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.
Portneuf Wildlife Management Area
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
Overnight in Idaho Falls
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Idaho Falls · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Fill up on gas in Idaho Falls — fewer stations once you head toward the park tomorrow
- No ZBE zones here — park free at the hotel and walk the Riverwalk
- Book Idaho Falls lodging ahead in summer; it's a gateway stop for park traffic
- Craters of the Moon National Monument+56 mi
Otherworldly lava fields and cinder cones, a dramatic detour if you have an extra hour.
- Fort Hall Bottoms+9 mi
Wetlands and wildlife viewing along the Snake River, a quiet nature stop.
Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
A gorgeous alternate route past Upper and Lower Mesa Falls, about 20 km off the direct highway.
💡 Short paved paths to both viewpoints — Upper Mesa Falls has the better overlook.
Harriman State Park
Broad meadows, the Henry's Fork river, and frequent moose and trumpeter swan sightings.
💡 Bring binoculars — wildlife viewing is best at dawn or dusk.
3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park
Overnight in West Yellowstone
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West Yellowstone · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- West Yellowstone fills fast in summer — book lodging weeks ahead
- Fuel up here; prices rise once you're inside the park
- Grab a park map at the West Entrance visitor center before day 3's early start
- Big Springs+16 mi
A crystal-clear spring-fed river, easy walk, popular with canoeists and birders.
- Island Park Caldera viewpoint+6 mi
One of the largest calderas on Earth, an easy roadside stop with interpretive signs.
Old Faithful
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
N Rim Dr, Yellowstone National Park
Artist Point
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
Overnight in West Yellowstone
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West Yellowstone · $$
Booking happens on the partner's site.
- Enter the park before 7am — parking at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic overflows by mid-morning
- Cell service is nonexistent inside the park — download offline maps beforehand
- Gas is pricier inside the park; top off in West Yellowstone before entering
- Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk+0 mi
Right next to Grand Prismatic, an easy boardwalk loop past bubbling pools and steam vents.
- Fountain Paint Pot+3 mi
A compact, easy boardwalk showing all four types of Yellowstone thermal features.
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
- Jackson lodging is pricey in summer — book ahead or consider Teton Village alternatives
- Grand Teton entrance fee is separate from Yellowstone unless you have the interagency pass
- Jackson's town square area has limited parking — arrive early for a spot near the shops
- Mormon Row Historic District+9 mi
Iconic weathered barns with the Tetons behind them, a favorite photo stop.
- Schwabacher Landing+6 mi
A quieter beaver-pond reflection spot for the Teton range, less crowded than Oxbow Bend.
Snake River Overlook
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
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
- Teton Pass has steep grades — check brakes before the descent, especially with a full tank
- Pocatello has no ZBE restrictions — standard hotel parking is fine
- This splits the return drive so day 6 into Salt Lake City stays under the pace cap
- Hell's Half Acre Lava Field+12 mi
An easy boardwalk loop through a stark lava flow, a quick geological curiosity off I-15.
- Massacre Rocks State Park+19 mi
Basalt rock formations and Oregon Trail history along the Snake River.
Bear Lake Overlook SR-89 Rest Area
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
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
- Bear Lake detour adds distance but stays well under the day's pace cap
- No stops planned inside Salt Lake City itself — the day ends with the drive in
- Logan Canyon road can have wildlife crossings at dusk — drive attentively
- Wind Caves Trail+5 mi
A short, easy hike near Logan Canyon to natural rock arches, if you have an extra hour.
- Minnetonka Cave+12 mi
A guided cave tour near Bear Lake with striking formations, a fun detour for cave enthusiasts.
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