5 Days in Jackson Hole | Guide to the Grand Tetons & Yellowstone
We did not expect to like the Jackson Hole area as much as we did. The area along the Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana state lines—Jackson Hole—is home to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Visiting two of America’s greatest national parks in one trip is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. We hit Jackson Hole on our way to a wedding in Cheyenne, and now we can’t wait for the day we can go back. In this guide, you can follow along with what we did on our trip and plan your own adventure that will be just as much fun as we had.
Note: For this itinerary, you will need a car, as there is quite a lot of driving necessary to experience the area to its fullest.
Day 1: Arrival & West Yellowstone
Whether you are flying or driving in to the area, my recommendation is to start your journey in West Yellowstone, MT. If you somehow are driving from South to North, you can flip the days on this trip and enter the parks from Jackson, WY.
Where to stay in West Yellowstone
You may only have half a day in West Yellowstone dependent on when you arrive, but spending at least a full day in the area is advisable to experience the cute little National Park town to its fullest. To ensure you are getting the best rate, try to book your hotel in West Yellowstone as soon as you know your dates. We ended up over-paying by quite a lot and we were not even that last-minute, so try to book early as things fill up fast. Covid had people flocking to the national parks in Summer 2021 as most international travel destinations were closed for Americans. With the covid situation improving, I see the next couple summers being similar with people returning to travel.
Option 1: Budget - Yellowstone Lodge
This is actually where we stayed because everything else was either booked solid or over $400 a night. I highly recommend this hotel as it is in walking distance of all the fun there is in West Yellowstone. Save your money, because when you are visiting America’s oldest and most iconic National Park in the morning, you should be spending very little time in the hotel anyway.
Option 2: Mid-Range - Holiday Inn West Yellowstone
Again, you won’t be spending much time in the hotel, but this is a great place to rest your head and be right in the center of all the action in West Yellowstone. At just a couple more dollars than our budget option, it may be worth it to spend the extra bucks to stay here.
Option 3: Splurge - Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone
For a really great experience, you can stay in cabins right near the entrance to the park. Also in walking distance to the center of town, these little bungalows will really make you feel like you are on an adventure. At a much higher price tag, we recommend staying in a personal cabin for a little extra zen before your big adventure in Yellowstone.
Option 4: Unique Stay - Under Canvas
I really wanted to stay here when we went to Yellowstone, because when else will you have the opportunity to go glamping next to Yellowstone National Park? These glamping tents are set on wooden decks and are honestly pretty posh. You will truly feel one with nature if you stay here, and for the price it is definitely worth it compared to some of the other hotels this area has to offer. Breakfast is also included!
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
An absolute must-do in West Yellowstone is paying a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center next to the West entrance to Yellowstone. Animal lovers will be enthused with a stop here to see real life wolves and grizzly bears up close. Sadly, all the animals living at the center are unable to survive in the wild due to either injury or inability to assimilate back in to nature. This place is perfect to observe, understand, and appreciate these magnificent creatures. The center is open every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. which can be tricky if you are getting in late and leaving early to get into the park. Ticket prices are valid for two consecutive days and go for:
Adults (13 and older): $15.00
Seniors (62 +): $14.00
Children (5 – 12): $10.00
Children 4 & under: FREE
Shopping & Dinner in West Yellowstone
This is the perfect time to purchase all your souvenirs for the trip, as prices for items will sky-rocket once you enter the park. The town of West Yellowstone is actually super cute and I felt absolutely safe at all times—even while staying in our budget hotel. From any of the housing options I listed except the Under Canvas, you can walk right into town. There are plenty of eclectic shops and souvenir stops along the way. I definitely spent way too much money on stuff and as I write this wearing my favorite “Yellowstone National Park” sweatshirt. For an enjoyable dinner, there are several options for some noms and I recommend the following:
Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: This is the best place to eat in my opinion, because it encompasses the vibes you would expect for a night out prior to exploring Yellowstone. Claiming to have the “best pizza in the Rockies”, this place is totally tasty and lots of fun. They have live music every night and the people they attract are actually really good and sometimes famous. 10/10 recommend this spot for dinner; be sure not to miss it!
Petes Rocky Mountain Pizza: If you can’t get a table at Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon and are craving some pizza, check out Pete’s Rocky Mountain Pizza. They have amazing reviews and the food sounds pretty good!
Happy Hour Bar & Grill: If you are getting in late or have some extra time, I recommend driving just outside of town to Happy Hour Bar & Grill for the happiest of hours and to watch an amazing sunset over the lake. The food and drinks here are also fantastic, so definitely check it out if you are in the area.
Day 2: Yellowstone National Park
First things first, you must download the app: “GyPSy Guide”. This is not a sponsored post, so I mean this when I say this was the best money we spent on this trip. For $14.99, you will have an amazing guided tour that turns on automatically as you drive down the road. This is great, because it works without service (service is spotty in the parks) and it pauses your Spotify or Apple Music as you go. We loved the history and little tidbits about everything we were driving past and we even named our guide ‘Hank’. I wish this app would expand to other countries, but as of right now they mainly focus on the U.S. National Parks.
Entrance Fees to get in the park:
7-Day Passes:
Grand Teton Entrance Fee - Private Vehicle - $35.00
Grand Teton Entrance Fee - Motorcycle - $30.00
Grand Teton Entrance Fee - Hiker/Biker - $20.00
Annual Pass:
America the Beautiful Annual Pass - $80.00
Annual Military Pass: Free*
Annual Fourth Grade Pass for US students in fourth grade: Free
Annual Senior Pass: $20
Lifetime Senior Pass: $80
Wake up as early as you can so you can enter the parks before the crowds start building. The park is open 24 hours a day, but we ended up getting to the West gate of Yellowstone at 7 am. Having stayed so close to the gate in West Yellowstone, I am glad we did not waste any time in the morning driving from a further away town. Make sure you take a second to snap a photo in front of the Yellowstone sign. It is one of my favorite pictures we took even with all those amazing sights we saw. Turn on your ‘Hank’ and get going into the park towards Norris Geyser Basin.
Norris Geyser Basin
This is the perfect first stop as you drive into the park because I am not quite sure I would have appreciated it as much as I did had we done it last or after the big Yellowstone stops. Norris Geyser Basin is a very large area that you can spend a substantial amount of time wandering. We ended up doing the Porcelain Springs loop and it was the perfect start to our Yellowstone adventure. Because it was our first stop, it was relatively empty and the fog coverage made the entire experience quite mystical. I highly recommend making this your first stop if entering from the West Gate of Yellowstone.
Mammoth Hot Springs
After wandering the vast and magical Norris Geyser Basin, we drove up to the Northern-most destination in Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs. There are plenty of stops and detours you can add to seeing this area (all shared in our GyPSy Guide app by “Hank”). Depending on how much time you have, while following this itinerary you can pretty much do them all. The Mammoth Hot Springs are the perfect place to grab your ideal Instagram photo, as the orangey and white sulphureous colors make a perfect backdrop. The smell of Sulphur did not really bother me, but several people around us complained of the smell in this area. There is also a great opportunity to see some beautiful wildlife up close in this area. We saw a group of around twenty elk seeking shade behind the walls of the bathroom and it was super fun to get some up close shots of these creatures.
Lunch in Gardiner, Montana
After a lovely Yellowstone morning, you definitely have worked up an appetite. As the dining options within the park are quite limited (and expensive), I suggest you venture outside the park and see the old official entrance to Yellowstone in Gardiner, MT. Only a ten minute drive away from Mammoth, I can’t recommend stopping in Gardiner for lunch more. Not only will you get to see the original (and used to be only) entrance into Yellowstone National Park, there are several better dining options than you will find in the park—and the drive is quite pretty as well. Here are the best lunch options in Gardiner:
Yellowstone Pizza Company: This was my original plan for lunch as its website and several tagged Instagram posts boast a rooftop view of the area. Despite this, we settled somewhere else for lunch, but the reviews stay raving and if you get the chance to try it out, please let me know in the comments!
The Corral: This is where we ended up dining and it was perfect! We sat outside on a beautiful terrace and our food and service was quick, kind, and delicious. I ordered an OREO milkshake to celebrate the amazing day we were having and it sure was yum. This was the perfect place to stretch our legs, chill out, and enjoy the views. I recommend this place if you are looking for a quick escape from the park while still having a delicious meal in nature.
Drive to Grand Canyon Area
Next stop is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! Buckle up as it is around an hour and a half down to the Grand Canyon area. If I were to expand this itinerary to another day, I would recommend you drive out to Lamar Valley to see the wildlife. During our visit to Yellowstone, the road from Mammoth to the Grand Canyon was closed so we opted to skip Lamar all together. If we had another day, and the road was not closed, we so would have driven out to the northeastern part of the park. On you ride down to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, you are bound to see wildlife. We ended up seeing a ton of elk and bison.
Staying in the park at Canyon Lodge
Staying at the Canyon Lodge was one of my favorite parts of our Yellowstone trip. This is one of the few hotel lodgings available inside the park’s boundaries. Canyon Lodge & Cabins happens to be right in the perfect location to stay if you have two days in Yellowstone. We certainly lucked out because as they were easing Covid restrictions in summer of 2021, they also opened up a lot more rooms in the park for our week. I highly recommend booking this spot as soon as you know you are going to Yellowstone National Park because it is sure to book up for the hot summer days. When we checked into the hotel, we were greeted by a very kind park worker who eventually left a postcard on our door later that evening. The service was fantastic, and we ended up staying in one of the cabins that are scattered around the property. While I certainly loved the experience, it is definitely for true nature lovers looking to ‘disconnect’—literally, there is no wifi or service. My mom was worried. There also is a questionable heating situation, but it was perfect for snuggling. We checked in and were super excited about the lodging and decided to go for an evening hike before dinner.
Evening Hike
Okay, you musssttttt do at least part of this hike if you are going to Yellowstone. The hike is called Yellowstone Falls, Crystal Falls, and Inspiration Point via North Rim Trail and it is perfect for everyone. The great thing about this hike is that you can either hike the entire 7 miles or break it up by driving in between. This is great for hikers of all abilities; make sure you do the best part of the hike: Brink of the Lower Falls Trail. The Brink of the Lower Falls hike hike is only 0.7 miles of the full rim hike, but it is definitely the most strenuous (and shocker—most beautiful) part of the hike. This part of the hike takes you directly to the edge of the waterfall that is part of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The water is so powerful and standing next to it, you feel so small and the magnitude of the Grand Canyon is very present. The entire North Rim hike takes you all around the Grand Canyon and it is tons of fun to see all the sights. I recommend driving the in between parts so you do not waste time backtracking the 7 miles and have more time to explore in your short two-day itinerary.
Dinner in Canyon Villages
Dinner in Canyon Village was not pleasant. Maybe because of Covid it was like this, but you have to queue in line for over an hour for mediocre, small-portioned, meals. I highly recommend you either bring your own dinner or research alternative options for dinner as we did not love eating at the “Canyon Eatery”. All in all, the views were worth having a crappy dinner, so I still advise staying in the park at least one night on your trip to Yellowstone.
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Get ready for day 3 of your epic Jackson Hole vacation. Today you will be in both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Conveniently, their park boundaries border one another, so if you are visiting one park, it is best to visit the other if you have the time. Personally, we enjoyed Grand Teton National Park more than Yellowstone. We are definitely big hikers and we felt that in Yellowstone, there was not enough time to see all the sights and also do all the hikes we wanted to. In Grand Teton, we felt the opposite and had some of our favorite hikes we have ever done.
Sunrise at Artist Point
Start your morning bright and early by driving just five minutes to Artist Point— the name is misleading. It was originally named in 1883 because it was thought that painter Thomas Moran sketched his 1872 paintings of the view here to inspire Congress to create the first national park. It was later deemed false because the actual view he painted them from was at a different location. Either way, you will feel like an artist as the sun spills over the mountains as you breathe in the crisp morning air. We were joined by just a couple of other folks at the spot, but it was so peaceful and amazing. It is definitely worth it to wake up early to watch the sun rise here.
West Thumb
After sunrise, make your way down through Hayden Valley towards West Thumb. This drive is beautiful and there are several places to watch the sun continue to rise along the way. This is also a great time to see some wildlife as it is very early in the morning and most people haven’t made their way this deep into the park yet. We almost skipped West Thumb, but a friend who worked for the park service had advised me not to skip it and I am so glad we didn’t (thanks Jess). West Thumb is a beautiful area and it kind of reminds me of the Norris Geyser Basin but smaller and long Yellowstone Lake. Again, since it is super early you may get lucky like us and spot some wildlife walking through the basin. It was so mystical in the morning and we deeply enjoyed our stop here.
Old Faithful
And finally! Make your way to Yellowstone’s sweetheart: Old Faithful. Out of the entire trip to Jackson Hole, nothing was more crowded than these last couple stops in Yellowstone. Old Faithful has it’s eruption times listed in the front of the welcome center, so after you find parking make your way there to plan out your trip to the area. Depending on what time Old Faithful is set to go off, you should either wait around for her to erupt or explore the other geothermal spots in the area. Once you have seen Old Faithful erupt, you should definitely take a leisurely stroll past the other geysers to Morning Glory pool. This walk took us around 30 minutes there and 20 minutes back—for reference if you are trying to time your Old Faithful viewings properly.
After you have thoroughly explored the area, it should be around lunchtime, so make your way into Old Faithful Inn to see its magnificent lobby and find a bite to eat. We ended up getting sandwiches at Old Faithful Inn Bear Paw Deli and going to the top deck to eat them and people watch. We ended up timing our lunch perfectly, so we were able to see Old Faithful go off again from the outdoor overlook in the Old Faithful Inn.
Midway Geyser Basin
On your second to last stop in Yellowstone, drive your way to Midway Geyser Basin and enjoy the beautiful orange and blue pools the surround the area. The best one is the Grand Prismatic Spring and there is an overlook you can climb to for the best view. In the morning, the Grand Prismatic Spring can have a lot of steam coming out, so for the best view of the colors and beauty of the spring, you should visit in the late afternoon. The area is pretty crowded and finding parking can be difficult, so be prepared to walk a little.
Fountain Paint Pots
For your final stop in Yellowstone, visit the Fountain Paint Pots Trail. This is a nice final walk through the park and it allows you to see the hydrothermal features from Yellowstone’s active volcano. These bubbling mud puddles are so aesthetically pleasing and the sound they make somehow make you feel so zen. For a perfect last stop before your journey into the Grand Tetons, wander around the area for a bit and say your last goodbye’s to Yellowstone (until next time).
After you have had your fill of everything Yellowstone National Park has to offer, drive south to Jackson and stop at the “Grand Teton National Park” sign. Check into your hotel in Jackson, WY and explore the amazing town that Jackson is.
Where to stay in Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is somewhere I could see myself living. The atmosphere of this perfect little mountain town is so amazing and the buzz of tourists and hikers makes everything feel so exciting. They have tons of cute restaurants and shops to buy souvenirs, so I had a ball walking around the area and bouncing in and out of stores. In the winter, this town doubles as a ski resort town, so there is no end to the fun in this beautiful town and if it weren’t so darn expensive, I would love to live here.
Option 1: Budget - Cache House Hostel
Like our problem in West Yellowstone, everything was so expensive so we ended up staying here for almost $400 a night. There was some convention going on and everything was extremely overpriced, but in general Jackson is super expensive for lodging in the summer. This hostel was fine. It was super trendy and the amenities were lovely. I really enjoyed the bathroom situation compared to other hostels I have stayed in because they were both brand new and very private. The sleeping quarters were meh, but it was cool how they had queen bunk beds so both my significant other and I could stay together. The room was HOT and they only had fans, so they should figure something out about the air circulation in that room. Also someone stole my Apple Watch. Not the best vibes and would definitely recommend staying in an actual hotel if you can afford it.
Option 2: Mid-Range - Antler Inn
As I write this in February, the Antler Inn is pricing at just over $300 a night, which I would have hopped on had we booked earlier. Bear in mind, this is still a motel, but I bet it would be better to stay here and have your own personal space (and Apple Watch protection—see above) than at Cache House.
Option 3: Splurge - The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection
I really wanted to stay here for the Marriott points, but it was over a grand a night at the time of booking (also I def came on a busy weekend). This hotel is in the prime location of Jackson and in walking distance of all the restaurants. The amenities are plentiful and the rooms look spacious and newly remastered.
Shopping & Dinner in Jackson
If you haven’t completely exhausted your souvenir budget in West Yellowstone, there are even cuter clothes and items to buy in Jackson. Despite exhausting my souvenir budget on day one, I ended up with two super cute sweatshirts that say ‘Jackson Hole’ and like twenty stickers. There are so many places to dine in Jackson and most options are super tasty.
Merry Piglets: We were obsessed with this restaurant and absolutely loved the ambiance, service, and giant margaritas! On a more morbid note, I can’t help but share that only the day before us Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie dined here and had a fight that led to Gabby storming out of the venue. My heart is so heavy as I write this and I wish I could have saved this young girl who was traveling through Jackson Hole and doing the same thing my boyfriend and I were doing. If only we had been able to meet and somehow befriend her, I wish her fate could have been different. Rest in peace sweet angel. If you do choose to dine at Merry Piglets, please think of Gabby and give her a toast in heaven.
Pinky G's Pizzeria: This place is always packed, rightfully so. Pinky G’s epitomizes the Jackson Hole area perfectly with its amazing atmosphere and decorations devoted to ski season. Even though you may have to wait, this place is a great stop for wood-fired pizza that tastes so dang good after a day of exploring.
Day 4: Grand Teton National Park & Jackson, WY
Colter Bay Visitor Center & Jackson Lake
Take a drive into Grand Teton National Park and make your way to the northern end of the park to visit Colter Bay. This area offers plentiful recreation activities including paddle boarding, boat rides, hiking trails, and is home to the park’s visitor center. When you reach the bay, there are gorgeous views of the Teton Range across Jackson Lake. This place makes for a perfect morning in the park and you may even see some wildlife. We ended up seeing a baby bear cub and their mama on our way here. So many cars had pulled over to snap some photos and a ranger was there moderating the scene to make sure nobody got too close; it was such a cool experience.
Phelp’s Lake Hike
Next, make your way to Phelp’s Lake for a fantastic day hike to one of the most beautiful glacier lakes in the park. Phelps Lake can be found in the southern end of Grand Teton National Park. Make sure you pack a bathing suit to jump into the freezing glacier lake off of the Phelps Lake “Jumping Rock”. To get to the rock, set your GPS to Death Canyon Trailhead (there are two ways to get here but this way is much more beautiful - trust me). Start your hike on the Death Canyon trail and keep going 1.2 miles until you reach the Phelps Lake Overlook. Once there, follow the trail to the right and continue .75 miles down the way along Valley Trail. At the bottom of the mountain and once you reach the bank of the lake, you continue left along the shore of the lake for about 10 more minutes. Nothing compares to the shock you get jumping into the freezing cold water and when you finally surface looking up at the Grand Teton. Hang out here for a while and cheer on all the people who are too chicken to jump in for a while to enjoy the scene and good company.
Day 5: Delta Lake & Jackson, WY
Delta Lake Hike
Wake up super early and bring a packed breakfast and lunch for your most amazing last day in the Grand Teton National Park. Drive your way into the park and set your GPS to Lupine Meadows Trailhead to arrive at the parking lot for the Delta Lake hike. This hike is quite arduous, so I do not recommend it to anyone who hasn’t hiked before or is out of shape. This is my favorite hike I have ever done, and my boyfriend and I are avid hikers. Despite being one of the most popular trails in the Grand Teton National Park, the Delta Lake via the Lupine Meadows Access trail is an unofficial, unmaintained trail. This out and back trail is 7.2 miles of pure uphill switchbacks until you reach the most gorgeous view of your life. Spend a while at the top by the lake and pack a hammock, tons of water, and bear spray.
Rendezvous Park
Something about this weird troll woman in the Rendezvous Park in Jackson was calling to me. I also really wanted to take a couple good pictures of us considering we were wearing hiking clothes the entire trip, so we ended our final night by getting ready for a night out and taking some keepsake pictures to remember this amazing trip. Our first stop at Rendezvous Park was quite fun, because the park is gorgeous in itself. In the pond in the middle of the park, you can find a giant wooden sculpture of a troll. The troll’s name is “Mama Mimi” (creepy, but ok) and she was built by artist Thomas Dambo. I highly recommend stopping at this park for a picnic and some fun/strange pictures of you with a giant troll.
Sunset at Mormon Row/Moulton Barn
For the most magical sunset experience, make your way back into the park to Mormon Row to see Moulton Barn and the other historical buildings in the area. This area is home to several buildings that are what remains from Mormon homesteads that settled in Jackson Hole back in the late 1800s. Today, this is one of the most photographed spots in the world, so bring your tripod, and make it in time for the sun to set behind the Tetons.
Dinner and Drinks in Jackson
For your final night in Jackson, finish up your souvenir shopping, grab a bite to eat, and prepare for a fun night on the town dancing among the Jackson Hole area tourists and locals. There are several places to go, but the most famous is of course the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Head on in here for some live country music with couples line-dancing and quaff some tasty cocktails. Enjoy your final night in this lovely area and prepare for safe travels home in the morning.
