In truth, booking your hotels will be the hardest part of planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. Static Peak DivideA difficult hike with epic alpine scenery.Lake SolitudeA difficult hike offering a subalpine lake and the largest waterfall in the park.Cascade CanyonOne of the most popular hikes in the park with views of Teewinot Mountain. We can vouch for Kelly Inn and Explorer Cabins, both of which were excellent stays. In addition, dont forget bug spray if you visit Yellowstone in summer. We think Salt Lake City is one of the best places to visit in the US and we have plans to spend more time in the city next time we head out west. Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. Having to backtrack from east to west along Going-to-the-Sun Road due to road construction was a blessing in disguise. With 6 days you wont have to compromise as much and you will still have enough time for both parks. Day 5 Explore West Thumb, Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. It is important to stay up to date with live conditions such as roads, weather, hiking trails and lodging when you visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake in Utah Photo: Getty Images. Seattle, Washington is a mere 1.5-hour direct flight from Glacier Park International Airport. If possible, we would suggest you try to book your third night at any of the Old Faithful Lodges. Day 5 Slowly explore Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. $7.99 . Continue north to Snake River Overlook and look for bison roaming on the flatlands. What other options can you recommend to replace the Mammoth Lodge? 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. A little further south you will reach Mud Volcano and Mud Geyser. You can go inside with free entrance and might even strike it lucky with a choir performance. Alternatively, stop in at the National Elk Refuge on the way back into Jackson Hole. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Changing between three styles of footwear (hiking shoes, running shoes, and flip flops) kept my feet happy. We're Mark and Kristen Morgan, former career scientists turned travel, hiking and photography experts after an 18 month honeymoon around the world forever changed our lives. This is where your accommodation challenges begin and why it really pays to be organized before you visit Yellowstone. As a solo traveler and hiker, The Utah National Parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5, are chock full of peculiar rock formations, massive balanced rocks, and surprisingly colorful rock, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks are three of Americas most valued treasures. Check the weather before you go. 6 Big Adventures at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Note: For those interested in increasing their chances to spot moose, bison, grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, and eagles, consider taking a Grand Teton 4-Hour Wildlife Tour. (See the park website for 2020-2022 planned road closures.). Yes, it is such a beautiful part of the country! From the park, head southwest to Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, Sun Valley, Boise and Twin Falls before reaching City of Rocks National Reserve on your return route to Salt Lake City. Four days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yellowstone National Park at a relaxed but efficient pace. This salty oasis is home to birds, bison and pronghorn. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. Covering nearly 9,000 square kilometers, Yellowstone is best known for its 10,000 geysers and hot springs. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. Note: For those who prefer a guided tour, the Full-Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Jackson, Wyoming is a great option. Jackson has a wide range of hotel options spanning the budget range so you shouldnt have too many issues finding a good fit. Day 9 Set off early for SLC, but stop in Idaho Falls and Craters of the Moon on your way back. Plus, flights into SLC are likely to be cheaper because of higher airline competition. Bison on Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake City, UT. This is one of our favorite road trips and we cant wait to help you plan the perfect Salt Lake City to Yellowstone vacation. You can do a little bit of everything in Grand Teton, from hiking to wildlife spotting and from sunrise photography to swimming in lakes. How many days do you need to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park from Salt Lake City? Day 5 Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before venturing out into Lamar Valley. Grand Teton National Park: 4-Hour Wildlife TourEnjoy this excursion in the morning or evening to increase the likelihood of spotting moose, bison, grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, eagles, and more. 6-Day Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton NP, Chocolate Factory and Barstow Outlet Tour (Free Airport Pick-Up) Tour code : GOL-SLC-131A Save 7% (0) Departure City : Salt Lake City Utah Available Days : Thu (2023-06-02 To 2023-09-13) West Yellowstone will put you on just one side of the 2 million acres + that is Yellowstone. During my September visit to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park, the days were sunny with lows around 40F and highs between 60F and 75F. Reaching the park by 6 am is even better. 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. West Glacier Village is located at the entrance to the park and is a fantastic area for shopping, eating, drinking, mini-golf, and more. Salt Lake City is the closest big city to Yellowstone and Grand Teton with a major international airport. What do you suggest to finish out our yellowstone trip before we do the 5 parks in Utah. The most attractive route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is to drive via Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, Afton, Jackson and Grand Teton before arriving at Yellowstone south entrance. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. I was spellbound every few feet as I walked the boardwalk around the massive Black Pool. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. Will be flying in and out of Salt Lake city. The train ride from Chicago to Salt Lake City is about 35 hours and about 16 from Sacramento. Note: If you plan to rent a car,compare pricesand book in advance to ensure availability. Watch for wildlife drawn to the river.Schwabacher LandingA great place to capture photos of mountains reflecting on the water.Mormon RowTour historic barns and homesteads and watch for deer, bison, and moose. It's around 350 miles off, but the essential thing to know is that a few Canadian, European, and Mexican cities have nonstop flights operating into SLC. A mudpot, or mud pool, has limited water resulting in a pool of bubbling mud. Along the trail are milky blue pools and rusty red geothermal crusts. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. Hood and Ponderosa State Park. Let us know if you need any more help and enjoy your trip! Thank you! Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. I'm not into being in the car for 10 hours to get to Glacier. Revisit any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before heading back to SLC airport. 7 Sights at West Yellowstone 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. Plan to park along the roadside and walk a distance. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. Your final day on this epic Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip begins back in Lamar Valley. After stretching your legs and enjoying a great meal in Missoula, drive 2.5 hours to stay the night inside or near the parks West entrance. What Is The Best Route From Salt Lake City To Yellowstone? The arch is located at the North entrance of Yellowstone. Overnight Ketchum, Best Western Kentish Lodge. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass can be purchased at any of the parks. 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. Travel from Rapid City South Dakota to Salt Lake City Utah and enjoy amazing stops along the way. Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch You can continue south to Yellowstone Lake but in this 7 day itinerary you will head back towards Canyon and continue until you reach a parking lot at Dunraven Pass. Our top recommendation is to search for vehicle prices with Rental Cars and compare prices with Discover Cars. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area. Your email address will not be published. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This is a coveted area for lodging and RV parking as well. Dont forget deicer and a scraper for your windshield if you do plan your trip for when snow and ice is possible. Salt Lake City Salt Lake continues to be the gateway for travelers venturing northward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. You have several options to reach Yellowstone and Grand Teton, such as Bozeman which is close and convenient, South Dakotas Black Hills which are stunning and often combined with the Wyoming parks or Denver Colorado which is another major city within driving distance. Explore Antelope Island on Great Salt Lake Thank you. Salt Lake City to South Yellowstone (300+miles, 4.5-6 hours) Unless you arrive at West Yellowstone airport, you will end up renting a car and being on the road for at least an hour. 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. What Is The Closest Entrance To Yellowstone From SLC? Wake up for another early start and arguably the most unmissable sunrise in Yellowstone. 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. Distance From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 320 miles. A 4.5-mile round-trip hike leading to wide-open views of the crystal-clear Avalanche Lake surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. If spending a single day in Glacier National Park, driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Roadis the way to go.