Gardiner works better if you are entering or leaving Yellowstone to the north, say to visit Glacier National Park before or afterward. Simply use my 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary and allow an extra day in each of the parks. Depending on size and if want electricity, etc. Gas: Not available inside the park.Picnic areas: Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche Creek, and Rising Sun.Camping areas: Located throughout the park, including along the road at Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche Creek, Rising Sun, and St. Mary.Visitor centers: Apgar Visitor Center, Logan Pass Visitor Center, and St. Mary Visitor Center. Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone's Midway Geyser Basin. Day 8 Spend the day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. With 6 days you wont have to compromise as much and you will still have enough time for both parks. Continue north to Snake River Overlook and look for bison roaming on the flatlands. Here are seven reasons to visit. 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. And a 2-hour direct flight from Salt Lake City International Airport. Grand Teton Lodge Company. USA Glacier Grand Canyon Yellowstone Yosemite Zion. The lodge grounds are cozy and inviting. We saw a moose and an otter playing on ice here. Three Park Entrances and a Surprise Continue to both Grand View and Inspiration Point and if you arrive at the right time, you will be at Inspiration Point for sunset directly behind Lower Falls. Hi there! In addition, we have noted which hotels we have personally stayed at and impressed us. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-3','ezslot_5',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-3-0');West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the most overlooked areas of the park. Cowboy Village Cabins and Lodge Day 9 Set off early for SLC, but stop in Idaho Falls and Craters of the Moon on your way back. You have several options to reach Yellowstone and Grand Teton, such as Bozeman which is close and convenient, South Dakotas Black Hills which are stunning and often combined with the Wyoming parks or Denver Colorado which is another major city within driving distance. 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. Now you know the best things to do and places to stay in Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The best driving route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Insurance, license, registration, identification, roadside assistance and extra car keys. Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel of switchbacks passing through and to numerous trailheads, glacial pull-outs, and overlooks. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. I must put Steamboat Springs on my bucketlist! At the highpoint of the trail, along Paint Pot Hill, is an active mudpot. Drive 17 miles south to visit Fountain Paint Pots or 2.5 miles further to Grand Prismatic Spring. Follow the western shores of Bear Lake and cross into Idaho. 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. This is easier but it will also mean a lot more driving. The arch is located at the North entrance of Yellowstone. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park There are incredible ocean rock formations and powerful water churns, volcanic cratered lakes and mountain. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Its compact downtown makes for easy walking among the many restaurants, bars, and other attractions that bring life to the city center. You will not go hungry. Grand Teton National Park is shaped a bit like your left-hand thumb and is dotted with three main entrances. There are a handful of hotel options in between Grand Teton and Yellowstone which could work perfectly if you would prefer to spend more time in Yellowstone. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. 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. 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. Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before heading out into Lamar Valley around sunset. 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 most popular trail at Logan Pass leads to Hidden Lake and is accessed via the Hanging Gardens Trailhead. They are our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point. Check the Glacier National Park website for information on Many Glacier as well as planned closures. Is there a pdf version for a quick reference? Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons | Holiday Vacations When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. 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. From Glacier National Park, drive 4 hours to Helena. Salt Lake City Salt Lake continues to be the gateway for travelers venturing northward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The terraces can be accessed by lower and upper boardwalks and are very different from most other thermals in the area. See my Oregon Travel Guide for all things Portland and Oregon State. Wow. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Required fields are marked *. Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. Spend day 2 exploring Yellowstone National Park. Id fly in and didnt get to see much in between. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. Grand Teton is incredibly picturesque and one of the best examples of staggering natural beauty in the United States. 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. Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. 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. Your email address will not be published. 1. Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park - 6 ways - Rome2rio Plan to park along the roadside and walk a distance. Your email address will not be published. This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. Once I start travelling, I will be pre-checking all of your advice for the places I am going. This is the perfect spot for extraordinary views of Lower Falls. Roosevelt Arch was built in 1903 and was dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt who laid the archs cornerstone. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains at over 4,000 ft high with incredible skiing opportunities and an array of national parks within a stones throw, Salt Lake City is an outdoor enthusiasts dream come true. West Yellowstone is the best place to stay outside Yellowstone boundaries because it is central to the park and has plenty of amenities. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Along the 1,398 mile road trip, find ancient history and the best Americana. Take a boat ride across the lake to hike to Hidden Falls. Fastest Route: Salt Lake City to Pocatello to Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone (via I-15). Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks are three of Americas most valued treasures. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Want more Wyoming content? Free Yellowstone Trip Planner - Yellowstone National Park The most scenic journey from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is via Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, the town of Afton, Alpine Junction and Snake River Canyon. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. Airports Near Yellowstone: 8 Best and Closest Flight Options We are flying into SLC and staying for a night, then to Jackson Hole for 2 nights. We think Salt Lake City is one of the best places to visit in the US and we have plans to spend more time in the city next time we head out west. Fly out of Glacier Park International Airport on day 4. Chapel of the TransfigurationA picturesque little church with views of the Tetons.Menors Ferry Historic DistrictTake a short ride on a replica of a historic ferry. Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake. In addition, dont forget bug spray if you visit Yellowstone in summer. Everything from recommended footwear to lodging, to best sites to a mysterious interesting door to check out by the bathrooms! Your road trip ends in Glacier National Park, one of the USA's most beautiful national parks. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Jenny LakeStroll through this busy lake-park area for stunning views of the Tetons and access to trails. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. The first day can be action packed or easy going depending on your journey to reach SLC and how you prefer to travel. 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. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Planning Resources. I chose to drive up and down this road several times in the early morning to watch for wildlife. How many days do you need to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park from Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park in August 2018 Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. After stretching your legs and enjoying a great meal in Missoula, drive 2.5 hours to stay the night inside or near the parks West entrance. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. I chose to explore the parks in order from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. Glacier National Park vs Yellowstone: An Honest - wanderingourworld.com Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Craters of the Moon National Park Follow US-191 N from Jackson and turn right onto Antelope Flats Road. Solitude Float Trips This route is 394 miles and 8 hours, one way. This hike offers incredible views, mountain goat sightings, and other wildlife. Input Salt Lake City and your travel dates to see your options. If theres a Utah Jazz basketball game on. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. 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. 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. See the West Glacier Village website for details and hours. Plus, flights into SLC are likely to be cheaper because of higher airline competition. Also, check out my road trip packing list. Hampton Inn by Hilton in KalispellA 5-minute drive from the park entrance, offering free breakfast, and is most affordable.West GlacierAbout a 20-minute drive from the park so lodging here is a bit expensive.Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge in WhitefishA 30-minute drive from the park entrance. Hi! Drive over to Mammoth and explore the terraces. 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. Kids will love this place. Bozeman is a fantastic town. When we hit the national park with its 25 mph speed limit, the car wasn't happy. Airports Near Yellowstone - The 10 Best & Closest Options I actually went from Glacier NP area to Steamboat Springs, CO. All of the National Parks and landscapes are fascinating and I loved all the smaller cities like Bozeman and Missoula. I loved the adventure going from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. If you are tight on time you can do it in 5 or 6 days but it will be a rush. Unfortunately, Our Mammoth Lodge reservation has been cancelled and it appears the Northern Loop is going to be closed the remainder of the Summer.