5-DAY YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS ITINERARY FROM SALT LAKE CITY

DAY 1: Salt Lake City  & West Yellowstone

  • Salt Lake City
  • Drive to West Yellowstone  (about 4.5 hours).
  • Check into your accommodation for the evening. The best spots to stay tonight is in West Yellowstone.   I recommend to stay in at least two lodgings throughout your visit, which can help you save more time and drive less in Yellowstone, and enjoy the park better.

DAY 2:  Yellowstone (Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley)

 

MORNING:  

  • Norris geyser Basin: Hot springs, fumaroles, mud pots, and geysers are just a few of the dynamic and varied geothermal characteristics that make up the Norris Geyser Basin. Some of Yellowstone’s hottest and most acidic thermal features can be found here.  There are 2 basins here; Back Basin and Porcelain Basin.  The tallest active geyser in the world is Steamboat Geyser, which is situated in Back Basin. Even if it doesn’t erupt on a regular timetable, seeing one happen is a unique and breathtaking experience.  Porcelain Basin, whereas, features geothermal and terraces with a milky white tint. The scenery is stunning and bleak, and boardwalks let visitors explore in safety.  If you opt to venture it all, a full tour to Norris Geyser Basin take one and a half to two hours, which we didn’t.

LATE MORNING:

  • Mammoth Hot Springs:  Mammoth Hot Springs, a fascinating geothermal area located in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park is well known for its travertine terraces, which are formed by the hot water’s flow. The distinctive landforms known as the terraces are created when dissolved calcium carbonate rises to the surface where it solidifies and creates the unique formations.  One or two overlooks are only a short stroll away, making a visit here quick. Otherwise, you can walk the boardwalk pathways past each viewpoint, which could take about two hours.  Grab picnic lunch from Mammoth Terrace Grill or Mammoth General Store before you go to your next destination, Lamar Valley.

AFTERNOON:

 

  • Lamar Valley:    Lamar Valley is a picturesque and wildlife-rich area located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. Visitors often have the opportunity, especially in the late afternoon and early evening, to see bison, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, wolves, grizzly bears, and various bird species.  It takes some time to travel from Norris Geyser Basin to Lamar Valley. Taking Grand Loop Road past the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to Tower is the best route to Lamar Valley.

     

EVENING:

  • Return to Hotel. Best if you could stay in Mammoth Springs area for tonight, if possible.

DAY 3:  Yellowstone (Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Springs, Mid Way Geyser Basin.

MORNING:

  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Best time to visit this part of the park is early in the morning; no later than 8a.m. in order to beat the crowd.  There are 2 Rims; North and South. You want to start on the North Rim which is a one way road and stop at the highlight viewpoints which include  Brink of the Lower Falls, Look Out Point and Red Rock Point.  I would skip (especially if  you are short on time) Grand View Point,  Inspiration Point and Seven Mile Hole Trail, and spend more time exploring the South Rim, which is a 2-way road where you can visit the viewpoints (Canyon Rim Overlook, Sunset Point, Uncle’s Tom Trail (still close indefinitely), and Artist Point (my favorite!)),  in any sequence you like.

EARLY LUNCH: You can visit one of Canyon Village’s dining establishments or general stores, or you can pack a picnic.

NOON:

  • Hayden Valley: Like Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley is renowned for having a wide variety of wildlife. Views of bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, and other bird species are available to visitors. It is especially well-known for having big bison herds.  However, unlike Lamar, the likelihood of seeing wildlife here is throughout the entire day—the time of day does not appear to have much of an impact on 

AFTERNOON:

  • Grand Prismatic Springs Overlook: 

    Grand Prismatic Springs is very close to Old Faithful.  To see the Grand Prismatic Overlook, use the Fairy Falls parking area to park  and walk 1.6 miles out-and-back route from here. which will take you about forty to sixty minutes.

  • Mid Way Geyser Basin: 

    In order to experience Grand Prismatic Springs up close, you have to visit Mid Way Geyser Basin, which is where Grand Prismatic located. To get to the Midway Geyser Basin parking area just drive  up the road from the Fairy Falls parking lot, or park along the road.  Take a stroll along the 0.8-mile boardwalk trail. A few lesser hot springs, including Excelsior Geyser Crater, Opal Pool, and Turquoise Pool, will also be visible to you as you walk this path. It is a one-way boardwalk trail. An hour or so is all that it takes to visit this place.

LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING:

  • Old Faithful:. Old Faithful got its name from the consistent eruption schedule. The eruption is so dependable, every 60 to 110 minutes, or roughly 16 to 17 times a day, that you may download an app to receive anticipated eruption times.  You can observe this either from the boardwalk, 1.1 mile out back hike Observation Point or viewing deck of the Old Faithful Inn.
  • Old Faithful  area is the best spot to stay in the park tonight (but Lake Yellowstone and Canyon Village are also excellent choices).  West Yellowstone is also a great option if you want to stay outside the park.

DAY 4:  Grand Teton National Park

MORNING:

  • Start early in the morning and drive to Grand Teton National Park
  • Stop at Jackson Lake Overlook & Colter Bay Village
  • Oxbow Bend: Oxbow Bend is a famous spot along the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. It offers stunning views of the Teton Range reflected in the river. This location is particularly popular for sunrise, sunset photography, and one of the best places in Grand Teton to spot wildlife.
  • Snake River Outlook: The iconic shot by Ansel Adams, which made the Snake River Overlook famous, offers a timeless perspective of the Snake River meandering through the Teton Range. It’s a terrific site for capturing the splendor of the landscape.
  • Schwabatcher Landing: This is another favorite spot in Grand Teton  for breathtaking views (and pictures) of the Teton Range.  
  • Mormon Row: One of the most popular locations for photos in Grand Teton National Park is Mormon Row. Sunrise is the ideal time to visit, as it casts the Teton Range and the antique barns in a beautiful glow. If you are interested, you can visit and take pictures of the two barns. The T. A. Moulton Barn is on Gros Ventre Road, across from Antelope Flats Road, and the historic barn on Mormon Row is shown in the picture below.

LUNCH: Picnic Lunch or Grab something from Jackson Hole and move on to next destination

AFTERNOON:

  • Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon Trailhead, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point:  Drive to the Visitor Center at Jenny Lake. To get to the Cascade Canyon Trail trailhead for the Hidden Falls  and Inspiration Point hike, take the Jenny Lake Shuttle across the lake. Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point is a very popular hike in Grand Teton National Park. It’s an hour or two long, two miles out and back, 420 feet elevation gain, and leads up to a fantastic viewpoint of Jenny Lake.To explore the Teton Range even more, hike to Inspiration Point and then head into Cascade Canyon via the Cascade Canyon Trail. In addition to the breathtaking vistas of Cascade Canyon Creek, this area is often visited by black bears and moose.  Hiking the entire length of Cascade Canyon, which includes Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, is 10 miles out-and-back and takes 5–7 hours. But you always have the option to turn back. In fact, you won’t have to travel far—the first mile of Cascade Canyon contains some of the nicest sights.

LATE AFTERNOON & EVENING:

  • (Option 1): Hike Taggart Lake Loop. Distance: 3.8 mile | Difficulty: Easy | Average Time: 1.5-2 hours.  

    Taggart Lake is a beautiful lake with spectacular views of the Teton Range. In Grand Teton National Park, this hike is very popular due to its simple terrain and breathtaking views.

 

  • (Option 2): Explore Jackson Hole
  • (Option 3): Drive to Salt Lake City
  • Stay the night in Jackson Hole or Salt Lake City

Day 5:  Go Home