These top natural wonders to visit in the United States include Grand Teton, Yellowstone And Glacier National Parks. A 10-day road trip to enjoy the splendour of all three.
Start at Grand Teton, where alpine lakes and soaring peaks lure both avid hikers and aspiring photographers. Head even farther north to Yellowstone, which is sort of a park set on top of one giant supervolcano. A steaming, geothermal wonderland where bison and elk roam the grassy plains. Last but not least, experience Glacier National Park where a scene like no other and unspoiled wilderness will take your breath away.
About This Itinerary
Our road trip journey: Chirantan! Our first road trip was in 2001, pre-kids when Tim and I managed to tackle the abbreviated version of this route — seven days cramming Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier with a side note drive through Idaho.
Kara and I did a “girls’ trip” together in August of 2019, covering almost the exact same route. We extended and made it Walkerton) to 15 days — even having us include Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. I will show you how to add this on the last section, since otherwise this post would have one more day.
Where we hiked in Grand Teton for a week and drove to Yellowstone one day, 2020. And, more recently, we returned to Yellowstone on a cross-country road trip that also took us down the awe-inspiring Beartooth Highway.
While this itinerary is designed to be a one-way, point-to-point trip (south in the north half and north-south going into our spring), it can of course very easily be reversed as well. If your travel itinerary involves flying in/out of different places, look at each half to see which direction is more expensive for flights and car rentals. Another factor that might influence your choice may be the availability of lodging.
For people driving home, make sure you add another day (or two) to your pick-up/drop-off date for the drive time.
If you have to trim the trip (for example if only one week) then look at Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Our 7 to 8 day itinerary for these parks gives you a great national park experience without feeling too rushed.
Optimal Timing for Your Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier Road Trip
It does not snows that much but, since the road is prone to avalanches and other bad things no one hopes to encounter will driving their Wranglers in Glacier National Park.
Location: Glacier National Park, MontanaWhen to Go — Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park is only open seasonally, usually from late June/early July through mid-October.
In Yellowstone, most roads begin to close in mid-October and remain closed until the middle of April through May. Grand Teton too follows such a schedule, with the main thoroughfare –Teton Park Road– sealed from mid-November to early May.
Check out specific details on conditions and road accessible here: [in the last article] Listed National Parks website with links to their own getSystemServiceInfo that is posted there in real time.
From early July to mid-October, all of the roads in Yellowstone are open and this 26-mile section will be your starting point; so you have a few months for maximum flexibility. As this is the peak season, you will have to make your reservations of cottages, camping sites and self drive C cars well in advance. Be ready for larger crowds.
Late September through October is a great alternative to traveling during the height of summer. The crowds start to disappear and you will be able see the leaves are beginning to change.
You can travel at other times but you will probably inhibit your activities and make any transport route logistics all the more difficult.
Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, Wyoming
On the Road: 15 to 280 miles (30 minutes to 5 hours) depending on your airport
Jackson, Wyoming is served by three main airports.
The nearest is Jackson Hole Airport, located inside of Grand Teton National Park. Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport positioned inside a national park without having to do hours of driving, and it certainly takes merely 1 hr for you transfer from right here using luxury coach bus.
From Jackson the Schnipper family then spotted another flight that could take them to Idaho Falls Regional Airport, or about 94 miles and a two hour jaunt out of town. Salt Lake City International Airport is 280 miles (five hours) away.
PRIORITY ALERT: Check the availability of a car rental and hotel before reserving your flight ticket. The point-to-point travel could be subject to huge drop fees if you simply rent a car. Waiting to reserve a car could mean months of availability will already be snapped up, just as you would find at your hotel destination.
What We Did
It was an evening flight into Salt Lake City and from there we drove to Jackson, Wyoming. Since it was a direct flight, and cheaper too. That sealed the deal for us.
The remainder of the evening and day will be in Jackson, a friendly town with great places to eat and art galleries or boutique shops. You could even hit the rodeo. Or something like that but you get my drift. Swing by the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery.
Dining Recommendations
- Go-to Dinner Spot: Gun Barrel Steak & Game House
- Our favorite is Local Restaurant & Bar.
- Miazga’s serves diverse food.
- There are great breakfast/brunch choices at Persephone Bakery. Other dining highlights are the slightly upscale but down-home Cafe Genevieve; Bin22, with its great charcuterie platter and wine bar/restaurant combo); resisting chain franchises like Liberty Burger; or we’d recommend a splurge at Blue Lion.
Where to Stay
We have compiled a list of the accommodations available in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park. This is where you will spend two nights.
Options Inside the Park: Various lodges, campgrounds Explore your options here.
Jackson: Jackson is a bit of an alley-oop, 15 minutes to the south entrance gates of Grand Teton National Park and another 30 minute drive or so from Jenny Lake. It has many accommodations and restaurants that make it worth your stay.
My Experience: When visiting Grand Teton, we usually stay in Jackson.
- The Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole – Some issues with the ratings, but guests will get big rooms, great Wi-Fi and cozy beds here (but book early!) as this one sits outside of downtown.
- The Lodge at Jackson Hole: Right next door to the Wyoming Inn, this hotel provides fairly no frills clean and quiet rooms that are pretty comfortable. Although we like the Wyoming Inn a bit better, you can save some money and also consider The Lodge.
- Each cabin caught our eye with it’s warm Western vibe, private bathroom and kitchenette. Cowboy Village Resort First timers that we were when we first visited Grand Teton Vacation RentalsStay in one or more national park lodges 10.
- The Rockwell Inn: For a posh visit to downtown Jackson, this inn is well-loved.
- Jackson Town Square-area stocks the brand-new autograph property of Marriott,
- The Cloudveil: offers an assortment of rooms from doubles for four to king suits. Though unfortunately it wasn’t open while we were visiting, we’ll have to stay there on a return trip.
Teton Village at Jackson Hole: One of the USA’s most famous ski resorts in winter, Teton Village transforms into an outdoor paradise by summer with hotels, restaurants and activities including gondola rides and chair lifts delivering picture-perfect views of the Tetons. It is an excellent selection for travelers looking to remain in a resort community just past the park.
Day 2: Exploring Grand Teton National Park
On the Road: 42 miles on the scenic loop, with additional driving depending on your accommodations.
This is your first full day in Grand Teton National Park, focusing on its most renowned spots. An early start is recommended—not only will you avoid the bulk of the crowds, but you’ll also witness the park’s beauty at sunrise.
Morning: Scenic Stops and Short Hikes
You can start at Mormon Row, which is located along the Antelope Flats Road that you access from Highway 191/89/26. There are two iconic photography locations — one listed on Google Maps as “Mormon Row” and the other is actually called “Mormon Row Historic District.”
You can drive north along Highway 191/89/26 where you will find more scenic spots at Schwabacher Landing and Snake River Overlook.
When you head north, turn to the left at the juncture where Highway 26 breaks away from Highways 191/89. After you hit the Moran Entrance Station, Oxbow Bend is a calm area with beautiful camera easy sites.
Head south on Teton Park Road and take a short detour up Signal Mountain for panoramic views over the park.
Then, continue south towards Jenny Lake Road. Take String Lake Road and use the short trail that continues along String Lake to Leighgere is a possible turn around for hikers wanting shorter journey.
Leigh Lake: This is a 1.8-mile round trip hike to the lake, or you can take it longer and go for another 3/4 mile each way past Leigh’s east shore (for $6/cc NM permit).
Stop at the Jenny Lake Overlook on your way back south down Jenny Lake Road for some nice views of Jenny Lake.
Finish the scenic loop and be sure to stop at its rustic Chapel of the Transfiguration, located near where you exit. This lovely log chapel overlooks majestic mountains.
Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure
You have two great options for how to spend the afternoon:
Option #1: Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls
At this point a bus drives up on the near side of Jenny Lake and takes you around to Inspiration Point where they drop you off when can hike back, having lunch in Jackson would give them time too if your family is hiking.
Midday, Grand Teton becomes quite crowded as parking near Jenny Lake is tough to find and the shuttle lines are long. This makes a good spot to take a break and have lunch in Jackson before you head back for the hike. This is what we have done over the years and it has worked well.
Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls: Following lunch, head back to Jenny Lake for a boat shuttle across the lake, then embark on this 2 mile round trip trail. Allow 1-2 hours for the hike. The shuttle operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., so get on the bus by no later than 4:30 in order to give yourself enough time for an enjoyable experience. Enjoy a picnic dinner on Jenny Lake or head back to Jackson for the evening.
If hiking is your thing, make sure to visit Cascade Canyon. If you plan on hiking Cascade Canyon- avoid stopping for lunch in Jackson, because this is a long hike.
Option #2: Rendezvous Peak
Instead, head towards Teton Village for lunch and the second half of your day at Jouling with friends in the mountains. Catch a ride on the Aerial Tram up to Rendezvous Peak, and either take it back down or descend 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) via the Cirque Trail trail all the way to Bridger Gondola for your return trip downtown.
BONUS: No matter what you choose, drive up Moose Wilson Road for a scenic local moose spotting. Moose Wilson Road runs from the southern end of Teton Park Road up to Teton Village, and then south into an eventual junction with Highway 22.
Day 3: Exploring Grand Teton & Yellowstone
On the Road: 140 miles, 3.5 hours
Today, you’ll enjoy the morning in Grand Teton and transition into an afternoon in Yellowstone.
Grand Teton
How to Spend Your Morning in Grand Teton:
- Hire a canoe and take it out on to Jenny Lake for an hour or two. Kara and I began at about 7:30 a.m. when only one other person on the lake was awake It was a serene unforgettable encounter.
- Go to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and hike on a easy trail out to Phelps Lake in complete silence with no quacks or honks except for those of other hikers/humans walking by.
- More ambitious hikes include the longer Cascade Canyon, Lake Solitude or Static Peak Divide trails. Two of the hikes are 10 to 15 miles long and take most if not all day. If you are avid hikers then it might be worth the walk, or should work around time at Yellowstone accordingly.
Head to Yellowstone by noon. Stop along the way near Jackson Lake, which you naturally have to drive by on any exit from Grand Teton. Colter Bay Village is a good place to fill up with gas and grab food at their two restaurants. For a walk, stretch your legs on the Lakeshore Trail – a 2 mile flat trail with nice views of Jackson Lake. strech your legs on the Lakeshore Trail, a flat, 2-mile walk offering pleasant views of Jackson Lake.
Drive to Yellowstone
Drive into Yellowstone National Park, to the north. Colter Bay to the South Entrance of Yellowstone (less than 20 miles, about a half an hour).
Spend your afternoon in Midway Geyser Basin and see the Grand Prismatic Spring, one of Yellowstone’s most colorful hot springs. Raised boardwalks let you get right in there to take a look.
Just beyond is the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, which provides a birds-eye view of this kaleidoscopically hued marvel. It is definitely a necessary stop on your road trip through Yellowstone.
For a bit more adventure, take the 5.4-mile hike (RT) to Fairy Falls, one of Yellowstone’s largest waterfalls.
Where to Stay
It is probably better to stay inside the park since there will be a lot of driving and booking accommodations in-park require reservations about 6 or even up to 12 months ahead.
Pro Tip: Try and stay in two areas when visiting Yellowstone. This plan, which makes sensible because of the location size is huge and would spare time not to mention keeping long driving. But if you can score a room or campsite at Canyon Village, smack in the middle of Yellowstone, you’re golden for all your nights.
Tonight, Old Faithful Inn is the most convenient. If you can’t however get a room there, West Yellowstone is fine just the other side of the park. Kara and I stayed at the Kelly Inn when we were in town, which was wonderful.
Day 4: Hot Springs, Old Faithful & Hayden Valley
On the Road: 75 miles, 2 hours (from Old Faithful or Canyon Village); add 40 miles and 1.75 hours if staying in West Yellowstone, totaling 115 miles and 3.75 hours
Geyser Basins
Yellowstone has a road system of two loops, and today you will discover the southern loop featuring Old Faithful (undoubtedly, Yellowstone’s most iconic geyser) and all your favorite geysers at their best.
Start your morning near the Midway Geyser Basin, stop to view some of its geothermal wonders at Fountain Paint Pot and Biscuit Basin early in the day.
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basins
At the top of many people’s lists is likely seeing Old Faithful, one of potentially America’s most iconic features.
- To observe an outbreak, you have the choice of three vantage points:
- Find a seat on the board walk surrounding this geyser.
- Elevate the view with a hike to Observation Point.
Old Faithful Inn deck view
The eruptions occur approximately every 90 minutes so it may be possible for you to witness two eructions with a really good timing strategy. From there, take your time exploring the Upper Geyser Basin and adjacent Geyser Hill within a single square mile you are likely to witness 150 different geothermal features. This provides about two hours for the fascinating region.
There is also a lunch spot close to Old Faithful Inn where you can go and get some comfort food.nveniences like restrooms, gift shops, a convenience store, and restaurants.
West Thumb Geyser Basin & Hayden Valley
After saying goodbye to Old Faithful, keep going in a counter clockwise drive around the lower loop. Make a quick stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin and venture toward Hayden Valley which is bustling with wildlife. If you are lucky, bison will be alongside the road. Instead, bison traffic jams are a near daily occurrence — and when the herd ambles into the valley from other parts of Yellowstone it can take 30 minutes to over an hour for cars to inch through.
SAFETY TIP: Keep vehicle as close to road edge, and stay in your car when bison are nearby. Although this may seem like a slow creature it can kick slower than you think and they will attack quickly when threatened If you want to watch drive down it, pull into a turn out not park in the middle of traffic waiting for everyone else to pass. Those with a sunroof could have their own viewing experience of the bison, but remember to keep it safe and respectful.
Where to Stay
In the Park: Canyon Village is the most convenient place to stay.
Outside the Park: West Yellowstone is a strong option, followed by Gardiner, Montana, for easy access to park entrances.
Day 5: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mt. Washburn & Norris Geyser Basin
On the Road: 38 miles, 90 minutes from Canyon Village; 90 miles, 3 hours if starting in West Yellowstone and ending in Gardiner
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Begin your day at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, an impressive canyon formed by the flowing waters of this river. Both hiking trails and scenic overlooks are found on both sides of the river. You can hike the rim trail or drive to different overlooks.
Start on the North Rim—if you get here early (before 9 a.m.), traffic should be light enough to let you drive from overlook to overlook. Brink of the Lower Falls: Leave your car and grab a photo from up close with this viewpoint for Lower Falls. Lookout Point, Red Rock Point or Inspiration Point are our go-to overlooks on the North Rim.
Do not miss Artist Point on the South Rim, as it is one of Yellowstone’s most photographed views.
Morning: Spend the morning exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Optional: Hike Mt. Washburn
Climb Mt. Washburn for a challenge Usually we would never recommend this for a long hike but these will replace some of the extra drive time and help you to avoid crowds at the canyon. You will have a viewpoint high up, allowing views over the whole park. The hike is 6.2 miles with an average time of completion between 3 and 5 hours.
Norris Geyser Basin
Continue from the canyon to Norris Geyser Basin, another vast array of hydrothermal marvels similar to those found in Upper Geyser Basin.
Good to Know: If you are staying at Canyon Village, this would be a good opportunity for a lunch break in your lodge or camp. If its getting crowded, head back out at 3 or 4 p.m. when the crowds really start to disperse. In contrast, driving in from outside the park entails more well driving.
Artist Paintpots
Recommended Video Artist Paintpots Located just south of Norris Geyser Basin, less frequented but interesting geothermal site with hot springs and bubbling mud pots. The 1-mile loop is a fun and easy afternoon walk, with great views from the upper boardwalk.
If you’ve got spare time in the afternoon, take a drive back to Hayden Valley and watch more bison.
Where to Stay
In park: Canyon Village (or Mammoth) — The ideal location is at the back of your favorite area to avoid thousands and enjoy optimum lighting conditions with minimal fall out.
As for outside the Park: Gardiner, Montana is a good choice and West Yellowstone would be next.
Mammoth, Yellowstone entrance (North) – Gardiner Montana It’s a small town and there are only several restaurants & hotels available. While it is a bit of drive to get into the park, once you arrive you have this beautiful base.
Yellowstone Gateway Inn (1 night stay and HIGHLY recommend). Our one-bedroom apartment had a full kitchen and was really clean, quiet, and spacious. Being in a walking distance from the grocery store was an extra plus. After what felt like forever, we eventually made the drive into the park which was essential after booking so late in summer.
Day 6: Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, and Lamar Valley
On the Road: 105 miles, 3 hours if starting at Canyon Village and ending at Mammoth; 66 miles, 2 hours if staying in Mammoth both nights; 80 miles, 3 hours if staying in Gardiner both nights
Mammoth Hot Springs
Start the day at Mammoth Hot Springs, one of Yellowstone’s most distinct geothermal attractions. Mineral-laden hot water flows over travertine to form the striking terraces at Mammoth, which are constantly changing shapes and colors due to an ever changing landscape of terraces/pools.
Optional: Blacktail Plateau Drive
For owners of 4×4 vehicles, a highly recommended scenic detour is Blacktail Plateau Drive: A narrow dirt road runs parallel to the Grand Loop Road for its entire length and extends from Mammoth Junction in Yellowstone’s northwest corner to just south of Tower Falls. This scenic drive is not only filled with natural landscaping, you will also have the opportunity to see wildlife like bison, elk or even bears. It’s a quiet, gorgeous drive that you need to experience if your goal is getting off the beaten path.
Tower Fall
Continue north to Tower Fall on your way up towards Lamar Valley. Tower Fall — Not the most grand waterfall in the park, but it takes about two-minutes to walk from your car and check them out, if you’re able to find a parking spot.
Lamar Valley
End your day in Lamar Valley, the premier location for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone. This vast valley is home to elk, bison, pronghorn deer, bears, coyotes, and even wolves. The best times for spotting wildlife are early in the morning or late in the evening, so aim to arrive later in the day for the best chances.
Where to Stay
In The Park: You may want to stay at Mammoth for tonight, as it will save you a bit of driving time tomorrow when head north out of Yellowstone. Canyon Village is a fair choice as well.
Nearby: Gardiner, MT (closest) or if you want something more touristy with better amenities West Yellowstone.
Day 7: Drive to Glacier National Park
On the Road: 394 miles, 6.5 hours from Gardiner, MT to Many Glacier; 394 miles, 6.5 hours from West Yellowstone to Many Glacier (same distance from both starting points)
This will be the longest drive of your trip, taking a good six and half hours to get from Gardiner or West Yellowstone up to Many Glacier. Drive an hour longer if you are staying in Canyon Village Yellowstone
There are many factors of Glacier National Park, but this itinerary is made to focus on two primary areas: Many Glacier and the main part of the park along Going to the Sun Road. You spend the night in both for well rounded experience of your time there Many Glacier is one of the most spectacular parts of the park, but people tend to skip it on a brief visit.
Pro Tip: You may want to start in Many Glacier, as ending your trip off near West Glacier/Going-to-the-Sun Road keeps you closer to the Kalispell airports for departure.
The route is fully supported by gas stations, until you get to Helena that is. Fuel up in Babb before entering Glacier National Park
Optional Detour: Butte, Montana
To offset this time, maybe you should stop in Butte Montana since it is just a short detour. Visit the World Museum of Mining and take a bus tour to see Our Lady of the Rockies. Before rejoining the road, pick up a legendary pork chop sandwich at Pork Chop John’s.
Many Glacier
If you do this, then I would imagine that you are arrive into Many Glacier around mid-afternoon. Spend time relaxing in the lobby of Many Glacier Hotel or take a quick walk. Apikuni Falls: A 2-mile round-trip hike to a waterfall just a short drive from the hotel.
Where to Stay
IN THE PARK – Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge are good choices for convenience.
Outside the Park: St. Mary Village, located at East Glacier, is a 30-minute drive southeast of Many Glacier. This content did not load because you have javascript disabled. Note that staying here potentially means you will experience delays due to road construction when entering the park.
Day 8: Exploring Many Glacier
On the Road: 0 to 5 miles, depending on your accommodations in Many Glacier
Located in northeastern Glacier National Park, Many Glacier is one of the park’s top destinations for hiking. There are plenty of 10-mile-or-so trails so you can tackle one (or more) of the park’s iconic hikes. There are so many great trails to explore, two of the most popular ones being Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake.
In terms of a hiking experience, Kara and I did the hike to Grinnell Glacier — which was unforgettable. The trail has everything for an adventurer alpine views, beautiful waterfalls and emerald green lakes filled with wildflowers below the glacier itself. On the way we saw 2 moose, mountain goats, and even came across a black bear with her cub. We shared our space with wildlife who left us in awe and we enjoyed some of the best scenery, leaving it being one of memories that will never be forgotten from Glacier.
Also in the park, if hiking isn’t your thing you can take a boat ride across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes (and often spot moose from the water).
Where to Stay
Spend a second night, at the same location as last time; this could be Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn or St. Mary Village.
Day 9: Going to the Sun Road
On the Road: 70 miles, 2.5 hours from Many Glacier to West Glacier
The highlight of the entire trip for you if not one hand down, then defiantly on say going to be the breathtaking drive Going to the Sun Road.
Start out very early again today for a good experience. Get to Logan Pass by 7:45 a.m. (or earlier) or the little bit of parking slips away rapidly There was a time during our stay in which we were late because it ended up being one of the last tables to serve us at 7:45am, so anything earlier is perfect.
Many Glacier to Logan Pass, 1 hour + possible additional ~15-30 minutes photo stops We would recommend leaving Many Glacier by 6:15 am. Leaving the park again to re-enter at St. Mary. Make sure to stop at numerous pullouts along the way, which should include a visit to Wild Goose Island Overlook.
Logan Pass
At Logan Pass, you have some flexibility in how you want to spend your morning. Most people ski to the Hidden Lake Overlook, a 3-mile round trip that is also popular for snowshoeing Highline Loop: This long and amazing ridgeline hike crosses through Glacier’s true alpine country
If you want to work for it, hike the 11.6-mile Scenic Point-to-Point Highline Trail above Going to the Sun Road. This high elevation alpine route offers some of the best views in Glacier and is one our favorite hikes.
Going to the Sun Road
Continue your drive from Logan Pass toward West Glacier. In my opinion, the stretch between Logan Pass and The Loop offers the most breathtaking views. Traffic tends to be slow, but that only gives you more time to soak in the scenery. There are plenty of turnouts where you can stop, get out of the car, and snap some photos.
Avalanche Lake
As you continue through West Glacier, the road will take you by a trailhead for Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. This is one of the park’s most popular hikes and combines these two trails.
- Trail of the Cedars: Easy 1-mile boardwalk and gravel trail through a lush cedar forest.
- Avalanche Lake: accessed from the Trail of the Cedars, is a more strenuous 4.5 miles round trip hike but delivers panoramic views of Avalanche Lake
On your way out of the park, you will go by Lake McDonald.
Where to Stay
Next is sightseeing today, a lot especially if you try the Highline Trail! If you want to minimize driving, stay in Apgar Village near Lake McDonald or park your camper in West Glacier. This is also a smart move for those with an early morning flight out of Glacier Park International Airport which lies conveniently close to both Whitefish and Kalispell.
- Inside the Park: Lake McDonald Lodge or Village Inn at Apgar.
- Outside the Park: In West Glacier, we stayed at Great Northern Resort (comfortable and spacious rooms with air-conditioning and great Wi-Fi).
- In Whitefish: We did stay at the Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge and were completely pleased. 20-minute drive to the Glacier Park International Airport
Day 10: Time to Head Home
After an incredible journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes, it’s time to fly home from Glacier Park International Airport. If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, you can always extend your adventure and continue your road trip.
How to Adjust This Itinerary
Reversing the Itinerary
If you’d prefer to travel from Glacier to Grand Teton, here’s how to reverse the trip:
- Day 1: Arrive in West Yellowstone, Montana
- Day 2: Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, ending in Many Glacier
- Day 3: Explore Many Glacier
- Day 4: Travel to Yellowstone National Park
- Day 5: Visit Mammoth, Tower Fall, and Lamar Valley
- Day 6: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mt. Washburn, and Norris Geyser Basin
- Day 7: Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and Hayden Valley
- Day 8: Yellowstone and Grand Teton
- Day 9: Grand Teton National Park
- Day 10: Drive to the airport and fly home
Reversing the itinerary can be tricky, particularly on days 2 and 8.
- Day 1: If you arrive early, hike to Avalanche Lake in the afternoon, since it’s on the west side of Glacier.
- Day 2: Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road straight to Logan Pass to secure parking for hiking Hidden Lake and/or the Highline Trail. Continue to east Glacier and check into Many Glacier later that day.
On Day 7, visit Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin. Although it’s a packed day, you can then drive straight to Grand Teton on Day 8. Once there, choose an activity from Day 3 of the main itinerary, such as a visit to Jenny Lake or Phelps Lake—just be mindful that parking may be limited by midday.
With Less Time
If you’re short on time and need to reduce the itinerary:
- 9-Day Itinerary: Eliminate one day in Yellowstone. With early starts and packed days, you can still see the highlights in two and a half days if you stay in the park to reduce driving time.
- 8-Day Itinerary: Skip half a day in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone by driving directly to Yellowstone on Day 3.
- 7-Day Itinerary: Cut one day from Glacier National Park. Spend that single day on Going-to-the-Sun Road, the must-see experience for first-timers.
Sample 7-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Jackson
- Day 2: Explore Grand Teton
- Day 3: Drive to Yellowstone, visit Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and Midway Geyser Basin
- Day 4: Explore Yellowstone: Grand Canyon and Lamar Valley
- Day 5: Drive to Glacier
- Day 6: Explore Glacier
- Day 7: Fly home
This 7-day itinerary will be fast-paced with significant driving, but it allows you to experience all three parks. Alternatively, consider spending a full week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and save Glacier for another trip.
With More Time
If you’re fortunate enough to have extra days to extend your itinerary, here’s what we suggest:
Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
Bordering with Glacier National Park, Waterton Lakes National Parks features beautiful lakes and picturesque mountains as well as endless hiking opportunities in addition to the cute little town you can explore. It feels like a more low key Glacier National Park.
Waterton Lakes can be seen in a day. Go for a hike, hit the trails on two wheels or go take a boat ride down Waterton Lake. Get Going – Waterton from Many Glacier (overnight if you have time) Or you can take a day trip from Many Glacier to Waterton Lakes.
Extra Time in the Parks
If you have more than that, space them out between the parks. Extra days at Grand Teton and Glacier (if you are a hiker, as these parks offer some of the most jaw-dropping hikes in America).
Planning Your Trip
Hotel/Campsite Reservations
Here are my recommendations for accommodations. If you’re planning a summer trip, it’s essential to book well in advance—ideally 6 to 12 months ahead—to secure a room at any of the national park lodges.
- Day 1 & 2 (Grand Teton): Stay in Jackson, Wyoming.
- Day 3 (Yellowstone):
- First choice: Old Faithful Inn
- Second choice: Canyon Village
- Third choice: West Yellowstone
- Day 4 (Yellowstone):
- First choice: Canyon Village
- Second choice: Old Faithful Inn
- Third choice: West Yellowstone
- Day 5 (Yellowstone):
- First choice: Canyon Village
- Second choice: Mammoth
- Third choice: Gardiner, MT
- Day 6 (Yellowstone):
- First choice: Mammoth
- Second choice: Gardiner, MT
- Day 7 (Drive to Glacier):
- First choice: Many Glacier Hotel
- Second choice: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Third choice: St. Mary Village
- Day 8 (Glacier):
- First choice: Many Glacier Hotel
- Second choice: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Third choice: St. Mary Village
- Day 9 (Glacier): Stay in West Glacier or Whitefish.
National Park Fees
Here are the entrance fees for each park. Once paid, the fee covers entry for 7 days:
- Grand Teton NP: $35
- Yellowstone NP: $35
- Glacier NP: $35
Total: $105
America the Beautiful Pass
America the Beautiful Pass (Great for if you are going to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier loop) The price is $80 for an entire annual pass. It will not only save you money on this trip, but it is also valid for use at other national parks and federal recreation sites (i.e., National Forests) around the USA for an entire 365 days.
You can purchase it at the first national park you visit (which in our case, was Grand Teton) or you can get one online before your trip.
