All things considered we think SLC is the best airport to use for Yellowstone because it is the most convenient for long haul travel and offers low budget airlines for domestic US travel. You can choose between a lodge style hotel room or semi-detached cabin at Mammoth. Manage Settings Two Things You Must Do at Bear Lake Mammoth has a grand dining hall serving food all day and Gardiner has a varied selection of places to eat, although far fewer than in West Yellowstone. Nearby Teton Village nestled at the base of Jacksons ski lifts is the main alternative to staying in Downtown Jackson. Get a free Yellowstone trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. Take the boardwalk to Yellowstone Lake, the backdrop to unique geysers and pools as well as peculiar fishing cones. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone Kids will love this place. Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you cant get a room in Old Faithful or they are too expensive, book a night at a hotel in West Yellowstone such as Kelly Inn or Explorer Cabins. Salt Lake City Salt Lake continues to be the gateway for travelers venturing northward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Straddling the Utah-Idaho border, this recreational paradise is known for its turquoise waters and a delicious treat. While the airflow at highway speeds seemed to be cooling the car, the temperature would start climbing towards red as soon as we slowed down. Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. Day 2 Drive to Park City in the morning, before heading to Jackson later in the afternoon. Please let us know if you have any questions or need any help planning your road trip. You will cross a bridge but go slowly because we saw a bald eagle right on the bridge at sunrise, so keep your eyes peeled. Hike to Mt Washburn summit for some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. What a glorious trip! Some people may only want to day trip into each national park but spend more time in Salt Lake City. June, July and August are warm enough for light layers but you will need sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats. What about a trip week of thanksgiving? Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Gather RestaurantAn upscale restaurant serving tasty small portions.Liberty BurgerServing great burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and more.The Bunnery Bakery and RestaurantA local favorite serving traditional breakfasts, sandwiches, baked goods, and desserts.Snake River BrewingRefined comfort food and certified organic brews served in a chill atmosphere.Drive south 5 hours to Salt Lake City, if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_1',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');There are numerous great options for lodging in Salt Lake City. To Enjoy a Yellowstone National Park Tour Call 1-800-CARAVAN (227-2826) It is important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. Use the morning to revisit any of the areas in Grand Teton you liked the most, such as Jenny Lake or Oxbow Bend. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. You will stop in Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho, before heading to Salt Lake City, Utah. We spent 2 nights in Jackson, which is undoubtably one of the most popular places to visit in Wyoming. Denver International Airport will be the best alternative for many, but the drive distance and drive time are around 40% longer to reach Grand Teton or Yellowstone. You can continue south to Yellowstone Lake but in this 7 day itinerary you will head back towards Canyon and continue until you reach a parking lot at Dunraven Pass. Yellowstone is an awe-inspiring and extraordinary landscape, but it requires careful planning to do it the right way without losing time driving back on yourself or missing out on top attractions. On the way back, stop at Upper Falls View and Uncle Toms Trail if it is open. The overheating problem had gotten progressively worse. If spending a single day in Glacier National Park, driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Roadis the way to go. You might be able to find a cheaper rate with Hotels compared to going direct so it is worth checking. Look for the worlds largest Elkhorn Arch as you enter town, it is hard to miss with over 3,000 intertwined elk antlers! Instead of driving all the way from Jackson through Grand Teton to reach Yellowstone south entrance, you could instead leave from a hotel near Moran (the area north of Grand Teton) and drive straight to south entrance. 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park Day 4 Revisit any favorite spots in the Tetons before driving to West Thumb and Old Faithful. We think 7 days is the perfect amount of time you need to see the best of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake City. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. However, we will also explain how to drive this road trip route in less and more time later in the guide. Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use, Copyright 2023 | Where Are Those Morgans, Our Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Experience. Will land at Salt Lake City. Well, lets take a summarized look at how you could adapt this itinerary to suit a shorter or longer trip: If you have 5 days for this road trip you are going to have to compromise and cut out some of the luxury stops, such as Salt Lake City and stopping on the way to Jackson. From historic homesteads to breathtaking river valleys, here are our top stops for a fantastic scenic drive plus road-trip advice from Nokian Tyres. I wear only quality shoes with good arch support to avoid plantar fasciitis flare-ups and my Ahnu hiking shoes are perfect. There are 6 places you can stay at park lodging inside Yellowstone: If you do choose just one place to stay inside Yellowstone, we recommend you pick a hotel either in Canyon Village or Old Faithful. This route stops in major national parks, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Considering how close they are to one another, it is amazing how much Grand Teton and Yellowstone differ, not just in scenery but also in the overall experience. Drive south from Canyon and this time turn left into South Rim Drive. This area is mesmerizing. Spend around two hours walking through Upper Geyser Basin, the area with the highest concentration of geysers in Yellowstone. Take short hikes to geyser basins and waterfalls. Sunrise is when animals are most active in Yellowstone, so dont miss this final opportunity. Well, we have personally driven this route ourselves, stopping to explore Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. If you are tight on time you can do it in 5 or 6 days but it will be a rush. While there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend: Scenic Route: Salt Lake City to Garden City to Afton to Jackson (via Highway 89). We have spent a night at both a Mammoth Hot Springs cabin and a Canyon Village hotel room. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. From Salt Lake City to St. Mary on the east side of Glacier National Park is about 700 miles but a long stretch of that can be done on I-15 so it will go fast. I could live here. Drive back to Jackson. As a side note, this is one of the most popular sunset locations in Yellowstone. Rental Caror Personal CarIf you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. Hi Roopa, right now we don't have a pdf version but we are currently working on creating pdf guidebook itineraries for all our popular road trip guides. An affordable hotel near the town square restaurants and shops.Cowboy Village ResortI stayed here in 2016, during my first visit to Jackson. 1. Haha! About this Itinerary Glacier National Park National Parks Collectible Non-Topographical Postcards, . If not, you will have to drive another 31 miles back to your West Yellowstone hotel. Mormon Row is incredibly beautiful at sunrise. From the park, head southwest to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, Sun Valley, Boise and Twin Falls before reaching City of Rocks National Reserve on your return route to Salt Lake City. The drive time from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park is 10 hours. Cross into Wyoming and experience the bustling town of Jackson, the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. Spend day 2 exploring Yellowstone National Park. Salt Lake City is the natural stopping off point between visiting Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, and the 5 Utah national parks to the south for those on longer US road trips. Of course, you could skip the last part of Day 5 and instead of driving to Canyon, drive back from Norris to West Yellowstone. Add them to walking, waterfalls and wildlife in Yellowstone and you have the perfect focal point on your Salt Lake City to Wyoming road trip. Next time, I want to visit Jackson Hole. The top cities between Salt Lake City and Glacier National Park are Missoula and Ogden. Driving through Yellowstone and Grand Teton is easily one of the best USA road trips, but first you have to get to northwest Wyoming. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. Yellowstones west entrance is 323 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, it is the closest entrance by distance and time from the airport and should take a little over 5 hours to reach. I would love to hear about your experiences in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Park! With so much to see, make sure you read on to plan an ideal itinerary. Drive 21 miles south to Norris Geyser Basin. Travel Tip: If you have flexibility over your travel dates, we recommend planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary around booking night 5 in a Canyon Village hotel or lodge. I love this area so much. What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? Hampton Inn by Hilton in KalispellA 5-minute drive from the park entrance, offering free breakfast, and is most affordable.West GlacierAbout a 20-minute drive from the park so lodging here is a bit expensive.Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge in WhitefishA 30-minute drive from the park entrance. Here are our popular road trip resources for planning and packing: Packing for Grand Teton and Yellowstone is fairly straightforward year round. With 6 days you wont have to compromise as much and you will still have enough time for both parks. It also makes for a fantastic road trip. For those traveling with children or wanting more time to explore and hike, consider a 10 Day road trip itinerary. One of our favorite parts about Jackson is how the small town has managed to retain its wild west feel, despite the obvious potential for commercialization. If you want to swim, turn into one way Firehole Canyon Road and drive the full loop to Firehole River swimming area. 15 Days From $5,399pp. Want more Wyoming content? Also, keep an eye out for ultra-photogenic Star Valley Mormon Temple as you drive through Afton. Sleep in Moran. The first day can be action packed or easy going depending on your journey to reach SLC and how you prefer to travel. Follow the western shores of Bear Lake and cross into Idaho. From Salt Lake City, the park's west entrance (West Yellowstone) is the shortest distance, about 325 miles. The New Salt Lake You'll miss out on Mammoth and Lamar Valley, but that means you can focus more of your time on the southern loop areas like Hayden Valley, Lake, West Thumb, Norris and of course the Old Faithful / Grand Prismatic Spring geyser basin areas. Explore these four stops where youll see Stripes and Shoni, a place devoted to cleaning up,ancient curious creaturesand a hub of ethnic flavors. Watch for wildlife drawn to the river.Schwabacher LandingA great place to capture photos of mountains reflecting on the water.Mormon RowTour historic barns and homesteads and watch for deer, bison, and moose. Watch for deer at dawn and dusk resting in alfalfa fields. Once past Helena, MT turning onto highway 287 will be a more scenic route and a little shorter than continuing on !-15. Note: For those who prefer a guided tour, the Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Jackson, Wyoming is a great option. Sedona is one of our favorite places in the southwest and the end of November means comfortable temperatures for hiking. going to print this out and put this on my boyfriends desk as a *hint hint* haha . . With four Jackson locations and over 400 rooms and cabins, the Town Square Inns have more options to meet your style and budget than any other area hotelier. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains at over 4,000 ft high with incredible skiing opportunities and an array of national parks within a stones throw, Salt Lake City is an outdoor enthusiasts dream come true. When exploring I often take short 1-3 mile hikes. I chose the Comfort Inn Yellowstone North. If not adapt the itinerary below to fit your plans. Lets assume you will arrive into Salt Lake City or SLC airport the night before we begin this itinerary on Day 1. The 320-mile road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park takes 4 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Most people planning a Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip have very limited timeframes, which means it is usually a straight-shot for Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Save. We have visited Yellowstone on separate occasions and we have helped thousands of first time visitors plan trips to this region through our various Wyoming travel guides. Jackson is Wyomings incredibly popular and wealthy ski resort town located just 12 miles from Grand Teton National Park loop road. Schnees Boots, Shoes, and Outdoors is one of my favorite. Before heading home via Salt Lake City, we make a quick stop over at the weird landscape that is known as Craters of the Moon. How Far Is Yellowstone From Salt Lake City International Airport? It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. Caribbean-blue body of water) and up the Snake River Canyon to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park before arriving at Yellowstone. Just watch for the crowd taking pictures. Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring downtown Jackson, drop into a saloon-style bar for a beer and grab an awesome pizza at Hand Fire Pizzainside a converted theater. This is an amazing hike with serious wildlife spotting potential and we cant recommend it highly enough. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. Day 5 Explore West Thumb, Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. The speed, the sun, the wind, the fantasy of never looking back, and the sheer diversity of . The long stretches of road are beautiful and often filled with bison. . And in a great atmosphere.Blackfoot TaproomA microbrewery and taproom featuring craft beers and live music. Nearby you'll find a variety of eateries and bars, and you can shop at City Creek Center, which boasts more than 100 stores and restaurants. Cowboy Village Cabins and Lodge Oh, I love the way you drop hints!!! Jump-start this fantastic road trip in Salt Lake City where the mountains shoot dramatically from the valley floor. Day 9 Set off early for SLC, but stop in Idaho Falls and Craters of the Moon on your way back. Note: If you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. Some may want to enjoy more of the Tetons but others will want to get right into Yellowstone. We enjoyed witnessing bison being herded by a Yellowstone Park Ambulance. I planned a week-long itinerary to explore these magnificent wonders. After stretching your legs and enjoying a great meal in Missoula, drive 2.5 hours to stay the night inside or near the parks West entrance. Drive 17 miles south to visit Fountain Paint Pots or 2.5 miles further to Grand Prismatic Spring. There are several restaurants and cafeterias throughout the park. If you have a late flight or a next morning flight from SLC airport, spend this final day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. Among the most popular are:Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining RoomOld Faithful Lodge CafeteriaMammoth Dining RoomGrant Village Dining RoomLake Yellowstone Hotel Dining RoomCanyon Eatery in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone area. It's around 350 miles off, but the essential thing to know is that a few Canadian, European, and Mexican cities have nonstop flights operating into SLC. About Old Faithful, Yellowstone's Famous Geyser. Day 4 Walk around Artists Paintpots and Norris Geyser Basin, before driving over to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I have had my Ahnus for 2-3 years now and they have many miles left in them. Reaching the park by 6 am is even better. But if you are in a hurry and dont have time for the scenic route, you can take I-15 and US-20 to the resort village of West Yellowstone, which also serves as the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It is best to begin driving through the park as early as possible to avoid traffic and crowds. Continue with Recommended Cookies. After multiple long term US road trips we have learned a thing or two about how to best prepare for a successful adventure. Visit a museum or go for a hike. Drive the winding road to Signal Mountain summit for amazing views, descend and continue until you reach Jenny Lake road. It's the spot where the city was founded in 1847. Fun on the Water in Yellowstone National Park if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-4-0');This was my second visit to Yellowstone. Here are the top rated hotels in each place you will stay: Depending on your flight times into and out from SLC airport, you may need to book a night at a hotel airport either side of your road trip. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules . Would love to spend some time in Glacier National Park next time! Honestly Im dying to go back out west for a trip like this! So many great tips here! See my Seattle Travel Guide and Washington State Travel Guide for all things Seattle and Washington State. But we have filtered through every lodging option at each stop you will make and have listed only the top rated hotels available. Gazing upon astonishing natural wonders like gushing geysers and vibrantly colored hot springs isnt something you do every day. Hi there! For all accommodation outside of the parks, we recommend using Booking.com and then comparing against Hotels.com to find the best deals available. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sunshineandvine_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-leader-1-0');Also accessible at Logan Pass is Highline Trail, an 11.6-mile one-way hike. Head to Idaho Falls for a dose of culture and explore off-the-beaten path towns like Ririe and St. Anthony. Note: For those interested in increasing their chances to spot moose, bison, grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, and eagles, consider taking a Grand Teton 4-Hour Wildlife Tour. But the star of the show is crystal clear mountain reflections in the Snake River. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. The train ride from Chicago to Salt Lake City is about 35 hours and about 16 from Sacramento. The trail leads to Hidden Lake, a beloved fishing destination. A 4.5-mile round-trip hike leading to wide-open views of the crystal-clear Avalanche Lake surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. West Yellowstone will put you on just one side of the 2 million acres + that is Yellowstone. Outside the park your best bet is West Yellowstone, which has several hotel options and makes it easy to leave for SLC the next morning. Journey north to Yellowstone, a national park that is situated on top of the world's largest supervolcano. I need to flip the itinerary to travel from N-S due to our flight timings. Start Your Trip. Dont skip this 1-mile trail loop. From the overlook, look for Fairy Falls in the distance. The lodge grounds are cozy and inviting. This night of the itinerary works just fine if Mammoth has no availability or the prices are too high for your budget because you can stay in the town of Gardiner, which is just 5 miles north of Mammoth. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - 5 Hours to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone You can read more about the pros and cons of each airport for flying into Yellowstone here. But the options are endless. Start your journey in the historic and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square. As part of our first 3 month US road trip, we actually drove from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone before driving through Grand Teton to Salt Lake City and onto the Utah parks. Whether you decide to go to Park City, the Great Salt Lake, hiking or to a museum, we highly recommend you spend at least an hour walking around Temple Square in the center of town. Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park The Clark Fork River runs through the town and offers some of the best opportunities for white water raftering in the region. Watch for signs to Apgar Visitor Center. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. This is one of the most famous elevated views in the entire park and shouldnt be missed. May 3, 2021 Tori Peglar Hit desert highlights on this road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, returning through Craters of the Moon National Monument and southern Idaho. Spread . We typically use Booking to book our hotels but park lodging inside Yellowstone is not available with Booking. SLC international airport conveniently serves both domestic and international travelers, 2. I recommendWorld Nomads, an insurance provider trusted by seasoned travelers worldwide. Need help! For Yellowstone, we have reservations at the Lake Lodge (July 29), Canyon Lodge (July 30) and Mammoth Lodge (July 31) before heading back to Salt Lake City (August 1). Have a Shoshone-Bannock Native Experience Dramatic Scenes in Logan and Cache Valley Plan to park along the roadside and walk a distance. Jackson, Wyo.s best-kept secret offers a ton of activities for all ages, plus bike and SUP rentals. Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner in Salt Lake City; Highest Elevation: 8,000 feet. Once you are done in the valley, drive to Mammoth Hot Springs and check out the unique terraces. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sunshineandvine_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Pro Tip: Exploring three national parks in one week requires a lot of walking and hiking. Chapel of the TransfigurationA picturesque little church with views of the Tetons.Menors Ferry Historic DistrictTake a short ride on a replica of a historic ferry. Salt Lake City - Vernal - Jackson - Yellowstone - Helena - Glacier Park - Missoula - Sun Valley - Pocatello - Salt Lake City. It is valid for one year for admission to any national park or federal recreation site, including Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Day 7 Explore Mammoth Hot Springs. This trail is a 5.3-mile out and back hike. Antler Inn Take the right turn, stop at String Lake and Jenny Lake Overlook for beautiful lake views. Continue to the end of North Rim Drive and walk out to Artist Point, which is our personal favorite viewpoint into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Go paddling, fishing, boating, or take a boat cruise tourin the national park.