Exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton: A Memorable Graduation Trip in the USA

In mid-May, my father and I embarked on a thrilling three-week graduation trip across the USA, and I’m excited to gradually share our experiences! Today, let’s dive into our itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. 🗺️

Our Itinerary: Yellowstone First, Then Grand Teton

We chose to explore Yellowstone before heading south to Grand Teton, ending our adventure in Salt Lake City. We spent three nights in West Yellowstone and one night in Jackson Hole, which admittedly caused us to backtrack a bit.

Accommodation Tips

If you plan to travel from north to south, I recommend staying two nights in West Yellowstone. For your final night, consider lodging closer to the South Entrance or around Old Faithful/Fishing Bridge. This way, on the fourth day, you can head directly into Grand Teton without any unnecessary detours. 🏠

Recommended Route through Yellowstone

Yellowstone Park is shaped like a figure-eight, which can be divided into two sections: the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop. It’s best to explore the Upper Loop first, followed by the Lower Loop, and then head south to Grand Teton. If you only have one day, I highly recommend dedicating it to the Upper Loop due to its rich wildlife viewing opportunities (P2-P4) and diverse landscapes featuring snow-capped mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and various geysers.

Remember, during peak travel season, entering Yellowstone can be quite congested. Our visit coincided with a long weekend, and we experienced delays of around 20 minutes each day.

Driving Tips for Yellowstone

Driving through Yellowstone is a breeze, even for beginners. The Upper Loop features a few winding roads without guardrails, which may be slightly more challenging than the Lower Loop. However, the roads are generally wide and easy to navigate, with no gravel paths.

It’s wise to fill up your gas tank before entering the park—one tank should suffice for two days. Notably, major attractions like Old Faithful have gas stations nearby. 🚗

Highlights of the Upper Loop

Norris Geyser Basin

This area offers two trails: the Porcelain Trail (0.6 miles) and the Back Basin Trail (1.6 miles). If you’re short on time, I recommend the Porcelain Trail for its stunning rock formations and the picturesque Porcelain Spring (P5). You’ll also get to enjoy views of the snow-capped mountains. The Back Basin features numerous smaller geysers, but the hike is longer.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs showcases extensive rock formations (P6-P7). We opted for the scenic overlook to enjoy the views of the town below (P8) without extensive walking. You can drive into the area, but be cautious as the roads can be narrow.

Lamar Valley

Experience majestic prairies and spot Bison without much walking—it’s a fantastic wildlife-viewing opportunity (P9).

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

At the Grand Canyon, panoramic views of the canyon and waterfalls await you. Visit the overlook for stunning sunset panoramas that light up the rocks beautifully (P10). For the adventurous, there is a trail leading down to the base of the waterfall, which features steep inclines.

Conclusion

Our journey through Yellowstone and Grand Teton was nothing short of magical, full of breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. I can’t wait to share more about our adventures in the coming weeks! Stay tuned for more travel tips and recommendations! ✈️ #Yellowstone #GrandTeton #USATravel