Yellowstone & Grand Tetons loop

Portneuf Wildlife Management Area · McCammon

A quiet basalt canyon carved by the Portneuf River, a good leg-stretch roughly 40 km off I-15.

💡 Small pullout parking — arrive midday for best light in the gorge.

Portneuf Wildlife Management Area, McCammon

Museum of Idaho

A solid regional science and history museum to break up the drive if you arrive with daylight left.

200 N Eastern Ave, Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls River Walk - Greenbelt Trail

A pleasant walkway along the Snake River falls right in town, good for an evening stroll.

💡 Best at sunset when the falls are lit.

525 River Pkwy, Idaho Falls

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

A gorgeous alternate route past Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, about 20 km off the direct highway.

💡 Short paved paths to both viewpoints — Upper Mesa Falls has the better overlook.

Harriman State Park · Island Park

Broad meadows, the Henry's Fork river, and frequent moose and trumpeter swan sightings.

💡 Bring binoculars — wildlife viewing is best at dawn or dusk.

3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park

Old Faithful · Yellowstone National Park

The world's most famous geyser, erupting predictably roughly every 90 minutes.

💡 Check the visitor center board for the next predicted eruption time.

Yellowstone National Park

Grand Prismatic Spring

The largest hot spring in the US, famous for its rainbow colors from heat-loving bacteria.

💡 Walk the Fairy Falls trailhead overlook for the best aerial-style view of the colors.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone · Yellowstone National Park

N Rim Dr, Yellowstone National Park

Artist Point · Yellowstone National Park

The classic overlook of the Lower Falls plunging into the yellow-walled canyon.

💡 Arrive early or late for softer light and fewer crowds.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Lake

The largest high-elevation lake in North America, ringed by the Absaroka peaks.

Yellowstone Lake

Oxbow Bend

The classic still-water bend of the Snake River mirroring Mount Moran — a Teton icon.

💡 Best light and calmest water at sunrise, but any time offers the view.

Oxbow Bend

Jenny Lake

A glacial lake beneath the jagged Teton peaks, one of the park's most photographed spots.

💡 Take the boat shuttle or walk the easy lakeshore trail for Teton views.

Jenny Lake

Snake River Overlook · Moose

A sweeping view back at the Teton range from the pass summit before you descend west.

💡 Small pullout at the summit — watch for cyclists and steep grades.

Moose

Yellowstone Bear World · Rexburg

A drive-through wildlife park near Rexburg where black and grizzly bears roam near your car.

💡 Keep windows up in the bear enclosure as instructed.

6010 S 4300 W, Rexburg

Lower Ross Park

A pleasant green space in Pocatello with a small zoo and pond, an easy end-of-day stroll.

2695 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello

Bear Lake Overlook SR-89 Rest Area · Garden City

A striking turquoise alpine lake straddling the Utah-Idaho border, a scenic detour off the direct route.

💡 Pull off at the summit overlook for the best view of the lake's color.

Garden City

Logan Canyon · Logan

A dramatic limestone canyon drive following the Logan River back toward the valley.

💡 Several easy pullouts for river views along the canyon road.

US-89, Logan