Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks-what a combo! Geysers, canyons, waterfalls, wildlife, towering mountains, fun western towns, and awesome outdoor recreation that visitors can enjoy when they visit these two parks in one magnificent trip!

Five to six days is the ideal amount of time needed to see Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks properly. This allows time to visit the top sites of Yellowstone including Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, and Lamar Valley. For Grand Teton, Jenny Lake, Taggart Lake, and the town of Jackson, WY. 3-4 days in Yellowstone and 2-3 days in Grand Teton is best. If pressed for time, visitors can spend 3 days total- one day for the Upper Loop, one day for the Lower Loop of Yellowstone, and one day to see Grand Teton.

I’m Cheryl and my husband, Matt, and I have been writing itineraries for how to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton since 2020. We live just 4 hours away and visit every year. We have been to these parks over 30 times and can’t wait to share our perfect Yellowstone + Grand Teton Itinerary, plus some insider secrets that only regulars know about.

Understanding the Layout of Yellowstone and Grand Teton

This area is HUGE! Do not underestimate the amount of time it takes to see the parks, let alone drive through them. Although they are technically separated by a 1-hour drive on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, the heart of the parks are 2 to 3 hours apart. 

Yellowstone (3-4 days). Yellowstone is the world’s first national park and still one of the most popular. It has five entrances, and each leads to the center portion of the park, called the Grand Loop Road. The Grand Loop Road takes 4-7 hours to drive the entire thing (the time difference is due to bison jams and other traffic). Nearly all the attractions are on this road, though the entrance roads also provide scenery and wildlife. Yellowstone is a sightseer’s park – the sites are all easily seen from roadside viewpoints or via short walks. 

Grand Teton (2-3 days). Grand Teton is NOT Yellowstone Jr – it’s a very different park. It’s more photogenic, and the mountains are more impressive. It’s much smaller than Yellowstone – it basically has 2 main roads that run north-south through the park, and it only takes about an hour to drive the length of it. It’s much more of an adventure park than Yellowstone, with hiking, river rafting, boating, kayaking, gondolas, and more. It takes about 2 days to see the park, but add more time if you want to play. The town of Jackson is next to the park and is part of the experience. 

Wildlife. Both parks are full of wildlife, including elk, antelope, and bears (black and grizzly). It’s more common to see moose in Grand Teton and wolves in Yellowstone.  

Nearby. There are several beautiful and interesting sights nearby that make good add-ons if you can extend your itinerary. Cody, Wyoming, is worthy of two days on the east side of Yellowstone. Virginia City & Earthquake Lake make for a memorable day near West Yellowstone. Pinedale and Dubois are great day trips from Grand Teton to see more of the real Wyoming. Altogether, this can be a great 10-12 day vacation.

Watch Before Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton! [Updates, Lodging, Food, Tips]

About This Itinerary

We kept the “first-time visitor” in mind when we wrote this and included what you must see to say you’ve done Yellowstone and Grand Teton properly.

We also believe variety makes for a great vacation, so we included a mix of geyser basins, hikes, historic sites, lakes, drives, viewpoints, wildlife spotting, and outside-the-park activities.

GOOD TO KNOW: This itinerary will work best from Memorial Day to the end of September.

3-7 Day Yellowstone + Grand Teton Itinerary

We are going to give you 7 days of things to do. However, we realize that not everyone has this kind of time.

If you have 3 days, spend two days in Yellowstone: One day for the Lower Loop (combine Day 1 and Day 2) and one day for the Upper Loop (combine Day 3 and Day 4). Do Day 5 (Jenny Lake & Jackson) Grand Teton.

If you have 4 days, spend three days at Yellowstone: Two days for the Lower Loop (Day 1 and Day 2) and one day for the Upper Loop (combine Day 3 and Day 4). Do the Day 5 (Jenny Lake & Jackson) Grand Teton.

If you have 5 days, spend three days at Yellowstone: Two days for the Lower Loop (Day 1 and Day 2) and one day for the Upper Loop (combine Day 3 and Day 4). Do Day 5 (Jenny Lake & Jackson) and Day 6 (Taggart & Activity) for Grand Teton.

If you have 6 days, spend three days at Yellowstone: Two days for the Lower Loop (Day 1 and Day 2) and one day for the Upper Loop (Combine Day 3 and Day 4). Do Day 5 (Jenny Lake & Jackson) and Day 6 (Taggart Lake Hike & Activity) for Grand Teton. For your 6th day, you can choose to spend a second day on the Upper Loop of Yellowstone or visit one of the cool towns outside the parks, including Cody, Virginia City, Dubois, or Pinedale.

DAY 1: YELLOWSTONE – LOWER LOOP

Stop #1 Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s so big they used to call it Prismatic Lake. It is the 3rd largest hot spring in the world. It is as long as a football field and 120 feet deep. It’s located at the Midway Geyser Basin and there are some other great hot springs to check out as well.

Make sure to check out Grand Prismatic Overlook, too. It’s a moderate 1.6-mile round-trip hike on a gravel trail…but it’s worth it! You get an amazing aerial view and can see the whole spring.

We recommend getting to the entrance gate by 8:00 am! Especially if you are entering from the West or North entrance.

Stop #2 Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful). What is amazing about Upper Geyser Basin is that it has more predictable geysers than just Old Faithful. There are actually five predictable geysers, including:

• Old Faithful: every 90 minutes
• Daisy Geyser: ~ every 2 hours
• Riverside Geyser: ~every 6 hours
• Grand Geyser: ~every 6-7 hours
• Castle Geyser: ~ every 14 hours

You can get the estimated next eruption times at the Old Faithful Visitor Center or the rangers do a pretty good job keeping the sign at each of the geysers updated. You can also find them online at the National Park Website.

Something else great about the Midway Geyser Basin is that it is home to the largest log cabin in the world, the Old Faithful Inn. You don’t need to stay here to check out this architectural wonder! It’s really cool to go in the lobby and see the locally grown lodge pole pines assembled together.

Stop #3 West Thumb Geyser Basin. What is wonderful about this geyser basin is that it sits along the edge of Yellowstone Lake. Many of the geysers here are crystal blue and some of them are even in the lake!

Stop #4 Hayden Valley. You will naturally go through this 10-mile stretch as you complete your drive on the lower loop. Although you can breeze through here in just 15 minutes, we hope that you’ll spot some bison, elk, or even a coyote!

GOOD TO KNOW: We think that it takes two full days to see the lower loop but understand that many of you don’t have that amount of time. We’ll list the absolute best spots on the lower loop for Day 1 and then give some of our backup favorites if you have the luxury of a second day.

DAY 2: YELLOWSTONE – LOWER LOOP (EXTENDED)

Stop #1 Madison Valley. This is my favorite spot in Yellowstone to get solace and experience nature. You’ll notice fly fishermen hoping to catch a trout in the Madison River and most likely see deer, antelope, and elk grazing in the valley. We love to camp here.

Stop #2 Firehole Lake Drive is a pretty little drive where you’ll see trees, meadows, geysers, and lakes, with pullouts along the way. There are a few geysers that erupt often on this road: Great Fountain, White Dome (erupts a few times a day for a few minutes up to 30 ft high), and Pink (erupts once a day for a few hours up to 30 ft).

Stop #3 Fountain Paint Pots. This is located at the end of Firehole Lake Drive. It has all 4 geothermal features (geysers, springs, mud pots, and fumaroles). Clepsydra geyser is always erupting. It has expansive views, nice variety, and you know you’ll see a geyser erupt!

Stop #4 Kepler Cascades. One of the amazing things about Yellowstone is that there are several roadside waterfalls that require little effort. Kepler Cascades is one of them! It’s beautiful and easy to see. It is just south of Old Faithful; you have to turn left when exiting Old Faithful.

Stop #5 Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America and it’s cool to drive along the lake shore and just marvel at how big it is! Here are a few things you can do in the area:

• Kayak at West Thumb/Grant Village
• Eat fish tacos at the Lake House Restaurant in Grant Village
• Get some ice cream in Lake Village
• Go on a Yellowstone Lake boat cruise
• Go fishing. Boat launches are located at Bridge Bay Marina and Grant Village on Yellowstone Lake and on the south end of Lewis Lake near the Lewis Lake Campground.

Day 3: YELLOWSTONE – UPPER LOOP

On the Upper Loop, you will see fewer geysers but some of the best that Yellowstone has to offer! The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (awesome waterfalls included!), travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, and the headquarters of Yellowstone, plus the American Serengeti- Lamar Valley!

Just like with Days 1 & 2, we’ll list the absolute “must-see” places on Day 3 and some optional (yet still awesome) places on Day 4, just in case you only have one day to see the entire upper loop.

Stop #1 Norris Geyser Basin. The Norris area is closest to the magma below, and the water is the hottest in the park. Some of it even burns off before it gets to the surface, which exits as steam. Once you get to the small visitor center, you have two choices: Porcelain Basin or Back Basin. They are different but equally nice. You could do one or both loops.

Stop #2 Mammoth Hot Springs. This travertine terrace is huge and looks like an inside-out cave! Other things we enjoy at Mammoth Hot Springs include the Map Room at the Mammoth Hotel, Fort Yellowstone, and the Albright Visitor Center.

Stop #3 Lamar Valley. This is the world-famous valley where people go to watch wolves and grizzly bears. There are also plenty of other animal species in the area (bison, birds, coyotes, elk, etc). Lamar Valley is a side road that shoots off the Upper Loop on the east side. There isn’t a set spot for observing wildlife; you just drive the road and look for wildlife.

Stop #4 Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Welcome to the best site in Yellowstone (in our humble opinion)!

There are at least 8 viewpoints to see two waterfalls here: the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. Here are our absolute favorites.

• Artist Point. This is our favorite view because you get to see the striking yellow rocks of the canyon with the beautiful lower falls in the background. You can walk out to a point and get panoramic views in several directions and view the Yellowstone River from above.

• The Brink of the Upper Falls. It’s a short walk to view the Yellowstone River right over the ledge, often accompanied by a rainbow.  

• Brink of the Lower Falls. (0.7 miles roundtrip, moderate, paved.) Though this hike is steep, the switchbacks make it easier. Try to do it if you can because the payoff is seeing the Lower Falls glide over the ledge. It is a gorgeous shot of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

DAY 4: YELLOWSTONE – UPPER LOOP (EXTENDED)

If you have two days to explore the Upper Loop (and we hope you do!) there are excellent waterfalls and wildlife viewing

Stop #1 Virginia Cascades. Hit this on the way to Canyon only if you’re coming through Norris. It’s a short one-way drive through a canyon with waterfalls. There is a picnic area here; a breakfast picnic would be amazing!

Stop #2 Tower Fall. Tower Fall is located south of the turn-off to Lamar Valley. You can get ice cream, snacks, or souvenirs at the Tower General Store. Take the short walk to Tower Fall. An asphalt trail leads to the overlook, which is the best viewing spot. 

Stop #3 Roosevelt Arch. This is located in Gardiner (just outside the park at the North Entrance). It’s a short little photo op. The arch was built in 1903 when Gardiner was the main entrance to the park.

YELLOWSTONE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Even though most visitors stay pretty busy just trying to take in all the natural beauty within Yellowstone National Park, a good mix of activities makes for a really great vacation.

There are scenic river floats, playhouses, shopping, gun ranges, hot springs, zip lines, rodeos, horseback riding, historic towns to visit, and more. We have an entire blog post, 11 Things To Do Outside of Yellowstone, that will give you the details. You can also watch these activities in the video below.

10 Best Day Trips & Experiences Near Yellowstone

People also enjoy visiting Cody, Virginia City, and Earthquake Lake.

DAY 5: GRAND TETON – JENNY LAKE & JACKSON

If you only have one day in Grand Teton, this is what you need to do!

Stop #1 Jenny Lake. It’s a beautiful glacial lake with views of the Tetons in the background. There are also wonderful outdoor exhibits for you to look at as you walk to the lake.

There is a 7-mile loop around Jenny Lake that you can walk, but most people prefer to take the 12-minute shuttle boat (~$20) across the lake, where you can hike up to Inspiration Point and Hidden Lake (2 miles round trip if you take the boat). Hidden Falls is my favorite waterfall in Grand Teton, and the views of Jackson Valley from Inspiration Point are amazing! Plan on Jenny Lake taking 3-4 hours. You can read more details on our blog post, How To Have a Perfect Day at Jenny Lake.

Stop #2 Scenic Drive with Viewpoints. Now, it’s time to rest your legs and go for a scenic drive.  Drive the Inner Road (Teton Park Road) north to Jackson Lodge and Colter Bay, and then head back on the Outer Road (HWY 89) for some great viewpoints. Driving the 40-mile loop without stopping takes about an hour, but you’ll most likely take 3 or 4, making lots of stops along the way.

• Jackson Lake Lodge. Don’t let the ugly boxy exterior fool you; this is a cool place. Walk inside to see the beautiful interior of the lodge and get a great view of the northern Tetons. There are a few restaurants here, but we prefer the Blue Heron Lounge which has great outdoor seating with firepits and amazing views of the Tetons.
• Oxbow Bend. This is a gorgeous viewpoint of Mount Moran with the  Snake River in the foreground. Stop to take photos!
• Cunningham Cabin. Photographers might like getting a shot of the cabin with the Tetons in the background. There are often horses here, too. It makes you feel like you are in a Western movie!
• Snake River Overlook. This is a popular photo op of the Tetons with the Snake River in the foreground. Ansel Adams took a famous black and white photo from here (see display). It’s really cool to compare the photo to what the valley looks like now and see how it has changed over the years.
• Schwabacher Landing. This is a popular and beautiful spot to watch a sunrise, but it’s also great in the middle of the day! Walk down the dirt pathway for additional viewpoints where the trees frame the Tetons. It’s only about 250 yards and is usually quieter.

Stop #3 Jackson, WY

You don’t really need to have a plan. Jackson is just fun to walk around, window shop, and grab something yummy to eat. We have a blog post and video of great things to do in Jackson to help you plan your evening, but here is a quick list of our favorites.

• Town Square. Check out the famous Antler Arches!
•  Jackson Hole Playhouse. Even if you don’t catch a play, check out the building. It’s the oldest building in Jackson and is super cute.
• Town Square Shoot Out. It’s cheesy but you kind of have to do it. Every night, from 6 to 7 pm, a shootout happens near the town square. No killing on Sundays, though.
• Jackson Mercantile. This is our favorite store because of the creative taxidermy (we love the rafting raccoons!) and the treats. 

HUNGRY FOR DINNER? We really like Sidewinders. It’s nice because it’s not located downtown so it has its own parking and the decor is really fun. Their signature dish is their soft pretzel. For more ideas, check out our blog post, The Best Places To Eat in Jackson and Grand Teton.

DAY 6: GRAND TETON – TAGGART LAKE & ACTIVITY

Stop #1 Taggart Lake Hike. (3.7 miles roundtrip, easy.) Once you get past the boring service road beginning, it takes you through cascades, aspens, meadows, glacier boulders, and pines before arriving at a beautiful lake with views of the mountains. It’s mostly uphill but not too steep and has flat sections. This is a great hike for families because you can play in the water once you arrive.

Stop #2 Mormon Row. This is where you will find the highly photographed Moulton Barn, along with a few other cool old historic buildings. The Moulton Barn is where photographers gather for that perfect shot of the sun splashing on the Tetons with the barn in the foreground. It’s located on the north end of the dirt road.  There is parking near the barn, as well as at the intersection just north of the barn, by the other homes and barns. To get here, you can take Antelope Flats Road. It’s great anytime but is especially cool at sunrise.

Stop #3 Pick an Activity. Now it’s time to experience Grand Teton- not just look at it! Spend the afternoon doing something that really appeals to you. Here are a few of our favorites.

Float the Snake River. This should be the priority. There are scenic floats and whitewater floats. We once did a dinner scenic float right through the Tetons with Triangle X. The views were unbeatable, and we even saw eagles and beavers. Read our review of the river float and more about white water rafting.

Bike the Multi-Use Pathway. This is a wonderful trail that connects the town of Jackson to Jenny Lake. It goes along the main road but there are beautiful views of the Tetons the whole time. A ride with a picnic (you can have a picnic for dinner!) is a great way to spend the afternoon. We like to rent bikes (especially ebikes) at Dornans.

Kayak on String Lake. This is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen to kayak on. It’s crystal clear with the beautiful Tetons in the background. You also get kayaks from Dornans. NOTE: Parking fills up here by 8:30 am

Ride the Tram at Teton Village. Teton Village is a ski resort just outside of Grand Teton. It has restaurants, shopping, activities, biking, and a tram and gondola. We think the best thing to do here is take the tram to the Skywalk and get a waffle at Corbet’s Cabin. Read more about Teton Village.

Look for Wildlife. Grand Teton has so much wildlife! Elk, deer, antelope, coyote, moose, and bears! We especially love to look for moose. Check out our blog post Where to Find Wildlife in Grand Teton for specifics on our best spots. Gros Venture area, Mormon Row, and the Moose-Wilson Road are good places to get started.

If you still have energy left to burn, you can check out the Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout and Show, catch a play at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, or visit the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar & Silver Dollar Bar & Grill, the most iconic bars in Jackson.

DAY 7: GRAND TETON – THINGS YOU MISSED AND DAY TRIPS TO PINEDALE AND DUBOIS

Use a third day to catch the things you didn’t get to or to do another recreational activity you are interested in. You can also check out the National Museum for Military Vehicles, which is located east of Dubois, or visit the Wind River Mountains and Pinedale.

Anything Else I Should Know?

Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton is truly is incredible. It’s something we hope everyone gets to do at least once in their life. We hope that this blog post has been a good resource to help you start planning your trip.

If you want to make planning your trip a breeze, check out our easy-to-follow, step-by-step itinerary.

• 5-7 Day Itinerary including over 100 maps, charts, and images to keep you on course
• See the BEST of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Hot Springs, Jenny Lake, Jackson, the Snake River, Bear Tooth Highway, Cody, WY + the best waterfalls, viewpoints, hikes, drives and fun activities.
• Includes: Yellowstone Itinerary, Yellowstone Audio Guide, Grand Teton Itinerary, and Grand Teton Audio Guide
• Lodging and Dining Recommendations by area to minimize driving and suit any budget
• Must know booking time-lines and checkboxes to help you secure reservations and stay ahead in your trip planning
• BONUS: Yellowstone + Grand Teton Overview Guide – Only available in this  Bundle. Includes 3 itineraries (beginning in Bozeman, MT, Jackson, WY, or Salt Lake City, UT) to piece together for this epic Yellowstone and Grand Teton experience. Features detailed maps and recommendations for where to stay each night to make your trip planning easy.