Native Americans hunted, fished and gathered plants in the park. 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. Follow the loop road until you reach Gibbon Falls for a quick waterfall stop. Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.Download your free ebook here. You can do a little bit of everything in Grand Teton, from hiking to wildlife spotting and from sunrise photography to swimming in lakes. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. Stay in West Yellowstone. The park is home to various wildlife, including grizzly bears, bison, elk, and wolves. With mountain biking, hiking, climbing, OHV opportunities, climbing, and rafting, there's no shortage of things to do. Use the morning to revisit any of the areas in Grand Teton you liked the most, such as Jenny Lake or Oxbow Bend. Starting and ending in Salt Lake City is an excellent option if youre planning a road trip to Yellowstone National Park. Walk around Upper Geyser Basin in the late afternoon. Hi Joan, it isn't as bad as it sounds, you can still easily see the best of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone in this time frame. However, we will also explain how to drive this road trip route in less and more time later in the guide. If you stayed near Moran, you might want to drive up Signal Mountain for sunrise or simply having a slower start at your rural lodging. I booked a trip following your itinerary from July 26 - August 2nd. For Yellowstone, we have reservations at the Lake Lodge (July 29), Canyon Lodge (July 30) and Mammoth Lodge (July 31) before heading back to Salt Lake City (August 1). While located a short drive from Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park has an entirely different (and perhaps more impressive landscape). You might only be planning to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but thousands each year use SLC as a hub to drive through Wyoming and Utah. 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. Check in at your Canyon hotel or lodge and head straight back to the car to drive south for just over a mile before turning left into North Rim Drive. With four Jackson locations and over 400 rooms and cabins, the Town Square Inns have more options to meet your style and budget than any other area hotelier. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Planning a trip but have to drive from las vegas. Teton Village is a quieter and more upscale place to stay for visiting Grand Teton. flying into West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole Airport. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. The shore of this brilliant blue lake is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. Overcast Clouds. Enjoy your time off! Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. Yellowstone In October: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting, Where To Stay In Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels + Lodging. Head over to Lower Falls. Photo: Getty Images. Leave dry land behind to explore the rivers and lakes of Yellowstone. Cover Photo:12019 on pixabay.com . Revisit any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before heading back to SLC airport. 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. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This adventure hub is only minutes from incredible hiking, driving, and skiing (youve heard of Park City, right?). Rent an RV with Outdoorsy This would allow you to sleep right out in nature surrounded by the Tetons but you would have very few amenities nearby. Day 4 Enjoy a sunrise over Lower Falls from Artists Point and explore Hayden Valley. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting stops along the way, eat at great restaurants, and maybe even find a hotel to stay overnight. This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and get you into all 400+ national park sites (including both Yellowstone and Grand Teton!). You might be able to find a cheaper rate with Hotels compared to going direct so it is worth checking. 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. Day 6 See Hayden Valley, hike Mt Washburn, walk to Tower Fall and drive into Lamar Valley. Where To Stay On Your Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, 5. Follow the western shores of Bear Lake and cross into Idaho. As you continue along Highway 89 towards Jackson Hole, youll pass through Afton, Wyoming, and Alpine, Wyoming. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. If you drive from SLC to the West Entrance, the drive will take roughly 4.5 hours one way. Drive over to Mammoth and explore the terraces. Why Start a Road Trip to Yellowstone in Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City is the natural stopping off point between visiting Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, and the 5 Utah national parks to the south for those on longer US road trips. Add them to walking, waterfalls and wildlife in Yellowstone and you have the perfect focal point on your Salt Lake City to Wyoming road trip. 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. Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. Sunrise is when animals are most active in Yellowstone, so dont miss this final opportunity. Catch a glimpse into pioneer living, enjoy live theater performances and stroll a charming downtown with a stop in Logan. One of my favorite ways to see the national parks is with GyPSy Guide. Is the drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole pretty? Youll arrive in Yellowstone National Park via the South Entrance along John D. Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway. This is one of the most famous elevated views in the entire park and shouldnt be missed. Spend the day out on the water on Bear Lake. It is the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton and enjoying the culinary scene after a long day in the park. www.outdoorsy.com. And on this road trip from Salt Lake City, Yellowstone is the crown jewel. Some people may only want to day trip into each national park but spend more time in Salt Lake City. Yellowstones west entrance is 323 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, it is the closest entrance by distance and time from the airport and should take a little over 5 hours to reach. You can choose between a lodge style hotel room or semi-detached cabin at Mammoth. Salt Lake City is the natural stopping off point between visiting Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, and the 5 Utah national parks to the south for those on longer US road trips. Its great for national park trips because it works on GPS, not cell phone signals. They are our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point. Notable stops are Salt Lake City, Jackson, Moab, Idaho Falls, Dixie National Forest, Zion National Park, Geyser Park as well as Canyonlands Arches National Parks. Remember, the extra night also means you need the budget for a hotel room, eating out and another day with a hire car. This massive national park requires at least three days to see the highlights and experience the parks immense wildlife, features, and views. 17 helpful votes. You may even get a colorful sunset as you gaze down at the world famous geyser and main attraction in Yellowstone. Long before Yellowstone became the countrys first national park, this land was important to a diverse group of people. All things considered we think SLC is the best airport to use for Yellowstone because it is the most convenient for long haul travel and offers low budget airlines for domestic US travel. Nestled among majestic mountain peaks, and surrounded by natural scenic wonders, the town is rich in history and activities. There are a couple of options for starting your Yellowstone road trip, depending on where you are coming from. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Day 3 . I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone. 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. Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. We will cover where to stay on the Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip in much greater depth later in the guide. The Logan Canyon Scenic Byway connects Logan, a sizable town outside of Salt Lake City, and Garden City along the shores of Bear Lake. Day 8 Spend the day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. 9 days: fly into Cody. Heres how we might plan a 9 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Saddle Up in Jackson Use, to browse deals on rental cars or rent an RV or campervan with, My favorite way to learn more about the park is with GyPSy Guides, a narrated self-guided tour perfect for road trips and scenic drives. If you have more or less time for your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip, here are a couple of modifications: Read More: 7 Days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. What Is The Closest Entrance To Yellowstone From SLC? Ask me to go on one, anywhere. Really unfortunate timing for you and thousands of others who are planning a visit to Yellowstone this Summer but it will still be a fantastic trip. Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs Elk Country Inn 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. This makes Grand Teton and Yellowstone accessible to millions of potential tourists. Unfortunately, Our Mammoth Lodge reservation has been cancelled and it appears the Northern Loop is going to be closed the remainder of the Summer. In spring and fall you should be able to book night 5 in Canyon quite easily, but for a summer visit you might run into issues with Canyon being fully booked. 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. Day 6 Explore Norris Geyser Basin, then visit Lower Falls and Hayden Valley. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. Right next to Grand Teton National Park,spend a day on the newVia Ferrata assisted climbing course, riding the gondola, tackling the ropes course or biking and hiking downhill. The road from Salt Lake to Yellowstone has no shortage of beauty! Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. The easiest way to get around Yellowstone is by car. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 2 Days in Yellowstone We saw a moose and an otter playing on ice here. Alternatively, if you are a hiker you should definitely spend the morning hiking to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and eventually Cascade Canyon. Barker Ewing rafting on the Snake River in Jackson Hole. Easily one of Utah's best and most well-known areas, Moab is the perfect spot for the weekend warrior. There are several benefits of starting your Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip in Salt Lake City, including: All that said, if youre looking to minimize your driving time, flying into Salt Lake City isnt the best option for you. Photo: Tom Gainor / Unsplash. The park is enormous and it is most efficient to spend each night at a different hotel. There are 6 places you can stay at park lodging inside Yellowstone: If you do choose just one place to stay inside Yellowstone, we recommend you pick a hotel either in Canyon Village or Old Faithful. Stay Right Next to the Water at Bear Lake Spending a few minutes considering what you need to pack for your SLC to Yellowstone road trip can save you time, money and energy later in your vacation. Salt Lake is where the tradition meets a progressive and energetic cultural scene. Heres the top six reasons to visit. It allows you to search across major retailers like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and more. Read our popular guide listing the best places to stay in Yellowstone both inside and outside the park to help you figure out the most challenging part of planning this road trip. Lets start planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip! We will let you know as soon as this one is available and hopefully it is before your trip! This is one of our favorite hidden gem areas of Yellowstone. Answer 1 of 6: Planning a roadtrip for February / March 2013. Across the border in Idaho, Fort Hall offers a glimpse into the culture of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. Hi! Day 6 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before driving back to SLC airport. Other major airports in the region include Jackson Hole (JAC), Bozeman (BZN), and Salt Lake (SLC). Day 6 - Drive back to Las Vegas. Answer 1 of 22: I have been trying to plan a great trip for my 10 year old twins this year. Stay in Gardiner. While you may hear the terms used interchangeably, the region is Jackson Hole, and the city is simply named Jackson. Day 3 - Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree and arrive in Los Angelo's. Day 4-8 - Los Angelo's. Day 9 - Los Angelo's to Las Vegas. Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls - 3.5 hours, no stops. Day 4 Spend another full day enjoying the tranquility in Grand Teton. Wed go as far as saying if you only have 4 days for your trip, take one from Yellowstone and give it to Grand Teton. The. The third day is when your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip bursts into life. Take the right turn, stop at String Lake and Jenny Lake Overlook for beautiful lake views. Read more in this disclosure policy. Yellowstone has eight lodges inside the park, plus several campgrounds. Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. If you want to visit Jackson Hole as well as Grand Teton National Park, the driving time is about 7.5 hours one-way. The Fishing Bridge area was used as a gathering place and the thermal waters of the park were used for ceremony and healing. Thank you. For a more relaxing experience you should plan for 8 or even 9 days. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. 4. Spend around two hours walking through Upper Geyser Basin, the area with the highest concentration of geysers in Yellowstone. While there are infinite things to do in this touristy town, dont miss: Read More: Best Hotels Near Grand Teton and Best Campgrounds in Grand Teton. Distance From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 320 miles. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone via Wyoming, Grand Tetons: This route will take you via 80E to UT-30E to WY-89 North. We have created this guide based on our extensive knowledge and experience in the region to help you plan the best possible trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Looking for suggestions on any must-sees between West Yellowstone and Salt Lake City. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. This entrance is located 320 miles and 5 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. The mountain drive to Bear Lake and the Snake River scenic views are worth it! With the recent developments, I could use some help creating an alternate plan for the Yellowstone portion. The Teton Range is distinct and recognizable with its sharp, arrowhead-like peaks. Mornings and evenings will be cold but during the day it warms up nicely. Fun on the Water in Yellowstone National Park Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. Insurance, license, registration, identification, roadside assistance and extra car keys. Only have 48 hours? Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park As part of our first 3 month US road trip, we actually drove from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone before driving through Grand Teton to Salt Lake City and onto the Utah parks. Both were great and worked perfectly for our itinerary. Day 1 11:00 am start in Salt Lake City drive for about 37 minutes 11:37 am Ogden stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:37 pm drive for about 1 hour 1:45 pm Malad City stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:45 pm drive for about 54 minutes 3:39 pm Pocatello stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am day 1 driving 2.5 hours find more stops Day 5 - Either see Hayden Valley / Lower Yellowstone Falls in the morning, or hike to Mt Washburn. Find pet-friendly stops. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Salt Lake is well known for having the greatest snow on Earth and the epicenter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons. You also have a better range of hotel prices in West Yellowstone. 4. Read our popular 2 days in Grand Teton itinerary which organizes the best things to do into two easy days. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. Adapt the itinerary below to suit your exact travel plans and please feel free to leave us a comment at the end if you need help planning for your specific vacation plans, such as hiking or photography focused. In Park City theres a trail for everyone, from mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music,and theres no better time to hit them than summer. 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. Input Salt Lake City and your travel dates to see your options. Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake Next, drive through the center of Yellowstone Loop road to Canyon. Have a Shoshone-Bannock Native Experience Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone road trip Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to West Yellowstone, and you want to stop along the way to rest. 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. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Planning Resources. Grand Teton Lodge Company. Day 2 Drive to Jackson and spend the late afternoon around Mormon Row. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. Traffic from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. It is worth sticking around here until later in the day because this is regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Other than Mesa Falls, there isn't much of note between SLC and West Yellowstone. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone Mormon Row is incredibly beautiful at sunrise. Plenty of motor oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc. Bear in mind this would mean you have to loop from Jackson through Teton and Yellowstone before returning to Jackson. Gardiner works better if you are entering or leaving Yellowstone to the north, say to visit Glacier National Park before or afterward. Here are our popular road trip resources for planning and packing: Packing for Grand Teton and Yellowstone is fairly straightforward year round. Day 10-11 Las Vegas. Read more about the best time to visit Yellowstone here. Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days In Yellowstone Things to Do: 22 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone Hikes: 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone Getting There: 8 Best Airports Near Yellowstone When to Visit: The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone Where to Stay: Where to Stay in Yellowstone Airbnbs Nearby: 25 Best Airbnbs Near Yellowstone. Why trust us to help with planning your once in a lifetime trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone? What if you have more or less time than 7 days? The most direct route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is about 325 miles which takes you along I-15. Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch Salt Lake City is located 320 miles from Yellowstone National Park. A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton. Northern Utah and southern Wyoming have so much to offer, from scenic state parks to quaint small towns. Day 12 - Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. Its the reason for your entire trip! Its almost like you planned it! If you're flying, you can fly into Salt Lake City and enjoy a 5-hour drive to Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton National Park is a nature and landscape photographers ideal arena and it one of our personal favorite places to visit in the US. Splitting the fourth day between Grand Teton and Yellowstone is completely open to your interpretation. The speed, the sun, the wind, the fantasy of never looking back, and the sheer diversity of . Popular sites include, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache, Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests as well as Antelope Island and Willard Bay State Parks. Dont miss these posts! Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. My Salt Lake to Yellowstone Itinerary I planned the following basic Grand Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary: Day 1 - Arrive in Salt Lake City Day 2 - Drive to Grand Teton National Park via Fossil Butte National Monument Day 3 and 4 - In Grand Teton National Park Day 5 - To Yellowstone National Park Day 6 and 7 - In Yellowstone National Park Idaho National Parks Northwest Road Trip Utah Wyoming Prepared By: Tobey Schmidt Jackson has a wide range of hotel options spanning the budget range so you shouldnt have too many issues finding a good fit. I need to flip the itinerary to travel from N-S due to our flight timings. This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. If you are lucky there will be wildlife drinking fresh water or playing in the river. Heres how we might plan a 6 day itinerary: Day 2 Spend the full day hiking and taking photos in Grand Teton, before staying at a hotel near Moran. 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. Please let us know if you have any questions or need any help planning your road trip. This stretch of road is truly breathtaking, so be prepared to stop to take in the natural Wyoming landscapes. Look no further than Yellowstone and Grand Teton! If you are not interested in kayaking, continue until you reach West Thumb Geyser Basin. One of our favorite parts about Jackson is how the small town has managed to retain its wild west feel, despite the obvious potential for commercialization. Action packed day, sleep in Canyon Village. Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake. I will share more scenes from our visit to Salt Lake City, on May 7th (the Sunday Stills theme is Temples, Churches, and Spiritual Centers). Like Afton, Jackson has its elk antler arches surrounding the town square. Day 2 Drive to Park City in the morning, before heading to Jackson later in the afternoon. From Idaho Falls, you finally get to experience a scenic route as you turn slightly . Day 4 - See Midway and Lower Geyser Basins (inc Grand Prismatic Spring), Artist Paintpots, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley. As you approach the Tetons from the west, you might be surprised by the mirror-image view of the range youve seen photographed from the east. Save. While there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend: I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone.