This is NOT by any means an all-inclusive list of things to see and places to stay. This is based on my personal itinerary. I arrived around noon on a Monday at the East Entrance to Yellowstone, and explored the eastern side of the Grand Loop that afternoon, and spent the night at Lake Lodge. Tuesday, I explored the southern side of the Lower Loop and the western side of the Grand Loop, and spent the night at Mammoth Hot Springs Cabin. Wednesday, I went horseback riding at Roosevelt Corrals, and then drove along the eastern side of the Grand Loop to the south entrance of the park and then onto Grand Tetons, spending the night at Colter Bay Village. Thursday, I spent the morning hiking around Jenny Lake, and then went whitewater rafting in the afternoon. Friday morning I departed (drove back up to the East Entrance of Yellowstone to head to Cody, Wyoming).

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Yellowstone

Things to See

*Artist Point- short walk from the parking lot, there is a lookout point with great views of the Lower Falls. Then there is a 2.7 mile hike along the “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone”. No guardrails/ fence along the route, with vertical sheer right off the trail. No narrow passings, so it’s safe as long as you are responsible.

*Mud Volcano- short half mile loop, less steep to start at the southern trailhead (to the left when you are looking from the parking lot) and loop clockwise, lots of steps down at the end of the loop.

*West Thumb Geyser Basin- boardwalk around multiple basins/ fumaroles. Lots of pretty colors. Right along the Yellowstone Lake. About ¾ mile walk, easy.

*Old Faithful- I got here early in the morning, so parking was easy. Later, people are circling the lot. Lots of boardwalk to explore the different geysers. If you want to have a short moderately strenuous climb to the Old Faithful Viewing Area (Observation Point Trailhead)- if you face Old Faithful, walk to the right and you’ll get to the turnoff point to the Observation Point. Loops back down so you can walk amongst the geysers near Old Faithful.

*Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook- this is how to see the Grand Prismatic from above. Started at Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot, walked to overlook (maybe 1.5 miles, pretty flat, except for a brief uphill climb to the overlook), and then continued on to Fairy Falls trailhead. Also an easy flat walk, but it’s a couple miles out and back. The falls are beautiful.

*Midway Geyser Basin- pretty short boardwalk loop (careful, narrow boardwalk by the Spring). You can see the Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser from ground level.

*Lamar Valley- opportunities to view wildlife.

Lodging

• Lake Lodge Cabins- very rustic/ simple. Just a bed, sink, shower, toilet.

• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabin- slight step up from Lake Lodge.

Links

• Yellowstone Lodging Reservations

• Yellowstone Park Maps

• Yellowstone Roads- detailed descriptions of the landmarks along each section of the roads through the Park. I used this after the trip when I forgot to note a location where I stopped to take pictures or take a hike.

• Best Trails in Yellowstone (AllTrails)- I got all the descriptions for the trails I planned to hike.

Grand Tetons

Things to See

*Jenny Lake- the boat ferry takes you across the lake so you can avoid about 2-2.5 miles of walking (one-way). But you have to get there really early (like before they even open) or you’ll be waiting in line and it is probably faster to walk versus wait in line. Lots of different trail options (Inspiration Point- decent incline, Hidden Falls, etc).

Lodging

• Colter Bay Village- slight step up from Mammoth Hot Springs. Within walking distance of two restaurants, the general store and Jackson Lake.

Links

• Grand Teton Lodging Reservations

• Grand Teton Park Maps

• Grand Teton Roads- same as Yellowstone.

• Best Trails in Grand Teton (AllTrails)

Maps and Guides

• National Park Maps

• National Parked

• National Park Service App

You can download the NPS app (above)- when you open a specific park, there is an option to download for offline use. Highly recommend doing this for both parks. When you have your phone in airplane mode and you pull up the maps in the App, you can follow yourself very closely on each trail as you walk. Very very useful.

Tidbits

• There are lots of road turnouts along the entire perimeter drive, as well as places to stop along the Yellowstone River, that aren’t labelled on the map.

• Military- if you show your active ID or your DD214, you get a free National Park pass. 10% military discount at park stores.

• There are maps at most of the large trailheads, they request a $1 donation or ask that you return the map when you finish.

Things to bring (what I found helpful)

• Dry sack- the weather is unpredictable, so you might be out on a hike and get stuck in a downpour.

• Cooler- this is the one I got on Amazon, works very well. Amazon Link

• Bear Spray- rent it or buy it. There are a handful of pickup and dropoff locations (BearAware).