Are you looking for your next epic national park road trip? Look no further than Yellowstone and Grand Teton! Show
Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton are tucked away in the northwest corner of Wyoming, less than five hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. From the scenic landscapes of northern Utah to the majestic Teton Range to the exotic features of Yellowstone, there’s no shortage of incredible sights on this once-in-a-lifetime road trip. In this guide, I’m sharing the best road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, including:
Important Note To learn more about what’s open in Yellowstone, read the flood recovery page on the Yellowstone website. Are you looking for more ideas for your trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton? Don’t miss these posts!
This post may contain affiliate links, where I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more in this disclosure policy. Yellowstone National Park At-A-Glance Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip:
Why Start a Road Trip to Yellowstone in Salt Lake City?While Salt Lake City is located a 4+ hour drive from Yellowstone and Grand Teton, it makes a great place to start your road trip. The whole point of a road trip is the scenic drive along the way, right? The road from Salt Lake to Yellowstone has no shortage of beauty! There are several benefits of starting your Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip in Salt Lake City, including:
All that said, if you’re looking to minimize your driving time, flying into Salt Lake City isn’t the best option for you. Instead, I’d recommend flying into West Yellowstone or Jackson Hole Airport. Routes and Distance from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National ParkWhile there are several routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, these are the two I would recommend:
I recommend completing the trip as a loop for this road trip, starting with the scenic route, stopping at Grand Teton first, and then heading to Yellowstone. Then, on the return trip to Salt Lake City, take the fastest way back through Idaho Falls. However, if you’re short on time or plan on skipping Grand Teton National Park, you can take the ‘Fastest Route’ above both ways. Tips for Travel from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National ParkBefore planning your trip to Salt Lake City road trip, there are a few things you should know.
Looking for more tips on what to pack for your road trip? Check out my guides on the ultimate road trip packing list and the best road trip planning tools for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze! Day 1: Explore Salt Lake CityThe main reason for starting and ending your Yellowstone road trip in Salt Lake City is the large airport located here, but it’s an incredible place to visit too! Salt Lake City is the largest city and capital of Utah. From anywhere in the city, you’re surrounded by towering mountain views. This adventure hub is only minutes from incredible hiking, driving, and skiing (you’ve heard of Park City, right?). This town merges the mountain experience with a booming metropolitan area, with plenty of incredible dining options and breweries. With one day in Salt Lake City, you can see the highlights, like Temple Square and the Natural History Museum. The downtown is compact and walkable, perfect for a quick day exploring. Temple Square in Salt Lake CityThings to Do in Salt Lake City
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City
Day 2: Scenic Drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson HoleAfter spending a day exploring Salt Lake City, you’ll head towards Grand Teton National Park, the first destination on your road trip! But before reaching the Grand Tetons, there are so many incredible destinations to see. Northern Utah and southern Wyoming have so much to offer, from scenic state parks to quaint small towns. As you head out of Salt Lake City, stop at Antelope Island State Park. This small island within the Great Salt Lake provides incredible views of Utah’s famous lake and the free-roaming herds of bison and antelope found here. The Logan Canyon Scenic Byway connects Logan, a sizable town outside of Salt Lake City, and Garden City along the shores of Bear Lake. The scenic drive cuts through jagged limestone rock formations along the Logan River as you pass through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This route is filled with beautiful gold, red, and yellow foliage in the fall. It’s truly a sight to see! Bear Lake OverlookAs you come out of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, be prepared for incredible views at the Bear Lake Overlook. This viewpoint overlooks Bear Lake, the second-largest natural freshwater lake in Utah. The shore of this brilliant blue lake is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. As you continue along Highway 89 towards Jackson Hole, you’ll pass through Afton, Wyoming, and Alpine, Wyoming. The road begins to follow the Snake River as you head towards Jackson. This stretch of road is truly breathtaking, so be prepared to stop to take in the natural Wyoming landscapes. Best Places to See Between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park
Things to Do in Jackson, WyomingYou’ll end your driving day in Jackson, Wyoming. This town is a home base for Grand Teton National Park. So whether you choose to stay in Jackson or stay inside Grand Teton National Park, it’s worth spending an evening or morning strolling around downtown Jackson. Jackson Hole is a world-famous ski town and the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. While you may hear the terms used interchangeably, the region is Jackson Hole, and the city is simply named Jackson. Jackson’s ski town atmosphere is replaced by a quiet wild west town from spring to fall. You’ll find plenty of saloons, outdoor outfitters, and delicious restaurants here. Like Afton, Jackson has its elk antler arches surrounding the town square. Shops in Jackson, WyomingWhile there are infinite things to do in this touristy town, don’t miss:
Where to Stay in Jackson, Wyoming
Read More: Best Hotels Near Grand Teton and Best Campgrounds in Grand Teton Days 3 and 4: Visit Grand Teton National ParkGrand Teton National Park is easily one of the most impressive and scenic national parks in the United States. This park belongs on your bucket list, from the jagged Teton peaks visible throughout the park to the wildlife spotting to the incredible hikes. While many visitors choose to drive directly from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I argue that Grand Teton is a must-do stop on your road trip. While located a short drive from Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park has an entirely different (and perhaps more impressive landscape). The Teton Range is distinct and recognizable with its sharp, arrowhead-like peaks. With a week-long drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park, I recommend spending two days in Grand Teton National Park. With two days in the park, you’re able to see the highlights and explore the most iconic views of the Tetons. Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks. Download your free ebook here. Mormon Row in Grand Teton National ParkBest Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Read More: 25 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National ParkWhere to Stay in Grand Teton National Park
Days 5, 6, and 7: Visit Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park is America’s oldest national park and the 2nd largest park in the Lower 48. And on this road trip from Salt Lake City, Yellowstone is the crown jewel. It’s the reason for your entire trip! You’ll arrive in Yellowstone National Park via the South Entrance along John D. Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway. The South Entrance gives you excellent access to the southern part of the park before continuing along Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road throughout your visit. This massive national park requires at least three days to see the highlights and experience the park’s immense wildlife, features, and views. Many visitors only see the top attractions, like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. But Yellowstone has so much more to offer! Don’t miss the incredible waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the unique terraces in Mammoth Hot Springs, and the wildlife in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. One of my favorite ways to see the national parks is with GyPSy Guide. It’s a self-guided audio tour that shares stories, local tips & directions. It’s great for national park trips because it works on GPS, not cell phone signals. And it plays automatically based on your location. It’s like having a tour guide, with the hassle of being on a group tour. Learn more about GyPSy Guide here. Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser BasinThings to Do in Yellowstone National Park
Read More: 15 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out
these posts! After three days in Yellowstone, it’s time to head back from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City. As you return to your starting point, I recommend taking the faster route back via I-15. While it is less scenic than the route from Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City, the faster, direct route saves time and allows you to see new places. If you haven’t gotten your fill of wildlife yet, visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone before starting your road trip back to Salt Lake City. If you’re looking to take a relaxing break on your road trip after days of exploring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone, consider stopping at a hot spring! The best hot springs along the route include Crystal Hot Springs in Brigham City, Utah, and Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. I recommend spending your last day leisurely driving back to Salt Lake City and spending the night near the airport. Then, book a flight out for the following day. Spending a final night in Salt Lake City allows you to have a relaxing road trip from Yellowstone to Salt Lake City. Are you visiting multiple national parks in the next year? The America the Beautiful National Park Pass gets you into 400+ national park sites, including all 63 national parks, for 12 months! Get your national park pass ahead of time for only $80. Idaho Falls, IdahoBest Things to Do Between Yellowstone National Park and Salt Lake City
Where to Stay Near the Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton MapI’ve put together this interactive map that allows you to scroll, zoom, and click through the destinations covered on this Salt Lake City to Grand Tetons to Yellowstone road trip. This map is a great way to see the itinerary in action! See the road trip map here or click the image below. Click the map to view the interactive version!Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Road Trip VariationsIf you have more or less time for your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip, here are a couple of modifications:
Read More: 7 Days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone from Salt Lake CityWhat is the closest entrance to Yellowstone from Salt Lake City?The closest Yellowstone entrance to Salt Lake City is the West Entrance, located in West Yellowstone, Montana. This entrance is located 320 miles and 5 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. Is Salt Lake City near Yellowstone National Park?Salt Lake City is located 320 miles from Yellowstone National Park. This drive takes roughly 5 hours via I-15. Consider driving from Salt Lake City to Jackson, Wyoming via Highway 89 instead for a more scenic route. Is the drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole pretty?The drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is beautiful. Highway 89/191 winds through northern Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The mountain drive to Bear Lake and the Snake River scenic views are worth it! What is the most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole?The most scenic route from Salt Lake City to Jackson Hole is Highway 89 / Highway 191. This route takes you from Logan to Bear Lake, then follows the Snake River into Jackson, Wyoming. It’s gorgeous in the fall as the leaves change. Where should I stay between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton?The best cities to stay between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton are Logan, Afton, and Jackson. These towns provide hotel options along the route from Salt Lake City to Grand Teton National Park. How far is it from the Salt Lake City Airport to Yellowstone National Park?The distance from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park is 320 miles via I-15 N. The drive takes roughly 5 hours to reach Yellowstone from Salt Lake City International Airport. Final Thoughts on Salt Lake City to Yellowstone WyomingStarting and ending in Salt Lake City is an excellent option if you’re planning a road trip to Yellowstone National Park. Salt Lake City offers a budget-friendly major airport, plus an incredible opportunity for a scenic road trip. If you have eight days, consider this breakdown for your Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park road trip:
If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out these posts!
Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks. Download your free ebook here. Don’t Forget to Save This Post on PinterestIs the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Scenic?The drive through Utah and Wyoming is beautiful.
You'll get the whole experience of both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but also see some incredible destinations along the way like Bear Lake and Antelope Island State Park.
What is there to do between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone?The top stops along the way from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City (with short detours) are Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Antelope Island. Other popular stops include Norris Geyser Basin, Lagoon Amusement Park, and Lava Hot Springs Foundation World Famous Hot Springs.
What is the closest major city to Yellowstone National Park?At about 90 miles to the West Entrance or North Entrance, Bozeman is the closest city to Yellowstone National Park.
What part of Yellowstone is closest to Salt Lake City?Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park distance
Luckily the one closest to the main attractions is also the one closest to Salt Lake City. I am talking about the West Entrance, located in West Yellowstone, just under a 5 hour drive from the Mormon capital (320 miles in total).
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