A trip combining Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park is a fantastic way to experience two of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in the United States.
7
2
3
729.7 mi
This was our second trip to both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. We visited in the past with my parents, but a few years later we planned a trip with Justin’s parents. They wanted to see the area, and his mom was very set on making it to Montana. We looked at also adding Glacier National Park to the trip, but it’s such a long drive to get to the northern part of the state that we saved that for another trip.
Getting There
There are many ways to get close to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The nearest airport is Jackson Hole (JAC) in Wyoming. This is just south of the entrance to Grand Teton National Park and still closest to Yellowstone National Park even though you have to drive through Grand Teton National Park to get there. While it’s close, this airport is usually expensive to fly to.
The first time we visited Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park was part of a much larger road trip, so we flew into Las Vegas (LAS) and out of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). For this trip, we were only going to the two parks, so wanted a closer option and chose Jackson Hole Airport (JAC).
We started our trip in Grand Teton National Park and then moved north to Yellowstone National Park and flew out of Billings Airport in Montana. If you want to start in Yellowstone National Park, you could take our trip in reverse order.
Boarding the plane to Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole Airport
Best Time to Go
Due to road closures and winter weather high up in the elevations of the parks, the summer months and early fall months are the best time to visit both of these parks. June and July are usually the busiest because so many are there while the kids are out of school. August, September, and early October will give you extra time at some of the many great places in the parks because you won’t be fighting for parking, but you’ll be there before any of the road closures throughout the parks.
Plan your Grand Teton Itinerary and Yellowstone Itinerary with some extra time built in. Some of the best places require a bit of a drive and a hike to see. If you are into wildlife viewing, spend an extra day in the Lamar Valley area near the Northeast Entrance. The meadow there is known for herds of bison and elk along with coyotes and foxes, especially in the early morning hours and late afternoon hours.
There are also times that your short drive may get backed up because of bison or elk walking down the street and blocking the park roads. Or if one of the more elusive animals is near the road, everyone will stop to look. This is how we saw a mother black bear and her cubs the first time we were in Yellowstone.
Day One
Fly into Jackson Hole Airport
Justin’s parents and his brother went on this trip with us. His parents made a road trip of it and drove from our home in Houston to the area. We flew from our visit to my family in Southwest Florida, and his brother flew from his home in Central Florida. We timed it so our flights landed close to each other, and Justin’s parents picked us all up from the airport.
Drive to Rental Home in Victor, Idaho
From the airport, we drove to our rental home in Victor, Idaho. The closest place to stay to the park’s south entrance is in Jackson, Wyoming, but we couldn’t find any rental homes or hotels in our price range. So we went a bit further out and stayed at a VRBO in Victor.
Dinner on the porch
Day One Map
Day Two
Craig Thomas Visitor Center & Moose Entrance
Our first stop in Grand Teton National Park was the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. From our rental home in Idaho, we drove up US Highway 91, past the Jackson Hole Airport, and turned left toward Moose and the park. Once you cross over the Snake River, the parking area for the visitor center will be on your left.
While here, we picked up some park maps, spoke to the rangers about our plans and got suggestions from them, added the stamps to the Passport Book, and picked up a Junior Ranger book for the boys. The center also has exhibits about the people of the area, preservation, and mountaineering in Grand Teton National Park.
From the visitor center, we turned left to continue on Teton Park Road for 3 miles to the Taggart Lake Trailhead. This took us through the Moose Entrance where we had to show our America the Beautiful Pass or pay the entrance fee.
Tyler & Ryan at the visitor center
Ryan using binoculars to look at the flowers
Tyler showing off his bear bell
Flowers along the path
More flowers on the path
Taggart Lake Trail
This was our second time on the Taggart Lake Trail. When we went to the park three years ago, this was also the first trail we did. On this trip, we did the whole trail up to the lake and back around on the loop to the parking area.
The first part of the trail is in the foothills of the Teton Mountains with a perfect view of the peaks. After about a quarter of a mile, the trail will split. If you stay to the right, you will come up to a wooden bridge over Taggart Creek. The water in the creek cascades down from the mountains to create a beautiful waterfall.
About halfway through the loop, we made it to Taggart Lake. We spent some time here taking a few photos at the lake, having a snack, and enjoying the scenery. The mountains reflected in the clear water were beautiful.
Family photo by the rushing river
Snow melt rushing down the mountainside
Cute little ground squirrel
Stephanie & Tyler on the bridge over the creek
Silly Tyler
Ryan on a rock next to Taggart Lake
Justin a& Stephanie on the trail to Taggart Lake
Taggart Lake
Taggart Lake
Taggart Lake Loop Trail
Boat on Jenny Lake
When we got to the Jenny Lake area, we decided to see if there were seats left on the boat ride and we were in luck! We purchased roundtrip tickets for the boat ride over to the trailhead for Hidden Falls and back. The boat ride itself was about 10-15 minutes across the lake to the boat dock.
View from the boat ride
Hidden Falls
From the boat dock, the hike to Hidden Falls is about half of a mile each way. Back by Hidden Falls, there was a natural seating area where many people were taking a break. If you want, you could continue another half of a mile to Inspiration Point, but we didn’t want to be gone that long with about an hour’s drive back to the rental home.
Stairs on the trail
Ryan on the trail
Hidden Falls
Ryan, Stephanie, and Tyler at Hidden Falls
Lake Jenny barely visible from the trail
Hidden Falls
Hidden Falls Trail
Back to Rental Home
We took the boat back across Jenny Lake to the vehicle and started the drive back to the rental home in Idaho.
Day Two Map
Day Three
Grand Teton Entrance Sign
On the way in through the Granite Canyon Entrance today, we passed the Grand Teton National Park park sign so stopped to take photos of our group. We try to get this at every national park we visit.
Entrance sign for Grand Teton National Park
Laurence S. Rockefeller Preserve Visitor Center
Our first stop in the park was the visitor center near the Granite Canyon Entrance just off Moose-Wilson Road. At the visitor center, we used the flushing toilet restrooms (a luxury in the national parks), talked with the rangers, got the Passport Book stamp from this location, and turned in the boys’ Junior Ranger books to get their badges.
Ryan and Tyler at the visitor center
A deer across the street from us
Phelps Lake Overlook Trail
Most of our day was spent on the Phelps Lake Overlook Trail. This was only a 2-mile out-and-back trail, but we took our time to enjoy the scenery as we walked. This is an area known for bears, so keep an eye out for them and make sure you have bear spray with you. We didn’t see any, but I’m sure they saw us!
The trailhead is located in the Death Canyon Trailhead parking area. There are a few trails that branch off from here, so make sure you are paying attention to the trail markers to stay on the Phelps Lake Trail. After about a mile of walking through the forest, the view opens up at the overlook to look down on the lake and valley below.
Staying hydrated
Crossing another creek in the park
Boardwalk on the trail
Stephanie & Justin at the lake
A moose!
Phelps Lake Overlook
Tyler with a short stop sign
They thought the stop sign was funny
Phelps Lake Trail
Woodland Trail to Phelps Lake
Picnic Lunch
While we were at the overlook, we stopped to eat a picnic lunch and the snacks that we packed for the trip. Then we walked the one mile back to the trailhead and our parked vehicle.
Schwabacher Landing
The last place we wanted to go was Schwabacher’s Landing. This is not on the main scenic drive so it gets overlooked by many people. Our GuideAlong Tour mentioned it, so we decided to go to the area. It’s up Highway 89/26 just past the Moose Entrance into the park.
There’s a short trail from the parking lot that takes you along the Snake River to a large beaver dam. If you are there at dawn or dusk you may even see beavers working on the dam. On a clear day, the pond reflects the Teton Range framed by spruce and cottonwood trees. The day we were here was a bit hazy due to wildfires in Canada, so we didn’t get the perfect view, but still had a great vire of the Tetons.
Back to Rental Home
When we finished there we drove back to our rental home in Idaho to get some dinner and start packing since we were leaving in the morning.
Day Three Map
Day Four
Check out of Rental Home in Victor, Idaho
We woke up, had some breakfast, and loaded up the vehicle. Day four was our longest drive from Victor, Idaho, all the way up to Gardiner, Montana to check into our next rental home. We made a few stops along the way, but it ended up being about a 4.5-hour drive.
Drive through Grand Teton National Park Scenic Drive
From the house, we had two options through Grand Teton National Park. We could either drive Teton Road or Highway 191. Both go through parts of the park, and Teton Road meets up with 191 before exiting at the north end to go to Yellowstone National Park. Since we had already driven most of Teton Road, we decided to go around on 191 which was the faster route and would have new scenery.
Yellowstone National Park South Entrance
After going through Grand Teton National Park, we ended up on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway which leads out of one park and into another. We went through the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Old Faithful Geyser
Based on the timing from the ranger at the entrance station and the length of the drive, we decided to go straight to Old Faithful in the Upper Geyser Basin. Justin and I commented on how well it worked out last time we were here to go there on the first day since that needed the most precise timing. Then we could be more loose with our schedule for the rest of the trip.
We went straight to the geyser and got there about 20 minutes before the next eruption. The timing was perfect, giving us plenty of time to park and get to the geyser basin viewing area. Tyler and Ryan didn’t remember seeing it three years ago, so they were just as fascinated by it this time as they were last time.
Justin’s parents and brother hadn’t seen the geyser before, either, so it was like a new experience for most of the group.
While in the area, we went to the visitor center by the geyser. I got the Passport Book stamp in my book and the boys both got a Junior Ranger book to work on. You can also check out the Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and the Old Faithful Post Office.
Ryan and Justin
Stephanie and Tyler
Old Faithful Geyser
Rental Home in Gardiner, Montana
After the geyser, we drove straight through the park to get to our rental home in Gardiner, Montana. Justin’s mom has had Montana on her bucket list for years, so she was very excited to finally make it there. We had to find a Montana sign on the way and take a photo of her with it. Otherwise, if you aren’t set on Montana as your place to stay, you could also try West Yellowstone in Idaho.
The house we rented was right on the Yellowstone River and was gorgeous. It’s one of the nicest homes we’ve rented on VRBO. There was plenty of room for everyone and we were all very comfortable there.
View from the back porch
Dinner at Cowboy’s Lodge & Grill
Since we were driving all day, we didn’t feel like cooking dinner. Right in downtown Gardiner was a restaurant called Cowboy’s Lodge & Grill. We chose that location because they had outdoor seating right along and above the Yellowstone River. Being in a place as gorgeous as Montana, we wanted to soak in the scenery while we could.
Tyler & Ryan waiting for food
Dinner with a view
Day Four Map
Day Five
Today we decided to make a big loop of the park and see everything there is to see along the way. We got up early, ate a quick breakfast at the house, packed some lunch, and headed into the park. This was our only full day in Yellowstone National Park.
North Entrance & Roosevelt Arch
When entering the park from Gardiner, Montana, you will be going through the North Entrance Station and under the Roosevelt Arch.
Clearwater Springs
The first feature we came up to was Clearwater Springs which is on the right side of the road between Mammoth and Norris. The area is not marked well, but there’s a small pull-out for a few cars. The path on the side of the road leads you a couple hundred feet back to a short hike on a wooden boardwalk that overlooks the clear spring. We only knew about it because we were listening to the GuideAlong app that directed us to it.
Clearwater Springs
Norris Geyser Basin
We spent about an hour walking around the Norris Geyser Basin. This is one of the most active geologic areas in Yellowstone National Park. You can see geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. We walked along the ¾-mile trail around Porcelain Basin. While here, we stopped at the information station to get a Passport Book stamp.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin
Lower Falls
In Ryan’s Junior Ranger book, he read all about Lower Falls and kept telling us he had to see it because it’s the biggest and most beautiful waterfall in the park. There’s a parking area just past the Canyon Village Visitor Center, heading south, called Lookout Point. This was a great place to view the waterfall without hiking along a trail. Otherwise, there are other trails that will get you closer. The waterfall is part of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Mud Volcano
Again, from reading through the Junior Ranger book, Ryan said he wanted to see a “mud pot”. We made our next stop at the Mud Volcano. Mudpots are acidic features with limited water supply. The area smelled like sulfur, but that didn’t deter the bison that was sitting right next to Mud Volcano when we walked up. It’s easy to get to on a loop boardwalk trail of less than a mile in length. The hike takes you to several geothermal features such as Dragon’s Mouth Springs, Mud Volcano, Sour Lake, Mud Caldron, Grizzly Fumarole, Black Dragon’s Caldron, and Sizzling Basin.
Buffalo next to Mud Volcano
Mud Volcano
Ryan by the Mud Volcano
Mud Volcano
Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area
After the Mud Volcano stop, we were all starting to get hungry. We brought a cooler full of food to have a picnic lunch, so we stopped at the next picnic area which was at Nez Perce Ford. The area has quite a few picnic spots and a vault toilet. It’s right along the Yellowstone River so we were able to play by the water after we finished our lunch. Make sure to stay bear-aware, though, as grizzly bears and black bears are known to be in the area. Dispose of all food properly to protect both the bears and people at the picnic area.
Ryan, Justin, and Tyler looking at the river
Yellowstone Rier
Stephanie, Ryan, Tyler, and Justin next to the Yellowstone River
West Thumb Geyser Basin
From the picnic area, we drove to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. This basin is right along Yellowstone Lake, so it has a very different look and feel than the other basins in the park. It’s called a geyser basin, but there are no actual geysers that shoot out of the ground here. Rather, the colors and hot water all work their way down to the edge of the lake creating unique formations.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Tyler, Ryan and Stephanie at West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Tyler, Stephanie, Justin, and Ryan
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Kepler Cascades
As we continued around the Grand Loop, we came up to Kepler Cascades which is another waterfall viewable from an overlook just off of the parking lot. There’s no marker for the cascades, but there are signs that indicate the “Lonestar” area. The parking lot is a small side road on the left if you are following the path the same way we went. Walk to the end of the short boardwalk for a look over Firehole River and the Kepler Cascades.
Kepler Cascades
Kepler Cascades
Grand Prismatic Spring
The last time we visited Yellowstone National Park, the lines were too long to get to Grand Prismatic Spring, which is one of the most popular and iconic features of the park. As we got to the area, the line of cars was long, and there were rangers who were helping guide traffic. It was operating on a one-car-out-one-car-in system. Since it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk the boardwalk, including time to enjoy the view and take photos, this would be a long wait. There are parking spots for those with a handicap plate or placard, which is the only way we were able to get into the area easily.
Walking up to Grand Prismatic is quite a unique hike. There are a few other thermal features along the way, such as Excelsior Geyser Crater and Opal Pool. It was amazing to see all of the colors in the pool and the steam rolling off the top. Tyler and Ryan were fascinated with that and the animal footprints we could see on the surface. Next time we visit, I want to do the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail to get more of a bird’s eye view.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
Firehole Lake Drive
Just north of Grand Prismatic Spring is the turn for Firehole Lake Drive. This is one of the smaller scenic roads in the park at only 3.3 miles in length. A quick drive on this one-way road will take you past Firehole Spring, Great Fountain Geyser, Surprise Pool, Pebble Geyser, White Dome Geyser, Pink Geyser, Artesia Geyser, Hot Lake Collecting Basin, the Tangled River, and Steady Geyser.
Firehole Lake Drive
Roaring Mountain
The last thing we saw in the park on our way back to the house in Gardiner was Roaring Mountain. We passed it on the way into the park, but it was easier to see heading north. We pulled over on the side of the road near it and rolled the windows down to hear the “roaring” of the fumaroles on the side of this peak.
Day Five Map
Day Six
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Sign
On our last full day in Montana, we planned a float trip on the Yellowstone River. When we got to the meeting location for the trip, there was a Yellowstone National Park entrance sign just across the street. We hadn’t taken a photo at one of the signs yet for this trip so we ran over there quickly to grab a photo.
Entrance sign for Yellowstone National Park
Float on the Yellowstone River
Once we were all checked in and geared up, we boarded a bus with a few other families to take us to the drop-off point for our floating trip on the Yellowstone River. Since we were a group of seven, we ended up with a raft to ourselves with our tour guide. The trip was about two hours long, and we hit just a few rapids.
There are options for longer trips and ones that take you through some class II and class III rapids.
Since Tyler and Ryan had never been on a trip like this before, we decided to go for the calm float. Well, while we were on the river, the boys asked our guide to try to hit every one of the small rapids she could! We decided that the next time we did a trip we needed to go white water rafting with the boys.
The float trip took us along the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park and right past the house that we were renting. We were able to see a few features, such as Devil’s Slide, La Duke Hotsprings, and Boiling Beach. If you’re lucky, you may also get to see some wildlife on the trip such as bald eagles, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and bears in the mountains.
Justin and Stephanie
Ryan and Tyler
Floating on the Yellowstone River
Floating on the Yellowstone River
Floating on the Yellowstone River
Floating on the Yellowstone River
Mammoth Hot Springs
After our float trip, we drove back to the house to shower and get some lunch. Then we drove back into Yellowstone National Park to go to the Mammoth Hot Springs area that we had passed a few times but had yet to stop at. Justin’s brother was worn out, so he opted to stay behind. The six of us went to the town, stopped at the visitor center, and then walked on the boardwalk trail up to all of the thermal features in Mammoth. Once we were done, we stopped at one of the shops for some ice cream to eat on the steps of the buildings.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Ryan and Tyler at Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs from above
Enjoying ice cream on the shop steps in Mammoth
Mammoth Hot Springs
Lamar Valley
When we left Mammoth, instead of heading straight out of the park, we drove for a little while into the Lamar Valley area. We were hoping to see some of the herds of animals that frequent the meadows, but there weren’t many out at that time. There was a large bison with some calves walking on the opposite side of the road, though, so we got a close-up view of them.
Bison in Lamar Valley
Wolf in Lamar Valley
Dinner at The Antler Pub & Grill
For dinner, we went to pick up Justin’s brother from the house and went to eat at The Antler Pub and Grill which is located inside the Antler Lodge. The food was great and we had wonderful service here. The restaurant isn’t very big, but they were able to seat us quickly at a table big enough for seven to sit comfortably.
Day Six Map
Day Seven
Drive to Billings Airport
Our last day in Montana had an early start. We were on the road by about 6 AM to head to Billings Airport where the four of us and Justin’s brother would be flying out from to head home. After they dropped the five of us off, they started their couple of days’ journey back towards Houston.
Fly Home
From Billings, we had a layover in Denver on our way back to Houston. After almost a full day’s worth of travel between the drive, two flights with a layover, and the time change, we were finally home.