Rental Caror Personal CarIf you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. This 1-mile hike takes you through a cedar forest and leads to Avalanche Lake Trail. 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. Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips Dont forget deicer and a scraper for your windshield if you do plan your trip for when snow and ice is possible. Yellowstone In October: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting, Where To Stay In Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels + Lodging. Especially at dawn or dusk, keep an eye out for herds of elk and other wildlife enjoying rivers and ponds. We spent 2 nights in Jackson, which is undoubtably one of the most popular places to visit in Wyoming. Any suggestions? Alternatively, stop in at the National Elk Refuge on the way back into Jackson Hole. Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake But the star of the show is crystal clear mountain reflections in the Snake River. Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park is a popular bucket list road trip route filled with natural beauty and unique landscapes. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy If you cant find availability or prices are too high at cabins and lodges inside the park, you should consider staying at a hotel in either Gardiner or West Yellowstone. But there is culture here too. 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. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Along the 1,398 mile road trip, find ancient history and the best Americana. That's because of its crazy-bright colors and enormous size. . Sponsored. (The Idaho Falls Riverwalk and Butte, Montana are other great options for a stretch break.). Venture to America's First National Park. Static Peak DivideA difficult hike with epic alpine scenery.Lake SolitudeA difficult hike offering a subalpine lake and the largest waterfall in the park.Cascade CanyonOne of the most popular hikes in the park with views of Teewinot Mountain. Oh, I love the way you drop hints!!! Stay Right Next to the Water at Bear Lake Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. From the overlook, look for Fairy Falls in the distance. Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park 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. Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, this recreational paradise is known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat. Not Ready to Leave the American Northwest? See the West Glacier Village website for details and hours. Head back to US-191, turn right and not long after take a left on Schwabachers Landing road. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area. Well, lets take a summarized look at how you could adapt this itinerary to suit a shorter or longer trip: If you have 5 days for this road trip you are going to have to compromise and cut out some of the luxury stops, such as Salt Lake City and stopping on the way to Jackson. It sounds so beautiful! The drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park's south entrance covers around 330 miles and takes about five and a half hours. I also cant believe a bear just sauntered out by you! You might be able to find a cheaper rate with Hotels compared to going direct so it is worth checking. However, if you really dont want to drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton, you can take the Salt Lake Express bus from SLC to Jackson. You can then hire a car in Jackson so you only drive around Grand Teton and Yellowstone before taking the bus back to Salt Lake City from Jackson. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. 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. It was one of the easiest road trips I had ever taken due to all the unique towns along the way. Seattle, Washington is a mere 1.5-hour direct flight from Glacier Park International Airport. 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. However, there are more places you can visit on the drive between Utah and Wyoming: In truth, none are comparable with the beauty and uniqueness of the two national parks, so we definitely do not recommend prioritizing these places over the Tetons or Yellowstone. Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. West Yellowstone is the closest place to Old Faithful that you can stay outside the park. 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. US-191 turns left and your next stop is Oxbow Bend for more stunning mountain reflections. Your email address will not be published. The first day can be action packed or easy going depending on your journey to reach SLC and how you prefer to travel. Take the drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park on the evening of day 2 or morning of day 3. Why Start A Yellowstone Road Trip From Salt Lake City? If not adapt the itinerary below to fit your plans. In June, my family loved staying in Danes Newly Renovated Industrial Modern Downtown Loft.. Jenny LakeStroll through this busy lake-park area for stunning views of the Tetons and access to trails. Spend day 3 touring Glacier National Park. Check Grand Teton sunrise times the night before and plan to arrive at Mormon Row at the start of civil twilight with camera in hand. It is a quiet, relaxing wild west town with saloon-style bars and a great vibe. Once you visit Jackson, you will not want to leave. More. What an incredible road trip guide! USA Glacier Grand Canyon Yellowstone Yosemite Zion. Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. The long stretches of road are beautiful and often filled with bison. Why trust us to help with planning your once in a lifetime trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone? If you are lucky there will be wildlife drinking fresh water or playing in the river. Western-style cabins with kitchenettes.The Wort HotelAn upscale experience near town square restaurants and shops.Teton VillageWhat a happy ski resort area. The road to Gardiner is closed. Notice the strong sulfur odor here. 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. I am a first time visitor to Yelliwstone. Outside the park your best bet is West Yellowstone, which has several hotel options and makes it easy to leave for SLC the next morning. There are incredible ocean rock formations and powerful water churns, volcanic cratered lakes and mountain. Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Salt Lake City; Highest Elevation: 8,000 feet. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring downtown Jackson, drop into a saloon-style bar for a beer and grab an awesome pizza at Hand Fire Pizzainside a converted theater. Stay west of the Tetons to discover all the gems in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. To Enjoy a Yellowstone National Park Tour Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) These two places have the better locations for accessing other parts of the park, and they have plenty of places to eat. Salt Lake City is less than 5 hours drive from Grand Teton National Park, 3. If you choose to fly into Salt Lake City, you'll save money versus the regional airports in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. Mormon Row is incredibly beautiful at sunrise. The third day is when your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip bursts into life. Follow the loop road until you reach Gibbon Falls for a quick waterfall stop. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Thank you! This route stops in major national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Yellowstone and Glacier are not RV friendly and cannot even take some RV's on the GTTSR in Glacier. The pullout is easily recognizable. Continue North and drive through Alpine Junction, which marks the beginning of a scenic stretch of highway following the Snake River. Built in 1914, McDonald Lake Lodge is worth a quick visit. Only have 5 nights 6 days. With so much to see, make sure you read on to plan an ideal itinerary. Utah and Arizona are fantastic places to visit in November / December. 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. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, and wolverines. Changing between three styles of footwear (hiking shoes, running shoes, and flip flops) kept my feet happy. Elk Country Inn This area is mesmerizing. Great guide! I am bookmarking this for a future trip! Youll lose the crowds and find affordable lodging options. Barker Ewing by Jackson Hole Whitewater Stretch your legs on local trails in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Cache Valley, including a 2-mile one-way trek to see a triple arch rock formation and the Wind Caves. Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. The town of West Yellowstone sits right at the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. It is important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Everything from recommended footwear to lodging, to best sites to a mysterious interesting door to check out by the bathrooms! Plenty of motor oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc. However, we will also explain how to drive this road trip route in less and more time later in the guide. Journey north to Yellowstone, a national park that is situated on top of the world's largest supervolcano. This trail is a 5.3-mile out and back hike. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. Lets look at a brief summary of each major stopping point along the road trip. Hi! Stop at Lookout Point for amazing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls crashing into the Yellowstone River. Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! But if you are in a hurry and dont have time for the scenic route, you can take I-15 and US-20 to the resort village of West Yellowstone, which also serves as the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. I would recommend it, especially during low-traffic seasons. The lodge grounds are cozy and inviting. I spent so much time enjoying Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks that there was no time to make the drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park. best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, How to plan the perfect road trip in 10 easy steps, Complete list of road trip packing essentials, 30 best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in October, Best places to stay in Yellowstone National Park, Mormon Row sunrise and sunset photography guide, Schwabacher Landing sunrise photography guide, Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone 10 days road trip itinerary, 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in April, Zion to Bryce Canyon 3 days road trip itinerary, Best things to do in Capitol Reef in one day, 1. You may be keen on saving on flights, and arriving at an airport which is a bit further away could be the right choice for you. Would love to spend some time in Glacier National Park next time! There are several restaurants and cafeterias throughout the park. When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. Answer 1 of 7: Planning trip in July for Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. If you are traveling east to Salt Lake City, arrival time is around 3 a.m. without delays, and scheduled arrival of . Considering how close they are to one another, it is amazing how much Grand Teton and Yellowstone differ, not just in scenery but also in the overall experience. 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? The trail is busy and narrow, good for families and children, ending at a crystal-clear turquoise waterfall. You shared so many great recommendations. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Then drive north to Cache Valley and Bear Lake before stopping in Lava Hot Springs and Pocatello. My favorites are those near public transportation to Salt Lake City International Airport and close to downtown. Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. 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. Since Jackson Hole Airport is only 5 miles from Grand Teton National Park, it is possible to do a driving tour the same day you arrive. 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. There are plenty of interesting and smelly geysers here but it is only a quick stop. Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake in Utah Photo: Getty Images. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park We think 7 days is the perfect amount of time you need to see the best of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake City. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And in a great atmosphere.Blackfoot TaproomA microbrewery and taproom featuring craft beers and live music. West entrance is close to Lower, Midway and Upper Geyser Basins where you will find Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. You will stop in Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho, before heading to Salt Lake City, Utah. I was spellbound every few feet as I walked the boardwalk around the massive Black Pool. Action packed day, sleep in Canyon Village. There will be four major areas of interest on your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip: Depending on your time frame and travel preferences, you might want to see all four places or you might only have eyes for Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Jackson, Wyo.s best-kept secret offers a ton of activities for all ages, plus bike and SUP rentals. 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park The Top Hat LoungeA long-standing establishment in Missoula offering great music and a cool vibe.Montgomery DistilleryOffering excellent craft cocktails and tasty gin and vodka. Missoula is the most popular city on the route it's 7 hours from Salt Lake City and 3 hours from Glacier National Park. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. 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. Dont miss the Old Faithful Inn. Starting your road trip to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City means you can access both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park within 5 hours drive time. Stay in West Yellowstone. Opened in 1904, using local lodgepole pine and gnarled wood embellishments, many original fixtures and furnishingsare still in use. Watch for deer at dawn and dusk resting in alfalfa fields. Gather RestaurantAn upscale restaurant serving tasty small portions.Liberty BurgerServing great burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.The Bunnery Bakery and RestaurantA local favorite serving traditional breakfasts, sandwiches, baked goods, and desserts.Snake River BrewingRefined comfort food and certified organic brews served in a chill atmosphere.Drive south 5 hours to Salt Lake City, if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');There are numerous great options for lodging in Salt Lake City. 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. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. 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. 9 Uncrowded Gems in Southern Idaho Roosevelt Arch was built in 1903 and was dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt who laid the archs cornerstone. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Watch for signs to Apgar Visitor Center. Stay in Canyon. Next up is Artists Paintpots Trail, which we highly recommend. Haha! Guided tours are a great option when exploring a new area or traveling solo. When you are ready, drive north and enter Yellowstone via south entrance. Day 2 Spend the morning in Grand Teton before driving to West Thumb and eventually Old Faithful. What a glorious trip! What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? In truth, booking your hotels will be the hardest part of planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. As a side note, this is one of the most popular sunset locations in Yellowstone. Park alongside the Yellowstone River and look carefully for bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, eagles and dozens more species. Hi Ashley, yep you'll definitely be too late for Yellowstone and Grand Teton end of November, we would recommend heading south from Salt Lake City instead. You can really slow things down with a 9 day itinerary for this route. Next time, I want to visit Jackson Hole. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. From Glacier National Park, drive 4 hours to Helena. If you want to reduce trip time, fly out of Salt Lake City after your visit to Yellowstone National Park and ride Amtrak just one way. 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. . This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. The most beloved of Yellowstones geysers is Old Faithful. It is best to begin driving through the park as early as possible to avoid traffic and crowds. And crowded. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. The New Salt Lake Stroll the Walking Mall Trolley Block, an active area offering art galleries, shops, great dining, micro-breweries, and entertainment. The top cities between Salt Lake City and Glacier National Park are Missoula and Ogden. The airport is only an eight minute drive from Downtown . Stunning waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife and the most popular hiking trail in Yellowstone will make this a memorable day. The 42-mile scenic drive loop is a great way to see highlights of the park or choose between any of the following stops and turn-outs along the way. This is a coveted area for lodging and RV parking as well. You may even get a colorful sunset as you gaze down at the world famous geyser and main attraction in Yellowstone. Want to know more about Grand Teton? Spend an hour walking around Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Big Cone Geyser, Fishing Cone and various other colorful hot springs located in West Thumb. Day 6 See Hayden Valley, hike Mt Washburn, walk to Tower Fall and drive into Lamar Valley. Read our popular 2 days in Grand Teton itinerary which organizes the best things to do into two easy days. Watch for a majestic bull elk resting in the grass keeping watch over his lady-herd. 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. Explore on your own or take a tour on horseback or e-bike. After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions, including two national park sites, you wont find elsewhere. Find the travel option that best suits you. Id fly in and didnt get to see much in between. Head south on US-20 W as far as Idaho Falls and join I-15 S all the way to Salt Lake City airport. Mountain goats are common sightings. Day 5 Slowly explore Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. 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. What Is The Closest Entrance To Yellowstone From SLC? You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. If you want to feel on top of the world,here are 5 views you must seeincluding Artist Point, Lamar Valley, and the Yellowstone River cutting thru lava spires. You can read our guides to visiting Yellowstone in April and visiting Yellowstone in October if planning your trip for early spring or late falls. Overnight Ketchum, Best Western Kentish Lodge. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. In this national parks road trip itinerary we'll take you from Salt Lake City up to a few of the most iconic national parks, but not without passing through a myriad of smaller, more quaint, less-traveled towns that Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho have to offer. Just watch for the crowd taking pictures. We saw a moose and an otter playing on ice here. The Clark Fork River runs through the town and offers some of the best opportunities for white water raftering in the region. 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. Salt Lake City to South Yellowstone (300+miles, 4.5-6 hours) Unless you arrive at West Yellowstone airport, you will end up renting a car and being on the road for at least an hour. It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. Here are cant-miss stops from Idaho Falls to Ririe on the way to Yellowstone. We reached the park around 7:45 am and enjoyed watching the sun begin illuminating streams, mountainsides, and glaciers. Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel of switchbacks passing through and to numerous trailheads, glacial pull-outs, and overlooks. Scroll around, zoom in and out, look for clustering of colored icons representing each day on the road trip and see the corresponding day in the left column. Hotels Between Grand Teton And Yellowstone, Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Map, Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip 7 Days Itinerary, Day 2 Drive From Salt Lake City To Jackson, Day 3 Discover Stunning Grand Teton National Park, Day 4 Grand Teton Sunrise And South Yellowstone, Day 5 Geyser Basins And Yellowstone Falls, Day 6 Yellowstone Falls, Hayden Valley, Mt Washburn And Lamar Valley, Day 7 Mammoth, Lamar Valley And Drive From Yellowstone To Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Variations, 5 Days Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, 6 Days Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, 8 Days Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, 9 Days Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, What To Pack For Your Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip, Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip FAQs, 5.