Grand Teton & Yellowstone in 5 Days: The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary
Grand Teton and Yellowstone are two of the most spectacular national parks in the American West—and conveniently, they sit right next to each other.
With 5 days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone, you'll have enough time to experience the biggest sights in both parks without spending your entire trip racing from one attraction to the next.
Here's how we'd spend five days exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Grand Teton & Yellowstone 5-Day Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Jackson → Grand Teton → Colter Bay → Jackson Lake
Day 2: Jenny Lake → Signal Mountain → Teton Park Road → Scenic Overlooks
Day 3: Grand Teton → Yellowstone → Old Faithful → Upper Geyser Basin → Morning Glory Pool
Day 4: Grand Prismatic Spring → Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone → Lower Falls
Day 5: Wildlife Viewing → Scenic Drives → Yellowstone Highlights
Day 1: Jackson & Grand Teton National Park
Jackson
Start your trip in Jackson, the gateway to Grand Teton National Park.
It's a good place to grab groceries, camping supplies, and anything else you might need before heading into the park.
From Jackson, the drive north offers your first incredible views of the Teton Range.
Scenic Drive into Grand Teton
Continue north into Grand Teton National Park, taking your time at the overlooks and pull-offs along the way.
Colter Bay & Jackson Lake
Unlike some sprawling mountain ranges, the Tetons are concentrated into a relatively small area, making the scenery easy to enjoy even from the road.
Spend your first night around Colter Bay, which also makes a convenient base for exploring the northern half of the park.
Once you're settled in, walk down toward Jackson Lake for your first evening beneath the Tetons.
Day 2: The Best of Grand Teton
Jenny Lake
Start the morning around Jenny Lake, one of the most popular areas in Grand Teton National Park.
Walk the shoreline, enjoy the mountain views, or add a longer hike depending on how much time and energy you have.
Signal Mountain
Continue toward Signal Mountain for another easy area to explore without committing to a major hike.
The lakefront and surrounding paths offer some fantastic views across the water toward the Tetons.
Teton Park Road
Spend the rest of the afternoon slowly working your way through the park along Teton Park Road.
Stop at whichever overlooks catch your attention rather than trying to check every viewpoint off a list.
Day 3: Grand Teton to Yellowstone
Drive to Yellowstone
Pack up early and head north toward Yellowstone National Park.
The two parks are remarkably close together, but don't underestimate the driving time once you're inside them.
Old Faithful
Make Old Faithful your first major Yellowstone stop.
Check the predicted eruption time when you arrive, then explore the surrounding geothermal area while you wait.
Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool
After Old Faithful, continue through the Upper Geyser Basin toward Morning Glory Pool.
The walk passes numerous geysers and colorful hot springs, making the entire area worth exploring rather than simply seeing Old Faithful and leaving.
Day 4: Grand Prismatic & Yellowstone Canyon
Grand Prismatic Spring
Start the day at Grand Prismatic Spring, one of Yellowstone's most recognizable natural attractions.
Arriving earlier can also give you more time to explore the surrounding geothermal features before moving deeper into the park.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Spend the afternoon around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the most impressive areas in the entire park.
Several overlooks provide dramatically different views of the canyon and Yellowstone River below.
Lower Falls
Make sure to see Lower Falls, the massive waterfall plunging into the canyon.
There are several viewpoints around the area, so you can choose between easy roadside overlooks and steeper walks toward the falls.
Day 5: Wildlife & Scenic Yellowstone
Wildlife Viewing
Get an early start for your final morning and keep an eye out for bison, elk, bears, and other wildlife.
Wildlife sightings can also create unexpected traffic jams, so leave plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Scenic Drives
Spend the remainder of your trip exploring Yellowstone by car.
The park's figure-eight road system connects its major areas, but some of the best moments come from simply pulling over when something catches your attention.
One Last Yellowstone Stop
Before leaving, use any remaining time to revisit a favorite area or see something you missed earlier.
Five days won't cover every corner of Grand Teton and Yellowstone, but it's enough time to experience the landscapes, wildlife, geothermal features, and scenic drives that make these two parks such an incredible combination.
