – you can walk along the lake shore and see the Tetons across the water.
Wildlife spotting: Mormon Row is excellent for bison and pronghorn with the Tetons in the background – don't miss this.

Wildlife you might see: Bison, pronghorn, elk, moose (around Oxbow Bend), black bear, grizzly bear (possible but less common in the main areas).

Best photography spots:

Schwabacher's Landing at sunrise
Mormon Row with bison and Tetons
Oxbow Bend for reflections of Mount Moran

Day 3: Grand Teton → Yellowstone South Entrance → Old Faithful Area (120 miles, 2.5-3 hours driving)

Leave Grand Teton and drive north into Yellowstone via the South Entrance. This route takes you past the Hayden Valley – one of the best places in Yellowstone for wildlife viewing.

Stop along the way:

Lewis Falls: Small but pretty waterfall right by the road
Hayden Valley: Drive slowly and look for bison (very common), grizzly bears (early morning/late evening), and wolves. The Hayden Valley is along the Yellowstone River – great for photography.
Yellowstone Lake: Stop at Fishing Bridge to see the lake and walk along the boardwalk.

Arrive at Old Faithful area in the afternoon. Check into your accommodation.

Must-do in Old Faithful:

Watch Old Faithful erupt – it's predictable (every 90 minutes, give or take 10 minutes). Check the NPS app for the predicted eruption time.
Walk the Upper Geyser Basin Boardwalk – this is the highest concentration of geysers in the world. Don't miss:
- Castle Geyser
- Grand Geyser (tallest predictable geyser in the world)
- Riverside Geyser
- Morning Glory Pool (beautiful blue hot spring)

Where to stay: Old Faithful Inn (historic, iconic – book 12+ months in advance) or Old Faithful Snow Lodge. If staying outside, stay in West Yellowstone – 30 minutes from Old Faithful.

Day 4: Upper Geyser Basin → Grand Prismatic → Canyon Village → Mammoth Hot Springs

This is a big driving day but it covers all the major highlights in the upper and northern parts of the park.

Morning:

Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin – the largest hot spring in the US, famous for its incredible rainbow colors. Walk the boardwalk to get up close, or hike the short trail to the Fairy Falls overlook for the famous overhead photo of Grand Prismatic.

Mid-day:

Yellowstone Canyon – the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is spectacular, with yellow and orange rock walls and two great waterfalls:
- Lower Falls – the largest waterfall, view from Artist Point (the most famous viewpoint)
- Upper Falls – view from Brink of the Upper Falls
Hike the South Rim Trail for different perspectives on the canyon.

Afternoon/Evening:

Drive north to Mammoth Hot Springs – the constantly changing terraces are unique. Walk the boardwalks to see the active hot springs and terraces.
If you have time, stop at Gardiner Canyon (the Gardner River) on the way.

Where to stay: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or Cabins, or stay in Gardiner, MT just outside the north entrance.

Day 5: Mammoth → Lamar Valley → Hayden Valley → Lake Yellowstone

Lamar Valley is known as "America's Serengeti" – it's the best place in the lower 48 to see wolves and grizzly bears.

Get up very early (before sunrise) and drive to Lamar Valley. The best wildlife viewing is within the first couple hours after sunrise.

Wildlife viewing tips:

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them – you'll need them to see wolves and bears from the road
Go slow and stop at pullouts – other people will probably have already spotted animals
Be patient – wildlife watching takes time, but it's incredibly rewarding when you see a wolf or grizzly
Common sightings: bison (thousands of them roam Yellowstone), elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, wolves, grizzly bears

After morning wildlife watching, drive back south and stop at:

Lodore Falls – pretty waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron – interesting geothermal area with bubbling mud and the smell of sulfur
Continue to Yellowstone Lake and stay near the lake area for the night

What to expect: Bison often stand right on the road – don't try to push past them, wait patiently for them to move. They're much faster than you think – never get within 25 yards.

Day 6: Yellowstone Lake → West Thumb Geyser Basin → Grand Teton → Jackson

Leave Yellowstone and head back south to Grand Teton for your final night. On the way out, stop at:

West Thumb Geyser Basin: Unique geothermal area right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake – some hot springs actually empty into the lake. It's a beautiful, less crowded stop.
West Entrance Road: You'll pass through more forest and possibly see more wildlife.

If you have time on your way back, do any activities you missed in Grand Teton – maybe another quick hike or photo stop.

Where to stay: Jackson again, or stay in Teton Village if you prefer a more resort atmosphere.

Day 7: Optional Activities → Departure

If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you have time for one more activity:

Optional float trip: Float the Snake River through Grand Teton – a relaxing way to see the mountains and wildlife
Optional hike: If you're more adventurous, hike to the summit of Table Mountain for incredible views down to Jackson Hole and the Tetons
Shopping in Jackson: Browse the art galleries and western shops in Jackson Town Square
Drive to the airport: Jackson Hole Airport is only 10 minutes from Jackson town square

If you have more time: Add 2-3 days to explore the Beartooth Highway northeast of Yellowstone (one of America's most scenic drives) or go into Montana to visit Glacier National Park.

Practical Information

Car Rental

Pick up at Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and drop off there – most convenient
Price: $50-100 per day for a standard car
You don't need a 4WD for this itinerary – all roads are paved and suitable for standard cars in summer. A 4WD is only needed for backcountry dirt roads in early spring.

Fuel Costs

Gas in gateway towns: $3.50-4.00 per gallon (2026)
Gas inside the park is more expensive – fill up before entering
Total fuel for 7 days: approximately $150-200 for this itinerary

Accommodation Prices (per night, double room, 2026):

Inside park:
- Lodge/hotel: $250-500+ (book 6-12 months early)
- Cabins: $100-250
- Camping: $30-80
Outside gateway towns (Jackson, West Yellowstone, Gardiner):
- Budget motel: $100-180
- Mid-range hotel: $150-300
- Luxury hotel/resort: $300-800+

Car rental: $490 (7 days) / 2 people = $245
Fuel: $175 / 2 = $88
Entrance pass (both parks): $50 / 2 = $25
Accommodation: 6 nights × $175 = $1050
Food: 7 days × $50 = $350
Activities/hiking: $50 (bear spray rental, boat shuttle at Jenny Lake)
Total: ~$1,808 per person
Budget option (camping, self-catering): ~$800-1000 per person

Best Tips

Book early: In-park accommodation sells out extremely fast. If you can't get in, book a hotel in a gateway town – they have more availability.
Go early: Enter the park before 8 AM to get parking and avoid crowds at popular spots like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and Jenny Lake. By 10 AM, parking lots are often full.
Carry water: It's dry at high altitude, and you'll need more water than you think. Drink at least 2-3 liters per person per day.
Altitude sickness: Yellowstone and Grand Teton are at 7,000-8,000 feet elevation. Take it easy the first day, drink more water, avoid alcohol until you're acclimated.
Keep food in your car or in bear boxes: Never leave food unattended, and always use the provided bear-proof food storage boxes when camping or hiking.
Download the NPS app: It has park maps, eruption predictions for Old Faithful, and current trail condition information – very useful.
Bison are dangerous: They look slow and peaceful, but they can run 35 mph – faster than you. Give them plenty of space.

What to Pack

Layers – even in July, temperatures can drop to 40s°F (5-10°C) at night at this altitude
Warm jacket for evenings and early mornings
Rain jacket – afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer
Hiking shoes or boots with good traction
Sunscreen – the sun is strong at high altitude
Sunglasses and a hat
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Bear spray (if hiking)
Reusable water bottles
Power adapter (Type B, 120V – standard US)
Car charger for your phone – you'll be using GPS a lot

When to Go

June: Roads open late May/early June, wildflowers are blooming, fewer crowds
July-August: Peak season – all roads open, all facilities open, but more crowds and higher prices
September: Beautiful fall colors, fewer crowds, elk rutting season (great for wildlife), but some facilities start closing mid-month
October-May: Most roads closed, only north entrance open – only for winter visitors (snowmobiles, cross-country skiing)

Driving Tips

Speed limits are 45-55 mph on main park roads, slower in developed areas
Bison jams are common – when traffic stops because of bison on the road, be patient and wait. Don't honk or try to scare them off.
Pull over at designated pullouts to view wildlife – don't stop on the main road and block traffic
Distracted driving is dangerous – don't take photos while driving

Safety Summary

Always follow the NPS wildlife distance rules: 25 yards from most wildlife, 100 yards from bears and wolves
Never feed any wildlife – it's bad for them and can make them aggressive
Stay on marked boardwalks in geothermal areas – the crust is thin and scalding water can kill you
Check for fire restrictions – wildfires are possible in dry years
Have the park emergency number saved: 307-344-7381 (non-emergency) or 911 for emergencies

Final Thoughts

A Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip is an unforgettable American national park experience. Yellowstone's geothermal features are like nowhere else on Earth, and Grand Teton's jagged peaks are some of the most beautiful mountains you'll ever see. By combining both parks in one trip, you get the best of both worlds. The key is to balance driving and sightseeing with enough time to stop and wait for wildlife – that's when you'll have the most memorable experiences.