Yellowstone & Grand Tetons loop
Geysers, grizzlies and granite peaks.
Six days north through the Tetons' jagged skyline into Yellowstone's geyser basins and wildlife valleys — America's first national park, done properly.
Idaho Falls River Walk - Greenbelt Trail
Easy riverside walk along the falls to stretch your legs after the drive.
💡 Best light in late afternoon for photos of the falls.
525 River Pkwy, Idaho Falls
Snake River Bar & Grill
Solid local dinner spot near downtown Idaho Falls.
2140 N Skyline Dr, Idaho Falls
Overnight in Idaho Falls, ID
- View
Browse places to stay
Idaho Falls, ID · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Idaho Falls has free street parking downtown — no permit needed
- Stock up on snacks/water here; options thin out toward Yellowstone
- No low-emission zone restrictions to worry about in Idaho Falls
- Craters of the Moon National Monument+59 mi
Otherworldly lava fields and cinder cones, a striking detour if you have extra time
- Mesa Falls Scenic Byway+19 mi
Dramatic waterfall on the Henry's Fork, quieter than Yellowstone's crowds
Upper Mesa Falls
114-foot waterfall on the Henry's Fork, a 25 km detour off Route 20 well worth the stop.
💡 Boardwalk viewpoint is a short easy walk from the parking lot.
Upper Mesa Falls
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Rescued grizzlies and wolves up close — a good primer before entering the park.
💡 Buy tickets online to skip the ticket-counter line.
201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone
Madison Crossing Lounge
Historic schoolhouse turned restaurant, popular with park-bound travelers.
121 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone
Overnight in West Yellowstone, MT
- View
Browse places to stay
West Yellowstone, MT · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- West Yellowstone fills fast in summer — book lodging well ahead
- This is the West Entrance gateway town; fuel and stock up here before the park
- No ZBE-type restrictions, but parking near the entrance gate is limited early morning
- Big Springs+12 mi
Crystal-clear spring-fed river, quiet and uncrowded compared to the park itself
- Harriman State Park+22 mi
Historic ranch and wildlife-rich wetlands, good for an easy nature walk
Gibbon Falls
Striking roadside waterfall, an easy first stop inside the park.
💡 Pullout parking is small — arrive early or be patient.
Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park
Fountain Paint Pots
Compact geyser basin with bubbling mud pots and fumaroles on an easy short boardwalk loop.
💡 Go late morning when the mud pots are most active and crowds are thinner.
Fountain Paint Pots
Old Faithful
The world's most famous geyser — iconic and genuinely worth the wait.
💡 Check the visitor center's predicted eruption times posted at the entrance.
Yellowstone National Park
Upper Geyser Basin Trail
Boardwalk loop past dozens of colorful geysers and hot springs beyond Old Faithful itself.
Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
Historic log-built lodge with a memorable dining hall atmosphere.
💡 Reserve dinner ahead — walk-ins often wait over an hour.
1000 Old Faithful Rd, Yellowstone National Park
Overnight in Yellowstone National Park (Old Faithful area), WY
- View
Browse places to stay
Yellowstone National Park (Old Faithful area), WY · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Book in-park lodging months in advance — it sells out fastest of anywhere in Yellowstone
- Cell signal is nonexistent past Madison — download offline maps beforehand
- Gas up in West Yellowstone; in-park stations are pricier and can queue
- Firehole Canyon Drive+3 mi
Short scenic detour past a waterfall and swimming hole, easy to miss
- Biscuit Basin+3 mi
Vivid hot springs a short drive north of Old Faithful, less crowded boardwalk
Grand Prismatic Spring
The park's largest hot spring, famous for its rainbow colors best seen from the overlook trail.
💡 Hike the short Fairy Falls Trail spur to the overlook for the classic aerial view.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Hayden Valley
Prime wildlife-viewing valley — bison herds are common along the Yellowstone River.
💡 Early morning or dusk gives the best chance of bison and wolf sightings.
Hayden Valley
Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone
Dramatic canyon and waterfalls — Artist Point is one of the park's defining views.
💡 Walk Uncle Tom's Trail for a closer, if steep, view of Lower Falls.
N Rim Dr, Yellowstone National Park
Canyon Eatery
Convenient cafeteria-style dining right in Canyon Village.
Yellowstone National Park, 83B Lupine Ct, Yellowstone National Park
Overnight in Yellowstone National Park (Canyon/Lake area), WY
- View
Browse places to stay
Yellowstone National Park (Canyon/Lake area), WY · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Book Canyon Lodge far ahead — it's one of the most requested in-park stays
- Roads between geyser basins and Canyon can jam with bison traffic jams — build in buffer time
- Bear spray is worth renting in West Yellowstone before entering the park
- Mount Washburn Trail+9 mi
Panoramic summit hike with strong odds of spotting bighorn sheep
- Norris Geyser Basin+16 mi
Hottest, most active geyser basin in the park, otherworldly and less crowded
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Geothermal features right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, a striking contrast of fire and water.
💡 Short boardwalk loop, easy stop of 30-45 minutes.
Yellowstone National Park
Running Bear Pancake House
Hearty, casual lunch stop right at the West Entrance gateway town before the drive south.
💡 Time arrival for around noon to land squarely in the lunch window.
538 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone
Jalisco's Mexican Restaurant
Casual, reliable dinner stop back in Idaho Falls.
325 River Pkwy, Idaho Falls
Overnight in Idaho Falls, ID
- View
Browse places to stay
Idaho Falls, ID · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Exiting via West Entrance again avoids backtracking through the park interior
- This splits the long return drive so day 6 stays under the pace cap
- Idaho Falls hotels near the river have easy free parking, no permits needed
- Big Springs+12 mi
Peaceful spring-fed river stop, good easy leg-stretch on the way south
- Kelly Canyon+9 mi
Forested canyon drive, a quiet alternative to the main highway for part of the way
Bear Lake
The vivid turquoise 'Caribbean of the Rockies,' a striking detour of about 20 km off the direct route.
💡 Raspberry shakes at the lakeside stands are a local tradition worth the stop.
Bear Lake
Logan Canyon
Limestone cliffs and forested canyon walls along a designated National Scenic Byway.
💡 Tony Grove overlook pullout is a good quick stop if time allows.
US-89, Logan
- This route avoids retracing I-15 exactly, splitting the drive with scenery instead
- No stops planned inside Salt Lake City itself — day ends with arrival only
- Fill up in Logan, UT — last easy fuel stop before SLC traffic
- Wind Caves Trail (Bear Lake)+6 mi
Short hike with a rewarding view over the lake's north end
- Minnetonka Cave+16 mi
Guided cave tour near Bear Lake, a fun cool break in summer heat
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
Made with Roadtrip Planner