yellowstone and grand teton national parks
The proximity of these national parks offers a great opportunity to see two impressive parks in one trip. Although Yellowstone is more popular, many travelers swear the Grand Tetons is a more spectacular experience. Make time to visit both.
Highlights
Watch Old Faithful erupt 130 feet (40m) into the air from Observation Point.
Hike to Artist Point for a stunning view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Climb Signal Mountain Summit Road, and behold Teton Range and Jackson Hole Valley.
BEST TIME TO GO
June and September are ideal months for a visit due to the typically mild weather and light crowds, but weather is always a wild card so be prepared no matter when you visit.
CAMPGROUNDS
Colter Bay Village RV Park
100 Colter Bay Village Road, Moran, WY 83013. gtlc.com; reservations@gtlc.com; 307-543-2811. May 22 to September 20. $58 to $68. Showers, bathrooms, laundry.
Colter Bay is situated inside Grand Teton National Park, and its location can’t be beat. This full-hookup campground is clean and entirely no frills, but who drives to Wyoming for pools and playgrounds? You’ll wake up in the comfort of your own RV, surrounded by a magical landscape. For astonishing views of the mountains, take the 5-minute walk to Jackson Lake. Love kayaking? Many outfitters can get you set up.
Book early; sites fill up fast.
Fishing Bridge RV Park
Fishing Bridge RV Park, Yellowstone National Park. nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishingbridgecg.htm; 307-344-7311. May 8 to September 20. $46.75. General store, gas station.
This is the only campground located inside Yellowstone National Park that offers full hookups. Much like Colter Bay in Grand Teton, it’s run by a concessionaire with spartan amenities and is all about the location. You’ll be close to West Thumb, Hayden Valley, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
RVs up to 40 feet (12m) long can be accommodated. Only hard-sided rigs are allowed—no tents and no pop-ups—because the park is located in bear country. Campfires aren’t allowed for the same reason. Educate yourself about bear safety after booking your site—and plan on reserving well in advance.
A park ranger hosts evening programs at the amphitheater, and a general store and gas station are nearby.
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Snake River in the Tetons. |
There are more than 300 geysers in Yellowstone, but the most popular is Old Faithful, which erupts approximately every 91 minutes.
Yellowstone Park/West Entrance KOA
3305 Targhee Pass Highway, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. koa.com/camp/yellowstone-park; moreinfo@yellowstonekoa.com; 406-646-7606. May 22 to September 22. $55 to $80. Indoor pool, hot tub.
This KOA is only 5 minutes from Yellowstone’s West Entrance and a short drive to Old Faithful and other park attractions. The campground is bustling and crowded in the summer, and sites near the highway are noisy. But the amenities are great, and the surroundings are beautiful.
Grab some pancakes and coffee from the Koffee Kabin before heading into the park. After a long day, relax in the indoor pool and hot tub. Mini-golf and bike rentals also are available. Barbecue is offered each evening if you don’t feel like driving to dinner. Be sure to try the homemade fudge.
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Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs. |
Yellowstone contains the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the lower 48 states.
RESTAURANTS
Jenny Lake Lodge Dining Room
North Jenny Lake Junction, Grand Teton National Park, WY 83013. gtlc.com; 307-733-4647. June 1 to October 1 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. $30 to $50. New American.
This restaurant in Grand Teton National Park offers everything from a casual breakfast and lunch to formal dinner requiring a jacket and reservations.
In all cases, the food is fresh and seasonal, and the menu options are perfectly paired with the wonderful views of Jenny Lake. The log cabin and large stone fireplace create a lovely ambiance for enjoying the huevos rancheros Benedict for breakfast or the grilled red trout for dinner.
Dornan’s Moose Chuckwagon
10 Moose Street, Moose, WY 83012. dornans.com; 307-733-2415. Breakfast 7 A.M. to 11 A.M.; lunch 12 P.M. to 3 P.M.; dinner Sunday to Thursday 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. $11 to $30. American.
Open since 1948, Dornan’s serves quirky cowboy cuisine in a casual setting with great views and outdoor seating. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the giant white teepee and smell the burning campfires.
For breakfast, enjoy all-you-can-eat sourdough pancakes or biscuits and sausage gravy. If you’re visiting for lunch, you can’t go wrong with the spur beef burger or the NY strip steak sandwich. The chuck wagon dinner is the real star of the show here, offering an all-you-can-eat spread of barbecue options. Pay a little extra for the ribs to go alongside your potatoes, beans, and salad, and enjoy cobbler for dessert.
On Monday nights, Dornan’s hosts a free hootenanny, where local musicians perform.
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Grand Prismatic Spring. |
Mammoth General Store
1 Mammoth Upper Loop Road, Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. nps.gov/yell; 406-586-7593. 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. $5 to $10. Deli.
Yellowstone is home to a surprising number of restaurants, but most serve average food accompanied by amazing scenery. You’re better off picking up sandwiches here for a more affordable price and scouting out your own scenic dining location.
A great selection of beer and very yummy ice cream are also available.
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Jenny Lake in The Grand Tetons. |
Of all 50 states, Wyoming ranks fiftieth in population, with only 5 people per 1 square mile (1.5 square km).
ATTRACTIONS
Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips
Grand Teton National Park, WY 83012. barkerewing.com; floattrips@barkerewing.com; 800-365-1800. Call for schedule and reservations. $50 to $70.
Start your exploration at Cape Disappointment State Park, where you can visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center perched above the Pacific Ocean on a 200-foot (61m) cliff. Also tour the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the North Head Lighthouse here. Then head north on 101 to climb Grays Harbor Lighthouse. Use the viewpoint 2 miles (3.2km) south of Ruby Beach to spot the Destruction Island lighthouse.
Grand Teton National Park
Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/ctdvc.htm; 307-739-3399. Summer 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. 7-day vehicle pass $30.
The center has an educational introductory video and relief map of the park that helps you get situated and plan your explorations. Many visitors start with the scenic loop drive that hugs the base of the Tetons with plenty of pull-offs and wildlife viewing opportunities. Don’t miss the Signal Mountain Summit Road that climbs an additional 800 feet (244m) to offer sweeping views of Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and Jackson Hole Valley.
If you have time for one hike, take an early morning boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, and walk to Hidden Falls to see the 80-foot (24.5m) cascading waterfall. Or check out Inspiration Point for spectacular water views.
Yellowstone National Park
Canyon Visitor Education Center. nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/canyonvc.htm; 307-344-2550. Summer 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. 7-day vehicle pass $30.
Visitors should always begin trips to national parks by touring the interpretative exhibits at the visitor center and speaking with rangers about their itinerary. At the Canyon Visitor Education Center, you can watch videos and tour interactive exhibits that bring the geology of the park to life before you go out and explore the real deal.
Get to Old Faithful early in the morning to avoid the crush of tourists that will gather later in the day. Hike the South Rim Trail for the best lookout points to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Walk the boardwalks at Mammoth Hot Springs, avoiding contact with the scalding waters. Stop at Hayden Valley for some of the best wildlife viewing in the park.
ITINERARIES
If you have 1 week …
In Yellowstone, pay a visit to Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Hike the South Rim Trail for views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. In Grand Teton, raft the Snake River and drive the loop road.
If you have 2 weeks …
Spend 1 week in Yellowstone doing all the above, plus have a picnic lunch and rent a boat at Yellowstone Lake. Drive the Grand Loop and stop at Hayden Valley. Then set up camp in the Tetons and take the Jenny Lake boat shuttle to Inspiration Point.
If you have 3 weeks …
Split your time between both parks doing all the above, plus in Yellowstone, visit the Lower Geyser Basin and hike Uncle Tom’s Trail. Take a guided horseback ride with Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters. In Grand Teton, hike the Cascade Canyon Trail, and take a day trip into Jackson Hole for an aerial tram ride.