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Yellowstone & Grand Teton: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Yellowstone and Grand Teton make a superb double bill. Geysers erupt on schedule, hot springs glow in colours that don't seem natural, and bison hold up traffic beneath the Tetons' jagged skyline. The wildlife sightings feel earned, not staged.
Yellowstone & Grand Teton is a 480 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 3–7 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for June, built from 286 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 3-day plan · 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go
5
days
411 km
distance
7.5 h
driving
30
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Snow lingers on high passes into early June while wildlife babies appear — pack layers for 25°C days and freezing dawns.
Day 1 Jackson → Grand Teton
🌡 -5.5–27.2°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 15.3h light
09:00
Horse Creek Ranchhikingwildlife
Ride up a mesa and enjoy a cowboy meal with a view.
90 min · Jackson
10:30
Town Squarewildlifemuseums & heritage
Admire unique arches made from elk antlers.
50 min · Jackson
11:20
Jackson Hole Museummuseums & heritage
Explore Native American artifacts and local history.
50 min · Jackson · $5 adults, $4 seniors & students
open: W-Sa: 10AM-5PM
12:55
Hidden Falls hikehikingwaterfalls
Witness spectacular falls and whitewater cascading into Jenny Lake.
90 min · Grand Teton
14:25
Colter Bay Visitor Centerhikingmuseums & heritage
Admire Jackson Lake views and Native American artifacts.
50 min · Grand Teton
15:15
Jenny Lake Ranger Stationhikingmuseums & heritage
Get backcountry safety tips and see a raised-relief map.
50 min · Grand Teton
16:05
John Colter Cafe Court
Quick bites of Mexican and American fare in a casual setting.
60 min · Grand Teton
Overnight: Grand Teton
e.g. Jackson Lake Lodge · Teton Mountain Lodge
Day 2 Around Grand Teton
🌡 -5.5–27.2°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 15.3h light
09:00
Jenny Lake Visitor Centerhikingmuseums & heritage
Appreciate art inspired by the park's majestic landscapes.
50 min · Grand Teton
09:50
Chapel of the Transfigurationwildlife
Admire mountain views through the altar window and stained glass.
50 min · Grand Teton
open: Holy Communionː Sundays 8AM & 10 AM (Memorial Day-Sept.)
10:40
Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Centermuseums & heritage
Contemplate the Tetons' past, present, and future amidst stunning views.
50 min · Grand Teton
11:30
Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Centermuseums & heritage
Explore conservation through multi-sensory exhibits and stories.
50 min · Grand Teton
12:20
Signal Mountainhiking
Experience a panoramic 360-degree view of Jackson Hole from the summit.
50 min · Grand Teton
13:10
Chapel of the Sacred Hearthiking
Feel the rustic charm of this log cabin Catholic chapel.
50 min · Grand Teton
14:00
Pioneer Grill
Grab quick counter service meals and soda fountain treats.
60 min · Grand Teton
Overnight: Grand Teton
e.g. Jackson Lake Lodge · Teton Mountain Lodge
Day 3 Yellowstone
🌡 -5.8–26.6°C · 🌧 ~10 rain days · ☀ 15.3h light
10:46
Firehole Canyon Drive and Firehole Fallshikingvolcanicwaterfallsswimming & baths
Drive past lava flows and pause to admire a picturesque waterfall.
50 min · Yellowstone
11:36
Kepler Cascadeshikingvolcanicwaterfalls
Delight in easy access to a charming waterfall just a short walk from Old Faithful.
50 min · Yellowstone
12:26
Gibbon Fallshikingvolcanicwaterfalls
Enjoy a view of the waterfall plunging over the ancient caldera rim.
50 min · Yellowstone
13:16
Mystic Fallshikingvolcanicwaterfalls
Follow a creek through forest to where the river drops over Mystic Falls.
90 min · Yellowstone
14:46
Fairy Fallshikingvolcanicwaterfalls
Walk through young forest to Fairy Falls and on to erupting Imperial Geyser.
90 min · Yellowstone
16:16
Ice Lake Trail (direct route)hikingwildlifewaterfalls
Access a serene lake in the lodgepole pine forest, some areas burned in 1988.
90 min · Yellowstone
Overnight: Yellowstone
e.g. Canyon Lodge and Cabins · Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
See the remaining 2 days of the 5-day plan →
Route map
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