Yellowstone & Grand Teton Road Trip in 5 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, bison in Hayden Valley and the Teton Range — America’s first national park by rental car from Jackson.
United StatesRoad tripNatureHikingPhotogenic
Length5 days / 4 nights
CitiesJackson, Grand Teton, Yellowstone
CurrencyUSD US dollar
Best time to goLate May–Sep is the main season; many park roads close from November to April for snow, and wildlife is most visible at dawn and dusk.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive in Jackson × Grand TetonDay 2 Jackson × Old FaithfulDay 3 Grand Prismatic × Norris × CanyonDay 4 Hayden Valley × Mammoth × LamarDay 5 Back to Jackson × fly home
Day 1Arrive in Jackson × Grand Teton
11:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Jackson Hole JAC
Type / No.Flight
LocationJackson Hole JAC 🧭
Flights are limited and seasonal; some trips route via Salt Lake City or Denver.
12:30🚗 Transport
Pick up a rental car
Type / No.Rental car
LocationJackson Hole Airport 🧭
Book the car early in summer; distances are long and fuel stops are few inside the parks.
14:00📍 Sight
Teton Park Road & Jenny Lake
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationJenny Lake 🧭
The park entrance pass covers Grand Teton and Yellowstone separately; check current fees.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
17:30📍 Sight
Mormon Row & Schwabacher Landing
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationMormon Row Grand Teton 🧭
Golden-hour photography spot; bears and moose can be near trails — keep your distance.
📸 Photo spot🌙 Night view
20:00🏨 Stay
Day 2Jackson × Old Faithful
07:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
08:00🚗 Transport
Drive north through Grand Teton to Yellowstone
Type / No.Rental car
LocationYellowstone South Entrance 🧭
Roads are slow with wildlife jams; give yourself extra time and never approach animals.
12:00📍 Sight
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationWest Thumb Geyser Basin 🧭
Stay on boardwalks — the ground can be thin and the water is scalding.
📸 Photo spot
15:00📍 Sight
Old Faithful eruption & Upper Geyser Basin
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationOld Faithful 🧭
Eruptions are predicted about every 90 minutes; check the visitor centre board for the next time.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
19:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
Lodges inside the park sell out 6–12 months ahead; gateway towns are a fallback.
Day 3Grand Prismatic × Norris × Canyon
08:30📍 Sight
Grand Prismatic Spring
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationGrand Prismatic Spring 🧭
Go early; the overlook trail gives the best colour view.
📸 Photo spot
11:30📍 Sight
Norris Geyser Basin
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationNorris Geyser Basin 🧭
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
15:00📍 Sight
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Lower Falls
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationArtist Point Yellowstone 🧭
Artist Point and Lookout Point give classic views of Lower Falls.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
19:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationCanyon Village or Gardiner 🧭
Day 4Hayden Valley × Mammoth × Lamar
07:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
07:30📍 Sight
Wildlife watching in Hayden Valley
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationHayden Valley 🧭
Bison, elk and sometimes wolves; stay at least 25 yards from bison and 100 yards from bears and wolves.
📸 Photo spot🍜 Must-eat
12:00📍 Sight
Mammoth Hot Springs terraces
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationMammoth Hot Springs 🧭
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
16:00📍 Sight
Lamar Valley at golden hour
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationLamar Valley 🧭
Often called “America’s Serengeti” — a wolf and bison hotspot at dawn and dusk.
📸 Photo spot
19:30🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationGardiner or Cooke City 🧭
Day 5Back to Jackson × fly home
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
08:30🚗 Transport
Drive back to Jackson via Yellowstone’s west side
Type / No.Rental car
LocationJackson Wyoming 🧭
Allow most of the day; roads can close for weather or construction — check the park’s road status page.
16:00📍 Sight
Jackson Town Square
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationJackson Town Square 🧭
Famous for its elk-antler arches.
🛍 Shopping list📸 Photo spot
18:00🚗 Transport
19:30🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Yellowstone & Grand Teton
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone & Grand Teton High / low | -2° -14° | 1° -12° | 6° -8° | 11° -3° | 17° 2° | 22° 6° | 27° 9° | 26° 8° | 21° 3° | 13° -2° | 4° -8° | -2° -14° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Yellowstone & Grand Teton Road Trip in 5 Days take?
It’s planned as 5 days / 4 nights with 24 stops (11 sights and 0 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.
How do I make this template my own?
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.