Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton

This summertime trip provides a wonderful introduction to the region, starting in Jackson Hole [1] and taking in the popular town sights before heading north into Grand Teton [2] and Yellowstone National Parks [3]. Jackson is accessible by nonstop flights from Denver and Salt Lake City, and car rentals are available at the airport.

Day 1

Fly or drive in to the bustling town of Jackson and you’ll quickly see why it’s such a popular destination. Stop by the sod-roofed Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center [4] for a plethora of brochures and a helpful staff to answer your questions.

You can’t miss shady Town Square [4] with its four elk-antler arches, but you may need to park in the big lot a couple of blocks to the north. Evening shoot-outs are a summer favorite activity, and several dozen art galleries [5] (and many other businesses) fill nearby shops. Just north of town is the outstanding National Museum of Wildlife Art [5].

Downtown, travelers will find an amazing variety of dining choices [6]. For dinner and a great beer, join the throngs at Snake River Brewing Company. Don’t miss the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar with its saddle barstools and nightly country-and-western bands.

Day 2

Drive north into Grand Teton National Park [2] to take in the mountain vistas and explore a few of the sights. Stop first at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center [7] for an orientation to the park and its history. For a great half-day adventure, book an easy float or rollicking whitewater raft trip [8] down the Snake River; a dozen local companies offer trips. You can also rent a bike [9] and head up the paved bike path to Jenny Lake [10], a wonderful jumping-off point for hikes [11]. Spend the night at a park campground [12] (Jenny Lake is especially notable) or at Jenny Lake Lodge [10].

Day 3

This is a day to explore Grand Teton. Starting from Jenny Lake, take the park road north to Jackson Lake [13]. Stops along the road include the photo-perfect barns of Mormon Row [14], and spectacular turnouts facing the Tetons, including Snake River Overlook [15] (where Ansel Adams took his famous photo), and the view at Oxbow Bend [16], a great place to look for wildlife.

At Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Marina [17] offers scenic cruises, boat and kayak rentals, and guided fishing on this large reservoir. Not far away is grandiose Jackson Lake Lodge [13], built at the behest of John D. Rockefeller (who also played a big role in establishing Grand Teton National Park), where you will spend the night. A nice evening drive is the winding road to the 7,593-foot summit of Signal Mountain [13], where the panorama encompasses the majestic Teton Range, Jackson Lake, Snake River, and the long valley called Jackson Hole.

Day 4

Spend today exploring Yellowstone [3] by driving north to West Thumb [18], where you may want to stop for a brief look at the hot springs and other features before turning west to visit famous Old Faithful Geyser and Upper Geyser Basin [19] area. Be sure to take time to wander around majestic Old Faithful Inn and the modern Old Faithful Visitor Education Center. It will probably be mid-afternoon by this point. There’s no camping at Old Faithful, but excellent lodging options are available at Old Faithful Inn or Old Faithful Lodge.

Day 5

Another full day in Yellowstone begins by heading north from Old Faithful to Norris Geyser Basin [20]. Take in the Back Basin loop to see if Echinus Geyser is active, or head down Porcelain Basin to enjoy the ever-changing colors. Continue on to Mammoth Hot Springs [21] and stroll the boardwalks at the colorful terraces, check out historical photos in the visitor center, and get lunch inside the hotel.

In the afternoon, drive to Roosevelt Lodge [22], where cabins and delightful Old West cookouts are available (book in advance). Take an evening drive into nearby Lamar Valley, one of the finest places for wildlife-viewing [23]. Wolves and bison populate this scenic corner of Yellowstone.

Day 6

A few miles south of Roosevelt Lodge is Tower Fall [22], a dramatic 132-foot waterfall. Farther south, the road winds over Dunraven Pass, where Mt. Washburn trails [24] are popular in late summer. Be sure to take time to explore Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone [25], with its spectacular waterfalls and multihued canyon walls. An evening hike along one of the rim trails is a great way to end the day. Lodging and campsites are available in Canyon Village; Dunraven Lodge is the nicest.

Day 7

Drive south through lush Hayden Valley [26] (pull out your binoculars to glass for bears or wolves) to Yellowstone Lake [27]. Spend your final day in the park exploring the Yellowstone Lake area, where you can take a one-hour boat cruise and enjoy lunch at historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel. From here, it’s a leisurely three-hour drive south to your starting point in Jackson Hole [1].