Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake. In April, May, September and October the mornings and evenings will be cold so you need heavy layers, gloves, wooly hats and a winter coat in addition to your basic hiking or exploring gear. The good news is it has a wide range of places to grab dinner. It will be getting into mid afternoon by now. Of course, you could skip the last part of Day 5 and instead of driving to Canyon, drive back from Norris to West Yellowstone. Dont forget deicer and a scraper for your windshield if you do plan your trip for when snow and ice is possible. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. Hi! 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. Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. 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. USA Glacier Grand Canyon Yellowstone Yosemite Zion. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep, and wolverines. Guide to Planning a Trip to Yellowstone - AARP Use the morning to revisit any of the areas in Grand Teton you liked the most, such as Jenny Lake or Oxbow Bend. 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. Sleep either Old Faithful or West Yellowstone. Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch 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. Cross into Wyoming and experience the bustling town of Jackson, the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. West Yellowstone is the best place to stay outside Yellowstone boundaries because it is central to the park and has plenty of amenities. We reached the park around 7:45 am and enjoyed watching the sun begin illuminating streams, mountainsides, and glaciers. 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. We will experience some stunning scenery with a chance to explore a couple of very scenic byways on our way north. Without stopping the drive should take around 5 hours, but you will be stopping so plan for more like 6-7 hours. If you choose to fly into Salt Lake City, you'll save money versus the regional airports in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. A short walk through forest ends with bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs. Explore these four stops where youll see Stripes and Shoni, a place devoted to cleaning up,ancient curious creaturesand a hub of ethnic flavors. 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. Like Missoula, Bozeman is spotless and its streets are lined with perfectly preserved historic buildings. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Please forgive the delay in responding! Take the right turn off loop road at Tower Junction to enter Lamar Valley. 8-Day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park Road Trip Spend the day out on the water on Bear Lake. You also have a better range of hotel prices in West Yellowstone. 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. That is what makes creating an example road trip itinerary so challenging. Head over to Lower Falls. If you are not driving your own car from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, you will need to hire a car when you land at SLC International Airport. 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. Thanks in advance! For a fun (disturbing) time, visit the Shine Beer Sanctuary restroom area and choose the first door on the right.Teds Montana GrillA local favorite.Western CafeAnother local favorite. Day 7 Explore Mammoth Hot Springs. Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho. Stop at Lookout Point for amazing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls crashing into the Yellowstone River. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-1-0');Also accessible at Logan Pass is Highline Trail, an 11.6-mile one-way hike. I am a first time visitor to Yelliwstone. Tour Date & Pricing . Guided tours are a great option when exploring a new area or traveling solo. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Holiday Vacations | Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons 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. Then head back to town to explore pioneer life or see a live show. Fun on the Snake River and Grand Teton Lakes I also cant believe a bear just sauntered out by you! Splitting the fourth day between Grand Teton and Yellowstone is completely open to your interpretation. Answer 1 of 7: Planning trip in July for Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. Here are the most helpful travel planning resources you might need to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. I love this area so much. Next time, I want to visit Jackson Hole. Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs you will have limited camping options in the parks so book now for 2015. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. $7.99 . Salt Lake City - Vernal - Jackson - Yellowstone - Helena - Glacier Park - Missoula - Sun Valley - Pocatello - Salt Lake City. Your email address will not be published. We will cover where to stay on the Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip in much greater depth later in the guide. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. 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. Americans can fly into SLC from almost all airports in the US, whereas only certain origin airports will fly direct into airports closer to Yellowstone, such as Bozeman MT. The train ride from Chicago to Salt Lake City is about 35 hours and about 16 from Sacramento. It also makes for a fantastic road trip. GyPSy Guide Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour App Just minutes from the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the northern section of Grand Teton National Park, stay at the Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch. 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. . Here are cant-miss stops from Idaho Falls to Ririe on the way to Yellowstone. In 2016 I planned a 4 day road trip with the expectation to do a quick driving tour of Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Watch for signs to Apgar Visitor Center. Traveling from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park 586.33 km | 6 hours 27 mins Arrival 08:12 pm Yellowstone National Park City Center Day 2 Monday 26, Jun Yellowstone National Park 07:00 am Stay for 4 hrs Grand Canyon Of Yellowstone The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a primary geologic feature in the Canyon District. A boardwalk loops through other incredible hot springs as well as a wonder-inducing pool and dormant geyser, the Excelsior Geyser Crater. Caribbean-blue body of water) and up the Snake River Canyon to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park before arriving at Yellowstone. A booming culinary and brewing culture is emerging out of SLC, perfect for fueling up in between epic national park road trip loops. West Glacier Village is located at the entrance to the park and is a fantastic area for shopping, eating, drinking, mini-golf, and more. I am a penny pincher when it comes to eating out. Rome2rio makes travelling from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park easy. Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. Specials USA West Florida Tampa, Crystal River, Florida Keys & Bradenton Hawaii Kanada Bahamas Mietwagenreisen USA . At the highpoint of the trail, along Paint Pot Hill, is an active mudpot. Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park: 4-Hour Wildlife Tour, The Best Savannah Ghost Tours: An In-Depth Review, Best Things To Do In Canyonlands National Park, Utah National Parks Road Trip: Utah Mighty 5. Seattle to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks Road Trip Soak up the outdoors as you travel through Washington, Idaho and Montana on this northern-states road trip. Insurance, license, registration, identification, roadside assistance and extra car keys. We have visited Yellowstone on separate occasions and we have helped thousands of first time visitors plan trips to this region through our various Wyoming travel guides. This is where your accommodation challenges begin and why it really pays to be organized before you visit Yellowstone. Downtown Bozeman is full of great shops packed full of quality inventory. Check out NPS lodging website for info- 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. Trust your senses.Trust your gut.If youve planned well and it feels right, do it!If it doesnt feel right, dont. Covering nearly 9,000 square kilometers, Yellowstone is best known for its 10,000 geysers and hot springs. Need Help! traveling from salt lake city. - Glacier National Park Forum 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. If possible, we would suggest you try to book your third night at any of the Old Faithful Lodges. Elk Country Inn This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. Yellowstone National Park Getaway | Amtrak Vacations Drive the winding road to Signal Mountain summit for amazing views, descend and continue until you reach Jenny Lake road. 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. . Check the weather before you go. Fly out of Glacier Park International Airport on day 4. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park - 6 ways - Rome2rio (Check the park website as most dining options are closed during the offseason. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton from amazing hiking trails to scenic boat rides and the best huckleberry milkshake ever. 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. While in Gardiner, watch for elk roaming around EVERYWHERE at dawn and dusk. (See the park website for 2020-2022 planned road closures.). 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. The long stretches of road are beautiful and often filled with bison. While both parks have easy access from within the United States, international visitors may find Yellowstone a little less complicated to reach. And crowded. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. On the way back, stop at Upper Falls View and Uncle Toms Trail if it is open. Consider lodging at the East side of the park:Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge inside the park.St. Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. Alternatively, you could spend a night at Jackson Lake Lodge or another hotel near Moran. You can then grab dinner either back in SLC downtown or at the airport. Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and two hours from Yellowstone, Jackson is a great stop if youre looking for anold West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun. Only have 5 nights 6 days. However, we know many visitors prefer to book one hotel and stay there for the duration. The ultimate Northern Rockies touring experience with breathtaking natural wonders in three famous national parks. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Most people planning a Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip have very limited timeframes, which means it is usually a straight-shot for Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Revisit any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before heading back to SLC airport. Plenty of motor oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc. Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Outside of Winter, the scenery around Teton village is spectacular and it is slightly closer to the national park. Plan a Trip to Yellowstone National Park | Things to Do | Where to Stay The park headquarters is located in this area as well as Albright Visitor Center and Museum, lodging, campgrounds, a grill, and more. This area is mesmerizing. Day 4 Revisit any favorite spots in the Tetons before driving to West Thumb and Old Faithful. Built in 1914, McDonald Lake Lodge is worth a quick visit. I prefer hiking shoes over hiking boots and certainly for easy and short hikes. Logan Pass offers incredible views of glaciers and access to favored trails. Best car for this trip: SUV. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. 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) 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. The September drive offered stunning colors of wheat fields and purple mountains. We hope the long list of hotel options is helpful and not overwhelming! SLC international airport conveniently serves both domestic and international travelers, 2. This is one of our favorite road trips and we cant wait to help you plan the perfect Salt Lake City to Yellowstone vacation. Take a self-guided walking tour of buildings and establishments preserved to reflect their historic past. 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. Epic Road Trip from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone In addition, dont forget bug spray if you visit Yellowstone in summer. Drive south from Canyon and this time turn left into South Rim Drive. If you are tight on time you can do it in 5 or 6 days but it will be a rush. Chicago, IL Salt Lake City, UT Yellowstone National Park San Francisco, CA Yosemite National Park, CA Seattle, WA Glacier National Park, MT Chicago, IL. This historic warehouse building has been renovated with several warehouse-style rentals available on Airbnb. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. 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. We typically use Booking to book our hotels but park lodging inside Yellowstone is not available with Booking. Especially at dawn or dusk, keep an eye out for herds of elk and other wildlife enjoying rivers and ponds. Start Your Trip. I loved entering the park here. It sounds so beautiful! Stay in Canyon. 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. Salt Lake City is the closest big city to Yellowstone and Grand Teton with a major international airport. Head to Idaho Falls for a dose of culture and explore off-the-beaten path towns like Ririe and St. Anthony. National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah to Yellowstone & Grand Teton Lets look at a brief summary of each major stopping point along the road trip. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Day 5 - Either see Hayden Valley / Lower Yellowstone Falls in the morning, or hike to Mt Washburn. Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. 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. Helena is another great college town and the capital of Montana. Day 1: Start by renting a car at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Keep a close eye on the NPS website for Yellowstone for any potentially important updates before your trip. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_14',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',120,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-narrow-sky-1-0_1');.narrow-sky-1-multi-120{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}FindGooseIslandViewpointat a pullout along Going-to-the-Sun Road. 17 Tage Yellowstone Circle | America Unlimited Your email address will not be published. I recommendWorld Nomads, an insurance provider trusted by seasoned travelers worldwide. Yellowstone, America's first national park, was established in 1872 to protect the area's unique geothermal features and is also a wildlife sanctuary for hundreds of species. 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. Yellowstone National Park WY-Wyoming, Lake Yellowstone Vintage Postcard. I chose the Comfort Inn Yellowstone North. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sunshineandvine_com-netboard-1','ezslot_18',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-netboard-1-0');Drive 4 miles south to Artist Paint Pot Trail. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. 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. I would recommend it, especially during low-traffic seasons.