Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Bozeman & Relax in a Montana Lodge

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the busiest in Montana, and getting to Bozeman has never been easier. Keep an eye on the flight schedule—new and seasonal flights are added often! It’s also a 1.5-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park, making it the most convenient jump-off point for your park adventure.

If you’re not planning to take a National Park tour that includes transportation, we recommend renting a car at the airport.

Depending on the time of day you arrive, you may want to settle in at Gallatin River Lodge, a short 15-minute drive from the airport, at 320 Guest Ranch, or head down the road to Rainbow Ranch Lodge in Big Sky, about an hour from Bozeman.

All three lodges offer a peaceful setting and have excellent restaurants—a nice way to start your trip! They’re also en route to Yellowstone’s West Entrance, the most popular way to enter the park.

If you choose to stay in Bozeman, you can explore the culturally vibrant downtown or take a relaxing soak in Bozeman Hot Springs.

Day 2
Grizzlies, Geysers, and Yellowstone Lake

If you’re starting your day in Bozeman, stop at Aurore French Bakery before you head out. Its croissants, pastries, breakfast, and lunch sandwiches are perfect for taking on the go. If you’re a guest at Rainbow Ranch Lodge, continental breakfast is included. You’ll want to get an early start; there’s a lot to explore at Yellowstone National Park.

Next, head to West Yellowstone, where the West Entrance to Yellowstone is located. If you have a minute, explore the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, where you can view these animals up close and learn about their behaviors. Stop at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center to get a lay of the land and learn of potential road closures.

This area of Yellowstone is one of the most notable, where most of the Park’s geothermal features are located. You’ll cross through Lower, Midway, and Upper Geyser Basins, home to:

• Fountain Paint Pot with mud pots, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.

• Fountain Geyser, which erupts approximately every 4 to 8 hours, reaching 20 to 80 feet.

• Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, famous for its striking colors.

• Turquoise Pool and Opal Pool, two beautiful hot springs noted for their clear, bright blue waters.

• Old Faithful, the most famous geyser, which erupts roughly every 90 minutes and reaches 180 feet in the air.

• Morning Glory Pool, known for its brilliant colors.

Spend time at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, where interactive displays and exhibits are held on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features. Or, continue to Grant Village, where you can take a chartered, guided boat tour of Yellowstone Lake and enjoy dining at the Grant Village Lakehouse Restaurant.

Of course, spending the night in the historic Old Faithful Inn is always a treat. It’s one of the largest log-style structures in the world, and the lobby features a massive stone fireplace and a hand-crafted clock. Otherwise, you can find a place to stay at one of the Park’s other lodges, cabins, or campgrounds.

Day 3
Explore Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park, our neighboring park in Wyoming, may be smaller than Yellowstone, but the scenery is spectacular. It’s a quick ten-minute drive from the South Entrance of Yellowstone to Grand Teton, connected by the beautiful John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. While Yellowstone is known for its geothermal features, wide open spaces, and vast wildlife, Grand Teton features craggy, snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear glacial lakes.

For most people, the scenic drives are enough to take in the beauty, but if you’re an experienced hiker, you may want to build in time to explore some of their 200 miles of trails, including twelve active glaciers and lots of turquoise lakes.

Grand Teton Park Loop is a fabulous way to take in the highlights of the Park, which include:

• Teton Park Road, which runs along the base of the Teton Range.

• Jenny Lake Scenic Drive, a one-way road that offers breathtaking views of the lake and mountains.

• Signal Mountain Summit Road, a short detour that takes you to a viewpoint with panoramic views of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole.

• US Highway 191/89/26, which runs along the eastern boundary of the Park and Jackson Lake.

Stop for lunch or an early dinner at the Jackson Lake Lodge, where 60-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows frame Jackson Lake and the Teton Range.

End your day in back Yellowstone at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins, where you can top off the evening with a nightcap with views of Yellowstone Lake.

Day 4
Drive Through “America’s Serengeti” On Your Way Back

Heading north through Yellowstone, you’ll drive through Hayden Valley, known for wildlife and birdwatching, then to Lamar Valley, known as “America’s Serengeti” because it’s an excellent area for wildlife watching and fishing. Consider a guided Yellowstone Wildlife Safari Tour for a better chance at seeing the wildlife you’re looking for, along with insight from a professional naturalist guide.

End the day at Mammoth Hot Springs, located near the North Entrance. These unique terrace formations are striking – gold and white, unlike other Yellowstone features. Elk roam freely through the area (they are still wild, so keep your distance!), and you will likely see bison as well. Historic Fort Yellowstone, where the US Army lived, is in Mammoth and the Albright Visitor Center.

Once you are done exploring, it’s about a 90-minute drive back to Bozeman. If you’re heading out early the next day, the newly opened EVEN Hotel is close to the airport, and the Mint Café and Bar is a local favorite for dinner.