The one geyser you cant miss at Norris is called Steamboat Geyser, which is the worlds tallest active geyser. How many days do you need to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park from Salt Lake City? The closest Yellowstone entrance to Salt Lake City is the West Entrance, located in West Yellowstone, Montana. 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. A longer but more scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is about 400 miles along Highway 89 / Highway 26, taking in more of the highlights of Wyoming and Idaho. All things considered we think SLC is the best airport to use for Yellowstone because it is the most convenient for long haul travel and offers low budget airlines for domestic US travel. Day 8 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite spots before driving back to SLC. The shore of this brilliant blue lake is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. Only have 5 nights 6 days. Want more Wyoming content? Once you have seen enough, quickly drive over to Schwabacher Landing to catch the end of sunrise. 6 Places to See in Temple Square in Salt Lake City 6 Things to Explore On the Way From Rushmore to Yellowstone 6 Ways to Experience the Old West in Buffalo, Wyoming 7 Sights in West Yellowstone 7 Standout Stops in the Heart of Montana 9 Reasons to Visit Dillon, Montana 9 Undiscovered Southern Idaho Gems near Yellowstone 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. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Its great for national park trips because it works on GPS, not cell phone signals. Exit Yellowstone via the West Entrance, taking a quick jaunt through Montana before youre back in Idaho. If you are lucky there will be wildlife drinking fresh water or playing in the river. 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park Next, head north until you reach a short trail leading to the impressive Tower Fall. Dont miss these posts! Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip: While Salt Lake City is located a 4+ hour drive from Yellowstone and Grand Teton, it makes a great place to start your road trip. Salt Lake is well known for having the greatest snow on Earth and the epicenter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons. The road to Gardiner is closed. Read our guide on the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park which covers the top attractions, hikes and geyser basins. Drive Time From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 4-5 hours. Check Grand Teton sunrise times the night before and plan to arrive at Mormon Row at the start of civil twilight with camera in hand. If you're interested in wildlife we would recommend getting away from the crowds, maybe try to east side of the park around Hayden Valley and the road to east entrance (Cody). The night of Day 3 is the most open to your interpretation part of this Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. The City Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. The mountain city is safe, clean, walkable and has a wonderful vibe. Both were great and worked perfectly for our itinerary. There are 6 places you can stay at park lodging inside Yellowstone: If you do choose just one place to stay inside Yellowstone, we recommend you pick a hotel either in Canyon Village or Old Faithful. Spend the night in Jackson at Wyoming Inn of Jackson Holeor Inn on the Creek. With 6 days you wont have to compromise as much and you will still have enough time for both parks. This is one of the most famous elevated views in the entire park and shouldnt be missed. For the purposes of this example itinerary and our personal preference, we will split the day exactly in half. This particular Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip is such a great loop to do if you're looking for an epic USA road trip that features a LOT of variety: think epic landscapes through plenty of National Parks, paired with city adventures and off-the-beaten path spots as well. Catch a glimpse into pioneer living, enjoy live theater performances and stroll a charming downtown with a stop in Logan. Do you prefer visuals to text when absorbing information? Sleep in Moran. Take the right onto N Beach Road to enter Idahos North Beach State Park with $7 vehicle entry fee and dont forget your swimsuit. Read More: 25 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton, If you want to learn more about Grand Teton National Park, check out these posts! Where to Stay: 35 Best Places to Stay in Grand Teton Camping: 7 Best Campgrounds in Grand Teton Things to Do: 25 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton Hikes: 18 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park Add Yellowstone: 7 Days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Where should I stay between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton? Denver International Airport will be the best alternative for many, but the drive distance and drive time are around 40% longer to reach Grand Teton or Yellowstone. The 830-mile road trip from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon will take 14 hours to drive. Dont Forget to Save This Post on Pinterest, 7 Day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary, Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days, When is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone. Plenty of motor oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc. Floating the Portneuf River through the city of Lava Hot Springs. Mornings and evenings will be cold but during the day it warms up nicely. The Center of it All in Salt Lake We are assuming you need to drive back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas on the sixth day? 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. Right out of Firehole drive park up at Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is Lower Geyser Basin. This town is a home base for Grand Teton National Park. Day 10-11 Las Vegas. Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip Planning Resources. It's a 5.5 to 6 hour drive depending on stops and how heavy your foot is on the gas pedal. 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. With a week-long drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I recommend spending two days in Grand Teton National Park. Teton Village is a quieter and more upscale place to stay for visiting Grand Teton. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton from amazing hiking trails to scenic boat rides and the best huckleberry milkshake ever. You can then grab dinner either back in SLC downtown or at the airport. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Grand Teton Lodge Company. 6 Amazing Places on the Other Side of the Tetons If you choose to spend a day in downtown SLC there are plenty of hotel options available. Thanks in advance! A surprise for many visitors is there is no Grand Teton entrance station when you head south from Yellowstone into Grand Teton. Yellowstone is due north of SLC along I15, and you'll pass through the towns of Ogden, UT and Idaho Falls, ID during the drive. We have visited Yellowstone in both April and October when crowds were at a minimum, but even then it was busy enough both times. Youll arrive in Yellowstone National Park via the South Entrance along John D. Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway. Continue to the end of North Rim Drive and walk out to Artist Point, which is our personal favorite viewpoint into Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Jenny Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin in south Yellowstone is around 60 miles and will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes without stops. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Our top SLC food and drinks recommendations include White Horse, Siegfrieds Delicatessen and Caffe Molise. Some tribes visited the geysers and conducted ceremonies while others collected obsidian. Go paddling, fishing, boating, or take a boat cruise tourin the national park. Here are our popular road trip resources for planning and packing: Packing for Grand Teton and Yellowstone is fairly straightforward year round. Jackson Hole is a world-famous ski town and the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. Day 8 Spend the day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. 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. You can choose between a lodge style hotel room or semi-detached cabin at Mammoth. Alternatively, stop in at the National Elk Refuge on the way back into Jackson Hole. Answer 1 of 6: Planning a roadtrip for February / March 2013. Routes and Distance from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, Tips for Travel from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, Day 2: Scenic Drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole, Days 3 and 4: Visit Grand Teton National Park, Days 5, 6, and 7: Visit Yellowstone National Park, Day 8: Return from Yellowstone to Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Map, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Variations, Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake City, Final Thoughts on Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Wyoming, Best Places to See Between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park, Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park, Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park, Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park, Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park, Best Things to Do Between Yellowstone National Park and Salt Lake City, Where to Stay Near the Salt Lake City International Airport. Some people may only want to day trip into each national park but spend more time in Salt Lake City. Plus, the best things to do in Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and everywhere in between! Stay in West Yellowstone. We try to incorporate each place with what we think is the right amount of time, but you may have entirely different goals. Insurance, license, registration, identification, roadside assistance and extra car keys. What is the most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole? Barker Ewing by Jackson Hole Whitewater Outside of Winter, the scenery around Teton village is spectacular and it is slightly closer to the national park. Idaho National Parks Northwest Road Trip Utah Wyoming Prepared By: Tobey Schmidt Is Salt Lake City near Yellowstone National Park? If not, have a great trip and good luck! There are plenty of interesting and smelly geysers here but it is only a quick stop. The rest of the park is accessible so you will be able to see all of the most popular hot springs and geysers. The Fishing Bridge area was used as a gathering place and the thermal waters of the park were used for ceremony and healing. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. The mountain drive to Bear Lake and the Snake River scenic views are worth it! What do you need to know about the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone? Get a Potato Selfie at the Idaho Potato Museum Sleep in Jackson or Moran. As part of our first 3 month US road trip, we actually drove from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone before driving through Grand Teton to Salt Lake City and onto the Utah parks. Head over to our Wyoming Travel Guides to explore Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and beyond. Day 2 - Spend the whole day in Grand Teton, do Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing for sunrise if possible. Follow the loop road until you reach Gibbon Falls for a quick waterfall stop. Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. Check into a hotel and then spend the afternoon exploring Grand Teton. Are you planning a national park trip but dont know where to start? You can read our guides to visiting Yellowstone in April and visiting Yellowstone in October if planning your trip for early spring or late falls. Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.Download your free ebook here. Lets look at a brief summary of each major stopping point along the road trip. The only downside if you stay at Old Faithful is being limited to eating in the restaurants or food courts on site. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone Heres how we might plan a 9 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. A little further south you will reach Mud Volcano and Mud Geyser. Without stopping the drive should take around 5 hours, but you will be stopping so plan for more like 6-7 hours. Lewis Lake is one of the best stops for kayaking in the park and you will pass it as you approach the south entrance to Yellowstone. We saw a moose and an otter playing on ice here. This map is a great way to see the itinerary in action! This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. Photo: Tom Gainor / Unsplash. 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. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. 2 Days in Yellowstone We typically use Booking to book our hotels but park lodging inside Yellowstone is not available with Booking. What if you have more or less time than 7 days? LDS Temple near Salt Lake City Road to Utah's State Capital. This route is 321 miles and 4 hours 45 minutes, one way. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. Or you can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport. A little further north on the loop road take the right turn onto Firehole Lake Drive, stopping to look at the various pools and geysers. This will be one of the best days on your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip because many of Yellowstones top attractions are covered today. 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. However, we suspect everyone else has the same idea so you may not find availability. You might only be planning to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but thousands each year use SLC as a hub to drive through Wyoming and Utah. Discover the stories behind this unsung hero of a vegetable including VP Dan Quayles potato incident. There are several direct long haul flights into Salt Lake City from major cities around the world. 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. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. You also have a better range of hotel prices in West Yellowstone. From the Salt Lake City Airport to West Yellowstone, ID, it is 321 miles (517 km) or approximately 4 hours, 45 minutes of driving. Six Weekend Road Trips from Salt Lake City. Start in Salt Lake City, a vibrant community set against the backdrop of snow-dusted peaks, capped by impossibly blue skies. If you're planning a road trip to Salt Lake City, you can research locations to stop along the way. It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. Sleep either Old Faithful or West Yellowstone. You can really slow things down with a 9 day itinerary for this route. Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. The town of West Yellowstone, located just outside the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a year-round, family-friendly destination. Follow Firehole River as far as Morning Glory Pool, which is one of our favorite hot springs in the park. Rent an RV with Outdoorsy Kilometers from Bear Lake: 432. What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? This park belongs on your bucket list, from the jagged Teton peaks visible throughout the park to the wildlife spotting to the incredible hikes. Right next to Grand Teton National Park,spend a day on the newVia Ferrata assisted climbing course, riding the gondola, tackling the ropes course or biking and hiking downhill. But they might be worth a stop if you have enough time, which is why we have included several SLC to Yellowstone road trip itinerary ideas later in the guide. Use. The closest entrance into Yellowstone from Salt Lake City is west entrance, which is 320 miles drive and should take around 5 hours. Alternatively, if you are a hiker you should definitely spend the morning hiking to Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and eventually Cascade Canyon. Head back to the car and drive to Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot to explore Midway Geyser Basin. Check in at your Canyon hotel or lodge and head straight back to the car to drive south for just over a mile before turning left into North Rim Drive. 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! Stay in Gardiner. Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park This entrance is located 320 miles and 5 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. So whether you live in Salt Lake City, or are just passing through, I hope this snapshot of our favorite road trip to Yellowstone helps you plan and enjoy your own road trip to these amazing destinations. The night of Day 5 is the one night we recommend you book into a hotel, lodge, cabin or even campground at Canyon Village. 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. Barker Ewing rafting on the Snake River in Jackson Hole. Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls - 3.5 hours, no stops. Depending on how much time you have for sightseeing, this trip could easily be accomplished in a weekend or longer. Read more in our disclosure policy.*. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. I will share more scenes from our visit to Salt Lake City, on May 7th (the Sunday Stills theme is Temples, Churches, and Spiritual Centers). Day 4 Spend another full day enjoying the tranquility in Grand Teton. Plan to drive this in one day. Stay Right Next to the Water at Bear Lake flying into West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole Airport. In summer Yellowstone is like a theme park, so you have to be organized and book hotels way in advance. What Is The Closest Entrance To Yellowstone From SLC? 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. Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, Hampton Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 8 Best Airports and Flights to Yellowstone, Why Salt Lake City is the best place to start a Yellowstone road trip, Tips on where to stay, what to pack, and the best time to visit, The best route and recommended road trip itinerary. Grand Teton National Park is easily one of the most impressive and scenic national parks in the United States. What other options can you recommend to replace the Mammoth Lodge? Heres how we might plan a 5 day road trip: Day 1 Drive straight from SLC airport to Jackson. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. Head back to US-191, turn right and not long after take a left on Schwabachers Landing road. We are planning on doing this in September. Input Salt Lake City and your travel dates to see your options. Yellowstone is an awe-inspiring and extraordinary landscape, but it requires careful planning to do it the right way without losing time driving back on yourself or missing out on top attractions. Yellowstones west entrance is 323 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport, it is the closest entrance by distance and time from the airport and should take a little over 5 hours to reach. The Logan Canyon Scenic Byway connects Logan, a sizable town outside of Salt Lake City, and Garden City along the shores of Bear Lake. Look no further than Yellowstone and Grand Teton! There are a couple of options for starting your Yellowstone road trip, depending on where you are coming from. Summer Fun Starts at Snow King Mountain Resort Day 6 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before driving back to SLC airport. Craters of the Moon National Monument Once you are done in the valley, drive to Mammoth Hot Springs and check out the unique terraces. 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. The first day can be action packed or easy going depending on your journey to reach SLC and how you prefer to travel. Day 7 Hike Mt Washburn, head into Lamar Valley and see Mammoth Hot Springs. Explore on your own or take a tour on horseback or e-bike. Jacksons ski town atmosphere is replaced by a quiet wild west town from spring to fall. Lets take a quick look at some of the most asked questions about planning a Wyoming road trip from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Native Americans hunted, fished and gathered plants in the 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. Salt Lake City is the natural stopping off point between visiting Glacier, Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, and the 5 Utah national parks to the south for those on longer US road trips. Many visitors to Yellowstone choose to stay for 2, 3 or 4 nights exclusively in West Yellowstone which does work well enough but it also means a lot of driving. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park Drive Time It depends which route you take. Head south on US-20 W as far as Idaho Falls and join I-15 S all the way to Salt Lake City airport. If you want to swim, turn into one way Firehole Canyon Road and drive the full loop to Firehole River swimming area. It is worth sticking around here until later in the day because this is regarded as the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. We will cover where to stay on the Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip in much greater depth later in the guide. I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone. Enter the chapel to take the iconic mountains through the church window photograph. Answer 1 of 22: I have been trying to plan a great trip for my 10 year old twins this year. Salt Lake is where the tradition meets a progressive and energetic cultural scene. You will find dozens of photographers snapping away as sunlight kisses the snow capped Teton range at first light. Then, book a flight out for the following day. 63 reviews. Soak in hot springs and float down a river in this charming town in Idaho. With temperatures reaching new highs, figuring out how to stay cool is key to enjoying your summer. The easiest way to get around Yellowstone is by car. Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. Find pet-friendly stops. This is an amazing hike with serious wildlife spotting potential and we cant recommend it highly enough. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. A booming culinary and brewing culture is emerging out of SLC, perfect for fueling up in between epic national park road trip loops. 6 Big Adventures at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Whether you like motorized recreation or exploring via your own two feet, theres an adventure for everyone on the Tetons western and if you ask a local better side. Day 2 Drive to Park City in the morning, before heading to Jackson later in the afternoon. Its time to put it all together and create an unforgettable 7 day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip itinerary! Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake We have visited Yellowstone on separate occasions and we have helped thousands of first time visitors plan trips to this region through our various Wyoming travel guides. Spend around two hours walking through Upper Geyser Basin, the area with the highest concentration of geysers in Yellowstone. While there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend: I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone. It allows you to search across major retailers like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and more. We met plenty of people who used SLC airport to start and end their road trip to Yellowstone but had no time for Downtown Salt Lake City, which is a lovely place to explore for a day. Dont miss the Tabernacle right behind Salt Lake Temple. Head over to Lower Falls. Was This Guide Helpful? But before reaching the Grand Tetons, there are so many incredible destinations to see. Watch sunset over Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Here are the most helpful travel planning resources you might need to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. Take things easy in town or head out for a hike. You could also do Grand Canyon / Zion. If you have time and energy before sunset, hike up to Old Faithful viewing area to see the eruption from an elevated position. We're spending a week in Sedona, then flying into Salt Lake City for some time in Yellowstone/Grand Tetons. Follow Teton park road as far as Chapel of the Transfiguration. 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. 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. Whose Land Am I On? When planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip, Grand Teton is the one place you simply have to include into your itinerary. Its almost like you planned it! drive to yellowstone, overnight in yellowstone. Gazing upon astonishing natural wonders like gushing geysers and vibrantly colored hot springs isnt something you do every day. This town merges the mountain experience with a booming metropolitan area, with plenty of incredible dining options and breweries. Northern Utah and southern Wyoming have so much to offer, from scenic state parks to quaint small towns. 4. 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. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. Stay in Canyon. Here are cant-miss stops from Idaho Falls to Ririe on the way to Yellowstone. best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, How to plan the perfect road trip in 10 easy steps, Complete list of road trip packing essentials, 30 best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in October, Best places to stay in Yellowstone National Park, Mormon Row sunrise and sunset photography guide, Schwabacher Landing sunrise photography guide, Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone 10 days road trip itinerary, 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in April, Zion to Bryce Canyon 3 days road trip itinerary, Best things to do in Capitol Reef in one day, 1. Will land at Salt Lake City. June, July and August are warm enough for light layers but you will need sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats. After you are done at Bear Lake, take Merkley Lake road to US-30 W and get back on US-89 N. Follow US-89 as far as Afton, which is the largest town in Star Valley.
salt lake city to west yellowstone road trip