yellowstone camping trip itinerary

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How to Plan an Unforgettable Yellowstone Camping Trip

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Looking to plan a Yellowstone camping trip? Few experiences will get you closer to the essence of this destination. 

After all, the visionaries who named Yellowstone America’s first national park in 1872 recognized the same charms that still lure millions of visitors the world over today: hydrothermal fireworks in its geyser basins, an intact ecosystem that's home to charismatic wildlife like grizzly bears and wolves, dazzling cascades twice the height of Niagara Falls, sculpted mountains, and sparkling lakes. This enormous park, which sits mostly in Wyoming’s northwestern corner with slices in Idaho and Montana, offers plenty of conventional lodging choices , but there’s no better way to experience this primeval place than by camping. Pitch a tent in the woods, along a creek, or next to a lake, and you’ll immerse yourself in a wild landscape just as people have done for thousands of years—and thanks to the park, can continue to do well into the future.  

Below, we cover everything you need to know to enjoy a night under the stars at Yellowstone, including when to go and how to snag reservations at the best sites for car camping, backpacking, and glamping. Consider this your complete Yellowstone camping guide. 

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

What to know before you go

Yellowstone National Park itself is huge—Rhode Island  and  Delaware could fit inside it at the same time—and it’s surrounded by tens of thousands more square miles of public land. All to say that the weather conditions, landscapes, and elevations of campsites in and around the park can vary widely. Check park maps carefully before you commit to a site to ensure you’ll be close to your most-desired attractions: Old Faithful, for example, is at minimum a 90-minute drive from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

A note on bear safety: Both grizzly and black bears make their homes in the park, so bear-smart camping is a must. Bears have excellent noses and can be attracted to human food, creating a dangerous situation for both people and the bears. Keep all food, garbage, coolers, dishes, and any other items with fragrances (like toiletries) secured in a hard-sided vehicle or a provided metal bear locker whenever you’re not actively using them. 

Camping season in the Yellowstone area extends from late spring into mid-autumn, but the park’s high elevations—campgrounds range from 6,200 feet to 7,900 feet—mean that snow and cold temperatures are common on either end of that window. July and August bring the warmest weather but also the most visitation, so be prepared for crowds in the park’s developed areas. Late summer into early fall is also known as “smoke season” in the West, where smoke from even distant wildfires can settle over the park, creating poor air quality that can ruin a camping trip . September into October can otherwise be a glorious time to visit, when summer crowds thin out, leaves start turning, and the weather goes crisp. Most campgrounds close for the bitterly cold winter season (Mammoth is the only year-round campground, though it is currently closed as a result of a 2022 flooding).

The fishing is stellar at Pebble Creek, which is also one of the park's smallest campgrounds. 

How to book a campsite in the park

Campers snap up sites quickly in the Yellowstone region. Reservations, which are required at all park campgrounds, open six to ten months in advance. It’s wise to secure yours as soon as they’re released. No luck? Don’t give up: Openings do pop up daily, so check back regularly for your preferred spots. Some park campgrounds also reserve 20 percent of their sites to be released for booking two weeks ahead.  Recreation.gov handles bookings for the seven park-managed campgrounds, while the park’s concessionaire,  Xanterra , manages reservations for its five in-park campgrounds. Backpackers will need a  permit for backcountry sites, which are available to reserve through both an  early-access lottery (which opens in early spring each year) and a general reservation period (beginning in late April).

The best Yellowstone campgrounds

Camping options in the Yellowstone region range from hike-in wilderness sites to rustic, drive-up campgrounds, and luxurious glamping resorts . Consider this your guide to the best spots at every point along the spectrum.

Drive-up campgrounds

Yellowstone National Park offers two main types of campgrounds: Smaller, more primitive outposts and larger campgrounds with more amenities. The park itself manages the five rustic ones ($20 to $25 per night), while Xanterra takes care of the slightly more civilized variety ($33 to $89 per night). If you’re looking for that away-from-it-all experience—yes to secluded sites where nature is the main attraction, no to showers, flush toilets, or RV dump stations—Yellowstone’s two best campgrounds are  Slough Creek  and  Pebble Creek.  Both tucked into the wildlife-packed Lamar Valley, these are the park’s two smallest campgrounds with 16 and 27 sites, respectively. The fishing is stellar within a few steps of your tent at each one, and you might even hear or spot the Lamar’s famous wolves. At the western end of the Lamar Valley, 31-site  Tower Fall Campground  offers quiet, shady sites, but it’s also just a few minutes away from a camp store, plus dinner and horseback riding at  Roosevelt Lodge . Paddlers will love  Lewis Lake Campground,  nestled against the shore of Lewis Lake on the southern end of the park, for its easy water access for canoes, kayaks, and motorboats. 

If you like your nights under the stars with a few more creature comforts, like flush toilets, ice and firewood on offer, and an RV dump station,  Bridge Bay Campground  is a top pick. Located a stone’s throw from the western shore of Yellowstone Lake, this 7,800-foot campground has lovely lake views and easy access to the Bridge Bay Marina’s boat tours, rental boats, and guided fishing outings. With 432 sites, it’s the largest option in the park. 

Madison Arm Resort  ($47 to $70 per night), located about 10 miles west of Yellowstone’s West Entrance on the edge of 12,500-acre Hebgen Lake, is another step up in terms of amenities. Tent campers get waterfront sites and full use of the resort’s hot showers and laundry facilities; RV campers will find full hookups. Everyone enjoys spectacular sunrise views over Hebgen Lake, boat rentals, and a lovely home base for swimming or fishing. 

At Under Canvas Yellowstone, creature comforts include private bathrooms and upscale restaurants.

Backcountry Sites

With its 3,471 square miles of pristine wilderness, Yellowstone National Park is a backpacker’s dream. Hiking into the backcountry for a night or more requires experience, gear, fitness, and knowledge about dealing with challenges like weather and wildlife encounters—but for those equipped, it makes for an unforgettable excursion. The  Thorofare  area in the park’s southeastern corner holds some of the best backpacking opportunities. Extremely remote—in fact, the Thorofare is as far as you can get from a road in the Lower 48 states—this gorgeous destination features flower-filled meadows, a view of the surrounding summits, and meandering creeks. Love geysers, but hate the crowds they draw? Head for  Shoshone Geyser Basin,  where plentiful spouters give a private show to anyone willing to hike a minimum of nine miles to reach it. A pair of shoreline campsites on Shoshone Lake, just beyond the basin, are your best bets.

Yellowstone may be wild, but that doesn’t mean you can’t savor a real bed with luxe linens and a catered campfire while you’re there. At Chico Hot Springs Resort’s  Camp Conestoga ($225 per night), about 45 minutes north of the park, you’ll drift off in a pioneer-style covered wagon (don’t worry, heat and electricity are included). Best of all, the wagons sit walking distance from the resort’s dreamy natural hot springs.  Under Canvas also runs a resort near West Yellowstone, plus a new-in-2023 location in the Paradise Valley north of the park. Both feature huge canvas tents with private bathrooms and upscale restaurants (starting at $229 per night). 

For more inspiration, check out our complete guide on where stay in Yellowstone , which covers hotels, rentals, and more.  

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The Best 3 Day Yellowstone Itinerary for Your First Time at the National Park

See spouting geysers, gushing waterfalls, and bubbling springs on this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary.

Roughly half of the geysers in the world are located in just one square mile of Yellowstone National Park. And that’s not even all of the breathtaking nature scenes you’ll encounter on this 3 days in Yellowstone itinerary. 

Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. It contains the greatest density of geysers on earth, including the famous Old Faithful that erupts on a predictable schedule. But the 2.2 million acre park also has stunning waterfalls, mountain peaks, and river valleys full of wildlife.

I first vacationed at Yellowstone as a teen and love returning to see bison, hydrothermal basins, and my favorite waterfalls.

When it comes to planning your Yellowstone 3 day itinerary, you may be wondering which areas to explore and how to maximize your time. While you can see a lot of the park in just a few days, it’s important to have a game plan so that you don’t backtrack too much.

I put together this Yellowstone itinerary for 3 days to help you get started. It’s the perfect agenda for first-timers, covering all the must-sees but also including time to hike and explore. I’ve arranged activities in most cases to hit the highlights at times they’ll be a little less busy. 

It’s important to remember that this is one of the most popular parks in the country, and you will encounter crowds, especially in summer. Bring your patience, snacks, and some audiobooks in case you get stuck in one of the infamous bison jams.

Keep reading for a Yellowstone National Park 3 day itinerary and scroll to the end for a guide and tips like where to stay and when to go.

Yellowstone Geography and Entrances

Before getting into the 3 day itinerary for Yellowstone, it’s important to understand the geography a little bit, since the park is so huge and has five different entrance points.

Grand Loop Road, the main park road, makes an upper and lower circle that forms a sort of figure 8. Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, and one end of the Lamar Valley are on the upper loop. Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and several geyser basins are on the lower. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Norris Geyser Basin are on each end of the middle road where the loops meet.

Yellowstone West Entrance Station

The West Entrance Station for Yellowstone is the busiest one, located in West Yellowstone, Montana. It’s about 100 miles from Bozeman, Montana, and 120 from Twin Falls, Idaho. The park road from here closes to automobiles in winter and typically opens for the season in late April. 

The routes on the Yellowstone 3-day itinerary below would work well for entering here or staying in West Yellowstone.

Yellowstone North Entrance Station

Yellowstone’s North Entrance Station is located in Gardiner, Montana. This one is near the park headquarters and Mammoth Hot Springs and is known for the 1903 Roosevelt Arch. Gardiner is 80 miles from Bozeman and about 55 miles from West Yellowstone through the park. 

This entrance is open year-round and the road from here to the Northeast Entrance Station remains accessible in winter. This 3 day Yellowstone itinerary works if you’re entering from the north if you rearrange the first day’s activities.

Yellowstone Northeast Entrance Station

The Northeast Entrance Station at Yellowstone is one of my favorite ways to drive into the park. It’s located in a remote corner of the park near the Lamar Valley. The station is in a 1935 log building on the National Register of Historic Places.

To enter here, you can drive the Beartooth Highway through a mountain pass from Red Lodge, Montana, 65 miles away. You can also access this entrance by driving up 75 miles from Cody, Wyoming, but it’s not the quickest route into the park. The nearest town is called Cooke City-Silver Gate, but there isn’t very much there.

This road to this entrance is open year-round from the North Entrance Station, but the Beartooth Highway is usually only open from late May to mid-September.

Yellowstone South Entrance Station

You’ll use the South Entrance of Yellowstone if you travel to Grand Teton National Park on your trip. The entrance is about 60 miles from Jackson, Wyoming, and 20 miles from Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb basin. The roads in this section of the park are usually open for the season around mid-May. If you enter from the south, I recommend starting with the lower loop part of the itinerary (day 2 and 3).

Yellowstone East Entrance Station

The East Entrance Station in Yellowstone is near Yellowstone Lake. Cody, Wyoming, is about 65 miles away. If you’re driving in on a road trip from Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower or South Dakota’s Badlands National Park, it makes sense to enter this way. The entrance is about 40 miles from Canyon Village and 30 miles from the Yellowstone Lake lodges and campgrounds. If you enter here, I recommend starting with day 2 or 3 of the itinerary below.

3 Day Yellowstone Itinerary

The 3 day Yellowstone itinerary below includes both circles of Grand Loop Road and all of the sites along the drive. I’ve arranged it to maximize your time with as little backtrack driving as possible. The first of the 3 days in Yellowstone National Park focuses on the upper loop and the final two days on the lower loop.

Day 1 – Upper Grand Loop Road

The first day of this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary takes you around the upper circle of Grand Loop Road. There are a ton of things to see along this route, so you’ll have to watch your time if you want to do longer activities like hiking or driving out of the way through the Lamar Valley and back. 

The itinerary order below works best if you stay in West Yellowstone, Grand Canyon Village, or one of the Old Faithful or Yellowstone Lake lodges. If you stay in Gardiner, it would be best to do the Lamar Valley first at sunrise before making your way around clockwise to the rest of the sites and ending at Mammoth Hot Springs for sunset. 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Formed by the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone has two picture-perfect waterfalls and colorful cliffs. Roads follow both the south and north rims, with viewing decks and hiking trails to see both the 109-foot Upper Falls and 308-foot Lower Falls.

South Rim Drive has fewer overlooks but is the quickest way to see both of the cascades. On this route, stop at the Upper Falls view, where a short paved walkway leads to the lookout. After that, continue on to Artist Point, a famous vista of the Lower Falls seen in many photos and paintings. If you’re here around mid-morning on a sunny day, you may catch a rainbow stretching across the water.

North Rim Drive has a lot of parking lots and views, but the best ones require a bit of effort to reach. My favorite vista of Lower Falls is from the Red Rock Trail. Located at Lookout Point, the short but steep hike leads down 500 feet to an up-close view. Another interesting perspective is at Brink of the Lower Falls. A steep walk leads down to a platform at the top of the waterfall, where you can see and hear the river rushing over the edge.

You could spend a lot of time at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone following the trails along the south and north rims, but I recommend keeping your visit to a couple of hours to have enough time for other activities today. 

Mount Washburn Trails

The 10,243-foot-high Mount Washburn is one of the top hiking spots in the park, with panoramic views from the summit. At the top, you’ll find a fire lookout tower with exhibits inside.

There are two different ways to summit Mount Washburn. Start at the Dunraven Pass Trailhead for a 7-mile round-trip hike or at Chittenden Road for a 5.8-mile trail open to bikers and hikers. Both options are moderately hard and take about 3 hours to complete. 

I haven’t been able to do this hike due to road closures, so I can’t suggest one path over the other. I recommend reading reviews on the AllTrails app to pick your route. This area is frequented by grizzlies, so the National Park Service recommends avoiding this hike in September and October when they are particularly active. Carrying bear spray while hiking in Yellowstone is always a good idea.

The impressive Tower Fall was one of the landmarks that swayed Congress in 1872 to establish Yellowstone as the country’s first national park. The 132-foot-tall cascade is remarkable for the pointy volcanic pinnacles that surround the narrow drop. 

It’s just a short walk to a lookout from the parking area. This location also has a seasonal general store, so it’s a great spot to grab lunch if you didn’t pack a picnic.

Lamar Valley

The Lamar Valley is one of the best areas for wildlife watching in the park. Bears, bison, wolves, and coyotes roam the grasslands along the Lamar River, and you’ll have the best chance of spotting them around sunrise and sunset. 

There are pullouts along the road to stop and watch the animals at a safe distance from your car. It’s important for your safety and the safety of the animals to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards away from other large mammals, including elk and bison.

The valley is off of the upper loop in the remote northeastern end of the park. Driving through here and back can occupy several hours of the day, depending on how far you go and whether other cars and wildlife road crossings slow things down. If it fits into your schedule and route, it can actually be more time efficient to explore this area on your way in or out of the park, adding on a drive on the stunning Beartooth Highway that connects the park to Red Lodge, Montana.

If you’re staying in Gardiner, Montana, you can head straight here early in the morning for a dawn wildlife excursion. Or, if you’re in Canyon Village, you could head straight here in the morning and end the day at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s at least an hour’s drive to reach the valley from either of those locales.

Undine Falls

Though it’s less popular than some of the other Yellowstone waterfalls, Undine Falls is definitely worth a stop as you drive the upper section of Grand Loop Road. Located along Lava Creek, the falls drop in three tiers.

There is a paved parking lot just off the road and a short walkway leads to a lookout point. This is a quick stop only 5 miles from Mammoth Hot Springs.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Steaming pools collect along terraces of white and orange travertine rock layers at Mammoth Hot Springs. You can explore the scenery up close on winding boardwalk paths at the lower terrace level or drive a 2-mile loop with lookouts at the top.

Next to the hydrothermal features, you’ll find the village of Mammoth and Fort Yellowstone , an Army post from the late 1800s that served to protect the newly established national park. Mammoth is also the national park headquarters and has a ranger station, hotel, and public facilities. 

The northern entrance to the park is about 5 miles north in Gardiner, Montana. This is one of the few sections of the park you can access by car year-round.

Day 2 – Old Faithful and East Lower Loop

The lower circle of Grand Loop Road is longer than the top, so I recommend splitting the sites over 2 days of this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary. Famous sites like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring are here, so I’ve recommended tips for avoiding crowds.

Since you’re spending two days here, there will inevitably be some backtracking, but I’ve arranged the itinerary to hit certain spots at key times and minimize drive time. 

For these two days, it makes the most sense to stay in West Yellowstone or the Old Faithful area. If you’re in Grand Canyon Village, I would recommend doing this backward by starting with sunrise in the Hayden Valley and ending the day at Old Faithful late in the afternoon. If you’re in Gardiner or Mammoth, you can follow the order below but note that it will take nearly 2 hours to reach Old Faithful and 1.5 hours to get back from Hayden Valley at the end of the day.

Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin

Old Faithful is by far the most popular destination in Yellowstone, and there is a massive parking lot here because of it. Named for its predictable eruptions, Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, where you’ll find a network of boardwalks through a landscape of hot pots, pools, and vents.

The main draw shoots a stream some 100 feet high about every 68 to 94 minutes. The NPS predictions are about 90 accurate within a 10-minute window. This makes it easy to plan when you will catch it going off.

I recommend arriving here first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. You can check to see when the next eruption is predicted, and if it’s within the next 30 minutes or so, grab a prime spot in the viewing area. If you have some time to wait, take a walk around the Geyser Hill loop (under a mile) or hike to Observation Point (just over a mile) to see Old Faithful from above.

After it erupts, you can head off on some longer day hikes in the area to explore more of the Upper Geyser Basin. This area has the densest collection of geysers in the world, with 150-plus hydrothermal features in just one square mile. Once you get away from the Old Faithful area, the crowds thin out and you’ll often have the paths to yourself. 

This section of the park has the most amenities, with three hotels, a general store, a visitor center, restaurants, and a service station. Plan to spend a couple of hours to half a day in this area, depending on how much you want to hike. 

West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin has beautiful views of steaming springs and cones set against the banks of Yellowstone Lake at the south end of the park. My favorite spots are the bright blue Black Pool and the Fishing Cone, a steaming geyser that’s actually in the lake.

This geyser basin is less popular than some of the others, so it’s great for a relaxed walk around the 0.6-mile boardwalk loop. 

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is the largest one in the country at an elevation above 7,000 feet. Though the lake is incredibly cold at an average of 41 degrees, it also has dangerously hot spots, with underwater springs and geysers that hit up to 252 degrees.

If you just want to admire the views, you can do so from the West Thumb Basin, Grand Loop Road, and a quick side route along Gull Point Drive. Or, set aside a few hours to kayak or boat on the water.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers scenic cruises, fishing charters, and rental boats. No kayak or canoe rentals are available in the park, but you can get them in nearby towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner. 

There are a few park accommodations on the lake, including Lake Lodge Cabins, Yellowstone Hotel, and Grant Village Campground. This can be a great base for exploring the lower loop, but it’s pretty far from upper loop attractions.

Hayden Valley

The Hayden Valley is home to herds of bison, so this a great spot for wildlife watching at the end of the day. The valley is located along the Yellowstone River on the east side of the lower Grand Loop Road between Yellowstone Lake and Canyon Village.

If you have enough time before sunset, stop at the Mud Volcano to walk a 0.6-mile loop trail and pull over for photos at spots like the Yellowstone River Overlook.

When it comes to wildlife, you’ll have the best chance of spotting wolves, elk, and bison if you stick around until sunset. Pull over at one of the designated parking zones to safely observe the animals from your car. Binoculars can help! Remember to stay 100-plus yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife.

Day 3 – West Lower Loop Geyser Basins

Use your final of 3 days in Yellowstone National Park to finish visiting the major thermal basins, starting with the oldest and wrapping up with scenic drives and a hike up to a view over this zone of the park. 

This day involves the least driving since you’ll be sticking mostly to the west side of the south loop. If you do the activities in the order below, you’ll be able to quickly backtrack to West Yellowstone if you’re heading north to Bozeman, Montana, or keep driving south to exit the park toward Jackson, Wyoming.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is notable as the hottest and oldest one in Yellowstone. The world’s highest active geyser, Steamboat Geyser, is located here and shoots over 300 feet in the air on an unpredictable schedule.

You can explore the basin on boardwalks and trails that loop around dozens of vents, hot springs, geysers, and more. The 0.6-mile Porcelain Basin loop is perfect for short walks. Steamboat Geyser is in the Back Basin, where 1 and 1.6-mile loop options lead through wooded areas full of steaming geothermal features. 

The parking area here is large but can overflow, and there are restroom facilities, a small bookstore, and a campground nearby. Norris is at the intersection of the north and south loops of the main park road, so you may pass it a few times depending on where you stay. 

Gibbon Falls

A quick and easy roadside waterfall, the 84-foot Gibbon Falls drops over the remains of the Yellowstone caldera rim. It fans out into a wide and pretty display. The paved parking lot here connects to a sidewalk at the top of the falls with various spots to view the river and waterfall.

Lower Geyser Basin

Though it may not be as famous as the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful, the Lower Geyser Basin is the largest one in the park at about 18 square miles. Somewhat confusingly, it’s actually to the north of the Upper Basin. Unlike most of the other basins, you’ll need to move around to different sections where you can follow scenic drives or park and get out. 

Firehole Canyon Road

Firehole Canyon Road is a short scenic drive where you can see the Firehole River and Firehole Falls. Swimming is sometimes allowed at Firehole River but check on the current conditions before you go. The drive is just 2 miles but it’s one way and pretty narrow, so the going can be slow when it gets backed up with cars trying to park in the few limited spots.

Fountain Paint Pot

The Fountain Paint Pot is the best place to get out and walk around in the Lower Geyser Basin. There is a short boardwalk trail here around the fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and hot springs. Fountain Geyser here sprays up every 4.5 to 7 hours, so you may get to see it gushing.

Firehole Lake Drive

Firehole Lake Drive is a great spot to see some erupting geysers without crowds. The scenic drive makes a 3.5-mile loop on a one-way route.

Plan to stop at the Great Fountain Geyser, which erupts as high as Old Faithful and occasionally up to 200 feet, but only every 10 to 14 hours. Even though it’s less frequent, the series of bursts last 45 to 60 minutes, so it can be spectacular to watch if you catch it. The geyser is also surrounded by a beautiful reflective pool that fills and overflows leading up to the eruptions.

Further along the drive, White Dome Geyser erupts on an unpredictable but more frequent schedule. I actually unexpectedly caught this one as I was driving up, which was a treat!

At the end of the loop, you can park and walk along a few short boardwalks that stretch across a couple of small, steaming lakes, appropriately named Firehole Lake and Hot Lake.

Midway Geyser Basin

One of the most photogenic spots at Yellowstone is located in Midway Geyser Basin – Grand Prismatic Spring. The turquoise pool contrasts stunningly with the orange-tinted thermal landscape. 

At the base, you can follow a boardwalk that loops around the spring and a trio of impressive pools, including the Opal Pool, Turquoise Pool, and Excelsior Geyser. 

The Midway Geyser Basin is pretty compact with a parking area that often overflows. If you can’t get a spot in the middle of the day, skip it and come back late in the afternoon. The best view of Grand Prismatic Spring is from above, anyways, which I’ll tell you about next.

Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook

While the Midway boardwalk will get you right up close to Grand Prismatic Spring, you really can’t fully admire the colors from that vantage point. I highly recommend hiking up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook for the best view of the bright blue water surrounded by orange and white.

To do so, park at the Fairy Falls Trail parking lot. You’ll follow the first part of the trail before diverting to a steep climb up to the view. The hike is 1.6 miles there and back, but you can combine it with Fairy Falls for about a 6-mile adventure.

Fairy Falls Hike

If you have enough time in the afternoon, Fairy Falls is a popular hiking spot in this section of Yellowstone. The 200-foot-tall waterfall cascades an ethereal spray into a pool along Fairy Creek. 

The quickest way to get here is by hiking from the Fairy Falls trailhead just south of the Midway Geyser Basin. The hike is about 5.4 miles roundtrip, but you can add on the spur trail from above to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook at the beginning or end.

Yellowstone 3 Day Itinerary Guide and Tips

The Yellowstone guide below will help you figure out the logistics of your trip to the national park.

Is 3 days enough to see Yellowstone?

Some people stop by Yellowstone for just a day to see Old Faithful and others stay for a week to enjoy the lake and scenery. For your first visit though, I think that a 3 days in Yellowstone itinerary is just enough time for the highlights. 

With a Yellowstone 3 day itinerary, you’ll have enough time to drive the two park loops, visit all of the major geyser basins, see a few waterfalls, and do some shorter hikes. 

If you can add in one more day, I recommend spending half a day driving in on the Beartooth Highway and through the Lamar Valley on the northeast side of the park before starting your park tour.

Is it better to stay inside or outside of Yellowstone for a 3 day Yellowstone itinerary?

At a large park like Yellowstone, deciding where to stay is a hard choice. No matter where you pick, you’ll still be a long drive from some of the sights you want to see. Plus, the park has lodges and campgrounds spread out in seven different zones.

The biggest pro to staying at one of the national park lodges or campgrounds is the proximity to some of the park attractions. You also won’t have to wait at an entrance station every time you drive into the park.

For our 3 day Yellowstone itinerary that includes the upper and lower park loops, I would recommend Canyon Village for lodging in the park. You’ll be right next to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and about 30 minutes from Tower Fall, Lake Yellowstone, and Hayden Valley. But, you’ll still be an hour or more drive from Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Lamar Valley. 

If you pick an Old Faithful accommodation like the Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Lodge, you’ll be close to the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins but very far from everything on the upper circle of Grand Loop Road. 

The biggest downside to staying in the park is the high prices of the lodges and the low inventory. Reservations open 13 months in advance and book up quickly.

If you stay outside the park, I recommend West Yellowstone or Gardiner. West Yellowstone works best for this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary and is about an hour from Canyon Village and Old Faithful. Gardiner is close to Mammoth Hot Springs and is about an hour from most sites on the north loop.

How long does it take to drive the Yellowstone Grand Loop?

Without any traffic, stops, or wildlife delays, it takes a little over 2 hours to drive the upper loop and 3 hours to drive the lower loop. But again, this is with NO STOPS, which doesn’t make any sense. You’re going to want to stop, park, get out, and walk around at several locations on each loop.

I would recommend no less than a day to drive each loop. On the 3 day Yellowstone itinerary above, I designate two days for the lower loop because there is so much to see.

Which loop is better at Yellowstone during a 3 day Yellowstone itinerary?

Each of the loops has some of Yellowstone’s most famous attractions. Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, and several geyser basins are on the lower loop. The upper loop has Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, Mount Washburn, and the entrance to the Lamar Valley. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Norris Geyser Basin are accessible from either loop.

If I had to pick just one for your first trip, it would probably be the lower loop, as long as you also include the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to see waterfalls. 

How far are the Tetons from Yellowstone?

The Grand Teton National Park headquarters are about an hour from Yellowstone’s South Entrance Station, but of course, the drive can be much longer depending on where you’re starting from.

What is the best month to visit Yellowstone National Park?

Summer is the busy season at Yellowstone National Park, since everything is open and the weather is warm enough to enjoy the outdoors. Since this is one of the most popular national parks in the country, though, it’s also incredibly busy in summer. If you plan a 3 day Yellowstone itinerary for summer, you will definitely encounter crowds.

I visited in late September to early October last time when the summer crowds had cleared. While the parking lots were still busy in some places, it didn’t feel overcrowded and I got around with few traffic delays. October can be dicey though, as snow can set in at any time and close the park roads. It actually snowed just a few days after I left on that trip.

If you have a flexible schedule, I’d recommend avoiding the middle of summer and aiming for a trip in late spring or early fall. You can check the park roads page to see the anticipated opening dates of various sections of the park.

A winter visit to Yellowstone is always a far less crowded option, but most sections of the park will be closed to regular vehicles. If you want to visit in winter, you can book snow coach tours.

These are the best national parks to visit in February and national parks to visit in March

Wildlife watching in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is home to almost 300 bird species and 67 mammal species, including black and grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, moose, mountain lions, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. You will likely encounter animals like bison and elk without even trying, but if you want to prioritize wildlife watching, head to the Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley around sunrise or sunset.

It’s extremely important for your safety and the safety of the animals in the park to never approach them and to say at least 100 yards away from large predators and 25 yards from all other animals. You can learn more about Yellowstone wildlife here .

When does Old Faithful erupt?

Yellowstone has tons of geysers, and several of them erupt somewhat frequently on predictable schedules. You can learn more about the geyser activity here and follow the eruption predictions here .

I hope you enjoy your 3 day Yellowstone itinerary and fall in love with the one-of-a-kind landscapes of this stunning national park.

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A Perfect 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary (for First Timers)

There are parts of Yellowstone National Park that make you feel like you’re on another planet. Bright blue-green thermal pools. Towering geyser eruptions. And herds of bison that we’re convinced are at least part alien.

It was our first stop on a big road trip that included Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming, then took us down to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park , and back home through the Utah National Parks . 

After a summer spent in Washington State and Oregon, Yellowstone was a stunning departure from our steady summer diet of mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and evergreen trees. 

In this itinerary, you’ll find a detailed guide to the best things to do and see, where to stay, travel tips based on our experience, and our take on exactly how to spend 4 days in Yellowstone.

As one of the most popular national parks in the United States you’ll often be sharing some of those sights with hundreds of your new closest friends, but braving the crowds is worth it to see the stunning landscapes that you’ll find in the park.

Plus, if you’re strategic about how you spend your time (SPOILER ALERT: that’s what this guide is for), you’ll be able to avoid most of the crowds.

Planning a trip to Yellowstone? Don’t miss our guide to where to stay in Yellowstone where we dive deep into how to choose the perfect place to stay in the park.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days to Spend in Yellowstone National Park

Before we get to the complete itinerary we promised, let’s quickly talk about logistics. Which are important in Yellowstone National Park because it is enormous.

If you don’t think about how to organize your time, you’re going to spend more time driving, and you’re going to get to see less. 

Based on our experience, I would say you need four days at the very least. Five or six would be better, I think, but most people don’t have the luxury of having that much time off. 

With four days, you’ll be able to organize your trip with a major activity every morning and evening and avoid the midday rush that happens at all of the big sights in the park. 

If you have less than that, we have ideas below the detailed itinerary we’ve written with ways to organize your trip into one, two, or three days.

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

Getting to Yellowstone is a little more tricky than some other national parks. The obvious option is to road trip, which you can do from places like Denver or Salt Lake City fairly easily. We drove from Seattle and spent the night in Missoula, Montana to break up the journey a bit. 

If driving isn’t an option, you’ll need to fly into either Jackson, Wyoming, or Bozeman, Montana , and rent a car to drive into Yellowstone. 

I wrote this itinerary assuming you’re flying into Bozeman. We drove through Bozeman on our way into the park, and I basically organized the trip the same way we did it.

You’ll start at Mammoth Hot Springs in the northwest corner of the park because that’s closest to Bozeman. It’s roughly an hour and a half from the airport to Mammoth Hot Springs , depending on traffic. 

If you fly into Jackson, you should add a stop in Grand Teton National Park on the way to Yellowstone (you’ll want to read our Grand Teton itinerary and our guide to the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park ).

Then you’ll enter from the south into Yellowstone, which puts you near the West Thumb Geyser Basin and Old Faithful, so tackle those first and rearrange the itinerary below.

It’s about an hour and a half from Jackson to Yellowstone , not counting a stop in Grand Teton. 

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

This is a pretty complicated question, because first it depends on whether or not you are camping. 

Lucky for you, we’ve got a whole guide on the best places to stay in Yellowstone devoted to this exact question. Head over and read that for a deeper dive into how to choose where to stay, or read on for the overview version.

Camping in Yellowstone National Park

If you are planning on camping, you’ll be happy to know that there are 12 campgrounds in the park, and over 2,000 campsites. BUT they are incredibly competitive.

All campgrounds should be reserved in advance (EXCEPT for Mammoth Campground, which is first come, first served in the offseason from October 15 through April 1). 

My recommendations are to stay at Canyon for two nights , which puts you in the perfect spot to see the Grand Canyon and Lamar Valley early, when you’ll have the best experience. 

Then spend the second two nights at either Grant Village or Madison , which puts you in position for Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and the West Thumb. 

To have even a remote chance of getting a reservation, you’ll need to either: 

• Make reservations as far in advance as possible – at least six months in advance, even more if you’re planning a summer trip.
• Hit refresh on campsite availability a few times a day to check for cancellations , which is how we got our sites at Canyon and Grant Village. 

Lodging Inside Yellowstone National Park

If you’re not into camping, you only have a few options inside the park, and that’s the historic park lodges.

While these places are gorgeous and the location couldn’t be better (it’s going to save you A LOT of time to not have to drive in and out of the park every day), you’re going to pay extra for the convenience and location.

The other thing to know is that they book up FAST. And there’s a very limited supply of rooms.

As far as logistics go, you should try to spend two nights at Mammoth Hot Springs , which will put you in the perfect position to explore Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley (alternative: Canyon Lodge ), and then two nights at the INCREDIBLE Old Faithful Inn (alternative: Old Faithful Lodge ). 

That way you’ll be well-situated to get to Mammoth, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the Lamar Valley from Mammoth Hot Springs, then Old Faithful and the West Thumb from Old Faithful Inn. 

Lodging Outside of Yellowstone National Park

If you’re on more of a budget or the lodges are all booked up, you’ve got a few options. 

Following the same principle of spending two nights close to the Lamar Valley and Grand Canyon, and two nights close to Old Faithful and the geysers, you should book your first two nights in Gardiner, MT and the last two nights in West Yellowstone .

Staying in Gardiner, Montana

From Gardiner, it’s an hour to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Lamar Valley, and only 22 minutes to Mammoth Hot Spring.

Gardiner has a nearly unlimited number of hotel options for you to choose from. We think you should look at the Yellowstone Gateway Inn and the Yellowstone Riverside Cottages .

The Yellowstone Gateway Inn has hotel-style rooms with rustic décor, but the real star of the show is the suites, which are basically apartments with full kitchens and plenty of space for you whether you’re a traveling couple, or you’re planning a family reunion in Yellowstone.

Plus, it’s quite literally right outside the north entrance to the park. It’ll make a great home base for exploring Yellowstone.

The Yellowstone Riverside Cottages are in a similar location, just a couple of minutes outside the park entrance, and have a wide range of room sizes, configurations, and styles to choose from.

Opt for a rustic private cottage, which has enough space for a couple or small group (most have kitchens), or a more modern suite.

They have options for couples and groups of four to six. Some rooms – particularly the suites – have views of the Yellowstone River from a private balcony.

There are a bunch of vacation rentals in Gardiner too, most are clustered along the river and in the same corridor as a hotel.

Keep in mind that, these days, vacation rentals are often either the same price or more expensive than hotels thanks to the cleaning fees, and are far less flexible.

Couples should look at this cute and cozy cottage , which has everything you’ll need for exploring Yellowstone in a great location, or this modern cabin that is just blocks away from the park entrance.

If you’re traveling with a group, consider this little castle , which sleeps 10 and has plenty of common space for the whole group, or this spacious home that sleeps 11 and has great views from the private deck.

Staying in West Yellowstone, Idaho

From West Yellowstone, it’s only 50 minutes to Old Faithful, which is a great location for exploring the southern half of the park. The town has plenty of amenities – food, restaurants, gas stations, and more.

In West Yellowstone, the best places to stay are: 

• Hotels: The gorgeous Adventure Inn and the 1872 Inn (adults only – great spot for couples in Yellowstone!) are at the top of my list for next time I’m in Yellowstone. Families or groups should consider the Kelly Inn West Yellowstone , which has family rooms with bunk beds, or the Faithful Street Inn , which has full houses with options that have two and three bedrooms – perfect for groups who need a little extra space.
• Vacation Rentals: Couples, consider this private one bedroom cabin or this rustic log cabin in town. Families and groups, look at this two bedroom cabin (sleeps four) or this newly constructed cabin (also sleeps four).

Tips for Planning Your Trip to Yellowstone

Here are some tips that are based on our experience in Yellowstone National Park, which was in early fall.

• How to Respect the “Locals”: In Yellowstone, there is an incredible abundance of wildlife literally everywhere. Elk, bison, grizzlies, some wolves, and even moose! Remember – they are WILD ANIMALS . Stay at least 25 yards away from elk and bison, and 100+ yards away from grizzlies and wolves.
• Where to Find Wildlife: The two best spots in the park for wildlife spotting are the Lamar Valley (great for wolves, bison, and occasionally grizzlies) and the Hayden Valley (SO MANY BISON). The best time to see wildlife is within an hour of sunrise and sunset. We did a nightly “game drive” every evening, and went out to the Lamar Valley at 5:00 am (it was literally 16 degrees F) to spot wolves. Butttttt….
• BRING BINOCULARS: There were wolves in the Lamar Valley, but all I had was my zoom lens on my camera and we weren’t able to actually see them. If you want to see wildlife, you should invest in a quality pair of binoculars before your trip . My mom went to Yellowstone a few weeks after we did and I told her to buy binoculars. Guess what? She saw both wolves and grizzlies, which we missed. I’m DEFINITELY not bitter about that though.
• Avoiding Crowds: The crowds in Yellowstone are insane. And it doesn’t help that everything is within a few hundred yards of a parking lot. I would plan on an early morning outing, a leisurely lunch, and then a late afternoon activity. Going to any of the main sights between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm is a fool’s errand – you’ll end up spending more time waiting for parking than seeing the sights. Plus, a side bonus, the light will be better for pictures.
• Time of Day Considerations: The pools in Yellowstone are one of the highlights – how the heck are they that color? Early and late in the day, which is when I JUST told you to go see them, they are going to be less vibrant because the sunlight really brings out the colors, but there is a cool steam effect that happens when the hot steam hits the cool air. Midday is when they really shine (see below for the same pool at different times of day) but the crowds are borderline unbearable.
• Remember the Elevation: Yellowstone is pretty high up, around 8,000 feet, which I didn’t quite realize. Take it easy on your first day to acclimate, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. 

Remember, Yellowstone National Park is enormous – one of the biggest national parks in the country, in fact. The drive times to get from point A to point B was most surprising to us.

For example, because Grand Loop Road connecting Canyon Campground and Tower Junction was closed, it took us TWO HOURS to get to the Lamar Valley. One way. We left at 4:00 am to make it there for dawn. 

Pssst ! This itinerary pairs VERY nicely with this 3 Day Grand Teton Itinerary to complete a 7 day loop through two of the best national parks in the United States.

An Incredible 4 Day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Now that you’re prepared with all the logistics to help you make the most of your time, onto the actual itinerary and exactly what to do in Yellowstone. 

The Best Things to Do in Yellowstone – DO NOT MISS THESE

There are five things that you should make sure you hit on your trip to Yellowstone. You’ll find them, in more detail, in the guide below.

• Old Faithful Eruption: There are signs outside the Visitors Center that will tell you when the next eruption is predicted. It’s a prediction, so it’s not always 100% accurate, but I think the ranger said they are about 90% accurate to 10 minutes on either side of the prediction. Make sure to go up to the viewpoint on the hill to view it – it’s more impressive, I think, when you have a sense of the scale and see it towering over the Old Faithful Inn.
• Grand Prismatic Hot Spring: So many colors! Head up to the overlook along the Fairy Falls Trail for the postcard-perfect view.
• The Lamar Valley at Sunrise / Sunset: Sure, it’s a little bit of a trek, but the payoff is worth it. Where else are you going to see wolves in the wild?
• The West Thumb Geyser Basin: The underrated hero of our trip, we loved it so much we went back twice.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Another unsung hero – make sure you’re there around 9:00 or 10:00 am, when the rainbow shows up and the rising sun lights up all the colors of the canyon.

Now, onto how to fit all of those things in over the course of your time in Yellowstone.

You’ll essentially be making your way from north to south through the park. This means you’ll be saving two of our favorite sights – Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful and geyser walk – for last.

Here’s what the detailed itinerary below looks like when broken out by day. 

• Day 1: Mammoth Hot Springs and the Hayden Valley
• Day 2: The Lamar Valley, a Hike, and Geysers at Golden Hour
• Day 3: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, and the West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Day 4: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, and ALL of the Geysers

Today, you’ll arrive in Yellowstone with about half a day to work with. Head straight to Mammoth Hot Springs to see one of the most unique geothermal features in the park, then move on to the Hayden Valley at sunset. 

Where to Stay: Canyon Village ( Campground or Lodge ) or Gardiner, MT . 

Arrival and Mammoth Hot Spring

Whether you’re driving to Yellowstone or flying in from a different state, you probably won’t be arriving in the park until mid-morning at the earliest. 

Assuming you’re flying into Bozeman, grab your rental car at the airport and head straight to Mammoth Hot Spring . 

Mammoth Hot Spring is a short little boardwalk loop that takes you past a few different geothermal features, but the highlight is the Terraces – a hot spring that looks like something straight out of Alien. It’s one of the most unique features in the park, and it’s an easy loop on the boardwalk. 

From there, head to check into your accommodations for the night and get settled in. Have an early dinner and get ready for your sunset safari. 

Sunset Drive Through the Hayden Valley

To end your first day on a high note, head out to the Hayden Valley about an hour before sunset to see some wildlife. This is one of the best areas in the park to see bison, elk, and even grizzly bears on occasion. You’ll want to bring your binoculars . 

Drive south from Canyon Junction on Grand Loop Road, and eventually you’ll find yourself in the Hayden Valley.

I don’t have a set of stops for you to hit because it totally depends on the day and where the animals are. But if you drive from Canyon Junction down to Sulphur Cauldron and back right around sunset, you’re bound to see a ton of wildlife. 

Our strategy was to first, pull over when you see a gaggle of cars, because the paparazzi are there for a reason. Second, we would stop at pullouts with a view and wait for 5-10 minutes to see if we could see any movement. 

Other than that, I don’t have much for you here.

There’s more detail on the Lamar Valley, which is your destination tomorrow morning. For now, head home and get some rest. It’s going to be an early morning. 

Day 2: Wildlife Safari and Geysers

Today, you’re going to get your best shot to see wolves, and probably grizzly bears too. Note, I’m not saying you’re probably going to see grizzlies, I’m saying this might be your best chance. 

Where to Stay: The same place you stayed on the first night – Canyon Village (Campground or Lodge) or Gardiner, MT. 

Lamar Valley at Dawn

When I say dawn, I mean dawn. Wolves are most active in the predawn hours, and it’s nearly impossible to see them once the sun comes up and they lay down in the grass to relax in the sun. 

You want to be out in the Lamar Valley a full hour before sunrise , which means you need to GET UP EARLY. 

Yellowstone is probably the best place to see wolves in the wild. Over time, they have been driven out of their usual land and killed by the ever expanding human footprint that encroaches on their habitat.

The extermination programs that the US sanctioned to protect livestock (among other reasons) certainly didn’t help either.

But in the mid 90’s, 41 wild wolves were released into Yellowstone and the rest is history. Today, there’s about 100 wolves in the park at any given time, and the northern part of the park, including the Lamar Valley, is the best place to see them. 

This is a fascinating read about wolves in Yellowstone. 

Where to go in the Lamar Valley? It depends. But the best spot we found was right around here .

There was a hill with a bunch of people with fancy spotting scopes looking for wolves. They saw them, we didn’t. Mostly because we didn’t have binoculars.  

Obviously that’s not always going to be the best place to see wolves – along the way, look for groups of people up on little hills with spotting scopes throughout the valley.

They’re your best bet for finding where the wolves are hanging out on that particular morning, and they’re usually friendly enough to help you see them too. 

A Morning / Afternoon Hike

Next, head back towards Mammoth Hot Springs and head south on Highway 89. There are two hikes in this area that I’d highly recommend, and it depends on what you’re up for.

First is the hike to Bunsen Peak . It’s a 4.5 mile hike up to the top of, you guessed it, Bunsen Peak , which has some nice views over the park.

It climbs 1,300 feet, which is no joke at this elevation, so be prepared to do some huffing and puffing. Try not to blow the house down.

You’ll see signs everywhere that grizzlies have been known to frequent this area, so make sure to stay bear safe – hike in groups, make noise, and carry bear spray and know how to use it. 

If you’re up for an adventure, hit the Sepulcher Mountain Trail instead. This is a beast of a hike, but the payoff is some of the best views in the park.

It’s an 11 mile lollipop hike that climbs a whopping 3,400 feet to the peak, which sits at 9,652 feet. If you choose this one, it’s going to take you most of the day. 

More Geysers at Golden Hour

Head over to the Norris Geyser Basin for the late afternoon sun. It’s a 30-40 minute drive from Mammoth Hot Spring, or a 20 minute drive from Canyon Lodge. 

The highlight here, at least for us, was Steamboat Geyser , which is the tallest geyser in the world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t erupt all that often (we didn’t see it), but it’s still worth a stop. 

It’s worth doing the entire figure-eight trail to take in all of the natural beauty in both areas, Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. It’s about 2.5 miles all-in and is mostly boardwalk. 

Day 3: The Grand Canyon… of the Yellowstone

Today, start with a trip to one of our favorite parts of this entire itinerary: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Then make your way south through the Hayden Valley, along the lake, and finish with West Geyser Basin, the most underrated sight in Yellowstone. 

Where to Stay: You’ll want to check out of your hotel / campground today and move to either Grant Village Campground , Old Faithful Inn , or West Yellowstone , depending on where you chose to stay.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

For this area, there are a ton of viewpoints on both the north and south rim of the canyon, and you should do your best to visit them all. 

Start on the south side at about 8:30 am and head out to Artist Point, the picture-perfect view of the Canyon and Lower Falls that you didn’t know you needed. Linger here until the rainbow shows up – between 9:00 and 10:00 am, when the sunlight hits the water. 

There’s a short hike (2.7 miles round trip) to Point Sublime that leaves from Artist Point. It’s worth doing for more views of the canyon and river, but you lose sight of the falls along the way. We skipped it to spend more time at Artist Point.

Next, head to the other side of the canyon and drive the scenic drive, stopping at all the viewpoints. If you’re short on time, the best viewpoint is definitely the Lower Lookout Point .

It’s a short hike downhill from the parking area (you’ll have to climb back uphill on the way back) but the views are spectacular. You’re a little bit lower, so the view of the falls is straight on. Here are some pictures to show you what to expect. 

Finish the scenic loop – you can only drive one way so you don’t really have a choice – and head south on Grand Loop Road through the Hayden Valley, passing herds of bison (but probably not as many as you saw at dusk) before reaching Yellowstone Lake, which makes a great stop for lunch and sightseeing.

Have lunch along the lake (we ate here at a little lakeside picnic area and it was great) and drive out to Gull Point. This scenic offshoot loops back to connect with the main road, so no need to worry about turning around.

Now that you’re refueled and recharged, tackle an afternoon hike . For scenic views over the lake, make the climb up to Elephant Back Mountain to the overlook at the top. 

West Thumb Geyser Basin

End your day with a trip to one of our favorite spots in the entire park – the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We actually went back twice! 

The reason we loved it? Lakeside thermal pools of all shapes, sizes, colors, and bubbliness. AND it’s less visited than just about every other place in Yellowstone. 

You’ll want to do the entire loop, starting from the parking lot and heading left at the junction to pass Abyss Pool and Black Pool – two of our favorites of the entire park for the incredible colors.

Then make your way along the shore of the lake, making sure to stop at Fishing Cone, a tiny little formation in the lake that bubbles and gurgles.

Except if the sun is high in the sky, you can see in the crystal clear water that it’s not actually a tiny formation, there’s a pretty sizable cone below the water’s surface.

We were in Yellowstone in the fall, which is the dating season for the elk (known as the rut) and saw a big bull elk here with his group of lady elks and some kids.

He was bugling his head off, chasing around the females, while the baby elks pranced around in the middle area between the boardwalks.

It was super cool, I had never heard the part squeak, part scream that is an elk bugling during the rut.  

Day 4: Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin

Congratulations! You saved the best for last, and you are in for a treat on the last day of your trip.

You’ll start at Old Faithful , the most famous sight in Yellowstone, move on to the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, and finish at the Lower Geyser Basin . 

Where to Stay: Spend the night in the same place as last night – Grant Village Campground, Old Faithful Inn, or West Yellowstone – before moving on to Grand Teton or heading back to the airport the next day. 

Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin

I 1000000% recommend that you visit Old Faithful early in the morning to avoid the crowds, which are INSANE. 

Head there first thing, before 8:00 am if possible. When you get there, you’ll see signs for the predicted eruption times around the Visitors Center. It erupts every hour and a half, on average. 

If it’s within half an hour of your arrival, you’re in luck! Head up to Observation Point , which is on the opposite side of Old Faithful from the parking area and Visitor Center, and has a view from above that helps give you an idea of the scale of what you’re looking at.

It’s a short uphill hike to get to the viewing area, so plan on it taking 20-30 minutes to get up there. 

Once you’re there, relax and enjoy the show. 

When Old Faithful is done doing its thing, you should walk the entire Upper Geyser Basin, which is the highest concentration of geysers IN THE WORLD.

Do a self-guided tour that follows the trail from the Observation Point Trailhead, up to Morning Glory Pool with a few pit stops, and back past Castle Geyser and Daisy Geyser. 

Our favorites were the Chromatic Pool, Grotto Geyser, Riverside Geyser, Castle Geyser, and the stunning green-yellow Morning Glory Pool .

It’s worth stopping at each geyser and learning about what makes them special. Plan on this walk, which is about three miles, taking about an hour and a half. 

If you time it right, you can get back to Old Faithful for a second eruption (we did!), which you’ll see from a different perspective.

One thing you can’t really see from above that we noticed from here is all the water that comes spewing out!

Here’s a map of the route, with our favorites plotted along the way. 

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

To take in the sheer scale and beauty of Grand Prismatic, head to the Fairy Falls Trailhead to hike to the viewpoint that looks over the vibrant blue/green/orange/yellow (all the colors!) pool.

It’s about a mile and a half there and back with a little bit of climbing to get up above the geyser basin, but it’s worth it for the views. 

Then, head to the parking area for Midway Geyser Basin for a closer look at Grand Prismatic. We skipped this part because of the line to park – it was nuts! – but if you can find parking, do it. 

Lower Geyser Basin

Finish your tour-de-geysers with a stop at the Lower Geyser Basin, which is confusing, because on a map it’s actually the highest because it’s the furthest north. This area was surprisingly cool.

Visit the bubbling Fountain Paint Pots and walk the entire Fountain Paint Pots loop, which will take you 20-30 minutes. It ends with the shockingly blue Celestine Pool, which is a nice ending point for your journey through Yellowstone’s geysers. 

Head back to your accommodations to relax and reminisce about the unforgettable sights, sounds, and smells – because geysers are smelly – you took in over your time in Yellowstone National Park. 

What to Do with Less Time in Yellowstone

Have less time in Yellowstone? Here are some ideas on how to experience the best of Yellowstone in fewer days. 

How to See Yellowstone National Park in 3 Days

If you only have 3 days in Yellowstone, the first thing we’d do is combine days three and four into one epic day where you hit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in the morning, drive west to hit the geysers ( Old Faithful , the Upper Geyser Basin , and Grand Prismatic Hot Spring ), and continue southeast to finish your day at the West Thumb Geyser Basin . 

This effectively means you’ll have to skip the hike up to Elephant Back Mountain to save time. 

For that version of the itinerary, follow days one and two as written above, then combine days three and four in the way that we just outlined.

Here’s what the day-by-day itinerary looks like. 

• Day 3: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and ALL of the Geysers

What to Do in Yellowstone in 2 Days

With 2 days in Yellowstone, the simple fact is that you’re not going to be able to see it all. The park is just too big. 

One big thing to note here – With just two days, we’d recommend picking one, central place to stay (Canyon is your best bet) and using that as your home base for the entire trip. That way, you don’t have to worry about moving around on different days and can use the entire time to explore the park. 

That means you’re going to have to make some cuts to the itinerary above. We’d immediately cut the Norris Geyser Basin and hike from the afternoon of day 2, and the Lower Geyser Basin from day 4. 

On your first day in Yellowstone, enter the park from the north and hit Mammoth Hot Springs on the way through, heading towards the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone . Have lunch, then head out to the Lamar Valley for dusk, which is your chance to spot wolves.

On your second day, follow day 4 of the itinerary above as written for the stops at Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin , then head over to the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring and hike to the overlook.

Have lunch at the West Thumb Geyser Basin , and spend some time on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Finish your day with a drive back north through the Hayden Valley around sunset for the best chance of seeing wildlife. 

Here’s what that looks like in a day-by-day format: 

• Day 1: Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Lamar Valley
• Day 2: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, the West Thumb, and the Hayden Valley

The Best Way to Spend One Day in Yellowstone

If you only have one day in Yellowstone National Park, you’re going to have to pick and choose what you’re going to see. 

Immediately, you’re probably going to have to skip the Lamar Valley just because it is so far from everything else in the park (at least an hour each way to get there and back). The Hayden Valley is a good substitute, but you likely won’t see wolves there. 

We’re going to assume you want to see the highlights – Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon, and the geysers (Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic).

To combine them all into one long, amazing day, start at the northwest corner of the park and make your way south. 

For that reason, we’d recommend staying either in Mammoth Hot Springs, or outside the park in Gardiner, MT for the night before this day. 

Get an early start and make a quick stop at Mammoth Hot Springs . Walk the boardwalk and move on – it’s not the most exciting stop of the day. 

Next, head over to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone , stopping on both sides of the river. Walk to the viewpoint near the parking lot on the south side, and drive the loop on the north side (see above in the detailed itinerary for what stops we liked best). 

On to the geysers! Make your way southwest, starting with Grand Prismatic Hot Spring and the short hike to the overlook, and then moving on to Old Faithful . Hike up to the viewpoint for an Old Faithful eruption, and walk the entire loop through the Upper Geyser Basin . 

Finish by looping around, driving north along the shore of Yellowstone Lake (not sure you’ll have time for the West Thumb, but add it if you do because it was our favorite!).

You want to be in the Hayden Valley around sunset for the best chance to see herds of elk and bison roaming the golden plains. 

It’ll be a whirlwind, but it’ll be an amazing one. 

The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

The best time to visit Yellowstone in terms of both weather and roads being open is the summer – temperatures are high, snow is melted, and the roads are usually completely open, so you’ll be able to see the entire park.

As you probably already expected, the crowds show up in the summer and we found it pretty unbearable.

The parking lots are constantly full, and the fact that everything in Yellowstone is a short stroll from the car means that those trails are PACKED.

Kids being out of school compounds the issue because families take their road trips over the summer, and Yellowstone is a very popular destination. 

Fall is the best blend of roads being open, weather, and crowds . Although we were in Yellowstone once in early September just after Labor Day when it was under 20 degrees Fahrenheit and had just snowed.

So the weather is a little more unpredictable, but the upside is that crowds start to thin, and wildlife starts to become a little more active.

The other downside is that parts of the park close in the fall to accommodate high Grizzly Bear activity – particularly the area around Mt. Washburn, which was closed when we were there and meant that the road connecting the Canyon area and the Lamar Valley was closed. Bummer. 

In the spring , the snow melts and you’ll start to see wildlife coming out to play, including bear cubs and elk and bison babies.

However, you’re going to have a hard time seeing the park because many roads in the park are closed through April most years. I’d avoid planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park before May .  

If you’re visiting Yellowstone in the winter, it’s a veritable winter wonderland . But almost all the roads are closed, and you won’t be able to see much. 

Whenever you choose to visit, check road conditions here . 

Yellowstone is an incredible example of the natural beauty that exists in the United States. As long as you’re prepared, at times, to share the view with a thousand of your new close friends, you’re going to have an unforgettable time exploring the colorful hot springs, towering geysers, and cacophony of wildlife. 

Anyway, enjoy! If you have a full week, this itinerary pairs very nicely with our 3 day Grand Teton Itinerary . We loved Grand Teton, and we saw SEVEN moose! It’s worth a stop, even if you don’t have a full three days. 

We also have a Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary that combines the two into one epic road trip through two of the best national parks in the United States. 

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

10 Comments

This was super helpful for our visit next year. Thank you for taking to time to really give us a great guide to make the most of our time. What time of year did you guys go out there? We will be heading out for a September trip so that will play a factor.

Thanks again, Greg

Thanks for the kind words. Funny enough, we were in Yellowstone in September, and it was magical (except for a bit of snow, which is not ideal if you’re camping). It’s a great time to go because the crowds are just a tiiiiiny bit smaller with kids going back to school. We enjoyed it, and I bet you will too.

Cheers, Matt

Really enjoyed your piece, Matt. Best must-do itinerary and overview of YP that I’ve come across for a 4 and 3 day itinerary. I’ve sent it to my daughter in law who plans to visit in 2023 (avoiding this anniversary year).

You didn’t mention Tower Falls. The area was closed in 2021 and if that’s when you traveled, I’m guessing that may be why you skipped it. We loved hiking down and around those falls on past trips. And we saw black bears in this area, including a mama with cubs. Twenty five years ago we made our first trip to YP in late May. We camped outside the south entrance. Since that visit we’ve visited 5 more times– in fall and winter. Our favorite time has been May because it was our luckiest time for sighting animals. We’re aren’t dawn people but dusk was lucky for us–and with many folks back at their base prepping or eating dinner, we didn’t suffer big crowds. YP is definitely a magical place. Thanks for writing this excellent highlight and summary article.

Thanks for the kind words, Terry! Yellowstone blew away our expectations, which were already pretty high. I like the idea of visiting in the spring, when it’s going to be less crowded. The crowds were the only thing that we didn’t really like – it felt like every single parking lot and hiking trail was packed to the gills. Thanks for sharing your experience – it makes me want to get back to Yellowstone ASAP!

I think this detail is incorrect. It’s in the section where you talk about going to Hayden valley. ” Drive south from Canyon Junction on Grand Loop Road, and eventually you’ll find yourself in the Lamar Valley.” I believe you meant Hayden valley. Thanks for your trip detail. I am getting a lot of good information from it.

You’re correct! Thanks for pointing that out – fixed 🙂

Just came back from our snowmobile trip in Yellowstone. We’ve been there about 5 times in the summer taking our grandkids and deciding to finally take a once in a lifetime trip we’ve always wanted to do. Booked an all exclusive package deal. Already had our flight tickets. They provide 4 nights in the lodge, snowmobiles, a guide each day,snow suits , and some free meals. Yes it was cold, -11, -17, but each day what we saw was absolutely beautiful. Buffalo, trumpeter swans,Upper and lower falls, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful. Loved every minute!! We were the oldest couple there, 72 and 73. Should have done this years ago lol, but worth every sore muscle ! Oh and no big crowds.

We have friends that have also done Yellowstone in the winter, and it’s on our list (but then again, so is just about every national park, whether we’ve already been or not). Sounds amazing! Especially the no crowds part.

Thank you so much. This is so helpful! We are planning to be there from Sept. 5 to 9 (4 nights). We are staying very close to the north entrance and leave the park on the 5th day from the south entrance because we want to visit Utah. Any advice? Thanks, Nalaka

Enjoy your time! My only advice is to be prepared for a LONG drive. We drove to Denver from Teton, and it’s a long, long way with not a whole lot to see along the journey. I imagine it’s similar heading to Utah, though there might be some cool stops along the way (we’ve never done that drive).

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Perfect 3 Day Yellowstone Itinerary and Map for First Time Visitors

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Last Updated on September 11, 2024 by Sarah Puckett

This 3-day Yellowstone National Park itinerary is your perfect guide for a short and immersive trip through America’s first National Park!

Drawing from my own experiences of exploring Yellowstone with my husband Tim three times in the last decade, I’ve crafted an itinerary that balances the park’s must-see attractions with some hidden gems, ensuring you make the most out of your visit.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the great outdoors, this 3 day Yellowstone itinerary will help you experience the best that Yellowstone has to offer.

Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles: plan your hike in advance, stick to designated trails, carry out all your belongings, dispose of waste properly, leave natural areas untouched, minimize the impact of campfires, show consideration for fellow hikers, and avoid approaching or feeding wildlife.

Table of Contents

3 Day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary At-A-Glance

Day 1: grand canyon of the yellowstone.

Arrive in Yellowstone

Walk the paved trail to the brink of the lower falls, lookout point and red rock point, hike the clear lake artist point loop, get dinner in canyon village.

Day 2: Wildlife Safari and Mammoth Hot Springs

• Wildlife tracking/Lamar Valley

Explore Tower Junction

Walk the mammoth hot springs boardwalk, explore fort yellowstone, grab a drink at the mammoth hot springs hotel, visit the iconic roosevelt arch, dinner in gardiner.

Day 3: Geyser Country

Explore the Norris Geyser Basin

See gibbon falls, hike to the grand prismatic spring overlook, watch old faithful erupt, lunch at the old faithful inn, grant visitor center at yellowstone lake.

About This 3 Day Yellowstone Itinerary

This itinerary is based on a camping trip Tim and I went on in June 2024. We had 3 days in the park and this is basically what we did! This 3 day Yellowstone National Park itinerary is perfect for seeing the best of the park in an efficient and low-stress way.

Prior to our June 2024, Tim and I also visited the park two other times: for a weekend in 2015 and a (very hectic) day in 2021. I’m bringing everything I learned on these trips to the table to make this the most helpful 3 day Yellowstone National Park itinerary you’ll find!

Don’t want to go it alone? Consider a tour.

If you are the kind of traveler who likes to get off the beaten path and make new friends, but hate to plan the logistics and don’t want to worry about parking, campsites, etc. then WeVenture’s Rocky Mountain Immersion tour is perfect for you!

Click the button below and use code SARAHANDTIM10 for 10% off any tour!

Yellowstone National Park 3 Day Itinerary Day-by-Day

To account for the time it takes to fly in and drive to Yellowstone, you should plan for just a half day on your first day in the park. Here’s how to spend an afternoon in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone region in the heart of the park.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the most impressive sights in Yellowstone National Park. The 1000ft-deep canyon snakes for 20 miles through the park, making it truly grand indeed!

For a unique view over the Lower Falls, a short paved trail leads to the Brink of the Lower Falls, where you can stare directly down to its splash zone in the Yellowstone River 308 feet below.

Brink of the Lower Falls Trail Info:

• Distance: 0.7 miles
• Elevation: 265 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 30 minutes
• AllTrails Link

Lookout Point offers a view of the Lower Falls from a distance so that you can fully appreciate their 308 feet height. For another vantage point, it’s just a short, paved walk downhill to the Red Rock Point, but note that it is a bit steep coming back up.

This is by far my favorite hike I’ve ever done in Yellowstone National Park! The Clear Lake Artist Point Loop trail features a bit of everything, from a turquoise lake , to a geothermal field of fumeroles , to spectacular views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artist Point , and wrapping up with a beautiful view of the Upper Falls . ALL of this in ONE hike!? Sign me up!

Note that this trail goes near cliff edges so isn’t suitable if you have vertigo or for small children who may wander too close to the edge.

PRO TIP: You can add views of roaming bison in the Hayden Valley to your hike by starting and ending at the Wapiti Lake Trailhead instead of the Upper Falls parking area. This adds about 1.5 miles to the hike.

Clear Lake Artist Point Loop Trail Info:

• Distance: 3.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 423 feet
• Time: 1.5 hours

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After exploring the sights and short hikes around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, it’s time for dinner! For a fun diner-like environment, I recommend the Canyon Fountain and Grill . You’ll feel like you stepped back in time!

Wildlife Tracking and Lamar Valley

Start the day early by rising when the wildlife do at 4 am to see if you can spot some of Yellowstone’s diverse animal residents.

Lamar Valley in Roosevelt Country is the best area to spot wildlife, in particular wolves, bison, elk, coyotes, pronghorns, and bears.

I recommend hiring a wildlife guide this morning. Based on personal experience, I can assure you that going with a guide is the difference between seeing wolves hunt a group of elk and seeing nothing at all.

Because expert guides know exactly where to see animals in Yellowstone, you will have the best shot at actually spotting them. Plus, guides have high-powered scopes that allow you to see a close-up view of the animals despite them being a mile away.

There is no way we would have seen hardly any of the animals we did without our guide Evan and his scope!

If you decide not to hire a guide, here are some locations known for being good options for spotting wildlife.

• Lamar Valley
• Hayden Valley
• Tower-Roosevelt Area
• Geyser Basins
• Mammoth Hot Springs

TIP: Bring a pair of binoculars in order to better see the animals.

Stop at the Caclite Springs Overlook for a spectacular view over the so-called “Narrows” of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Next, stop at Tower Fall to see the stunning 132-foot waterfall plunging from Tower Creek. The best views of the waterfall are along a short paved trail to a viewpoint.

This is a great place for a coffee and bathroom break. Take advantage of it!

The stunning step terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are the result of dissolved underground limestone. You can think of it like the earth turning itself inside out, depositing travertine by the ton annually as it spouts mineral-rich waters.

Though the limestone terraces are naturally white, you’ll notice a lot of orange in the rock. This is the result of bacteria and algae that thrive in the hot spring water.

Plan to spend about an hour strolling the boardwalks of the Lower and Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. The most notable features to check out are Palette Springs , Minerva Terrace , and Canary Springs .

From 1886 to 1918, Mammoth Hot Springs was known as Fort Yellowstone . During this time, the US Army managed the park from the historic buildings along Officers Row .

The area is worth a stroll, as is the Albright Visitor Center and Museum located in the historic fort boundaries.

There’s no better way to end your second day in Yellowstone National Park than with a happy hour cocktail at the Map Room Bar in the historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

The Map Room owes its name to the massive wall map of the US, which is made from 15 different types of wood from all over the world.

Head to the north entrance of the park to Gardiner, Montana , and check out the iconic Roosevelt Arch .

While you’re in town, you may as well grab dinner in Gardiner ! Bursting with small-town, old-west energy, Gardiner is a pleasant place to shop and dine. We didn’t get a chance to eat here, but we did pop into some of the cute boutiques and antique shops. It’s a fun place to walk around!

For a bite to eat, these restaurants are highly rated:

• Yellowstone Pizza Company
• Justine’s Chicago Hot Dogs

Start your final day in Yellowstone National Park at the Norris Geyser Basin , which is home to the majority of all acidic geysers in the WORLD.

This basin is also North America’s most erratic and oldest continuously active geothermal area. It’s been in existence for 115,000 years! Three intersecting fault lines lay less than 2 miles beneath the Norris Geyser Basin, making it the location of the hottest temperatures on record in Yellowstone.

If you are staying in Mammoth or Gardiner and driving south on 89, stop at scenic Rustic Falls on your way.

Once parked at the Norris Geyser Basin , I recommend hiking the complete loop, which includes both the Back Basin and Porcelain Basin loops.

There are literally dozens of geysers to look at here, but here are some notable ones not to miss:

• Emerald Spring : one of the prettiest geysers in Yellowstone, with a striking blue-green color; Back Basin.
• Steamboat Geyser : the world’s tallest active geyser, reaching over 400 feet when it erupts. It is unknown when it will next erupt; Back Basin.
• Porcelain Terrace Overlook : view of the basin from a vantage point near the Norris Museum; Porceline Basin.

Norris Geyser Basin Complete Loop Trail Info:

• Distance: 2.9 miles
• Elevation: 190 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 2 hours with stops

Leaving Norris, head to Madison Junction by way of Gibbon Falls. This beautiful waterfall sits right on the Yellowstone volcano caldera boundary. For the best views, walk the paved path south from the main viewing area.

Located in the Midway Geyser Basin , the Grand Prismatic Spring is arguably the most beautiful geothermal feature in all of Yellowstone National Park and possibly the world. At 370 feet wide and 121 feet deep, it’s the park’s largest and deepest hot spring.

With its vibrant blue core and rings of yellow, orange, and red surrounding it, this hot spring is a must-see!

The best way to see the Grand Prismatic Spring is at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook . While you can get much closer to the spring on the boardwalk alongside it, you will actually be too close to see anything more than steam. From the overlook, on the other hand, you have a picture-perfect view of the entire spring and all its colorful glory!

To get to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, park at the Fairy Falls trailhead and follow the trail for about half of a mile. To your left will be a trail leading up to a ridge. The overlook sits on a platform with a fence around it, so it’s very easy to find. You can’t miss it!

Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail Info

• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Elevation: 200 feet
• Time: 1-1.5 hours

Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park and is essentially the icon of the park! Plus, this 180ft tall geyser reliably erupts every 90 minutes (or so), earning Old Faithful its name. Because it erupts routinely, pretty much every visitor has an opportunity to watch the geyser spew 8000 gallons of water into the air.

There are three places you can watch Old Faithful erupt:

• Close up on the benches directly in front of the geyser
• From above from the upper-floor balcony of the Old Faithful Inn
• From a distance at Observation Point

Having watched Old Faithful erupt from both the benches and from Observation Point , I think just grabbing a front row seat at the benches is the best, and easiest, way to see Old Faithful erupt!

If you want to hike to Observation Point, it’s 1.6 miles round trip. Allow at least a half hour to hike to the point from the Old Faithful Inn before the next eruption.

Estimated eruption times are on display in the Inn, plus or minus 10 minutes. When we visited in June 2024, it erupted at the earliest moment within our window, so be prepared for it to blow!

After watching Old Faithful erupt (which lasts about 5 minutes), head back inside the Old Faithful Inn for a quick and easy lunch in the historic cafeteria .

After lunch, and maybe a coffee, drive south to Yellowstone Lake . At an elevation of 7733 feet, this is one of the world’s largest alpine lakes.

It’s worth a quick stop at the Grant Visitor Center . If you walk straight in to the Visitor Center and out the doors in the back, you get a great view over the lake. There’s also a path that goes down to the shore.

This works especially well if you are leaving the park via the South Entrance. If so, a visit to nearby Grand Teton National Park is a great addition to your Yellowstone trip!

Yellowstone National Park 3 Day Itinerary Map

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

Despite being one of the most popular national parks to visit, Yellowstone is surprisingly hard to get to. It’s in a very remote area of northwest Wyoming, spilling over into small parts of Idaho and Montana as well.

In general, there are 5 airports you can reasonably fly into to get to Yellowstone National Park.

Use the search box below or click here to find your flight to Yellowstone !

Regardless of which airport you choose, you will definitely need to arrange a rental car to get around, unless you are taking a guided tour for the entirety of your trip and don’t need to drive.

Use the search box below or click here to find your rental car.

Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park is $35. If you are entering at the South Entrance, you will first need to drive through Grand Teton National Park, which also has its own entrance fee of $35.

We recommend buying a National Parks pass like the America the Beautiful Pass if you plan on visiting both national parks, since it will save you money if you visit even just one more national park in the same 12 month period.

Save Money at National Parks

Get a National Parks Pass

Entry to all US national parks at no additional cost for 12 months

What is the best entrance to Yellowstone National Park?

The best entrance to Yellowstone National Park depends on where you’re coming from! Depending on which airport you fly into, different entrances will be closest to you.

In general, Bozeman , Billings, and Jackson Hole will have the most flight options. The Yellowstone Airport and Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody are both smaller airports and flight schedules are limited and fares generally high.

Map of Yellowstone Airports and Entrances

Getting Around Yellowstone National Park

You will need a car to get around Yellowstone National Park’s 3472 square miles. Yellowstone is large, so it’s important to plan your itinerary with distances between attractions in mind!

It’s helpful to think of the park’s roads like a figure-8 that circle each of Yellowstone’s seven regions. I designed this 3-day Yellowstone itinerary to be the most efficient route possible so you aren’t having to repeat a ton of the same drives every day.

How long does it take to drive completely around Yellowstone?

To drive both the Upper and Lower Loops of Yellowstone National Park, you should plan to spend at least 5 hours driving. If you add stops, expect the drive to take all day and to feel very rushed.

That’s why I recommend spending more than just one day exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Is three days enough time to see Yellowstone National Park?

If you follow this itinerary, three days is exactly enough time to see Yellowstone National Park!

Three days is an ideal amount of time to see all of the highlights of Yellowstone National park without feeling rushed. By focusing each day on a different region of the park, you can explore the best attractions at a natural pace.

What is the best way to see Yellowstone?

The best way to see Yellowstone National Park is by car. The park is large and sprawling, so having a car is really the only way to get around. The other option would be to book a guided tour which would take care of all of the logistics for you!

The other advantage to taking a guided tour of Yellowstone National Park is not having to worry about accomodations. Campgrounds and hotels within and near the park book up many months in advance, so it can be tricky to find affordable options that aren’t hours away!

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

Spring (april to may).

• Fewer crowds, offering a more peaceful experience.
• Wildlife watching is excellent as animals, including bears, emerge from hibernation.
• Beautiful blooming wildflowers and newborn animals.
• Weather can be unpredictable with lingering snow and occasional road closures.
• Some facilities and roads may not be fully open until late May.

Summer (June to August)

• All park facilities, roads, and services are open.
• Ideal for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
• Warm weather and long daylight hours.
• The busiest and most crowded time of year.
• Popular sites can be crowded, and accommodations fill up quickly.

Fall (September to October)

• Spectacular fall foliage with fewer crowds than summer.
• Cool, crisp weather is ideal for hiking.
• Wildlife, including elk, is more active during the mating season.
• Some facilities and roads start closing in mid-October.
• Cooler temperatures, especially at night.

Winter (November to March)

• A unique and serene experience with very few visitors.
• Opportunities for snow sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
• Stunning snowy landscapes and geothermal features in a winter setting.
• Limited access to the park, with many roads closed to cars (only accessible by snowcoach or snowmobile).
• Extreme cold weather conditions.

Best Time Overall

For most visitors, late spring (late May to early June) and early fall (September) are the best times to visit. These periods offer a balance between good weather, fewer crowds, and the chance to see wildlife and scenic landscapes.

If you prefer a more tranquil experience and don’t mind colder weather, visiting in late spring or fall is ideal. However, if you want the full range of activities and amenities, summer is the best choice, despite the crowds. Winter is perfect for those seeking a unique, snowy adventure with limited access and solitude.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone

If you can, try to stay within Yellowstone National Park. Because the park is so large and remote, staying in any towns will result in lengthier drives every day.

Hotels in the Park

Yellowstone National Park has a number of historic lodges and inns in the park. Rooms book up fast, so plan ahead. You can make reservations at Yellowstone hotels here .

• Canyon Lodge and Cabins
• Grant Village Lodge
• Lake Hotel and Cabins
• Lake Lodge Cabins
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
• Old Faithful Inn
• Old Faithful Lodge
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge
• Roosevelt Lodge

Camping in the Park

If you have an RV or a tent , camping is a great way to stay within the park on a budget. The campsites are far from luxurious, but they have flushing toilets and great views. And of course, you can’t beat the locations.

Like the hotels within the park, the campsites in Yellowstone National Park also book up fast. You can make check campsite availability and make reservations here .

Where to Stay Outside the Park

West yellowstone.

• Yellowstone Lodge
• Crosswinds Inn
• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
• The Rockwell Inn
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
• Inn on the Creek
• The Antler Lodge Gardiner
• The Ridgeline Hotel
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn
• Moose Creek Lodge and Suites
• Cody Legacy Inn and Suites

Note that we stayed at the Mammoth Campsite near Mammoth Hot Springs, so this itinerary is written from that perspective!

What to Pack for 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park

Layering basics:.

• Moisture-wicking base layers : Keep sweat away from your skin to stay dry and comfortable.
• Fleece or down jacket : Essential for warmth during chilly mornings and evenings.
• Waterproof rain jacket : Protects you from unpredictable weather and keeps you dry.

Daily Wear:

• T-shirts or long-sleeve shirts: Opt for moisture-wicking and quick-drying materials.
• Convertible hiking pants or hiking shorts : Versatile options for changing weather conditions.
• Hiking socks : Cushioned and moisture-wicking to keep your feet comfortable on long hikes.
• Underwear : Comfortable and breathable.
• Comfortable sleepwear: For a good night’s rest after a day of adventure.

Cold Weather Additions:

• Warm hat : A beanie or knit cap to keep your head warm.
• Gloves : Lightweight yet warm to protect your hands from the cold.
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots : Essential for support and protection on rugged trails.
• Lightweight camp shoes or sandals : Perfect for relaxing at the end of the day.

Accessories

• Wide-brimmed hat : Provides sun protection for your face and neck.
• Sunglasses : Protect your eyes from UV rays and glare.
• Daypack with hydration system or water bottles : Convenient for carrying essentials and staying hydrated.
• Map and compass/GPS: Critical for navigation and ensuring you stay on track.
• Bear Spray : Carry and use in the event of a bear attack.
• First aid kit : Basic supplies for treating minor injuries.
• Insect repellent : To keep pesky bugs at bay.
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+): Protects your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Personal hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, and other essentials.

Food and Hydration

• Water bottles or hydration system: Ensure you have at least 2 liters per person per day.
• High-energy trail snacks: Nuts, dried fruit, and granola bars to keep you fueled.
• Bear-resistant food storage : Required in many areas to keep your food safe from wildlife.

Stuck in a packing quandary?

Check out our ultimate national park packing list!

More Wyoming and Montana Guides

• Best Things to Do in Bozeman for Outdoors Lovers
• Unique Things to do in Yellowstone
• Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
• Yellowstone National Park Packing List
• Clear Lake: Yellowstone’s BEST Hik e
• Ultimate Guide to Visiting Yellowstone in Summer

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Yellowstone National Park is the first park in the USA and popular for a reason. With its geysers, geo-thermal hot springs , colorful wonders, vast landscapes, and wildlife, any visitor would find themselves in awe of Yellowstone’s natural beauty. And a Yellowstone itinerary, 4 days, is the perfect way to see just about everything this US national park has to offer.

Based on my experience in the park, I’ve written this Yellowstone 4 day itinerary with everything you need to know for planning a trip to Yellowstone !

Before jumping into the itinerary, let’s start with some quick must-know details!

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Table of Contents

Planning Your 4 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know before your trip!

• ⛰ When to Go:  Summer to early fall are ideal because this is when most of the park is open!
• ⏰ Trip Length:  4 days
• 🚗 Rental Car:  Use Expedia to help you find cheap rental cars! You will not need a 4×4 for this trip.
• ✈️ Fly: Jackson Hoke Airport is located in Jackson, WY (1.5 hours from the park)—Use Expedia to find tickets!
• 🚐 Rental Campervan: Want a campervan instead? You can rent one using Outdoorsy .
• 🏨 Stay:  We’ll cover where to stay too.
• 🎟 Park Fees:  You will be visiting national parks on this trip. The standard entrance fee is about $35 per park. To save, snag the  America the Beautiful Pass  ($79.99).

Need places to stay? I got you covered, boo.

• Under Canvas Yellowstone – A Glamping experience in Yellowstone National Park that’ll make you go, “Why do I even own a tent?”
• The Aspen Condos – If hotels aren’t your thing, you can rent some beautiful and cozy condos in West Yellowstone.
• 3BR Condo with a View – You want a view of the Tetons? You got it. I seriously don’t think I’d ever leave the patio of this 3BR condo!

*Staying in Jackson Hole, WY will give you the most flexibility for exploring Yellowstone National Park. It’s about a 1.5 hour drive but will allow you to also explore Grand Teton National Park.

Remember to grab your America the Beautiful Pass !

Yellowstone Itinerary 4 Days at a Glance + Map

• Arrive North
• Boiling River
• Mammoth Hot Spring
• Lamar Valley sunrise
• Trout Lake Trail
• Dinner with a sunset
• Helicopter Tour
• Grand Prismatic Spring
• Upper Geyser Basin Trail
• West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Hayden Valley sunrise
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
• Canyon Village

Below we’ll get into each day and the activities you’ll be doing so you have a full understanding of your trip. Make sure you tailor this itinerary to fit your needs!  And while we’re here, enjoy this little map I made you!

Click here to view a live version of the map!

Ultimate 4 Days in Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

I suggest getting to Yellowstone the evening before or very early your first day. But getting here the evening before will definitely give you more time to settle in.

You’ll start your adventure at the northern section of Yellowstone National Park. But the great part about the park is that just about everything is connected by what’s called Grand Loop Road, so you’ll be able to easily navigate around!

Insider Tip: If you want a better understanding of the different part districts and entrances, make sure you read my guide on planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park .

Day 1 (North)

Drive along upper grand loop road (morning).

Opened in 1915, Grand Loop Road is a scenic, paved drive that makes up the primary road system in Yellowstone! The road stretches 142 miles in a figure-8 shape, so driving the entire road takes about 4 to 7 hours. 

But for Day 1 of your 4 day Yellowstone itinerary,  you’ll drive the upper portion of the road. Your mini road trip will only take about  3 hours , depending on how many stops you make!

Below are some to consider during your route.

• Boiling River:   A soakable hot spring in Yellowstone.
• Mammoth Hot Springs:  Popular photo destination and natural hot spring you can admire.
• Little Gibbon Falls:  Small waterfall surrounded by greenery— short walk to get to.
• Calcite Springs Overlook:  Short 0.2 mile loop trail to a scenic overlook of a river flowing through a canyon.

Visitors can access Grand Loop and its stops May through October.

Insider Tip: Remember, you still have three full days to see the park, so there’s no need to see everything today— just try to enjoy the views!

Hike Mount Washburn (Afternoon)

When afternoon hits, consider a hike! The Mount Washburn hike is a 6.8-mile, moderately challenging route that will take you to one of the prettiest views of Yellowstone National Park.

The hike starts at Dunraven Pass where you’ll climb up and up the mountain! This is a great day hike, which most people do during their trips to Yellowstone— expect it to take about 3 to 4 hours.

You can skip this hike, but it’s a great option if you’re up for the adventure!

Insider Tip: Make sure you wear good hiking boots with traction and bring your camera gear for some pics.

Soak in Boiling River Hot Springs (Afternoon)

Alternatively, if you’d rather relax, the Boiling River is the only hot spring in Yellowstone NP you can actually soak in!

Its waters sit at a toasty 114 degrees and flow into the Gardner River from the Mammoth Hot Springs area. From the parking lot, there is a half-mile path that will take you right to a wonderful soak area you can enjoy for the day.

The only precaution here is that parking is limited, so try to get here early! And if you like this kind of thing, then you’ll really love reading about the Best Idaho Hot Springs .

Insider Tip: You can make a whole picnic out of this by bringing in some food to enjoy by the spring!

Mammoth Hot Springs Sunset (Evening)

No, you can’t take a dip in these hot springs, but Mammoth Hot Springs will be the perfect place to experience your first Yellowstone sunset.

What makes them unique is their cascading terraces. The “terraces” are made up of two parts: lower and upper. 

You can access the Lower Terrace from Grand Loop Road, while the Upper Terrace can be accessed through Upper Terrace Drive. The boardwalk around the terraces is about 1.75 miles with approximately 300ft in elevation gain. 

This is a great way to end the day because it requires minimal effort to explore and is close enough to Boiling River that you won’t have to venture very far.

Insider Tip: Take a camera like a Sony a6400 and a 24-70mm f/2.8 for some photos!

Day 2 (North)

Sunrise over lamar valley (morning).

Lamar Valley is the perfect place to catch your first sunrise in Yellowstone National Park. It’s also one of “the” spots for wildlife viewing.

As the sun comes over the mountains, the entire valley starts to look more and more like a painting—this was easily one of the best sunrises I’ve ever seen!

As you drive up the road, you’re likely to see hundreds of bison weaving in between cars and grazing the grassy hills. Anddddd, if you’re really lucky, you visit to Lamar Valley will be complete with a wolf sighting !

During our visit to Yellowstone, we were lucky enough to spot an entire pack of wolves playing in the creeks near Lamar Valley—something most visitors don’t get to experience! Your best bet for catching something like that is to spend an early morning here.

Insider Tip: Please remember to leave all wildlife alone and never feed the animals. Approaching them is extremely dangerous and can leave you injured!

Trout Lake Trail (Mid-Morning)

Trout Lake is the perfect little stop after you explore Lamar Valley — it’s right down the road via a 5-minute drive! The Trout Lake Trail will take you around a forest lake in about 1-2 hours depending on how quickly you can walk the 1.2 mile trail.

The hike will start with a bit of a climb through the forest until you reach the top of a ridge. After a bit of walking, the trail will level then dip back down to the shore where you can finally enjoy Trout Lake.

You’ll immediately notice the beautiful mountain in the distance— it’s a great photo spot!

Insider Tip: This is another wildlife spotting area— watch for bears!

Tower Fall (Afternoon)

Next is a waterfall! Drive 30 minutes down the road to explore Tower Fall next. The viewpoint (also known as Tower Fall Overlook ) can be accessed near Tower Junction and is s short walk from the parking area.

This is a great little stop to enjoy for a few minutes before moving on to the next activity.

Fun Fact: Tower Fall is a waterfall that drops 132ft into Yellowstone National Park!

Hike Specimen Ridge (Afternoon)

As an alternative to Trout Lake and Tower Fall, after Lamar Valley you can head over to the Specimen Lake trailhead for a different kind of adventure.

This is considered one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park and would be a great addition to your itinerary! Throughout your hike, you’ll have AMAZING views, up Amethyst Mountain, and through Lamar Valley.

You’ll even see petrified trees! This is a long day hike sitting at a total of 16.9 miles and over 3,800 feet of elevation gain. Expect it to take up your day!

Insider Tip: If you go during June and July, you might see wildflowers!

Dinner at Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room (Evening)

Tonight, book dinner at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room — make sure you get something around sunset! It’s a bit fancier than most dining options in the park, but you can get a beautiful view of the lake here! 

Reservations are required for dinner. The menu changes, but in the past they’ve had everything from lamb sliders to lentil soup! What a great way to cap off day 2 of our 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary.

Insider Tip: Grab a seat near the bar for some of the better views! 

Day 3 (My Fave Day in the 4 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary)

Helicopter tour (morning).

Day 3 will be the start of your journey to the lower half of Yellowstone. And it’ll start with a bang!

From the WYS airport, you can hop on a Yellowstone Helicopter tour that will take you on an adventure from above. 

The Yellowstone Helicopters company has tours ranging from 10-minute to 6minute, but the 45-minute and 60 minute tours provide the best value and offer you the chance to see plenty of Yellowstone’s beauty from above.

Some tours will take you over popular sites like Grand Prismatic Spring! After your helicopter tour, I recommend exploring some of West Yellowstone. 

Insider Tip: If you want to spot some wildlife, a helicopter tour could be a great option to do so!

Fountain Paint Pot Trail (Afternoon)

Fountain Paint Pot Trail is short and sweet! It’s a great place to see some thermal pools and should only take about 30-minutes max to complete .

I found it to be a great photo spot as well, so pack something like a Sony a6400 and 24-70mm f/2.8 .

Insider Tip: This is an excellent location to come mid-day if you need something to do to pass the time.

Grand Prismatic Spring (Afternoon)

Grand Prismatic is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park! From the Fairy Falls Trailhead , you can hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook giving you a view of this thermal pool from above.

The trail will climb just about 100ft in 0.6 miles , but it’s worth the climb! This was a short and sweet hike that Scott and I really enjoyed on our trip.

We loved how colorful the pool was and it was nice to get to see if from a different perspective. If you don’t feel like getting a view of Grand Prismatic Spring from above, opt to explore the Midway Geyser Basin !

Insider Tip: Midway Geyser Basin includes a short boardwalk loop that will allow you to explore Grand Prismatic and other nearby ground-level pools.

Old Faithful (Afternoon)

Since Yellowstone National Park sits right on top of a volcanic hotbed of activity, there are plenty of chances for you to watch the geysers erupt.

Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in the park, which got its name in 1870. It erupts anywhere from 106 to 185 feet every 35 to 120 minutes .

Insider Tip: If you want to watch it go, make sure you grab your seat at the Old Faithful visitor center early – it gets packed since it’s one of the most popular things to do in Yellowstone National Park!

Upper Geyser Basin Trail (Evening)

Next up, you’ll take the Upper Geyser Basin Trail, which will lead you around Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool, and lots of others .

The Upper Geyser Basin Trail area has almost 200 named and unnamed geysers and pools. Not to mention, the entire trail is a boardwalk, which I think makes it super photogenic, and easy to navigate.

My preferred way to enjoy this trail is to start it from Old Faithful and make your way to Morning Glory Pool. Expect the hike to be about 2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain.

Insider Tip: During our visit, it was bright and hot outside, so I suggest doing this walk around sunset when it’s cooler!

Morning Glory Pool (Evening)

Now, when you see Morning Glory Pool, I KNOW you’re going to be blown away. This thermal pool sports a bright yellow and teal color that’s quite the sight for the eyes.

It ended up being one of my favorite things to see during our 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary! Unfortunately, people have thrown garbage and rocks into the pool over the years to see if they can make it into the center. PLEASE refrain from doing this . This causes the pool to cool down.

Do Better: Over time, the pool has lost so much of its vibrant color because it’s continuing to cool down. Let’s not contribute to this color loss anymore and leave places better than we found them.

West Thumb Geyser Basin (Evening)

When you’re done exploring those attractions, you can keep driving towards Yellowstone Lake (the largest (132 sq. mi.) and highest altitude lake (7,732′) in North America !) and explore West Thumb Geyser Basin! 

I would describe West Thumb Geyser Basin as similar to Upper Geyser Basin in the sense that you can walk a small trail and see a variety of geysers and geothermal pools. Some of the main attractions here include Fishing Cone and Thumb Geyser .

Insider Tip: If you’re “geysered out” for the day, then skip and maybe opt to just relax by Yellowstone Lake instead.

Day 4 (Southeast)

Hayden valley (morning).

Your day in Yellowstone will start at Hayden Valley! This is a beautiful sunrise spot, and you might be able to spot some wildlife here too!

Some short trails allow you to explore a bit more of the valley, but while here, I found myself just admiring the view from the pull-off areas. What I loved most about Hayden Valley is was the Yellowstone River flowing through it .

There are also hills in the area you can climb up to get a better perspective of the valley. Some folks choose to do this to spot wolves or bears in distant regions. 

Insider Tip: When visiting for a sunrise mission, keep an eye out for pull-out parking areas where you can enjoy the view—please keep a safe distance from the animals! 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River (Mid-Morning)

Your next stop will be short, sweet, and scenic! Why go to Arizona when you can see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone?

Haha! The canyon stretches 20 miles and goes down 1,000 feet in depth . Scientists think it can be anywhere from 140,000 to 160,000 years old.  

You can admire the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist Point and Upper Falls Point . I loved both!

In my opinion, the canyon is best viewed early in the morning or at sunset. Adjust your 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary accordingly. During these times, you’ll see colors in the canyon rocks that you may not be able to see otherwise!

You can also take Uncle Tom’s Trail and do a short hike to Upper Falls if you’re up for a bit more of an adventure. Uncle Tom’s is 0.7 miles and will take you to a side view of the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Insider Tip: If you want to hike with a group and eat some food, book a Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone rim and loop hike tour — lunch included!

Artist Point (Mid-Morning)

Yellowstone River Falls has been described as one of the most beautiful sights in the park! A great way to get close to the waterfall is by doing a hike to Artist Point.

Artist Point will take you to a cliff where you can witness some of the most fantastic pastel colors you have ever seen in your life.  The hike takes place on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and is only 0.2 miles.

Fun Fact: Many people come here to photograph or paint the falls. 

Canyon Village (Afternoon)

Canyon Village is where the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River sits and is worth the trip before you depart.

Canyon Village is also where you’ll find some shops, Hayden Valley, and hiking trails (Uncle Tom’s Trail, Observation Peak). 

Insider Tip: Use this as an opportunity to grab souvenirs before you leave!

That concludes your trip! In the next sections we’ll cover some add-ons in case you want more time for your trip.

And while departing sounds sad, you can now make your way to Grand Teton National Park or even Glacier National Park with a Yellowstone to Glacier National Park road trip !

Yellowstone Itinerary 4 Days Add Ons

In this section, you’ll find additional attractions you can add to your 4 days in Yellowstone National Park itinerary! Feel free to swap out items we already discussed, especially if one of these glean your interest.

Fish at Lewis Lake

Lewis Lake is pretty impressive! This lake is an excellent option for kayakers, hiking, and fishing. If you want to relax during one of your 4 days in Yellowstone, I suggest heading here!

And if you like camping, well, lucky you! You can stay at the Lewis Lake Campground.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is near North Yellowstone. It includes a variety of geothermal pools and geysers you can explore.

For example, there’s Swiss Cheese Pool, Bear Den Geyser, and a whole bunch of others that have clever names. 

Trek to Union Falls

So you’ve seen Upper Falls, but what other waterfalls does Yellowstone National Park have?

Well, lemme tell you about Union Falls. Union Falls is a giant 250-foot waterfall that cascades deep in the lush forests of Yellowstone. Getting there is no joke!

You’ll be required to hike a 15.4-mile trail if you want to visit this beautiful wonder! The benefit of hiking this trail, though, is that you’ll have fewer crowds than you would have at Upper Falls.

Backpack Electric Peak

Want to go on a longer hike? Then Electric Peak is for you! This is a 20.3 mile out and back hike that features some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. 

This trail is pretty steep and challenging, but when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with an overlook of Yellowstone.

Excursions to Consider

If there is one thing Yellowstone has an abundance of, it’s excursions. We discussed a helicopter tour, but I recommend booking one of these if you can!

Old West Dinner Cookout — You can book an Old West Dinner Cookout that’ll take place in the Yellowstone National Park backcountry!

Rafting Trip — Go rafting on one of the various rivers by the entrances to the park. If this sounds fun to you, I suggest booking a Yellowstone rafting tour .

Go Horseback Riding — This particular horseback riding tour will take you along the Continental Divide trail, giving you views of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

Kayak — You can kayak around Yellowstone Lake , which gives you a closer look at some smaller geysers. 

Extending Your Yellowstone Trip

If you want to take your 4 day Yellowstone itinerary to the next level, I suggest making a stop at one of these US National Parks!

• Grand Teton National Park 
• Glacier National Park  
• Mt. Rushmore 
• Badlands National Park

What to Pack for Yellowstone in 4 Days

Have no idea what to pack for your trip? Based on my experience, you’ll need the following:

Keen Targhees

Trekking Poles

Osprey Pack

Sony a7RIII

16-35mm f/4

24-70mm f/2.8

70-200mm f/2.8

JOBY Gorillapod

FAQ About Spending 4 Days in Yellowstone National Park

 Now that we’ve wrapped up our trip to Yellowstone in 4 days let’s get into some frequently asked questions about Yellowstone National Park!

What State is Yellowstone National Park in?

A majority of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming; however, a small percentage is in Montana. AND a tiny part of it touches Idaho . The park stretches 63 miles north to south and 54 miles east to west.

What’s so Special About Yellowstone National Park?

Aside from it being the first national park in the US, Yellowstone is nearly 3,500 sq-miles of National Forest sitting right on top of a volcanic hotspot.

This gives it a unique edge over other National Parks in the US.

What is the Best Time to Go To Yellowstone National Park?

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is early spring and late summer to early fall. More specifically, April to May and September to October.

I visited in September and can highly recommend it. Most folks will visit in the summer, but I find the weather to be a little too hot. Try a different time of year, so you’re not crisping away in the sun!

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

$35 — Private, non-commercial vehicle; $30 — Motorcycle or snowmobile (winter) $20 —Visitors 16 and older entering by foot, bike, ski, etc.

You can view the Yellowstone park fees on the NPS site.

Final Thoughts on Seeing Yellowstone in 4 Days

And there you have it! That’s a wrap on your 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary.

If you want a good mix of relaxation and adventure, I suggest splitting your time between the sightseeing activities and tours.

Booking a tour ( horseback riding , rafting , etc.) can be a great way to get a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Yellowstone!

The park is so big and while you can see most of it on your own, the tours will get you to locations you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.

For more help with putting your trip together, I suggest reading my next Yellowstone guide: How to Plan a Trip to Yellowstone National Park !

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A YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY: 4 Days Of Epic Adventure

Post Summary: The best way to see Yellowstone in 4 days including additional Yellowstone itinerary options for shorter and longer stays.

Trying to create a Yellowstone itinerary and wondering where to begin? There are so many things to consider when visiting Yellowstone that it can quickly become overwhelming when trying to plan your trip.

To save you some frustration and time, we’ve come up with a detailed guide on how to spend 4 days in Yellowstone . Largely based upon our own adventures and mishaps after spending a week in the park, we want to help you navigate the pitfalls and give you our tried and true tips for the best way to see Yellowstone in 4 days.

We’ve also included Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for 1-5 days in the park for anyone who will be staying for shorter or longer stays in the park.

RELATED POSTS: Everything You Need To Pack For A Yellowstone Vacation 10 Things To Do In Yellowstone With Kids The Best Home Rentals Near Yellowstone For Every Budget Yellowstone Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know BEFORE You Leave Yellowstone Off The Beaten Path Gems To Explore

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we truly think are helpful.

Yellowstone National Park Itinerary Guide

Before we jump into the 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary, let’s take a moment to talk about all the necessities to planning a Yellowstone vacation. Questions like…when’s the best time to go to Yellowstone, where’s the best place to stay in Yellowstone, what’s the best entrance to the park, and how do I get there?

I’m going to briefly answer some of those questions, but I highly suggest you check out our in-depth post on planning a trip to Yellowstone . It includes detailed answers to all those questions and more, plus tips on how to avoid the infamous crowds. Yellowstone is colossal, and understanding the park before you go will make a big difference in how much you can enjoy the park. Preparation is everything!

PRO TIP : If you’ll be visiting other national parks like Grand Teton and Glacier within the same year, it’s better to get an America the Beautiful Pass which grants you (and everyone in the car) access to numerous national parks and federal sites within one year.

Best Time To Go To Yellowstone?

Our Yellowstone itinerary is best suited for the months of May to October, when the park is the most accessible. We visited in late August when the crowds are at their highest, but we never had a problem finding a quiet spot for ourselves. The shoulder months of June and September are considered wonderful times for their pleasant weather and reduced crowds.

How Many Days To Spend In Yellowstone?

Can you do Yellowstone in 2 days? Yes, but it wouldn’t be our first choice. We’ve created a Yellowstone 4 day itinerary because that’s enough time to get in all the park’s main highlights with room for breath and a little bit of spontaneity. If you have more time and are a nature lover, spend as much time as your schedule and budget can allow. Yellowstone is overflowing with things to do and places to discover. We traveled to Yellowstone with a toddler , so we spent seven days in the park to allow us time to move as slowly as we needed.

Where to stay in Yellowstone?

Because of its enormous size, it’s best to stay within the park. A good idea is to stay in two different park sections to cut down on driving time and allow you to sleep in a little bit.

One option is to situate yourself at Old Faithful Lodge or Inn and Mammoth Springs Hotel . Located on opposite ends of the park, it allows you to cover Yellowstone’s upper and lower loops. If you don’t want to stay in two different places, the best choice is to stay at Canyon Lodge, the most central hotel and most updated hotel. You can find rates and availability for all the hotels located in the park here .

Camping in the park is also a great way to have an adventure and save money. We did car camping with a toddler and loved it! You can learn more about campgrounds in the park here. We stayed at Madison and Bridge Bay campground and had a great time.

PRO TIP : Lodging inside the park is VERY popular. Reservations open up a year in advance, and all the good spots are reserved quickly. If you know you’re traveling to Yellowstone, book your hotel right away .

If you waited too long and can’t snag a room or if lodging in the park is too expensive (it’s pretty pricey, you guys), then finding a home rental through VRBO (stands for vacation rentals by owner) or a hotel outside of the North or West entrance is your best bet. Check out our guide to 10 fantastic home rentals near Yellowstone for every budget.

How to Get to Yellowstone?

If you are flying into Yellowstone, the closest airport is in Jackson, Wyoming, at the Jackson Hole Airport. The airport is expensive, so most people choose to fly into Salt Lake City due to cheaper flight options and easier flights. The drive from Salt Lake City is about five hours to the West Yellowstone entrance.

Okay, we’re going to dive into the itinerary now. If you have more questions about how to plan a trip to Yellowstone and want more in-depth answers to the questions above, be sure to check out our Yellowstone trip planning post .

Yellowstone National Park Itinerary: 4 Days of Adventure

I’ve structured the Yellowstone trip itinerary so that each day focuses on one area of the park. The above map shows you that Yellowstone has one main road shaped like a squiggly number 8 called The Grand Loop. The map also shows you estimated driving times for different sections of the road.

These are general estimates, and you may be able to cut some time off the driving times estimated in the picture. However, Yellowstone is unpredictable, and road closures and animal traffic jams will often cause backups. We visited the park and dealt with road closures due to a fire, road work, and an overturned fuel truck accident. Believe it or not, events like these are NOT uncommon. When it comes to Yellowstone, hope for the best…but try not to get too angry when it doesn’t work out the way you wanted!

I’ve also included the best hotels and areas to situate yourself out of. These are suggestions only and won’t be right for everyone’s unique travel situation. This Yellowstone itinerary can easily be reversed and jumbled around to suit your needs.

Day 1: Yellowstone Itinerary

Geysers and hot springs and fumaroles, oh my!

Yellowstone National Park is famous for being on top of a super volcano, making it one of the most fascinating geothermal sights in the world. Today…you’ll geek out on all that science. If you need an education on what the heck a fumarole is, you can download the official Yellowstone National Park App to get easy to digest answers and background to what you’ll be visiting.

Best Place To Stay: Inside the Park : Old Faithful Inn , Lake Yellowstone Hotel , or Canyon Lodge Outside the Park : VRBO 2 Bedroom Home: Burnt Hole or VRBO 3 Bedroom Home: Main Family House

PRO TIP: The best way to avoid crowds is to start your days early. I would aim to be in your car and driving by 7:30 AM. I KNOW! That seems so early. These beautiful sights can quickly become not so beautiful when you’re sharing space on a tiny boardwalk with hundreds of people. You will not regret seeing Yellowstone at 7:00 AM when it’s chilly outside, and the steam rising off the hot springs is even more pronounced. It’s magical.

MORNING: Get up early to beat the crowds and head to the Old Faithful area to see the park’s most famous geyser. While most geysers are somewhat hard to predict, Old Faithful reliably goes off every 92 minutes or so. Afterward, take the Upper Geyser Basin Loop located behind the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center to see a great assortment of hot springs, additional geysers, and fumaroles. This easy 3-mile loop is a great introduction to the geothermal features of Yellowstone. Be sure to look at the geyser prediction times on the Yellowstone App or the visitors center so you can time your walk around potentially seeing geyser eruptions. (2 to 4 hours)

Optional : Another fun way to see Old Faithful erupt is to watch from above. An easy 1.5-mile hike to Observation Point gives you a great view of Old Faithful. While not completely off the beaten path, this viewpoint usually has fewer people than down below.

MIDDAY: Head over to Grand Prismatic Spring to see the 3rd largest hot spring in the world. Located at Midway Geyser Basin , you can either view Grand Prismatic from above or at ground level. I think viewing it from above is better, but it requires a hike uphill, so viewing from below is a great option for anyone with less mobility. It’s worth noting that the boardwalks at Grand Prismatic have no guardrails, so I wasn’t getting NEAR them with my accident-prone toddler. If you have a young one, bring a toddler carrier or stroller for peace of mind. If you want to view from the boardwalks, you’ll park at the Midway Geyser Basin.

If you want to view from above, you’ll drive 1 mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin to park at the Fairy Falls Trail Parking Lot. You’ll take a moderate 1.2-mile uphill hike to the viewing platform. We suggest continuing from the viewing platform and doing the full hike to Fairy Falls , a beautiful 200-foot waterfall. From the trailhead, the hike is 5 miles out and back. (1-3 hours)

Optional : If you want an even longer hike that offers more solitude, add 1.6 miles to your hike with an easy walk to Imperial Geyser. We like to use the All Trails app for trail maps. Download it before you leave, and you can use that for directions.

GOOD TO KNOW : Grand Prismatic is popular and will be crowded if you’re visiting in the summer months. While we suggest arriving early to other popular spots, Grand Prismatic is best seen under the full light of the midday sun. If you visit in the early hours of the morning, you might not be able to see much of the hot spring due to the cold Yellowstone mornings producing more steam.

AFTERNOON: For the afternoon, I’m going to give you three different options to choose from that you can pick based on location and what you would like to explore.

Option 1 : Take the one-way southbound scenic drive on Firehole Canyon Drive . Along the drive, stop at the Firehole Swim Area to take a dip in the waters or simply sit back and hang out at this lush swimming hole. This is by no means a secret spot, so if it’s summer, it will be crowded. There is no parking lot, so you’ll have to find a spot along the road. With boulders to climb and water to splash around in, it’s well worth the parking issues! In the height of summer, the water temp ranges from 70-80 degrees. Be sure to check before you go to see if the swim area is open. It often closes due to unsafe swimming conditions. There are no lifeguards, and as with everything in the park, you do it at your own risk. (1-3 hours)

Option 2: Head North from Midway Geyser Basin to visit the Norris Geyser Basin to take in more geysers, hissing fumaroles, and hot springs. Norris Geyser Basin is made up of Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. If you get lucky, you’ll be able to see a few geysers go off. (1.5 – 2 hours)

Option 3: Head South to West Thumb Geyser Basin. This beautiful basin stands out for its stunning location beside Yellowstone Lake. We enjoyed visiting this basin and taking in the beauty of the lake. While not as grand as the other basins, it was interesting to see geysers bubbling in the lake. (1 hour)

Day 2: Yellowstone Itinerary

Canyons and Waterfalls and Lakes, Oh My!

Best Place To Stay: Inside The Park: Old Faithful Inn , Lake Yellowstone Hotel , or Canyon Lodge Outside The Park: VRBO 2 Bedroom Home: Burnt Hole or VRBO 3 Bedroom Home: Main Family House

PRO TIP : If visiting in the summer, you’re practically guaranteed to have crowds at the popular spots. An easy way to find some peace is to go on a hike. Most visitors to Yellowstone never venture beyond the lookout points. We visited in August and NEVER had a problem finding a quiet spot for ourselves.

MORNING: Wake up early again to see the amazing Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Start at the South Rim, an out and back drive that offers some of the best views of the waterfalls. Start by taking Uncle Tom’s Trail down to the base of the Upper Falls. In truth, it’s not so much a “trail” as it is 328 steps down a metal staircase. The reward is great at the bottom, but don’t forget you will have to walk back up! If you’re there at the right time, you can often see rainbows in the falls.

Afterward, drive up to Artist Point to get one of the Lower Falls’ best vantage points. A five-minute walk from the parking lot, it’s a great choice for anyone who isn’t looking for a long hike or is short on time. You can walk over, take in the view, snap some great photos, and head to the next destination. If you like hiking, we suggest staying at Artist Point and taking the Point Sublime Trail . It’s an out and back 2.7-mile hike that takes you to a lookout point. To be honest, the best parts of the hike are in the beginning when you walk along the rim of the canyon and get stellar views. If you’re not up for the entire hike, just do the beginning and turn around when you’re done. With steep drop-offs and no guard rails, we don’t recommend this hike for young kids (toddler to kindergarten) unless you’re wearing or holding them.

Next, you’ll drive North to access the North Rim Drive . The North Rim Drive is a one-way drive that offers different views and hikes of the canyon. The best part of the North Rim is the short but arduous descent to the Brink of the Lower Falls . While only .7 miles long, it’s a steep descent of switchbacks that lead you right to the mouth of the waterfall. Going down isn’t the problem; it was the trek up that had us feeling it in our legs! It’s well worth the burn though. Being that close to the waterfalls is phenomenal. We highly suggest it!

From there, you can drive the rest of the one-way road and stop off at Lookout Point , Grand View , and, lastly, Inspiration Point . They’re all lookout points that offer different views of the canyon and waterfalls. If you’re ready to move on at this point, it’s fine to give it a pass and continue with your day. If you still can’t get enough, then stop at each one to continue to marvel at nature’s artwork. Generally, Lookout Point is considered the best of the three.

The North Rim Drive will lead you right to Canyon Village where you can get gas, pick up some lunch, or a small snack before you head out for the rest of your day.

The morning at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone should take roughly 3-4 hours, depending on how many hikes and lookouts you do. If you don’t do any of the walks and just do the lookouts, it can probably be done in 1-2 hours. If you’re able to do a walk, we highly recommend it!

MIDDAY: After exploring the Canyon, you’ll move South to drive through the Hayden Valley . The valley is a popular spot for Bison to congregate, and you’ll often spot big herds of them on the roadside. Even if you don’t, it’s a gorgeous drive and worth doing to take in the spectacular scenery. On the other hand, there might be a lot, which means you’ll run into bison traffic (from cars stopping to look at the bison or bison standing in the middle of the road).

If you do spot bison and you want to view them, make sure to pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road (don’t be the person who causes traffic!) and keep your distance from the bison. Always adhere to Yellowstone’s rules to stay 25 yards away from all animals and 100 yards from wolves and bears.

Continue South down the Grand Loop Road and stop off at Mud Volcano for a quick jaunt. Many are hit or miss about this site. However, if you’re still geeking out on all the science fun at Yellowstone, you’ll probably enjoy a stop at Mud Volcano to see different features like Sizzling Basin , Churning Caldron, Black Dragon’s Caldron , and Dragon’s Mouth Spring . Where some will be unimpressed by boiling mud, others will be delighted.

Mud Volcano is most popular for sights like Dragon’s Mouth Spring, which hisses steam and makes loud belching sounds. It’s a quick stop and can be done in 30 minutes.

AFTERNOON: For your second afternoon in Yellowstone, I’ll give you a few options to consider.

OPTION 1: Drive down to Fishing Bridge to do one of Yellowstone’s best hikes, Storm Point . This 2.3-mile hike is an easy loop but packs a punch. When you get to a fork in the trail, we suggest going right to go deeper into the Lodgepole Pine Forest. After a while, the path opens up into the incredible shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. The hike can be done in under an hour, or you can take your time to sit back and relax as we did. Bring a picnic blanket like this and sit in the powdery white sand or wade in the frigid waters. Keep your eyes peeled for marmot, bald eagles, pelicans, ducks, and bison. Spot obsidian in the sand and bask in the largest high elevation lake in the US. This was one of our favorite things we did in Yellowstone! Great way to get away from the crowds.

OPTION 2 : If you’re looking to relax and want to take in Lake Yellowstone without doing a hike, you can either drive to the Fishing Bridge Area and find a spot to park where you can bask in the glory of Lake Yellowstone or the Yellowstone River. A great off the beaten path beach area is Sand Point. A 1/4 mile trail through pine trees will take you to a sandy obsidian beach. Bring a book, camping chairs, a fishing rod, or some snacks, and end the day wading and basking in Lake Yellowstone.

OPTION 3: If you didn’t make your way to West Thumb Geyser Basin yesterday and are curious to see it, you can drive down to check it out.

The end of Day 2 is a good day to move on to a new choice of lodging. You’ll see our recommendations for where to stay for the night of Day 2 in our Day 3 recommendations.

GOOD TO KNOW: Can you swim in Lake Yellowstone or other bodies of water? The short answer is yes; you are allowed to swim in the lake. The national park service on the Yellowstone site states, “if you choose to swim in Yellowstone’s lakes or rivers, you do so at your own risk.” However, the park doesn’t advise swimming in the lake or rivers due to it being VERY cold and potentially dangerous currents. For further clarification, I asked a park ranger, and he told me I could swim anywhere I wanted. He then pointed to a scummy pond and said I could go in there if I wanted to. (ERRR…. no thanks). He said unless it explicitly states that no entrance is allowed, you’re free to wade and romp in the waters. If you’re curious, I did wade and submerge in the shoreline of Lake Yellowstone. It was very cold!

DAY 3: Yellowstone Itinerary

Bison and bears and wolves, oh my!

Today, you’ll explore the other thing Yellowstone is famous for…wildlife. Yellowstone offers the opportunity to spot black bears, grizzly bears, bison, wolves, elk, foxes, coyotes, moose, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep in their natural habitat. Since you’re visiting the animals in their home, you’ll have to work a little harder to find them, but that’s part of the fun! 

Best Place To Stay: Inside The Park: Mammoth Hot Springs Outside The Park: VRBO Budget Choice: Arch View , VRBO three-bedroom house: Yellowstone Lodge

MORNING: Wake up early and drive to the Lamar Valley, the United States’ premier destination for spotting wolves and bears. If you are serious about spotting wildlife, you’ll need to be there at dawn. If you’re only semi-serious, I still suggest you get there in the morning, but you can aim to get there around 8:00 AM. You can drive the valley and stop at lookouts to see if you can spot wildlife. You can also opt to get out of the car to do some exploring and hiking.

Here are some good hiking options in the Lamar Valley: Trout Lake : A beautiful 1.2-mile round trip hike that gains 150 feet in elevation, so while it’s short, it’s a moderate hike that will leave you feeling like you worked for it. Slough Creek Trail: This trail is a historic wagon road that leads you to three different meadows. If you want a moderate hike, you can hike to the first meadow for a 3.4 mile round trip hike. It’s 4.3 miles (one-way) to the 2nd meadow and 5 miles (one-way) to the 3rd meadow. Specimen Ridge Day Hike : A strenuous 3-mile round trip hike that offers breathtaking views of the Lamar Valley.

If getting out of your car and hiking, it’s ESSENTIAL to have bear spray with you. This is true whenever you are hiking in Yellowstone. Make sure to buy bear spray before you arrive and that you know how to use it. This is the bear spray we use . If you’ll be hiking a lot, get the one with the holster. Trust me; it’s much better than holding it. You can learn more about bear safety here .

For a full list of everything you need to bring to Yellowstone, including the best binoculars for spotting wildlife, check out our post on the essential Yellowstone packing list .

Depending on if you’ll be going on a hike, I would allot 1-3 hours for the Lamar Valley.

MIDDAY : Head west to the Mammoth area to check out Mammoth Hot Springs . Before you get to Mammoth, you can opt to stop at Wraith Falls , an easy .6 mile hike to a 79-foot waterfall. Skip it and move on to Mammoth if you’re short on time. The travertine landscape of Mammoth Hot Springs might be the most unique geothermal sight in Yellowstone. The dynamic colors and land formations make it seem like you’re on another planet. The upper and lower boardwalks take about one hour to explore. The most popular sight is Minerva Spring for its vivid colors and intricate formations. After strolling the boardwalks, you can visit the small village of Mammoth and pick up some ice cream or try to spot elk that often hang out by the visitor center.

AFTERNOON: To end the day, I’ll give you a couple options to expore:

OPTION 1: End your day with a warm soak at the Boiling Ri ver. This is the only hot spring in Yellowstone you are allowed to enter. Located near the North Entrance to the park, this heavenly respite is a perfect way to cap your evening. Parking is sparse, so you might have to park on the side of the road. Don’t forget to bring a pair of swim shoes !

OPTION 2: If you weren’t able to make it to Norris Geyser Basin on the first day, you can opt to drive down and check out the geyser basin.

DAY 4: Yellowstone Itinerary

Hiking and exploring and chilling, oh my!

BEST PLACE TO STAY: Same as Day 3

For your last day in Yellowstone, I’m going to give you a few options to consider. You’ve now done all the main highlights of Yellowstone, so you have the choice now to relax on your last day or go on an epic hike. This last day is also a great day to revisit anything you weren’t able to get to from Day 1-3 due to time constraints. Here are some fantastic choices:

Hike Mount Washburn : This famous hike is a strenuous 6 miles round trip hike. It offers 360-degree views at an elevation of 10,243 feet. It’s a great place to spot bighorn sheep and…grizzly bears. Bring your bear spray.

Hike Bunsen Peak : This 4.6 miles round trip hike is a moderately strenuous hike that offers panoramic views. You’ll be able to see Mammoth Hot Springs, the Yellowstone River, and more on this outstanding day hike. The last stretch is difficult, but the reward is worth the work.

Boating on Lake Yellowstone : Rent a boat at Bridge Bay Marina and spend a day out on the water.

Horseback Riding : Saddle up and experience Yellowstone on a horse. Horseback tours are typically two hours long.

Surprise Yourself: This might be my favorite option. Now that you’ve done the highlights and have a general understanding of the park’s layout – get in your car and explore! Go down a scenic road and see where it takes you. Try out a scenic road like Firehole Lake Drive and see if it excites you. Pull over when you see a stunning landscape and drink it in. Set out some camping chairs in front of the Madison River and watch the bison or the fly fishers.

There are countless off the beaten path gems in Yellowstone to discover. So many times, we would drive down a random road and be stunned at the scenery around us. On our last day, we found a beautiful spot and sat by the river, wading and eating tasty snacks for hours. It remains one of my favorite memories of Yellowstone.

That’s our complete 4 day Yellowstone itinerary! Read on for our suggestions for what to do with 1-5 days in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Itineraries 1-5 Days

1 day yellowstone itinerary.

Many people hit up the park on a National Park itinerary that includes Glacier National Park and Grand Teton National Park . A day trip to Yellowstone will be jam packed so it’s best to hit up a few highlights and revisit the park when you can.

If you only have one day in Yellowstone, here is our suggestion for what to see. The order can and should be reworked to suit where you are starting from.

Old Faithful + Upper Geyser Basin (2 hours) Grand Prismatic from Overlook (1.5 hours) Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – drive both roads and check out Artists Point and either Uncle Tom’s Trail or the Brink of the Lower Falls (1.5 to 2 hours) Drive through Hayden Valley (1 hour)

*If your Yellowstone road trip itinerary has you heading to Glacier NP next, consider skipping the Grand Canyon and the drive through Hayden Valley and instead head North, visiting Norris Hot Springs and Mammoth Hot Springs to exit out the North Entrance of the park.

Yellowstone 2 Day Itinerary

If you have 2 days in Yellowstone, I would put breathing room in-between Old Faithful Geyser/ Grand Prismatic and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

DAY 1 Old Faithful + Upper Geyser Basin Grand Prismatic Overlook and Fairy Falls Hike Norris Geyser Basin Mammoth Hot Springs Boiling River

DAY 2 Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Hayden Valley Storm Point Hike West Thumb Geyser Basin

Yellowstone 3 Day Itinerary + Additional Days

If you have 3 days in Yellowstone, I would follow our original Yellowstone 4 day itinerary above and drop the fourth day. If you have even more time and will be in Yellowstone for 5 days or longer, I would consider adding some time at Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park may be a stone’s throw from Yellowstone, but it’s a completely different National Park . Well worth a visit. One to two days at Teton NP is more than enough time.

Enjoy America’s first National park! We hope you have a sublime 4 days in Yellowstone National Park. If you have any other questions about how to plan your Yellowstone itinerary, let us know in the comments below.

PIN IT FOR LATER

READ NEXT: 17 Bucket List National Parks In The West The Best Gifts For A National Park Fanatic The Best East Coast National Parks

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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Yellowstone Itinerary Ideas from 1 to 5 Days (+Map & Planning Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 25, 2024

Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park and wondering how much time you need to visit the park, how to plan your trip, or what’s the best Yellowstone itinerary for your vacation?

In this post, we share our experience-based advice for visiting Yellowstone National Park, essential tips for planning your trip, and a suggested Yellowstone itinerary for one to five days . Find out!

These planning tips, Yellowstone itinerary for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, and handy maps will help you get the most out of your trip to Yellowstone, no matter how much time you have.

Good to know: Note that these are all summer itineraries only (approx. mid-May to mid-October). That’s the period when all the roads are open and you can explore Yellowstone to the fullest. In winter, most of the roads in Yellowstone are closed and you can only visit the Old Faithful and the Mammoth Springs areas.

TIP: If you want to visit Yellowstone, but are overwhelmed with all the planning, you can also easily see the park with an organized tour. There are day trips or multi-day tours available. Here you can find our selection of the best Yellowstone tours .

Below, you can find a detailed day-to-day itinerary for Yellowstone. I also included a map for each recommended Yellowstone trip itinerary. That way you have a better idea of where all those places are and how to best plan your time when visiting Yellowstone.

Of course, you don’t have to follow these itineraries precisely, but it gives you a good idea of the main landmarks and the time you need to see them.

TIP: You can jump straight to our Yellowstone trip itinerary suggestions . However, before going into the details of your Yellowstone itinerary and starting to plan your trip, there are some important things you should know! So I suggest that you read that information first. Take a look!

Yellowstone Itinerary & Trip Planning Tips – OVERVIEW

• Essential info – read before planning a trip to Yellowstone!
• How much time you need in Yellowstone?
• Entrance fee
• 1 day in Yellowstone
• 2 days in Yellowstone
• 3 days Yellowstone itinerary
• 4 days Yellowstone itinerary
• 5 days Yellowstone itinerary

Important Info for Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

ACCOMMODATION: Your Yellowstone itinerary will depend so much on the location of your accommodation. Price-quality-location-wise, West Yellowstone is one of the best places to stay near Yellowstone. You can also see what’s available in this area for your travel dates via the map below.

Alternatively, check our detailed guide to the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone via the links below.

READ MORE: Where to Stay In Yellowstone National Park Best Hotels & Cabins Near Yellowstone

TIP: Using the map below, you can find the best deals for your stay. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see all the best deals for accommodation near Yellowstone.

DRIVING DISTANCES & TRAFFIC: Don’t underestimate driving distances in Yellowstone. The park is big and the traffic is busy in summer. On top of that, you may experience delays due to road works and wildlife traffic jams. Furthermore, parking spots at the most popular landmarks are scarce, so you may need some extra time and patience.

Important!!! Please always check the official website for up-to-date information on any road closures or planned works in the park when planning your trip! Also, things can change before your trip, so it’s always a good idea to check it again a few days before your trip.

HOW TO ESCAPE THE CROWDS: All that being said, we visited Yellowstone end of July, the busiest season of the year. It was only busy around the most popular attractions. Actually, it’s quite easy to escape the crowds in Yellowstone if you want to – just go for a walk.

I read somewhere that around 80% of Yellowstone visitors never walk further than 10-15 minutes from their car. We could definitely confirm that from our experience. Don’t be one of those tourists! If you have some time to spare and are physically capable, make sure to make at least several short walks in Yellowstone.

Of course, you have to see the main landmarks and attractions of Yellowstone , but it’s those unplanned experiences, hidden gems, and unexpected encounters that will make your trip more memorable.

WHEN TO VISIT: If you are not sure when to go to Yellowstone, please check our guide for the best time to travel to Yellowstone . If you are planning to visit in the peak season, please check out our experience-based tips for visiting Yellowstone in July and in August .

How much time do you need in Yellowstone National Park

When I was researching our American road trip itinerary , I quickly realized that one or two days are simply not enough for visiting Yellowstone. Not only is Yellowstone the oldest National Park in the world, it’s also one of the biggest and most diverse National Parks we ever visited.

After thorough research, we decided to spend four full days in Yellowstone. It gave us just enough time to see all the main highlights without having to rush. We did quite some hiking, went for a swim, spent time driving the scenic loop road and looking for wildlife…

Yellowstone is so big and so diverse that you could easily spend a week or two here and never get bored. However, if you just want to see the main landmarks of Yellowstone, three or four days is enough. You can also see a lot with just a day or two, especially if you plan your time well and focus on the ‘musts’ – our itinerary suggestions below will help you do just that!

TIP: Don’t pack your days too much and leave some space for unexpected wildlife encounters, bison traffic jams, a beautiful hike, a soak in the warm river, etc. Yellowstone is so much more than just the most famous landmarks!

LEARN MORE: Tips for Your First Trip to Yellowstone

Yellowstone Entrance Fee

You’ll need an entrance pass for Yellowstone. It costs 35 USD per private vehicle and is valid for 7 days. You can buy it at any entrance gate of the park.

However, if you are visiting several National Parks in the same year, it’s better to get an annual National Parks Pass. It’s called America the Beautiful Pass and costs 80 USD for the whole family traveling in the same vehicle. It is valid in all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States for one year from the month of purchase.

TIP: If you only visit for a day, you can also opt for this day tour that includes all the fees . Also this popular 4-day tour includes entrance fee, so you don’t have to worry about any of that.

And now that you know all the practicalities, below, you can find our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions. Take a look!

Here are our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for any trip duration:

One Day in Yellowstone National Park

If you only have one day in Yellowstone visit the Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin , Grand Prismatic Spring , and drive at least part of the scenic lower loop road .

If you are short on time when visiting Yellowstone, I suggest driving the lower loop passing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (stop by Artist Point), Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.

Below is a map indicating all the main landmarks that you should be able to see in Yellowstone in one day.

One Day Yellowstone Itinerary:

• Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
• Grand Prismatic Spring
• Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail (optional)
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Hayden Valley
• Yellowstone Lake
• West Thumb Geyser Basin

For more details and information for this Yellowstone itinerary, please see our 1-day itinerary via the link below.

READ MORE: One Day in Yellowstone

TIP: If you only have one day in Yellowstone, it might be wise to join an organized day trip rather than go on your own. Experienced local guides will make sure that you get the most out of your very short stay in Yellowstone. Here’s the best Yellowstone day tour (departing from Jackson Hole or Teton Village) that I was able to find. And here is a one-day tour from West Yellowstone .

Here is a map indicating all the best places that you should be able to see in Yellowstone in one day.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

2 Days in Yellowstone

This is our suggested two day itinerary for the best of Yellowstone. Please note that to see all of this in just two days you will need to start really early and you won’t have much extra time to explore deeper.

This itinerary will make sure you get to see the very best of Yellowstone in 2 days. Take a look!

Two Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, and the Morning Glory Pool (Upper Geyser Basin). Grand Prismatic Spring. Norris Geyser Basin. Mammoth Hot Springs .

Day 2: Undine Falls and/or Wraith Falls. Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass. Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Hayden Valley. Mud Volcano. Yellowstone Lake. West Thumb Geyser Basin.

You can find our detailed 2-day Yellowstone itinerary and tips for your trip via the link below.

LEARN MORE: Two Days in Yellowstone

TIP: If you have 2 days in Yellowstone and want to see the very best of the park without having to do much planning, consider joining this highly-rated and very complete Yellowstone 2-day/1 night tour (departs from Jackson, WY).

Below is the map illustrating the 2-day itinerary suggestions for Yellowstone. The places indicated in red are described in the 1-day itinerary above, purple – day 2.

Yellowstone Itinerary for 3 Days

If you have three days in Yellowstone , you can explore all the main areas at a more relaxed pace. In addition, you’ll have some time for some lesser-known places that will make your Yellowstone trip even more special. Below is our suggested itinerary.

Three Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Old Faithful and the Geyser Loop Trail (don’t miss the Morning Glory Pool). Grand Prismatic. Norris Geyser Basin.

Day 2: Mammoth Hot Springs . Undine Falls. Wraith Falls. Petrified Tree (not a must). Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass.

Day 3: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone River (Artist Point, Lower Falls). Hayden Valley. Yellowstone Lake.

TIP: If you’d like to do some hiking in Yellowstone, on day 3, you could go hiking along the rims of the Yellowstone Canyon. There’s also a very highly-rated hiking tour with a local guide that you can join in this area.

This Yellowstone itinerary for three days includes pretty much all the main landmarks that you really have to see in the park.

Below is the map showing suggestions for things to see when visiting Yellowstone in 3 days. Places indicated in red are the ones described on day 1 of this itinerary, purple on day 2, and yellow – on day 3.

4 Days in Yellowstone

We stayed four full days in Yellowstone with kids , but our trip itinerary can be used by all types of Yellowstone visitors. More adventurous travelers might want to do a bit more hiking, but if you want to see all the main highlights of Yellowstone without having to rush – this is it .

Here is my suggested four-day itinerary for Yellowstone based on our experience. We visited the Grand Prismatic and the Old Faithful area at the end of our trip and I think it was a good decision. It’s often better to leave the most impressive places for last; that way you appreciate the rest more.

We also spread the visit of three thermal areas (West Thumb Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, and the Grand Prismatic/ Old Faithful areas) over separate days. That way you have more diversity every day. Otherwise, it’s easy to get ‘geysered out’ in Yellowstone :).

Four Days Yellowstone Itinerary:

Day 1: Lewis Falls. West Thumb Basin. Yellowstone Lake. Storm Point hike. Mud Volcano area. Hayden Valley.

Day 2: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (Artist Point, Lower Falls). Norris Geyser Basin. Firehole River (swimming, if possible – check here for up-to-date info).

Day 3: Mammoth Hot Springs. Undine Falls. Wraith Falls. Petrified Tree (optional). Lamar Valley. Tower Fall. Dunraven Pass.

Day 4: Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic). You can also hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. Lower Geyser Basin. Upper Geyser Basin (the Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Inn, and the Geyser Loop Trail), also Biscuit Basin and/or Black Sand Basin.

TIP: If you are looking for the best guided tour option, check out this beautiful 4-day/ 3 night Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip with a focus on wildlife (departs from Jackson, WY).

Below is a map indicating each of the suggested places from our 4-day Yellowstone itinerary. Places indicated in red are the ones described on day 1 of this itinerary, purple – day 2, yellow – day 3, and green – day 4. The blue dots are the places that we mention in the 5-days Yellowstone itinerary further below.

5 Days in Yellowstone

If you have five days in Yellowstone, make sure you see all the main landmarks and highlights described in the four-day Yellowstone itinerary. In addition, you could hike to Mount Washburn . It’s a long hike (6-7 miles (10-12km) depending on the route you choose) and requires a good part of the day.

Another nice option on foot or by bike is Lone Star Geyser . It’s located about 3 miles south of the Old Faithful area and can be reached via a hiking/biking trail from there. It erupts every 3 hours.

Otherwise, you can find plenty of other nice hikes, go for a boat ride on Yellowstone Lake, go for a scenic float or rafting nearby, join a hiking tour , etc.

Take a look at the map above (4 days in Yellowstone) – the blue dot next to Dunraven Pass is Mount Washburn, and the blue dot south of the Old Faithful is the Lone Star Geyser.

So, these are my suggestions for the best way to plan your Yellowstone trip and see the main landmarks of Yellowstone. None of these itineraries are very detailed as they would require separate articles, such as the ones for 1 and 2 days that we linked to above. So if you have any specific questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try to help.

Please note that every trip and itinerary will be somewhat different because so much depends on the location of your accommodation. We have lots of information and detailed guides for visiting Yellowstone , so please check those articles for more suggestions on how to plan your Yellowstone trip.

Update: Since so many of our readers asked for suggestions on how to best combine Yellowstone NP with Grand Teton NP, Glacier NP, and also with visiting Mount Rushmore, we have published dedicated articles about those places as well. Take a look below!

• Here you can find info on the best places to see and things to do in Jackson Hole .
• Here you can read more about the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park in one day .
• Here you can find a suggested itinerary for both, Yellowstone and Grand Teton .
• Here you can find Glacier National Park itinerary suggestions .
• Here you can read more about visiting Mount Rushmore and things to do near Mt Rushmore .

More information for planning your trip to Yellowstone:

• Overview: Yellowstone Travel Guide
• What to see: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone
• When to go: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone
• What to pack: Yellowstone Packing List
• Accommodation: Where to Stay in and Near Yellowstone & Best Hotels Near Yellowstone
• For families: Yellowstone with Kids
• Must-see: Grand Prismatic Spring & Old Faithful Geyser
• Fun to do: Boiling River

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Tracy Hughes

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

What airport did you fly into? Also, how far was the drive from the airport to Canyon Lodge?

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

Hi Tracy, Yellowstone was just part of a much bigger road trip for us. We flew out of Salt Lake City after we left the park. That was like 6 hrs drive. But there are plenty of smaller airports nearby (1-3 hrs). You can find this information in our Yellowstone travel guide.

Tuesday 19th of September 2023

We just returned from Yellowstone and I wanted to thank you for all the information on your website. It was invaluable for our trip. We could have never seen this much without your tips. THANK YOU!

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Glad to help, Muryel.

Friday 11th of August 2023

Hi Jurga, I'm planning a camping trip to Yellowstone NP for my family in early Sept 2024. We'll be pulling a 30' camper. I like your 4-5 day Yellowstone itinerary and was wondering if you stayed at one particular camp site or did you move to different camp sites to cut drive times? Which one(s) would you recommend? Thank you so much for your help! Brent D.

Sunday 13th of August 2023

Hi Brent, we do not camp so we stayed at the hotels - Canyon Lodge most of the time, plus the Old Faithful Lodge for a night. You can find more info about Yellowstone campsites here.

Monday 24th of July 2023

hi jurga i am thinking to come in oct end and thinking where ot fly from NY and with best price in mind where to stay and how to plan for 4-6 days total .

Tuesday 25th of July 2023

Hi Claudia, first, keep in mind that most roads in Yellowstone close for the winter season on November 1. End of October can also already be quite cold and snowy, so you have to be prepared for some uncertainty. Check the official site for the road conditions and planned closures. For the rest, if you do indeed go in October, you should be able to visit most places as described in our itinerary suggestions, so please check our article for how you could plan your time. As for where to stay, many accommodations inside the park will also be already closed for the season. Only Mammoth Hotel and OF Snowlodge remain open somewhat longer in October, but also not the entire month. So the best places to stay are likely West Yellowstone and/or Gardiner. Please take a look at this article for more information on the best hotels near Yellowstone. Having said all this, if you can plan your trip somewhat earlier, even if just a few weeks, it will make a big difference. End of October is really the very end of the main season. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Sunday 14th of May 2023

We’re booked for 7 nights at Grizzly RV park in mid July. This will be our first trip to Yellowstone! We’re traveling in an RV with a tow vehicle, so we’ll have transportation for traveling around. Any thoughts? I’ve been looking at itineraries and it almost seems like we should have tried to stay in a couple of different places. We’re heading to Lava Hot Springs after that and making our way to Salt Lake City. Thanks!

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hi Mindy, this RV park is located in West Yellowstone which is really one of the best locations to stay for Yellowstone if you can't find a place inside the park. My best recommendations would be to focus on different area each day so that you can explore deeper and drive a bit less. But yes, it's quite inevitable that you will have to cover big distances on some days, for example, if driving to Lamar Valley. So yes, with a week, ideally, you would split your stay between several different areas in the park, but if you can't change your bookings anymore, just make the most of it. With good planning and early start (to avoid the long queues at the park entrance), you can see all the best places using West Yellowstone as your base location. Have a great trip!

Epic 7-day Teton and Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

Combine Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks into a week-long action-packed road trip. Follow my detailed 7-day itinerary for my favorite sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

Back when I was a kid, my parents rented an RV, and we took a road trip to Yellowstone. I remember being in awe of the colorful geysers, the insane amount of wildlife, and the beautiful scenery. I’ve now been back several times in my camper van, and each time has been no less exciting. As a science-nerd, I absolutely love exploring Yellowstone’s geological wonders.

Just next door to Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park, where the scenery is completely different. You swap the easy boardwalk strolls among geysers for BIG mountains where the hiking opportunities are just endless.

The good news is you don’t have to choose between the two parks. The proximity of Yellowstone and Grand Teton makes it so easy to combine them into an incredible weeklong road trip that offers a bit of everything.

With this 7-day Yellowstone and Teton road trip itinerary, you’ll hit up a large number of the best sites in the parks without spending too much time in the car. In this day-by-day itinerary, I share the best road trip stops, hikes, things to do, places to stay, and even some restaurant suggestions to help you plan an epic visit.

Here’s the ultimate road trip itinerary for a week well-spent in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks!

This post may contain affiliate links.

Itinerary Overview

This 7-day road trip itinerary starts with two days in Grand Teton National Park, where you’ll be hiking, enjoying Jenny Lake, and dipping in town to explore Jackson.

After that, you’ll continue north to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is absolutely massive, being the second largest National Park in the lower 48. This is why I’m devoting three full days for exploring Yellowstone. Here is a day-by-day overview of what you will see and do on your road trip.

• Day 1 : Arrive in Jackson, explore town, set up camp or check into hotel
• Day 2 : Hike Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
• Day 3 : Hike Cascade Canyon in Grand Teton National Park
• Day 4 : West Thumb Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Day 5 : Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Osprey Falls Hike
• Day 6 : Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, and Grand Prismatic Spring
• Day 7 : Drive back to your starting point

Here is a Google map of all of the hikes, campgrounds, and other points of interest I mention in this itinerary. Just click the arrow next to my profile pic to view the names of each place. If you want to save this map to your Google Maps account so you can refer to it on your road trip, just click the star next to the map title. The map will appear under the saved tab if you are viewing on your phone.

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Closest Airports to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks

There are a couple of starting points options for your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, depending on where you fly into. I’ll start with the major airports first since these are going to be the cheapest to fly into to and will also have the cheapest car rentals. If you want to do this road trip in a camper van, these two cities also have a number of camper van rental companies to choose from.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is the closest major airport, about 5 hours from the southern end of Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson where the good stuff begins.

There are two different routes from SLC to Grand Teton National Park. The route pictured below is my suggested route. It provides the best scenery on the way up, and the quickest drive back to Salt Lake.

Following my suggestion, you’ll take I-80 East out of Salt Lake and then turn North at Evanston on US-89. Once you hit Alpine you’ll be driving next to the Snake River almost all the way to Jackson. This route is slightly longer than the alternate route driving through Lava Hot Springs and Soda Springs (not pictured) , but it’s much prettier in my opinion. You also avoid the long boring stretch of I-15 that you will also be driving on your way back to Salt Lake after leaving West Yellowstone.

Alternate return option: If you don’t mind a longer drive on the way back to Salt Lake, you can make a full circle in Yellowstone and backtrack down through Grand Teton and Jackson. From there, you can take the same exact route back to Salt Lake, or you can drive over Teton Pass and through Victor before hopping on I-15.

Boise, Idaho

Boise is 5.5 hours from Jackson, which is about a hour longer drive than if you start in Salt Lake. I’d compare the cost of flights and car rentals to Salt Lake, and if Boise is a lot cheaper, than I’d consider flying in and out of there. Boise is also a really cool town worth exploring if you can tack on an extra day or two.

Apart from being shorter, I personally prefer the drive from Salt Lake. I think it’s prettier and the drive requires less time on big highways. However, on your route back to Boise, you do drive right by Craters of the Moon which is an interesting stop if you aren’t in a rush.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is actually the closest major airport to Yellowstone. It’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes from the north entrance. However, flights into Bozeman are typically a lot more expensive than Boise or Salt Lake City. Again, it’s definitely worth pricing out your options because starting in Bozeman will allow you to spend more time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton since you’ll cut out a lot of the driving time to get there.

If you start in Bozeman, you can still do all of the stops I mention in the itinerary below, but you’ll do them in a different order. Instead of starting in Grand Teton like I did, you’ll be coming from the north, starting in Yellowstone. You can do one half of Yellowstone on the way down and hit the other side on the way back up.

Jackson, Wyoming

It’s worth checking prices in Jackson since it is the most convenient airport to fly into for this Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. The Jackson Airport is actually inside Grand Teton National Park which is pretty cool. If you choose this option, be prepared to pay a premium. Flights and car rentals in Jackson are $$$$!

Things to Do Before you Go

Here are a few special tips for things you’ll want to do before you hit the road for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

Note: This blog contains affiliate links and references to my sponsors. As always all words and opinions are my own.

Your own personal tour guide

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Detailed Yellowstone Grand Teton Itinerary

Day 1: arrive jackson, explore town, morning – arrive, eat lunch.

In the morning on Day 1, get an early start and travel to Jackson, Wyoming. Once you arrive, grab some lunch and poke around town. It’s a tourist town but has a unique tempo to it and lots of individual mom-and-pop stores. Some yummy spots in town are Figs (Lebanese), Hand-Fired Pizza, and Healthy Being Cafe and Juicery. Also, Persephone Bakery (not vegan-friendly) is insanely popular.

Afternoon – Set up Camp

If you’re staying at a hotel, it’s best to stay somewhere right in Jackson or north of town rather than out near Jackson Hole (the ski area). Staying in town or even north of town will put you closer to the things you are going to do in Grand Teton National Park. Note that hotels in Jackson (like the flights) are expensive, and you should be prepared to spend at least $200 a night for a 3-star hotel.

Personally, if you enjoy car camping, I think that’s the way to go (if you’re new to car camping, check out my Car Camping 101 Guide ). While the Grand Teton National Park campgrounds are some of the most expensive I’ve ever seen (more than $55+/night), you’ll still save a ton of money, and the locations of the campgrounds are a lot more convenient for exploring the National Park. In addition, there aren’t many restaurants along this itinerary, so having your camp cooking gear will allow you to prepare your meals as you go. Here are the Grand Teton campgrounds that work best for this itinerary.

• Jenny Lake : This is for you tent campers. It’s a small campground that is really quiet thanks to the fact that camper vans, RVs, trailers or pop-ups are not allowed. This is the closest campground to the trails you’ll be hiking, so if you’re in a tent, stay here!
• Signal Mountain : This campground is on the shores of Jackson Lake where you’ll find gorgeous views. It’s the second most convenient to the trailheads. There is a lodge here with a restaurant and a bar, as well as hotel rooms.
• Gros Ventre : The Gros Ventre campground is located outside of the South Park entrance on the other side of the highway. I stayed here during a photography workshop and loved the proximity to the Gros Ventre River.
• Colter Bay : This is a massive campground, the biggest in Grand Teton National Park. There’s an entire village with a grocery store, restaurant, showers, and more. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to Jackson Lake. It’s the least convenient as far as the hikes I suggest, but being the furthest north of these four, it will shorten your drive when it’s time to move on to Yellowstone.

Even though it may result in a bit more driving, I’d stay at the same campground for all three nights that you’re in Grand Teton so you don’t have to set up and take down your camping gear more than once. However if you want to move sites to minimize driving, you should stay at Gros Ventre or Jenny Lake on night 1 and Jenny Lake or Signal Mountain on night 2 and 3.

Before you drive to the campsite, stop at the Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance. It’s a great place to grab a map, and I also purchased bear spray there, which you will 1000% want for this trip. You should have your bear spray easily accessible on all hikes and at your campsites.

Day 2: Hike Death Canyon

Morning – go hiking.

Today you’re going to hike from the Death Canyon Trailhead which is located off Moose Wilson Road by the South Entrance. There are a few different options depending on what kind of challenge you are looking for. If you choose a longer hike, you should pack a lunch since there aren’t any nearby dining options.

• Phelps Lake Overlook : From the Death Canyon Trailhead, you’ll hike just over a mile to a gorgeous overlook that peers down 700 feet into Phelps Lake. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, you can turn around here (2.0 miles, 416 feet of elevation gain, easy/moderate due to uphill stretch, trail map ).
• Death Canyon to Patrol Cabin : This starts as the same trailhead as the Phelps Lake Overlook. If you want to cover more ground, continue past the overlook, down the switchbacks, and straight at the next junction. That will that drop you into the entrance of Death Canyon. After 4.5 miles, you reach an old Patrol Cabin that was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Core. On the way, you’ll pass some nice spots along the river that make for an ideal lunch/break spot. The hike out can be hot, so make sure you bring plenty of water and some sun protection (9.0 miles, 2,097 feet of elevation gain, moderate/challenging due to distance and elevation gain, trail map ).
• Phelps Lake via Valley Canyon Trail : If you don’t want to climb up into Death Canyon, you can hike down and relax on the shore of Phelps Lake (4.4 miles, 994 feet of elevation gain, moderate due to hike back up from the lakeshore, trail map ). You can extend this to 7 miles by walking around the lake.

Bears frequent this area. You’ll want have your bear spray handy and brush up on your bear safety so you know what to do if you encounter one.

Afternoon – Relax

Post-hike head back to camp or your hotel and relax. Tomorrow you’ll be doing one of the most epic hikes in the Park, so you’ll want to rest up.

If you’re staying at Gros Ventre or a hotel in town, you can grab a bite to eat in Jackson. The Kitchen is my favorite place for dinner.

If you’re camping further from town, set up your camp chair, read a book, cook dinner, or wander around to check out your surroundings. You can also cruise up to Jenny Lake. You’ll be back there tomorrow, but you really can’t get tired of these views.

Day 3: Hike to Inspiration Point and Cascade Canyon and Stop at Signal Mountain Lodge

Morning – hike cascade canyon.

On Day 3 of your road trip, you are going to hike up Cascade Canyon. This is one of the most stunning (and popular) trails in the Grand Teton National Park. You’ll want to wak up early and drive to Jenny Lake. Then in order to save yourself 2 miles each way, I suggest getting on one of the first boat shuttles across Jenny Lake to the trailheads on the other side of the lake. This will give you a chance to enjoy the trail in peace before all of the crowds show up. Shuttles run non-stop throughout the day, and you don’t need a reservation.

Once you’re on the other side, the trail to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Cascade Canyon leave right from the boat dock. Like yesterday, you have multiple options depending on how far you want to hike.

• Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Loop : An easier, shorter hike than the Cascade Canyon Trail hike listed next (1.8 miles, 419 feet of elevation gain, moderate due to rocky steps, see trail map ). This family-friendly trail can get very busy, but it offers fantastic views of Jenny Lake and a decent sized waterfall.
• Cascade Canyon Trail : Continuing past Hidden Falls, this trail travels through a beautiful mountain gorge with meandering streams perfect for soaking your feet while you eat a PB&J (9.1 miles, 1,102 feet of elevation gain, moderate/challenging due to distance, see trail map ). Wildlife sightings here are super common . There is no destination or final climax on this hike, just pretty views the entire way. If you get tired, you can turn around early without missing too much.
• Lake Solitude via Cascade Canyon Trail : If you really want to escape the crowds, hike to the end of Cascade Canyon and hang a right and eventually you’ll reach Lake Solitude. From the boat landing, Lake Solitude is around 14 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. It makes for a big day, but the scenery is unbelievably pretty. If you pack a suit you can also take a refreshing (aka very cold) dip in the lake. Just make sure to get an early start and bring a headlamp just in case. (14.7 miles, 2,395 feet of elevation gain, challenging due to distance and elevation, see trail map ).

One more thing to keep in mind is that moose and bears frequent this area, so you might get to see one (or more). If you encounter wildlife, give them space. Don’t get all up in their business trying to take photos.

Afternoon – Post-hike treats at Signal Mountain Lodge

When you return from your hike, head up to Signal Mountain Lodge for a post-hike treat. While I don’t drink anymore, and I’m plant-based, I hear the huckleberry margaritas (for passengers) and nachos are a local favorite among the park staff. Afterwards, drive up the Signal Mountain Road for an impressive aerial view.

After that, head back to your campsite. Try to get all of your gear organized because tomorrow you’re packing up and heading up to Yellowstone for the next leg of this itinerary.

Day 4: Arrive in Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Morning – drive to yellowstone, west thumb geyser basin.

It’s Yellowstone or bust! The Grand Teton portion of this itinerary is wrapping up as you pack up your car and road trip up to Yellowstone. Be prepared to see a whole new world in a very short distance on your Yellowstone trip. Ryan referred to Yellowstone as “extraterrestrial” or “something from another planet.” And, it’s true, it really has that feel.

Depending on where you camped it could take you anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to reach the Yellowstone south entrance. The drive is beautiful, hugging Jackson Lake with views of Mt. Moran. I made Ryan stop several times for photos. You also cross the Continental Divide.

On your way into the park, swing by the Grant Village Visitors Center to see the video about the famous 1988 Yellowstone fire that burned a third of Yellowstone— it helps you grasp the level of devastation Yellowstone faced, and why some areas look the way they do.

About 20 minutes after entering Yellowstone National Park and just a few minutes up from the Visitor’s Center, your first stop is going to be the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Personally, this is one of my favorite geyser basins in the Park due to the fact that it sits on the edge of Yellowstone Lake. That backdrop is something you won’t see anywhere else in Yellowstone. It’s also less crowded than some of the other geyser basins. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around here.

From West Thumb, you are going to head northeast, driving the big loop around Yellowstone in a counter-clockwise direction. Your next major stop is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. On the way, you can stop at Gull Point for another perspective of Yellowstone Lake, as well as Sulphur Cauldron and Mud Volcano. These are the park’s most acidic hot springs and are worth a quick stop along the way.

Finally, you’re probably going to want to stop and eat some lunch before the afternoon’s activities. There are several pretty places to pull off along the Yellowstone River.

Afternoon – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone is carved by the Yellowstone River and is where you’ll find Yellowstone’s Upper and Lower Falls. At 308 feet tall, I found the Lower Falls to be more impressive, but you should have time to check out both.

First you should drive down the South Rim. You can check out the Upper Falls Viewpoints before going to Artist Point. This is the furthest viewpoint of the Lower Falls, but being zoomed out lets you see the entire canyon and the river flowing through it below.

Next get back in your car, drive to the North Rim and park. Take the Rim Trail out to Lookout point where you can get a closer view of the Lower Falls and really see it’s magnitude.

Your last viewpoint I checked out was the Brink of the Lower Falls. This is a short steep set of switchbacks that drops 600 feet over 3/8 of a mile that is a bit of a doozy on the way back up. I brought my trekking poles to make the hike up a bit easier. The end point of this trail puts you right at the top of the Lower Falls where you can experience how powerful the falls really are. It’s misty and wet, and you can see right over the edge where the Falls go tumbling down. I thought it was worth the effort, but if you don’t like steep climbs, you should skip this.

Evening – Camp at Canyon Village

Your first campground for the Yellowstone portion of this road trip itinerary is Canyon Campground. Just like all of the campsites, you have to make reservations far in advance. If they don’t have any availability, you could also stay at Tower Fall (closed in 2024) or Slough Creek (a quieter experience). You should plan to stay at whatever campsite you get for 1 night since you’ll be moving again tomorrow.

Day 5: Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Optional Hike to Osprey Falls

Morning – lamar valley.

Early bird catches the worm when it comes to seeing wildlife in Lamar Valley and also avoiding the traffic that builds up on the road. While this means you’ll have to pack up your campsite early (like 5am or 6am early), I promise you’ll have a way better experience than if you roll in Lamar Valley at 10.

I once visited Lamar Valley in the afternoon, and traffic was crazy. Of course part of this that the bison walk in the road, and everyone has to stop their vehicles to avoid them, but you have a lot more ability to maneuver before there are cars everywhere.

Lamar Valley is THE place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. We literally saw hundreds (maybe thousands) of bison. We also saw elk and pronghorn. If you’re really lucky, you may also see bears and even wolves. We heard the best chance of seeing wolves was along Slough Creek, so we cruised up there, but didn’t have any luck.

After you’re done hanging with the animals, you’ll make the twisty drive over to Mammoth Hot Springs. There is food available there, as well as some picnic tables if you’re ready for lunch.

Afternoon – Hike to Osprey Falls

If you feel like you need to stretch your legs after spending all morning in the car, I really enjoyed the hike to Osprey Falls . It’s one of the lesser known trails in Yellowstone, located near Mammoth Hot Springs. I think we saw less than 6 people the entire hike.

It’s 7.3 miles roundtrip with 1,243 feet of elevation gain, making it a moderate to challenging hike. The first part travels through a flat grassy area. I will say I was a bit nervous here, as I read grizzly bears are common in this area. I had my bear spray on my hip ready to deploy if needed.

After 1.5 miles, the trail starts to gradually climb, gaining about 1,000 feet over 2 miles until you reach the base of the falls. At one section you hug the rim of a canyon, resulting in some pretty vast views. Plus, the waterfall was actually quite impressive, and we had it all to ourselves.

If you aren’t into big hikes or you are short on time, this is something you could skip.

Evening – Mammoth Hot Springs and Camp

After you wrap up your hike, the last adventure of the day is exploring Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the more unique geysers in Yellowstone. The water that pours over the hot springs has been in the ground for over 1,000 years and is responsible for all of the formations in the area as it cascades down. We went right before the sun went down and found the lighting to be very nice, and all of the people were gone for the day. It only takes about 30-45 minutes walk around here.

The most convenient place to camp tonight is going to be the Mammoth Campground or Indian Creek, which is where we stayed. If you are really feeling like you could use a shower and a bed, you could also book a room at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or head into West Yellowstone where there are lots of inexpensive motels.

Day 6: Old Faithful and Geysers Galore!

Morning – norris basin, lower geyser basin and grand prismatic spring.

By the end of today, I promise you are going to be totally geyser’ed out. There is of course more that you can see, but I’m going suggest what I consider to be the coolest geysers in Yellowstone. Most of these require a little bit of walking on a boardwalk, but none of it is too intense. Be patient when parking. These spots are popular and the parking lots can be a bit hectic.

First stop is Norris Basin, home to the hottest, oldest geysers in Yellowstone. There were some really pretty milky blue and emerald colored pools here. We spent about 1.5 hours walking around the two loops.

Next you’ll stop at the Lower Geyser Basin. My favorite hot spring here was Silex Spring. The color was an unbelievable shade of turquoise, and it was less than 100 yards from the parking lot.

Your final stop before lunch is Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the most beautiful geysers in the Park. For an even better view, take the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail up 200 feet where you can peer down and really see the contrast in the colors. Parking for the Overlook Trail is a couple minutes drive away at the Fairy Falls parking lot.

Afternoon – Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful

The last major stop on your road trip is the Famous Old Faithful. The first thing you should do when you arrive is check the schedule. The geyser erupts about every 65-90 minutes. There are signs everywhere in the area informing you of the next eruption. The viewing area is big, but it does get super crowded. So, I suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the eruption to secure a good viewing spot and earlier if you want to sit down.

If you have some time to kill, you can grab some food from the cafeteria, the bakeshop, or the dining area. There is also a picnic area near the East lot if you packed your own lunch.

Once you’ve seen Old Faithful erupt, follow the boardwalk around to explore the Upper Geyser Basin, which has the largest concentration of colorful hot pools in the world .

As the sun sets, for the final night of your Yellowstone Grand Teton road trip, head on over to the small town of West Yellowstone for a night at a local motel. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.

Day 7: Drive back to your starting point

Today your goal is to drive back to your starting point. I recommend booking a late flight so you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn and have plenty of time to drive to the airport without feeling stressed.

Have extra time?

If you have a couple extra days for your Grand Teton Yellowstone itinerary, here are some additional things to do:

Short on Time?

If you don’t have a full week for your Yellowstone Grand Teton itinerary, here is what I would cut out:

• Skip hiking to Osprey Falls in Yellowstone
• Skip Norris Basin and the lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone
• Skip the Death Canyon hike in Grand Teton

Frequently Asked Questions

Early summer through mid-fall is the best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Many of the roads close in winter making the sites inaccessible. The road between Grand Teton and Yellowstone also closes and doesn’t usually open until mid-May. September is my favorite month to visit. The Parks are way less crowded, you can usually snag a campsite, and the temperatures are still comfortable for camping. October is also beautiful with the fall colors, but the evening lows can be pretty chilly for camping, and the Jenny Lake boat shuttle usually stops operating at the end of September. That means if you want to hike Cascade Canyon, you’ll have to walk around Jenny Lake adding 4 miles to your hike. The most popular time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton is July and August. If you visit during these months, be prepared for crowded trails, full parking lots, and lines to get in and out of the Parks.

Unfortunately, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are not dog-friendly. In both Parks you can have your dog on a leash in the campground, but dogs are not allowed on any trails, boardwalks or beaches. Bringing your dog means you’re going to miss out on 98% of the activities in this road trip itinerary.

I created this 7-day Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary because I think that’s the amount of time that’s needed to experience the best things to do in both Parks. Doing it in less time than that means you’ll have to skip some of the major highlights. If you have fewer than 4-5 days total for your road trip including your drive to and from the Parks, I’d suggest choosing one Park to visit, rather than doing both. With that little time, you’d barely be scratching the surface trying to cram both Parks in. Pick one and come back another time for the other. If you have more than 7 days, you’ll still have plenty to do, allowing you to hike and explore some of the lesser known regions of the Parks.

Yellowstone is a much bigger park than Grand Teton, and driving through the Park takes significantly more time. My suggested week-long itinerary that combines the two Parks has you spending two full days in Grand Teton and three full days in Yellowstone.

No, you do not need reservations to enter Yellowstone and Grand Teton. There is also no timed entry system so you can enter and leave the Parks as you please. You do however need a reservation for the campgrounds or backcountry camping.

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Are you planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park road trip or have you been? Share your comments, questions, and experiences below .

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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138 Comments

Great itinerary! I do want to point out that for the Lake Solitude hike, it will likely be at least 15 miles like the external link says (it was 20 miles roundtrip for us without using the boat). There is a multi-year trail maintenance project in progress for the trail system at Jenny lake, and the detours may extend the route. I just thought I’d mention it because 10 is quite a bit less than 15-20 when it comes to hiking and it’s always good to be prepared. It’s definitely worth seeing though!

Thanks for clarifying Emily! I went ahead and updated the post to reflect the trail maintenance that’s going on up there.

I lived in the area near Jackson for 2 years and had some of my most memorable fishing moments there! This place is worth visiting, great itinerary.

I was just up there last week and got to spend some time on the Snake and Gros Ventre Rivers. Sooooo pretty! Jealous you got to live up there. Seems like a super fun place to spend some time in.

Could someone please let me know when the best time to visit the above parks would be? Would love to visit in 2016!! Great itinerary!!

The Tetons and Yellowstone will be best in June-October. The fall if you want to avoid the crowds.

I worked at Signal Mountain Lodge for 8 years and served many a plate of nachos so it was fun to see you mention it. This is a great itinerary. I would just add white water rafting in Jackson as a don’t miss.

Great addition Donna! Thanks for checking out the post and glad you liked it.

Yellow Stone is one of the next places on my traveling list. It looks super cool, I have always wanted to go!

Hopefully this post inspires you to plan that trip you’ve been dreaming about!

Planning a trip there now! Your post was so very helpful! I cannot wait to get there! Hope you get to the Great Smoky Mountains- awesome hiking there too!

Awesome Anna! Have fun and tell me how it goes.

Hey Kristin and Kim! Thanks so much for this awesome itinerary. Currently using it as inspiration for planning my own week-long adventure!

Annnnd sorry for COMPLETELY misspelling your name Kristen!

ha no worries holly! glad it was helpful!

Great info. I pinned it. We are planing on going to Yelowstone, Teton, and Glacier. Is May to early to visit? Will it be cold?

Some of the roads will still be closed in Yellowstone in May. Check this page for the latest info: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Hey Kristen! This is super helpful in trying to plan an upcoming trip sometime in July, so thank you. Can I ask what your thoughts are on solo hiking and travel through Grand Teton/Yellowstone?

I think you’d be fine, especially if you stick to popular trails. They do recommended bear spray in the Tetons, so i would definitely plan on carrying that with you when you are hiking. I also use a SPOT transponder when I hike alone: https://bearfoottheory.com/spot-gen3-review/

Kristen. Great info. – we are going late August into the beginning of September but we are staying in Jackson Hole and Bozeman not camping any suggestions?

I don’t have any suggestions for hotels, but I’d suggest you try Airbnb. I bet you can find some cool places.If you haven’t ever used Airbnb, you can get $30 off your first stay by signing up at my link: http://www.airbnb.com/c/kbor

Hi Kristen, We did our Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip based on your itinerary and had a blast! Thank you!

Do you have your hotel/lodging by each day you used with this itinerary?

I believe the author camped at the campgrounds described in the post.

I visited Teton / Yellowstone from Aug 13 to 20th with my family and followed this itinerary with little alteration. For instance, as we were not camping, we just stayed in hotels along the way. As we moved through itinerary, it became obvious that we should not alter our path much from what was suggested as most of it seemed to have purpose. For instance, being able to compare Death Canyon with Cascade Canyon or visiting Signal Mountain Lodge (we stayed there) for awesome views, nachos and blackberry margaritas (no huckleberry while we were there). In Yellowstone, besides the great sight recommendations, we also stuck with the little things such as Woodside bakery stop, Park Ranger Museum and map room in Mammoth. These were the type of things that were off the beaten path but well worth it. The suggestion to hike the Wapiti trailhead to see the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from the south side was also spectacular as was the suggestion to visit Lake Butte lookout (we almost didn’t do it, but reminded ourselves that Kim had not steered us wrong to this point). Here is the only minor alterations we made: – We added a trip to Jackson to look around and go white water rafting down the Snake River between day 1 and 2 instead of waiting until day 6 – We detoured in Mammoth to visit the boiling river which was a hoot (total time about 2 hours) All in all, this is one of the best itineraries I found anywhere and it was a huge help in planning our trip. Many thanks to Kristen for posting and Kim for writing.

Wow! Those pictures are incredible. I hope to be able to visit the Tetons soon. Thanks for sharing your trip!

Would you say March a bad time to visit?

Many of the roads will still be closed in March due to snow. This itinerary is a summer itinerary

This looks great! I know this is an old post, but if you see this – I’m trying to put together an itinerary for a large family trip to Jackson and Yellowstone. Not everyone in our party will be up for a 15 mile hike(small children and grandparents). Any thoughts on what we could cut out and what stays?

Bourbon thanks so much for your message! There are some great short paths that are excellent for children and grandparents alike, especially in Yellowstone! A majority of the major sights in Yellowstone are under 0.5 mile paths. There is a Jackson Hole Children’s Museum so make sure to check that out for the kiddos!

Just found your blog and it will be put to use! Thanks!

My husband and I are interested in a one week vacation from 5/27 to 6/3/17. We are in mid-50s and fairly active. We would be flying into Bozeman MT and check out a bit of Montana, we well as visit Yellowstone np and Grand Tetons. Can this be done in this short timeframe? Your recommendations for how to approach trip? We live on the east coast, so checking out the beauty and the uniqueness of the west is our goal.

Hey Barbara – If you are flying into Bozeman, I think your best bet would be to drive down through Big Sky and enter through West Yellowstone. Then go south on the loop once you reach Yellowstone and then exit back to Bozeman at the north end of the lake. You might be pressed to also visit Teton National Park too, but it depends how much hiking and exploring you want to do vs driving.

Hi Kristen, this is the best itenerary I’ve seen for the area, thanks for sharing! Would love your thoughts on how to approach if we are driving in from the east (coming from Wi). Trying to decide if we should start south in grand Tetons, or come in from the north and work our way down. But how to do the loop then? We would also like to add in rafting in Jackson (or elsewhere?) and possibly the rodeo in Cody? We can do 9 days, but just lost on how best to route everything out. Would love to hear your thoughts!!

Hi Stacie! Thanks for your support. I was super excited to share my itinerary for the Tetons & Yellowstone on Bearfoot Theory! That is so awesome to hear you are road tripping out west from Wisconsin. Are you visiting both the Tetons & Yellowstone? If so, I would do the Cody rodeo on your way in then do Yellowstone first, starting North at Mammoth Hot Springs and drive down to Old Faithful Inn then around to Canyon Village and then back down towards the Tetons and Jackson. You could also maybe make a game time decision based on the best weather for whitewater rafting! Feel free to drop me a person email if you want to discuss more options or even hop on the phone and discuss what you potentially could drop off the trip. The best part of your adventure though is then your drive back home from the Tetons will be a little bit different to stop! Sounds great! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Would love to hear how this goes- I am looking to plan a road trip from MN- with kids ranging in age from 4-16.

Just one tiny correction. The river that flows over the 2 falls and forms the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (I like it better than the other Grand Canyon), that river is the Yellowstone, The Snake is further south in Grand Teton. Really enjoyed the itinerary. Have been to Yellowstone and the Tetons multiple times, but discovered a new trail that we will try in October. Thanks

Thanks Mick for the correction! Great to hear you enjoy the parks! Happy adventuring!

This is great! We just got back from a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Teton and loved it. Unfortunately we didn’t have 7 days but still managed to see a ton.

Hi! Thanks so much for all the great info! I have been attempting to plan this trip forever, but have been overwhelmed with too many options! Ha! One question, how limited would we be if we had our dog with us? We really want to bring her, but know it can limit what you can do. Thanks!!!

Hey, Natalie! Great question–Kristen actually just hit Yellowstone for 5 days in her Sprinter with her dog, Charlie, so it is definitely possible! We are working on a post right now about traveling with your dog so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you know when the post is live. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry so it definitely does limit your experience in the park. There are numerous boarding and doggy day care places though in the small towns surrounding the park. Lots of options to consider to make the most of your trip for you AND your four-legged friend.

Hiya! We are doing a LONG road trip next month: Glacier (Sunday-Tuesday)–> Yellowstone (Chico HS: Tuesday-Friday) –>Teton –> Jackson–> SLC (fly out Monday) Do you have suggestions for coming “down” from Yellowstone and making our way to SLC? We don’t have anything nailed down once we leave Chico on Friday… Thanks in Advance! Lindsay

Hello Lindsay, thanks for reaching out. Not sure if you are speaking in terms of things to do or places to stay. In terms of things to do honestly, if you are leaving Yellowstone on Friday and heading through the Tetons & Jackson Hole to be in Salt Lake City by Monday you’ll be totally fine. You can easily spend a full day in the Tetons and another full day in Jackson Hole. Once in Salt Lake City if you have any extra time there are great hikes near Alta or you can also check out Park City, Utah. In terms of places to stay, I don’t have any stand out favorites but there are tons of options along that route. You could even look into a cute AirBnB.

Thank you so much for great info. Esp. like the idea of coming thru Victor Idaho, then returning difft route to SLC, where we would first arrive. Not BIG hikers, but my husband and i certainly could do the short route on Death Canyon Trailhead. You do not mention how to get back UP if we decide to go down to Lake. UT OH.Might catch us by surprise, and we cannot do an extensive trek. Good to know where to get margueritas, plus great view at Signal Mt. Lodge. Just starting to plan for trip in 2018. Thanks again for good details.

Have you personally taken the I80/89 route? I have been the other route in 2016. Both take you close to Bear Lake

Hi Melanie, this is Kim and I took the I80/89 route in 2015 when I visited the parks for the first time. I loved it.

Great itinerary! I’d add a soak in the Boiling River when you are at Mammoth. It’s the only hot spring in the front country where you are allowed to soak. You can also get into the Firehole River in one spot, but it’s bathtub temperature not hot :). As an FYI, it’s the Yellowstone River that flows through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, not the Snake River. That’s down in GTNP. I agree that the Fishing Bridge store is the best one in the park!

Thanks, Mel! We love these soaking spot recommendations! Will definitely check them out on our next trip through the park.

I live about an hour away from Yellowstone and go as often as possible! This was a great post and I would suggest this 7 day trip to anyone going to the Jackson Hole and Yellowstone! I will say this – There are still so many things that you should see if you have the time! For example, when exploring mammoth hot springs, take a short drive north to the Gardiner Entrance where you will get to see the Roosevelt Arch! It is really cool and you can get some iconic family pictures! Here is a article I wrote about the arch I think you will find it interesting! Article: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/john-f-yanceys-death-and-the-roosevelt-arch-/

Help! I am trying to plan a great trip for my family the summer of 2018. Having never done this I am a little overwhelmed by all of the options to chose from. Including what to see, where to stay and what activities to try. My plan is to fly into Rapid City SD. Spend one night and see the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Custer park. The next day travel to Devils Tower and then on into Red Lodge MT. (any advice on where we should stay (reasonably priced) and anything else we should see or do I would love to hear!) I want to take the north entrance into Yellow Stone from Red Lodge. From here I am at a loss!? Where should we stay, and how long? From YS I want to head down to GTNP and Jackson Hole. Again where to stay, see and do? I have 3 adult kids, and we would like some adventure. Any place we stay has to accommodate 5 people at a reasonable price. The plan is a 9-10 trip. Not trying to sound cheap but everything must be reasonably priced! I would love some advice 🙂

Hi Diane, have you checked out our lodging guide to Yellowstone? Here is the link: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Are you considering camping or potentially renting an RV? That would be the most reasonable option and there are some great options. When I plan long lengthy trips for a group I generally only pick 1-2 things at max to do/see a day, I find this makes it easier on me and allows time for things to be added to the list that we might discover. I haven’t been to Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, etc. so I can’t talk a lot about that area. I would plan to only do Badlands and Mt. Rushmore in one day, especially if you want to hike and explore Badlands–that is easily a full-day trip. Maybe you could do Devil’s Tower and arrive late to Red Lodge then head into the park the next morning. If you take the North entrance into Yellowstone, I’d stay near Canyon Village and spend one day doing the North Loop (we list plenty in this area to do for a full day in our itinerary) and then spend 1-2 nights in Grant Village before heading on to the Grand Tetons. Sounds like an incredible trip! Our itinerary has some great items for you to do and see. Feel free to email us @ [email protected] , if you have more questions or need support!

Hi Diane, It sounds like you will have a blast this coming summer! I have to agree with Kim with the places to stay- That article is well written and informative! When we take our kids to Yellowstone they love to go to Mammoth Hot Springs! There are a lot of fun things to do and see while you are there! Check out this article I wrote about the place: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/10-things-to-experience-during-your-next-trip-to-mammoth-hot-springs-in-yellowstone/ Have fun next summer!

We are planning a trip out in September. We have a 37 foot Class A. Would we have any troubles sticking to your itinerary using our camper? I am worried about narrow roads and dropoffs. Also, would you recommend towing a vehicle or are there car rental places in the area?

Hi Kristie, you’ll be fine on the roads in the park with a trailer that large. There are no car rental locations in the park but there are options in most major cities outside the park. I would consider towing a car.

Hi Kristen, Your itinerary and blog are great! What a resource! I’m starting my early planning for an early summer trip with my daughter (her first trip camping) where we will be flying from Hong Kong to either LA or SF and then likely up to Jackson. As time is limited can you advise: 1 . How many days do we need for Yellowstone and can we just drive through GTNP on way to Yellowstone (From JH) and if so how many days and where can we make first night camp. Eg our day 1 is your day 3? 2. Any recommended outdoor / camping stores in Jackson Hole as need to get (again) all my gears . Rentals possible? 3. Any recommendation where my wife might stay in hotel and we camp near by. She isn’t a camper but the little one wants to try out camping.

Hi Kelvin, thanks for reaching out! I would recommend at least three days for Yellowstone and at least one full day in GTNP. Check out our lodging post for lots of ideas on hotels that are literally steps away from some of the campgrounds: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Regarding gear, you should check out http://www.lowergear.com

Hi Kim, So for this itinerary, you rented your camping gear and rented a car?

Hi Jennifer! We did rent a car for this itinerary (from the Salt Lake City Airport) but we just flew with our camping gear, we didn’t rent any camping gear.

Hello, We are 2-3 families planning to visit Grand Teton and YSNP July 2018, coming from East coast, 7/8 nights, starting/finishing ,Jackson/SLC,, Could you please suggest Lodges and number of nights to book(DAY 1 to7) thank Anil

Hi Anil, check out our Yellowstone lodging guide: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/

This is the best itinerary I have read and I have read a lot ! Hubby and I are in our 60’s will be flying into Jackson in September. We have reservations at Lake Yellowstone and Canyon then on to the Tetons for two nights. Our first trip so I really appreciate all of the information. We will be coming in the South entrance , is there a link to which way we should start out ? Thank you for all of the info.

Hi Linda, so awesome to hear you are heading to Jackson this Fall. You’re going to love it. I started at the South entrance as well. You can take either route to loop all the way up and around.

I’ve convinced my husband to make this our one year anniversary trip in June. Unfortunately due to his work schedule we will be flying in on a Wednesday and Flying out on a Sunday. Anyone have recommendations for being able to stick to this itinerary best we can with a shorter stay? This is, by far, my favorite I’ve found thus far.

Great suggestions! We’re going this summer with our 3 kids, ages 3, 7 and 10. I saw the one suggestion about the Jackson Hole children’s museum – any other fun kid ideas? They’ll hike 1-2 miles, but there’s only so much hiking we can do… We’re staying in Colter Bay 2-3 days and are flying in and out of Idaho Falls. Looking for where else we should stay. Thanks!

Hey Katie! That is awesome to hear you are taking your kids to the Tetons! Check in with the National Parks regarding talks & programs geared towards kids for the time you are there. Every Wednesday & Saturday there is a rodeo in town–might be a fun night out! If you’re traveling in July there is also the County Fair to visit. Good luck with your trip!

Hi – We are from the East Coast and hoping to go to Yellowstone/Jackson Hole this August. Original thought was to fly into Billings or Bozeman and checking out Beartooth pass on the way into the park. Also looking to do some fly fishing. Any thoughts on how to adapt your itinerary by coming in from the North? Also on my initial list was Lamar Valley with hopes to see some wildlife at dawn. Is that something that should be reserved for another visit perhaps when the wildlife is more active in the spring? Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Ted, thanks for a great question! For coming in by the North you can easily adapt the itinerary. Day 4 on our itinerary, visiting Mammoth Hot Springs, would be your first day and then I would head to Yellowstone’s Canyon & Lake the next day (Day 5 on our itinerary). You could then circle back to do the Grant Village area the following day before heading to the Tetons where you’d just do our itinerary in reverse. Lamar Valley is 100% worth seeing, even if you don’t catch a glimpse of any wildlife it’s a beautiful area worth including.

Thank you Kim!

I have spent some summers in both parks. I like the itinerary you have for the week stay. If you ever get back you need to stop at Leeks Marina and go to Leeks Pizza a mile north of Colter Bay . Really, really good pizza with a great selection of toppings. Very good pasta also, you will love it. A great beer selection and a porch view of Jackson Lake and the Tetons. Did all the hikes you had listed. So much to see, you have picked some good ones.

what suggestions do u have for camping… are there places there to rent equipment or do people bring their own stuff on the airplane, we plan to stay at an airbnb for a few nights when we r outside the park but wanted the experience of camping for a night or 2 inside the park , any suggestions would be appreciated we are flying in salt lake city. plan on going to Grand Tetons for a day or two… then do Yellowstone for 3 or 4 and head back to SLC Thank you!!!!

Hi Jackie, I recommend packing your own gear for camping in the pack. Just pack the bare minimum that you’ll need to be comfortable. We are actually working on a gear rental blog piece so stay tuned! So great to hear you are heading to the parks!

I was wondering for Day 1 when you mentioned “Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance,” exactly which visitor center you’re referring to? I am planning my trip and want to follow your plan as closely as possible!

Hi Farheen, we are referring to the first Visitor Center when you enter. It is located at 1 Teton Park Rd, Moose, WY 83012 and is formally called the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

Can you tell me how many miles this trip is. I’m renting a camper van and need to know if we should purchase additional miles. Do you have any recommendations on where to rent a Camper Van?

Hi Liz, the entire trek from Salt Lake City airport to Yellowstone and back to the airport is at least 720 miles but with side trips and such I’d estimate about 800 miles to be safe. Have you checked out our post on the best places to rent camper vans? We have lots of great recs & ideas in there: https://bearfoottheory.com/campervan-rental-companies-us-road-trip/

Hey Kim, We are planning a trip out West this September leaving AL. on the 15th going to stop at MT. Rushmore 16th and then go to Yellowstone the 17th we’re staying there til the 19th then we thought about going to Teton and Jackson Hole then make our way to Cal. to Sequoia Nat. Park maybe stay there 2 days then thought about going to Las Vegas for the night then going to the Grand Canyon for 2 days then maybe Texas for 1 day then back to AL. Do you have any suggestions? We like seeing Wildlife. And is September a good time to come?

Hi Suzie, September is a great time for Yellowstone as long as snow doesn’t come too early! I would 100% allow time for Tetons; wildlife is abundant and it is breathtaking. Have you visited Yosemite before? Is there a reason you are leaving it out? Grand Canyon sounds amazing as well. Have you checked out our Ultimate Utah roadtrip itinerary of the National Parks? You might want to consider visiting one or two of those parks if it works within your schedule. https://bearfoottheory.com/utah-national-parks/ Zion generally has pretty good wildlife.

Thank you! I had the exact same question 🙂

Thank you for this wonderful and detailed itinerary! My partner and I have been planning to drive and hike around Yellowstone in June, but unfortunately I broke my ankle last week skiing 🙁 I should be out of the cast by June but likely not much of a hiker still. We are now trying to revise the plan to be primarily a driving trip with only light hiking/walking. Will you have a sense of which of the must-sees along the Yellowstone route will not be accessible without a substantial hike? We gotta return to Bozeman at the end of the trip, so we’ll likely be starting from there as well to make it a loop. Thank you for your insights – and thanks again for this travel guide which is obviously a labour of love!

Hi Mariya, this itinerary is still absolutely breathtaking without taking any of the dayhikes. Especially in Yellowstone there are numerous small paths that you can enjoy to really get a sense of the park. You can definitely see both parks without long day hikes/backpacking.

When we booked our trip to Grant Tetons/Yellowstone, I felt overwhelmed with the amount of things we wanted to see in our short 6 day trip, until I found this! AMAZING! I have a few questions… we will be coming from Salt Lake, stopping in Jackson for a day then heading into the parks. We will have 4 nights and 4.5 days to spend in the parks. How would you recommend shortening the trip a little? We were thinking 2 nights in the Grand Tetons, and 2.5 days spent hiking the Tetons. Then travel to Yellowstone midday our 3rd day, hit Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, and pitch camp at Canyon campground. Spend the most of the next day doing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Our last day in the park, going up to Mammoth Hot Springs before heading back to Salt Lake since we fly out very early the next morning (about an 8 hour drive). Do you think that sounds reasonable? Thanks in advance for your input!

Hey Frankie, you have done your research! Your trip sounds AMAZING! Honestly, I wouldn’t really change anything. I’d try on your first day to get there as early as possible to the Tetons to explore and honestly you might only need 2 days to explore the Tetons and then head on up to Yellowstone that way you’ll be building in some extra time in case you need it in Yellowstone or in case on your way back to SLC you decide to stop to see anything missed in the Tetons.

Hi all, We have booked our trip! Flying into Jackson Hole 7/31 and then flying out of Jackson on 8/8 We plan to follow the itinerary as closely as possible. The question i have is regarding the camping gear. would it be best to rent camping equipment from someplace local? Anyone with experience doing this? Thank you. Ted

This is Exactly what I Have been looking for quite some time. We plan on going to the Yellow stone National Park in the end of may this year. I have made my own itinerary covering Yellow Stone, Bad Lands and Mt Rushmore in 4 days. But, this coming from a person who has already been there should certainly help us. Thanks.

I am trying to plan my days for Yellowstone/Tetons. My wife and I will be with three of our children 12-14-16. We will be staying 3 nights in West Yellowstone and 5 nights in Jackson Hole. I am trying to figure out a plan to get the most out of our days with our launching points. Also we are interested in a good float for the family,more sight seeing than adventure but my 16yr old and I also want to do white water one day. Any advice would be appreciated!!

Hi Craig, sounds like you’re going to have a great time–those are awesome launching points and you’re set up for a good number of nights! I didn’t raft when I was there so I, unfortunately, can’t recommend a good vendor for rafting trips but personally, I utilize TripAdvisor and you might want to start there.

Thank you so much for this amazing, detailed, thorough itinerary! It is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Do you mind providing a list of what you guys packed? As far as camping/hiking gear etc? We are currently trying to decide on whether we want to do camping vs hotels/lodging due to the baggage fees on airplanes. If we do hotels/lodging, we could easily pack one carry on each which would save us $.

You bring up a really great point! I think if you did a cost comparison you’d find that camping is still less expensive even if you have to pay for 1 additional bag. We flew Southwest so we could each fly with 2 bags for free so we weren’t concerned about baggage fees. I think you’d be able to fit all your camping gear in one bag (I love the Patagonia Black Hole duffels and they work well for this situation). You really only need your tent, 2 sleeping pads & 2 sleeping bags. Those items for me all fit easily in a backpack and I traveled with my backpack and then put clothing in a rolling suitcase (carry-on size). I carried my trekking poles on the plane as well & we wore our hiking boots on the plane with flip-flops in our bag. Hotels are really expensive in the area so again I think you’d save more on camping. All of my camping gear is also lightweight & built for backpacking so it really depends on the quality/level of gear you have. We ate out so we didn’t pack any camping kitchen items. The only additional items we packed were headlamps.

Lotus cafe is closed.

Thanks so much, Sean, for the update. We are saddened to learn that.

Hi, Thanks for sharing, really helpful. We are planning to visit this August. We have made bookings and will stay first in Mammoth Frontier Cabin for 2 nights, then Canyon Lodge Western Cabin for 2 nights and in the end 3 nights in OF Inn Old House. Would you suggest how should be plan our visit as per the bookings we have made. Thanks !

Hi Ram! Nice job getting all those reservations; you’re going to have an incredible time. When you stay at Old Faithful that will be the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park (Day 1 & 2); that also is the best location for Day 3 on our itinerary. When you’re at the Mammoth Frontier Cabin you’ll want to focus on that area which is Day 4 on our itinerary. Day 5 will be best to accomplish when you are at the Canyon Lodge. If you’re wanting to visit Jackson at all you’ll also want to do that when staying at Old Faithful (but it is still a bit of a drive).

Hi Kim, We’re planning our first trip to Yellowstone, but will barely have 7 days to do it all. Plus, we’re not campers, so we’re looking at staying at the lodges in the park. Is your itinerary doable in 6 days? By the way, the header for your “Day 5” is missing above. Where does your “Day 5” begin? This page is great and full of great ideas. We plan on following it as best we can in the time we have.

Kristen and crew – I’ve been following your blog and instagram as I research camper van options. Love your posts!! I’m renting a sprinter from Venture Vans in May for a Yellowstone/Grand Teton 6 night trip. They want $100/day (not including camp fees) to assist. $600-700 seems like a lot for the itinerary, but I have not been before. I understand late-May weather can be iffy. Do you think I can follow this itinerary with a 4×4 144″WB that time of year? Camping where you suggest? Thanks so much! I appreciate any insights:) Lisa

Hi Lisa- It looks like no one here got back to you, but I think you will be fine in Late May. There has been a ton of snow, so you won’t necessarily be able to do all the hikes, and some of the campgrounds in Yellowstone might not be open yet, but the one near Mammoth should be great (It’s my favorite and we usually spend mother’s day weekend there). May is great for seeing baby Bison, and it shouldn’t be too crowded. 🙂 If you are headed to Jackson, check out this post too: myoffpistelife.com/tips-for-exploring-jackson-hole-and-grand-teton-national-park/

Great article, enjoyed reading it, especially the way you divided your trip day by day made it a much more interesting and easier read.

Copying the Yellowstone portion of this itinerary except in reverse! Canyon Village lodging was only available if I went their first and then to West Yellowstone and back down to Old Faithful area. Hope it still works well in reverse but I’m so excited 🙂

am planning on visiting grand tetons and yellowstone later this month with a group of 11- adult children in their 20’s and their parents. Renting an airbnb just outside the parks. Do you recommend any particular books for the area with hiking trails and information? Will try to follow your itinerary somewhat but will be staying in Jackson hole for part of the week and at the west gate of Yellowstone for part of the week. Thanks. Any suggestions? Ruth

Do you have an recommendations on where to stay with your group of 11?

We travel back to Texas from Alaska every summer and this year had hoped to come back for a week in Yellowstone and the Tetons in September. With life a bit unsettled now, we aren’t making definite plans, but if it works out we can hopefully use this plan from north to south, and find accommodations for our trailer. Last year we came back through Glacier National Park and had a magical trip.

It is hard to make plans right now, hopefully things settle down by the time September comes around. This itinerary will be here when you’re able to head out there! All the best from the Bearfoot Theory team 🙂

Thanks for all of these tips! We are going to be spending a month in Jackson, WY this September and can’t wait to see the Tetons and explore Yellowstone!

Nice, enjoy and travel safe! Thanks for reading 🙂

We followed a lot of recommendations from Bearfeet Theory on our visit to Yellowstone. It was the the first tie I had been and this was helpful. I suggest that you make the trip there interesting as well with fun stops along the way and also that you create video clips and edit them together to remember the whole adventure. We came from San Diego and had so much fun. Check out my video for some ideas… https://youtu.be/fEEA6r7DX4s

Glad you found this blog post helpful! Thanks for reading and for sharing your video. Looks like you guys had a great trip 🙂

We did! Thanks for the helpful post!

Excellent video of a great road trip. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! My kids watch it over and over…we just got back from another roadtrip and I have started to put the new video together this week. Subscribe to my channel and hit the notification bell to be notified when it comes out.

Headed to Jackson next week. So thankful I found your itinerary! Would this itinerary be your choice with all the smoke in the area?

Glad you found it helpful! We can’t speak to the current situation out there, but I’d recommend looking up fire maps and smoke/air quality maps for the area before deciding if it’s safe to head that way. Best of luck!

In visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, one os the 10 most scenic drives in the West, per National Geographic magazine was missed. That is the 255 mile loop to the west of the mountain range. It goes from Jackson Hole across scenic and beautiful Teton Pass to Victor Idaho. Then North on Hwy 33 to Tetonia, seeing the quaint western Town of Driggs and passing two breweries and Grand Teton Distillery. Stop for samples of Huckleberry bodka and award winning whiskeys. Then further north through Mesa Falls and Island Park where there is great fishing at Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. You end up at the West Hate of Yellowstone where you can enter the Park and loop around both upper and lower falls, pinic along the river and then bisit the lidge at Olf Faithful before heading south again through Grand Teton Park and exiting the South Gate back to Jackson. The Loop can be easily done in a day with lots of activities and magnificent views of both sides of the mountains all day.

That sounds like a fun and scenic loop. Thanks for the tip, Jennie!

My son and I visited the park last August [2020) . This would have been a great itinerary but there were road closures for mud slides, an overturned tanker, fires and road construction. The road from Canyon Village to the Tower was closed foe construction and maybe again this year. Be sure to check road closures when making your plans. We had foe days in the park and saw amazing sites including a day of snow (yes in August) . Be prepared for traffic at all the major attractions and parking. And remember a bison parade can stall your plans as they have the right of way.

Just planned a trip with our 4 adult children for this June. First time to JH area & very excited but feeling a bit overwhelmed with how/where best to drive vs hike vs raft, etc. Staying in Teton Village. Will be using this itinerary for many tips!! Can’t thank you enough for sharing; any other tips from anyone would help!

Sounds like it will be a great family adventure!

We are planning a trip this July to Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. We will be coming from the east. Should we start in GT or Yellowstone? We also would like to know the best place to rent a VRBO? Do we rent in between the two parks? Is it doable to have an in between point or just move lodging to be closer to each park?Also, is Glacier doable if we only have about 8 days for entire time out there? Would love to do the Road to the sun road trip. I have lots of questions, this is a huge trip with so many options! Your itinerary is extremely helpful.

The two parks are about three hours apart, so it’s probably best to enjoy one before heading over to the other. Which one you start with really depends on which route you coming in on from the East (rt 14 or 26). Glacier would be a lot to add to an 8-day trip, maybe keep that one for next summer!

Hello we are planning a trip this June We will be flying into Vegas, hoping to visit Hoover dam, west rim of Grand Canyon, visiting Zion NP, Bryce NP. What would be best route to go to Arches, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone from Bryce We will be flying back home from Salt Lake City.

The fastest way from Bryce to Arches would be Rt 70, but you could also take Rt 12, which would pass by Capitol Reef National Park

Thanks! Great itinerary. We are planning to visit Yellowstone and GTNP this summer coming from ND. We want to go to the rodeo in Cody also. Where would be the best place to add that stop?

Since Cody is closer to Yellowstone, it probably makes sense to tack it on at the end if you plan on following this itinerary.

Is it possible to make this 7 day trip yet only stay at two locations? I’m not sure I want to pack up my family of 6 every day. Are there central cities that we could find lodging that you would recommend (to eliminate as much repeat driving as possible?

You could stay definitely at one place within or near each Park and explore them individually. Jackson Hole is the largest town near Grand Teton and Yellowstone has nine different lodges within the park.

We are planning a 7 day trip leaving Florida on August 16th to visit both parks beginning in SLC..Both of us are looking for recommendations on economical/budget hotels during the trip as we will be enjoying the scenery from our rental car. We love to take walking trips and plan to do so when the trails are available and noted. Any advise would be helpful.

This itinerary is awesome!! If you only had one day at Grand Teton, how would you alter the itinerary? Your help is much appreciated!!

It really depends on what you’re interested in. If you want great scenery and don’t mind some crowds, the Death Canyon Trail is stunning and the Visitor Center is a great intro to the park, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to explore it. But if you prefer to get off the beaten path a bit, heading to the other side of Jenny Lake offers more hiking opportunities and more of a backcountry feel if you hike up to Lake Solitude. Both days are great, it just depends on what you’re looking for!

We are planning a Yellowstone/ Grand Teton trip this fall. Fly into Cody on Sept. 25. Will spend that night in Cody and last night in Cody on Oct 3, fly out on the 4th.We were thinking 4 nights Yellowstone and three for Grand Teton but having trouble deciding which park first and how to divide our nights. Do we come in the northeast entrance and out the east entrance? Would two nights in west Yellowstone then two in canyon, one in Colter and two in Jackson make sense? Or one in Gardiner, one west Yellowstone, 2 Canyon? Or in east entrance and down to grand Teton first? We are so confused not knowing the area at all!

Hi Christina, you could follow this 7-day itinerary by entering Yellowstone from Cody, but instead of going to Jackson at the end of the trip, head back to Cody via rt. 20. If you want to break up the drive, Boyson State Park could be a great stop.

Hi! On Day 2, as opposed to camping, what alternative lodging do you recommend?

Signal Mountain Lodge would be a great choice with beautiful views.

My husband and I did a 12 day road trip through SD/WY/MT/ND 3 years ago and did not spend anywhere near enough time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve talked about going back to specifically spend the whole time in those 2 places. This itinerary is exactly what we need to make that trip. Guess we’ll start planning for 2023!

Hi Margaret, we’re so glad you found this itinerary helpful! Agreed that Yellowstone/Grand Tetons are magical places – glad to hear you’re planning a return visit 🙂

We are planning an 8 night round trip for Yellowstone/Tetons from Bozeman in early September and I am trying to pin down our route. We arrive late the first night and will stay in Bozeman or Big Sky. I think we are too late for reservations in the park, so here are my preliminary thoughts on a route:

Night 1 Bozeman or Big Sky Night 2-4 West Yellowstone Night 5-6 Jackson Night 7 Cody Night 8 Gardiner Day 9 Depart Bozeman

On the drive from Cody to Gardner I was thinking entering northeast entrance of Yellowstone and seeing Lamar Pass and some of the other northern sites along the way. Any thoughts or suggested adjustments to this route?

Hi Mark, unfortunately the person who wrote this guide no longer writes for us, and I haven’t been to the Tetons/Yellowstone (yet!). Best of luck on tripping planning and enjoy!

Planning on doing this itinerary next month. If starting early in the mornings what time will you typically be done? Trying to decide if we have room to plan anything in the mornings or afternoons.

Hi Tasha, this was written by a former Bearfoot Theory writer so I’m not sure how many hours per day the itinerary includes. Sorry about that!

KIm We are going in and out of Jackson hole…can I use this itinerary and how can I print it

• Post published: July 28, 2020
• Post category: USA

The Ultimate 3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary

Looking to plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park but finding it overwhelming to plan your Yellowstone itinerary? I got you!

Yellowstone National Park is amazing and unique. From colorful geothermal pools, powerful waterfalls, and green valleys filled with wildlife, the park has so much to offer.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you book through my links, at no extra cost to you.

Yellowstone National Park is HUGE and there is so much to see and do. It’s best to have at least 4 days in Yellowstone, but if you are short on time (like I was) you can still see a lot of the highlights in 2-3 days. Keep reading to plan your trip with my 3-day Yellowstone itinerary!

SEE ALSO: The Best 3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary

Yellowstone Trip Overview

• PTO/Vacation Days Needed: 1-2
• Entrance Fee: $30 per car (but if you’re planning on visiting multiple national parks this year, I recommend buying the annual national parks pass for $80!)

Before we get to my Yellowstone itinerary, here’s some important info about the park:

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

The best time to visit Yellowstone is in the summer, when all the roads are open and the weather is warm. (A lot of the roads close in the winter when it snows). July and August are the most popular months to visit, but these are also the most crowded months. I recommend going in June or September for the shoulder season.

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

Unless you’re lucky enough to live driving distance to the park, flying to an airport near Yellowstone and then renting a car is your best bet. There are a few options:

• Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – the closest airport to the park, just 3 miles from the West Entrance. Flights to this airport can be expensive since it is so small, and normally connect through SLC.
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) – the second closest airport in Cody, Wyoming that is 55 miles from the East Entrance. Also will likely be expensive since it’s a smaller airport.
• Bozeman Airport (BZN ) in Montana – this is the airport we flew in to. There are direct flights from LAX. It’s only about an 1.5 drive to the North Entrance, or 1 hour and 45 minutes to the West Entrance
• Jackson Hole (JAC) in Wyoming – This airport is located about 1 hour from the South Entrance
• Billings Airport (BIL) in Montana – located about 1.5 hours from the Northeast Entrance

If you’re looking to do a trip to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, I recommend flying to/from different airports and getting a rental car for one-way drop-off. For instance, we flew into Bozeman and drove through Yellowstone for a few days, heading south into Grand Teton National Park, and then flew back from Jackson Hole Airport. I recommend booking your rental car through RentalCars.com for the best selection!

Pro tip: Buy this guided audio tour ahead of time so you can listen to it in the car and learn about the sites you are seeing!

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

You can either book a campground or lodging inside the park, or stay in one of the towns right outside of Yellowstone! Check out the options:

Best Lodging Inside Yellowstone National Park

If you’re looking for lodging inside Yellowstone National Park, note that you’ll often need to book about a year in advance (they book up quickly!) However if you are on top of it and planning your trip that far out, here are some of the best lodging options:

• Old Faithful Inn – the most famous lodge in the park, built in 1904 out of local stone and logs!
• Old Faithful Lodge Cabins – if you aren’t able to get a spot at OF Inn but still want to be in that area, this is another good option
• Canyon Lodge – one of the newer lodges in the park, located near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

You can check out all the Yellowstone National Park lodges at the Yellowstone website .

Best Lodging Near Yellowstone National Park

If you are planning your trip to Yellowstone more last minute and there is no availability to stay inside the park, there are still some great options in the towns just outside the park!

Best Place to Stay in West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone is your best bet for looking for a place to stay near the park, as this town is only 3 miles from the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The Explorer Cabins have rave reviews, and would be a great option if you have multiple people on your trip and need more room to spread out.

If you want to try glamping, check out Under Canvas Yellowstone to sleep under the stars, but with the comforts of home! I stayed at their Moab location when I spent 2 days at Arches National Park and it was awesome.

There are also come great VRBOs in the area, like this cute cabin that is located walking distance from the park entrance!

Best Place to Stay in Gardiner

Gardiner, MT is another great option for a town to stay in that is super close to Yellowstone National Park – only 1 mile from the North park entrance! I highly recommend staying at the Yellowstone Riverside Cottages . They cottages are super cute, have a beautiful view of the river, and are conveniently located!

If you do end up staying in Gardiner and have more than 3 days in Yellowstone, consider booking this half-day whitewater rafting trip ! The tour leaves from Gardiner and takes you to a remote part of the Yellowstone river. It looks awesome and has great reviews!

Camping at Yellowstone National Park

There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park, and 5 of them take reservations. I always recommend ones that you can reserve, so you don’t have to stress about finding a spot once you arrive.

Madison Campground is the most centrally-located campground you can reserve at Yellowstone National Park. It is a crowded campground, but if you get a site on the edge of the loop you have more space. The campground is also close to a river that is great for fly-fishing!

For my trip, I booked two nights at Madison Campground because it is centrally-located to most of the sights in the park, and then booked Grant Village campground for the third night as it was on the southern end of Yellowstone National Park and we were driving to Grand Teton National Park from there.

If you want to camp but also want the comforts of home, renting a campervan is a great option! My favorite campervan company is Travellers Autobarn . Their vans have a stove, microwave, fridge and sink, and can sleep 3 people inside of it. Also, they have unlimited miles which is something that most campervan companies don’t offer! You can pick up the van at their location in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Las Vegas.

If you aren’t able to book a campsite in the park, download the Dyrt Pro app for a map of all the free campsite options available in the surrounding area!

3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary

Yellowstone itinerary: day 1.

• Lamar Valley
• Undine Falls
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Boiling River
• Norris Geyser Basin

Any trip to Yellowstone National Park will require a lot of driving – the park is HUGE and most of the best sites to see do not require hiking more than a mile to get there. The first day of your Yellowstone itinerary is no exception – be prepared for a lot of driving on this day! The good news is that the drive is SUPER scenic, though.

Also, be prepared for random traffic jams caused by Bison crossing the street! You’ll always know if there is some sort of wildlife ahead if you see a bunch of cars stopped.

Stop 1: Lamar Valley

Kick off your trip by heading to Lamar Valley – one of the furthest spots in the park, but worth the journey! It will take you a little under 2 hours to reach Lamar Valley from the Madison Campground/West Yellowstone area. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see wildlife in Lamar Valley, which is what most people come to this spot for.

Once you reach Lamar Valley, keep an eye out for Bison, Elk, Pronghorn Antelope (the fastest land animal in the world!) and Bears! We saw all of these amazing animals during our afternoon spent in Lamar Valley.

I recommend packing a lunch with you, and finding a nice spot in Lamar Valley to get out and have a picnic (with a view!). Just make sure to keep a safe distance from wildlife.

Stop 2: Undine Falls

On your way back from Lamar Valley, make sure to stop by Undine Falls for a quick look! It’s beautiful!

*Note – I had planned to also stop at Calcite Springs and Tower Falls on the road from Lamar Valley to Mammoth Hot Springs, however both were closed with the maintenance of the road that completes that loop. If it’s open when you go, I’ve heard those are both good stops as well!

Stop 3: Mammoth Hot Springs

Next up – stop at Mammoth Hot Springs to check out the unique limestone travertine formations. It sort of looks like the inside of a cave! Note – these are NOT the kind of hot springs you can swim in. This spot can get pretty crowded, as it’s one of the most popular sites in the park. Try to avoid peak times if possible!

Stop 4: Boiling River

Contrary to Mammoth Hot Springs, Boiling River IS a spot where you are able to get in the water! It’s also a bit lesser-known of a spot, so hopefully you’ll be able to avoid some of the crowds here. It’s just a 5 minute drive away from Mammoth Hot Springs.

Unfortunately, the access to Boiling River was closed when we were visiting, but I’ve heard that soaking in the river is an amazing experience!

Stop 5: Norris Geyser Basin

Fun fact – 60% of the world’s geysers are located in Yellowstone National Park. There’s over 10,000 hydrothermal features located in the park, such as geysers, mudpots, hot springs, fumaroles and travertine terraces (lots of oozing, weird-smelling, colorful, bubbling good-ness!) On your way back to your lodging in the West Yellowstone area, make sure to check out the Norris Geyser Basin, one of several geyser basins in the park.

At Norris Geyser Basin there are two different areas: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. We walked through Porcelain Basin – an open area with a boardwalk running through it for a 3/4 mile loop around many colorful, bubbling thermal features. Back Basin is a 1.5 mile walk through a more wooded area scattered with geo thermal features.

Yellowstone Itinerary: Day 2

• Old Faithful
• Upper Geyser Basin
• Grand Prismatic Spring
• Firehole River

First Stop: Old Faithful

Old Faithful is probably the most famous landmark of Yellowstone National Park. Named for its frequent and predictable eruption, this geyser erupts every about every 75 minutes. Each eruption lasts about 1-5 minutes and shoots about 140 feet in the air!

Download the Yellowstone National Park app to track the geyser eruption times, and plan to arrive about 15-20 min early to get a good spot to watch. There are benches out front of the geyser so you can sit and wait. I recommend arriving before 10am to beat the crowds (although you can expect this site to always be more crowded than others in the park!)

Stop 2: Upper Geyser Basin

After (or before, if you get there early enough!) seeing Old Faithful erupt, walk around the boardwalks in the area to check out the other geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin area.

Stop 3: Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is one of those spots that look just as awesome in real life as it does in pictures! The bright rainbow colors of this spring are simply amazing. You can view the Grand Prismatic Spring from above and from ground level. I highly recommend doing both!

Grand Prismatic Spring from Above:

To get an aerial view of the Grand Prismatic Spring, park at the Fairy Falls trailhead and hike about 3/4 mile to the overlook point. The Fairy Falls trail the continues on to a waterfall, for a 5.4 mile rt hike. We just went to the Grand Prismatic Overlook for the sake of time.

Seeing the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring from above is amazing!

Grand Prismatic Spring from Ground Level

After you finish your short hike from the Grand Prismatic Overlook at Fairy Falls, hop back in your car and drive a mile up the road to the Grand Prismatic Spring parking area. The parking lot will likely be full, but you can park on the street instead. Follow the boardwalk around other impressive geothermal features (like the bright blue pool below) before you reach the Grand Prismatic Spring!

It’s awesome being right next to it and feeling the steam come off the spring. The steam itself even looked to be rainbow at some points!

Stop 4: Firehole River

Firehole River (along with Boiling River mentioned earlier in this itinerary) is one of the 2 spots where you can swim at Yellowstone National Park. After your afternoon spent exploring Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, stop by the Firehole River to take a relaxing dip!

Yellowstone Itinerary: Day 3

• West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Kayak Lake Yellowstone
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – Artist Point
• Hayden Valley

Stop 1: West Thumb Geyser Basin

Kick off the last day of your Yellowstone itinerary by checking out West Thumb Geyser Basin. It’s a great spot to go to for sunrise if you like to get up early! This geyser basin is unique from the others on this list because they you can see Lake Yellowstone in the background. It looks beautiful!

Stop 2: Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America. The water is cold year round (41 degrees F!) so I don’t recommend swimming in it, however there are kayak rentals near the lake if you want to get out on the water!

Stop 3: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

About an hour north of West Thumb Geyser Basin, you’ll reach Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – one of my favorite spots in Yellowstone National Park! This area is absolutely beautiful.

I recommend first stopping at Artist Point on the South Rim to get a view of the huge Yellowstone Waterfall flowing between the canyon.

Next, head to the North Rim to Lookout Point for an even closer look at the waterfall. (Seriously – the waterfall is so epic that it deserves a look from both the South and North rims!) At Lookout Point, you can either take the walkway to the top, or take a switchback trail down to get an even closer look. I took the switchback trail about half-way down to get this shot:

Stop 4: Hayden Valley

Stop by Hayden Valley from anywhere between 5-7pm for a chance to see wolves! It’s definitely not as common as seeing Bison in Lamar Valley, but if you are looking to see a wolf during your time in Yellowstone, this is the place to see them. We watched for about 30 minutes in that time range and didn’t see any, but you may get lucky!

Yellowstone Packing List

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• REI Joule Sleeping Bag (this is the one that I have and I love it)
• Inflatable Sleeping Pad (this is the one that I use)
• Portable Rocking Chair (This thing is AWESOME!)
• REI Flexlite Chair – low profile camping chair that’s a big space-saver
• The COLDEST Water Bottle (seriously – stays colder than Hydroflask or Yeti!)
• Decathlon 2-Second Tent (I love this one – it’s super easy to setup and you can sleep longer because of the blackout material)
• Hiking Boots (These are my favorite!)
• Camping String Lights (these are the ones I have and I love them!)
• Travel Towel
• Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (I bring this on EVERY camping trip. It packs up small and keeps you warm!)
• Sunski Polarized Glasses
• Camping Cooler
• Portable phone charger
• Cliff Bar Energy Chews (love these things for a boost of energy!)
• Kuhl Softshell Pants – These are my favorite pants to wear hiking or camping when the weather gets chilly!
• Periscoping Roasting Sticks – these come in handy when you want to roast smores or hot dogs over the fire!
• Camping Grill – this is the one I have, and I love it!

Pro tip: I always love bringing SaladPower pouches on my camping trips so that you can easily get a full serving of veggies even when you’re on-the-go or in the middle of nature!

Other Important Notes for your Yellowstone Trip

• You will not have cell service in most of the park. I recommend downloading the app called map.me and pre-downloading the Wyoming map so you can use the map/directions (like you would Google Maps) without having cell service. I use this for most of my trips!
• Bring binoculars! This is the best way to see wildlife
• Stay a safe distance away from wildlife!
• Splurge for a nicer rental car. If there was ever a time to upgrade your rental car for something more spacious/nicer – this is it! You definitely spend a lot of time in the car at Yellowstone
• There are markets located in the main sections throughout the park (Old Faithful, Grant Village, Madison, Canyon) where you can get gas, firewood, ice, and snacks, and other goods

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This post has 14 comments.

Thanks for the tips, as always!

Woah, this is so nice and thorough! Thank you so much! I was wondering if you could give a rough estimate of how much you walked/hiked each day in total. Each of us visiting next August is at very different fitness levels, so it will be good if everyone can keep up (or if it’s not enough for some). Thank you so much!

So glad my post was helpful! Yellowstone is one of those parks where there is little hiking required to see the sites. All the spots included in my post are less than a mile of hiking/walking. However, the neighboring park of Grand Teton is full of long hikes (in case anyone in your group is looking for that). Hope that helps!

Hi there, I followed your plan almost to a T and it worked out perfectly. My kids and I had a wonderful time at Yellowstone and beat most of the crowd during the busy 4th July weekend. Thank you for sharing your insight!

Awesome! I love to hear that. So glad you guys had a great time!

Hello, thank you for your detailed post. I’m wondering if I can take my sons stroller? He loves to walk, run, hike etc but at times wants to just chill in his stroller. Are most places stroller accessible?

Hi! Yes, most of the main spots in Yellowstone are stroller-accessible, as far as I remember!

So so thank you for this awesome itinerary. We followed it through and saved so much time, headache and effort. The best itinerary we’ve seen of Yellowstone yet.

Ah that’s great to hear! So glad it was helpful. Hope you had an awesome trip!

Hi Lauren thank U so much for all the information its greatly appreciated! Do u know of any sites that have discounts planes, hotels, rentals etc.

I normally just use Google Flights to buy my flights. You can set up a tracker to notify you if the prices dip. I also take advantage of my credit card points (Chase Reserve) and use points to buy flights + lodging, which is a great way to save money!

Where’s the best place to spend the night between each day in Yellowstone?

Hi! I listed a few specific recs in the blog post, but I recommend either staying at a lodge or campsite inside the park, or at a hotel just outside the park in West Yellowstone. When I went, I stayed 2 nights at Madison Campground because it is centrally-located, and then the third night at Grant Village campground since we were on our way to Grand Teton after. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for this itinerary. Any binoculars that you could recommend?

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Amazing 3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary | Ultimate Travel Guide

Dotted with lots of geothermal wonders, frolicking wildlife, and breathtaking natural scenery, Yellowstone National Park will leave you in awe. From admiring bubbling hot springs to hiking trails that end at cascading falls, this 3-day Yellowstone itinerary has got you covered.

Enjoy tons of fun things to do in Yellowstone , including learning about its history and how it became the first national park in the world. This in-depth guide details everything you’ll need, from when to visit Yellowstone National Park to where to stay during your trip and more.

Now, enough small talk; let’s dive into what this magnificent park has in store for you!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

YELLOWSTONE National Park

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• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park | 20 Top Hiking Trails 
• Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park 2024 Guide

Map Of Yellowstone Itinerary

A Complete Yellowstone 3-Day Itinerary

Whether you’re looking for scenic drives and hiking trails to marvelous geothermal features or keen on spotting the frolicking wildlife, these 3 days in Yellowstone have got you covered.

Here’s the ultimate itinerary for an unforgettable three days in Yellowstone National Park.

Day 1 of Your Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Day one of your Yellowstone itinerary kicks off with a bang, taking you from a soothing waterfall to one of the park’s most iconic attractions and a couple of hidden gems.

Hike to Lewis Falls

• Distance: 0.12 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 29 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Nestled along the Lewis River, close to the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, these cascading falls offer a serene setting ideal for nature photography and relaxation. Tall cliffs speckled with lush trees frame the falls, creating exceptional views.

This short 0.12-mile out-and-back trail is considered moderately challenging but easily doable in just under 10 minutes. The trail begins off South Entrance Road. Cross the bridge and head west toward the falls. Be sure to bring a good camera to capture the pretty scenes.

Admiring Lewis Falls is undoubtedly the most popular activity; however, fishing and camping are also great ways to spend time here. Lewis River is abundant with fish like brown and brook trout, so after marveling at the falls, you can easily go fishing along the river. 

Marvel at the West Thumb Geyser Basin

• Distance: 1 mile loop
• Elevation Gain: 62 feet
• Difficulty: Easy

Tucked along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the West Thumb Geyser Basin is an excellent place to witness the park’s incredible geothermal activity. These hot springs and colorful pools offer unparalleled views, with a surreal landscape against the backdrop of lush forests.

Considered relatively easy to complete, this one-mile loop trek takes you through several pools and geysers, like the Fishing Cone, the Abyss Pool, and the Black Pool. Walk along the boardwalk trails, admiring the hot springs as you weave around the basin in a loop.

Before heading off to your next stop, visit the West Thumb Information Station to learn more about the area’s geothermal activity. You’ll find a park store, as well as a couple of public restrooms in the parking lot. 

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Stop by the mud volcano.

Accessible via Grand Loop Road, the Mud Volcano area boasts a series of boiling mud pots and steaming vents welcoming you with otherworldly sights and smells. The bubbling mud and steam create an eerie atmosphere as the pungent odor of rotten eggs rises to the skies.

This area is undeniably home to some of the most unique things to see when visiting Yellowstone National Park. The acidic mud pots in the area are due to a limited water supply. Some microorganisms use hydrogen sulfide as an energy source, converting the gas into sulfuric acid that breaks down the rock into wet clay mud and gives it a horrendous smell.

Keep in mind that when exploring this area, you should always stay on the boardwalk or the designated viewing areas. Do not run, push, or shove, as contact with the hydrothermal water can lead to severe burns. If you’re visiting with children, always keep them supervised.

Explore Hayden Valley

Set along the Yellowstone River, Hayden Valley is centrally located in the national park and is a fantastic place to go wildlife spotting. The wide-open grasslands, winding Yellowstone River, and distant mountain ranges in the background create a conducive environment for the animals.

This area is historically significant as it was a hunting ground for Native American tribes and later settlers, which makes sense considering the roaming wildlife. While driving through the picturesque valley, keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, and occasional grizzly bears.

Hayden Valley is the perfect spot for birdwatching. The area sees a lot of ducks, waterfowl, Canadian geese, and pelicans lounging or splashing around in the Yellowstone River.

Day 2 of Your Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Day two of your Yellowstone itinerary takes you to some of the most famous erupting geysers in the national park. You’ll also get to see a couple of cascading waterfalls.

Visit Old Faithful Geyser

Situated in the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful is surrounded by other colorful thermal pools and geysers set against the lush backdrop of the Teton Range. Old Faithful is one of the most predictable geysers in the world, giving you easy access to an eruptive show. 

The Old Faithful Geyser Observation Deck is visitor-friendly, boasting ample seating to sit and admire the spectacle. You’ll find an impressive visitor center with a museum, a store, and restrooms. It’s also within walking distance from the ranger station and Old Faithful Inn.

To catch the next eruption of Old Faithful Geyser in all its glory, keep an eye on the timer in the visitor center, which tracks and tries to predict the next eruption time, length, and height. 

Explore the Thermal Pools at Biscuit Basin and Black Sand Basin

Experience the rest of Yellowstone’s beautiful Upper Geyser Basin by exploring these two kaleidoscopic thermal pools. Both are just a skip away from the Old Faithful Geyser. These basins are tastefully surrounded by lots of walkable boardwalks and lush vegetation.

Although it’s small, the Black Sand Basin features a number of vibrant thermal features, like the Emerald Pool, Cliff Geyser, and Rainbow Pool. This breathtaking basin gets its name from the dark rock, obsidian, which forms when lava cools down too quickly.

After marveling at the Black Sand Basin, head over to Biscuit Basin for a fun continuation of stunning natural scenery. Explore the Biscuit Basin via a short 0.6-mile lollipop loop trail that traverses through fascinating hydrothermals like Jewel Geyser and the iconic Sapphire Pool.

Visit Grand Prismatic Spring (See Both Viewpoints)

Ranked as the largest hot spring in the United States, Grand Prismatic Spring is undeniably one of the most spectacular sights to see in Yellowstone. Set in the Midway Geyser Basin, the hot spring boasts rainbow-colored hues vividly contrasting the surrounding landscape.

Views of the Grand Prismatic Spring are truly captivating from up close and from an elevated point. You should definitely try seeing the hot spring from both viewpoints. First, hike the Midway Geyser Basin Trail Loop, passing Excelsior Crater, Opal Pool, and Turquoise Pool.

The second way to admire this natural wonder is at the Grand Prismatic Overlook. Access the trailhead one mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin at the Fairy Falls Parking Lot. Expect a gradual incline to over 100 feet, and after two hours of walking, you’ll be looking down at mesmerizing views of Grand Prismatic Spring.

Hike to Fairy Falls

• Distance: 4.8 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 170 feet

Standing at 200 feet, Fairy Falls is one of Yellowstone’s most impressive waterfalls. It also provides one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park , so brace yourself for a thrilling adventure that ends with a tumbling cascade. 

Nestled in a dense forest, Fairy Falls offers peaceful surroundings, ideal for taking loads of photos. Enjoy an easy trek along the flat Fairy Fall Trail, accessible right off Grand Loop Road. It’s recommended to hike to Fairy Falls in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat.

Otherwise, you can stretch the length of your hike by combining it with a trek past the Grand Prismatic Viewpoint from the Fairy Falls Parking Lot. This is a great hike to immerse yourself in Yellowstone’s diverse ecosystem and natural splendor. 

Stop at Gibbon Falls

Set along the mighty Gibbon River, these 84-foot-tall falls are among the most accessible waterfalls in Yellowstone. They are located just off Grand Loop Road, offering you the perfect quick stop when traveling to Norris Geyser Basin or the park’s north entrance.

Gibbon Falls drops off the remains of Yellowstone’s caldera rim, which was a result of a massive volcanic eruption that took place over 600,000 years ago. Enjoy excellent views from the designated parking area near the top of the falls, but you’ll have to wait your turn.

Due to its small size, the parking lot can get quite congested, causing a delay. If you want to avoid the crowds, be sure to follow the paved Gibbon Falls Wildlife Trail to claim your spot.

Visit the Artists Paintpots

• Elevation Gain: 101 feet

Named after the colorful, paint-like mineral deposits, Artists Paintpots offers geothermal features comparable to no other attraction in the park. Located about three miles south of the Norris Geyser Basin, this area is bubbling with mud pots and colorful hot springs.

Access the trailhead from a parking lot sitting about half a mile from Grand Loop Road. Here, you’ll find basic vault toilets and the starting point of Artists Paintpots Trail. As you walk along the loop, you’ll come across a partially burned pine forest before winding through a meadow.

While strolling on the boardwalk, keep your eyes open for the red, yellow, and milk-blue colored hot springs, mud pots, and small geysers. Note that this path is a bit more rugged than its southern counterpart, Fountain Paint Pot Trail, sitting amidst lush pines and grass. 

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End the Day at Norris Geyser Basin

• Distance: 2.9 miles loop
• Elevation Gain: 190 feet

Famous for being home to the hottest and most acidic thermal pools in Yellowstone, the Norris Geyser Basin is packed with geysers, hot springs, and steam vents ready to explore. The atmosphere is quite surreal, with steam rising against backdrops of colorful mineral deposits and barren landscapes.

This area can be explored by trekking two separate loops or combining them into a super loop. The northern one is shorter and takes you past the likes of Ledger Geyser and Porcelain Springs. In the south, you can choose between two longer loops that traverse through other highlights in the area, like Emerald Spring and the Steamboat Geyser.

Day 3 of Your Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Wrap up your three days in Yellowstone on a high by exploring one of the most extraordinary viewpoints in the national park before climbing up to one of its highest points. Spend the last day of your itinerary admiring a magnificent cascade, a rare hot spring, and plenty of wildlife.

Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

If you think you have seen all there is to see in Yellowstone, then you’re in for a big surprise. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone fully epitomizes this epic national park’s fascinating geological complexity. 

But this Grand Canyon didn’t always look like this. Over 600,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption caused an outpour of magma deposits over many miles. But it was only about 150,000 years back that the Yellowstone River began slowly carving out this gem.

Navigating through the Grand Canyon may be a bit challenging, but you’ll soon figure it out. There’s plenty to do here, from hiking surrounding trails like the Brink of the Lower Falls and Uncle Tom’s trails to marveling at stunning vistas like Upper Falls View and Inspiration Point.

Hike the Mt. Washburn Trail

• Distance: 6.8 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 1,394 feet

Go on a rewarding hike to the summit of Mt. Washburn for panoramic views of Yellowstone. Tucked between Tower Falls and Canyon Village, Mount Washburn gives you access to one of the highest points in the national park, topped off with spotting wild animals and flowers.

Access this trailhead via the Dunraven Pass, about 4.5 miles north of Canyon Junction. This is a moderately challenging hike that could easily take about four hours to complete. So, you should aim for an early morning trek and keep on the path to avoid destroying the flora.

This hike offers an opportunity to spot roaming wildlife. Bighorn sheep are very popular in these parts, and so are grizzly bears in the fall when they’re looking for whitebark pine nuts. 

View Tower Falls

• Distance: 0.9 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 301 feet

Located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone, less than five minutes away from Tower Junction, this incredible waterfall offers one of the best views in the national park. Plunging 132 feet, this waterfall is beautifully surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation.

Before, people could hike down to the bottom of Tower Fall, but due to severe erosion, that path has been closed. So, the best way to admire this cascade is at the Tower Fall Overlook. 

Walk three-quarters of a mile past the viewpoint, and you can see the Tower Creek flow into the Yellowstone River. The beginning of the Tower Fall Trailhead is marked by a general store and public bathrooms. Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, falcons, and black bears.

Visit Lamar Valley for Wildlife Spotting

• Distance: 7.1 miles out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: 698 feet

Located in the northeastern section of the park, Lamar Valley forms part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, also known as America’s Serengeti. So, there’s no need to visit Africa for a thrilling safari — just explore the verdant and animal-packed Lamar Valley.

From elk to bison and deer, large animals are easily spotted, thanks to the lush grasslands that provide food and grazing land. You’ll find some of the largest herds of elk and bison in North America here. Other critters like coyotes, cougars, and red foxes have been spotted.

Explore the Lamar Valley via a scenic drive. There are many pullouts along the road, giving you access to wildlife spotting spots, short trails, and overlooks of the lush surroundings.

If You Have Time, Explore Mammoth Hot Springs

Set atop a travertine hill, Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the most unique places to visit in Yellowstone. Located about five miles south of the North Entrance, these hot springs are accessible via boardwalk trails to the viewpoints. You can also take a drive around the area.

While you can easily spend the day marveling at the terraces of white travertine, colorful mineral deposits, and steaming hot springs, you’ll find other interesting things to do here. Visit Fort Yellowstone and soak in the seasonal Boiling River, or drive to Gardiner. This small town offers loads of bars and eateries to enjoy meals, as well as many hotels and lodges.

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is located primarily in the northwest corner of Wyoming but also slightly extends into Montana and Idaho. Hence, the park is accessible by car via several entrances, including the North, West, South, and East entrances. 

Major airports near Yellowstone include Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Wyoming, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana, and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) in Idaho. You’ll then hire a rental car from any of these airports and drive to Yellowstone.

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How Much Time Is Needed When Visiting Yellowstone

To fully immerse yourself in the park’s main attractions and highlights, a minimum of three to four days is highly recommended. This gives you ample time to explore the top attractions, from the Old Faithful Village to the Grand Canyon, as well as the iconic Norris Geyser Basin.

Best Time to Go to Yellowstone National Park

The best time to visit Yellowstone largely depends on personal preferences and desired activities. Generally, the summer months, running from June to August, are the most popular times to visit due to warm weather, open roads, and abundant wildlife. But this also means you’ll have to contend with larger crowds and higher accommodation prices. 

Spring (April to May) and fall (September to November) offer milder temperatures, far fewer crowds, and great opportunities to see wildlife during mating seasons and vibrant fall foliage.

On the other hand, the winter season (December to March) provides a unique experience of snowy landscapes, as well as opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Yellowstone National Park in Spring

Spring represents a time of renewal in Yellowstone, with melting snow giving way to lush greenery and blooming wildflowers. Wildlife emerges from hibernation, and baby animals can be spotted throughout the park.

Enjoy mild temperatures, fewer crowds compared to summer, and the opportunity to witness dramatic waterfalls at peak flow. Note that some areas of the park may still be inaccessible due to lingering snow, and weather can be unpredictable, with occasional rain showers.

Yellowstone National Park in Summer

Summer is the peak season in Yellowstone, characterized by warm temperatures, long daylight hours, and a wide range of outdoor activities. You’ll witness iconic geothermal features, explore hiking trails, go wildlife watching, and enjoy scenic drives through the park. 

Keep in mind that summer also brings large crowds, especially at popular attractions like Old Faithful and visitor centers. It’s important to book accommodations and activities months in advance and be prepared for busy roads and limited parking.

Yellowstone National Park in the Fall

Fall in Yellowstone is a spectacular time to visit, bringing vibrant foliage that paints the landscapes in shades of gold, orange, and red. Wildlife activity peaks as animals prepare for winter, making fall an excellent time for wildlife viewing and nature photography. 

You’ll enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer crowds than in summer, and serene landscapes bathed in autumn colors. Fall also offers unique opportunities for hiking, camping, and enjoying the park’s scenic beauty without the long queues that come with summer crowds.

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

Winter transforms Yellowstone into a tranquil wonderland, with snowy landscapes and steaming geothermal features creating an appealing atmosphere. 

While most roads are closed to vehicles due to snow, the park remains accessible for winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching. 

You’ll witness iconic landmarks like Old Faithful against a backdrop of snow and experience the park’s geothermal wonders in a peaceful setting.

Read More: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park 2024 Guide

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

As one of the most visited national parks in the United States, Yellowstone sees many tourists throughout the year. While some seasons welcome more visitors than others, the park and its nearby towns are more than capable of delivering star-rated accommodation.

Consider these hotel recommendations when looking for a place to stay in Yellowstone : 

Luxury | Yellowstone Park Hotel

Located just three blocks away from the park’s west entrance, this star-rated hotel in West Yellowstone offers you an excellent blend of comfort and convenience at your fingertips. 

Step into your cozy retreat, where modern amenities meet rustic charm. Each guest room features a flat-screen satellite TV, ensuring you stay entertained after a day of exploring the park’s wonders. You’ll also enjoy the indoor pool and have access to bike rentals for tours. 

Need a pick-me-up? Brew a fresh cup of coffee with your in-room coffee maker, or store your snacks and drinks in the handy microwave and refrigerator. But that’s not all you can look forward to; the hotel also gives you easy access to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. >>>Check Availability

Note: Yellowstone Park Hotel operates seasonally. The hotel reopens on May 3, 2024.

Mid-Range | The Cody Hotel

Nestled just 45 minutes away from the awe-inspiring wonders of Yellowstone, The Cody Hotel offers you a scenic drive into the national park via the east entrance. 

Unwind in your spacious guest suite, where modern amenities meet Western charm. Each room features a microwave and refrigerator for your convenience, along with a flat-screen TV and DVD player for entertainment. 

Ready to kick back and relax? Take a dip in the inviting indoor pool or soothe your muscles in the rejuvenating waters of the hot tub. Stay active in the well-equipped gym or catch up on work at the business center, all while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. >>>Check Availability

Budget | Big Bear Motel

Nestled less than a mile from the exhilarating Cody Stampede Rodeo, this lovely motel offers the perfect mix of convenience and relaxation for your Wild West getaway.

Dive into relaxation in the oversized outdoor heated pool, where you can soak up the Wyoming sunshine and unwind after a day of adventure. During summer, immerse yourself in the spirit of the Old West with free horse rides and live Western music in the evenings.

Each room at Big Bear Motel features a flat-screen cable TV, a seating area, and a private en suite bathroom for your comfort. Enjoy the fresh mountain air from your own private patio, offering the perfect spot to sip your morning coffee and take in the serene surroundings. >>>Check Availability

Read More: Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park | 9 Amazing Lodging & Yellowstone Hotels

Tours At Yellowstone

3-day yellowstone itinerary | faqs.

Are you still unsure about something regarding your Yellowstone road trip? Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers to keep in mind during your planning.

Where Should I Go for the First Time in Yellowstone?

For your first time in Yellowstone, start with iconic attractions like Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

These highlights offer a perfect introduction to the park’s diverse geothermal features, breathtaking landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Don’t forget to take your time to savor the natural beauty and unique experiences that Yellowstone has to offer from various viewpoints.

How Long Does It Take to Drive the Loop in Yellowstone?

It takes approximately four to seven hours to drive the Grand Loop Road, depending on the traffic, road conditions, and stops you make along the way. 

But, to fully experience the park and its attractions, allocate at least a full day or more for the loop, allowing you enough time for sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing along the route.

What Is the Most Scenic Entrance to Yellowstone?

The most scenic entrance to Yellowstone is considered to be the North Entrance near Gardiner, offering views of Roosevelt Arch and the rolling landscapes of the northern range. 

As you enter the park through this entrance, you’ll be greeted by sweeping vistas, iconic landmarks, and the sense of adventure that awaits within America’s first national park.

Are There Bears in Yellowstone National Park?

Yes, bears are present in Yellowstone National Park, including both grizzly bears and black bears. It’s important for visitors to be aware of bear safety measures and precautions. 

Carrying bear spray is recommended when hiking or exploring the park’s backcountry trails. Bear spray is an effective deterrent that can help deter aggressive bears and provide added peace of mind while enjoying the wilderness of Yellowstone. Don’t use it unless you have to.

What To Pack For Hiking In Yellowstone National Park

There were only a few trails in Yellowstone that were worth hiking, but it is best to dress as comfortably as possible. Which is usually my hiking clothes (leggings, sports bra, and breathable shirts), and it was easy to transition when I wanted to hike.

• Sunscreen:  Super important and because it was so freaking hot when we were here!   >Buy Sunscreen
• Chapstick:  This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned!  >Check Out This Chapstick
• Hiking Sandals:  I used these sandals when we would go to all the lookouts. So comfy yet durable.  >Check Out My Hiking Sandals
• Hiking Boots/Shoes:  If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before).  >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
• Hiking socks:  Having the correct socks helps prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there.  >Buy Hiking Socks
• Water Reservoir:  Water reservoirs help prevent dehydration while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have a plastic taste.  >Here Is My Water Reservoir
• Water:  Stay nice and hydrated. It was soooooo hot when hiking here. Bring water to every hike.
• Sunglasses:  It can get sunny in the summer, so make sure to pack some sunglasses.  >Check Out These Sunglasses
• Snacks:  The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars.  >>>Check Out These Snacks
• Camera:  The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.    >Buy Sony Camera Here
• First Aid Kit:  This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable.  >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
• Day Pack to carry all your things:  To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market.  >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
• Headlamp:  A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight.  >Buy A Headlamp Now
• Leggings or Hiking Pants:  I usually wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with!  >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
• Breathable sweat-wicking shirts : Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable.  >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
• Sports Bra:  For women.  >Check This One Here
• Jacket:  Fall can get pretty chilly.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
• Rain Jacket:  The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Wyoming. Thunderstorms can happen.  >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
• Tripod:  This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures.  >Check out this tripod
• Knife:  I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case.  >Check Out My Knife Here
• Bear Spray: There are so many bears here! Stay safe and hike with some spray. Everyone should carry one. >Check It Out Here
• National Park Pass:   I highly recommend getting a year-long America The Beautiful Pass so you can get into both parks with ease.   >Get It Here
• Map And Trail Guide: Start planning your trip with this. >Buy One Here

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Your Ultimate 3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary | Wrapped Up

With this comprehensive 3-day itinerary, you’ll experience the best of Yellowstone, from its iconic geothermal features to its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. 

Whether you’re captivated by the cascading waterfalls, colorful thermal pools, or the thrill of spotting bison and bears, the park promises an unforgettable adventure at any time of year. Summer gets the most visitors, but spring and fall introduce colorful wildflowers and foliage into the region. Winter presents a snowy adventure, with fewer crowds hovering around.

If you have more time to explore the region, it’s highly recommended to take a road trip to Grand Teton National Park. You can see top attractions, pristine lakes, and spot roaming wildlife at both national parks through a 7-day Grand Teton to Yellowstone road trip itinerary .

Next Read: Prepare for an epic Wyoming adventure and add these best hikes in Grand Teton National Park to your thrilling itinerary.

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• Trip Styles
• Destinations

• Trip Destinations
• Montana and Wyoming Hikes & Tours
• Yellowstone Hiking Tours

Yellowstone Basecamp Tour

Yellowstone national park, wy, trip highlights.

• Diversity of Hikes
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
• Iconic Yellowstone Sites
• Spectacular Views
• Excellent Outdoor Cuisine
• Amazing Natural & Cultural History
• Premier Camping
• Breathtaking Mountain Scenery

Description

What sets this Yellowstone camping tour apart is the ability to see a tremendous amount in one visit, have a wonderful outdoor experience, and enjoy comforts like showers and cozy sleeping amenities even while camping. We’ll go on five diverse hikes which together create a comprehensive, truly unforgettable experience. The hikes well represent the amazing attributes of this exceptional national park. You’ll enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery, the most well-known and spectacular geysers in the park, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. While driving, we can often stop at pullouts as animal sightings and additional attractions arise in this unpredictable ecosystem.

You’ll also have a fantastic overall outdoor experience as we camp under star-lit skies. Your guide will cook tasty outdoor meals as you relax around the campfire and absorb the magic of Yellowstone before and after your hikes.

$2410 Per Person

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult

Hiking Distances:

Backpack Weight:

Lightly Rugged

Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

Heights Exposure:

Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP

• Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
• Maintaining balance and footing on lightly rugged terrain

SOLITUDE LEVEL 2

1 least solitude, 5 most solitude

We rate this Yellowstone tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.

•   Minimum 2 Guests

MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS

If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.

Private Trips

Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!

Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.

Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations. 

Private Rates FOr This Trip

• 2 People: Rate x 2.5
• 3 People: Rate x 1.75
• 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
• 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
• 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15

*all rates are per person

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Learn About Our Private Trips

• Shuttle Time: 2-hour drive
• Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet

On this Yellowstone hiking tour we’ll start with a loop around Elephant Back Mountain. This moderate 3.6-mile hike has about 800 feet elevation gain and loss. The trail begins in an old growth lodge pole pine forest mixed with spruce and fir, an area also frequented by grizzly bears. After a mile of relatively mild uphill, we will climb switchbacks. Flecks of black obsidian will glitter beneath your feet. The ascent culminates to an awe-inspiring bird’s eye view of the lake. We can identify many prominent landmarks from our peak, before making our trek back down the Elephants Back. The glittering expanse of Yellowstone Lake will be the focal point of our next hike’s destination: Storm Point. This relatively flat 2.3-mile loop leads to a stunning vista of the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North America. In spring, the lakeshore is a corridor for grizzly bears. The hike begins at Indian Pond, a favorite locale for bison, and continues through the forest to a bluff overlooking the picturesque shore of this hydrothermal fed lake. Before completing our loop, we will walk past enormous boulders, which are home to a colony of Yellow-bellied Marmots. If we are lucky, we may see one basking in the sun.

• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400 feet

Our second hike is one of the most beautiful in the park, a hike to the summit of Mt. Washburn at over 10,000 feet. The trail to the summit travels through picturesque subalpine parkland where wildflowers abound. Bighorn sheep are sometimes seen grazing along the hillsides. This is one of the only places in the park where hikers can get close up views and photos of the majestic sheep as they are habituated to the presence of hikers. It is a steady climb over 3 miles to the summit where we’ll have a tremendous view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – a giant rift in a landscape of forested hills. Other sites include Yellowstone Lake, the Teton Range, Electric Peak, and an overall sense that the entire park stretches out below your feet. Following this beautiful hike, we’ll drive to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for a short stroll out to Artist Point for one of the more phenomenal waterfall views in North America – the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an amazing feature at 20 miles long, 1,200 feet deep, and a mere 4,000 feet in width on average. It was formed approximately 10,000 years ago when a large glacial ice dam in Hayden Valley burst, flooding the canyon and creating the two thunderous waterfalls and multicolored canyon walls it is known for.

• Elevation Gain/Loss: marginal

Today we visit to one of the Park’s most iconic features – Mammoth Hot Springs. From the boardwalks, we will view steaming travertine terraces streaked with colorful microorganisms.

Next, we will leave the crowds behind and head out on the Beaver Ponds Trail. This 5-mile loop leads us along a variety of different animal habitats. We will hike through a forest that is frequented by a variety of wildlife including bears, eventually reaching a clearing of small ponds where it is common to see waterfowl. Open scenic views will greet us as we emerge onto a grassy hilltop that is a known grazing area for pronghorn, deer and elk.

• Hiking Mileage: appx 7 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal

We’ll start the day in the Upper Geyser Basin which hosts some of the park’s most iconic features. Yellowstone is home to 60% of the world’s geysers and most of them can be found here, including Old Faithful itself. Walking the boardwalks, we’ll experience the basins’ diverse array of geysers from thin fountains to massive eruptions. It is an impressive scene. Next we’ll travel a few miles down the road for a hike out to Lone Star Geyser. This is a beautiful hike along the aptly named Firehole River to the largest backcountry geyser in the park: Lone Star Geyser. Lone Star is found in a clearing surrounded by dense forest; it erupts from a shed-sized cream colored mound. At full tilt it sprays scalding water 30-45 feet into the air. The geyser erupts about every 3 hours and a log book is kept nearby so that we’ll know when the next eruption will occur.

• Hiking Mileage: 5.4 miles
• Elevation Change: 200 feet
• Shuttle: 3-hour drive

Our final day’s hike takes us through classic Yellowstone meadows and lodgepole pine forests to Fairy Falls, a 200-foot waterfall plunging off a pine-studded cliff. After we soak up the sights and sounds of Fairy Falls, we will end our tour with a stop at the Grand Prismatic overlook. The Grand Prismatic is the largest hot spring in the United States and one of the most iconic features in the park. It’s a great way to close out our Yellowstone adventure. We will conclude our trip with a shuttle back to Jackson and fond farewells. What a week it’s been!

Please Note : We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal  terms and conditions  apply to trips with itinerary changes.

Trip Dates & Booking

Trip dates & booking.

Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.

AVAILABLE TO BOOK

This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!

This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.

REQUEST A RESERVATION

This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.

Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.

Trip details, what's included.

• Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and daypack
• Use of trekking poles
• All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
• Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See  Guide Bios .
• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
• Entrance fees and national park permits
• Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters
• Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
• Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yellowstone

What's Not Included

• Clothes, raingear, and footwear ( see recommendations )
• Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
• Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
• Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.

Meals: What To Expect

All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the outdoors – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.

For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.

We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.

Gear We Provide

We provide all group gear which includes the following:

• Deuter or Osprey backpacks
• Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
• Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
• Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
• Leki trekking poles
• Cooking stoves and cookware
• Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
• Company-issued first-aid kit
• Emergency communication device(s)

Guest Packing List

When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip ( click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.

Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own  down  sleeping bag, there are  multiple benefits . If not, we’ve got you covered!

Trip Logistics

How do i register.

Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can  click here  to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.

Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!

Where Do We Meet?

At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.

Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.

Travel Details

This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.

You can fly into:

• Jackson Hole  – some hotels and several  transportation companies  provide airport shuttles.
• Idaho Falls  – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
• Salt Lake City  – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.

Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging

We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.

Start/End Times

You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.

Safety Precautions

Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.

If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at  1-800-715-HIKE (4453)  for more information.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”)  have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.

Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the  EEC  and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please  contact us  prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.

The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.

Guide Working Parameters

Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:

• 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
• 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis

Weather in Yellowstone

Being a Northern mountain environment, Yellowstone is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Yellowstone. On the Spring/Fall Trekking Adventure in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures in Yellowstone:

Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

• Accommodations

PREMIER CAMPGROUNDS

On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality

FANTASTIC MEALS

Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.

COMFORTABLE CAMPING

Camping amenities.

What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!

Trip Reviews

Average customer ratings:.

• 5.0 (68 reviews)
• Most recent

Yellowstone was awesome!!!

Highly recommend Wildland Trekking. Awesome Yellowstone trip!! 🥾

I had a wonderful experience!

Dakota and Jack were excellent. They handled every aspect seamlessly. Not only are they knowledgeable guides, they are also great chefs!

Absolutely, great trip!

Absolutely, great trip! Wildland Trekking did not disappoint with their guides and itinerary. Loved the campsite, food, treks, etc.

See All Guest Reviews!

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Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

Welcome to the BEST guide for planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park ! I’ll show you how to make the most of your time here.

I’ve spent a lot of time in Yellowstone and planned over 100 trips for friends, family, and vacation coaching clients — it’s basically my backyard. From backpacking and camping to day trips to hotel and cabin stays in all seasons, I’ve experienced many ways to visit this park. I put this trip planner together to make it easier for YOU to travel to Yellowstone!

I’ve put everything in this comprehensive trip planner for Yellowstone National Park to help you navigate every aspect of your journey and ensure a memorable experience in Yellowstone.

Here are the things you will need to know for planning your trip to Yellowstone in the order you need to know them:

• Getting to and around Yellowstone (best airport and car options)
• Choosing when to visit
• Planning what to do
• Deciding where to stay
• How to make reservations
• What it costs to enter the park
• Visiting Yellowstone in spring, summer, fall, and winter
• Where to eat in the park
• Finding cell service and wifi in Yellowstone
• What kind of weather to expect
• What to pack for Yellowstone
• And everything else you need to know to plan your Yellowstone trip 

Here’s a Table of Contents so you can jump around:

• 1 Planning A Trip to Yellowstone is More Than Must-Sees
• 2.1 Best Airport for Yellowstone
• 3 Do You Need a Car for Yellowstone? 
• 4.1 STEP 1: Choose Your Dates and Check Flights 
• 4.2 STEP 2: Create Your Yellowstone Itinerary
• 4.3 STEP 3: Decide Where to Stay in Yellowstone
• 4.4 STEP 4: Make Reservations 
• 5.1 Best Time to Visit Yellowstone
• 5.2 Spring (April to June)
• 5.3 Summer (July to August):
• 5.4 Fall (September to October):
• 5.5 Winter (November to March):
• 5.6 General Tips for When to Visit:
• 6 Where to Eat in Yellowstone
• 7 Where to Get Fuel and Other Essentials
• 8 Visitor Centers and Museums
• 9.1 Cell Service in Yellowstone
• 9.2 WiFi in Yellowstone
• 10 Accessibility
• 11 Yellowstone National Park Roads
• 12 Yellowstone Weather 
• 13 What to Pack for Yellowstone
• 14 FAQs About Planning a Yellowstone Trip

Planning A Trip to Yellowstone is More Than Must-Sees

Yellowstone boasts natural wonders like the iconic Old Faithful geyser, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and vibrant hot springs. You can explore diverse ecosystems and Yellowstone is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and grizzly bears.

Beyond the boardwalks, this is a place where you can create lifelong memories with your family and friends. You can make time to connect with nature and each other. 

Everyone should take at least one trip to Yellowstone in their lifetime (but I recommend more!). Are you ready to find out how to plan a trip to Yellowstone?  

Getting To and Around Yellowstone

Best Airport for Yellowstone

For air travel, consider Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), or even Salt Lake City (SLC). 

The Jackson Hole Airport is closest to Yellowstone, and they sometimes have the cheapest flights and rental cars, but since you will be entering the South Entrance, consider how far you will have to drive to get to your lodging once you are in the park. And it’s slow driving in Yellowstone!

Many people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. It’s relatively close to both the North and West Entrances to Yellowstone. It’s the biggest and busiest airport in Montana and there are a lot of flights, especially in the summer. Plus, groceries and other necessities can be picked up in Bozeman and somewhat reasonable prices. 

If you don’t mind driving, Salt Lake City Airport can be a good option as you can often find a good deal on tickets into Salt Lake.

• Distance from Bozeman Yellowstone Airport  to West Entrance: 91 miles
• Distance from Bozeman Yellowstone Airport to North Entrance: 88 miles 
• Distance from Jackson Hole Airport to West Entrance: 137 miles
• Distance from Jackson Hole Airport to South Entrance: 49.2 miles
• Distance from Salt Lake City Airport to West Entrance: 325 miles
• Distance from Salt Lake City Airport to South Entrance: 337 miles

Check on the best flight deals to Yellowstone here.

Do You Need a Car for Yellowstone? 

In a word, yes. There is little to no public transportation for travel to Yellowstone National Park and none once you enter the park. 

Unless you are on a bus tour, you will need a car to access the many, spread-out wonders.

Find the best deals on rental cars fo r Yellowstone here and book early as they have run out of cars for hire in the past. 

How to Visit Yellowstone 

There are a few options for planning a trip to Yellowstone. 

I recommend that you first consider your priorities for the trip. Do you want to see all of the “main attractions?” Focus on seeing wildlife? Maybe hiking or photography is more your speed. 

Most people want a little of everything on their first trip to Yellowstone. 

But, please, don’t try to see it all, because you won’t be able to. Take that task off your shoulders and you will enjoy your trip so much more. I promise.

STEP 1: Choose Your Dates and Check Flights 

You will probably need to visit Yellowstone whenever it fits in your schedule, but if you do have some flexibilty, consider what you want to do and look through the “Best Time to Visit Yellowstone” section below. Most people come in summer, but there are benefits to visiting in the other seasons, too.

This flight checker will help you find the best flights to Yellowstone.

STEP 2: Create Your Yellowstone Itinerary

Customize your itinerary based on your interests, whether it’s hiking, wildlife watching, or enjoying scenic drives. Check out my Things to Do posts and get an idea of what’s possible. Then piece together a trip that covers everything you want to do in Yellowstone. 

Or choose one of the itineraries I’ve created. They have everything in there and all you have to do is follow along. See itineraries and hiking guides here .

STEP 3: Decide Where to Stay in Yellowstone

My Where To Stay posts outline the best lodging options in and near Yellowstone. 

Because Yellowstone is such a big park, the speed limit is never higher than 45 mph, and you will most certainly get stuck in construction and more than one animal (or tourist) jam, I suggest staying in two locations . That can be Lake Hotel and West Yellowstone. Or Canyon and Mammoth. The goal is to minimize your driving by staying in disparate locations.

STEP 4: Make Reservations 

Lock it down. This is important because lodging in the park fills up quickly. This includes campgrounds. See the Where To Stay posts for the earliest dates you can make hotel and campsite reservations in Yellowstone. If you plan to have dinner at any of the park hotel dining rooms, make those reservations, too. 

Reserve your Wild West Dinner and horseback riding (See Things to Do posts ). Book your park tours. These are the experiences that fill up quickly.

Yellowstone Entrance Fees

Currently, reservations are not required to enter Yellowstone as there are other parks, including Glacier National Park . But you do need to pay an entrance fee. 

Yellowstone National Park fees are :

• Private, non-commercial vehicle: $35
• Motorcycle or snowmobile: $30
• Individual (by foot, bicycle, ski, etc.): $20/person

Both types of passes are sold at all entrance stations and online.

We always get the America the Beautiful All Access Pass because it covers us for all National Parks for a year (you’ll need a separate entrance fee for Grand Teton National Park if you don’t have the America the Beautiful Pass).

Getting your pass ahead of time means you can show that to the ranger in the entrance kiosk and drive right in. Not having your pass ready is one of the 10 mistakes Yellowstone visitors make .

The U.S. Park Pass is $85 and can be purchased online or at any National Park entrance.

In this post, I break down how much a trip to Yellowstone costs .

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

At the beginning of my post about family activities in Yellowstone , I talk about the best time to visit.

Yellowstone National Park offers a diverse experience throughout the year, each season presenting its own unique charms and challenges. The best time to visit depends on your preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking. 

Here’s a breakdown of what each season offers:

Spring (April to June)

Wildlife and Blooms: Spring is a fantastic time for wildlife viewing. Bears, bison, and elk are active, and the landscape comes alive with blooming wildflowers. This is also a good time to bike on the interior roads before they open to general traffic. Here’s everything you need to know about biking in Yellowstone .

• Fewer Crowds: While early spring can still be quieter, late spring sees an increase in visitors. However, it generally remains less crowded compared to the peak summer months.
• Weather: Expect varying temperatures. Snow can linger in higher elevations, and weather can be unpredictable, ranging from cool to mild.
• Facilities: Many hotels, restaurants, and shops within the park don’t open until sometime in May, so plan to be self-sufficient. Additionally, interior roads don’t open to general traffic until the end of April or later, depending on the weather. Find Yellowstone road opening and closing dates on the park website .

Summer (July to August):

• Wildlife and Active Nature: Summer is peak tourist season, offering long days and a bustling atmosphere. Wildlife is still active, and the park’s vibrant greenery is on full display.
• All Roads and Facilities Open: During summer, all roads, services, and facilities are typically open, providing full access to the park’s attractions.
• Crowds: Yellowstone can be crowded during summer, especially around popular attractions. Planning ahead and arriving early at key sites can help avoid some congestion.
• Weather: Daytime temperatures are generally mild to warm, but evenings can still be cool. Be prepared for varying conditions.

Fall (September to October):

• Colorful Landscapes: Fall is a photographer’s delight with vibrant foliage, especially in late September. The changing colors create a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing.
• Reduced Crowds: As summer visitors dwindle, fall offers a quieter experience with reduced crowds.
• Weather: Days can still be pleasant, but nights are cooler. Be prepared for temperature fluctuations.

Winter (November to March):

• Unique Winter Wonderland: Winter in Yellowstone transforms the park into a serene and magical wonderland. Pristine snow blankets the landscape, and geothermal features create mesmerizing contrasts.
• Wildlife and Solitude: While some animals migrate or hibernate, winter is an excellent time for observing wolves and other cold-adapted species. The park is quieter, providing a more solitary experience.
• Limited Accessibility: Some roads and services are closed, but winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing become available.
• Cold Temperatures: Winter temperatures can be extremely cold, so dressing in layers is essential.

General Tips for When to Visit:

• Check Opening Dates: Services and facilities may vary depending on the season, so check the official park website for opening dates and conditions.
• Make Reservations: Especially during peak seasons, consider making reservations for accommodations and activities in advance.

Where to Eat in Yellowstone

There are a variety of dining options, from casual cafes to fine dining establishments, within Yellowstone. Each village has a grill or casual restaurant, a dining room, and a general store. If you plan to eat dinner in one of the dining rooms, it’s best to make a reservation.

We prefer to shop for picnic supplies outside the park, so we can use our time exploring. There are picnic areas throughout the park, so can stop whenever you get hungry. 

There are many more restaurants and markets available outside the park boundaries, especially in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cody. Don’t miss the best breakfast in West Yellowstone .

Where to Get Fuel and Other Essentials

Yellowstone Park Service Stations, Inc. operates seven convenience store/fuel facilities and four automotive repair shops in Yellowstone National Park. They all have credit card-operated pumps which are available 24 hours a day.

The gas station in Yellowstone can be found at:

• Old Faithful 
• Grant Village 
• Fishing Bridge 
• Tower/Roosevelt Junction
• Mammoth Hot Springs 

Of course, there are gas stations in every gateway town and they are likely to be less expensive than park gas stations.

Free Public EV charging stations are available in several park locations. The stations are Level 2 and provide 208/240 volt electric service. Charging takes about 4 hours from empty to full. 

• Yellowstone Forever , Gardiner, Montana 
• Mammoth Hot Springs : In front of the Haynes Photo Shop; and behind the Northwest corner of the Mammoth Hotel.
• Old Faithful: At the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins (Lower Loop), outside of Showerhouse 1.
• Canyon Village: In front of both Rhyolite and Washburn lodges.
• Lake Village: In front of Teal employee dorm.
• West Entrance/ West Yellowstone MT: The Gray Wolf Inn and Suites and the Holiday Inn. Tesla stations are also located in West Yellowstone.

Visitor Centers and Museums

Immerse yourself in the park’s history, geology, and ecosystems by visiting its informative visitor centers and museums. You can read all about Yellowstone Visitor Centers in this post . 

Cell Service and Wifi in Yellowstone

Cell service in yellowstone.

Cell service is available in all of the villages or developed areas and in random spots in between, but don’t depend on using it. Download maps and anything else you want to use offline. 

Check with your provider to verify coverage. During summer the number of users can overwhelm cellular circuits resulting in an inability to send or receive calls, text, or use cellular data. Texting is usually the most effective means of communication in the park, but it doesn’t work everywhere.

Even outside the park, cell service is spotty. It’s great in towns — Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cody — but unavailable between towns and the park in some places. For instance, there isn’t cell service during most of the trip from the Bozeman Yellowstone Airport to West Yellowstone. 

There is no cell service in Silver Gate or Cooke City. 

WiFi in Yellowstone

Free WiFi is available at the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wireless Internet access is available at some of the hotels and lodges around the park for registered guests of Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

If you need to count on WiFi for work or other reasons, I recommend staying outside the park in one of the gateway towns.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, Yellowstone has a way to go on accessibility, but they are working on it.

According to the Park Service , “Many facilities are more than a century old and accessibility is not always ideal. Through an on-going self-assessment and transition plan, Yellowstone National Park is identifying and eliminating barriers to accessibility in its facilities, programs, and services. Extra obstacles will be encountered because of the remote, wilderness nature of this special place. Facilities described as accessible do not necessarily comply fully with federal standards and some accessible facilities are not marked with the international symbol.”  

The o fficial NPS app has accessibility information as does their website .

Yellowstone National Park Roads

The only road open year-round (unless it temporarily closes due to weather) is from the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana to outside the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City, Montana.

Most park roads are closed to regular vehicles from early November to late April and are open to limited oversnow travel (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) from mid-December to mid-March. 

When open, roads are not gated at night and you may enter/exit the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and it takes several hours to drive between them.

Every year there is road construction on at least one section of Yellowstone’s roads. 

Check road conditions on the Park Service site .

Yellowstone Weather 

The weather in Yellowstone National Park is characterized by its variability, influenced by the park’s high elevation and diverse geography. In other words, plan for all weather, regardless of when you visit.

• Summer , from June to August, bring mild to warm temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius). However, evenings can still be cool. 
• Fall , from September to October, sees a gradual decline in temperatures, ranging from 30 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 1 to 15 degrees Celsius). 
• Winter , from November to March, transforms Yellowstone into a winter wonderland, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Expect snow-covered landscapes and sub-zero temperatures, ranging from 0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 to minus 6 degrees Celsius). 
• Spring, from April to June, marks the transition to warmer weather, though snow may persist in higher elevations. Temperature variations and occasional rain or snow showers make packing versatile clothing essential for any Yellowstone visit. 

Always check the forecast and be prepared for changing weather conditions year-round.

What to Pack for Yellowstone

What you pack depends on what you are doing, of course. You will need different items if you are camping vs. staying in a hotel vs. driving an RV. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with these two packing lists.

• Summer National Park Packing List
• Winter National Park Packing List

FAQs About Planning a Yellowstone Trip

Does Yellowstone Require a Reservation?

Reservations are not required in Yellowstone National Park, though an entrance fee is.

How Much Time Do You Need in Yellowstone National Park?

A minimum of three to four days is recommended to explore the park’s main attractions thoroughly. However, more time allows for a more leisurely and immersive experience.

Do You Need a Car in Yellowstone?

Yes, having a car provides the flexibility to explore the park at your own pace. There is no public transportation within the park other than guided tours.

Do You Need a Tour Guide for Yellowstone?

You do not need a tour guide, but a guided tour can enhance your experience by providing insights and information about the park’s features and wildlife. Self-guided exploration is also popular.

What Is the Best Way to See Yellowstone National Park?

The best way to experience Yellowstone is a combination of driving and exploring on foot. Scenic drives offer stunning views, while hiking trails provide a closer look at the park’s unique features. Don’t forget your bear spray.

What’s the Best Airport for Yellowstone?

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) and Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) are common choices. Choose based on your travel preferences and available routes.

Is Yellowstone Open in Winter?

Yes, Yellowstone remains open in winter, offering a unique and tranquil experience. However, some roads and facilities may be closed or limited.

How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

A minimum of three to four days is recommended for a comprehensive visit. However, a week or more allows for a deeper exploration of the park’s vast offerings.

What Is the Average Cost of a Vacation to Yellowstone?

Costs vary based on accommodation, dining, and activities. On average, a moderate budget for accommodation, meals, and entrance fees ranges from $150 to $300 per person per day.

What Is the Best Month to Visit Yellowstone?

Late spring through early fall (May to September) is the most popular time, with pleasant weather and wildlife activity. However, each season offers a unique experience. Winter (December to February) is ideal for snow enthusiasts and more solitude.

Is It Better to Stay Inside Yellowstone or Outside?

Staying inside the park provides a more immersive experience, especially if you want to capture sunrise or sunset views. However, nearby gateway towns offer lodging options and may be more convenient for some travelers.

Yellowstone is my backyard! I’ve guided, explored, and written about Yellowstone for nearly three decades. If you want to plan a Yellowstone area vacation but need suggestions and recommendations from someone who lives here, works here, and has an insider’s perspective to Yellowstone, you’ve come to the right place. Click HERE to get my newsletter!

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• Guide Companies (3)
• Itineraries (3)
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• Must See (9)
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• What To Pack (4)
• Best Yellowstone Activities (16)
• Family Vacation (17)
• Geysers (8)
• Greater Yellowstone Area (11)
• Hiking (21)
• Horseback Riding (6)
• Restaurants (2)
• Wildlife Viewing (11)
• Winter (13)
• Camping (2)
• Essential Lodging Info (7)
• Glamping (1)

Start planning your camping trip to Yellowstone National Park

Editor's note: The team at The Points Guy loves to travel, but now is not the time for unnecessary trips. Health officials say the fastest way to return to normalcy is to stop coming in contact with others. That includes ceasing travel. We are publishing travel guides because we should all use this time to think about and plan our next adventures. National parks are closed right now but will hopefully reopen soon.

We were driving the Northern loop through Yellowstone National Park when we arrived at a traffic jam, a scene not uncommon in the park as cars slow down to take in the always-present wildlife. This one, however, was taking a while, and our 2- and 4-year-old children were getting restless in the back seat, so we walked a few car lengths up the shoulder to investigate the cause. A bison stood cleaning a baby she'd just delivered in the middle of the road. A conservation officer nonchalantly explained that as soon as the placenta was delivered, the bison would likely be on her way. A few minutes later, the birth was complete, the calf stood on shaky legs for the first time and followed its mother into the grazing herd nearby.

Just another day at Yellowstone.

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Yellowstone National Park spans 3,400 square miles across Wyoming, bleeding into Montana and Idaho. A mélange of mountains, meadows, lakes, canyons and rivers make it a natural wonderland for exploring and watching wildlife. Camping is, by far, the most intimate way to experience the sun casting a glow across the plains, to hear the eerie cry of a wolf echoing in the night or to breathe in the park's fresh morning air.

Related: The best national parks in the United States

When to go to Yellowstone

While Yellowstone is open to visitors year-round , the most practical time for families planning to camp is June through August. We arrived in May one year and were greeted with snow flurries; we also experienced a dusting of snow in late August on another visit, so whenever you choose to go, be sure to pack warm clothing.

Entrance fees at Yellowstone

There are a variety of passes you can purchase for admittance to Yellowstone. A seven-day pass for a private, non-commercial vehicle is $35. It's $20 per person (ages 16+) to enter on foot, bicycle or on skis. Admission is free for anyone 15 or younger. If your family plans to visit more than once, consider the Yellowstone National Park Annual Pass for $70, which covers the passholder plus up to three additional people (16+) when traveling by the snowcoach or shuttle.

For families with plans to visit more than one national park, there are options like the America the Beautiful passes, which include annual passes, fourth-grade passes and senior passes. Here's what you need to know to visit America's national parks for less .

Camping at Yellowstone

Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds. Five of these can be booked six months to one year in advance through Xanterra ($26–$31/night) (even if booked, keep checking the site as cancellations do occur and spots open up). If you don't always map out your adventures a year in advance, there are seven first-come, first-served campgrounds available. You can find the full listing of sites and amenities here . ($15–$20/night)

Our picks for sites you can reserve

We stayed at Madison campground situated along the Madison River with a mountain looming in the background. It is centrally located and near Old Faithful and the Upper, Middle and Lower Geyser basins. The town of West Yellowstone and its amenities are a short trip (14 miles) away. It is a non-electricity campground and accommodates tents, trailers and RVs. Sites have picnic tables, fire pits and access to flush toilets. We took advantage of the nightly Ranger Talks highlighting wildlife species in the park.

Grant Village campground is popular with families as it offers many amenities such as a general store, restaurant and close proximity to showers. Nestled along the shore of Yellowstone Lake amid lodgepole pines, the campground is only a few miles from attractions like West Thumb Geyser Basin.

First-come, first-served site picks

Norris campground has 100 sites tucked in a lodgepole pine forest and is popular due to its central location in the park and its campfire programs.

Mammoth Hot Springs campground is a good base for exploring the northern part of the park and its many attractions such as Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces and Boiling River; this campground has the bonus potential for Bison and elk sightings.

In my opinion, you've hit the jackpot if you are camping anywhere in Yellowstone National Park.

Related: TPG staffers share their favorite national parks

Must-do activities while at Yellowstone

If you're lucky enough to plan a family trip to Yellowstone, you'll be rewarded with plenty of activities. Here are some of my family's favorites.

Wildlife viewing

One of the main attractions at Yellowstone is the free-roaming wildlife. Our children were enthralled to see bison, elk, deer, a wolf, fox and even a porcupine roaming the plains. We had to abandon a pleasant picnic one afternoon when a bison tried to join us for lunch. The animals are both common and king in this park. We did not encounter bears, but visitors should exercise caution and heed advisories. Using bear boxes to store scented products at campsites is mandatory and carrying bear spray when hiking is recommended. Overall, the park does an excellent job of alerting visitors of all wildlife sightings.

Related: 7 inspiring US state parks to visit when we get the all-clear

Geysers and thermal pools

Yellowstone boasts over half the world's total number of active geysers. Old Faithful is a good place to start -- especially with children in tow -- as it erupts with flair roughly every 90 minutes. Kids will enjoy the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center as it offers films, interactive displays and a very hands-on Young Scientist exhibit. A boardwalk leads visitors to several other geysers in this group along the Firehole River. This is a stroller-friendly three-mile trek -- easily walkable for most children 5 and up. (If you need to upgrade your gear, here's a look at the best baby carriers and strollers for active families .)

Families can spend anywhere between half a day to several days exploring Yellowstone's geysers and thermal pools, which are too numerous to mention in full. One of our favorites is Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest and deepest pool in the park and has mesmerizing blue water. The spring is accessible by a half-mile boardwalk. Our kids found Fountain Paint Pot -- a series of mud pots that sputter, bubble and gurgle -- another highlight.

Several walks for younger children can be found right at the geysers and thermal pools. A 1-mile loop through a burnt forest leads to Artist Paint Pots, geological features of various sizes and colors.

Yellowstone is full of trails that lead to waterfalls, lakes and meadows. Trout Lake is a short, but steep 10-minute hike that delivers visitors to picturesque Trout Lake. If you're still feeling energetic, you can then take a stroll along the grassy path through meadows and around the lake (another 20–30 minutes).

Mystic Falls is a quiet and rewarding three-mile loop (with the option of adding another mile) that is suitable for families with older children. The hike offers views of the Firehole River and leads to the 70-foot Mystic Falls. We completed the entire 4-mile trail in about three hours with our 9- and 11-year-olds.

If you want to get wet, you can take a dip in the warm pools of Boiling River. A hot spring enters the Gardiner River, and the hot and cold waters mix to create a comfortable spot for splashing around. There are no facilities at the site. Another lukewarm swimming hole popular with kids is the Firehole Swimming Area. Change rooms and washrooms are available.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

No trip to Yellowstone would be complete without a stop at the park's Grand Canyon. The Canyon Visitor Education Center will enthrall children, with its room-sized relief model highlighting the park's volcanic activity and a rotating globe that shows the earth's volcanoes, along with exhibits, murals and dioramas.

The canyon itself is inspiring and unexpected when you first lay eyes on it. A product of volcanic activity, it seems to split the park open, with red, rust and yellow rock that is a product of the area's thermal activity. You can watch the Lower and Upper Falls tumbling into the canyon from various viewing points.

Bottom line

Yellowstone is sprawling and filled with possibility and diversity, and camping is an iconic way to experience it. If you decide to pack it up and stay in a hotel for a night, you can use 45k IHG points to stay at the Holiday Inn West Yellowstone or 30k Wyndham points to stay at the Days Inn by Wyndham West Yellowstone.

While Yellowstone can be overwhelming, focusing on a few areas of the park makes it manageable. Plan to stay in the areas you wish to see. Due to the wildlife sightings, scenery and traffic, travel can be slow going. Sit back and enjoy the ride -- and you may even witness a bison being born!

If you're new to the great outdoors, here are TPG 's top tips for visiting national parks with kids. If you need to start earning some points to cover your next vacation, here are some of the top rewards credit cards for traveling families.

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5 Day Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary – The Best Way to Explore America’s 1st National Park

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One of the best ways to see America’s first national park is in an RV. Joe and I spent four days exploring Yellowstone National Park in a Class B RV with Charley the yellow lab. In this post, I share our five day Yellowstone RV trip itinerary including places to visit, where to camp and tips for planning your RV road trip.

Watch the videos below to see what it’s like to explore Yellowstone in an RV and some of the camping options inside and outside the national park.

5 Day Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary

Before we dive in, I want to mention that driving a Class B RV through Yellowstone is much easier than driving a small Class C RV or even something bigger. You will encounter narrow roads, tight parking lots and short narrow pull-outs for wildlife viewing and hiking trails.

Whether you’re taking your own RV to the park or taking a rental RV , the smaller the RV the better.

>>Use this link to Browse Yellowstone RV Rentals<<

Let’s get started planning your Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary!

Table of Contents

Day 1: Cody, WY

Cody, Wyoming is a great place to start your Yellowstone RV road trip.

Plan to spend the day at Buffalo Bill’s Center of the West where you can fuel up on chuck wagon coffee, biscuits and beans before even stepping foot inside the center. There are five museums at the center including the Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum which has exhibits on all the wildlife found in Yellowstone National Park. There is designated RV parking at the center.

Tip: Cody is also a good place to stock up on bear spray before you get to Yellowstone National Park. If you have the time to buy online, it will be less expensive than at a local outfitter or inside the national park. Bears aren’t the only concern as bison and elk can also be dangerous.

Night 1 Camping Options

You can choose from a handful of RV parks in Cody, Wyoming or spend the night at Walmart like we did.

Learn more about Overnight RV Parking at Walmart

Day 2: Cody, WY to Yellowstone

Drive Beartooth Pass to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The views on highway 120, 296 and 212 are worth it especially of Granite Peak and Castle Mountain. We spotted a moose in Silver Gate, a two mile drive from the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone.

Depending on the time of year, check the road conditions for closures. There is limited to no cell coverage on parts of this drive so check before you leave. While we were in Cody, the North entrance was closed due to snow, but opened the next day.

Northeast Entrance has an oversized vehicle lane on the right for RVs and buses. Past the entrance is a sign with the status of every campground inside the park. If you do not have reservations, this is one place to check campground availability. Given the size of the park, by the time you arrive at the campground, it may be full.

Pets are allowed inside Yellowstone National Park in developed areas. You will not be able to bring your pet on any of the trails or boardwalks. Read the full pet policy on the park’s website .

Make your way to Mammoth Hot Springs via Tower Rosevelt. The earlier you start your day, the more time you’ll have to experience everything on this drive.

Barronette Peak overlook is a good spot to scan for Mountain Goats. We spotted several goats with babies on the hillside. They were difficult to see with the naked eyes, but we got to see them through a spotting scope.

Lamar Valley is a popular spot for wolf sightings. We saw a pack of wolves near Slough Creek. This area is also filled with bison and pronhorn.

Tip: There is Verizon LTE coverage in the Slough Creek area.

Trout Lake Trail is a short and easy 1.2 mile loop natural trail with beautiful views . The trailhead parking area is around 1.5 miles south of Pebble Creek Campground. Although it’s a short trail, it’s worth taking your time to enjoy the wildlife and the views. By the time we finished the trail, the sun was starting to set and we wanted to get to our dispersed camping spot before dark.

Night 2 Camping Options

There are several campgrounds between the Northeast Entrance and North Entrance of Yellowstone. Check the NPS website for availability and status. Many of the campgrounds were closed during our visit.

Tip: For the best shot at a first come, first served campsite, arrive early in the morning. You can check online for status and availability or inquire at the park entrance.

If you cannot find accommodations in Mammoth Hot Spring, Grainer has a few RV park options. We found a great dispersed camping spot on NF 3243 using Allstays .

Tip: rent or bring a good pair of binoculars with you.

• You can rent a Canon 10×42 at Yellowstone Forever in Gardiner. Rental rates start at $15 for 24 hours and the binoculars have to be returned to the same location.
• You can also rent or buy Swarovski binoculars and spotting scopes through Optics Yellowstone in Gardiner by giving them a call 406-224-5277.

Day 3: Mammoth Hot Springs & Tower-Roosevelt

Start your day at the Albright Visitor Center. It’s a great place to get information from rangers and volunteers as well as drop off your recycling and fill up your water bottles.

Parking in the Mammoth Hot Springs can fill up quickly especially if you are in a large RV. Arrive early to grab a spot and plan to keep your RV parked there until you’re done exploring the area. One of the benefits of taking a small RV to Yellowstone is more parking options.

See the Mammoth Hot Springs. The well maintained boardwalk offers great viewpoints of the various springs in the area. We spotted a bull snake and an elk on our walk.

Beaver Ponds Trail is a popular 5 mile loop that starts near Liberty Cap. Give yourself 2 to 3 hours to complete the trail through the forest to Beaver Pond. Unfortunately, the park rangers closed the trail when we arrived due to grizzly bears in the area.

Drive to Tower-Roosevelt to see Undine Falls and Wraith Falls. Undine Falls is a pull over area where you can walk a few steps down to see the falls. Wraith Falls is a short and easy trail to a beautiful waterfall. On the drive to Wraith Falls we saw a coyote after the car in front of us slammed on their brakes.

Tip: cars are more dangerous than wildlife. We had many close calls with cars coming to a sudden stop in front of us or crossing over the center line. Be extra careful when you’re driving an RV through Yellowstone.

Bear jams are a real thing. We experienced several on the drive to Tower-Roosevelt. Luckily, when Joe decided to pull over to make a cup of coffee the black bear and cubs came to us. What followed was a massive jam of bear proportions. We even came across an abandoned car in the middle of the road with all the doors open because the occupants ran outside to look at bears on the hillside.

Tip: give yourself more time than you think you need. From bear jams to construction inside the park, you will likely need more time to get from point a to point b.

Petrified Tree is on the way to Tower-Roosevelt area. Since we have been to Petrified Forest National Park , we decided to skip it and head to Tower Fall Trail.

Tip: there is decent Verizon cell coverage at Tower General Store. The speed is slow, but it’s good enough to check email. If you’re wondering why I am including cell coverage throughout this post, one of the main reasons is because we run our business on the road and need to have internet access .

Night 3 Camping Options

Camp at Tower, Mammoth Hot Springs or drive back to Gardiner. Since Tower Campground and Mammoth Hot Springs were both full during our visit, we drove back out to the dispersed camping spot in Gardiner.

Day 4: Norris & Canyon Village

Drive to Norris Campground as early as you can for a first come, first served campsite. While it’s great to enjoy dispersed camping in the national forest , Joe and I both wanted to maximize our time inside the park. Of course, if you are able to book a campsite in advance, you won’t need to wake up early like we did.

There is plenty of wildlife viewing between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin. We spotted elks, cranes, swans, and goose on the drive to the campground. Many credible sources said grizzlies are in this area, but we did not see any during our visit.

See Yellowstone’s Tallest Active Geyser. Norris Geyser Basin is home to Steamboat Geyser and when it erupts, it can be four times the height of Old Faithful. Plan your time around a daily ranger talk at this geyser to learn more about it and when you an expect to see the next eruption.

Tip: there is limited RV parking at Norris with cars taking up some of the RV spots when the lot is full. Arrive early to save yourself the headache of trying to find a parking spot. Smaller RVs like vans can fit in the standard parking lot.

Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone . There are several trails in the area where you can take in the views of the canyon.

• Lookout Point for a view of the waterfall.
• Grand View offers amazing views of the canyon.
• Red Rock Trail offers a better view of the waterfall.
• Brink of the Falls will get you up close and personal with the falls. If you only have time for one trail, I would recommend Brink of the Falls. It is a short and steep 3/8 mile trail out and back with an elevation change of 600 feet.

Mud Volcano is worth it. If you have the time, take the easy 2/3 mile trail to see Sour Lake, Churning Caldron, Grizzly Fumarole.

Look for Wolves in Hayden Valley. On the drive back to Canyon Village we saw a black wolf and bald eagle on the other side of Yellowstone River.

Refresh at Canyon Village. It’s day four and if you’re like us, you’re ready for a real shower (not an RV shower) with unlimited hot water. For less than $5 per person, you can get a real shower at Canyon Village and do your laundry. You can also stock up on essential items and get Verizon LTE service in this area.

Tip: If you are staying at Canyon Campground, your reservation comes with a voucher good for two showers per day.  

Night 4 Camping Options

Camp at Norris, Madison or drive outside of the park to West Yellowstone, Montana. We really enjoyed Norris Campground and would highly recommend it if you are able to reserve a site there. Joe and I joked that we paid $20 for a parking spot since we didn’t spend anytime at the campground, but it was well worth it.

Tip: you can extend your first come, first served campsite at Norris by going to the campground office. The next morning, there was a long line of people waiting for a campsite to open up. Another reminder to arrive early if you do not have a reservation.

Day 5: Grand Prismatic Spring & Old Faithful

See the Grand Prismatic Spring. This is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone with vibrant colors as a result of bacteria and algae in the water. As Joe said in the video above “seeing the array of colors and the steam rising from the spring was awe-inspiring.” Keep in mind, the colors vary depending on the time of the year.

Tip: the parking lot for Grand Prismatic Spring is quite small. There are pull outs past the parking area where you can leave your RV and take the walking path to the spring.

Finally Make Your Way to Old Faithful. The most well known geyer is worth seeing on your road trip through Yellowstone. Check the visitor center or ranger stations for estimated time of the next eruption.

Beehive is the Best Geyser in Upper Basin. While you’re waiting for the predictable Old Faithful to erupt, hang out at Beehive to see if you can catch an eruption. It’s our favorite geyser in the Upper Basin.

Tip: Verizon cell service is extremely slow in the Old Faithful area. The best cell signal we found inside Yellowstone is at Mammoth Hot Springs and Slough Creek.

Depending on what you want to do and see, you can always add more days to your Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary. An event in Idaho cut our trip short, but we could have easily stayed for another two or three days.

Thanks for reading!

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6 thoughts on “5 day yellowstone rv trip itinerary – the best way to explore america’s 1st national park”.

Great tips. We spent 3 season working in Yellowstone and had our Roadtrek also. I would add more days as there are a couple of more geyser basins that should bee seen. Also I think visiting the visitor centers at Old Faithful and Canyon and Mammoth. Wealth of info to obtained. Also if overnighting in the park, there are several great Ranger talks to take in. It is just so huge. we worked 18 months and only scratched the surface. Enjoy what ever your time in YNP. It is truly WONDERLAND.

Thank you for sharing your Yellowstone recommendations.

Great post and great video! I was wondering what month of the year it was? That is exactly the type of landscape I am hoping for – snow on the mountains, but sunny days. Thank you!

We were there early June, good weather and not too crowded.

I have wanted to visit Yellowstone for a long time and this itinerary looks perfect – cheers for sharing!

Great tips on touring Yellowstone! Summer season has become overwhelming there so we time our visits in September. It’s still very busy but not as bad as the summer months.

There are great camping areas outside the west entrance in the Island Park areas just 25 miles into Idaho. The Henry’s Fork of the Snake river flows from its source at Big Springs and the area has abundant wildlife, elk, moose, antelope and an occasional bear or two. Lots of other off the beaten path things to do…explore the lava tubes, mine for opals or visit historical towns like Virginia City just over the border into Montana all a very short drive from Island Park and from West Yellowstone.

Keep those great travel tips coming and safe travels!

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4 Days In Yellowstone National Park Itinerary: How To Plan A First Visit

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 18, 2020

Updated: September 19, 2024

Yellowstone National Park is a travel planning unicorn. It’s an enormous park with multiple entrances, regions and accommodation options, and there’s so much to see. We’re happy to admit that we were completely overwhelmed when we planned our first 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary. And we travel for a living! But it turned out to be an amazing trip and we’ve since been back for another 3 days in the park. There’s a lot you need to consider when planning a trip to Yellowstone, so we’re going to walk you through it all. In this guide we explain everything you need to know about planning your first Yellowstone National Park itinerary, based on our experiences. We’ll break down the park into regions and entrances, show you the best things to do and of course walk you step-by-step through an amazing 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary so you don’t miss a thing.

Our Experience

What do we know about Yellowstone and how can we help you plan your itinerary?

We’ve spent a total of 7 full days in the park split between visits in October 2019 and April 2021, exploring each of Yellowstone’s regions and staying at hotels both inside the park and in its surrounding towns. Our travel style is always to see and do as much as we possibly can from dawn to dusk, so you can trust us when we say that we really do know Yellowstone well. We’ve even published a popular Yellowstone Guidebook which helps you plan every aspect of your trip.

What we love the most about Yellowstone is how unique it is. Where else can you see this many billowing geysers, vibrant hot springs and bubbling mud pots in one place? But we know it isn’t easy to plan. Since we started our travel blog in 2018, Yellowstone has definitely been the place we get the most questions, comments and emails about from our readers. And we love to help people visit for the very first time, so feel free to leave us a comment at the end. Read more about us .

Park Information

• Website : nps.gov/yell
• Hours : All day, every day
• Fees : $35/vehicle
• Backcountry camping : Allowed with permit
• Accommodation : Hotels, lodges, cabins, campgrounds
• Annual visitors : 4 million
• Peak season : July and August
• Airports : Bozeman, Salt Lake City
• Size : 2.2 million acres
• Caldera : 45 miles x 30 miles
• Last eruption : 640,000 years ago
• Geothermal features : 10,000
• Geysers : 300

Yellowstone is open year round, but the main visiting season lasts from April to October when most roads through the park are clear of snow. And it’s important to know that July and August receive more than half of the 4 million annual visitors. Entry to Yellowstone costs $35 for a 7-day pass, which covers your vehicle and all passengers. Alternatively, you can gain free entry with an America the Beautiful Pass .

Above ground, Yellowstone can be described by every synonym of the word breathtaking. But lurking just below the surface is a super-volcano known as Yellowstone Caldera. As hot magma rises from Earth’s Mantle toward the Crust, pressurized heat escapes in the form of thermal geysers, creating a spectacle worthy of millions of tourists each year. And this is what we all love about Yellowstone!

Is 4 Days Enough Time In Yellowstone?

The first thing you need to decide is how many days you’ll spend in Yellowstone. It might depend on factors like how many days you have off work, your travel budget or even what time of year you’re visiting because of availability at hotels. But to answer the question, we think 4 days is the perfect amount of time for a first visit to Yellowstone National Park, and that’s based on our own 3 and 4 day trips to the park.

Here’s the way we see it:

2 Days – You can see a lot of the park in 2 days if you don’t hike and you go quickly through the major geyser basins. But it’ll be a rush and you’ll have to compromise on certain regions or attractions. This might work better if you’re on a wider road trip and don’t have many days available overall.

3 Days – If you can’t get 4 days off work, hotels aren’t available or it’s getting too expensive, you can absolutely see Yellowstone’s highlights in 3 days. But you’ll have to be quick, spend long days in the park and lose flexibility on your itinerary compared to having the extra day.

4 Days – With 4 full days you can slow down, see and do everything, keep costs to a reasonable level and have flexibility in case of bad weather. This longer time frame also means you can can take on some of the hikes. You might even end up with a bit of spare time, which you’ll be grateful for.

5 Days – Personally, we think 5 days is too long in the park unless you’re going specifically for hiking or photography. You’ll have seen everything at a gentle pace in 4 days, plus it starts to get very expensive by staying longer. If you have the extra time, we highly recommend you use it in Grand Teton instead.

READ : How to spend 2 days in Grand Teton

Regions Of The Park

The reason Yellowstone is so hard to plan is because it’s a massive park with multiple regions and entrances. So before we get into any itinerary examples, we think it’s very helpful to understand the layout of Yellowstone. That way the itineraries will make more sense when you read them.

Now, there are no official regions of Yellowstone but we think it’s easiest to break the park down into 6 different areas (as you can see in our map above):

• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower-Roosevelt
• Canyon Village
• Norris Geyser Basin
• Old Faithful
• Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone’s top attractions are spread right across the entire park. The reason we recommend 4 days and not 3 days for a first visit is so you can get around each of these 6 unofficial regions at a comfortable pace.

There’s a lot to see and it might sound overwhelming, but each region does not require a full day to explore. We’ll show you exactly how to combine these regions later in our itinerary examples. Trust us, it’s easier than it seems at this point!

Need help planning your trip to Yellowstone?

Our popular Yellowstone travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your visit, including what to see in each region, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

Yellowstone National Park has 5 entrances:

• North Entrance – Mammoth, Gardiner, Bozeman, Glacier
• Northeast Entrance – Tower, Cooke City, Billings
• East Entrance – Yellowstone Lake, Cody, Black Hills
• South Entrance – West Thumb, Grand Teton, Jackson
• West Entrance – West Yellowstone, Idaho

Having so many options for entering and leaving Yellowstone created the most uncertainty when it came to planning our first itinerary. We were concerned that we’d miss out on something if we started in one place or ended in another. But it wasn’t the case. You’ll have the chance to visit each region of the park in 4 days, no matter your route in and out, so don’t worry too much about entrances.

Here are the main things to consider with entrances:

Road Closures – Roads into and through the park open and close at different times of the year, so always keep an eye on this live road map for Yellowstone. This is particularly important if you plan to visit in April, May or October.

Efficiency – Begin and end your itinerary at the entrances that make the most sense for your travel plans. We’ve entered via North Entrance and Northeast Entrance because both times we came across to Yellowstone from South Dakota, and the road into East Entrance from Cody was closed. We exited through South Entrance for Grand Teton the first time and West Entrance for Idaho the second time.

READ : The 10 closest airports to Yellowstone

Things You Can’t Miss In Yellowstone

The last thing we’ll talk about before getting into the itinerary examples is what you can’t miss when you visit Yellowstone for the first time. We always look at things to do in a new place before we create our itinerary, and it’s even more important in a place like Yellowstone because it has so many attractions.

Here are the most famous things to see and do:

• Lamar Valley
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Hayden Valley
• West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Lower Geyser Basin
• Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring)
• Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful)

In our opinion, they are the 10 must visit attractions for a first visit to Yellowstone, so make sure you prioritize them. But there are lots more amazing places you can visit if you have time, which again is why we recommend spending 4 days in Yellowstone.

Here’s what else you should add into your itinerary:

• Mud Volcano
• Mount Washburn (hike)
• Black Sand Basin
• Biscuit Basin
• Fairy Falls Trail (hike)
• Mystic Falls Trail (hike)
• Artists Paintpot Trail

READ : Unmissable things to do in Yellowstone

4 Days In Yellowstone Itinerary

There are 25 variations of entrances that can be used to enter and exit Yellowstone. For instance arriving into West and leaving from North, or arriving into South and leaving from East. And with 4 million annual visitors, you can bet each variation will be used. This makes our lives difficult because we can’t show you 25 itineraries in this guide, it would be huge!

So instead what we’ll do is walk you through one main 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary using West Entrance to begin and South Entrance to end, exactly as we would do it. We chose this route for our primary itinerary because West Entrance is the most used entrance to the park and South Entrance leads to Grand Teton, which we encourage you to explore after Yellowstone.

Later in the guide we’ll show you summarized itineraries for how to spend 4 days in Yellowstone starting at each of the other entrances, as well as important information about your accommodation options as you travel around the park.

Let’s begin!

Day 1: Norris And Mammoth

Start early with a big breakfast in West Yellowstone, head into the park through West Entrance and join Grand Loop Road. The first point of interest is a quick stop to see Gibbon Falls from above. Next is a 2.4-mile roundtrip hike to Monument Geyser Basin, it’s a fairly steep trail with great summit views. You don’t have to do this one but it’s a nice introduction to the park.

Stop just 1 mile further up the road and hike Artists Paintpots Trail to see bubbling mud pots and lots of small orange springs. It’s one of our favorite lesser known spots in the park, so don’t miss it. Continuing north, the next stop is Norris Geyser Basin which takes quite a while to get around. Norris is split into 2 sections called Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. It doesn’t matter which section you visit first, but don’t miss Steamboat Geyser (tallest geyser in the world) and Echinus Geyser (largest acid-water geyser).

Keep driving north until you reach Mammoth Hot Springs, there’s really not much to see in-between. Spend a few hours exploring both the Upper and Lower Terraces at Mammoth, it’s very unique and picturesque. If you have time and energy, you could consider hiking Lava Creek Trail to see Undine Falls, but this is totally optional. Spend the night either in Mammoth Hot Springs, Gardiner or Tower Junction.

Day 2: Tower And Canyon

Get a very early start and drive out into Lamar Valley. We highly recommend you arrive before sunrise because it’s considered the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone and animals are most active around dawn. Drive through the valley, pull over and get out of the car, or consider hiking part of Specimen Ridge Trail if you want the highest chance of seeing wildlife.

The next place to stop is near Tower General Store, so you can hike to see Tower Fall and Yellowstone River Overlook. Continue driving south and decide if you want to hike up to Mt Washburn, the most famous trail in Yellowstone. Beginning at Dunraven Pass, it’s a 6-mile roundtrip hike with 1,400 feet elevation, so it’s no joke but it leads to spectacular views. Hike it if you can.

It’ll be getting late in the afternoon by the time you finish hiking Mt Washburn. You’ll finish the second day by driving along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Stop at as many overlooks as you can to see both ways down the canyon. Inspiration Point is the best viewpoint on this side, but we also encourage you to climb down to Brink of the Lower Falls if it’s open. Stay in Canyon or West Yellowstone.

Day 3: Lake And West Thumb

Start out the third day with a drive along South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We highly recommend arriving at Artist Point in time for sunrise because it’s a stunning scene. We’ve done it twice and it’s lovely. Stop at Upper Falls View on the way back and look out for eagles, we saw a huge eagle fly out of a nearby tree last time we were there. It was awesome!

If you’re less interested in photography and more interested in wildlife, skip the waterfall and instead drive down into Hayden Valley for sunrise. After Lamar Valley, it’s considered the second best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. We tracked a coyote for a few minutes as it stalked alongside the river. Next up is Mud Volcano, a series of steamy and smelly vents.

After the valley you’ll arrive at Yellowstone Lake. You could hike Storm Point for a close up of the lake, otherwise continue down to West Thumb Geyser Basin. We really like West Thumb and think it’s one of the more underrated basins. Take a good walk around and enjoy the unique geothermal features, with stunning views over distant mountains. Consider hiking Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail. Drive to Old Faithful and stay there, or stay in West Yellowstone.

Day 4: Lower, Midway And Upper Basins

The last day is all about enjoying Yellowstone’s most famous attractions. We recommend spending a full day exploring Lower, Midway and Upper geyser basins because there’s so much to see beyond Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. Start out with Firehole Canyon Drive and swim in the river if it’s open. Next up is Fountain Paint Pot Trail in the Lower basin, it’s a short boardwalk route with lots of geysers.

Next, turn onto the one way Firehole Lake Drive and stop to see the many geothermal features. After exiting back onto the loop road, drive south to Midway basin so you can walk around Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser. For us, Grand Prismatic Spring is the standout feature in Yellowstone, so we highly recommend you hike at least the first part of Fairy Falls Trail to see it from above.

Make short stops at Biscuit Basin and Black Sand Basin before finally arriving at Old Faithful. Start with the bleachers (benches in a semi-circle) to see an eruption, then head back into Upper basin to see lots more intriguing features. We highly recommend you continue as far as Morning Glory Pool, it’s one of our favorites. On the way back hike up to see Old Faithful erupt from the elevated viewing area. Either stay at Old Faithful or exit via South Entrance and drive down to Grand Teton.

Itinerary Variations

What if you don’t plan to enter through West Entrance and leave through South Entrance? You might be using Salt Lake City or Bozeman airport both in and out, but you also might be driving to Yellowstone from South Dakota or Colorado.

Let’s take a summarized look at how we would plan a 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary starting from each of the other park entrances. You might have to adjust the last day to suit where you plan to exit the park at the end of your itinerary.

North Entrance

• Start with Mammoth Hot Springs
• Head down to Norris Geyser Basin
• Explore both Norris basins
• Hike to Artists Paintpots
• Hike up to Monument Geyser Basin
• Spend the night in West Yellowstone
• Start with Firehole Canyon Drive
• Walk around Fountain Paint Pot Trail
• See Grand Prismatic Spring
• Hike Fairy Falls Trail
• Visit Biscuit Basin and Black Sand Basin
• See Old Faithful Erupt
• Hike back into Upper Geyser Basin
• Stay at Old Faithful
• Start at West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Hike Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
• Explore the Yellowstone Lake are
• Consider hiking Storm Point Trail
• Head up to Mud Volcano
• Look for wildlife in Hayden Valley
• Take South Rim Drive to Artists Point
• Sunset at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Stay at Canyon
• Start with a hike up Mt Washburn
• Hike Tower Fall and River Overlook
• Head out into Lamar Valley for wildlife
• Hike a portion of Specimen Ridge
• Maybe hike Lava Creek to Undine Falls
• Explore Mammoth Hot Springs
• Stay in Mammoth or Gardiner

Northeast Entrance

• Sunrise in Lamar Valley for wildlife
• See Tower Fall and River Overlook
• Hike Mt Washburn
• Stay in Canyon
• Sunrise in Hayden Valley for wildlife
• See the Mud Volcano
• Explore the Lake area
• Hike Storm Point Trail
• Explore West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Hike to the lake overlook
• Drive to Old Faithful
• Watch evening eruptions
• Start by hiking out into Upper basin
• Go as far as Morning Glory Pool
• See Old Faithful erupt from above
• Visit Black Sand and Biscuit Basins
• Walk around Grand Prismatic Spring
• Loop around Firehole Lake Drive
• Walk Fountain Paint Pot Trail
• Take Firehole Canyon Drive
• Swim in the river if it’s open
• Stay in West Yellowstone
• Start with Gibbon Falls
• Hike to Monument Geyser Basin
• Walk to Artists Paintpots
• Explore both sides of Norris Basin
• Walk around Mammoth Hot Springs

East Entrance

• Start with the Lake area
• Strong hikers can do Avalanche Peak
• Otherwise hike Storm Point
• Head north to Mud Volcano
• Spot wildlife in Hayden Valley
• See Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Start with hiking Mt Washburn
• Spot wildlife in Lamar Valley
• Start with Norris Geyser Basin
• Stop to see Gibbon Falls
• Drive Firehole Canyon
• Swim in the river if open
• Start with Fountain Paint Pot Trail
• Drive Firehole Lake to see geysers
• Hike Fairy Falls
• Stop at Biscuit and Black Sand Basins
• Explore Old Faithful and Upper Basin
• Stop at West Thumb Basin
• Drive down to Grand Teton
• Stay in Moran or Jackson

South Entrance

• Start with West Thumb Basin
• See Black Sand and Biscuit Basins
• Swim in the Firehole River if open
• Explore Norris Geyser Basin
• See the terraces at Mammoth
• Sunrise in Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Hike Storm Point
• Walk around West Thumb Geyser Basin

Accommodation

We’ve always said booking hotels is the hardest part about planning a trip to Yellowstone. During our first trip we stayed in Cody, Mammoth, Canyon, West Yellowstone and Jackson. Then during our second trip we stayed in Cody, Gardiner and West Yellowstone. We recommend booking way in advance to secure rooms, otherwise you might miss out on your preferences. Rooms book up quickest in June, July and August.

We prefer to move hotels each night in order to keep our Yellowstone itinerary as efficient as possible, and reduce our time spent driving. But you could book one hotel for your entire stay in a place like West Yellowstone, which has a nice central location to the park’s top attractions.

After staying at lodging inside the park and hotels nearby, we wouldn’t say there’s a better or worse way to do it. Hotels in the park are more convenient, but they’re often fully booked, they can be expensive and food options are limited. Whereas staying at hotels in nearby towns gives you better hotel and restaurant options, but it’s also less convenient for attractions. We highly recommend reading our guide below on the various places you can stay around the park.

READ : Where to stay around Yellowstone

Best Time To Visit Yellowstone

We think June and September are the two best months of the year to visit Yellowstone National Park because they have the best balance between costs, crowds, attractions, road conditions, hotel availability and temperatures. So if you have flexibility over your dates, we recommend booking your trip for June or September. The next time we visit Yellowstone it’ll be in one of those two months.

Personally we would avoid July and August at all costs because more than 2 million people visit in just those 2 months. That means full hotels, crammed roads and busy attractions. Combine all that with hot weather and high prices due to demand. No thanks! But we know it’s the school holidays and you might not have a choice. If that’s the case, book hotels in advance and prepare for a theme park feel.

It’s important to remember that Yellowstone’s roads have staggered opening and closing times each year. You don’t have to factor this into your thinking if you visit in June, July, August or September. But if you want to visit when it’s quieter in April, May or October, you must be aware that roads can and will close if snow falls. Trust us, it happened to us when we visited Yellowstone in October !

Our trips in April and October were fantastic in the sense that hotel rooms were cheaper and more readily available, wildlife was active and it was quiet in the park. However, the flip side of the coin was not only roads closing due to snow, but also some hiking trails being closed due to snow or even bear activity because they’re the months either side of hibernation. It’s all about the trade off, so what’s more important to you?

READ : Visiting Yellowstone in April

It doesn’t matter how many days you spend in Yellowstone, please remember to be sensible and responsible when you visit the park. There are too many incidents of people being injured in hot springs or being attacked by animals because they were trying to get a selfie. But our biggest pet-peeve is when people abandon cars in the middle of the loop road because someone thought they saw a wolf or bear.

It’s rare, but sometimes you won’t have control over safety, like when Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin Geyser erupted without warning in July 2024. Remember, Yellowstone sits on top of an active volcano. It might be prudent to keep your kids close by in case something similar happens when you visit.

Lastly, dogs are allowed in Yellowstone but there are heavy restrictions . Your pets are not allowed at boardwalks, trails, thermal areas, in the backcountry or more than 100 feet from any established road. Personally, we would do all we could not to bring our dog because we know it would limit what we could do with our itinerary.

More From Yellowstone

• What you can’t miss in Yellowstone
• Top rated hotels near Yellowstone
• Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone road trip
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip
• Airports near Yellowstone
• Visiting Yellowstone in April
• Visiting Yellowstone in October
• Grand Teton 2 days itinerary

Want more Yellowstone information? Head over to our main Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide for help with planning your first visit to the park.

We hope this 4 days in Yellowstone guide helps with planning your itinerary!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

26 thoughts on “4 Days In Yellowstone National Park Itinerary: How To Plan A First Visit”

Hi there I’m coming from GT 2 days to YS for 4 days. After YS to GNP for 4 days . My question is if I’m coming from GT is it best to go to the west entrance first? Then the north? Which entrance is best to continue my journey to GNPark? Thanks so much DT

Hi Dee, glad to hear you’ll be doing 2 days in Grand Teton and 4 days in Yellowstone. You could go from Jackson to West Entrance if you want to follow our main 4 day itinerary but in reverse. Or you could go from Jackson/Grand Teton straight up to South Entrance and West Thumb Geyser Basin instead. It’s quicker, far more scenic and it means you can begin the first part of your Yellowstone itinerary more easily. You’d just have to reorder how you see each region in the park to make it efficient. When you leave, exit via North Entrance or West Entrance for Glacier. There’s not much difference in driving time and it gives you more flexibility over your Yellowstone itinerary. Have a great trip!

Hello, I am driving from spokane to Teton on June 7th. I want to do teton, YN and glacir and drive back to spokane. So I think it would be best for me to stay in jackson or teton for one night and then drive up to west entrance for 2 nights and stay in Gardiner for one night because my plan is to do teton in one day 3 or 4 days for Yellowstone and then drive on to Glacer national park. I know it makes perhaps more sense to to go Glacier first and then drive down to YN and to teton but I have to take a return flight from spokene and Galcer sun road is not open untill June 15th or so, so I decided to drive down to Teton via Misoula and then drive up so I reach Galcier park around 13th or 14th and have more chances to see the sun road. I know it is driving double a little but looks like best optin to me. I am also doing this loop so I can take the car from spokane and return it at spokane. Taking a car from spokane and returning at teton is very expensive.

Am I on right track?

Hi Anjana, yes it sounds like you’re exactly on track with your plans. That’s exactly what we would do in your circumstances. Have a great trip!

How long does it take to get a guidebook to Yellowstone? Is it downloadable?

Hi Melissa, yes our Yellowstone guidebook is a digital download so you can get it instantly to your phone and computer. Thank you and have a fantastic trip!

Looking to also go in through Cooke City. Any recommendations on where to stay in Cooke City that night before entering the park? Thanks!

Hi Bret, glad to hear you will be visiting Yellowstone soon. Take a look through our where to stay in Yellowstone guide to see our hotel recommendations for Cooke City. It is a great place to start because you get instant access to Lamar Valley for wildlife at dawn. Have a great trip!

is there an actual print out of just the 4 day yellowstone itinerary? point to point to see?

Hi Tricia, At the moment we do not have a printable version of this itinerary, but we hope to have one soon. You are more than welcome to print out the travel guide and if you have any specific questions about Yellowstone, feel free to ask any time. Have a great trip!

Yikes! We are planning a trip this summer starting in South Dakota and heading into Yellowstone for 4 day. Unfortunately we have to go in the summer since I work at a high school. Yellowstone is so overwhelming and it looks like we will be entering Yellowstone the week of July 4th. Planning is so overwhelming 🤪 We will be pulling our RV as well. There are no campsites available in Yellowstone so hoping to find something not too far away. Since we will be driving in each day which entrance makes themost sense or should we split time between a couple of. Entrances?

Hi Holly, we are glad to hear you have a trip planned to Yellowstone but “yikes” is definitely a great word to describe your situation! If it were us, we would try staying at a campground in or around Gardiner the first and maybe second night, then staying at a campground in West Yellowstone for the next 2 nights. We have driven from South Dakota to Yellowstone twice, entering once into northeast entrance and once into north entrance at Gardiner. Your drive over on I-90 won’t be very exciting but for you it will be about efficiency and getting to Gardiner as quickly as possible is your best bet. Then you can see the “top half” of Yellowstone in the next 2 days, before pulling your RV to a campground in West Yellowstone so you have easier access to the “bottom half” of Yellowstone. Hope that helps and best of luck getting booked up. Have a great trip!

I’m so grateful to have found this site. It’s amazing! You are so thorough and organized – I am in awe. Without this guide I would have just booked a full week in West Yellowstone and then spent most of my days driving and being stressed about being in the park after dark. Now I think I’ll book 4 nights at YGI and 3 nights in Jackson. I have dogs, so I can’t stay in the park or move around too often. We primarily want to see wildlife – I hope we see a wolf!!!

Thank you Noelle, we’re glad our guide has helped you plan your trip to Yellowstone! Last time we visited we saw a wolf near Grand Prismatic Spring, just look for a group of people with expensive cameras / binoculars / telescopes and it’s either a wolf or a bear. Have a great time!

Hi, how does one find out the driving time or distance to different areas within the parks – Yellowstone and GTNP?

Hi ALice, thanks for getting in touch with a great point – we have updated our Yellowstone itinerary with a driving distance chart to show how far it is between the major regions in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We didn’t include times because that will change heavily depending on season but it should give you a better idea of how much driving will be involved during your visit.

Wow thanks for taking the time and sharing all that info! With that said, it is a bit overwhelming 🙂 appreciate your help in planning my trip with my teenage daughter in early July 2022. We’re flying in from San Francisco for 4 days. Is there any way to contact you directly? Thanks

Hi Meytal, yes planning a trip to Yellowstone can be overwhelming! Head over to our contact page and send us a message with any questions you have for your trip 🙂

Great article, thank you for the detailed information. We are headed for 4 days with a stay booked at the West entrance for all nights. All things considered, would you advise that I keep that spot or split it up between other entrances? All of the lodging INSIDE the park is booked up…so our only options would be to head out of the park for overnights. Looking at your itinerary for the 4 days it looks like staying where we are may just be the best option vs moving each night out to the North and then the East entrances…what do you think having been?

Hi Mel, yes getting booked inside the park is going to be a challenge this year. Stick with what you have booked in West Yellowstone for the 4 days. It’s the most central location with easier access to each of the areas inside the park. We were in Yellowstone again a few weeks ago and stayed in West Yellowstone both nights. It is a bit of a pain driving in and especially out each day as you drive directly into the sunset, but it’s by far the best option for keeping drive time down. That being said, if you are really keen to see wildlife, Lamar Valley at sunrise is your best bet and staying one night in either Gardiner (North entrance) near Mammoth or even Cooke City (Northeast entrance) would cut your driving time down significantly early in the morning. You will see wildlife without doing that but it would likely be a better experience. The drives East to Cody and South to Jackson are too long. Let us know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!

planning a trip for the summer, reading through piles of pins about Yellowstone and this is the most helpful yet! thank you so much!

Thank you Chelsea, we’re glad you were able to find the info you needed for Yellowstone. Please let us know if you have any questions about your plans but if not have a great trip!

This is such a helpful and informative review! With limited time in Yellowstone, we will be following your suggestions, but in reverse, coming up from Tetons.

Thank you Sarah, we’re glad you found it helpful – doing both Grand Teton and Yellowstone is such an amazing trip. Please do let us know if you have any questions about either park and have a great time!

Wow this has to be the best national park yet, something for everyone there, it must of been amazing.

Yes this was one of the most diverse US National Parks we visited, you’re spot on with something for everyone. We had a love / hate relationship with the snow, it was freezing cold and we might have missed out on some wildlife spotting opportunities, plus the Mt Washburn hike was closed and we couldn’t see much at Grand Prismatic Spring – but the Winter Wonderland scenery was unique and spectacular. Hope you are able to visit Yellowstone one day Graham!

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Quiz: Which San Diego Adventure is Right for You? 

THE ONLY 9- DAY GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY YOU WILL NEED (RV STYLE)

When our RV trip around Iceland had been cancelled due to Coronavirus, we knew we had to plan something else that was going to be just as epic.

Insert: Us coming up with the ultimate Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary (RV style)!

Crossing off all the National Parks has always been on my bucket list, so my husband and I figured this would be the perfect time to cross off two more parks. We couldn’t think of a safer way to do this trip other than by renting and RV and driving it around!

In this article, I am going to give my EXACT 9- day itinerary that allowed us to drive through the beautiful Fall foliage that the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park had to offer. 

Although Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are basically neighbors they do each deserve their own time to explore! However, I highly recommend clumping them into one trip to create a larger Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary. 

RENTING AN RV

After hours of research and talking to multiple companies, we chose to get our class C RV through Outdoorsy. 

Outdoorsy is a magnificent company that allows you to search for RVs with the exact amenities you want. It is basically Airbnb but RV style.

We knew we wanted an RV that allowed us to be able to be full remote if we needed/wanted to be. We wanted one that we could stand up in, an RV with a full kitchen and one with a bathroom and shower as well. 

How it works: Any RV owner can list their vehicle on this website for rent (of course after going through background checks, etc.). It is a peer to peer kind of marketplace. 

the customer searches for what they want, you book the RV, and you can either pick it up or have it delivered if available.

Now you are ready to hit the road!

The entire process was smooth. We chose to go with an older and more vintage RV (the Montana Warrior) because it helped decrease the cost significantly. 

This thing was awesome! I loved the retro look to it! Melissa, the owner of the RV, was spectacular to work with. She was very accommodating and made the process simple.

Our RV was stocked with blankets, towels, dish soap, cookware, toilet paper and much more! We chose to add on two cans of bear spray as well as two outdoor chairs for our trip!

HOW TO FIND CAMPING

Living in an RV for the week is very similar to car camping. 

There are a few ways you can find a place to park your RV for the night.

Campgrounds: The most popular way would be to find designated campgrounds and make your reservation ahead of time. There are also first come first serve campgrounds.

The first come first serve campgrounds tend to fill.

Free parking: There are definitely spots where it is legal to park for free. You can use an app such as TheDyrt to find such a place.

BLM Land: BLM land is free land that anyone at anytime can pull their car up on and set up camp.

GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY: TIPS

While google maps says the overall driving time between the two parks is only two hours, plan to spend a lot more time in the car than that. 

There are so many incredible places to stop and check out that you will almost feel like you don’t have enough time. 

If you want to for sure for sure see Bison and Elk then you should make time to go to Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. We unfortunately were unable to make it to that side of the park and regret that decision.

We still were able to see 1 bison up close and quite a few Elk. Surprisingly, we did not see any bears. Maybe they saw us though 😉

My last tip is that to get the best views with the least crowds you will want to wake up early!

DAY 1: YOUR GRAND TETON AND YELLOWSTONE ITINERARY

Let’s get started! You made it! 

Depending on where you are flying in from or driving in from will determine where you start your trip; however, I recommend flying into Bozeman. 

Tip! If you are renting an RV-ask if they can deliver it to the airport! It will make your trip that much easier!

After you get the rundown of how your RV works head to the grocery store to stock up on food for the week. There is an Albertson’s just 5 minutes away from the Bozeman airport. 

Looking for ideas on what to cook for your trip! Check out these easy camping meals!

A note on COVID: If you are visiting these National Parks during the pandemic be aware that a lot of the restaurants in the park are closed, so make sure to have enough food for yourself. 

It was already getting to be late for us, so we just decided to find a place to sleep for the night and enjoy cooking dinner while it was still light out.

We used the app TheDyrt to find our free sleeping spot for the night. It was up a long, dirty, bumpy road, but our RV made it. A little sketchy, but we did it!

DAY 2: FIRST DAY IN YELLOWSTONE

You will see throughout the course of this itinerary that I recommend getting up for sunrise each morning . 

Start your morning off by going through the north entrance of Yellowstone. There is a large entry way you can drive under.

Your first stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs. This place was beautiful! 

You can read all about how to get Mammoth Hot Springs all to yourself here.  

If you have time you can stop at the Boiling River , but it was closed due to COVID on our trip.

The next stop will be Artist Point: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

For more details on trails and hikes you should do near Artist point check out my complete Yellowstone itinerary breakdown.

End your day by driving through Hayden Valley Towards West Yellowstone.

Make stops at the West Thumb Basin Geyser. 

Sleep at: Wagon Wheel RV park in West Yellowstone

DAY 3: SECOND DAY IN YELLOWSTONE

Have a slow morning and enjoy breakfast in your RV. 

Head to Fairy Falls and enjoy a beautiful hike. On your hike back from Fairy Falls you will want to go to the Grand Prismatic overlook . 

Next up! Head over to the infamous Old Faithful for the spectacular show!

End your day at Lewis Falls -a gorgeous waterfall! 

For sleeping at night we attempted to sleep in the park; however, all the campgrounds quickly filled up. 

But! Insider’s tip here: they allowed us to sleep in the parking lots right outside the campground!

DAY 4: A DAY IN THE GRAND TETONS

I was amazed by this park as I knew I would be. The mountainscape is just absolutely incredible. 

We started our morning off by watching sunrise at the Snake River Overlook . However, I think better spots could be found for sunrise. 

Personally, I would recommend watching sunrise from Oxbow bend . We went here after sunrise and it was stunning. 

We stopped by Jenny Lake to walk around prior to our next adventure. 

The rest of your day will be spent kayaking. If you have a car with the capability of putting a canoe or kayak on the top of it then I recommend renting one from Dornan’s Adventure Rentals .

If you don’t have that capability then you can head to Rendezvous Sports in Jackson and pick up an inflatable kayak. 

Bring your kayak to String lake and the hike it over to Leigh Lake for more kayaking. 

Here is a guide on paddling String Lake and Leigh Lake .

End your night with a sunset view from Signal Mountain Summit . 

We headed back to the parking lot of Colter Bay Campground for the night. 

DAY 5: SECOND DAY IN THE GRAND TETONS

This will be a big hiking day. If you are an avid hiker then I highly recommend hiking to Delta Lake . 

But first, let’s talk about your sunrise spot. This is the best sunrise spot! Make sure to stop here at some point during your trip. It is called Schwabacher Landing . 

After sunrise, plan to spend your day hiking to Delta Lake. It is a strenuous hike (especially at the end) and you will want to make time to relax at the top. Or even jump in the glacier water 🙂

We ended our night by watching sunset from the Mormon Barns on Mormon Row. 

For sleeping purposes, this night we slept in the parking lot of 

DAY 6: A DAY IN JACKSON

For this part of your Yellowstone and Grand Tetons itinerary, you will actually be outside of the park. You will be spending the day in Jackson, Wyoming. 

I have a complete guide to spending the day in Jackson here , but the main things you will do is:

-Bike riding

-Wine Drinking 

-Pizza Eating

DAY 7: HIKE TO PHELPS LAKE

Our Yellowstone and Grand Tetons itinerary actually had a change in plans. We were going to go to Idaho at the end of our trip, but we loved these two national parks so much so that we decided to stay longer.

Sleep in this day! Treat yourself considering the rest of this itinerary had you getting up for sunrise each morning. 

Hike to Phelps Lake during the day and make sure to bring your swimsuit for some cliff jumping!

Sleep at Gros Ventre Campground tonight. 

DAY 8: FREE FOR ALL DAY

This was a rainy day for us, so we chose to spend the day relaxing back in the cute town of Jackson. 

We spent our time at a coffee shop working on our computers and enjoying a cup of Joe. There was a farmer’s market going on, so we walked around that and then we bought souvenirs from the trip.

Oh and we got the best Vegan salads from the Healthy Being Cafe and Juicery. 

DAY 9: TIME TO HEAD HOME

Another travel day. Enjoy a nice breakfast before you head home. 

We always try to book a flight that will get us home in the afternoon to allow us time to prepare for the upcoming week.

Through lots of trial and error we found the afternoon return time decreases our stress. 

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM YOUR OUTDOOR LOVING GIRL

I hope this complete Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Itinerary has helped you plan your next trip!

This trip was so different and so fun! If you are looking to do a National Park trip ever then renting an RV is honestly the way to go. 

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AN INCREDIBLE PALM SPRINGS WEEKEND GETAWAY ITINERARY FOR THE OUTDOOR LOVER

FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE: A COMPLETE JACKSON HOLE ITINERARY FOR FALL (DOWNLOADS, MAPS & MORE!)

Wow! These pictures are to die for. We have 5 kids (4 still at home), but we have said for years that when we retire this is what we want to do. I had no idea the options for renting an RV and finding camping ground. This is all so helpful and has me thinking how we can do a trip like this before retirement.

Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are on my bucket list. I think you’ve made me an RV convert, I never would have thought to rent one. Brilliant. There looks like so many beautiful places to see.

This Yellowstone and the Grand Teton itinerary is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

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Yellowstone Camping Explorer

6 days, jackson to jackson.

• Full itinerary
• Tour details

Get your blood pumping and your heart thumping on this active adventure through the heart of the American West. Spend six days discovering the untamed beauty and wildness of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Awaken your inner explorer and use your own two feet to reach new heights on epic hikes through the varied landscapes of Wyoming. Come face-to-face with a staggering array of pristine landscapes and geological wonders. After a day of keeping your eyes peeled for the region’s abundant wildlife (grizzlies, wolves, moose, bald eagles, and the elusive gray wolf), tuck in for a great night's sleep in a tent under a star-filled sky.

Jackson to Jackson

Is this tour for me, travel style: active.

Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Service Level: Camping

Camping most nights with some hotel/hostel stays to start and throughout; affordable public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 12.

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 6

Places visited

• United States

Day 1 Jackson/Yellowstone National Park

Arrive in time for your 8am welcome meeting in Jackson Hole. Travel to Yellowstone National Park and spend the day visiting sites like Old Faithful, the Upper Geyser Basin, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Set up camp and enjoy an evening together. Enjoy dinner at camp with your CEO and new friends.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Meals included:, day 2 yellowstone national park.

Awake amid the forest and breathe in the fresh air while having breakfast at camp. Drive for an hour to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and spend some time hiking around the area. See the views from Artist Point and hike along the Mt Washburn trail with a pause for a packed lunch along the way. Return to camp after the hike and relax before dinner.

Day 3 Yellowstone National Park

Begin the adventure early today with a morning wildlife safari in Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including bison, elk, and elusive wolves and grizzly bears. Hike along trails in the area like Trout Lake and then travel to Mammoth Hot Springs for an included lunch. Explore the area and hike the 3 miles around the terraces. Then, continue to Norris Geyser Basin for a 2-mile walk. Finish the day with a drive to West Yellowstone stopping to view wildlife on the way.

Day 4 Yellowstone National Park/Jackson

Today, visit one last area of Yellowstone National Park known as West Thumb Geyser Basin. Walk amid the geothermal, iridescent springs before traveling south to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Spend free time along the shores exploring the trails on your own. Opt to hop on a boat ride across the picturesque lake. Arrive at camp in the evening for a group dinner.

Day 5 Jackson

After breakfast, spend the morning on your own in Grand Teton National Park. Hike the trails in search of photographic locations amid the stunning mountain views. The afternoon brings more excitement with an adventurous and fun rafting trip on the Snake River.

Day 6 Jackson

Help break down camp this morning before being driven to the Elk Country Inn in Jackson where the tour ends upon arrival.

What's Included

• Your Welcome Moment: Arrival Day and Morning Welcome Meeting
• Yellowstone National Park Visit
• Norris Geyser Basin, Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Yellowstone Northern and Southern Loop Excursion
• Lamar Valley wildlife safari
• Grand Teton National Park Visit
• Guided Snake River float
• Free time at Jenny Lake
• All entrance fees into the national parks
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Camping (5nts).

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners Allow USD95-125 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, boat, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Available extras  (Add these to your tour when you book)

My own room - from $279.00.

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

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Cat Missing in Yellowstone Travels 800 Miles to Reunite With California Owners

The heart-warming story of a missing cat reuniting with its owners has been winning hearts on social media. Benny and Susanne Anguiano, a couple from California went on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, with their two pet cats, Rayne Beau and Starr in June. While camping at the Fishing Bridge R.V. Park, Rayne Beau, who is a male Siamese cat of 2 years of age, went missing into the Yellowstone National Park woods.

Despite an extensive search of 5 days, the owners were unable to find the feline. However, nearly 2 months after the incident, Rayne Beau miraculously traveled 800 miles from Yellowstone to reunite with his owners.

Missing cat returns home after 60 days & 800-mile journey

A 2-year-old male Siamese cat named Rayne Beau, who went missing while on a camping trip at Fishing Bridge R.V. Park, in Yellowstone National Park, has been reunited with his California owners, Susanne and Benny Anguiano.

The couple suddenly lost sight of the cat after he dashed into the deep woods. They waited for his return and went on to look for him in the forest area for 5 days near their camping ground. However, they could not find him and lost hope. Rayne Beau’s sister cat, Starr, also began to meow through the trailer’s screen door as she could not see her brother.

After 5 days, the California couple decided to return home to Salinas with heavy hearts. As reported by The New York Times , Mrs. Anguiano expressed, “Leaving him (Rayne Beau) was unthinkable,”. She continued, “I felt like I was abandoning him.”

Almost two months after the feline went missing, something happened that was nothing short of a miracle. Rayne Beau was discovered wandering on Roseville streets in California. It was just 3 hours away from Anguianos’ place. As first reported by KSBW, the news station, it was also over 800 miles away from Yellowstone National Park.

A local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worker informed Susanne and Benny Anguiano that Rayne Beau had been identified by rescuers with the help of his microchip. Thus, soon the couple were reunited with their beloved cat. He had lost a lot of body weight and was exhausted after walking such long miles, per the owners. They further stated that Rayne Beau has been doing well since he returned home in early August.

The post Cat Missing in Yellowstone Travels 800 Miles to Reunite With California Owners appeared first on CatTime .

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Yellowstone cat: Lost pet travels 900 miles to California after escaping during camping trip

Rayne Beau, whose owners Susanne and Benny Anguiano took him camping in Yellowstone National Park, found his way home after running off into some trees and disappearing.

By Bethany Minelle, news reporter

Saturday 21 September 2024 13:41, UK

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A pet cat has defied the odds and returned home to his owners in California after getting lost in Yellowstone National Park two months ago.

The adventure-loving feline - called Rayne Beau - apparently made the 900-mile journey from Wyoming after getting spooked during a family camping trip.

His owners, Benny and Susanne Anguiano, took Rayne Beau and his twin sister to Yellowstone's Fishing Bridge RV Park on 4 June for the cats' first trip to the forest.

However, the holiday ended badly after Rayne Beau was startled and ran into nearby trees.

Despite searching for four days, the Anguianos were unable to find their lost pet, finally returning home to Salinas with heavy hearts.

Despite heading home, Ms Anguino said she never lost hope she would find him and took a double rainbow she saw on the drive home as "a sign" he would be OK.

In August, the Anguianos received a surprise phone call from Rayne Beau's microchip company to tell them their pet was safe and well at the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA) in Roseville, California.

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The animal shelter was nearly 900 miles (1,448 km) from Yellowstone, and just 200 miles (322 km) away from their home.

A woman who first saw Rayne Beau wandering the streets of the northern California city fed him and gave him water until she managed to catch him on 3 August, taking him to the local SPCA.

Rayne Beau's owners picked him up the following day.

He'd lost 6lbs and had 'beat up paws'

Ms Anguianos said he had lost six pounds, adding: "I believe truly that he made that trek mostly on his own. His paws were really beat up. Lost 40% of his body weight, had really low protein levels because of inadequate nutrition. So, he was not cared for."

It remains a mystery how Rayne Beau got to Roseville, and his owners are hoping members of the public may be able to fill in the blanks.

Rayne Beau has now been fitted with a GPS global tracker in case of further misadventure.

His owners say they will practise "camping in their driveway to get him used to it," before hitting the road again.

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