North America- 3 Incredible Itineraries For Visiting Yellowstone And Grand Teton National Parks

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North America- 3 Incredible Itineraries For Visiting Yellowstone And Grand Teton National Parks

3 Incredible Itineraries For Visiting Yellowstone And Grand Teton National Parks

Emily Batdorf

An outdoor writer with a background in education, Emily loves the learning experiences gained through travel. Her favorite places to visit are national parks, especially those in the Rocky Mountains and Desert Southwest.


Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

We love the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Not only is it in our backyard, it’s one of the wildest regions in the lower 48. A visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is the trip of a lifetime — but one trip is hardly enough.

That’s why we’ve put together three itineraries for trips through these national parks. Each focuses on different highlights of this wild landscape, but all three are equally spectacular. Choose one of these trips and witness the awe of the Greater Yellowstone region for yourself.


Jackson Lake

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Option 1: On the Water: Float, Cruise, and Paddle
JACKSON – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – GARDINER – BOZEMAN

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is home to vital headwaters that flow down either side of the Continental Divide. With lots of winter snowpack and glacier-carved features, this landscape is full of pristine rivers and jewel-like lakes.

This water-focused trip takes you down the region’s famous rivers and across its scenic lakes, all while surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks.

Day 1

Fly into Jackson, Wyoming. Stay in town (we love Alpine House Lodge near the Jackson Town Square) or at one of the lodges inside Grand Teton National Park.
Day 2

On your first full day, explore breathtaking Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Take a boat trip across the deep blue lake, then take a short hike from the boat dock to Hidden Falls or beyond to Inspiration Point. Pack a picnic lunch and eat it trailside before catching the boat back across the lake.

In the afternoon, visit nearby String Lake. Depending on your energy level, you could hike the 4-mile trail around the lake or the 7-mile roundtrip trail to Leigh Lake, swim, or relax on shore. Then head to Moose to grab dinner at Dornan’s, a local favorite that serves up pizza, pasta, and a five-star mountain view.

Day 3

Take a tranquil morning float down the Snake River through Grand Teton National Park. Scan the banks for beavers, moose, and bears. At lunchtime, take a leisurely stroll around Schwabacher Landing. Bring a picnic and gaze across the Snake River to the mountain peaks.

In the afternoon, rent a canoe at Colter Bay and paddle along the shoreline or a little further to Heron Pond, with unobstructed views of the Tetons across Jackson Lake.

Day 4

Leave bright and early to head north to Yellowstone National Park. Embark on a guided kayaking tour past geothermal features on Yellowstone Lake. When you’re through, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin on your way to your accommodations the park at Lake Yellowstone Hotel or Canyon Lodge.

Day 5

Make the drive north to Gardiner, stopping for a hike along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on your way. Catch a glimpse of the Lower Falls, where water plunges 300 feet into the canyon below. In Gardiner, catch a thrill with a whitewater rafting trip down the Yellowstone River. Spend tonight in the town of Gardiner or a bit further north in the aptly-named Paradise Valley.

Day 6

End your trip with a scenic drive through Paradise Valley and over Bozeman Pass to Bozeman, Montana where you can stroll Main Street before catching a flight home


Wildlife of Yellowstone and Grand Teton

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Option 2: Wildlife of Yellowstone and Grand Teton

BILLINGS – COOKE CITY – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – JACKSON One of the most impressive features of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the wildlife that calls this area home.
Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are home to healthy populations of some of the continent’s most charismatic wildlife. Moose, elk, black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and bison are just a handful of the animals that you might be lucky to see.

This wildlife-centric trip provides a great opportunity for seeing some of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s most captivating species.

Day 1:

We followed the Victor Trail along a ridge dotted with barrel cacti, prickly pear cacti, and the occasional remnants of coyote scat. This trail provided fantastic views of the oasis below, and Mt. San Jacinto in the background.

Day 2:

Stop at the Bearclaw Bakery for an early pastry and coffee before driving into Yellowstone National Park. Your first destination is Lamar Valley, known by many as the Serengeti of North America. The wide, sweeping valley is a wildlife hotspot, home to elk, bison, bears, and wolves. Spend the morning alongside other wildlife watchers trying to spot these amazing animals.

In the afternoon, drive through Tower Junction (looking for wildlife on your way) to Mammoth Hot Springs. Take a hike on wooden boardwalks around the travertine terraces before taking the scenic drive back through the Lamar Valley to Cooke City – with more potential for wildlife sightings.

Day 3:

Sleep in or enjoy another early morning in Lamar Valley. Pick up a picnic lunch to take with you, then head south to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where you can hike along the canyon rim and catch stunning views of the Lower Falls. Continue south to the wildlife-rich Hayden Valley. Make your way toward the park’s south entrance along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, stopping at boardwalks and roadside features along the way. Tonight’s destination is Grand Teton National Park, where you can stay at Jackson Lake Lodge for fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.

Day 4:

Take a self-guided tour of Grand Teton National Park today. Look for wildlife at Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, beside the Gros Ventre River, and along the Moose-Wilson Road. Take a hike up one of the canyons — Death, Cascade, or Paintbrush — for gorgeous scenery and more chances to see wildlife.

Day 5.

Take a sunrise wildlife tour through Grand Teton National Park. Learn about the animals that live in the valley from a local naturalist, and add to your running list of wildlife sightings.

In the afternoon, head to the National Museum of Wildlife Art to peruse a stunning, world-class collection of nature-inspired artwork. Enjoy dinner and your last night in Jackson, a lively, iconic western town.

Day 6:

Head to the Jackson Hole Airport for flights home.



The author

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Mudpots and Mountains: Hiking and Sightseeing in Yellowstone Country
BOZEMAN – WEST YELLOWSTONE – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK – JACKSON Geologists would have a hard time finding a place more interesting than the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Mountains, volcanoes, geysers, and earthquakes are part of what make the area so unique. And guess what? You don’t even have to be a geologist to appreciate it!

This hiking-heavy trip gives you an up-close look at the unique geology of this region.

Day 1:

Fly into Bozeman, Montana, and make your way toward the gateway town of West Yellowstone for your first night. On your way, stop at Quake Lake and the Quake Lake Visitor Center to learn about how an earthquake caused a massive landslide that dammed the Madison Riverin 1959.

Day 2:

Head into Yellowstone National Park and kick off your day with a hike near Madison Junction. A short walk to Harlequin Lake or 3-mile climb on the Purple Mountain Trail are both great options, depending on your energy level. Afterward, make your way down the west side of the park, stopping at the Lower and Midway Geyser Basins along the way. Make sure make time for Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, the largest in the park.

Choose another hike for the afternoon — maybe Fairy Falls or Lone Star Geyser — before settling into your accommodations at Old Faithful. After dinner, head outside to watch Old Faithful erupt.

Day 3:

Hike the boardwalks and trails in the Upper Geyser Basin. There’s a lot more to see than just Old Faithful! Next, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin, then make your way south into Grand Teton National Park. Stay in the heart of the park at one of the fabulous lodges.

Day 4:

Spend the day on Grand Teton’s world-class trails. While this park isn’t as thermally active as Yellowstone, the young (geologically speaking!) Teton Range sits on an active fault line. The tectonic activity here has led to the formation of some of the most dramatic mountains on the continent. Hike to one of the park’s glacial lakes, like Phelps, Taggart, or Bradley, or up one of the glacier-carved canyons, like Death, Cascade, or Paintbrush, where you’ll find some of the park’s high mountain lakes.

Day 5:

Spend your last full day catching some of the park’s best views. Drive (or hike) five miles up Signal Mountain for sweeping views of the valley, mountains, and lakes. Then rent a canoe on Jackson Lake to see the mountains from a new perspective. End your trip with dinner at Dornan’s before spending the night in a Jackson hotel.

Day 6:

Catch a flight home from the Jackson Hole Airport.

Plan The Perfect Trip

Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Ready to head to Yellowstone and Grand Teton country, but want a little help with the details? At LasAlmas Tour and Travel, we’re here to help you craft your dream vacation, whether it’s wildlife, geysers, or hiking that you crave. With local knowledge and expert guides, we can fill in the gaps to create the perfect custom itinerary for your Greater Yellowstone adventure.

Posted on November 5, 2021 | People, Sense of Place, Travel Notes

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