Route Overview
Two of America's most iconic parks combined into one epic journey. Geysers, wildlife, and dramatic mountain scenery.
Itinerary
Fly into Jackson Hole, pick up rental car. Head straight to Grand Teton for afternoon exploration: Jenny Lake boat shuttle, Cascade Canyon hike, sunset at Mormon Row.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center
Experience Jenny Lake from a new perspective--on the water! Launch your motorized and non-motorized (motor maximum: 10 horsepower) crafts from this boat launch. There are not facilities. Please review all boating regulations for the park prior to launch. Make sure you have all required permits.
Take the shuttle boat across Jenny Lake for the best views and to save hiking time.
Boats depart every 10-15 minutes. Buy tickets early on busy days.
Cascade Canyon Trail (to Hidden Falls)
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 boat to west shore, hike 0.5 miles to Hidden Falls, continue to Inspiration Point for sweeping views.
Bear spray recommended. Trail is well-maintained but gains 400ft to Inspiration Point.
Mormon Row Historic District
Visit Mormon Row to see the historic Moulton Barns and Teton views.
Iconic T.A. Moulton Barn with the Tetons. Best light at sunrise/sunset.
Park at the pullout and walk between barns. Respect private property signs.
Sunrise at Oxbow Bend, hike Taggart Lake, lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge, afternoon wildlife safari on Moose-Wilson Road, sunset at Schwabacher Landing.
Oxbow Bend Sunrise
Visit Oxbow Bend for iconic views of the Teton Range.
Prime wildlife viewing: moose, otters, eagles, and perfect Teton reflections.
Arrive 30 min before sunrise. Bring tripod. Watch for moose in the willows.
Taggart Lake Trail
Take a easy loop hike to Taggart Lake for some of the most stunning views of the Teton Range.
3-mile roundtrip through 1985 burn area to pristine alpine lake.
Add Bradley Lake for a 5.5-mile loop. Trail is popular - start early.
Jackson Lake Lodge
The historic Jackson Lake Lodge is one of two National Historic Landmarks in the park. With its concrete textured walls, this building was the first modern lodge built in a national park. Opening in 1955, the Rockefeller Lodge, as it was once known, inspires visitors with a wall of windows over-looking Willow Flats, Jackson Lake and the Teton Range beyond.Today, the great room is a place to relax and enjoy the view or escape from a rainy day.
Iconic 60-foot windows framing the Tetons. Lunch at the Mural Room or Blue Heron Lounge.
Check the back deck for wildlife viewing. Moose often graze in the willows.
Schwabacher Landing Sunset
Beaver ponds with Teton reflections. Prime sunset location.
Bring mosquito repellent in summer. Look for beavers at dusk.
Drive into Yellowstone via the South Entrance. Explore West Thumb Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, and the Upper Geyser Basin. Catch evening geyser eruptions.
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.
Geysers and hot springs on Yellowstone Lake shore. First thermal area from south.
Short 0.8-mile boardwalk loop. Great intro to Yellowstone thermals.
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.
Watch the world's most famous geyser erupt. Eruptions every 60-110 minutes.
Check the Visitor Center for predicted eruption times. Stay for 2 eruptions if time allows.
Upper Geyser Basin Walk
The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge runs all the way to Morning Glory Pool. Take this short, (2 mi. round-trip) fairly level, paved-path and make stops to see geysers.
Walk to Morning Glory Pool, see Castle, Grand, and Riverside geysers along the way.
4-mile out-and-back on boardwalk. Bring water. Multiple geysers may erupt.
Morning at Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin. Afternoon at Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - Artist Point and Uncle Tom's Trail. Hayden Valley wildlife at dusk.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Hike up to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring.
America's largest hot spring. Rainbow colors from thermophilic bacteria.
Early morning has less steam for better views. Overlook trail gives aerial perspective.
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
1.2-mile round trip to elevated viewpoint. See the full rainbow pattern.
Trailhead at Fairy Falls parking lot, 1 mile south of Midway.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - Artist Point
This trailhead starts at the eastern end of the Artist Point parking area. The trail leads to the popular Artist Point Overlook. East of the overlook where you can embark on the following trails:- Artist Point-Point Sublime Trail- Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake TrailThere is a large parking lot here, though it is often busy during the peak of the summer season. Vault toilets are located at the western end of the parking lot. Artist Point-Point Sublime Trail This 2.6-mile (4.2-km) the
Iconic view of 308-foot Lower Falls plunging into the yellow canyon.
Most photographed spot in Yellowstone. Morning light best for photos.
Hayden Valley Wildlife Safari
Prime bison, wolf, and bear viewing. Bring binoculars and spotting scope.
Dusk is best for wildlife. Pull off safely. Watch for bear jams.
Early morning wildlife safari in Lamar Valley (wolves, bears, bison). Mammoth Hot Springs midday. Drive south through the park, final sunset at Oxbow Bend, return to Jackson for flights.
Lamar Valley Sunrise Wildlife
America's Serengeti. Prime wolf, bear, and bison viewing at dawn.
Bring spotting scope and binoculars. Join the wolf watchers for best sightings.
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Travertine terraces built by hot spring minerals. Elk often graze here.
Lower and Upper Terraces. Some boardwalks may be closed seasonally.
Oxbow Bend Final Sunset
Visit Oxbow Bend for iconic views of the Teton Range.
Return to this iconic spot for one last sunset before heading to Jackson.
Evening often has calmer water for better reflections.
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5
Days
17
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
Best Season
June-September. September best for wildlife and fall colors.
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