You're probably asking, how can I fit all this in to six short days? You can't... But you can sure hit the highlights and see breathtaking landscapes.
If you're new here, head on over to the "about me" page to learn a little more about the faces (yes, there's a few besides me, Meg) behind Leadership and Layovers. If nothing else, check out the "pro tips" at the bottom of this guide. They may just save you some serious time and money.
Like most of my travels, this trip was relatively unplanned. The boyfriend and I wanted to go somewhere with mountains due to having spent over two months in Florida already in 2021. So we chose the end of September and to go the general Grand Teton National Park/ Yellowstone National Park area. Flights and hotel rooms were cheap(er) due to being considered "off season." I am a self-proclaimed rewards points enthusiast, so most of our nights were covered by points we had built up over the last months.
The guide below outlines our ideal six day trip through two national parks, two national forests, and a few towns looks like, starting and ending in Bozeman, Montana. This guide is easy to modify to fit your interests, and I hope you'll add your own recommendations in the comments at the end for others to gain from as well. For more pictures, follow me on Instagram @MegPlatt.
Happy travels, friends!
Day 1: Bozeman to Gardiner
Arrive in Bozeman. We arrived around noon into Bozeman, Montana. Several major and discount airlines fly into this picturesque airport, so the sky is the limit on options to get here.
Eat lunch @ Map Brewing in Bozeman. Map Brewing has good burgers, locally brewed craft beer, incredible views, and it's even dog-friendly (not allowed on the patio, but plenty of places for them to sit just a few feet away from you in the grass).
[Information: Location- 510 Manley Road, Bozeman, Montana & Instagram- @mapbrewing]
Enjoy Yellowstone Hot Springs. Yellowstone Hot Springs was one of my favorite stops of the entire trip. For a detailed review of our visit, the benefits of soaking in the hot spring water, and the history of hot springs in the area, click here.
[Information: During the summer season, the pools are open from 9am to 9pm. No reservations are required, but I strongly suggest checking the website due to occasional closings. The facilities offer towel rentals, changing rooms, showers, and a small snack shop.
[Location: 24 East Gate Road, Gardiner, Montana]
[Website: https://yellowstonehotspringsmt.com/]
Stay in Gardiner. If I wasn't playing the rewards points game, I would have preferred to stay in the park for the experience. We stayed just outside of the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park at the Ridgeline Hotel in Gardiner, Montana. Gardiner is located minutes away from the north entrance to the park. You can even see the Roosevelt Arch from the main street that runs through the town. It has quite a few little shops, places to eat, a post office, and a grocery store.
Day 2: Yellowstone Wildlife Day
Breakfast at The Yellowstone Grill. I recommend an early start on the day for all touristy destinations, and Yellowstone National Park is no different. You won't regret grabbing a quick breakfast at Yellowstone Grill in Gardiner before heading out for the day. It is located just outside the entrance to the park. If I were to ever open a coffee shop/ café, Yellowstone Grill would be my inspiration. They serve lattes, cappuccinos, drip coffee, and teas in mismatched coffee mugs that one would find in their own cupboard at home. The furniture and décor is eclectic and homey. They also offer lunch and dinner, often advertising live music in the evenings.
[Location: 404 Scott Street West, Gardiner, Montana]
Yellowstone National Park:
One...Roosevelt Arch. Start just outside of the North Entrance to the park on North Entrance Road. Before entering the park, take a 2 minute detour to drive through Roosevelt Arch. This monument reads “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”
Two... Boiling River. A few miles after entering the park, you'll come to Boiling River. This hike is closed for the 2021 season, but you can still drive by it, and you pass it anyway, so slow down to check it out.
Three... Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the most other-worldly sites in the park. It's worth a stop.
Four... Lamar Valley. This part of the park is the area known for having incredible encounters with the native wildlife. We saw bison, elk, and what we decided was most likely a black bear on our drive through the valley.
Five... Blacktail Plateau Drive. This incredible, 6-mile drive on a dirt road. This drive is clearly marked with signage, but please note it is one-way traffic and is a pretty rough road. An all-wheel drive vehicle handles the hills, uneven dirt trail fairly well. The elevation gain turned a gloomy, rainy day into a winter wonderland for us, covering all the tall pine trees and grass in a fresh coat of snow.
[Location: Click Here]
Six... Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Artist Point is by far my favorite spot in Yellowstone, and definitely the best view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Artist Point is located a few hundred feet from a large parking lot, making it easily accessible. Also check out more views of the canyon from the Upper Falls and Lower Falls turnoffs.
Seven... Yellowstone Lake. Depending on the time of year of your visit, the adventures here can vary quite drastically. For us, it was September and snowing, so we just took a drive around the lake and enjoyed the views. We even saw a few bald eagles and elk on our way.
Dinner in West Yellowstone. Go to Bullwinkles for an EXPERIENCE. Imagine walking into a 80s rom-com set in a diner and decorated with items from garage sales and your grandparents basement. On another note, the poutine and pork bbq sandwich were pretty good.
Stay in West Yellowstone. We stayed at The Best Western, which had a great hot tub, free breakfast, and was in walking distance from everything.
Day 3: Yellowstone Geology Day
Breakfast. Three Bear Restaurant is like walking into your grandparents log cabin 20 years ago. The sweet cream pancakes are wonderful, and all the food is made to order.
[Website: https://threebearlodge.com/relax/restaurant/]
Yellowstone National Park:
One... Riverside Drive. Riverside Drive is a short deviation from the main highway (US 287, closed December- April). It takes you down by the river, which provides some excellent scenery of the water and wildlife. It's easy to miss, so once you enter the park from West Yellowstone, keep your eyes out on the left for the turn.
Two... Firehole Canyon Drive. Turning onto the drive, you're met with uneven pavement that soon turns a corner into one of the most breathtaking gorges I've ever seen. The river runs fast through this narrow canyon, and there's several places to park the car to take it all in. This route does close in inclement weather, so be sure to check the park website before heading out for the day.
Three... Black Sand Basin. Here you will find black waters snaking their way through mudpots, geysers, and beautiful pools. Be sure to seek out Cliff Geyser, Emerald Pool, and Sunrise Pool, all of which are easily accessible by the boarded walkways that total less than a mile of walking. Do not miss this one friends.
Four... Grand Prismatic Overlook. Access via Fairy Falls Trailhead. About a mile out to the view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Be prepared for some uphill and dirt path hiking. We saw a few men wearing dress shoes that were quite muddy by the time they got to the top.
Five... Morning Glory Pool. The iconic Morning Glory Pool is a prism of color and smell. It is a popular tourist destination, so I recommend going early or late in the day, before or after the majority of park-goers. We had good luck visiting about 3:00pm.
Six... Old Faithful. While this stop is a must, it is only a must for the cultural significance it holds. The performance of Old Faithful is often described as underwhelming, but it's reliability is pretty handy when having an action-packed day. We ate lunch at the cafeteria, which was better than expected. The BBQ sandwich was some of the best food I had on the road.
Seven... Firehole Lake Drive. Another out-of-this-world scenic overlook of a lake, river, and thermal features. It's on the way, so take a few minutes to drive around this loop located off the main road.
Stay in Jackson. Drive to Jackson, Wyoming and stay the night. We stayed at the Homewood Suites in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. It was within walking distance to all the major stops downtown, including Cowboy Bar, Cowboy Coffee, and more.
Day 4: Grand Teton National Park
Breakfast. There's numerous quaint places to grab coffee and a muffin first thing in the morning. We opted for the complementary hotel breakfast, but also checked out a few other places along our wanderings through town. Persephone Bakery and Cowboy Coffee are two favorites of travelers to Jackson.
Grand Teton National Park:
One... Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Start your trip at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. It features a museum on the history of the area and a bookshop. I picked up a couple books, including one on the history of the park. If you know me, you know I am all about learning the history, science, and/ or culture of the place I am. To the boyfriend's dismay, I read aloud from the books throughout the rest of our trip.
Two... The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Head south on Moose-Wilson Road and take the road less traveled by going towards The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve. Keep a lookout on the right side of the road once you hit the tree line, there's a pullout that leads to a very short trail up the side of a large hill. It takes about 2 minutes to get to the top, and it's worth the elevation climb.
From here, turn around and head back to the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Once you pass the visitors' center, you'll end up on the main loop through the park.
Three... Menors Ferry Historic District. The first stop worthwhile for us was Menors Ferry Historic District. This area is where Bill Menor settled in 1892. He created a ferry system to cross the Snake River, a cabin, a shop, and a barn. A replica of the ferry can be found here, and you can tour the buildings learning more about the era of homesteading in the Western United States. This settlement expanded and was established as Moose, Wyoming in 1929.
Four... Jenny Lake. Jenny Lake was the first area of the valley to be developed for recreation, and to this day is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the park for good reason. The area is breathtaking. Hike around Jenny Lake, take a kayak out, or simply picnic by the waterside. You won't regret an afternoon in this picturesque destination.
Five... String Lake. Just to the west of Jenny Lake, you'll find String Lake. At only 10 feet deep on average, this lake is perfect for swimming, and is often warmer than other bodies of water in the area.
Six... Signal Mountain. At this stop there is a 6.8 mile loop that takes you to the 360 degree view of the entire park if you're up for hiking. The alternative, that we chose in the interest of time, is the 5 mile drive up the Signal Mountain Summit Road.
Seven... Oxbow Bend. This was one of my favorite stops in the park. The fall colors were stunning and the Snake River that runs through the middle was sparkling in the late-September sunshine. The Teton Range just made the perfect backdrop for a beautiful landscape. This stop is also known for its great wildlife viewing opportunities. Elk, osprey, bald eagles, moose, and otters call the area home, so keep your eyes peeled along the foliage for them.
Eight... Mormon Row. When you think of pictures you've seen of Grand Teton National Park, chances are you think of at least one with old barns in the foreground, and chances are, those barns are part of Mormon Row. Mormon Row is a group of cabins, houses, barns, and other buildings from the homesteading era. There are plenty of signs around, so be sure to read the history behind the area when you visit.
More Adventure Options.
1. Kayak Jenny Lake or take boat across to Jenny Lake trailhead if it's nice out. The water was very rough due to the wind, so we opted out of this one and hiked part of the Jenny Lake Loop Trail.
2. Hike Leigh Lake Trail — Leigh Lake Trail on AllTrails (3 hours)
3. Hike Hidden Falls — Hidden Falls via String Lake Trail on AllTrails (2 hours 10 min)
Dinner. We ate at Sidewinders American Grill for dinner. The food was average at best, however, its atmosphere is the reason to go. There are comfy leather couches by the bar, expansive windows that overlook downtown Jackson, and a wrap around porch. The Cowboy Mac n' Cheese was slightly above average, and the quesadilla was simply okay. However, we chose a seat in the bar overlooking one of the main streets in Jackson, and that was pretty neat.
Day 5: Jackson Hole Area
Tram Ride & Waffles in the Clouds. Ride the Jackson Hole Ariel Tram and eat a waffle at Corbett’s Cabin while sitting above the clouds. While enjoying a waffle, we got to watch paragliders jump from the side of the mountain and glide down into the Teton Valley below us. The waffles were average at best, but I'm all about the experience, and this was well worth it.
The tram begins operations at 9am and closes at 5pm buy tickets online to save $7 per person. Some seasonal differences to prices, availability, and hours are probable, so check out their website for the most up-to-date information.
[Website: https://www.jacksonhole.com/aerial-tram.html]
Grand Teton National Park. If you missed something in the park or simply want to add in another hike, use the early afternoon to do so. I recommend AllTrails to look up hikes that meet your desired criteria. You can filter by length, type, pet-friendliness, and more.
Back to Bozeman. Drive back to Bozeman through Teton Pass, and through Idaho. You'll go through Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Bridger-Teton National Forest, see thundering waterfalls, and see incredible views of alpine mountainsides covered in pines and valleys. You'll even drive through two open range cattle farms with cows hanging out in the middle of the road at times. If you're going when there's potential for snow, please use caution and only drive it if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Day 6: Bozeman
Breakfast. There's plenty of options in Bozeman for breakfast ranging from places to grab a quick bite such as Feed Café to gourmet filled waffles at Stuffed Crepes and Waffles.
Museum of the Rockies. Whenever traveling, I beg you to learn more than what's on the surface about your destination. For this trip, Museum of the Rockies allowed us that opportunity in an immersive way. We began our adventure by checking out the "Discover the Auroras" show in the planetarium, direct by one of the museum's sponsors.
From there, head into the main exhibits. We chose to start at the rotating exhibit on Vikings, which then led into an exhibit on how technology affected the area through the ages. As you walk further into the museum, the next exhibit you come to is on the Indigenous Peoples of the area. This was particularly impactful for me, as there was so much I didn't know about the history of the peoples' land I was standing on throughout the trip.
Finally, we headed into the prehistoric exhibit on the dinosaurs, ice ages, and more that affected the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton areas we had been exploring. The Montana T-Rex is located in this exhibit, and it is quite an impressive sight to behold. [Location: 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, Montana]
Dinner/ Lunch. We chose Backcountry Burgers for dinner due to the simplicity of the menu. Their burgers were some of the freshest I've had to date. We also got their bacon mac-n-cheese and poutine. (We love cheese if you can't tell.) This was followed by world-class chocolates from next door. Inside the Baxter Hotel Lobby you will find La Châtelaine Chocolat Co. for dessert.
[Locations:
Backcountry Burger Bar- 125 W Main St, Bozeman, MT
La Petite Châtelaine Chocolat Co., The Baxter Hotel Lobby, 105 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT **Note they have two locations in Bozeman**]
That's a Wrap! We recommend flying home in the late evening to make the most of your sixth day here. However, if time allows, I highly recommend checking out my favorite national park, Glacier National Park, while you're in this part of the country.
Happy exploring!
Pro Tips:
Buy a National Parks Annual Pass if you plan on entering any National Park over the next twelve months more than twice. You can buy the pass online or at any staffed entrance to any National Park. Since we were headed to Grand Teton National Park the following day, and Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan next summer, we went ahead and bought our annual pass. It already paid for itself due to the amount of driving we did in and out of the various parks on this trip.
When entering the park, ask the staff member at the entrance what roads, if any, are currently closed. We encountered a road closure that wasn't disclosed on the park's website, and it added several hours of driving to our trip.
Stop at the market in Bozeman, Gardiner, Jackson, or wherever you're staying outside the parks to stock up on snacks due to the lack of food options in the parks and driving between destinations. We made our go-to travel food for lunches while in the park. We call this cheap charcuterie board our adult lunchables. An adult lunchable consists of pepperoni or dried salami, cheeses, crackers, granola bars, fruit, and veggies. We also picked up some chips and salsa for this adventure.
Be sure to pick up physical maps, cell service is spotty at best. You WILL be without service for large portions of your trip.
Additional Reading
Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park: 89 Great Hikes | https://amzn.to/3zUleo0
Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks (Travel Guide) | https://amzn.to/3AbIIVX
*Product links may be affiliate links, meaning if you purchase, I may receive a very small percentage of the profit.
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