Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 10 Days

We might be partial, but we think our Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary is one of the best! These two amazing national parks are super close to one another, so it’s best to visit both on the same trip.

Grand Teton National Park is home to one of the most gorgeous mountain ranges, and Yellowstone National Park is an absolute must-see for any national park enthusiast. But wait. How long should you spend there?

We recommend spending a total of 10 days (including 2 travel days). Start with 4 days in Grand Teton National Park to complete some amazing hikes and sightseeing.

Then, head north and spend another 4 days in Yellowstone National Park, where an abundance of wildlife awaits. Go on, keep reading to learn more about the best hikes, places to stay, and what to see in both national parks.

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When To Go

It’s best to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone during the late summer months. We recommend visiting in late June, July, or August. During these warmer months, you can hit the trails, and everything should be mostly snow-free along the trails in the higher elevations.

That being said, it’s possible there could still be snow in the higher elevation areas of the parks. We traveled to these national parks in late June and were met with a winter wonderland on a few of our hikes in both parks! The parks had a record snowpack the prior winter, so it made for an interesting trip.

During the winter months, you may run into road closures and bitterly cold temperatures, so plan accordingly. Spring in the parks welcomes the awakening of animals and plants, but most things are still closed and snow-covered. Fall is a great time to visit as well, but you’d better get there before the first heavy snowfall arrives.

Grand Teton National Park is technically open year-round. However, from November through April, some roads, campgrounds, and most visitor centers are closed. Due to the snow in the winter, Yellowstone’s roads are usually all closed until mid-April. Visitor Centers and other facilities usually start opening during May in both parks.

Daily Itinerary Ideas and Map

Here is a quick table with an overview of what your Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary could look like. For our recommendations on exactly where to stay, keep reading.

Explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone with ease using our detailed map and day-by-day itinerary. Each numbered stop marks a day of your journey, while color-coded routes highlight top sights, must-see landmarks, and the best hikes and activities for each day. Planning your national park adventure has never been simpler!

Things to Know

• Plan to carry bear spray when hiking in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Learn more about how to differentiate between a black bear and a grizzly bear and what to do if you encounter one.
  • Please note that bear spray is not permitted on an aircraft in carry-on or checked bags, so you will need to buy or rent bear spray when you arrive.
  • We ended up purchasing bear spray at a local outfitter in Jackson and then donated it to our hotel to give out when we left Yellowstone.
• Get to all trailheads early to guarantee parking. During the summer months, parking areas can fill up very quickly, especially in Yellowstone National Park. Also, be prepared for tour buses and LOTS of people. If you can get away from the popular areas and out on the trails, you will be met with significantly fewer people.
• An interagency pass is the best bang for your buck. The pass expires after one year, but it usually pays for itself if you visit enough parks in one year. Visit our gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website.

Rental Car

• We usually book our rental car super early as a pay later option. If you do this, you can continuously check the prices before your trip. If the price is lower than when you booked, cancel for free and rebook for the lower price! Most major rental car companies have free cancellation on pay later bookings, but always check the fine print.
• Make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this! Check out our post for more information on rental cars.

🚗 Book now!! Check prices and options for rental cars at Booking.com.

Where to Stay While Visiting Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole is the perfect spot to stay while spending 4 days in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also possible to stay a bit farther away in Victor, Idaho. Here are some of the top accommodations:

• Flat Creek Inn: This roadside motel is located directly across from the National Elk Refuge. Clean and comfortable. This is one of the closest hotels to Grand Teton National Park, situated just north of Jackson Hole. We had a great stay here during part of our trip!
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole: Just minutes from downtown. Rooms feature private fireplaces and views of Wyoming’s surrounding wild beauty. Pet-friendly, hot tub, and a restaurant is located on site.
• The Rockwell Inn: Luxury accommodations in Jackson Hole. Begin each day with a hearty breakfast. Free parking, an on-site pool and hot tub, and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon.
• Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Victor, ID: A newer hotel offering free breakfast. However, this hotel is about 1.5 hours from Grand Teton National Park. That being said, it’s possible it could be cheaper than others in Jackson Hole during the high season. We stayed here due to this exact reason. We loved it!

Day 1 – Travel Day

It’s time to head to the mountains! On our Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary, we flew into Idaho Falls as it was substantially cheaper than Jackson Hole. Depending on your plans, both are within good proximity for a flight in, but note that Jackson Hole is about 2 hours from Idaho Falls.

When you decide on an airport, it’s time to book your rental car! Whichever you choose, make sure to take a video of the outside AND inside of the car before you leave the rental car lot. This will save you from any damage claims made by the rental car company after your return. We know from a very bad experience on this!

From the Idaho Falls Airport, drive to and spend the night in Victor, ID. This worked out really well for us in the end due to our travel issues. We almost got stranded in Denver during intense thunderstorms on our travels. We got on the last flight to tiny Idaho Falls and arrived at 3 am, only 8 hours after our planned time!

Alternatively, you can establish your home base for your 4 days in Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, WY. We found that it was a substantial cost increase, and we didn’t mind the extra drive time to save money and rest in Victor, ID.

Day 2 – Taggart Lake, Jenny Lake

It’s time to hit the trails on your first full day at Grand Teton National Park. This national park is one of our absolute favorites, hands down. If you haven’t been, the drive from Jackson Hole to the Grand Tetons is something out of a movie. When the mountains come into view as you head north, it’s a sight to behold!

First up, we recommend a nice, short, easier hike to get yourself started. Hit the Taggart Lake Trail for a nice 4-miler first, and then head to Jenny Lake. If you want to hike more near Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake is just a short connector trail away.

Jenny Lake is one of the more popular areas of the park, complete with one of the visitor centers, and you have the option to hike around the entire lake or just go for a short stroll. You can also rent kayaks and canoes or take a scenic cruise on Jenny Lake, depending on the season and water temperature.

🛥️ Get the full details on Taggart Lake and Jenny Lake on our additional posts!

Day 3 – Cascade Canyon: Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, & Lake Solitude

Next up is an epic backcountry hike in the Tetons. Head back to Jenny Lake to start the hike to Cascade Canyon, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and Lake Solitude.

The trail to all of these amazing destinations starts at the back of the lake. Take the Jenny Lake Shuttle or hike around to get there. Once you arrive, take the trail to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. These two spots are close to the Jenny Lake Shuttle and are perfect if you are looking for a short hike.

Keep hiking past Inspiration Point through Cascade Canyon and make your way to Lake Solitude. The entire hike to Lake Solitude and back is about 14 miles, and it just might turn into a winter wonderland as you make your way toward the lake! We had to end our hike early and turn back because the snow got so deep. Better to be safe than sorry!

⛰️ Get all the details and learn more about our hike through Cascade Canyon to Lake Solitude here!

Day 4 – String Lake, Leigh Lake, Bearpaw Lake, Snake River Float Trip

Next, spend a day of relaxation with another nice hike and a float down the Snake River. Wait…relaxation? Sure! The 10-mile hike along Leigh Lake to Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes is very leisurely with little to no elevation gain. Do as much or as little as you want.

🚣🏽‍♀️ Get all the details on these easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park.

Leigh Lake is absolutely beautiful! That being said, the mosquitoes will be plentiful, so it’s best to take your bug spray and head net just in case! This was one of our favorite spots.

In the afternoon, it’s time for some real relaxation. Take a Snake River float trip! This is a perfect trip for those who aren’t looking for the thrill of whitewater. Children and older adults will love this as well. Float down the Snake River as you look for wildlife and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Grand Tetons.

🚣🏽‍♀️ For more options, including whitewater trips, check out more tours from Viator!

Day 5 – Signal Mountain or Amphitheater Lake, &
Schwabacher Landing

Today, head out on another hike to explore more of Grand Teton National Park. We recommend completing Amphitheater Lake if the weather permits. This is a strenuous 10-mile hike up to Surprise Lake and Amphitheater Lake. Unfortunately for us, due to the heavy snowpack from the prior winter, the park rangers advised us not to complete this hike.

Instead, we headed to Signal Mountain on their recommendation. Start this hike at the Signal Mountain Lodge near Jackson Lake. A somewhat easy/moderate hike rewards you with epic views of the Teton Range at Jackson Point. You can also drive to the Signal Mountain summit – the highest point in the park accessible by car!

⛰️ Get all the details on the Signal Mountain Trail right here.

Finally, you can’t miss a visit to Schwabacher Landing, so add this to your itinerary. Schwabacher Landing offers stunning views of the Grand Tetons with amazing scenery. I’m sure you have all seen photos taken here. Sadly, we didn’t see a moose, but it’s still a destination you can’t miss.

Day 6 – Mormon Row, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley & Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Continue your Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary and head north to Yosemite National Park. But wait! Before you head north,stop at Mormon Row. Now, we know you have seen these barns in plenty of photos. The sunlight is perfect in the morning, so be sure to get there early to beat the crowds as well.

🌄 Details on Mormon Row are right here. Check it out!

After enjoying some time at Mormon Row, head north and enjoy the scenery at Oxbow Bend, another popular spot for photography. Then, it’s time to spend 4 days in Yellowstone via the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.

Start your day at the West Thumb Geyser Basin, where there are tons of cool geothermal pools and features. Then, drive through Hayden Valley and be on the lookout for wildlife. Finally, head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where a hike on the Clear Lake Trail and the South Rim Trail will lead you to Artist Point and views of Upper and Lower Falls.

🌲Here is the full guide on visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone using Clear Lake and Artist Point trails.

Finally, drive through the Lamar Valley and spend the night in Cooke City.

Day 7 – Lamar Valley, Mount Washburn, & Mammoth Hot Springs

Maybe you are asking, why stay all the way out in the middle of nowhere in Cooke City? Well, today, get out early and drive through nearby Lamar Valley and try to spot wildlife. Lamar Valley is one of the best places in Yellowstone to spot bison, elk, coyotes, grizzly bears, and wolves. We hope you don’t get stuck in a bison jam! We saw tons of bison here and a grizzly or two out in the meadows.

Next, head to Mount Washburn for a nice hike to the summit. Parking can be very limited at the Dunraven Pass parking area, so get there as early as you can. Mount Washburn sits at 10,243 feet, so this hike is strenuous. Note that a high snowpack can cover the trail through June and into July, so be prepared to turn around as needed.

➡️ Read the full details here on our day hiking Mount Washburn and Mammoth Hot Springs.

During our hike, we had to do just that. Instead, we drove north to the Chittenden Service Road and used that route instead. The view from the summit of Mount Washburn is worth the effort! As we reached the summit, the plowed snow was taller than both of us!

Finally, drive north to Mammoth Hot Spring and hike the terraces. You have the option to head to West Yellowstone to spend the night, which is a bit of a drive (1.5 hours), or you can stay in nearby Gardiner, just 15 minutes north.

Day 8 – Bunsen Peak & Norris Geyser Basin

Spend some more time on the trails with a hike on the Bunsen Peak Trail. A shorter mile hike will lead you to this summit, where excellent views await. This area is sometimes known for grizzly bear activity, so be bear aware. That being said, we didn’t see any during our hike.

🌲 Check out these posts for more details on Bunsen Peak and the Norris Geyser Basin.

Finally, when spending 4 days in Yellowstone, you can’t miss the Norris Geyser Basin. This is one of the most fun and colorful areas of the park. During our visit here, the weather produced some lenticular clouds, which made it look so much more otherworldly and interesting.

Day 9 – Fairy Falls, Grand Prismatic Spring, & Old Faithful

Your last day in Yellowstone is full of hiking and, of course, a visit to watch Old Faithful. Spend the morning checking out the Grand Prismatic Spring and then hit the trails to hike to Fairy Falls. The trail leading to Fairy Falls has an epic overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring that you don’t want to miss.

Last up is a visit to watch an Old Faithful eruption. Drive to the Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center to find a time when Old Faithful is predicted to erupt. This is a very popular activity, so you’ll want to be in place early to get a good spot to watch.

After that, be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn, a national historic landmark built in the early 1900s. The towering lobby with a fireplace and exposed timbers is definitely an interesting point when visiting. If you want to stay here, the Inn is open from early May through early October.

Day 10 – Travel Day

Day 10 of your Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary is a travel day. Depending on when your flight leaves and where it leaves from, it’s a free day for exploring either of the parks and some areas that you might have missed. As always, we like to build in these travel days to our itineraries so you know what to expect.

Final Thoughts

This epic Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary is complete! We had an awesome time exploring both the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Since these parks are so close to one another, you should definitely plan on visiting both when in the area.

Our favorite hike in Grand Teton National Park was Lake Solitude. It was so much fun going from warm weather down by the lake to a winter wonderland as we hiked. We even had to turn around because the snow got waist-deep and we couldn’t find the trail! The Grand Tetons are one of the most picturesque mountain ranges we have seen.

Our time in Yellowstone was also amazing! The abundance of wildlife as you drive around this scenic park is unforgettable. Just make sure you plan some extra time if you encounter a bison jam. Think it this as a traffic jam, but caused by bison on the road. We also really enjoyed hiking to Mount Washburn, where the snow was taller than us!

We know your Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary may look different than ours, but we hope this helps you in planning an unforgettable trip of your own.