Yellowstone and Grand Teton are only 31 miles apart, making them the perfect back-to-back national park experience. They are also vastly different from each other, offering a contrast that makes visiting both feel like two unique adventures in one trip.

While Yellowstone National Park is known for its iconic geysers and hot springs, Grand Teton offers alpine lakes and rugged mountain landscapes. Put together, they create the ultimate national park journey!

How much time do you need to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton?

First off, it is important to note that Yellowstone spans over 2.2 million acres, making it the largest national park in the Lower 48, while Grand Teton covers around 310,000 acres. Combined, they total roughly 2.5 million acres. That’s almost double the size of Delaware! So definitely keep this in mind as you plan out your itinerary.

As for how much time you need… that really depends on your interests and travel style. However, I recommend setting aside at least 5 to 7 days to make the most of your experience.

This timeframe allows you to explore the major highlights of both parks without feeling rushed, spending 3 to 4 days in Yellowstone and 2 to 3 days in Grand Teton.

However, I am always traveling on a time crunch. So, if for whatever reason you only have a few days, it is totally doable to only spend a night in each park and still have a great time!

Where to stay in Yellowstone and Grand Teton

When planning where to stay during your visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, it’s important to consider the sheer size of both parks. Because of this, it’s usually best to stay in multiple locations rather than one base camp.

Moving around helps you avoid long drives and backtracking, maximizing your time spent exploring rather than on the road (even though the views will certainly keep your time on the road entertaining).

Fortunately, there are plenty of options both inside and outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Within the parks, you’ll find numerous historic lodges and campgrounds that offer unique, immersive experiences. Just outside the parks, nearby towns like Jackson, West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cody also provide a wide variety of accommodations to suit different budgets and preferences.

Personally, I often opt for the campground route, camping not only puts you closer to nature but also offers a flexible and affordable way to experience both parks. My favorites are Jenny Lake Campground in Grand Teton and Canyon Campground in Yellowstone. I will say, camping is on the pricer side compared to other national parks, with a one night stay averaging around $50. Still, camping is significantly more affordable than the glamping or hotel route.

Tips & Tricks

• The NPS app is super helpful for geyser eruption predictions, maps, and closures.
• Cell service is very limited in both parks. Download offline maps and save important info ahead of time.
• Yellowstone and Grand Teton may look like they are right next to each other, but it still takes about an hour to get from one to the other.
• Set aside some extra time to explore Jackson Hole!
• Learn about bear safety and carry bear spray
• Gas stations are limited and spread out. Try to never let your tank get too low.
• Accommodations can fill up fast, so book in advance.
• Expect road construction or wildlife jams. Both are very common and can slow things down.
• Don’t miss a sunrise in Grand Teton!

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary

Since Yellowstone is shaped like a figure eight, covering all the major sights usually means you’ll do a bit of backtracking. Thankfully, the drive is incredibly scenic, with gorgeous views and frequent wildlife sightings(we saw a bear within 10 minutes of our drive into Yellowstone).

As for the order in which you complete this itinerary, it will largely depend on where you’ve booked your accommodations. That said, I’m going to walk you through my favorite spots in Yellowstone first, and then move south into Grand Teton. It’s worth noting that many visitors choose to base themselves primarily in Yellowstone and make a quick trip down to Grand Teton for a day or two.

While there are several places you could begin your road trip, I’m going to walk through this itinerary starting at the north entrance of Yellowstone, with the first stop being Mammoth Hot Springs.

Yellowstone North Loop

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is a great place to start your national park adventure. It’s one of the park’s most unique geothermal areas, with limestone terraces and hot springs. It also has the Albright Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps, check current conditions, and learn about Yellowstone’s history and wildlife.

Norris Geyser Basin

The Norris Geyser Basin is an awesome area to explore if you want to see a wide variety of geothermal features all in one place. There are two main sections, Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, connected by a boardwalk loop that is about three miles if you do the full thing. That said, you definitely do not need to commit to the entire loop to enjoy it. It is easy to park, walk a section or two, see plenty of geysers, hot springs, and steam vents, and move on, which makes it a flexible stop depending on how much time and energy you have.

Canyon Village

Canyon Village is a great place to take a break and grab lunch or dinner. Whether you packed your own food, want to pick something up from the general store, or prefer to sit down at one of the restaurant options, there are plenty of choices. On top of that, Canyon Village is home to one of my favorite places in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! Whether you just walk out to Artist Point or take on one of the longer hikes, this is definitely a spot you cannot miss.

Tower Junction

Tower Junction is an area of the park that in all honesty, I haven’t really taken the time to explore. If you are traveling from Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Geyser Basin to Canyon Village, than going back up to Tower Junction requires some back tracking. While the area is a great place to view wildlife and has some nice trails like the Yellowstone River Overlook Trail

Yellowstone South Loop

Midway Geyser Basin

As you start heading south on 191, you will come across Midway Geyser Basin. Even if you think you might be tired of geysers at this point in your Yellowstone trip, trust me, this stop is absolutely worth it. The Midway Geyser Basin Trail is a loop just under a mile and leads you to the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. It is also, in my opinion, the prettiest one in the park!

Old Faithful

No Yellowstone trip is complete without a stop at the iconic Old Faithful. The Old Faithful area is fairly well developed, with lodging, dining options, and plenty of trails to explore, making it a great place to spend some time. That said, Old Faithful itself is the true showstopper. Thanks to its highly predictable eruptions, you are almost guaranteed to catch a show if you time your visit right. Be sure to download the NPS app so you can check eruption predictions and not miss it.

Lake Village/West Thumb

While the Yellowstone Lake area is the place to be if you plan on fishing or boating in the park, it can easily be skipped if your main interests are geysers and waterfalls. That said, it is still a nice area to pass through, and it offers several dining and lodging options that make it a convenient stop or overnight location. On my trip, I stayed at Grant Campground for a few nights and found it to be the perfect home base for exploring both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park!

Grand Teton

Once you’ve finished exploring Yellowstone’s south loop, it is time to head down to Grand Teton National Park! Grand Teton is significantly easier to navigate than Yellowstone, with it being much smaller and really just consisting of one main road that winds through the park. From Yellowstone’s West Thumb to Grand Teton’s Jackson Lake, it is about a 50 minute drive!

There is so much to see and do in Grand Teton, but the stops below are some of my personal favorites and the ones I think make for an amazing first-time visit!

Colter Bay Village

Colter Bay Village is a great place to stop whether you’re looking to grab a bite to eat, pick up supplies, or just enjoy some incredible views of Jackson Lake with the Tetons in the background. There are a few short trails in the area and access to the lakeshore, making it an easy stop that doesn’t require a big time commitment. It’s also a convenient spot to reset before heading deeper into Grand Teton National Park. I recommend Leek’s Pizzeria for some delicious pizza with a view!

Jenny Lake

Jenny Lake is one of the most popular spots in Grand Teton National Park, and for good reason. The bright blue water paired with towering mountain peaks is absolutely stunning. You can hike, take the boat shuttle across the lake, or even go for a quick dip(it may be chilly, but it is totally worth it)!

While Jenny Lake may look small compared to Jackson Lake, hiking the full loop around it is still about 7 miles. That’s not even including the hike up to Hidden Falls or Inspiration Point, which adds even more time and elevation to your hike(which if you have the time, I highly recommend). Because of this, many visitors choose to pay the $20 round trip for the boat shuttle to cut out the hike around the lake and get straight to the main trails and viewpoints.

No matter how you choose to experience it, Jenny Lake is a can’t-miss stop in the Tetons!

Taggart Lake

Taggart Lake Loop is hands down my favorite hike in the park! The trail leads you through open meadows and forest before opening up to a peaceful lake with beautiful views of the Tetons. It’s about 4 miles long with 400 feet of elevation gain, so not as easy as the flat paved Yellowstone hikes, but not as difficult as some of the longer or steeper trails in the Tetons. It feels like the perfect in-between hike that gives you a great workout without being overwhelming.

If you only have time for one hike in Grand Teton National Park, I would highly recommend making it this one. But, keep in mind, parking is a bit limited and can fill up quickly during the peak season, so you may need to circle back later in the day or be patient while waiting for a spot.

Mormon Row Historic District

Mormon Row Historic District is one of the most photographed spots in the Tetons, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. The historic barns sitting in front of the Teton Range create the perfect photo opportunity. It’s a quick stop, but one that’s definitely worth pulling over for.

This and the following stops are technically located out the park, so keep that in mind if you are trying to time your park entry or exit. That being said, they are all fairly close by and easy to add into your itinerary, and they offer some of the most iconic views of the Tetons you can find.

Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing is an easy stop with some of the best views in the park. The calm water often reflects the Tetons, making it an amazing spot for photos. A short, flat trail leads you along the water, and it’s a great place to slow down and take in the scenery. It is also the perfect spot for a picturesque sunrise or sunset. If you want, you do not even have to leave the parking lot to enjoy the views, which makes this a super low-effort, high-reward stop.

Jackson Hole

The final stop on this itinerary is the iconic Jackson Hole! Some visitors travel to Jackson Hole without even setting foot in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, which says a lot about how much this town has to offer. It is full of great restaurants, fun shops, and a lively mountain-town atmosphere, making it a perfect place to grab a meal, wander around, and soak in the vibe before heading home or continuing your trip.

If you have not tried huckleberry yet, I highly recommend stopping by Jackson Drug for some huckleberry ice cream, a huckleberry drink, or even huckleberry sauce to dip your fries in!