In the summer of 2018, our family took a national park road trip out west with some great friends of ours and their kids. Among the highlights of this trip was our time spent from Grand Teton to Yellowstone. This trip was a whirlwind; however, it was one of the best national park vacations we’ve had. We rented a 15 passenger van and drove round trip from Minneapolis through South Dakota, into Wyoming and Idaho, then up to Montana and back through North Dakota; meaning that we were not at each destination for more than a day or two. We planned this crazy road trip to take advantage of the Every Kid in a Park program where fourth graders and their families get in free to national parks for a year. This 4th grade national park pass saved our family close to $200. Our Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary was filled with non-stop hikes, photo-ops, and lots of driving.
Then in 2022, we decided to return to Wyoming and drive again from Grand Teton to Yellowstone to explore the area even further. We hiked new trails, visited areas we missed the first time and slowed down a little more on the second time around. Here are our recommendations on what to do from Grand Teton to Yellowstone.
Grand Teton to Yellowstone: Best Things to Do
While Yellowstone and Grand Teton are neighbors, they each deserve their own time to explore. The drive time says it is about 2 hours to each park, but that is highly unlikely because you will stop at scenic overlooks, see wildlife, stop to hike or check out a Visitor’s Center. I do not recommend that you stay in one spot and drive to both parks. The stops I will be sharing from our visits in Grand Teton to Yellowstone show the basics of what we did (both in 2018 and 2022), plus other recommendations that I learned from researching or stops we didn’t fit in the itinerary.
There is plenty to see in Wyoming besides Grand Teton and Yellowstone, but these two national parks were the sole purpose of our trip in 2018. We were coming from South Dakota, so our drive went through the middle section of Wyoming through Casper. We had planned a stop at Devil’s Tower National Monument, but we had a flight cancellation early in the trip and we lost a day of travel. In 2022, we finally made it to Devil’s Tower National Monument, and stayed in cabins near Cody (on the eastern side of Yellowstone)
Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park
First of all, your home base when visiting Grand Teton needs to be Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is a cute, cowboy chic town that is the perfect place for your Grand Teton vacation. There are numerous local shops and restaurants all over the downtown area. Depending on which accommodation you chose, most are within walking distance to the dining and shopping areas.
We stayed at the Cowboy Village Resort and loved it. The price point was moderate, and it had everything we needed for our 2-night stay. The cabins were small, but perfect for the 4 of us. Our room had queen bunk beds, a sofa, a mini fridge, small stove, and a microwave. Outside there was a picnic style table and plenty of parking for our car. The rustic cabins were just a block off the main area, and within walking distance to downtown. The kids loved the huge bunk beds and the “
Some other options we considered:
We also checked out these options below and considered renting a house on Airbnb too. Ultimately, Cowboy Village Resort won.
Staying Inside Grand Teton National Park
Of course, there’s also the option to be closer to nature and stay in one of the many campgrounds or lodges inside Grand Teton. This is the best bet for families wanting more of
Here are some ideas on where you can stay inside Grand Teton National Park. Be warned though, accommodations tend to fill up as early as a year in advance, so try to plan as early as possible. If you cannot get a campground spot, many people will boondock or tent camp in the nearby national forest as well (which is free).
Grand Teton 2 Day Itinerary
Are are two examples of a Grand Teton 2 Day Itinerary. The first is the one we did in 2018, and the second was in 2022.
Day 1
- Breakfast – Pearl Street Bagels
- Lakeshore Trail Hike at Colter Bay
- Picnic Lunch at Moose Visitors Center
- Photo Ops – Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, Park Sign
- Explore Downtown Jackson
- Dinner – Glorietta Trattoria
Day 2
- Breakfast – Cowboy Coffee
- Jenny Lake Visitor’s Center and lake shore walk
- Lunch at McPhail’s Burgers
- River Rafting
- Dinner – Merry Piglets Mexican
Day 1
- Taggert Lake Trail
- Lunch back at Jackson Lake Lodge
- String Lake hike and swim
- Dinner at Blue Heron Lounge
- Sunset hike around the lodge
Day 2
- Ferry across Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, walk a section of Cascade Canyon
- Mormon Row
- Lunch in Jackson
- Phelps Lake
- Signal Mountain Overlook
- Dinner – back at Jackson Lake Lodge
Things to do in Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park has so much to do for everyone. That stunning mountain range is the perfect backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities no matter which time of year you choose to visit. Here are some of my recommendations.
Go Hiking
Although our kids do enjoy hiking, they also enjoy complaining. We do our best to keep hikes around 2-3 miles so that we can do one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Our morning hike in 2018 was at Lakeshore Trail near the Colter Bay Visitor’s Center. This 3 mile hike was a gentle inner and outer loop around a little peninsula on Jackson Lake. The views from this hike were just unreal. The jagged mountains, the blue/green water, and the forest made me feel as if I was in a storybook setting in Europe. One of the main reasons we did this hike is because we read that it was a hidden gem, and you could see the whole Grand Teton Range. It is a great easy hike if you have younger ones.
In 2022, our kids were older and ready for a bit of a challenge. We hiked the Taggert Lake Trail, which was about 4 miles with about 400 feet of elevation gain. It was a beautiful hike that was not difficult at all. We saw plenty of wildlife on this trail (elk, moose and a bear). Grand Teton National Park has some fantastic hikes, so be sure to arrive early to the trailheads, as parking can get tricky by mid-morning.
At the Moose Visitor’s Center, our kids worked on their junior ranger badges, had a short picnic lunch, and then we went driving around taking pictures and looking for wildlife. Our kids enjoyed learning about how John Rockefeller bought this land and sold it to the US government to be sanctioned as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Our morning hike on the second day was a short section of Jenny Lake. The mountains here were much closer than on our morning hike. The scenery was so beautiful! Jenny Lake is home to many back country trails as well. Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point are very popular, and Cascade Canyon is as well. These are more difficult hikes. You can save yourself time/miles and take the ferry across or hike around the lake itself. It connects to String and Leigh Lake in the back, which are popular for swimming and kayaking/paddleboarding.
While we have only visited in the summer, I know that summer is a very popular time in Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson Hole is a very popular ski resort, so winter is also pretty busy in this area. If you are planning to visit during the summer or fall months, check out this list of things to do in Jackson Hole.
Mormon Row Historic District
This is one of the most popular photography spots in Grand Teton National Park. Many photographers wake up very early to get pictures of the sunrise here, so if you’re interested, be ready to join the crowds. These are original homesteads built back in the early 1900s. The most famous picture is the barn below. We arrived just before lunch and there were about 2 spots open.
Snake River Rafting
As much as we loved hiking and seeing the splendor of the Grand Teton mountains, white water rafting on the Snake River was so much fun! I had been wanting to take the kids on a white water adventure for some time now but needed to wait till my daughter was a bit older (most tours designate close to 8 as the youngest age). If you ask both my children, they will say that this was the highlight of the whole trip.
There are many boat outfitters that run day trips on the Snake River. We used Mad River Boat Trips and were very pleased with the tour itself and our guide. Once you arrive, you are to wait for your scheduled tour time and a bus picks you up to take you to the river about 25 minutes away. Their store had sunscreen and many other items available for purchase.
As silly as it sounds, we had a hard time deciding what to bring and what to wear on this adventure. The white water clothing I recommend is a bathing suit, and a sun shirt/shorts. Hats and sunglasses are also recommended. You should also bring water shoes/hiking sandals. One thing we wish we had brought was a towel to dry off or at least wrap around us for the bus ride back.
My husband and I had previously rafted on the Rogue River in Oregon, yet this river had much more action. We learned a bit about the geology of the area and during a couple of non-paddling moments, the guide allowed anyone to get off and hold on to the raft. Even though the water was 55 degrees, both my kids jumped in! Our guide was very gracious to the kids and allowed them a “front row” seat (which he assured me was very safe). Overall, the tour was 3 hours long and well worth the price!
Jackson Lake Cruise
If you’re not that into hiking a boat ride around the scenic Jackson Lake is a great family activity. From the Colter Bay Marina, Grand Teton Lodge company runs a Jackson Lake Cruise that will take you on a scenic tour around the lake. You can also choose to include breakfast, lunch or dinner on Elk Island for an extra fee.
If you are looking for other options besides these activities, check out even more amazing things to do at Grand Teton National Park.
Grand Teton to Yellowstone: Drive
Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone are among the top 5 things to do in Wyoming. On our trip from Grand Teton to Yellowstone, we chose to stay 2 days at each place. Looking back, I would recommend 4 days at each park (more if you can at Yellowstone). I wish we could have stayed longer at both national parks and enjoyed the surrounding areas a bit more, but on a pre-scheduled road trip, that’s not possible. It is the very reason we came back in 2022; so that we could explore the area in further detail.
Technically, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are neighbors. Grand Teton is the smaller of the two, while Yellowstone is quite large. There is no real middle location to visit both parks. If you are going to travel from Yellowstone to Grand Teton, it is best to plan a few days in each so that you are driving less and enjoying the outdoors more. Here are some tour options if you do want to combine both Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
2 Days in Yellowstone
To visit all of Yellowstone in a day is impossible. In 2018, we were there for 2 full days and saw most of what we wanted to see, but it was quite rushed. I recommend that a true Yellowstone family vacation be at least a week long to fully explore and soak in the beauty this area has to offer. Since we were on a time crunch, 2 days is all we had. In 2022, we only spent a day here. We originally had planned to drive the Beartooth Highway from the northeast and drive through Lamar Valley, but the flooding in June derailed those plans (it was closed). We changed courses and entered through the Eastern side, by Cody, and loved our time there (although it did take time off the park visit).
Yellowstone National Park is divided into two driving loops – Upper and Lower. In 2018, we were coming from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone, we came in through the South entrance and planned to do the Lower Loop on Day 1. In 2022, we did the West Thumb Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Lake area, since we missed it the first time.
Our Yellowstone 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Yellowstone Lower Loop
- Old Faithful Geyser
- Upper Geyser Basin
- Lunch in Old Faithful area
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Hayden Valley – Wildlife Viewing
- Mud Volcano
- Dinner in West Yellowstone or Idaho Springs
Day 2 – Yellowstone Upper Loop
- Gibbon Falls
- Brink of the Lower Falls
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Lunch in Canyon Village
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Gardiner (North Entrance) for dinner
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
I recommend staying in West Yellowstone, as that is the most central place you can find. While I researched this heavily, we opted to stay at a beautiful Airbnb in Island Park, ID. Since we traveled with another family, it wound up being cheaper than a hotel room in West Yellowstone (which is 30 minutes away). Also, we needed to cross off Idaho on our 50 state family bucket list and add a photo for our personalized travel map.
In hindsight, although our kids enjoyed the large cabin, it was too far from the park. There is a lot of driving around to get to attractions in Yellowstone, and this just added an hour to our daily commute. On our recent trip, we stayed just 30 minutes outside the Eastern entrance (by Cody), and it was fantastic! You are located just outside of the park and about 20 minutes from Cody to get dinner and see the rodeo. Here is a video review of our stay at the Yellowstone Cutthroat Guest Ranch.
Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive
Old Faithful Geyser
This was our first stop on our Yellowstone family vacation. Naturally, it was the one my kids were most excited about since they had learned a little about geysers after our stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We arrived early in the morning and already the parking lot was pretty full. Once we got our spot, we walked to the main viewing area by Old Faithful Lodge. There are clearly marked signs and information available online and in the visitor’s center about the predicted times Old Faithful will erupt.
Sadly, we missed the last eruption by 15 minutes. Since eruptions are anywhere between 35-120 minutes, we had to wait until the next estimated time. It ended up being a 30 minute wait, but once it happened, it was pretty amazing. I recommend looking ahead of time online and trying to arrive a bit early just in case.
Upper Geyser Basin
This is a boardwalk hike that gets you up close with smaller geysers and the many thermal features of the area. You can start this hike right after you view Old Faithful erupt. You do this at your own pace and turn around when you are done looking at the thermal pools and geysers.
The geology of the area is so fascinating. There were many signs along the way that we stopped and read about. We had also picked up a guide at the visitor’s center and taught the kids a bit about the underground heat of the area.
In terms of safety, we explained sternly the importance of not veering off the boardwalk, running, or throwing anything into the thermal pools. Also, note that there is no shade in this area. I strongly recommend
Grand Prismatic Spring
I had seen so many pictures of this colorful thermal spring, and I could not wait to see it with my own eyes. Grand Prismatic Spring is probably the most photographed natural feature in Yellowstone. It is the 3rd largest thermal spring in the world and the rainbow of colors are simply surreal!
Although there is parking here, it is quite small and this is a very popular stop. I had read two differing opinions about how to see Grand Prismatic. Many sites said to go to the Grand Prismatic Overlook, which meant parking at the Fairy Falls trailhead and walking 1.6 miles roundtrip. Others said to walk to it and see it close up. I chose the close-up way, and although it was definitely packed with people, I am glad we saw it much closer.
There are 3 thermal features on this short boardwalk hike, but Grand Prismatic is the star of the show. Be sure to wear a hat, as there is no shade at all. Many of the geyser and thermal areas are paved or have boardwalks set up for viewing. Strollers are fine at most of these places, but be sure to not let young kids run off, as you often hear of accidents when people do not heed park safety warnings about being extra cautious near these hot springs.
There is a parking lot for the Grand Prismatic, but it was full, so we found a spot down the road. On your way to the Grand Prismatic, there are some neat thermal runoffs that flow into
Moose Falls
In 2022, we added more waterfall stops along the way. This was another nice little roadside stop near the South Entrance on our way down to Grand Teton National Park. If you have time, and if there is parking, stop here for a quick photo and to enjoy the sound of rushing water.
Hayden Valley Drive
We then took a drive through Hayden Valley and saw a fair amount of bison grazing. This is a very popular wildlife viewing drive and can often be the center of huge traffic jams. Bison often walk on the roads and cars stop to take pictures. We saw people getting off their cars to get better pictures of the animals, and I thought “those are the people you read about in the news”. We got lucky and had one bison literally walk right beside our van. It was one of the highlights of our Grand Teton to Yellowstone adventure.
The views of this valley were stunning, even from the car. I had read that the best time for viewing was during dusk or early morning, but our schedule/timing didn’t allow it on our first time. This second trip in 2022, we made it a point to drive to Hayden Valley early in the morning, and we saw plenty of wildlife (mostly bison).
Lamar Valley
I read that Lamar Valley is much better for spotting wildlife, as it is more “out of the mainstream”. Because it was so far, we didn’t have time to venture to the other side of the park. If you have more time than we did, I recommend going to Lamar Valley instead of Hayden Valley. This gives us another reason to return to Yellowstone.
Mud Volcano Area
The Mud Volcano area is a series of muddy hot springs and geysers with short paved boardwalk hikes reaching them. We saw a bison just relaxing while we were on this hike. Besides seeing the one the walked by our car, this was the closest we got without a barrier.
We also a pretty unique feature called Dragon’s Mouth Cauldron which was a cave that had steam coming out of it. If you listened closely, you could also hear a rumble. I wish I had younger kids so they would believe a dragon lived in there!
Yellowstone Upper Loop Drive
We started day 2 of our Yellowstone family vacation excited to explore more of the park. Our first day was action-packed and filled with some wildlife, natural beauty, hiking, and unique geological features.
Gibbon Falls
We began our day with an impromptu overlook at a roadside waterfall. We had passed a few on our first day and vowed to stop at the next one. Gibbon Falls was a nice waterfall, and easily accessible from the road. Although it barely qualifies as a hike, it was a scenic stop on our upper loop drive.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Area
This area is part of both the Upper and Lower Loops in Yellowstone. We chose to do it on our second day and are glad we did because we spent a good amount of time hiking and checking out this scenic area. We had originally planned to hike Uncle Tom’s Trail since I heard it had one of the best views, yet when we arrived at the parking lot, the trail was closed. Onto Plan B…
Brink of the Lower Falls Hike
We decided to hike this 1-mile trek even though it was rated moderate due to the steep switchbacks to see the Lower Falls. None of the kids had ever done a switchback type hike, so this was a unique experience. They stayed close to us, as they do on all hikes, but started getting ahead of us on the way down. We warned them not to go too fast, as they needed to save their energy for the way back up. The trail is plenty wide for two way traffic, although safety did have to be reminded. There are no rails! Even though it was just under a mile, the whole hike took us over an hour. This hike is great to do with older kids, but I would not recommend it for younger ones or anyone with mobility issues.
You could hear the rush of the water through the entire hike. In the distance, you can see the Upper Falls, and there were a few areas to stop and take in the scenery of the river.
Once you arrive at the bottom, there are a couple of viewing platforms. Then, you are literally right at the top of the Lower Falls. I had never been so close to one before. The sound and the power of the Lower Falls were simply amazing!
Artist Point
I had read this was the best viewpoint for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, so on we went. As usual, the parking lot was full and we had to drive around a couple of times to get a spot. Once you arrive, you follow the signs and the viewpoint is a few steps and stairs away. I must agree, the vantage point was breathtaking!
Mammoth Hot Springs
Located
We stopped into the Visitor’s Center for a snack break and noticed some elk along the lawn. They did not seem to mind as people snapped pictures of them.
There is also lodging in this area and some scenic/unique sections of the road just past the Mammoth area. We loved our drives in this section, and it was much less crowded than the other areas of the park.
Gardiner – Northern Yellowstone Entrance
Gardiner is a small town along Yellowstone’s border in Montana. It is a “cute cowboy” type town that seemed to be stuck in time. The views of the park here were gorgeous. I highly recommend visiting this town for lunch or dinner, as the food options are much better than those found inside the park.
This is also a great place to get a picture with a huge Yellowstone National Park sign. The views of the park in this area were expansive and almost no one was there! Also note that in June of 2022, this area dealt with many road closures due to the flooding.
In addition, the 45th parallel also runs right along here. We saw a sign by the road and stopped for a quick picture.
Yellowstone to Grand Teton Tips
If you are planning a Grand Teton to Yellowstone adventure, try to allot more than one day for each park. Since Yellowstone and Grand Teton are right next to each other, technically you can take a day trip from one to the other; however, it will be a lot of driving.
I highly recommend staying near one park for a few days, and then driving to the other and staying close by. That way you can maximize more time seeing things rather than driving. Campgrounds are the perfect way to be close to the trails and provide many camping activities for kids or you could step it up a notch and do some family glamping in a park model RV.
In terms of food, the options inside the park are pretty basic and quite pricey. We brought sandwiches one day and the other ate inside at Canyon Village. If you are trying to save money, try to bring your own food in.
I would also advise that you find an insider’s guide to the parks. I did all of the research, but it was very time consuming. Once I returned, someone showed me an itinerary they paid for, and it was almost identical to mine. There were also some great insider tips and helpful information I wish I had known about beforehand. In hindsight, I wish I had bought it. Check out these great national park itineraries for purchase.
Another important thing to note: cell phone reception is very spotty from Grand Teton to Yellowstone. Get some maps at the visitors’ centers just in case, and when you do have reception, map out your route on Google Maps and save it offline. There is a lot of driving in both national parks, especially Yellowstone, so be prepared to lose signal often.
Final Thoughts on Grand Teton to Yellowstone
I absolutely loved this trip! While the Grand Teton mountains were stunning, the differing landscapes and wildlife in Yellowstone blew me away. I was in awe almost everywhere we went. Next time I visit, I hope to stay inside the park and stay longer. Ideally, I think at least 4-5 days is a good amount of time. Check out this Yellowstone trip planner for more places to explore. Although we did see a good amount of wildlife, I know that had we stayed closer, we would have seen them in the morning and at dusk (where more of them are out). That being said, I was able to do everything I wanted to do.
From Yellowstone, we made our way north to Montana to visit Glacier National Park. To read about our hikes and where to stay in
If you are traveling south, consider doing this national and state parks hopping in the West Itinerary for a road trip itinerary through Utah and New Mexico.
Other Great National Parks to Visit
There are 63 US National Parks, and while we have only visited a few, check out our reviews of why they should be on your radar of national parks to visit.
- Acadia National Park
- 10 Best National Parks Vacations
- Glacier National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Mammoth Cave
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I’ve never been to any of these – need to put national parks on my radar for sure! I have so many places I want to go to, so little time 🙂
How funny, we also stayed in an AirBnB in Island Park when visiting Yellowstone. We had 3.5 days in the park and it was just about enough time to cover what we did. I would have liked longer but its an excuse to go back!
Great info! We camped in both parks last summer and I think your itineraries are spot on. Also love the video!
Definitely some of the best national parks in America! So glad you had a great time.
Sounds like an awesome family adventure! The Cowboy Village Resort looks like such a cute place to stay! Pinning for when we get out West!
What a fantastic adventure! Can’t believe you were that close to a bison! So inspired to visit some of the US national parks!
So thorough. Thanks!
Wow! It is so beautiful! Geysers, mountains, hiking trails, rafting…are two days even enough?
By the way, what’s the cowboy coffee?
No two days were barely enough in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We were on a road trip and had a tight schedule of places to be. Cowboy Coffee was a delicious coffee shop in Jackson, WY.
This is the best and most thorough post on Yellowstone that I have read! I’m totally going to use these steps 1 by 1 for our upcoming trip to this area! Thanks so much!
So glad you liked it! Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions as you start planning. I would be happy to answer anything about Yellowstone or Grand Teton.
This is pretty much my dream hiking/driving/camping road trip with my kids!
doing Grand Teton to Yellowstone was a dream vacation for me. I hope to be back again!
This is perfect since we’re heading there soon! Thanks for all the great tips
Awesome roundup of info! I want to visit this park SOON! Great advice- saving for later! 🙂
What a great, detailed post. I can’t wait to get my kids out to more National Parks in the west.
This sounds like something we would love to do as a family and Yellowstone is definitely on the wish list!
Yellowstone and Grand Teton are just awe-inspiring. I would love to visit one day!
It’s been 30 years since I’ve been here! I need to bring the kids as I know they would love it! Pinning for future reference.
So much useful information, thanks for your post.
I always fond of the wildlife species and the beauty of the nature and that why traveled so many national parks al around the world. This is amazing post and I hope my kids will love and admire the beauty of this place.
Sounds like a brilliant trip. We are planning something similar further west this summer. Really want to see some wildlife too. Can’t wait!
This looks like such a fun trip and those cabins are awesome!
What an amazing trip. The white water rafting looked fun and I do love a colourful volcanic pool. Thanks for sharing.
This is a dream bucket list trip for me!! Thanks for all the tips! Definitely saving this post for later!
Seems like an interesting place to visit!
What a seriously amazing trip! Your kids are going to remember that forever! What a fab view of the bison too!
I have always waned to visit Yellowstone, but this makes me want to visit Grand Teton National Park as well, those views are spectacular!
Both these national parks were on my travel bucket list and I’d hoped to go to em’ this year, but may have to wait til next year now. White water rafting would be awesome! Thank you for all the information–it’ll make planning my trip easier! :]
Thank you for such a detail filled post! I pinned it so I can come back to it when we head out that way. My children love wildlife and I can’t wait to bring them to Yellowstone to see all the animals.
The best road trip that one can take from one’s place is to visit any of the national parks. I have taken lots of such trips in my home country. I would love to take this Grand Teton to Yellowstone road trip.
What a truly incredible journey! That is something I will never forget! How wonderful to see the bison as well! I wish to return to Yellwstone frequently.
I am a big fan of your blog. You always write in a way that inspires us to travel and see the world. Thank you very much for that. Greetings from Calgary.