If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. There are a couple of options for starting your Yellowstone road trip, depending on where you are coming from. Continue to both Grand View and Inspiration Point and if you arrive at the right time, you will be at Inspiration Point for sunset directly behind Lower Falls. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. They are our go to car hire platforms and we always choose whichever has the better vehicle at the right price point. After three days in Yellowstone, its time to head back from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City. Read our popular guide listing the best places to stay in Yellowstone both inside and outside the park to help you figure out the most challenging part of planning this road trip. Hi there! 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. Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. However, we know many visitors prefer to book one hotel and stay there for the duration. Drive Time From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 4-5 hours. Plus, flights into SLC are likely to be cheaper because of higher airline competition. But if you have an afternoon flight we recommend you drive south past Norris Geyser Basin before leaving the park via West Yellowstone. If you cant find availability or prices are too high at cabins and lodges inside the park, you should consider staying at a hotel in either Gardiner or West Yellowstone. Continue North and drive through Alpine Junction, which marks the beginning of a scenic stretch of highway following the Snake River. Making this a great destination to stop on your road trip to Yellowstone. sleep there. Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls - 3.5 hours, no stops. You can then grab dinner either back in SLC downtown or at the airport. It's a 5.5 to 6 hour drive depending on stops and how heavy your foot is on the gas pedal. 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. Basecamp in Idaho Falls, two hours from Yellowstone and Grand Teton, with direct flights from across the country. Town Square Inns of Jackson Hole Grand Teton Lodge Company. Head back to Mormon Row for sunset, which is equally as spectacular as the sun set behind Teton mountains. See the road trip map here or click the image below. In April, May, September and October the mornings and evenings will be cold so you need heavy layers, gloves, wooly hats and a winter coat in addition to your basic hiking or exploring gear. Next, drive north and park at Fairy Falls Trail lot to hike 0.8 miles so you can enjoy Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. If youre looking to take a relaxing break on your road trip after days of exploring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone, consider stopping at a hot spring! If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting stops along the way, eat at great restaurants, and maybe even find a hotel to stay overnight. Visit a museum or go for a hike. How far is it from the Salt Lake City Airport to Yellowstone National Park? I agree with Pam. When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. Whose Land Am I On? Hi Matt, thanks for getting in touch and we're happy to hear you are following our itinerary. Yellowstone National Park is Americas oldest national park and the 2nd largest park in the Lower 48. Who knows, this may become one of your all time favorite road trips too! Where Are Those Morgans LLC is a participant in the Amazon services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Salt Lake City is the largest city and capital of Utah. What is the most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole? Day 2: Scenic Drive from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole. Then have a full day to explore SLC before moving on again towards Bryce Canyon. Day 2 Drive to Jackson and spend the late afternoon around Mormon Row. 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. The third day is when your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip bursts into life. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. Salt Lake City is the closest big city to Yellowstone and Grand Teton with a major international airport. Find pet-friendly stops. The. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Do this road trip in an RV to stay close to nature. to browse flights and find the best price. 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. You can either stay at hotels, lodges and cabins inside the park boundaries or you can stay in resort villages right outside the park boundaries. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Guide. Have a Shoshone-Bannock Native Experience This park belongs on your bucket list, from the jagged Teton peaks visible throughout the park to the wildlife spotting to the incredible hikes. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. Plan to drive this in one day. Some may want to enjoy more of the Tetons but others will want to get right into Yellowstone. Lets look at a brief summary of each major stopping point along the road trip. Overcast Clouds. This is the perfect spot for extraordinary views of Lower Falls. Its great for national park trips because it works on GPS, not cell phone signals. If you want to visit Jackson Hole as well as Grand Teton National Park, the driving time is about 7.5 hours one-way. 4. Hotels Between Grand Teton And Yellowstone, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Variations. Wed go as far as saying if you only have 4 days for your trip, take one from Yellowstone and give it to Grand Teton. West Yellowstone is the best place to stay outside Yellowstone boundaries because it is central to the park and has plenty of amenities. There isnt much to see between Tower and Mammoth. Look no further than Yellowstone and Grand Teton! The mountain city is safe, clean, walkable and has a wonderful vibe. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. A short walk through forest ends with bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs. The rest of the park is accessible so you will be able to see all of the most popular hot springs and geysers. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone If so, you might benefit greatly from taking a look at this interactive Google Map we created to show show the potential stops you can make each day for 7 days on our Salt Lake City to Yellowstone example itinerary, which is featured right after the map. What do you need to know about the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone? What is the closest entrance to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City? Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. Catch a glimpse into pioneer living, enjoy live theater performances and stroll a charming downtown with a stop in Logan. Head back to US-191, turn right and not long after take a left on Schwabachers Landing road. I have 7 days off! Barker Ewing rafting on the Snake River in Jackson Hole. This extra time gives you so much freedom and flexibility to add in time wherever you prefer. February 17, 2022. Download the Yellowstone tour app thats like having a tour guide in your car. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. Our top SLC food and drinks recommendations include White Horse, Siegfrieds Delicatessen and Caffe Molise. Enter the chapel to take the iconic mountains through the church window photograph. Day 6 - Drive back to Las Vegas. Salt Lake City is less than 5 hours drive from Grand Teton National Park, 3. If you want to swim, turn into one way Firehole Canyon Road and drive the full loop to Firehole River swimming area. Dont forget deicer and a scraper for your windshield if you do plan your trip for when snow and ice is possible. From Idaho Falls, you finally get to experience a scenic route as you turn slightly . This is one of the most famous elevated views in the entire park and shouldnt be missed. Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City, Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown, Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch, 18 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, short hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook, 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park. Consider driving from Salt Lake City to Jackson, Wyoming via Highway 89 instead for a more scenic route. It is the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton and enjoying the culinary scene after a long day in the park. Spending a few minutes considering what you need to pack for your SLC to Yellowstone road trip can save you time, money and energy later in your vacation. John Moultons barn on Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. Along the way to Yellowstone, we've included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites that offer different experiences than Yellowstone. You can choose between a lodge style hotel room or semi-detached cabin at Mammoth. Make the most of your time by visitingsome of our favorite spots in the parkincluding wildlife watching, dining at historic lodges and see geysers erupt. Head into Wyoming where youll find summer fun at Snow King Resort before exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions, including two national park sites, you wont find elsewhere. Follow Your Trail in Park City . Get your national park pass ahead of time for only $80. If you choose to spend a day in downtown SLC there are plenty of hotel options available. We are planning on doing this in September. Day 3 - Grand Canyon to Joshua Tree and arrive in Los Angelo's. Day 4-8 - Los Angelo's. Day 9 - Los Angelo's to Las Vegas. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. For a more relaxing experience you should plan for 8 or even 9 days. Read more about the best time to visit Yellowstone here. 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. With just 3 days you will be rushing to tick off attractions and we think 5 days is only necessary for visitors who wish to move slowly through the park. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Along the 1,398 mile road trip, find ancient history and the best Americana. Here are the best hotels in West Yellowstone MT: Want to read more about where to stay in Yellowstone? Here are cant-miss stops from Idaho Falls to Ririe on the way to Yellowstone. We are assuming you need to drive back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas on the sixth day? Recommended stay: 2 days minimum. Day 2 Spend the morning in Grand Teton before driving to West Thumb and eventually Old Faithful. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Planning Resources. Use the morning to revisit any of the areas in Grand Teton you liked the most, such as Jenny Lake or Oxbow Bend. Hi! Heres how we might plan a 9 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. This route takes you from Logan to Bear Lake, then follows the Snake River into Jackson, Wyoming. Day 5 Explore West Thumb, Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. Enjoy adventures in Jackson and nearby Grand Teton National Park. The park is home to various wildlife, including grizzly bears, bison, elk, and wolves. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Native Americans hunted, fished and gathered plants in the park. Day 6 Explore Norris Geyser Basin, then visit Lower Falls and Hayden Valley. But heres why SLC is a great place to begin your road trip to Yellowstone: Lets take a closer look at each of these points. While many visitors choose to drive directly from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I argue that Grand Teton is a must-do stop on your road trip. Once you find your flight, Skyscanner redirects you to book with the airline directly, so you dont miss out on frequent flyer points!If you need a rental car, I recommend using Rentalcars.com to find the best deals. Read More: 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park, If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out these posts! It is one of only 2 places you are permitted to swim in Yellowstone. While it is less scenic than the route from Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City, the faster, direct route saves time and allows you to see new places. These towns provide hotel options along the route from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park. Park alongside the Yellowstone River and look carefully for bears, wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, eagles and dozens more species. 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. Its almost like you planned it! Drive back to Jackson. Elk Country Inn In our example itineraries we have you driving into Yellowstone via the prettier route and then back to SLC via the quicker freeways. Day 6 See Hayden Valley, hike Mt Washburn, walk to Tower Fall and drive into Lamar Valley. However, if you really dont want to drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton, you can take the Salt Lake Express bus from SLC to Jackson. 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. This would allow you to sleep right out in nature surrounded by the Tetons but you would have very few amenities nearby. Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and two hours from Yellowstone, Jackson is a great stop if youre looking for anold West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun. Well, we have personally driven this route ourselves, stopping to explore Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Mornings and evenings will be cold but during the day it warms up nicely. Ive put together this interactive map that allows you to scroll, zoom, and click through the destinations covered on this Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons to Yellowstone road trip. Traffic from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. Grand Teton National Park is a nature and landscape photographers ideal arena and it one of our personal favorite places to visit in the US. Get a Potato Selfie at the Idaho Potato Museum You might be able to find a cheaper rate with Hotels compared to going direct so it is worth checking. This is an amazing hike with serious wildlife spotting potential and we cant recommend it highly enough. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. Stop at Lookout Point for amazing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls crashing into the Yellowstone River. Notable stops are Salt Lake City, Jackson, Moab, Idaho Falls, Dixie National Forest, Zion National Park, Geyser Park as well as Canyonlands Arches National Parks. Of course, you could skip the last part of Day 5 and instead of driving to Canyon, drive back from Norris to West Yellowstone. Heres how we might plan a 5 day road trip: Day 1 Drive straight from SLC airport to Jackson. 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons Answer 1 of 6: Planning a roadtrip for February / March 2013. Here is how we would do it: Day 1 - Drive from Las Vegas to Jackson, it will be a long day but you can set off early and still have time to see Jackson in the evening. Then, book a flight out for the following day. 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. Many visitors only see the top attractions, like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. This is one of our favorite hidden gem areas of Yellowstone. In Park City theres a trail for everyone, from mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music,and theres no better time to hit them than summer. SLC international airport conveniently serves both domestic and international travelers, 2. Pin It For Your Road Trip! With two days in the park, youre able to see the highlights and explore the most iconic views of the Tetons. Walk around Upper Geyser Basin in the late afternoon. How Far Is Yellowstone From Salt Lake City International Airport? There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. And on this road trip from Salt Lake City, Yellowstone is the crown jewel. If you're planning a road trip to Salt Lake City, you can research locations to stop along the way. The easiest option would simply be to cut out the day in Salt Lake City and pick up the full itinerary above on Day 2. For the purposes of this example itinerary and our personal preference, we will split the day exactly in half. Gardiner works better if you are entering or leaving Yellowstone to the north, say to visit Glacier National Park before or afterward. The Salt Lake City Temple Square, Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Bear Lake, Grand Teton National Park, John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway, Yellowstone National Park, and Mesa Falls were some of the exuberant highlights of this super scenic road trip. Spend an hour walking around Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Big Cone Geyser, Fishing Cone and various other colorful hot springs located in West Thumb. This came at a time when the U.S. was at war with many tribes so it was a convenient story, but it couldnt have been further from the truth. The next morning you can drive to Canyon and pick up the itinerary, but it would mean you miss sunset over Lower Falls and would add on a total of 62 miles of driving. Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park As you return to your starting point, I recommend taking the faster route back via I-15. West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. Follow the western shores of Bear Lake and cross into Idaho. Day 4 Enjoy a sunrise over Lower Falls from Artists Point and explore Hayden Valley. 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. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. This map is a great way to see the itinerary in action! Looking for suggestions on any must-sees between West Yellowstone and Salt Lake City. 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). Day 3 See Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, explore Norris Geyser Basin and drive over to Canyon so you can check in to a hotel. It is a gateway to both Wyoming and incredibly popular, Use incognito or private browser to see if the price changes, Use several devices such as your laptop and smartphone to see if you get different prices, Book in advance, especially if planning this road trip in summer, Sign up for free to one of the hotel search platforms like Booking or Hotels to save with membership rewards, Start by booking your hotels around Yellowstone before working forwards or backwards around those hotels, Try to arrive at Yellowstone during the week to avoid the busier and more expensive weekends, Booking in advance often means you have more flexibility over vehicle type, Smaller cars might actually be better for parking in tight spots around the parks, Photograph one of the 4 antler arches in Jackson, Drive up Signal Mountain for amazing views, See the Teton Range through Chapel Window, Spot wildlife in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? Take the left onto Teton Park road, cross Jackson Lake Dam and continue until you take a left turn up Signal Mountain Road. Next, drive through the center of Yellowstone Loop road to Canyon. Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Road Trip, 6 Best Hiking Trails in Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Essentials: 12 Basic Things You Need to Know. With one day in Salt Lake City, you can see the highlights, like Temple Square and the Natural History Museum. Canyon Village has a canteen style food court serving various cuisines and a huge seating hall centered around an open fireplace. Northern Utah and southern Wyoming have so much to offer, from scenic state parks to quaint small towns. However, if you stayed in West Yellowstone, you will need to drive back to Old Faithful to begin Day 5. Read more in our disclosure policy.*. Bear in mind this would mean you have to loop from Jackson through Teton and Yellowstone before returning to Jackson. While you may hear the terms used interchangeably, the region is Jackson Hole, and the city is simply named Jackson. Or check out Destination Delivery: Have an RV delivered directly to a campground or parking site to camp in style without having to get behind the wheel. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Planning a trip but have to drive from las vegas. Enjoy your time off! Popular sites include, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache, Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests as well as Antelope Island and Willard Bay State Parks. With so much to see, make sure you read on to plan an ideal itinerary. If you have eight days, consider this breakdown for your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip: If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out these posts! We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The main reason for starting and ending your Yellowstone road trip in Salt Lake City is the large airport located here, but its an incredible place to visit too! Salt Lake is surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains with a vibrant, compact, clean, and safe downtown area. With mountain biking, hiking, climbing, OHV opportunities, climbing, and rafting, there's no shortage of things to do. Want to know more about Grand Teton? 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. Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. A view of the majestic Teton range, seen from the western or Idaho side. 9 days: fly into Cody. Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park is a popular bucket list road trip route filled with natural beauty and unique landscapes. 17 helpful votes. This is particularly pertinent if you drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the shoulder season month of April and October. Alternatively, if you are a hiker you should definitely spend the morning hiking to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and eventually Cascade Canyon. However, we suspect everyone else has the same idea so you may not find availability. June, July and August are warm enough for light layers but you will need sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats. Hope that helps but feel free to get back to us with any specifics or more questions. Thanks in advance! If you get a good sunrise the waterfall, canyon and sky will light up with stunning browns, blues, greens, pinks and purples. Hike to Mt Washburn summit for some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. With a week-long drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I recommend spending two days in Grand Teton National Park. 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. If you havent gotten your fill of wildlife yet, visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone before starting your road trip back to Salt Lake City. flying into West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole Airport. Check out my guides on the ultimate road trip packing list and the best road trip planning tools for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Go paddling, fishing, boating, or take a boat cruise tourin the national park. Yellowstone In October: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting, Where To Stay In Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels + Lodging. You can then drive back to SLC via Grand Teton and the scenic route. We saw a moose and an otter playing on ice here. Salt Lake City offers a budget-friendly major airport, plus an incredible opportunity for a scenic road trip. This stretch of road is truly breathtaking, so be prepared to stop to take in the natural Wyoming landscapes.
