Discover the Yellowstone Loop
This Yellowstone Loop itinerary highlights many of the most incredible things to see and do in this area of the United States, making the journey to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks the reward.
This 800 miles roundtrip loop begins in the exciting urban center of Salt Lake City and takes you through the most scenic drive imaginable, including stops in the historic towns of Ogden, Brigham City and Logan, Utah, where you can rediscover the authentic Main Streets of small-town USA, with shopping and great restaurants abound. See the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana, the Museum of Clean in Pocatello, and soak in the relaxing mineral pools of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Your vacation ends in the charming resort town of Park City, Utah, headquarters of the world-famous Sundance Film Festival.
Please note: This itinerary is a guide and suggestion of where to stay. Please book lodging independently or directly with a travel agent.
For more details on the itinerary, click here.
Day 1 | ARRIVE SALT LAKE CITY, UT |
Dinner and overnight stay in Salt Lake City, UT.
Day 2 | SALT LAKE CITY, OGDEN, AND LOGAN |
Finish your day with dinner and overnight stay in Logan. This city sits in the cradle of Northern Utah’s beautiful Cache Valley, known for delicious food products, outdoor adventures, hands-on heritage experiences at the American West Heritage Center, and world-class performing and fine arts.
Day 3 | MOUNTAIN OASIS: LOGAN, BEAR LAKE, GRAND TETON, AND JACKSON |
Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway boasts 43 miles of uncrowded scenery with dramatic limestone cliffs, wildflowers and the Logan River on the route to Jackson. Stop at Beaver Creek Lodge for horseback or all terrain vehicle rides. It's all on the way to Bear Lake, a must-see for lunch and afternoon water activities. On the southwest shore of Bear Lake, the town of Garden City is perhaps best known for its legendary raspberry shakes.
With some of the most beautiful mountain vistas in the world, some say Grand Teton National Park is the more scenic of the two parks. Photograph the iconic
barns of Mormon Row, canoe Jenny Lake, follow in the footsteps of Ansel Adams at the Snake River Overlook, hike, climb, breathe the mountain air. This park is a treasure.
A small town with lots to see and do during any season, Jackson is the southern gateway to Grand Teton National Park. Don’t miss the world-class art galleries, the Silver Dollar Saloon, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, guided excursions, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and the National Elk Refuge. Jackson is the city, Jackson Hole is the valley.
Dinner and overnight stay in Jackson, WY.
Day 4 | AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK: YELLOWSTONE AND WEST YELLOWSTONE |
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park. When John Colter left the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1806 and traveled through the area, he called it a land of “fire and brimstone.” Sitting in the caldera of an ancient volcano at an 8,000-foot elevation and covering over 3,468 square miles, it has 10,000 hot springs, 200 geysers, and many vents and mud pots. This mountain wild-land is home to a wide range of animals including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, herds of bison and elk, 50 species of small mammals, and 318 species of birds. Keep in mind, these are wild animals and many are dangerous.
The town of West Yellowstone, located just outside of the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, is a year-round, family-friendly destination. Nestled among majestic mountain peaks, and surrounded by natural scenic wonders, the town is rich in history and activities. West Yellowstone is minutes away from some of Yellowstone's favorite attractions including Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Known for blue-ribbon trout streams, 35+km of groomed Nordic ski trails, 400+ miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and access to hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding National Forests, no matter which season brings you to West Yellowstone, there is something to offer for everyone! Top attractions include the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and the Yellowstone Historic Center.
Dinner and overnight stay in West Yellowstone, MT.
Day 5 | WEST YELLOWSTONE AND POCATELLO / LAVA HOT SPRINGS, ID |
Pocatello, Idaho is named for a Shoshone Indian Chief. Learn to squeegee at the world’s only Museum of Clean; stand in awe of saber tooth cats and giant prehistoric bison at the Idaho Museum of Natural History; or see Native American and pioneer history come alive at the life size Fort Hall Replica and Bannock County Historical Museum.
Bubbling out of natural underground springs, over 2.5 million gallons a day of hot, mineral laden, odor free water course through the pools at Lava Hot Springs. Heated Olympic swimming pools include 10 meter diving platforms and speed slides; Indoor Aquatic Center has children’s pool and toys. Open year round.
Dinner and overnight in Pocatello, ID or Lava Hot Springs, ID.
Day 6 | HISTORY DAY: POCATELLO / LAVA HOT SPRINGS AND BRIGHAM CITY, UT |
Dinner and overnight stay in Brigham City.
Day 7 | BRIGHAM CITY AND PARK CITY |
Park City, Utah could certainly stake a rightful claim of being the “perfect mountain town.” Combining its silver mining town heritage, a progressive vibe and a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Park City strikes a balance between luxury and comfort.
Dinner and overnight stay in Park City.
Learn more about the destinations within the Yellowstone Loop
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