A 7-day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary
If you have 7 days for a Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary, we believe that’s plenty of time to do so. Although 8 days would be ideal to spend a little more time in Grand Teton and go on some extra hikes, 7 days gives you enough time to see all the must-see sights in both parks and the charming town of Jackson.
The itinerary is designed to be started in Jackson (Wyoming), where you should fly in and rent a car. Another option would be to return the car at the Bozeman (Montana) airport and take a flight to your next destination or back home. If, for whatever reason, you prefer to start the route from Bozeman, simply reverse the order of the trip, rent the car in Bozeman, and return it at the Jackson airport.
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Day 1: Jackson
We recommend flying to Jackson, the southern gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, where we suggest you rent a car or an RV. Although there are several tours from Jackson that visit both national parks, we believe the best way to explore them is at your own pace in your own vehicle.
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Although many people skip the town of Jackson, we think it’s worth a visit, which is why we’ve written a dedicated post on things to do in Jackson and a one-day itinerary for the town. But if you’d rather skip it and get straight to the point, on this first day you can take the opportunity to visit the southern part of Grand Teton and hike the moderate-difficulty trail to Taggart and Bradley Lakes, or if you don’t have that much time, just to Taggart Lake.
🏨 Accommodation in Jackson at The Hostel. You can find more information in our post on where to stay in Grand Teton.
Days 2 and 3: Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks on the Western United States. Its iconic peaks, large lakes, historic sites, numerous trails, and the chance to see wildlife such as moose, bears, bison, elk and deer make it a must-see on any trip to Wyoming.
In our guide to visiting Grand Teton, we provide plenty of tips and information about this national park. For this two-day trip, we recommend following our two-day itinerary for Grand Teton National Park, though here’s a brief summary.
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Day 2: Historic districts, scenic overlooks, and Phelps Lake
We recommend starting your day very early and heading first to Schwabacher's Landing, a fantastic spot for wildlife viewing where you can watch the first rays of sunlight touch the Tetons and reflect off the calm waters of the Snake River. Not far from there is the Mormon Row Historic District, where you can take one of the most famous photos in the entire park, with the old barns set against the mountains.
Continue north on US Highway 191 to the Oxbow Bend Turnout, which we consider one of the best viewpoints in the park —from here, you’ll see a bend in the Snake River with the Teton Range in the background 😯. Take Grand Teton Road and drive up to the summit of Signal Mountain, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the park.
Continue along this road to the park’s other historic area, the Menors Ferry Historic District. Here you can see a replica of the old ferry next to a historic cabin and the famous Chapel of the Transfiguration. To end the day, head to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, located within the park, and take the easy hike to Phelps Lake.
🏨 Accommodation in Jackson at The Hostel. You can find more information about accommodations in our post on where to stay in Grand Teton.
Day 3: Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Jackson Lake
On this second day, you’ll also need to get up early if you want to find a spot in the Jenny Lake parking lot and have a better chance of seeing moose. We recommend starting the hike to Inspiration Point very early, passing by Moose Pond and Hidden Falls. On the way back, head to the String Lake parking lot and take a gentle stroll along its shore to Leigh Lake.
Pick up the car and drive along Grand Teton Road to the Jackson Lake Dam, then continue on US Highway 191 toward Yellowstone. Don't forget to stop at the Jackson Lake Overlook!
🏨 Accommodation in West Yellowstone at the Yellowstone Lodge. You can find more information in our post on where to stay in Yellowstone.
Days 4, 5, 6, and 7: Yellowstone National Park
There is no place in the world quite like Yellowstone National Park. It is a unique place, with hundreds of geothermal features such as geysers, fumaroles, and hot springs, a vast lake, a colorful canyon with waterfalls, historic sites, and a wealth of wildlife including bison, deer, bears, and wolves, among others.
In our guide to visiting Yellowstone National Park, we provide plenty of tips and information about this national park. For this 4-day trip, we recommend following our 4-day itinerary for Yellowstone National Park, though below we’ll break down each day in detail so you don’t miss a thing.
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Day 4: First geysers, wildlife, a vast lake, and a beautiful canyon
Head to the West Thumb area, where you can marvel at the views of the vast Yellowstone Lake and discover the first geothermal features. Drive along the lake to Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron, then continue north through Hayden Valley. Remember, there’s plenty of wildlife here!
To wrap up the day, we suggest you head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, an incredible place that requires plenty of time to see most of it. Start on South Rim Drive to Artist Point and continue on North Rim Drive, stopping at the various overlooks.
🏨 Accommodation in Cooke City at Silver Gate Lodging. You can find more information in our post on about where to stay in Yellowstone.
Day 5: Wildlife, history, and geothermal features
Today we have to get up early again, but it’s for a good reason, since our first stop of the day is Lamar Valley. If you stayed in Cooke City the night before, you’ve already passed through this valley, but today you’ll have time to spot wildlife in the area— especially bison, but also deer, coyotes, foxes, and wolves. Once you’ve had your fill, head to Tower Fall to see the waterfall and then to the Petrified Tree if you have time.
Continue along Blacktail Plateau Drive, where you may also spot wildlife. Before reaching one of the park’s most famous and historic areas, Mammoth Hot Springs, you can stop at the short Forces of Northern Range trail. Visiting Mammoth Hot Springs will take several hours, but after that you’ll be just 5 miles (8 km) from Gardiner, right at the park’s north entrance, where we recommend spending the night.
🏨 Accommodation in Gardiner at The Antler Lodge. You can find more information in our post on about where to stay in Yellowstone.
Day 6: More geothermal features
Start your day with a short stop at Sheepeater Cliff, continue on to Roaring Mountain, and take in the Norris Geyser Basin, one of the park’s most spectacular geothermal areas. Then visit Artists Paintpots.
To wrap up the day, you can make two quick stops: the first at Beryl Spring and the second at Gibbon Falls. Finally, head back to West Yellowstone to spend the night.
🏨 Accommodation in West Yellowstone at Yellowstone Lodge. You can find more information in our post on about where to stay in Yellowstone.
Day 7: The park's most famous geothermal features
If your return flight leaves early, we recommend that you move your visit to Lower Geyser Basin to the afternoon of the previous day. On that day, it’s very important to check the park’s official website to see when the geysers are active.
Next, continue on to the Midway Geyser Basin with its iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, and end the day at the park’s most famous spot, the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and many other geysers. Finally, head to Jackson or Bozeman to catch your return flight or spend the night.
Map of a 7-day Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary
On this map of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary, we've marked the route we'd take, the places to visit, and the accommodations we recommend. We hope you find it helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Is 7 days enough time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Yes, a week is enough time to see the main attractions of both national parks. Although you could spend much more time exploring them, 7 days are enough to visit the must-see areas, go on a few hikes, enjoy the wildlife, and explore the historic sites.
How many days should I spend in Yellowstone and how many in Grand Teton?
Most people spend 4 to 5 days in Yellowstone and 2 to 3 days in Grand Teton. Yellowstone is much larger and has more attractions, while Grand Teton is known for its mountain scenery and hiking trails.
Is it better to visit Yellowstone or Grand Teton first?
Both options are valid. However, many travelers start in Grand Teton and end in Yellowstone, as the trip tends to get more spectacular as the days go by.
Where is the best place to stay along the route?
Ideally, you should choose your lodging based on the area you plan to visit, and if you want to save money, stay outside the parks. In Yellowstone, the best places to stay are West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cooke City, while for Grand Teton, the best place is Jackson.
Do I need to book accommodations in advance?
Yes, especially if you're traveling between June and September. Accommodations in and around the parks usually sell out several months in advance.
Will we see bears and other animals during the trip?
Yes. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are two of the best places in the United States for wildlife viewing. It’s common to see bison, moose, deer, coyotes, black bears, grizzly bears, and even wolves.
Do I need a 4x4 vehicle for this route?
No. All major roads are paved and can be easily traveled by a standard car.
Which airport is the best place to start the route?
The most convenient airport is Jackson Hole, located within Grand Teton National Park. It’s also common to fly into Salt Lake City, Bozeman, or Idaho Falls for a more extensive tour of the American West.
Is it worth combining Yellowstone and Grand Teton into a single trip?
Absolutely. They are two complementary parks: Yellowstone is renowned for its geothermal features and wildlife, while Grand Teton offers some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the United States. Plus, they’re right next to each other.
We hope this Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary helps you plan your trip to these unique destinations!
