Salt Lake City - Vernal - Jackson - Yellowstone - Helena - Glacier Park - Missoula - Sun Valley - Pocatello - Salt Lake City. I recommend:The Little America HotelAn affordable 4-star hotel great for families and with a touch of elegance.The Grand America HotelTHE top-rated hotel in Salt Lake City. Book a trip with one of Yellowstone Anglers fishing guides. 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. Any suggestions? This is where your accommodation challenges begin and why it really pays to be organized before you visit Yellowstone. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Planning Resources. 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. I will need to cancel my Gardiner reservations. If you choose to fly into Salt Lake City, you'll save money versus the regional airports in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. For those traveling with children or wanting more time to explore and hike, consider a 10 Day road trip itinerary. 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. And in a great atmosphere.Blackfoot TaproomA microbrewery and taproom featuring craft beers and live music. We are planning on doing this in September. You could head back to Jackson, stay in the same hotel as the night before so its one less check out and check in process, grab a nice dinner and spend another sunrise in southern Grand Teton the next morning before driving to Yellowstone later in the day. 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. There isnt much to see between Tower and Mammoth. The ultimate Northern Rockies touring experience with breathtaking natural wonders in three famous national parks. Day 1 - Fly London to Salt Lake City - overnight at airport Day 2 - pick up hire car - Salt Lake City to Jackson for 2 nights via I-89 - overnight at Inn on the Creek Day 3 - explore Jackson Day 4 - Jackson to Ketchum, Idaho. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. In our example itineraries we have you driving into Yellowstone via the prettier route and then back to SLC via the quicker freeways. www.outdoorsy.com. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. Sleep in Jackson or Moran. If you have less than a week to explore, consider flying into Jackson Hole Airport. At the highpoint of the trail, along Paint Pot Hill, is an active mudpot. Stunning waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife and the most popular hiking trail in Yellowstone will make this a memorable day. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. This attractive route has the most picturesque views and spends less time on freeways or interstate roads. 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. This is particularly pertinent if you drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the shoulder season month of April and October. 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. Rome2rio makes travelling from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park easy. Watch sunset over Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. I prefer hiking shoes over hiking boots and certainly for easy and short hikes. The September drive offered stunning colors of wheat fields and purple mountains. We spent 2 nights in Jackson, which is undoubtably one of the most popular places to visit in Wyoming. Fly out of Glacier Park International Airport on day 4. What a glorious trip! 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. However, hotel prices here are much higher on average and there are fewer places to eat out. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Fastest Route: Salt Lake City to Pocatello to Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone (via I-15). Mary Village or Travelers Rest Lodge in East Glacier. Next up is Artists Paintpots Trail, which we highly recommend. If so, you might benefit greatly from taking a look at this interactive Google Map we created to show show the potential stops you can make each day for 7 days on our Salt Lake City to Yellowstone example itinerary, which is featured right after the map. Honestly Im dying to go back out west for a trip like this! Continue with Recommended Cookies. In winter or early spring, you will instead turn right onto Gros Venture Road at an earlier roundabout. Jenny LakeStroll through this busy lake-park area for stunning views of the Tetons and access to trails. 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. This elegant hotel offers Victorian-style architecture and dcor.For Airbnb lovers, try one of the Warehouse Condominium lofts on the west side of downtown Salt Lake City, an up-and-coming area for great food and nightlife. LOVE them! 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. I loved the adventure going from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. Stay in a cabin, hotel room or your RV on the shores of sparkling Bear Lake with Sun Outdoors Garden City. If spending a single day in Glacier National Park, driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Roadis the way to go. Spend day 2 exploring Yellowstone National Park. Spend around two hours walking through Upper Geyser Basin, the area with the highest concentration of geysers in Yellowstone. Continue to the end of North Rim Drive and walk out to Artist Point, which is our personal favorite viewpoint into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Depending on size and if want electricity, etc. 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. Day 4 Walk around Artists Paintpots and Norris Geyser Basin, before driving over to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. It is the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton and enjoying the culinary scene after a long day in the park. Taking this 11.6-mile trail for even a short distance will take you to spectacular views. A 4.5-mile round-trip hike leading to wide-open views of the crystal-clear Avalanche Lake surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. Answer 1 of 7: Planning trip in July for Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. The next closest is Yellowstone south entrance, which is 340 miles and would take around 6 hours and 10 minutes to drive. Grand Teton Lodge Company. Elk Country Inn But the star of the show is crystal clear mountain reflections in the Snake River. Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake. Need help! Take a boat ride across the lake to hike to Hidden Falls. At 2.2 million acres, with 5 entrances and over 4 million tourists each year, Yellowstone is one of the biggest and most popular USA national parks. It is worth sticking around here until later in the day because this is regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Drive south from Canyon and this time turn left into South Rim Drive. Farther north, youll discover Yellowstone National Park. I visited Canyonlands National Park as part of a road trip to explore the Utah Mighty Five National Parks. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. The closest entrance into Yellowstone from Salt Lake City is west entrance, which is 320 miles drive and should take around 5 hours. Right out of Firehole drive park up at Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is Lower Geyser Basin. Driving through Yellowstone and Grand Teton is easily one of the best USA road trips, but first you have to get to northwest Wyoming. Consider lodging at the East side of the park:Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge inside the park.St. 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. I am a first time visitor to Yelliwstone. Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. Sounds like a great trip you have planned with the Utah Mighty 5 right after - enjoy! Yellowstone is an awe-inspiring and extraordinary landscape, but it requires careful planning to do it the right way without losing time driving back on yourself or missing out on top attractions. Check the weather before you go. And their proximity to one another makes combining a visit to all three the perfect national park road trip. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. 6-Day Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton NP, Chocolate Factory and Barstow Outlet Tour (Free Airport Pick-Up) Tour code : GOL-SLC-131A Save 7% (0) Departure City : Salt Lake City Utah Available Days : Thu (2023-06-02 To 2023-09-13) You wont have issues with potholes or extreme heat, but you might have to deal with extreme cold if you visit in April or October. I'm not into being in the car for 10 hours to get to Glacier. This route stops in major national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Antler Inn Alternatively, if you are a hiker you should definitely spend the morning hiking to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and eventually Cascade Canyon. We stayed in a cabin during our first visit to Yellowstone in October and it was great. Discover the citys vibrant restaurant scene and explore its stunning outdoors. 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. Your email address will not be published. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, this recreational paradise is known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat. But it is also a great option for those who want easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs or Lamar Valley, the best place in Yellowstone for wildlife spotting. From historic homesteads to breathtaking river valleys, here are our top stops for a fantastic scenic drive plus road-trip advice from Nokian Tyres. Here is how we would do it: Day 1 - Drive from Las Vegas to Jackson, it will be a long day but you can set off early and still have time to see Jackson in the evening. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. I chose the Comfort Inn Yellowstone North. Why trust us to help with planning your once in a lifetime trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone? Read more in our disclosure policy.*. We are assuming you need to drive back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas on the sixth day? However, we know many visitors prefer to book one hotel and stay there for the duration. From the park, head southwest to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, Sun Valley, Boise and Twin Falls before reaching City of Rocks National Reserve on your return route to Salt Lake City. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. Before heading home via Salt Lake City, we make a quick stop over at the weird landscape that is known as Craters of the Moon. 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. . Flash Sale Grand National Parks with Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park. 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). Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. We will let you know as soon as this one is available and hopefully it is before your trip! Nearby you'll find a variety of eateries and bars, and you can shop at City Creek Center, which boasts more than 100 stores and restaurants. Watch for my upcoming Salt Lake City Travel Guide. This is one of our favorite hidden gem areas of Yellowstone. Visit a museum or go for a hike. Lewis Lake is one of the best stops for kayaking in the park and you will pass it as you approach the south entrance to Yellowstone. And I love having a detailed road trip packing list to use as a guide. The Windbag SaloonServing burgers, seafood, steak, amazing mac and cheese, and more. It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. That is what makes creating an example road trip itinerary so challenging. . (The Idaho Falls Riverwalk and Butte, Montana are other great options for a stretch break.). Covering over 2 million acres, Yellowstone is one of the largest national parks in the United States. The New Salt Lake The trail leads to Hidden Lake, a beloved fishing destination. A booming culinary and brewing culture is emerging out of SLC, perfect for fueling up in between epic national park road trip loops. Stay Right Next to the Water at Bear Lake In addition, dont forget bug spray if you visit Yellowstone in summer. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. You'll miss out on Mammoth and Lamar Valley, but that means you can focus more of your time on the southern loop areas like Hayden Valley, Lake, West Thumb, Norris and of course the Old Faithful / Grand Prismatic Spring geyser basin areas. Next, drive through the center of Yellowstone Loop road to Canyon. Day 6 Explore Norris Geyser Basin, then visit Lower Falls and Hayden Valley. 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. The park's massive lands are connected through the Grand Loop Road. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. Alternatively, if you brought a packed lunch, head straight to Norris Geyser Basin to enjoy some of the most interesting geysers in the park. I could live here. Just be sure you know how to drive in mountains, curvy roads with wildlife, etc. See my Oregon Travel Guide for all things Portland and Oregon State. While in Gardiner, watch for elk roaming around EVERYWHERE at dawn and dusk. After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions, including two national park sites, you wont find elsewhere. Stay in West Yellowstone. Salt Lake City. Its time to put it all together and create an unforgettable 7 day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary! And their proximity to one another makes combining a visit to. 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. Here are the top rated hotels in each place you will stay: Depending on your flight times into and out from SLC airport, you may need to book a night at a hotel airport either side of your road trip. During my time in the parks, I got a lot of use out of my Ahnu hiking shoes. Day 6 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before driving back to SLC airport. There are no rail routes or train services to Yellowstone National Park and the closest Amtrak station is in Salt Lake City. Now you know the best things to do and places to stay in Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. If not, have a great trip and good luck! You could also do Grand Canyon / Zion. Travel insurancecovers unexpected events such as re-booking flights due to airline cancellations, replacement of belongings when luggage is lost, replacement of stolen items, or emergency travel home due to accident or illness. You will love the Portland area. 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. You will not go hungry. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area. Duration 5h 46m When Every day Estimated price $400 - $1,200 . Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho. Best car for this trip: SUV. Jump-start this fantastic road trip in Salt Lake City where the mountains shoot dramatically from the valley floor. Idaho National Parks Northwest Road Trip Utah Wyoming Prepared By: Tobey Schmidt Take the right turn off loop road at Tower Junction to enter Lamar Valley. As a solo traveler and hiker, The Utah National Parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5, are chock full of peculiar rock formations, massive balanced rocks, and surprisingly colorful rock, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks are three of Americas most valued treasures. When searching for flights to Salt Lake City or any other nearby airport, we personally use and recommend Skyscanner and Google Flights as the two best flight search engines. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. Sponsored. We're Mark and Kristen Morgan, former career scientists turned travel, hiking and photography experts after an 18 month honeymoon around the world forever changed our lives. But there is culture here too. Located in the North Section of Upper Geyser Basin / Old Faithful area, follow the easy 2.8-mile round-trip trail passing by several geysers along the way. My regular rotation of footwear and socks include Ahnu hiking shoes with Darn Tough ankle socks for hiking, Asics running shoes with Smart Wool running socks for walking and paved trails, and Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops for everything in between. If not, you will have to drive another 31 miles back to your West Yellowstone hotel. Sedona is one of our favorite places in the southwest and the end of November means comfortable temperatures for hiking. A mudpot, or mud pool, has limited water resulting in a pool of bubbling mud. First choice here is a room at one of the Old Faithful lodges for convenience. Two Things You Must Do at Bear Lake 9 Uncrowded Gems in Southern Idaho This is one of the most famous elevated views in the entire park and shouldnt be missed. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass can be purchased at any of the parks. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. Once you have explored Seattle and want to see more of the Pacific Northwest, take a 1-hour flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Portland International Airport. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. Airport Options:Salt Lake City International AirportJackson Hole AirportGlacier Park International AirportBozeman Yellowstone International AirportIdaho Falls Regional Airport, Drive Times to Consider When Planning Your Itinerary:Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park: 5 HoursGrand Teton to Yellowstone National Park: 3.5 HoursYellowstone to Glacier National Park: 6.5 Hours. 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. Once you visit Jackson, you will not want to leave. Hi Matt, thanks for getting in touch and we're happy to hear you are following our itinerary. 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. Notice the front door and impressive lock, lobby mission-style furniture, candelabra-style light fixtures, and massive wrought iron and brass lobby clock, and dining room hickory chairs and chandeliers. Nearby Teton Village nestled at the base of Jacksons ski lifts is the main alternative to staying in Downtown Jackson. With so much to see, make sure you read on to plan an ideal itinerary. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? Bozeman is a fantastic town. 4. You might want to consider leaving the park via west entrance to eat a late lunch in West Yellowstone before re-entering the park to visit Norris Geyser Basin. $7.99 . . Accommodations here are fairly reasonable and book up quickly.Lake McDonald Lodge inside the parkThis is a great option though books up quickly and is expensive. Specials USA West Florida Tampa, Crystal River, Florida Keys & Bradenton Hawaii Kanada Bahamas Mietwagenreisen USA . Due to road construction in 2020, we were unable to visit the Many Glacier area. 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. 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. This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. Plenty of motor oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc. This is easier but it will also mean a lot more driving. This makes Grand Teton and Yellowstone accessible to millions of potential tourists. In summer Yellowstone is like a theme park, so you have to be organized and book hotels way in advance. You will cross a bridge but go slowly because we saw a bald eagle right on the bridge at sunrise, so keep your eyes peeled. Opened in 1904, using local lodgepole pine and gnarled wood embellishments, many original fixtures and furnishingsare still in use. The most popular trail at Logan Pass leads to Hidden Lake and is accessed via the Hanging Gardens Trailhead. At the end of the 7 days, we will assume you have a late flight booked on the 7th day or an early flight on the 8th day. Similar to fireworks and rotten eggs. It was comfortable and affordable. We typically use Booking to book our hotels but park lodging inside Yellowstone is not available with Booking. Only have 48 hours? Once I start travelling, I will be pre-checking all of your advice for the places I am going. West Yellowstone is the best place to stay outside Yellowstone boundaries because it is central to the park and has plenty of amenities. Logan Pass offers incredible views of glaciers and access to favored trails. Thank you, Kim. Park alongside the Yellowstone River and look carefully for bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, eagles and dozens more species. US-191 turns left and your next stop is Oxbow Bend for more stunning mountain reflections. Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs You can really slow things down with a 9 day itinerary for this route. 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. A boardwalk loops through other incredible hot springs as well as a wonder-inducing pool and dormant geyser, the Excelsior Geyser Crater. Drive south 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. 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. Jackson is a sweet ski resort town and the perfect base camp for exploring Grand Teton National Park. Salt Lake City is less than 5 hours drive from Grand Teton National Park, 3. 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. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops.