grand teton and Yellowstone Itinerary

The Ultimate Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary: 4 Day Trip

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Are you looking for the ultimate Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary for your next quick road trip?  This Itinerary allows 2 days in each National Park to see the major sites while Biking, Hiking, Canoeing, and secret Hot Springs!

grand teton and Yellowstone Itinerary

Planning the most efficient Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary can be very exciting and overwhelming, and you’ve already taken the most important step by doing your research.   After visiting these parks with my family over the years,  I have narrowed down the best sites to see and the most fun activities for your family.

You will learn the perfect route that requires as little as 2 days in each park, the best sites and hikes to stop for, which outdoor activities are worth it, and as promised… directions to the secret hot springs!

After reading the best itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, you will be so prepared and can focus the rest of your energy on deciding which Traders Joe’s snacks to bring (the best part of any road trip).

This post is all about the ultimate Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary in 4 days.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Itinerary:

To make this reading experience easy for you, this itinerary is short and only contains the main activities.  Each itinerary item has a link to Google Maps for directions or a Trip Advisor link for restaurant info. 

 

Day 1: Grand Teton National park

  • Pick up lunch and Rent bikes in Moose, Wy., then ride from Moose, Wy. to Jenny Lake 8 miles (a bit uphill)  
  • Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake and enjoy the incredible view from the base of the majestic Tetons.
  • Start the Cascade Canyon Trail with the first stop at Hidden Falls.  Then continue on the trail to a steeper hike up to  Inspiration Point.  If time permits, keep hiking on the Cascade Canyon trail which takes you deeper into the mountain.  Turn around and return to the boat dock before the last shuttle ride (the line can get long) or hike the 2-mile Jenny Lake Trail southbound back to your Bike. 
  • Take the boat shuttle back across the lake
  • Bike back to Moose 8 miles (downhill) and return bikes

Additional Info:

For a family trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, you can adjust the hiking length to accommodate members of the family.   Those who cannot hike far will enjoy the short hike from the boat dock to Hidden Falls and may want to stay there while others walk on to inspiration point.  

Food Tips:

Jenny Lake

Day 2: Grand Teton National Park

  • After Breakfast, rent Kayaks/Canoes at Colter Bay Village and paddle around Jackson Lake for a few hours (there is a rental shack near the boat dock area)
  • Lunch in Colter Bay Village
  • Drive 30 min to park in the  Flagg Ranch Information Center Parking Lot and cross Ashton-Flagg Ranch Rd on foot to find the trailhead to the Hot Springs.  There are signs that will guide you to Polecat (best) and Huckleberry (not the best) Hot Springs.
  • Hike to Polecat Hot Springs (secret Spot!).  Click on the link below for another blog post with all the info you need to get to Polecat Hot Springs (Hint, it’s right next to Huckleberry Hot Springs).

{Related Post:  5 Secret Tips for Huckleberry Hot Springs in Grand Teton National Park}

 

Additional info:

When hiking to the Hot Springs, there is a stream to cross.  Wear water shoes or cross barefoot (we have lost flips flops in the fast-moving water up to our knees.  After crossing the stream, head to your left and hike on the barely visible trail along the stream.  You will see finally arrive and see 3 pools ascending down the hill into the stream.  The top (hottest) pool is currently closed and dangerous for swimming.   The lower 2nd and 3rd pools are swimmable (unless otherwise posted) so have fun and enjoy!  

 

You can then hike over to Huckleberry Hot Springs if you like but it may be closed for swimming.  To get there, head back to where you crossed the big stream and turn left to rejoin the main trail.  You will hike over a hill and arrive near Huckleberry Hot Springs.   You will notice the pool running its excess water downhill into the small stream.   There are 3 large logs arranged in the stream trapping the warm water in place.  This is the only safe place to sit and enjoy this hot spring.  The view of the meadow and mountains are incredible to enjoy in this area, you may even see a friendly fox!

Food Tips:

yellowstone itinerary 4 days

yellowstone national park

Day 3: Grand Tetons to Yellowstone National Park

  • The Grand Teton to Yellowstone drive will take you through the  Yellowstone South Entrance and on to the Old Faithful Geyser (which erupts roughly every 90 mins)
  • In the Old Faithful Geyser area, you can Hike, Grab Lunch for later, or visit the Historic Old Faithful Inn (built-in 1903)
  • Drive to Black Sand Basin and hike on the wooden path to see the incredibly colorful pools
  • Hike to the secret spot called “Thumper” or Black Sand Pool  To get here walk to the driveway entrance of Black sand Basin and cross the street when safe.  You will see a trail in front of you.  Then walk for about 15 minutes until you see the large Black Sand Pool to the left.  There is a wooden fence across the top of the pool.  Now sit on the ground near the upper side of the pool, wait, and feel the ground “Thump” as the water boils beneath the earth! 
  • Now drive to Grand Prismatic Spring, hike on the wooden path to see more beautiful, colorful hot pools
  • Next, drive north to hike Fountain Paint Pots and follow the trail to see more gorgeous sites.
  • Then drive to the Artist Paint Pots and again follow the signs to see more insane geothermal creations.
  • You can now visit the Museum of the National Park Ranger for an excellent History lesson
  • Finally, continue north to Mammoth Hot Springs and hike around on the wooden paths.  Make sure your camera battery is charged because these white castle formations will blow your mind! 
  • You can end the day by driving to Yellowstone North Entrance and stay the night in Gardiner

Food Tips:

grand tetons to yelloswtone

family trip to yellowstone and grand teton

Day 4: Yellowstone National Park

  • Drive south and cut across the national park toward Canyon Village
  • Hike around the  Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (the link takes you to a list of hikes to choose from depending on your skill level).  Each hike offers different views of the Upper and Lower ‘Waterfall of the Yellowstone’.  We suggest stopping by the Canyon Visitor Education Center to find out which hikes would be best for your group with the current weather.
  • Continue south to the Mud Volcano and Black Dragons Caldron to view some more interesting (and stinky) pools
  • The last stop in Yellowstone is West Thumb to view Hot Pools
  • Finally, Drive back through the Grand Teton National Park to Mormon Row and take pics of (or Paint) the historic Barn with the Majestic Tetons so nicely framed in the background. Now you can head home, but try to stop by Jackson or the Teton Village for a yummy dinner!

4 day itinerary yellowstone and grand teton

Food Tips:

This 4 day Itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton will send you on the right path to have the best vacation without wasting valuable time driving back and forth across these huge national parks.  

 

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