The Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- A 5 Day Itinerary

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A few years ago I wanted to do a trip to Yellowstone National Park, as it’s one of the most geologically interesting and wildlife-rich areas in the United States. The problem was, Yellowstone is extremely popular and I’d spent weeks planning the perfect Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, only to find out that accommodations and campsites were all booked up months in advance.

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Grand Prismatic Spring- Yellowstone

That’s why I started considering an organized, small group tour of Yellowstone. I could choose a date not too far in the future and know that my accommodations, transportation, and activities were all taken care of. I could just sit back and enjoy a stress-free trip, knowing that I’d be taken to all the best places to see in Yellowstone National Park.

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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Since I prefer to travel independently, I’m very picky when it comes to joining an organized tour. I don’t want to be on a huge coach with 50+ people, be rushed through places of interest, and given more time to shop and eat than take part in local activities.

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Mormon Row- Grand Teton National Park

National parks as special as Yellowstone and Grand Teton deserve to be experienced, not simply seen. For me to do a guided tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton, it had to be one that would be thorough, yet flexible and relaxed, with outdoor adventures and other unique experiences I maybe hadn’t previously considered.

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Mammoth Hot Springs- Yellowstone

In a leap of faith, I decided to end my 11 year ban on organized tours hoping that a small group tour with an in-depth itinerary would allow me to experience the best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 5 days.

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Bison in Grand Teton National Park

My 5 Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour- An Overview

My Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip was a very small group- just three of us, plus our guide. It was nice to be able to spread out and have our own space in the 15-seat minibus.

The tour started and ended in the town of Jackson and over 5 days we explored Wyoming’s national parks (3 days in Yellowstone and 2 days in Grand Teton). We saw plenty of wildlife, learned about the local history, ecology, and geology, and enjoyed some outdoor activities.

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Steamboat Geyser- Yellowstone

Throughout the trip, our guide organized picnic lunches for us. I really liked the simplicity and convenience of being able to pull over at a scenic location and enjoy a healthy meal surrounded by nature.

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Jackson Lake- Grand Teton National Park

Even though the itinerary was packed with sites and unique experiences, there was still room for flexibility and input from the group, plus a bit of free time too.

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Glamping in West Yellowstone

5 Day Itinerary Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- Highlights and Planning Tips

My suggested Grand Teton and Yellowstone 5 day itinerary differs on a day-to-day basis to what my tour was, but includes all the same highlights. I altered the Yellowstone portion to be more efficient, assuming I stayed at West Yellowstone for 2 nights (on days 1 and 2), which my tour did not do.

  • Day 1 Yellowstone: Mud Volcano, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin
  • Day 2 Yellowstone: Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Golden Gate, Sheepeater Cliff
  • Day 3 Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Lewis Falls
  • Day 4 Grand Teton: Mormon Row, Antelope Flats
  • Day 5 Grand Teton: Jenny Lake
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Norris Geyser Basin

The important thing to know when planning your Yellowstone itinerary, or choosing a tour, is that the park is huge and you’ll likely spend a significant amount of time driving, especially if you don’t have accommodation in the park.

For a self-guided tour, my advice would be to plan your days according to geographical location (one day explore the north, one day visit central sites etc.) Also, allow some time for spontaneous stops- you’ll see plenty of scenic landscapes as you drive through the park.

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The Golden Gate Canyon in Yellowstone

To make the most of your Yellowstone itinerary, I recommend staying in West Yellowstone, just outside the west entrance to the park, because it’s centrally located to Yellowstone’s main attractions.

Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
Old Faithful Geyser- Yellowstone

For the Grand Teton portion of your trip, it’s best to stay nearby in Jackson or at an accommodation in Grand Teton National Park.

Below I’ll share a description of the main attractions in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks that I saw on my tour. This could be different depending on what tour company you choose (the company I went with doesn’t exist anymore). If you decide to do a self-guided tour, you can still use this Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary as inspiration for places to visit.

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Sheepeater Cliff- Yellowstone

Before I share how I spent 5 days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, here’s a brief background about Yellowstone National Park.

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Yellowstone National Park

About Yellowstone National Park- History, Geography, Geology, Biology

Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States (and the world), established in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. It spans about 8,991 square kilometres with 96% of the park in Wyoming, 3% in Montana, and 1% in Idaho. Its boundaries protect a variety of ecosystems including grasslands, desert, riparian, alpine, forest, and thermal.

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Mud Volcano area

The landscape of Yellowstone was shaped by three major volcanic eruptions that took place 2.1 million, 1.3 million, and 630,000 years ago. The park is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, one of the world’s largest at about 72 x 48 km. The magma chamber below this caldera and supervolcano is responsible for continuing geothermal activity in the park.

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Norris Geyser Basin

Yellowstone National Park has the largest concentration of geothermal features in the world (about 10,000 altogether), including hot springs, mudpots, fumaroles, and two-thirds of the world’s geysers (more than 500).

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Old Faithful Geyser

Besides geothermal activity, Yellowstone is also known for its wildlife. Bears, wolves, pronghorns, and herds of free-ranging bison and elk all roam the park.

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Bison

Yellowstone National Park has been designated a U.S. Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yellowstone National Park- Main Attractions

Here are some things to do and top places to visit in Yellowstone National Park in 3 days!

Mud Volcano Area

The Mud Volcano area has a 1 km trail that loops past a collection of bubbling mudpots, hot springs, and fumaroles.

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Walking clockwise on the path, one of the first features I encountered was Mud Geyser. Mud Geyser was very active in the late 1800s, erupting every few hours. By 1927 eruptions no longer occurred, but you can still see active steam vents.

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Mud Geyser

As I walked up Cooking Hill, I could smell sulphur wafting over from the aptly named Sizzling Basin and Churning Caldron. In one corner of Churning Caldron the water was aggressively bubbling up, an indication of just how hot these acidic pools are.

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Churning Caldron

Passing by Sour Lake, the trail started going downhill towards Grizzly Fumarole. A fumarole is a vent in the Earth’s surface that emits steam and volcanic gases. There wasn’t much action happening that was visible to the eye, but if you listened closely you could hear steam hissing below the surface.

Next up I came to Mud Volcano, a large pool of boiling, steaming mud.

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Mud Volcano

The last feature of the Mud Volcano area was Dragon’s Mouth Spring. Once I saw it, or more precisely heard it, I thought it was perfectly named. The steam and gases exploding through the water in hidden caverns made a rumbling sound like a dragon growling.

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Dragon’s Mouth Spring

As interesting as the Mud Volcano area was, it was just an appetizer for all the incredible geothermal features in Yellowstone yet to come.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Carved by the Yellowstone River to a depth of 366 metres (1,200 feet) in places, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the most impressive landscapes in the park. In fact, the colour of this eroded canyon is what inspired the name Yellowstone.

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Lower Yellowstone Falls
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There’s a nice view of the canyon and Lower Yellowstone Falls from Artist Point, but it gets very busy with tourists. Thankfully, my guide knew of an offshoot from the Ribbon Lake Trail, just a few feet from main gathering area, that offered fantastic views of the canyon with no other people around. It felt like a secret spot just for us!

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Day Tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Norris Geyser Basin

The Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most changeable thermal area in Yellowstone. There are 3.6 kilometers of trails passing by scalding hot springs, acidic geysers, and hissing steam vents.

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travelyesplease.com | Best Places to Visit in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 5 Days- An In-Depth Tour with Grand American Adventures

I walked the entirety of Back Basin, a forested area where the geothermal features are quite spread out, and quickly explored a portion of Porcelain Basin, an open area where the geothermal features are more densely packed.

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Back Basin
travelyesplease.com | The Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 5 Days- An In-Depth Tour with Grand American Adventures
Porcelain Basin

The main attraction of Back Basin is Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser. When it has a major eruption it can shoot water more than 91 metres (300 feet), but it also has frequent minor eruptions of 3-13 metres (10-40 feet).

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Steamboat Geyser had a major eruption 2 weeks before I visited, but at least I still got to see it shooting up smaller explosions of water.

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Steamboat Geyser
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Walking around Back Basin, I really got a sense of just how active the earth is below Yellowstone. It truly feels alive, full of pungent smells, sounds, and movement.

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Cistern Spring
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Since there were few people at the far end of Back Basin, I could easily hear water flowing and bubbling beneath the surface. As remarkable as the thermal activity was above ground, I could only imagine how intense it must be below my feet.

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Once I got to Porcelain Basin, I encountered a large open area of steam vents, springs, and geysers, the land white from mineral deposits. It was such an interesting landscape that Porcelain Basin would be a place I’d return to in the future to explore further.

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Porcelain Basin
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travelyesplease.com | The Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 5 Days- An In-Depth Tour with Grand American Adventures

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring was the place I was most looking forward to visiting in Yellowstone National Park and it did not disappoint.

Grand Prismatic Spring was as colourful and striking as it looked in photos, especially when viewed from the hillside overlook. I probably could have stared at it all afternoon, if given the opportunity, because it truly is one of the best places to see in Yellowstone National Park.

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The spring has bright bands of orange, yellow, and green outlining the deep blue water. This rainbow ring of colours is caused by different species of thermophile (heat-loving bacteria) living in the water. The microbial mats around the edge of the spring change colour depending on the temperature of the runoff, since different bacteria thrive at different temperatures.

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Another interesting fact about Grand Prismatic Spring is that it’s the third largest hot spring in the world (largest in the United States), with a diameter of almost 113 metres (370 feet). It also is deeper than a 10 story building at 49 metres (160 feet).

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Grand Prismatic Spring was my favourite feature in Yellowstone National Park and one of the most beautiful natural wonders I’ve ever seen.

Lamar Valley (Guided Wildlife Tour)

Our group spent nearly a full day with a professional wildlife tracker visiting areas of Yellowstone known for animal sightings.

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Much of our time was spent in and around the Lamar Valley, a beautiful area well-known for the abundance of wildlife that passes through it.

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Lamar Valley
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While we weren’t lucky enough to spot a wolf, we did see an impressive amount of other wildlife in Yellowstone. We saw a grizzly bear and two cubs, mountain goats and two kids, osprey, bison, elk, mule deer, pronghorns, ground squirrels, bald eagle, trumpeter swan, sandhill crane, bighorn sheep, pika, and chipmunks.

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Day Tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

The most exciting moment was at the very end of our wildlife tour when we spotted a cinnamon black bear and her two cubs. They were laying down, resting in the trees not far from a roadside pullout. The mama bear eventually sat up and her two cubs quickly latched on to feed.

While they were too far to get a good picture, we had an amazing view through the scopes our guide set up. It was such a touching moment, a scene I doubt I’ll ever see again. Watching this mama bear nurture her two cubs was unforgettable. It almost felt like I was watching a Planet Earth documentary, but no, they were right there in front of me. It was absolutely incredible and a favourite memory from my trip to Yellowstone.

It was great having a specialist wildlife guide because he knew all the best spots for animal sightings in Yellowstone. He brought two scopes and some binoculars which helped us spot wildlife you couldn’t see from the road. Even though some animals we saw were really far away, with the scopes we could see them clear and up close.

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Bison digging in the dirt with its horns
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Old Faithful

Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park and each day thousands of people gather to watch it erupt.

Just as its name suggests, Old Faithful reliably erupts every 60-110 minutes. The predicted eruption times are posted in the visitor centre, so you know how long you have to wait for the next “show”.

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Naturalist staff can predict the eruptions of Old Faithful with 90% confidence within a 10 minute variation. If the previous eruption lasts less than 2.5 minutes, there will be a 60 minute interval, and if the eruption is longer than 2.5 minutes, there will be a 90 minute interval.

Currently Old Faithful erupts around 17 times a day, for a duration of 1.5 to 5 minutes. Depending on the length of the eruption, as much as 8,400 gallons of water can be expelled from Old Faithful. The average height of Old Faithful’s eruptions is 40 metres (130 feet).

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Seeing Old Faithful erupt was an exciting experience, and the anticipation leading up to it was intoxicating. Every so often a small blast of water would shoot up, leaving us holding our breath for the big explosion. Once it did erupt, it was as sensational as I’d imagined! Old Faithful is definitely a must-see in Yellowstone National Park.

Mammoth Hot Springs (Guided Geology Tour)

I had no idea what to expect from Mammoth Hot Springs, as I’d never seen a photo, so I was shocked and in awe when I first saw them.

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Mammoth Hot Springs are unique from other springs in Yellowstone because of its large travertine terraces. These terraces were created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring surfaced then cooled, depositing calcium carbonate.

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Our group’s geology guide took us down a nature trail near the back of the hot springs where there were no other tourists. As she told us about the geology and ever-changing appearance of Mammoth Hot Springs, I watched water trickle over the edges, falling from one terrace to another.

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At one point on the trail, our guide told us to cup our ears towards the springs so we could hear the movement of the thermal waters. It’s amazing what you can hear when not surrounded by hordes of tourists!

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

After our little hike we walked on the boardwalk past Liberty Cap, a dormant hot spring cone, on the way to the main viewing area of Mammoth Hot Springs.

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Liberty Cap

From here I could see the mineral deposits of the terraces up close. They reminded me of a frozen waterfall, with snow-white icicles dangling off rocky ledges.

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

I was grateful to explore Mammoth Hot Springs with a geology expert because she explained theories and concepts in a way that was easy to understand. Not only that, but her passion for Yellowstone and its fascinating geology was contagious. It reminded me of that time in my childhood when I wanted to be a geologist.

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travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- Best Attractions to Visit

I’m glad my tour of Yellowstone ended on a high note with a visit to Mammoth Hot Springs. They are a standout attraction in a park filled with astonishing natural wonders!

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About Grand Teton National Park- History, Geography, Geology, Biology

Grand Teton National Park is in northwestern Wyoming, just south of Yellowstone and the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. It’s a relatively small park at 310,000 acres, and its territory encompasses the Teton Mountain Range and Jackson Hole valley.

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View from Jackson Lake Lodge

The park was established in 1929, named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the 64 km long Teton Range. In 1950, the park was expanded to include land in Jackson Hole that was bought and donated for conservation by John D. Rockefeller Jr.

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John Moulton barn

Grand Teton National Park has many glacier formed lakes, a few small receding glaciers, Lodgepole pine forests, sagebrush flats, wet meadows, and some of the oldest rocks in North America, dating 2.7 billion years.

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Sixty-one species of mammals and 300 species of birds have been documented in Grand Teton National Park. The most common wildlife sighting in the park is elk, whose migration route from the National Elk Refuge to Yellowstone National Park passes through Grand Teton.

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Grand Teton National Park- Main Attractions

Here are some things to do and top places to visit in Grand Teton National Park in 2 days!

Antelope Flats Bike Tour

Included in our tour was a leisurely guided bike ride through Antelope Flats. It was a beautiful place to go for a ride, especially since we had perfect, clear views of the Teton Range.

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Our guide took us down mostly flat dirt and paved roads, passing by sagebrush flats and the historic homesteads on Mormon Row.

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Along the way, our guide would stop to tell us about the local area and point out wildlife in the fields. We got up-close views of a male pronghorn and even had a mule deer run across the road right in front of us!

Mormon Row Historic District

Mormon Row is not much more than a couple of barns and old farm houses, but they sure are photogenic!

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T.A. Moulton barn

In the 1890’s, Mormon homesteaders from Idaho established a small community in the area because of the fertile soil, wind shelter by Blacktail Butte, and access to the Gros Ventre River. They dug ditches by hand and with horses to funnel water to their fields and irrigate their crops.

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John Moulton barn

Of the remaining homestead buildings, the most famous are the two Moulton barns built by John and T.A. Moulton. While I enjoyed photographing both, T.A. Moulton’s barn is especially attractive with the Teton Range in the background.

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Mormon Row was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 as a Historic District. The simplistic, old-fashioned beauty of Mormon Row made it one of my favourite places to see in Grand Teton National Park.

Sunset Ecology Tour

Even though we had already done a wildlife tour in Yellowstone, we did another one in Grand Teton National Park.

During our sunset ecology tour, our specialist guide drove us around to locations known for animal sightings. With our binoculars in hand, we searched for wildlife in the distance. It didn’t take long to find pronghorn and bison, which were pretty close to the road, but everything else was more elusive.

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We did spot a moose briefly before it hid away in the trees, and also got a quick look at a beaver. The only interesting bird we saw was a red-tailed hawk, perched at the top of a tree watching the bison and pronghorn graze.

Jenny Lake Ferry

Jenny Lake is one of the glacially formed lakes at the base of the Teton Range.

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In the morning, we took a short shuttle boat ride across Jenny Lake to access Cascade Canyon and the area’s hiking trails. I decided to do the short hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, while the rest of my group chose to walk along the lake.

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Hidden Falls
travelyesplease.com | 5 Day Tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Inspiration Point
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Jenny Lake was so pretty, with incredible views of the Tetons, that I wished I had more time here. I would have loved to rent a kayak and paddle around the lake for a few hours.

Did This Independent Traveller Enjoy an Organized Tour of Yellowstone?

Review of My Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour

On all my trips I want to experience a destination in-depth, actively exploring and enjoying experiences, versus passively seeing sights. I want to always come home with plenty of cherished memories, photos, and interesting stories to tell.

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Lewis Falls- Yellowstone

In the past, whenever I’ve done an organized tour I’ve returned home unsatisfied with the experience. The groups were big, the itinerary was “cookie-cutter”, and we spent such little time in each destination. I was shown the obvious highlights but was craving a deeper experience.

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What appealed to me about my Yellowstone tour was the small group size (max of 13), and that the itinerary offered access to unique experiences that would have been hard for me to have on my own.

For my Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip, it would have required some time and research for me to arrange a day with a professional wildlife tracker, as well as a geology guide. I probably wouldn’t have even thought about these if I was planning an independent trip. That for me was the biggest benefit of this tour- having experiences that I would have missed out on had I gone alone.

travelyesplease.com | Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- Top Places to Visit in 5 Days

Even though this was a shorter trip than I’m used to (only 5 days), I didn’t feel rushed or that I missed out on any essential experiences. That’s important to me when choosing a tour company because even though I only have a few days to dedicate to a trip, I still want an itinerary that won’t leave me feeling short-changed or wishing I had visited independently.

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Norris Geyser Basin

Overall, I really enjoyed this tour. We visited all the main sites in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks I was hoping to see, but also got off the tourist trail in places thanks to the local knowledge of our guides. I definitely learned far more about the parks’ geology and wildlife than I would have if I visited on my own.

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Echinus Geyser at Norris Geyser Basin

I also appreciated that our guide consulted the group on decisions such as where to eat supper each night and what to see/do after we visited the places listed on the trip dossier.

In addition to the flexibility offered by a small group tour, I liked that the group size made it easy to get know other travellers. Soon I felt like I was travelling with friends instead of strangers.

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Mud Volcano area

My specific tour would have benefited from some logistical changes, but the sites and specialist guides included on the trip were top-notch so I’d see no reason to change the core of the itinerary.

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There are a few things you should inquire about before you book an organized tour. I’d ask where the accommodations are located, how much driving is involved, and how early you’ll be starting your days. Some of the driving can’t be avoided based on the size of the parks and how slow traffic moves, but the accommodation locations can definitely help shorten drive times.

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My glamping tent in West Yellowstone

Also, if the tour says WiFi is available in the bus, chances are it won’t work the majority of the trip because cell coverage is very limited in the park. When we were in a place with a cell tower, the network was usually overloaded and it was hard to connect. I actually didn’t mind the lack of WiFi because I enjoy disconnecting while I’m out sightseeing, but for some people this may be an issue. There was WiFi at our accommodations so it’s not like you’ll be offline for the entire trip.

travelyesplease.com | Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- Top Places to Visit in 5 Days
Mormon Row

I’m glad that my tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton was a rewarding experience full of active discovery. The trip had full days but at a relaxed pace, which is a balance I strive for when travelling independently.

Even though I most certainly got a comprehensive trip to Yellowstone National Park, I still would go back for more. That’s not because I missed out on anything by being on a guided tour, but because Yellowstone is that incredible. It’s without a doubt the most interesting, diverse, national park I’ve ever visited!

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Mud Volcano area

Pictures of Yellowstone National Park

Whenever I look at my photos of Yellowstone National Park, it reminds me of how much I loved this part of Wyoming. Here are a few more pictures from my 3 days in Yellowstone for you to enjoy!

travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks- Top Places to Visit in 5 Days
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Mud Caldron at Mud Volcano area
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Puff ‘n Stuff Geyser at Norris Geyser Basin
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Blue Mud Steam Vent at Norris Geyser Basin
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Porkchop Geyser at Norris Geyser Basin
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
travelyesplease.com | 5 Days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Tips for Visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Yellowstone National Park

  • Entrance fees to Yellowstone National Park are $35 for a private vehicle. The park pass is good for 7 days. Confirm current fees for Yellowstone here.
  • The most popular months to visit Yellowstone are June, July, and August. July and August are the only months when all facilities, services, and roads are open.
  • For summer trips, you will need to book hotels and campsites very far in advance. Even the first-come, first-served campgrounds fill by early morning. Don’t expect to find accommodation in the park last minute. As an alternative, you can stay in nearby towns outside the park, or book an organized tour where accommodations are already taken care of.
  • Travel times in Yellowstone can be longer than anticipated because of heavy traffic and wildlife jams. One day we got caught in a jam for 1 hour and 20 minutes! Please, if you see wildlife don’t leave your car in the middle of the road and run off to take a picture!
  • To make the most of a summer trip to Yellowstone, arrive early and stay late. The park entrances start to get lined up around 9:00 am. Also, try to avoid visiting the main attractions during peak hours (10:00 am- 3:00 pm). Even though Yellowstone can get incredibly busy, most people don’t venture too far away from the main areas. Sometimes even walking a few feet onto a side trail will leave the crowd behind.
  • Most of the roads in Yellowstone National Park are closed during the winter and the only way to visit is by snowmobile or snowcoach. Roads re-open to cars in mid-April.

Grand Teton National Park

  • Entrance fees to Grand Teton National Park are $35 for a private vehicle. The park pass is good for 7 days. Confirm current fees for Grand Teton here.
  • There are campgrounds and lodging options in Grand Teton National Park, but you can also find good accommodations nearby in Jackson.
  • Grand Teton National Park is open year-round, but there are road closures in the winter limiting access to some areas. Visitor centres, lodging, restaurants and stores are also closed in the winter.

Information was updated January 2022, but can change without notice. Please confirm directly with service providers.

travelyesplease.com | 5 Day Tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Book a Tour of Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Here are some multi-day guided trips to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks:

For more options, here is a trusted site where you can book tours of Yellowstone (including day trips).

Accommodations Near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Please consider booking your Wyoming accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

travelyesplease.com | The Best of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in 5 Days- An In-Depth Tour with Grand American Adventures

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