Hi Ashley, yep you'll definitely be too late for Yellowstone and Grand Teton end of November, we would recommend heading south from Salt Lake City instead. After Yellowstone, dip into southern Idaho to explore nine attractions, including two national park sites, you wont find elsewhere. Here are the best hotels in West Yellowstone MT: Want to read more about where to stay in Yellowstone? Sugar City to Jackson 1.5 hours. There are a handful of hotel options in between Grand Teton and Yellowstone which could work perfectly if you would prefer to spend more time in Yellowstone. Unfortunately, Our Mammoth Lodge reservation has been cancelled and it appears the Northern Loop is going to be closed the remainder of the Summer. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting stops along the way, eat at great restaurants, and maybe even find a hotel to stay overnight. Eat breakfast at Mammoth or Gardiner, followed by lunch in West Yellowstone on the way out of the park. Gazing upon astonishing natural wonders like gushing geysers and vibrantly colored hot springs isnt something you do every day. It is a quiet, relaxing wild west town with saloon-style bars and a great vibe. How Far Is Yellowstone From Salt Lake City International Airport? Day 12 - Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. Next, head north until you reach a short trail leading to the impressive Tower Fall. After spending a day exploring Salt Lake City, youll head towards Grand Teton National Park, the first destination on your road trip! Mammoth has a grand dining hall serving food all day and Gardiner has a varied selection of places to eat, although far fewer than in West Yellowstone. 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. Once you find your flight, Skyscanner redirects you to book with the airline directly, so you dont miss out on frequent flyer points!If you need a rental car, I recommend using Rentalcars.com to find the best deals. Stay at one of the convenient airport hotels such as Tru by Hiltonor Spring Hill Suites. We are assuming you need to drive back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas on the sixth day? What if you have more or less time than 7 days? The park is enormous and it is most efficient to spend each night at a different hotel. sleep there. Just 15 minutes from Grand Teton National Park and two hours from Yellowstone, Jackson is a great stop if youre looking for anold West town with a touch of class and a lot of fun. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park Road Trip: itinerary and While many visitors choose to drive directly from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I argue that Grand Teton is a must-do stop on your road trip. Plan to drive this in one day. Floating the Portneuf River through the city of Lava Hot Springs. What Is There To See Between Salt Lake City And Yellowstone? We are planning on doing this in September. Hotels Between Grand Teton And Yellowstone, Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Variations. In truth, booking your hotels will be the hardest part of planning your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip. Summer Fun Starts at Snow King Mountain Resort Head south on US-20 W as far as Idaho Falls and join I-15 S all the way to Salt Lake City airport. Excelsior Geyser will be billowing and hopefully you have a clear day to see vibrant colors inside Grand Prismatic Spring. With temperatures reaching new highs, figuring out how to stay cool is key to enjoying your summer. Hi, thanks for an easy to understand road trip itinerary. Learn more about GyPSy Guide here. Day 3 Drive to Yellowstone and explore West Thumb, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool and Grand Prismatic Spring. US-89 transitions into US-191 N and not long after you will arrive into Jackson, Wyoming. Instead of driving all the way from Jackson through Grand Teton to reach Yellowstone south entrance, you could instead leave from a hotel near Moran (the area north of Grand Teton) and drive straight to south entrance. But heres why SLC is a great place to begin your road trip to Yellowstone: Lets take a closer look at each of these points. Some tribes visited the geysers and conducted ceremonies while others collected obsidian. This entrance is located 320 miles and 5 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. Day 5 Slowly explore Upper, Midway and Lower geyser basins. Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch Alternatively, you could continue onto the Utah parks straight after completing your Wyoming loop. Take the right onto N Beach Road to enter Idahos North Beach State Park with $7 vehicle entry fee and dont forget your swimsuit. If you havent gotten your fill of wildlife yet, visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone before starting your road trip back to Salt Lake City. Then have a full day to explore SLC before moving on again towards Bryce Canyon. For the purposes of this example itinerary and our personal preference, we will split the day exactly in half. Home Latest Posts National Parks Wyoming Yellowstone National Park. If you cant find availability or prices are too high at cabins and lodges inside the park, you should consider staying at a hotel in either Gardiner or West Yellowstone. Then, book a flight out for the following day. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring downtown Jackson, drop into a saloon-style bar for a beer and grab an awesome pizza at Hand Fire Pizzainside a converted theater. Hi there! However, if you really dont want to drive from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton, you can take the Salt Lake Express bus from SLC to Jackson. 63 reviews. Salt Lake City is less than 5 hours drive from Grand Teton National Park, 3. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone - A road trip guide! - Travel You might only be planning to drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but thousands each year use SLC as a hub to drive through Wyoming and Utah. 4. 2 Days in Yellowstone This came at a time when the U.S. was at war with many tribes so it was a convenient story, but it couldnt have been further from the truth. The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel offers a spa, a gift shop selling Shoshone-Bannock crafts and a place to watch your favorite sports team. You might want to consider leaving the park via west entrance to eat a late lunch in West Yellowstone before re-entering the park to visit Norris Geyser Basin. 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. Enjoy your time off! Go Local in Logan and Cache Valley Head back to US-191, turn right and not long after take a left on Schwabachers Landing road. Easily one of Utah's best and most well-known areas, Moab is the perfect spot for the weekend warrior. Want more Wyoming content? It will be mid afternoon or late afternoon depending on whether or not you hiked Mt Washburn. Stop at Lookout Point for amazing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls crashing into the Yellowstone River. Plus, flights into SLC are likely to be cheaper because of higher airline competition. Outside of Winter, the scenery around Teton village is spectacular and it is slightly closer to the national park. It's a 5.5 to 6 hour drive depending on stops and how heavy your foot is on the gas pedal. West Yellowstone 39F. A short walk through forest ends with bubbling mud pots and colorful hot springs. With the recent developments, I could use some help creating an alternate plan for the Yellowstone portion. 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. A little further south you will reach Mud Volcano and Mud Geyser. This town is a home base for Grand Teton National Park. Get your national park pass ahead of time for only $80. Day 7 Explore Mammoth Hot Springs. Overcast Clouds. Day 3 Spend a full day ticking off the top sights in Grand Teton. The Best 8-Day Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip Photo: Getty Images. All hotels are similarly priced but we can definitely recommend both Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Yellowstone Riverside Cottages from positive experiences. Day 5 - Either see Hayden Valley / Lower Yellowstone Falls in the morning, or hike to Mt Washburn. Solitude Float Trips Road Trip from Yellowstone to Grand Canyon National Park This town merges the mountain experience with a booming metropolitan area, with plenty of incredible dining options and breweries. Denver International Airport will be the best alternative for many, but the drive distance and drive time are around 40% longer to reach Grand Teton or Yellowstone. Jackson, Wyo.s best-kept secret offers a ton of activities for all ages, plus bike and SUP rentals. Head back to Mormon Row for sunset, which is equally as spectacular as the sun set behind Teton mountains. But they might be worth a stop if you have enough time, which is why we have included several SLC to Yellowstone road trip itinerary ideas later in the guide. Read our guide on the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park which covers the top attractions, hikes and geyser basins. You can then drive back to SLC via Grand Teton and the scenic route. A little further north on the loop road take the right turn onto Firehole Lake Drive, stopping to look at the various pools and geysers. Then see Tower Fall, Lamar Valley for wildlife, Mammoth Hot Springs and sleep either Mammoth or Gardiner. West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City drive - plan a road trip We are flying into SLC and staying for a night, then to Jackson Hole for 2 nights. This route is filled with beautiful gold, red, and yellow foliage in the fall. Whether you decide to go to Park City, the Great Salt Lake, hiking or to a museum, we highly recommend you spend at least an hour walking around Temple Square in the center of town. Look for the worlds largest Elkhorn Arch as you enter town, it is hard to miss with over 3,000 intertwined elk antlers! Day 5 Go back into Lamar Valley for sunrise and walk around Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. From the Salt Lake City Airport to West Yellowstone, ID, it is 321 miles (517 km) or approximately 4 hours, 45 minutes of driving. These towns provide hotel options along the route from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park. If you get a good sunrise the waterfall, canyon and sky will light up with stunning browns, blues, greens, pinks and purples. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Drive Time The driving time from Salt Lake to Yellowstone National Park is about five hours depending on traffic conditions. Outside the park your best bet is West Yellowstone, which has several hotel options and makes it easy to leave for SLC the next morning. A 10 Day Salt Lake to Yellowstone Itinerary - Quiltripping Drive Time From Salt Lake City to Yellowstone: approximately 4-5 hours. Day 6 See Hayden Valley, hike Mt Washburn, walk to Tower Fall and drive into Lamar Valley. Consider driving from Salt Lake City to Jackson, Wyoming via Highway 89 instead for a more scenic route. Exit Yellowstone via the West Entrance, taking a quick jaunt through Montana before youre back in Idaho. It is one of only 2 places you are permitted to swim in Yellowstone. National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah to Yellowstone & Grand Teton Chicago to out west, then Tour Parks - Road Trips Forum Stay Right Next to the Water at Bear Lake Six Weekend Road Trips from Salt Lake City. You will likely be visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone in late Spring, Summer or Fall, which means Jackson will be (mostly) free of snow and the enormous crowds of thrill seekers in the winter season. This drive takes roughly 5 hours via I-15. Scroll around, zoom in and out, look for clustering of colored icons representing each day on the road trip and see the corresponding day in the left column. Next, follow the Yellowstone Loop Road until you reach Old Faithful. The Center of it All in Salt Lake The town of West Yellowstone, located just outside the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a year-round, family-friendly destination. The downtown is compact and walkable, perfect for a quick day exploring. In our example itineraries we have you driving into Yellowstone via the prettier route and then back to SLC via the quicker freeways. You can do a little bit of everything in Grand Teton, from hiking to wildlife spotting and from sunrise photography to swimming in lakes. The most direct route from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is about 325 miles which takes you along I-15. Is a Day Trip to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City Possible? Day 2 - Spend the whole day in Grand Teton, do Mormon Row or Schwabacher Landing for sunrise if possible. Of course, you could skip the last part of Day 5 and instead of driving to Canyon, drive back from Norris to West Yellowstone. Heres how we might plan an 8 day itinerary: Day 1 Spend the day in Salt Lake City. And it plays automatically based on your location. Let us know if you need any more help and enjoy your trip! The closest entrance into Yellowstone from Salt Lake City is west entrance, which is 320 miles drive and should take around 5 hours. Watch sunset over Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Head over to our Wyoming Travel Guides to explore Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and beyond. Scenic route from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone Check out my guides on the ultimate road trip packing list and the best road trip planning tools for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Traffic from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park. The closest airport is in West Yellowstone (WYS), serviced by both United and Delta Airlines. 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. Roundtrip, your driving time will be at about 10 hours. At 2.2 million acres, with 5 entrances and over 4 million tourists each year, Yellowstone is one of the biggest and most popular USA national parks. Jackson has a wide range of hotel options spanning the budget range so you shouldnt have too many issues finding a good fit. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 320 mi Total Distance 4 hrs 45 mins Drive Time 31 stops Cities / Attractions Take a Dip in Lava Hot Springs Right out of Firehole drive park up at Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is Lower Geyser Basin. Read More: 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park, If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out these posts! Day 3 See Midway and Lower Geyser Basins, explore Norris Geyser Basin and drive over to Canyon so you can check in to a hotel. Moab, Utah. 4. Yellowstone National Park is a place of natural beauty and wonder. Craters of the Moon National Monument Hike to Mt Washburn summit for some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park. If you have a late flight or a next morning flight from SLC airport, spend this final day revisiting any of your favorite spots in Yellowstone. Drive further south into Hayden Valley for the first of your major Yellowstone wildlife spotting experiences. Hi Joan, it isn't as bad as it sounds, you can still easily see the best of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone in this time frame. My Salt Lake to Yellowstone Itinerary I planned the following basic Grand Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary: Day 1 - Arrive in Salt Lake City Day 2 - Drive to Grand Teton National Park via Fossil Butte National Monument Day 3 and 4 - In Grand Teton National Park Day 5 - To Yellowstone National Park Day 6 and 7 - In Yellowstone National Park The best hot springs along the route include Crystal Hot Springs in Brigham City, Utah, and Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. If you choose to spend a day in downtown SLC there are plenty of hotel options available. The town of West Yellowstone sits right at the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. 6 Big Adventures at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort We stayed in a cabin during our first visit to Yellowstone in October and it was great. Best car for this trip: SUV. But the star of the show is crystal clear mountain reflections in the Snake River. Driving through Yellowstone and Grand Teton is easily one of the best USA road trips, but first you have to get to northwest Wyoming. Head over to Lower Falls. Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls - 3.5 hours, no stops. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. Traveling with a dog or cat? While there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend: I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone. Its the reason for your entire trip! Spending a final night in Salt Lake City allows you to have a relaxing road trip from Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. We typically use Booking to book our hotels but park lodging inside Yellowstone is not available with Booking. Its gorgeous in the fall as the leaves change. Three Park Entrances and a Surprise Canyon Village has a canteen style food court serving various cuisines and a huge seating hall centered around an open fireplace. If you're flying, you can fly into Salt Lake City and enjoy a 5-hour drive to Grand Teton National Park. After multiple long term US road trips we have learned a thing or two about how to best prepare for a successful adventure. ahead of time. For all accommodation outside of the parks, we recommend using Booking.com and then comparing against Hotels.com to find the best deals available. Need help! *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Where should I stay between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton? Thanks in advance! Want to know more about Grand Teton? Top 5 Vistas in Yellowstone National Park If you were able to get a room in Old Faithful, you can begin Day 5 right as you leave your lodge in Upper Geyser Basin where Old Faithful is located. If you want to feel on top of the world,here are 5 views you must seeincluding Artist Point, Lamar Valley, and the Yellowstone River cutting thru lava spires. Before planning your trip to Salt Lake City road trip, there are a few things you should know. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake to cut out a long walk around the lake to Cascade Canyon trailhead. Spend the night in Salt Lake City at Grand Americaor Homewood Suites. How To Plan A Salt Lake City To Yellowstone Road Trip - Where Are Those Which Entrance to Yellowstone National Park Should I Take? Hike Mt Washburn and Tower Fall, before heading out into Lamar Valley around sunset. I recommend spending your last day leisurely driving back to Salt Lake City and spending the night near the airport. A view of the majestic Teton range, seen from the western or Idaho side. This side of the Tetons is home to uncrowded trails, hot springs soaks and more. Animal activity in Lamar Valley is greatest early in the morning and in the early evening. Day 6 Spend the morning revisiting any of your favorite Yellowstone spots before driving back to SLC airport. We will let you know as soon as this one is available and hopefully it is before your trip! Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park The shore of this brilliant blue lake is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. Posted on Last updated: February 19, 2023. The rest of the park is accessible so you will be able to see all of the most popular hot springs and geysers. Road conditions from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone Road conditions from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone Salt Lake City 66F Clear Sky Feels like 63.32 Wind speed 10.4 mph Pressure 1023 hPa Farmington 64F Clear Sky Feels like 61.34 Wind speed 8 mph Pressure 1022 hPa Roy 62F Clear Sky Feels like 59.34 Wind speed 10.4 mph Pressure 1022 hPa Instead, Id recommend flying into West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole Airport. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The. Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone - Enterprise Rent-A-Car Take the right turn, stop at String Lake and Jenny Lake Overlook for beautiful lake views. Kilometers from Bear Lake: 432. If you have more or less time for your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip, here are a couple of modifications: Read More: 7 Days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. In summer Yellowstone is like a theme park, so you have to be organized and book hotels way in advance. Some may want to enjoy more of the Tetons but others will want to get right into Yellowstone. June, July and August are warm enough for light layers but you will need sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hats. Really unfortunate timing for you and thousands of others who are planning a visit to Yellowstone this Summer but it will still be a fantastic trip. Antler Inn In spring and fall you should be able to book night 5 in Canyon quite easily, but for a summer visit you might run into issues with Canyon being fully booked. Discover the stories behind this unsung hero of a vegetable including VP Dan Quayles potato incident. Dont Forget to Save This Post on Pinterest, 7 Day Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary, Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days, When is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone. Long before Yellowstone became the countrys first national park, this land was important to a diverse group of people. Lastly, Salt Lake City itself is well worth a visit if you have the time. I agree with Pam. Here are the top rated hotels in each place you will stay: Depending on your flight times into and out from SLC airport, you may need to book a night at a hotel airport either side of your road trip. Plus, the best things to do in Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and everywhere in between! Pull over at the scenic route overlooks to admire the valley views. West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City road trip planner Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, Hampton Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 8 Best Airports and Flights to Yellowstone, Why Salt Lake City is the best place to start a Yellowstone road trip, Tips on where to stay, what to pack, and the best time to visit, The best route and recommended road trip itinerary. In Park City theres a trail for everyone, from mountain biking to al fresco dining to live music,and theres no better time to hit them than summer. Read more about all the locations with flights to Salt Lake here. Please let us know if you have any questions or need any help planning your road trip. Walk around Upper Geyser Basin in the late afternoon. Walk around Lower Geyser Basin and then drive to a hotel in West Yellowstone. John Moultons barn on Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park, Wyo. Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Salt Lake City, Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown, Headwaters Lodge and Cabins at Flagg Ranch, 18 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, short hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook, 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park. 3 Roadside Stops in Grand Teton National Park We hope the long list of hotel options is helpful and not overwhelming! Here are the top seven ways to avoid the parks crowds and see the best of the area.