Planning an Epic Road Trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park – 7 Day Itinerary
PLANNING A ROAD TRIP FROM SALT LAKE CITY TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK?
You’ve come to the right place! We live within a half-day drive of both Salt Lake City and Yellowstone so we are very familiar with the best routes and roads in this area. We will fill you in on everything you need to know about the different options to get there, as well as recommend some of our favorite stops to enjoy along your 7 day journey.
There are so many fun things to see along the way as you make your way to Yellowstone National Park and nearby Teton National Park. Southern Idaho has lots of unique things to see like the Mesa Scenic Byway, Lava Hot Springs, and Craters of the Moon National Monument.
You can also drive through the beautiful Utah mountains enjoying the small towns along the way like Park City and Bear Lake.
One of the most common airports to fly into when visiting Yellowstone National Park is in Salt Lake City. Whether you’re flying into the airport, or you live in this area, the SLC valley is a great place to start a road trip from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park.
Where to Fly into for Yellowstone
There are a few options when looking for airports near Yellowstone National Park. The best airport can depend on a lot of factors including where you are flying from, your budget for flights, and how far you are willing to drive.
The closest airport is the West Yellowstone airport. It is a very small regional airport with limited flight options that you may find are very expensive.
You can also fly to the Jackson Hole Airport or Bozeman, Montana. These flights most likely will route through Denver or Salt Lake City. Your drive time will be much shorter going through Jackson or Bozeman, but your flight time will be longer, and flights may be more expensive.
The closest major international airport to Yellowstone is the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah. These flights will most likely be the most affordable but will have the longest driving time. The Salt Lake City to Yellowstone road trip is a lot of fun with amazing views.
Is Salt Lake City near Yellowstone National Park?
Salt Lake City is the closest international airport to Yellowstone National Park however it is not really close to the national park. The drive from the Salt Lake City Airport to Yellowstone National Park is about 320 miles and takes about 5 hours to drive via I-15N.
Renting a Car at the Salt Lake City International Airport
The best way to get from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park is by renting or car. The SLC International Airport is a very large airport with lots of rental options available from small cars to larger SUVs or vans.
Check Prices for a Rental Car Here!
Going in an RV? Rent an RV with Outdoorsy
Another really fun way to travel around this part of the country and Yellowstone National Park is by RV. Traveling in an RV is so much fun and it is so nice to have all of your food and everything with you during your drive from SLC to Yellowstone National Park.
Outdoorsy is a company that connects RV owners with adventurers. Think of it like Airbnb but for RVs. We love traveling in our RV and always have a great time when we take our RV through Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Look for an RV Rental on Outdoorsy Here!
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30-Day Free TrialBest Routes from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
There are two routes that are most commonly taken when traveling between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone. You can drive north through eastern Idaho to the west entrance of the park. This is the fastest route and will take you from SLC to Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone on I-15.
The second route you can take will first take you through eastern Utah and Southern Wyoming as well as the Tetons and Jackson Hole. This is the more scenic route and will take you from Salt Lake City to the town of Garden City and Bear Lake to Jackson on Highway 89.
I would recommend making a loop if you are wanting to spend some time in Grand Teton National Park. If you are not going through the Tetons, the eastern Idaho route is the fastest.
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Drive Time
The driving time from Salt Lake to Yellowstone National Park is about five hours depending on traffic conditions. Roundtrip, your driving time will be at about 10 hours.
If you want to visit Jackson Hole as well as Grand Teton National Park, the driving time is about 7.5 hours one-way. Your total driving time including your drive back from Yellowstone to Salt Lake City is 12 hours and 734 miles. It adds about two hours to your driving time to stop by the Tetons and Jackson, Wyoming.
What is there to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park?
There are lots of great things to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone. If you are just driving to Yellowstone and back without passing through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, you will drive through northern Utah and eastern Idaho.
You can easily spend the day in Salt Lake City. There are lots of fun things to do there and many of them are very family-friendly. As you head north, you will pass Antelope Island State Park and Lagoon, a fun-filled theme park in Ogden, Utah.
You can either continue north on I-15 and will pass Lava Hot Springs and the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Another route is to turn off the I-15 where a two-hour detour will take you through Logan and Bear Lake, a beautiful lake town known as the Caribbean of the Rockies. From Bear Lake, you can continue to the south or west entrances to Yellowstone National Park. This route will add about two hours of driving time.
Is the drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone pretty?
There is a lot to see as you drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone. I would not say the drive is especially pretty after leaving the beautiful Salt Lake Valley mountains until you reach about Idaho Falls if you are traveling on I-15. After you pass Rexburg, Idaho you can turn off and take the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway which is really pretty.
After the byway, the drive continues to be really pretty with lots of mountains and views of the Tetons and really pretty forest.
The most scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone would detour through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. You can also detour through Bear Lake and Antelope Island State Park for more beautiful views of the Snake River and mountain areas.
Which Yellowstone entrance is closest to Salt Lake City?
The west entrance in West Yellowstone is the closest entrance to Salt Lake City. It is about 5 hours away and 321 miles. The next closest entrance is the south entrance which is where you will enter the park most likely if you are driving through Jackson, Wyoming.
Salt Lake City to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Map
Tips for Traveling from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
1. A road trip always goes smoother if you are prepared and have a good idea of what to expect. Yellowstone is also very busy, especially during the summer months so planning ahead can save you some headaches and frustration.
2. If you have some flexibility, visit Yellowstone during the week and the Tetons on the weekend. Yellowstone is very busy on the weekends, especially over holiday weekends. The Tetons are much quieter, and the weekend crowds are much smaller.
3. Book your accommodations or campsites as early as possible. You don’t need to book your Tetons reservations quite as early but book Yellowstone as early as you can, especially if you are visiting during the peak summer season. If accommodations are full in the park, West Yellowstone is a great place to stay.
4. Purchase your America the Beautiful Pass. This is an awesome pass that will get you into both Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons as well as thousands of other sites throughout the country. We use our pass a ton during our travels, and it is well worth the cost.
5. Understand the Yellowstone Seasons. Most of the roads and amenities in Yellowstone are closed through May in the Tetons and Yellowstone. Visiting in May is one of our favorite times to visit because you arrive before the large summer crowds but most everything in the park, including the most popular attractions, is open.
Read More: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
6. Yellowstone can be crowded. If you are entering the park through the West Entrance, it is best to enter the park around 8 am or after 11 am. You can also visit some of the more popular natural wonders in the park, like the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful Geyser, after 4 or 5 pm to avoid the crowds.
7. Make sure to pack plenty of layers, even in the summer. In the Wyoming mountains, temperatures are cold at night and can reach freezing temperatures. It is a good idea to be prepared with warm clothing. We visited in early October one year and ended up wearing our winter coats.
8. Download your Google maps of the parks ahead of time and use the Yellowstone app. Cell coverage in the parks is very limited so you shouldn’t plan on being able to use your Google maps for directions when navigating the park.
Day 1: Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is a beautiful place to start your road trip. The town has lots of fun things to do and is surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. The nearby mountains have lots of great hiking and biking trails as well as hot springs and mountain towns.
If you are willing to drive a bit, the Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island State Park are both fun stops. The bison in Antelope Island will get you excited to see all of the wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
Things to Do in Salt Lake City
Within the Salt Lake area, there are lots of fun things to do. If you enjoy history, the Salt Lake City Trolly Tour is a really fun activity. It is a great way to learn more about the settlement of Salt Lake and get a great overview of the town in a short amount of time.
Here are some other fun things to do in Salt Lake –
- Temple Square: The headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along with a beautiful temple and tabernacle
- Red Butte Garden: A beautiful botanical garden
- City Creek Mall: A very nice mall near Temple Square, if you forgot to pack something or you enjoy shopping
- Utah Jazz NBA Game: Check the team schedule to see if they have a home game during your visit
Read More: 15 Fun Things to Do in Salt Lake City
If you are visiting with kids, there are lots of great things to do there with your kids. Here are some of the things my kids enjoyed the most –
Fillings & Emulsions: A delicious dessert spot specializing in French culinary and Latin flavors
Discovery Gateway: A 60,000 square-foot children’s museum with lots of interactive play areas
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: A large aquarium south of Salt Lake City with lots of sea life creatures to see
Clark Planetarium: A FREE planetarium with lots of hands-on exhibits
Read More: 10 Things to Do with Kids in Salt Lake City
If you don’t have a full seven days for your vacation, I would recommend spending a little less time in Salt Lake and going directly to Jackson. If you have more than seven days, you could easily spend a couple of days exploring the Salt Lake Area.
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City
If you are just staying in Salt Lake overnight and won’t be exploring much of Salt Lake, I would recommend just staying close to the airport before you drive to Jackson. However, if you are going to take a day or two to explore Salt Lake, I would recommend staying in downtown Salt Lake.
Where to Stay Near the Salt Lake City International Airport
When we are flying in late at night or have an early flight out, we try to stay as close to the airport as we can, so we aren’t driving long distances after a long day of traveling. It is so nice to just have a quick five-minute drive to or from the airport, especially when we have our kids with us.
Here are some great hotel options close to the Salt Lake City airport.
Budget: Comfort Inn and Suites Salt Lake Airport
Budget: Holiday Inn Express
Mid-Range: Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake Airport
Mid-Range: Hilton Garden Inn
Where to Stay in Downtown Salt Lake
Staying in downtown Salt Lake City is a great idea if you have a day or two to explore the city before driving to Jackson or Yellowstone. There are lots of fun things to do in Salt Lake and staying downtown will help limit traffic and driving times.
Here are some of the best hotels to stay at in downtown Salt Lake.
Budget: Salt Lake Plaza Hotel – Temple Square
Budget: Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Downtown
Mid-Range: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City
Luxury: The Grand America Hotel
RV Park: Salt Lake City KOA
Day 2 – Drive to Jackson Hole
The drive from Salt Lake to Jackson takes about five hours. There are three different popular routes you can take depending on what you want to see along the way. There are lots of fun stops to see along the way and you can easily fill a day with fun activities.
Best Stops Between Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park
Salt Lake City > Park City > Jackson
This is a beautiful drive taking about 4 hours and 45 minutes. Park City was home to the Olympic Games and is a really fun mountain town. We would recommend spending some time in the historic downtown area along Main Street, grabbing some lunch, and visiting the Olympic Complex here before finishing your drive to Jackson.
If you want to visit Park City as well as Bear Lake, you can take a short day trip up to Park City and then drive to Jackson Hole through Bear Lake.
Read More: 25 Memorable Things to Do in Park City
Salt Lake City > Bear Lake > Jackson
This is another really pretty part of Utah to drive through. Driving through Logan, Utah and the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway on the way to Bear Lake is really pretty. Bear Lake has a beautiful turquoise color lake and is famous for its raspberry milkshakes.
As you come through Logan Canyon, be on the lookout for the Bear Lake Rest Area and Overlook. It has a beautiful view of the lake, the second-largest lake in Utah. If you are visiting during the summer, there is a nice beach you can play at called North Beach State Park.
Read More: 10 Awesome Things to Do in Bear Lake
As you are crossing the Idaho-Wyoming Border on US-89 enjoy the beautiful views of the Star Valley Scenic Byway. This byway ends at the Snake River Canyon.
In Afton, a small town, you can see the world’s biggest Elkhorn Arch. It has about 2,800 interconnected elk antlers that go over the entire road. There is a small version of the elkhorn arch in downtown Jackson. After Afton, be sure to enjoy the scenic views of the Snake River.
Salt Lake City > Lava Hot Springs > Jackson
I would say this is probably the least scenic drive but has a really fun stop at Lava Hot Springs. The driving time for this route is 4 hours and 36 minutes. Lava Hot Springs is a swimming pool fed by a natural hot springs. There are swimming pools, hot tubs, waterslides, and diving boards.
You can also visit Lava Hot Springs on your way back to Salt Lake City if you don’t want to miss either Bear Lake or Park City but still want to visit the Hot Springs.
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 going through Park City or Logan Canyon and Bear Lake. Both will take you through the beautiful Utah mountains. I would base your decision if you’re most interested in seeing Bear Lake or Park City.
Day 3 and 4: Visit Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming
I group Jackson and the Tetons together because they are very close. If you want to limit driving time, you could stay one night in Jackson and the second inside the park, but they are close enough for us that we would just stay at one place and do a little bit of extra driving. Plus, the scenery is so pretty that driving around the park is a treat in and of itself.
The overall geographical area is much smaller than Yellowstone and you shouldn’t really run into any traffic jams or delays like you do in Yellowstone National Park. Jackson is about 12 miles from the Grand Teton National Park Loop Road.
Best Things to Do in Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is a very popular ski resort and has a very charming downtown area. We spent about a week exploring this part of Wyoming and loved it.
We visited during the summer months and had a great time riding bikes around town, shopping, and hiking in Grand Teton National Park. There is such yummy food there and my kids loved the wild west feel of the town. It’s a lot of fun to go hiking during the day and then relax in town in the evening.
Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is such a beautiful place with amazing hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and photo opportunities. It is a pretty small park so unless you want to do a ton of hiking, you can see most of the park in a day to a day and a half. The park is known for its beautiful mountains, the Teton Range, most famous for its sharp peaks.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park –
- Take the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake and hike to Inspiration Point
- Enjoy the views at sunset at the top of Signal Mountain
- See two of the most photographed barns in the United States at Mormon Row
- Enjoy the views at Oxbow Bend
- Hike to Taggart Lake
- Look for wildlife along Moose Wilson Road
Where to Stay in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
There are lots of great hotels in Jackson as well as in the surrounding area. We stayed a little outside town so we wouldn’t have quite as long of a drive to get to the hikes in the national park but then we had a bit of a drive to get into town.
However, everything is pretty close, so it just depends on if you want to be closer to the park or to the restaurants and amenities in town.
Here are the best hotels to stay at in Jackson –
Budget: Elk County Inn
Mid-Range: Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
Mid-Range: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
Cabins: Cowboy Village Resort
Nearby Teton Village also has lots of hotel rooms and rentals available. We stayed just a few minutes from Teton Village at the Fireside Resort, and we were really happy with this location. The RV park was very nice and the cabins were so darling. We would have no problem staying at this property again.
Mid-Range: The Alpenhof
Luxury: Teton Mountain Lodge
Cabins: Fireside Resort
RV Park: Fireside Resort RV Park
If you want to stay in Grand Teton National Park, there are some really pretty lodges (with amazing views) as well as some cabins.
Mid-Range: Headwaters Lodge and Cabins
Mid-Range: Jackson Lake Lodge
Luxury: Jenny Lake Lodge
Cabins: Colter Bay Village
Another great option that works really well for our family or if you have multiple groups that want their own room is a private rental through VRBO. Most of the listings have a kitchen and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms which works great.
Browse VRBO Home Rentals Here!
Day 5 and 6: Visit Yellowstone National Park
The drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone is short, especially if you are entering through the south entrance. Unless you are traveling with an RV that makes it hard to stop, I would recommend coming in through the south and stopping at some of the sights along the way as you make your way to wherever you are staying. This will save you lots of driving time later.
Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb Geyser are some of the first things you will get to coming in from the South Entrance. You can also continue up to Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Alternatively, at the Yellowstone Lake Junction, you can go west to Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin.
Unless you are going to be doing some serious hiking in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, I would take a half-day to see that area and use the second full day to have more time in the Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin area. You can also use the second half of this day to explore the northern areas of the park, like Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
We would recommend two to three days to see Yellowstone. You can visit the highlights of the park in this time frame. If you want to do more hiking and relaxing, you could easily spend four to five days exploring Yellowstone National Park.
Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
There are so many fun things to do in Yellowstone. However, keep in mind that the park is very large. It covers over 2.2 million acres and has five entrances. If you have two days in the park, you will want to strategically plan what you want to see and the trails you want to explore so you don’t spend all of your time driving.
You should also plan for driving times to take longer than expected, especially during the summer months. Lots of visitors, road construction, and animal traffic jams can cause hour delays in driving through the park.
Here are our favorite things to do in Yellowstone:
- Hike to the Grand Prismatic Springs Overlook and walk the boardwalks surrounding the springs
- Look for wildlife in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley
- Watch Old Faithful Erupt and Visit the Old Faithful Lodge
- Tour Mammoth Hot Springs and see the large elk in town
- Hike to the lookout points in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Hike to the top of Mount Washburn for beautiful views of the park
- Participate in the keeper program at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center (for kids)
Read More: 21 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
Finding a place to stay in Yellowstone can be tricky because it is such a popular place to visit and places to stay in the park is pretty limited. You can stay in nearby West Yellowstone and Gardiner which are just outside the park.
You will want to make your reservations as early as you can, especially if you want to stay or camp in the park. Reservations for inside the park can book out a year in advance. You can check back daily for cancellations and snag one of those spots.
Here are the best options for accommodations inside the park.
Mid-Range: Old Faithful Lodge and Cabins
Mid-Range/Cabins: Canyon Lodge and Cabins
Mid-Range: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Luxury: Old Faithful Inn
RV Campground: Fishing Bridge RV Park
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
Even if you can’t get reservations inside the park, there are lots of great options near the park. In West Yellowstone, there are a bunch of hotel options as well as private rentals with kitchens and multiple bedrooms. There are also lots of great RV parks in West Yellowstone.
We usually stay in West Yellowstone and always have a great time. West Yellowstone is a really cute town with lots of restaurants and souvenir shops as well as the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
West Yellowstone also has a bunch of private rentals on VRBO. We have stayed at a few in this area and always enjoy having a kitchen and multiple bedrooms.
Read More: 22 Best Choices for Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
More Yellowstone Resources
17 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone with Kids + Essential Tips for Visiting
10 Best Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park
The Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
17 Best RV Parks Close to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park RV Length Restrictions
Day 7: Drive to Salt Lake City
The drive from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City is about 4.5 hours. You can either spend the morning in Yellowstone or West Yellowstone or you can use the extra time to explore the fun things to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park.
What is there to see between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park?
If you haven’t seen enough wildlife, you can stop at Yellowstone Bear World. It is about five miles south of Rexburg. It is a drive-thru wildlife park where you can see bears, deer, bison, and other animals. After you are done driving through the wildlife area, you can stop in at the petting zoo and go on some small kids’ rides.
Another fun thing to do is drive the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. It is a short byway that adds very little driving time and has some really pretty waterfalls as well as the beautiful Targhee National Forest you can see. You can even take a picture at the Idaho Potato Museum.
Read More: Tips for Driving the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
You can also take a short detour to visit Lava Hot Springs or Craters of the Moon National Monument in southern Idaho.
Is Salt Lake City a Good Place to Start a Road Trip to Yellowstone?
Salt Lake City is a great place to start a road trip to Yellowstone. It is the closest major airport to the park and there are a lot of really fun things to see along the way. You can also easily visit Jackson, Wyoming, and Grand Teton National Park.
Alternative Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary Starting and Ending Points
There are lots of great starting and stopping points for a Yellowstone road trip, especially if you are open to flying in and out of different airports. You would want more than seven days to complete the trip because there is so much to see.
Also, keep in mind that it can be significantly more expensive to return a rental car to a different place where you picked it up.
Denver to Yellowstone
Denver is the second closest international airport to Yellowstone National Park however the drive is much longer. The drive from Denver to Yellowstone is about 10 hours so the only way you would want to fly into Denver is if the flights were significantly less expensive or you wanted to spend time in Denver or Rocky Mountain National Park during your road trip.
South Dakota to Yellowstone
A really fun road trip will take you through South Dakota and across Wyoming to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. You can visit Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Black Hills, and Devil’s Tower before arriving in the national parks in Western Wyoming.
The drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone National Park is about eight hours.
Boise, Idaho to Yellowstone
I wouldn’t really recommend flying into Boise to start your road trip unless you are meeting up with family or friends before starting your Yellowstone trip. The Boise airport is pretty small and Salt Lake is a much better airport to fly into.
However, if you live in Boise or you’re coming from the Pacific Northwest, there are a lot of really cool things to see as you make your way towards Yellowstone. The drive from Boise to Yellowstone is about six hours.
There are a lot of really fun things to do in Boise as you start out your road trip. If you are looking to take the scenic route, there are some really pretty scenic byways to take. Here are some of the best things to do between Boise and Yellowstone National Park.
31 Best Things to Do in Boise, Idaho
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Bruneau Sand Dunes
12 Top Things to Do in Hagerman, Idaho
Conclusion: Salt Lake City to Yellowstone National Park
We hope you have found this guide helpful in planning your next road trip. Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are so beautiful and are great places to spend time visiting. They are some of the best places to visit in the American west.
If you have any questions about routes or things to see along the way, please let us know in the comments below or you can always reach out to us on Instagram. We love connecting with fellow adventurers!
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