Yellowstone National Park Tour - Facts | Caravan Tours Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. But I had NO trouble justifying paying for THE BEST steak I could find while in Bozeman.:-). Jenny LakeStroll through this busy lake-park area for stunning views of the Tetons and access to trails. Doubletree by Hilton in Helena, or drive 2 hours to stay in Bozeman or Livingston. Continue North and drive through Alpine Junction, which marks the beginning of a scenic stretch of highway following the Snake River. Schnees Boots, Shoes, and Outdoors is one of my favorite. Only have 48 hours? How many days do you need to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park from Salt Lake City? 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. Witness spectacular views atop Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, then board classic red vintage touring cars for an exciting drive along Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. But they might be worth a stop if you have enough time, which is why we have included several SLC to Yellowstone road trip itinerary ideas later in the guide. Also be sure to check out City Creek Center, a popular covered shopping and dining complex with high end shops and fountains. How To Plan A Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip - Where Are Those 4 Idaho Falls Secrets to a Fantastic Yellowstone Area Vacation This is one of the most-detailed itineraries Ive ever seen, but its truly helpful for those of us hoping to plan a trip to the area! 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. The speed, the sun, the wind, the fantasy of never looking back, and the sheer diversity of . Fun on the Water in Yellowstone National Park The City Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. $7.99 . Yellowstone is a different beast altogether when it comes to booking your accommodation. That is what makes creating an example road trip itinerary so challenging. Then see Tower Fall, Lamar Valley for wildlife, Mammoth Hot Springs and sleep either Mammoth or Gardiner. If you get a good sunrise the waterfall, canyon and sky will light up with stunning browns, blues, greens, pinks and purples. Moab and Arches National Park (77) Salt Lake City (151) Uinta Mountains (96) Zion National Park (70) . Walk the loop trail before continuing up the loop road. This beautiful guy is bigger than a football field in diameter. It is worth sticking around here until later in the day because this is regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Just be sure you know how to drive in mountains, curvy roads with wildlife, etc. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. Drive 21 miles south to Norris Geyser Basin. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. 15 Days From $5,399pp. See the West Glacier Village website for details and hours. It is one of only 2 places you are permitted to swim in Yellowstone. Check for availability at a hotel such as Yellowstone Gateway Inn or Yellowstone Riverside Cottages if you want to stay in Gardiner. Day 8 Spend the day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. A mudpot, or mud pool, has limited water resulting in a pool of bubbling mud. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area. Solitude Float Trips Flights from Kalispell to West Yellowstone via Salt Lake City Ave. Mountain goats are common sightings. 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. Wildlife in Glacier National Park includes . Saint Mary Falls trail is a 1.7-mile out and back hike. 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. Wow. The iconic town square features antler arches collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge, numerous shops, and restaurants, bronze art, and galleries. Drive south 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Pro Tip: Exploring three national parks in one week requires a lot of walking and hiking. Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use, Copyright 2023 | Where Are Those Morgans, Our Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Experience. Dramatic Scenes in Logan and Cache Valley I'm not into being in the car for 10 hours to get to Glacier. Was This Guide Helpful? Now you know the best things to do and places to stay in Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons Multicolored layers get their hues from heat-loving bacteria. Action packed day, sleep in Canyon Village. 32 Best Stops Between Salt Lake City and Glacier National Park - Wanderlog The changing colors of blues and blacks reveal the depth of this fascinating pool. With the recent developments, I could use some help creating an alternate plan for the Yellowstone portion. Explore on your own or take a tour on horseback or e-bike. See a world-class art museum, hot springs, historic towns and high peaks under . The overheating problem had gotten progressively worse. Saddle Up in Jackson 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. Here are seven reasons to visit. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. 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. I chose to get the hardest driving day out of the way with plans to reach Kalispell, a small town not far from Glacier National Park, soon after dark. You could also do Grand Canyon / Zion. They are our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The first day can be action packed or easy going depending on your journey to reach SLC and how you prefer to travel. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. The only downside if you stay at Old Faithful is being limited to eating in the restaurants or food courts on site. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. 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. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. Please plan on flying into Salt Lake City one day before your scheduled tour 8 Days to Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks Day One: Depart SLC, head north towards West Yellowstone. The Abyss Pool is equally mesmerizing. Alternatively, if you brought a packed lunch, head straight to Norris Geyser Basin to enjoy some of the most interesting geysers in the park. Day 2 Drive to Park City in the morning, before heading to Jackson later in the afternoon. Travel Tip: If you have flexibility over your travel dates, we recommend planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary around booking night 5 in a Canyon Village hotel or lodge. Trip Details. Salt Lake City International Airport is the closest major international airport to Yellowstone National Park. Oh, I love the way you drop hints!!! Check the weather before you go. The night of Day 3 is the most open to your interpretation part of this Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. This route stops in major national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The most attractive route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is to drive via Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, Afton, Jackson and Grand Teton before arriving at Yellowstone south entrance. 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. Save. Here are our popular road trip resources for planning and packing: Packing for Grand Teton and Yellowstone is fairly straightforward year round. Drive back to Jackson. I loved the adventure going from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone to Grand Teton. You will not go hungry. Input Salt Lake City and your travel dates to see your options. At 2.2 million acres, with 5 entrances and over 4 million tourists each year, Yellowstone is one of the biggest and most popular USA national parks. Continue to the end of North Rim Drive and walk out to Artist Point, which is our personal favorite viewpoint into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. And a 2-hour direct flight from Salt Lake City International Airport. The airport is only an eight minute drive from Downtown . Day 4 Spend another full day enjoying the tranquility in Grand Teton. Whether you like motorized recreation or exploring via your own two feet, theres an adventure for everyone on the Tetons western and if you ask a local better side. Western-style cabins with kitchenettes.The Wort HotelAn upscale experience near town square restaurants and shops.Teton VillageWhat a happy ski resort area. When we entered Glacier National Park, it was a misty and moody day. Heres how we might plan a 5 day road trip: Day 1 Drive straight from SLC airport to Jackson. Salt Lake City, UT. Taking this 11.6-mile trail for even a short distance will take you to spectacular views. The cheapest way to get from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park costs only $97, and the quickest way takes just 7 hours. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. Hi Ashley, yep you'll definitely be too late for Yellowstone and Grand Teton end of November, we would recommend heading south from Salt Lake City instead. A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Of all the natural wonders in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is among my favorites. The next closest is Yellowstone south entrance, which is 340 miles and would take around 6 hours and 10 minutes to drive. In Yellowstone National Park, enjoy a tour of this incredible land with a park guide. Throughout Montana and Wyoming, the yellows of grain fields, greens of alfalfa grass, and blues of the sky and flowing rivers form an incredible backdrop for photos. Check the Glacier National Park website for information on Many Glacier as well as planned closures. We reached the park around 7:45 am and enjoyed watching the sun begin illuminating streams, mountainsides, and glaciers. 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. Caribbean-blue body of water) and up the Snake River Canyon to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park before arriving at Yellowstone. Logan Pass offers incredible views of glaciers and access to favored trails. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass can be purchased at any of the parks. The Clark Fork River runs through the town and offers some of the best opportunities for white water raftering in the region. Excelsior Geyser will be billowing and hopefully you have a clear day to see vibrant colors inside Grand Prismatic Spring. It is practically the ONLY way to go. Why Start A Yellowstone Road Trip From Salt Lake City? Is there a pdf version for a quick reference? Logan Pass is the highest point along Going-to-the-Sun Road and a site where the Continental Divide passes through. Required fields are marked *. Lets take a quick look at some of the most asked questions about planning a Wyoming road trip from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Thank you! LOVE them! Read our guide on the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park which covers the top attractions, hikes and geyser basins. The pullout is easily recognizable. I chose to drive up and down this road several times in the early morning to watch for wildlife. As a solo traveler and hiker, The Utah National Parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5, are chock full of peculiar rock formations, massive balanced rocks, and surprisingly colorful rock, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks are three of Americas most valued treasures. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. 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. Hit desert highlights on this road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, returning through Craters of the Moon National Monument and southern Idaho. Barker Ewing by Jackson Hole Whitewater But it is also a great option for those who want easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs or Lamar Valley, the best place in Yellowstone for wildlife spotting. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-2','ezslot_3',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',136,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-136{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}, (Avid anglers will love spending a day fly fishing the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Montana. Funky art installations are scattered throughout this expansive trail system. The best driving route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone The center offers clean restrooms, useful park information, and a gift shop. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Gardiner, Montana is an Old West town near the Yellowstone north entrance, the only year-round entrance to the park. Head over to our Wyoming Travel Guides to explore Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and beyond. This hike offers incredible views, mountain goat sightings, and other wildlife. It was comfortable and affordable. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Missoula is home to the University of Montana and has an active downtown with numerous restaurants and access to outdoor activities. Then head back to town to explore pioneer life or see a live show. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Planning a trip but have to drive from las vegas. That pricey but exquisite steak is calling my name. The rest of the park is accessible so you will be able to see all of the most popular hot springs and geysers. Thank you! With 6 days you wont have to compromise as much and you will still have enough time for both parks. 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. However, there are more places you can visit on the drive between Utah and Wyoming: In truth, none are comparable with the beauty and uniqueness of the two national parks, so we definitely do not recommend prioritizing these places over the Tetons or Yellowstone.