Route Overview
A classic Northern Rockies loop linking geysers, Tetons, and alpine lakes. Built for iconic highlights with realistic drives and wildlife windows.
Itinerary
Start with geysers and classic thermal features.
West Yellowstone Entrance
Enter through West Yellowstone entrance. Purchase park pass or show Annual Pass.
Arrive early to avoid entrance station lines. Entrance fee: $35 per vehicle (7 days) or use Annual Pass.
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful Geyser is the world's best known geyser. Its eruption intervals have varied from 40 to 126 minutes. Find out the eruption times of Old Faithful and other large geysers at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, following the @GeyserNPS twitter feed, or using the Geysers app.
Yellowstone's most famous geyser erupts every 60-110 minutes, shooting water 100-180 feet high. Check predicted eruption times at the visitor center. After watching the eruption, explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk to see smaller geysers and hot springs.
Arrive 20-30 minutes before predicted eruption for good viewing spot. Front-row benches fill up fast in summer. Visitor center has clean restrooms, exhibits, and eruption predictions.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Hike to the overlook (0.8 miles roundtrip, 100ft elevation gain) for the iconic aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring's rainbow colors. The spring is the largest in the US and third-largest in the world at 370 feet in diameter.
Best photos mid-day when sun is directly overhead. Steam can obscure the view on cool mornings. The hike is short but steep at the end.
Fountain Paint Pots
Explore the four major types of hydrothermal features along this short, popular, boardwalk trail.
Easy 0.5-mile boardwalk loop showcasing all four types of geothermal features: geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. The bubbling mud pots are especially fascinating to watch.
Quick stop, great for families. Active geothermal features change seasonally - mud pots are most active in spring.
Canyon Village - Lunch
This is where you can mail letters and packages, or buy postage. This location is only open during the summer season. 2025 Season Open daily May 15–October 6 Accessibility Not wheelchair-accessible.
Lunch break at Canyon Village. Canyon Lodge Eatery & Cantina offers hot meals, salads, sandwiches. Alternatively, bring picnic supplies and eat at one of the scenic picnic areas.
Canyon Lodge cafeteria gets crowded 12-1pm. Consider eating slightly earlier or later. General store available for snacks and supplies.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - Artist Point
Look out across the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or take in the beauty of the Yellowstone River and its waterfalls.
Stunning viewpoint overlooking the 308-foot Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. The canyon walls display brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds. Short paved walk from parking area.
Best light for photography in late afternoon. Also visit Uncle Tom's Trail (328 steps down) if you have time and energy.
Hayden Valley Wildlife Viewing
Prime wildlife habitat. Look for bison, elk, grizzly bears, and wolves. Bring binoculars. Drive slowly through the valley, pull over at pullouts to scan the landscape.
Best wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk, but afternoon still offers good opportunities. Keep 25 yards from bison, 100 yards from bears. Never approach wildlife.
Mud Volcano Area
A loop trail leads you by turbulent pools of hot, muddy water; hillsides strewn with trees cooked by steam; strange odors; and a bizarre landscape—welcome to the Mud Volcano area.
Active geothermal area with bubbling mud pots, steam vents, and the churning Mud Volcano. Short boardwalk loop with interpretive signs.
Quick stop on your way out. Smells of sulfur (rotten eggs) are strong here.
Canyon views and wildlife windows.
West Entrance
Enter at West Yellowstone. Get park map and check geyser prediction times.
Gas up in West Yellowstone - park gas stations are expensive.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. It is part of one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. Many hot springs and fumaroles here have temperatures above the boiling point (200ºF / 93ºC).
Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic geyser basin. Walk both Porcelain and Back Basin loops (2+ miles total).
Steamboat Geyser is the world's tallest - erupts unpredictably. Check if Echinus is due to erupt.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Unique travertine terraces created by limestone-depositing hot springs. Walk the upper and lower terraces.
Terraces change constantly - some may be dry while new ones form. Elk often graze on the lawns here.
Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
Historic dining room with classic American fare. Also has a general store and grill for quicker options.
Try the bison burger - locally sourced.
Tower Fall
132-foot waterfall framed by volcanic pinnacles. Short walk to overlook.
The trail to the base may be closed - check conditions. Great view from the overlook regardless.
Lamar Valley Evening Wildlife
America's Serengeti. Prime habitat for wolves, grizzly bears, bison herds, and pronghorn. Evening is optimal.
Bring binoculars and spotting scope. Join a wildlife guide or look for crowds with scopes - they've spotted something. Wolf activity peaks at dawn and dusk.
Drive south through Yellowstone into Grand Teton.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake.
Lakeside geysers before leaving Yellowstone.
Jackson Lake Overlook
The north section of US 89/191/287 hugs the eastern shore of Jackson Lake. Across the lake, notice the patchwork of burned forest. The 1974 Waterfalls Canyon fire was one of the first naturally ignited wildland fires allowed to burn. Today, wildland fire management is a critical part of park policy attempting to preserve all aspects of the park's ecosystem. The landscape we enjoy seems to change only with the seasons, but powerful geologic forces continue to shape the earth.
First Tetons views with lake backdrop.
Lakes, viewpoints, and short hikes in the Tetons.
Sunrise at Oxbow Bend
Visit Oxbow Bend for iconic views of the Teton Range.
The most photographed location in the park. Mt. Moran reflected in the Snake River with wildlife often present.
Arrive before sunrise for best reflections. Moose, beavers, and pelicans are common. Stay 25+ yards from wildlife.
Colter Bay Breakfast
Enjoy a variety of ranger programs offered at the Colter Bay Amphitheater. This open-air facility provides a fantastic setting for ranger-led evening programs during the summer. Special programs also occur throughout the season. Check at a visitor center for a current schedule of events.
Casual breakfast at Colter Bay Village. Cafe with standard fare.
Quick fuel-up before hiking. General store has grab-and-go options.
Lakeshore Trail at Colter Bay
2-mile loop along Jackson Lake with Teton views. Visit the Indian Arts Museum.
Easy and family-friendly. Beach area for swimming (cold). Keep an eye out for moose along the shore.
Signal Mountain Summit Road
Drive the Signal Mountain Summit Road for panoramic views of the Teton Range and Jackson Hole.
5-mile drive to the summit with panoramic views of the Tetons, Jackson Lake, and valley.
360-degree views from the top. Less crowded than valley viewpoints.
Jenny Lake Scenic Drive & Visitor Center
The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive skirts the east shore of Jenny Lake and provides spectacular views of the peaks
Explore the visitor center, pick up maps, and prepare for afternoon hike. Picnic tables available.
Get ranger recommendations. Check boat shuttle schedule for Cascade Canyon and buy tickets early in peak season.
Cascade Canyon Trail
Most visitors find it challenging to reach the alpine community in the park, but the view from Cascade Canyon turnout provides a glimpse. The canyon climbs through the forest community where many conifers thrive-lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir and subalpine fir. Cascade Creek flows near the trail providing islands of wetland community. In the upper part of the canyon, the alpine community thrives-a harsh environment buried in snow most of the year.
Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Continue into Cascade Canyon for more solitude.
Boat shuttle saves 2 miles each way. Canyon is prime bear habitat - carry bear spray and keep distance from wildlife.
Sunset at Mormon Row
Visit Mormon Row to see the historic Moulton Barns and Teton views.
Historic barns with the Teton Range behind - most iconic shot in the park. T.A. Moulton Barn is most photographed.
Arrive 1+ hour before sunset. Photographers line up early. Bison sometimes wander through!
Long drive north to Glacier National Park.
Iconic drive and Logan Pass.
Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald Lodge sits on the shore of Lake McDonald and has been welcoming guests since 1914. Built in a Swiss style of architecture it retains a "hunting lodge" feel as guests enter the lobby surrounded by animal mounts and rustic log banisters. It remains the primary lodging facility on the west side of the park.
Start at the lakeshore with calm morning reflections.
Great light early in the day.
Going-to-the-Sun Road scenic drive
A drive across this engineering marvel has been a quintessential part of any trip to Glacier since the 1930s.
Drive the park's most iconic route with frequent pullouts.
Plan for slow traffic and short stops.
Logan Pass Visitor Center
Logan Pass is the highest elevation point on the road, and the place where it crosses the continental divide. Home to the Logan Pass Visitor Center, the area offers restrooms, shuttle service to both sides of the park, and hiking opportunities to Hidden Lake Overlook and the Highline.
High-elevation stop and trail access.
Parking fills early; arrive before noon.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
The Avalanche Lake Trail begins in the same place as the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Campground. The trail climbs steadily through an old growth forest to an alpine like with outstanding waterfalls. Avalanche Lake 2.3 mi (3.7 km), one way Elevation gain: 500 ft (152 m) Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area
Classic alpine overlook with possible mountain goat sightings.
Stay on trails; snowfields can linger.
Lakeside hikes and peak views.
Many Glacier Hotel area
Lake views with dramatic peaks.
Early light is best on the lake.
Grinnell Lake Trail
The Avalanche Lake Trail begins in the same place as the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Campground. The trail climbs steadily through an old growth forest to an alpine like with outstanding waterfalls. Avalanche Lake 2.3 mi (3.7 km), one way Elevation gain: 500 ft (152 m) Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area
Signature hike to an emerald lake.
Bring bear spray and plenty of water.
Swiftcurrent Lake shoreline
Relaxed lakeside stroll with peak reflections.
Great late-afternoon light.
Quieter lake and short hikes before departure.
St. Mary Lake shoreline
Wide lake views with classic Glacier scenery.
Look for Wild Goose Island in morning light.
Two Medicine Lake
Quieter lake with short trails and big peaks.
Good option to avoid crowds.
Running Eagle Falls
Explore native plants and their traditional uses along this trail. People have lived in this area for centuries, long before it became a park. Understanding how to use native plants made life more enjoyable; plants served as food, fuel, and other valuable resources.
Short walk to a unique double waterfall.
Great quick stop before leaving the park.
Return rental car and fly home.
Creates a copy you can customize
9
Days
33
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
Best Season
July-September for full road access
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