Yellowstone + Grand Teton: A 7-Day Road Trip
Hike hard in the Tetons, then slow down for Yellowstone’s wildlife, thermal basins, waterfalls and enormous driving distances.
The strategy: Do not plan these parks the same way. Give Grand Teton your bigger hiking days. In Yellowstone, organize days geographically and leave time to stop for wildlife and thermal activity.
Days 1–2 · Grand Teton
Day 1: Jenny Lake shuttle → Inspiration Point → continue into Cascade Canyon. Finish around Jenny Lake or Colter Bay and enjoy the water.
Day 2: Taggart Lake loop, Moose-Wilson Road, Antelope Flats and Mormon Row. Then drive north, stopping at West Thumb Geyser Basin as you enter Yellowstone.
Days 3–7 · Yellowstone
Day 3: Lamar Valley early, Trout Lake/Lamar area, then a family adventure such as rafting outside the park.
Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs. Add Beaver Ponds only if you have extra time; we would prioritize other Yellowstone experiences.
Day 5: Norris → Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone → Upper/Lower Falls → Artist Point → Hayden Valley. This is one of the strongest days of the trip.
Day 6: Yellowstone Lake and a fishing or boating experience, then reposition toward Old Faithful.
Day 7: Old Faithful + Upper Geyser Basin, bike toward Morning Glory, Grand Prismatic overlook and Midway Geyser Basin. Add Mystic Falls if you want a real hike.
Where to sleep
For Grand Teton, our Airbnb in Driggs traded a longer drive for more family space and a lower price than Jackson. In Yellowstone, we preferred staying inside the park and changing areas because the park is so large.