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Yellowstone & Grand Teton: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

Last updated: 2026-09-14

The 5-day version for July: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.

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days

411 km

distance

15.7 h

driving

curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

The strongest month-level driving window. Wildfire, smoke, early snow, road works and wildlife management can still close roads or sites, so check both parks before departure and daily.

Before you go · check live details

This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Check current park roads, closures and required services
Check the Yellowstone and Grand Teton road, construction and operating-date pages for the travel dates. Do not use this plan if a required road or stop is closed, and allow extra time for parking and wildlife delays.
Check source ↗

Day 1 Jackson → Grand Teton

3 curated stops

Transit: 2h16
Finish: ~14:50
Temperature: 8.0°C–22.8°C
Rainy days: ~4
Daylight: 15.0h

09:00

National Elk Refuge fws.gov read more map ↗

Spot elk and enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

50 min · Jackson

10:10

National Museum of Wildlife Art wildlifeart.org read more map ↗

Discover over 5000 wildlife and nature artworks.

50 min · Jackson

open: Open Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM

13:00

Jenny Lake nps.gov read more map ↗

Reach the lakeshore for open Teton views on the short paved Discovery Trail.

50 min · Grand Teton · Park entry applies

13:50

John Colter Cafe Court gtlc.com map ↗

Quick bites of Mexican and American fare in a casual setting.

60 min · Grand Teton

Overnight: Grand Teton

e.g. Colter Bay Village · Jackson Lake Lodge

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Around Grand Teton

3 curated stops

Transit: 2h30
Finish: ~15:00
Temperature: 8.0°C–22.8°C
Rainy days: ~4
Daylight: 15.0h

09:00

Chapel of the Transfiguration stjohnsjackson.org read more map ↗

Admire mountain views through the altar window and stained glass.

50 min · Grand Teton

open: Holy Communionː Sundays 8AM & 10 AM (Memorial Day-Sept.)

11:05

Signal Mountain read more map ↗

Experience a panoramic 360-degree view of Jackson Hole from the summit.

50 min · Grand Teton

13:10

Menor's Ferry read more map ↗

See a reconstructed 1890s ferry on the Snake River.

50 min · Grand Teton

14:00

Pioneer Grill gtlc.com map ↗

Grab quick counter service meals and soda fountain treats.

60 min · Grand Teton

Overnight here

e.g. Colter Bay Village · Jackson Lake Lodge

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Yellowstone

3 curated stops

Transit: 3h28
Finish: ~16:05
Temperature: 7.8°C–22.4°C
Rainy days: ~5
Daylight: 15.0h

10:50

Old Faithful nps.gov read more map ↗

Wait at the geyser viewing area using the current NPS eruption prediction.

50 min · Yellowstone · Park entry applies

12:10

Grand Prismatic Spring nps.gov read more map ↗

Follow the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk past Yellowstone's largest hot spring.

50 min · Yellowstone · Park entry applies

14:15

The Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone read more map ↗

Behold towering waterfalls from scenic overlooks and trails.

50 min · Yellowstone

15:05

Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill yellowstonenationalparklodges.com map ↗

Indulge in burgers and sandwiches, adorned by unique character carvings.

60 min · Yellowstone · $6-$9

open: Open during the summer from late April through early November and in the winter from mid-December through mid-March

Overnight here

e.g. Old Faithful Lodge Cabins · Bridge Bay Campground

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Around Yellowstone

3 curated stops

Transit: 2h30
Finish: ~15:00
Temperature: 7.8°C–22.4°C
Rainy days: ~5
Daylight: 15.0h

09:00

Firehole River read more map ↗

Feel the rush of cold water while spotting eager anglers on this famed river.

50 min · Yellowstone

11:05

Kepler Cascades read more map ↗

Delight in easy access to a charming waterfall just a short walk from Old Faithful.

50 min · Yellowstone

13:10

Yellowstone Lake read more map ↗

Feel the crisp high-altitude air by a vast, icy lake.

50 min · Yellowstone

14:00

Canyon Lodge Cafeteria yellowstonenationalparklodges.com map ↗

Enjoy budget-friendly breakfast and lunch options.

60 min · Yellowstone · Breakfast from $5, sandwiches and wraps from $7

open: June - September. Breakfast 6:30AM - 11AM, Lunch/Dinner 11:30AM - 9:30PM

Overnight here

e.g. Old Faithful Lodge Cabins · Bridge Bay Campground

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 West Yellowstone → back to start

1 curated stop

Transit: 4h57
Finish: ~14:55
Temperature: 9.4°C–25.0°C
Rainy days: ~5
Daylight: 15.1h

10:40

Museum of the Yellowstone museumoftheyellowstone.org map ↗

Discover the park's history and admire vintage railway china artifacts.

50 min · West Yellowstone · $6

open: Mid-May to mid-Oct

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Sources (7)

Wikivoyage — Jackson (Wyoming)CC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Jenny Lake — nps.govU.S. National Park Service public facts; original paraphrase
Wikivoyage — Grand Teton National ParkCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Old Faithful — nps.govU.S. National Park Service public facts; original paraphrase
Grand Prismatic Spring — nps.govU.S. National Park Service public facts; original paraphrase
Wikivoyage — Yellowstone National ParkCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Wikivoyage — West YellowstoneCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)

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