Yellowstone & Grand Teton Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary
One week looping Wyoming's two greatest national parks — Grand Teton's peaks and lakes, then Yellowstone's geysers, Grand Canyon, and wildlife-packed valleys. Fly into Jackson Hole, drive the parks, fly out of Bozeman with no backtracking.
Two national parks, one week, zero backtracking.
This open-jaw route starts at Jackson Hole (JAC), moves north through Grand Teton and Yellowstone, exits at Gardiner, and finishes at Bozeman (BZN). That south-to-north order keeps the week moving forward instead of adding a long return to Jackson.
Grand Teton is the week’s landscape of jagged peaks and lakes. Yellowstone shifts the focus to the world’s densest geyser field, the supervolcano landscape, deep canyon scenery, and wildlife-rich valleys.
Best time: June–September. Roads and most in-park lodging are seasonal, and many are closed roughly November–April; confirm exact dates and current conditions on the National Park Service sites before travel.
- Fly into Jackson Hole (JAC) and out of Bozeman (BZN) to preserve the open-jaw route.
- Rent a car: no public transit connects the two parks.
- Buy the park pass online ahead through the official fees page; confirm the current price there.
- Download offline maps because cell service is limited or unavailable in parts of the route.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it before entering bear country.
- Keep at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from bison and elk.
- Never approach or feed wildlife; bison injure more people than bears.
Where to Stay
Use the route's changing bases to limit backtracking
Where to Stay
Use the route's changing bases to limit backtracking
Jackson (Nights 1–2)
Base for the Jackson arrival and Grand Teton day; compare Jackson or nearby park lodging early.
Old Faithful / Grant Village (Nights 3–4)
Use an in-park base for West Thumb, Old Faithful and the geyser basins.
Canyon Village (Night 5)
Position the overnight near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley.
Mammoth / Gardiner (Night 6)
Finish near Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone's North Entrance.
Official links & permits
Confirm current fees, roads, safety guidance, lodging and operator details before travel
Official links & permits
Confirm current fees, roads, safety guidance, lodging and operator details before travel
National Park Service planning
Official park information, current fees and road status.
Safety, lodging and Jenny Lake
Use these official park and operator pages for current arrangements.
Budget Snapshot
Getting Around
7-Day Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Jackson & the first Teton sunset
Base: Jackson — collect the essential rental car, settle in and finish with the first Teton view
Arrive Jackson Hole (JAC) & pick up your rental car
Fly into Jackson Hole and collect the rental car before beginning the route. A car is essential because no public transit connects Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Jackson Town Square & the Antler Arches
Use Jackson Town Square for a relaxed first walk and see the elk-antler arch. The public square is free, so no attraction booking is needed.
Sunset at Snake River Overlook
End the arrival day at the roadside Snake River Overlook for the classic Ansel Adams view of the river bend and Teton Range. The overlook is free and keeps the first evening simple.
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park
Base: Jackson / Teton Village — Jenny Lake, historic barns and Jackson Lake
Jenny Lake: shuttle boat to Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point
Start at Jenny Lake and combine the shuttle boat with the route toward Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. The boat shuttle and guided canyon hikes are bookable, so confirm current arrangements with the official operator before the day.
Mormon Row & the T.A. Moulton Barn
Continue to the historic district at Mormon Row and the T.A. Moulton Barn with the Teton Range behind it. This is a free stop and does not need an activity booking.
Signal Mountain & Jackson Lake
Pair Signal Mountain with time beside Jackson Lake for another perspective on Grand Teton National Park. Keep the stop flexible and confirm current road conditions through the official park information.
Day 3: Grand Teton → Yellowstone
Base: Grant Village / Old Faithful area — enter Yellowstone from the south and change lodging
Guided Grand Teton wildlife safari (moose, elk, pronghorn) before heading north
Start with a guided Grand Teton wildlife safari focused on animals such as moose, elk and pronghorn before driving north. A guide can structure the search, but wildlife sightings remain unpredictable and safe viewing distances still apply.
West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake
Walk the boardwalk at West Thumb Geyser Basin beside Yellowstone Lake. Stay on the designated route throughout the thermal area and confirm current conditions with the park.
Drive the Rockefeller Parkway & check in near Old Faithful / Grant Village
Drive north through the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway and enter Yellowstone through the South Entrance before changing to an in-park base near Old Faithful or Grant Village. Check current park-road status before departure and book lodging early because it can sell out months ahead.
Day 4: Old Faithful & the geyser country
Base: Old Faithful area — eruption viewing, historic lodge architecture and thermal-boardwalk scenery
Old Faithful & a guided Upper Geyser Basin walk
Watch Old Faithful and explore the Upper Geyser Basin, with a guided walk available for travelers who want more context. Watching the eruption itself is free; confirm any guided arrangement separately and follow the boardwalks.
The historic Old Faithful Inn
Step into the historic Old Faithful Inn to see its multi-storey log-and-stone lobby. Walking through the lobby is free, so this stop does not need a ticket CTA.
Grand Prismatic Spring & Midway Geyser Basin
Continue to the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk for Grand Prismatic Spring. The boardwalk is free, while the Fairy Falls overlook offers the elevated view; stay on designated routes in either area.
Day 5: Canyon country
Base: Canyon Village — move lodging for the canyon and Hayden Valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Artist Point & the Lower Falls
Begin at Artist Point for the Lower Falls and the yellow-walled Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Keep to the designated viewpoints and use current park information for any access changes.
Hayden Valley wildlife drive
Self-drive through Hayden Valley for chances to see bison, elk and sometimes grizzlies across the open meadows. Remain in safe pullouts, keep the required wildlife distances and never approach or feed animals.
Sunset pullouts & dinner at Canyon Village
Use official pullouts for a flexible sunset stop before dinner at Canyon Village. Check in to the Canyon-area base and leave wildlife space on the road at dusk.
Day 6: Norris, Mammoth & the Lamar Valley
Base: Mammoth / Gardiner — thermal basins first, northern-range wildlife later
Norris Geyser Basin
Walk the free boardwalks at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic basin. Conditions can change, so stay on the designated path and follow current park guidance.
Mammoth Hot Springs travertine terraces
Continue to the white-and-ochre travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. The boardwalks are free, and the same geothermal rule applies: stay on the designated route.
Lamar Valley wildlife safari ('America's Serengeti')
Use the northern range for a Lamar Valley wildlife safari, often called 'America's Serengeti.' Guided dawn or dusk outings focus on wolves, bears and bison, but sightings are never guaranteed and the required viewing distances still apply.
Day 7: North Entrance & departure
Gardiner → Bozeman — exit through the North Entrance and protect the airport buffer
The Roosevelt Arch at Gardiner
See the historic stone Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone's North Entrance in Gardiner. This free stop marks the northern end of the park route before the onward drive.
Drive to Bozeman (BZN) & fly home
Continue north to Bozeman, return the rental car and fly home. The drive takes a few hours, so leave a comfortable airport buffer and check current road conditions before departure.
Jackson Hole to Bozeman route overview
Seven master-image anchors trace the open-jaw route north from Jackson through Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the North Entrance at Gardiner, followed by the Bozeman departure.
- 1
Snake River Overlook
Jackson arrival day and first Teton sunset
- 2
Jenny Lake
Grand Teton lake and trail day
- 3
West Thumb Geyser Basin
South Entrance transfer into Yellowstone
- 4
Grand Prismatic Spring
Old Faithful and geyser-country day
- 5
Artist Point and Lower Falls
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone day
- 6
Mammoth Hot Springs
Norris, Mammoth and Lamar Valley day
- 7
Roosevelt Arch
North Entrance exit toward Bozeman
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for Yellowstone and Grand Teton together?
A week is a comfortable amount of time for this selective route through both parks without rushing every stop. The seven days allow two Grand Teton days, four Yellowstone-focused days and a final North Entrance departure to Bozeman.
Should I fly into Jackson or Bozeman?
Use both for the cleanest route: fly into Jackson Hole (JAC) and out of Bozeman (BZN). That open-jaw order avoids the long backtrack to Jackson after finishing near Yellowstone's North Entrance, although a round trip through either airport can work if your flights require it.
Do I need a car for Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Yes. A rental car is essential for this itinerary because public transit does not connect the parks. Confirm a Jackson Hole pickup and a drop that works with the Bozeman departure before committing to the route.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
June–September is the best fit for full road and in-park lodging access on this plan. Shoulder seasons can be quieter, but roads and most park lodging are seasonal and many are closed roughly November–April, so confirm exact dates on the official park sites.
Where should I stay — in the parks or in gateway towns?
In-park lodging near Old Faithful, Grant Village and Canyon Village reduces backtracking, while Jackson and Gardiner serve as practical gateway bases. Park lodging can sell out 6–12 months ahead, so use the official Yellowstone and Grand Teton lodging sites and keep gateway lodging as the fallback.
Is this road trip safe around bears, bison and geysers?
Carry bear spray and know how to use it, keep 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves and 25 yards (23 m) from bison and elk, and never approach or feed wildlife. In geothermal areas, remain on boardwalks and trails, keep children close and leave pets off boardwalks. Recheck current guidance at https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm.
What should I book in advance?
Prioritize lodging, the Jenny Lake boat or guided canyon option, guided wildlife safaris and any guided geyser walk you want to take. Buy the park pass online through the official fees page and confirm all current arrangements with the park or operator rather than relying on an old price or schedule.
Where and when should I look for wildlife?
Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are the main wildlife areas in this route, with dawn and dusk favored for activity and fewer crowds. Bison and elk are possible in Hayden, while northern-range safaris focus on wolves, bears and bison; sightings are never guaranteed and safe distances always apply.
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