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Grizzlies, Geysers, & Grandeur – Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Glacier

Grizzlies, Geysers, & Grandeur – Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Glacier

Grand Teton National Park Yellowstone National Park Glacier National Park
Trip length7-10 days
Route distance628 mi
Stops3
Customize this tripFree account · edit dates, stops & pace

Trip overview

Prepare to be awed by the dramatic scenery and wildlife at three of America’s most beautiful National Parks – Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier. All three share beautiful mountain vistas, plentiful wildlife (can you say: bison, big horn sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and moose?), yet each National Park is unique. You start your trip at Grand Teton National Park – it is smaller in scale than Yellowstone and Glacier, but boasts stunning views of its majestic peaks and is a photographer’s dream. There are campgrounds and amenities in nearby Jackson, Wyoming – famous as a playground of the rich and famous. Two hours north, Yellowstone, America’s first national park, is massive, and it will take several days to explore its many geothermal features (such as Old Faithful), its own majestic Grand Canyon, and plentiful lakes, streams, and trails. As you head north to Glacier, you pass through the hip and artsy town of Bozeman, and stunning, low-key Flathead Lake. Glacier National Park borders Canada and is nearly a full-day drive from Yellowstone. Glacier’s jagged peaks and elevations make you feel like you are closer to what explorers experienced hundreds of years ago. Kayaking, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and scenic drives abound at all three National Parks. This is the American Rockies at their most beautiful and rugged, and the perfect place to plan an RV trip with AdventureGenie.

Who will love this trip
Everyone – you can be as active as you prefer. Kids, adults, and seniors alike will find plenty to enjoy in all three of these parks. Know that these parks are extremely popular in the summer months, and there can be long waits to enter the park and many of the popular sites. Also, there is virtually no cell service at any of these parks.

Trip tips

  • Visit during off-peak seasons: The best time to visit all three parks is May to September. To avoid dense summer crowds, aim for late spring or early fall.

  • Secure accommodations early: Campgrounds, especially those inside the parks, fill up quickly. Ensure you have a spot by booking months in advance.

  • Watch for road closures: Many Yellowstone roads close for the winter season from November to late April, and during the summer for construction projects. Check the Yellowstone National Park website for current road conditions to ensure a safe journey.

  • Pack essentials: With variable mountain weather, pack warm layers. Don't forget essentials like a first aid kit, ample water, and maps or a GPS.

  • Fuel up ahead of time: Only Yellowstone has in-park gas stations, which can get busy. Before you begin each day, make sure your RV has a full tank so you can explore each park to your heart’s content.

  • Keep pets on-leash: Pets are only allowed in specific areas of each park, and always on a leash. Check for pet-friendly zones at the visitor center.

  • Plan for limited connectivity: Each park has areas with minimal to no cell service. Download maps and important information beforehand.

  • Stay Informed: Visitor centers are a treasure trove of information. Stop by to get the latest on trail conditions, closures, ranger-led programs, fishing regulations and permits

Your route

Route map: Grizzlies, Geysers, & Grandeur – Grand Teton, Yellowstone, & Glacier
1Grand Teton National Park2Yellowstone National Park3Glacier National Park
1
Stop 1 1-3 day stay

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Grand Teton National Park, WY

Located immediately south of Yellowstone National Park adjacent to beautiful Jackson, Wyoming, the Tetons have inspired painters and photographers for ages. Only 200,000 acres, the easily accessible park has stunning natural beauty with its dramatic peaks seeming to rise out of the valley floor. Beautiful alpine lakes and streams dot the landscape, and hiking trails abound. The Snake River winds through the park's valley and provides many opportunities for fishing and rafting both inside and outside the park. Nature lovers, hikers, bikers, hard core rock climbers, and history buffs will find inspiration in this smaller scale but breathtaking park. Keep your eyes peeled for elk and other migrating wildlife. AdventureGenie can help you plan a wonderful trip to Grand Teton National Park. The nearby town of Jackson, Wyoming, is filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Given its ultra wealthy homeowners and visitors, prices here can be steep.

Top things to do

While this park is smaller than Yellowstone and Glacier, it is packed with great hikes, scenic drives, stunning vistas, and history. Don’t miss:

1
Jenny LakeOne of the most popular areas of the park with its stunning vistas from the floor of the Teton Range, the Jenny Lake area has a visitors center, hiking trails, kayaking, and a boat shuttle across the Lake.
2
Mormon Row Historic DistrictThis area with historic homes and barns shows the mostly restored homesteads of the many Mormon farm families who set out from Salt Lake City to establish new communities. It is also a popular place to view or photograph spectacular sunrises over the Tetons.
3
Jackson Lake LodgeThis elegant, rustic lodge is a National Historic Landmark due to its architectural significance. It’s a beautiful place to grab a quick coffee or meal, and enjoy the vistas of Jackson Lake and the Tetons.
4
Scenic DriveThis 42-mile loop through the park is a wonderful way to see much of the park.
5
Signal Mountain SummitDrive up this mountain for panoramic views of the whole park and valley.
6
Snake RiverConsider floating or fly-fishing the Snake River or taking a trail ride with one of the many private tour operators near the park.

Grand Teton National Park, WY activities

BikingKayaking, Canoeing, & PaddlingFloat TripsFishingBoat ToursGolfRock ClimbingWildlife ViewingHorseback RidingPhotographyStargazingRock Climbing

RV campgrounds near Grand Teton National Park, WY

There are nearly 1,000 RV sites inside the park, some of which have size limits and are reserved nearly a year in advance. Jackson, WY, – the mountain playground for the rich and famous which is filled with shops, galleries, hotels, and restaurants – is near the park’s south entrance and has several private campgrounds in and around it. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park near Grand Teton National Park and Jackson.

Next stop: Yellowstone National Park
2
Stop 2 2-4 day stay

Yellowstone National Park, WY & MT

Yellowstone National Park, WY & MT

Yellowstone National Park, spanning 2.2 million acres, is America’s first (founded in 1872 by President Teddy Roosevelt) and one of its largest national parks. Imagine herds of bison, elk and moose grazing in grassy meadows or drinking from snow-fed streams, lakes and waterfalls, or see packs of wolves amidst dramatic canyon backdrops. The most unusual features of Yellowstone are its geothermal sites – think boiling hot springs alive with color, Old Faithful geyser, bubbling mud pools, and steam vents. The park’s main roads follow a large figure-eight with scenic overlooks and hikes of all levels along the way. Let AdventureGenie help you plan your RV trip to Yellowstone.

Top things to do

While you could spend weeks exploring this massive park, here are some of the most popular things to see and do:

1
Old Faithful GeyserThis iconic geyser displays its tall hot water spout every 90-120 minutes, and crowds cheer after each “eruption.” There is a one-mile boardwalk around Old Faithful that overlooks many other geothermal features. The often-crowded Visitor Center and Lodge area has several restaurants and shops. This is one of the only places inside the park with even some cell phone reception – most other places have zero!
2
Grand Canyon of the YellowstoneThis less famous and smaller “Grand Canyon” was created by the Yellowstone River and boasts dramatic looming waterfalls and scenic overlooks. The walk between the falls is short with a small grade.
3
Yellowstone LakeOn the southern portion of the park is the grand, peaceful, and cold Yellowstone Lake with over 140 miles of shoreline. Small boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and boat tours are available inside the park.
4
Geothermal FeaturesThere are over 10,000 geothermal features in Yellowstone. As you drive around the park, they are everywhere – some with vibrant colors, grey mud pots, gushing geysers, and steam vents. Some of the most dramatic and colorful are found in the Upper Terraces area, including the 1.7-mile boardwalk showcasing the Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. Fountain Paint Pot and the West Thumb Geyser Basin are also worth a visit. As the signs tell you repeatedly, these boiling hot features will kill humans and animals – so don’t ever allow anyone to come in contact.
5
WildlifeFew leave Yellowstone without seeing bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, wolves, or bears (including grizzlies). These animals are best viewed from one’s car or a safe distance away, since many injuries and deaths occur each year with eager tourists trying to get too close. Bisons, elk, moose and bears are interesting, but they are not human friendly.

Yellowstone National Park, WY & MT activities

BikingKayaking, Canoeing, & PaddlingFishingGolfRock ClimbingWildlife ViewingHorseback RidingPhotographyStargazingBoat Tours

RV campgrounds near Yellowstone National Park, WY & MT

Inside Yellowstone there are over 450 RV campsites, but these typically book a year in advance, and be aware of potential size restrictions and limited hook-ups. Campgrounds are booked through the Rec.gov and Yellowstone National Park Lodge’s websites (which are included in AdventureGenie’s campground database). Yellowstone has five main entrances (North, Northeast, South, East and West), all of which offer private RV parks nearby. We prefer West Yellowstone, MT, since it offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park for visiting Yellowstone.

Next stop: Glacier National Park
3
Stop 3 2-4 day stay

Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park, MT

Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park has dramatic scenery in its one million acres – think alpine lakes, soaring waterfalls, glacier-carved valleys, and massive peaks jutting into the sky. Glacier is a hiker’s paradise with over 700 miles of hiking trails of all levels. It is also part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), with Waterton Lake National Park of Canada occupying the northern half of this park. AdventureGenie can help you plan a great RV trip to Glacier National Park.

Top things to do

Glacier is a massive park but some of its highlights are:

1
Going-to-the-Sun RoadThis 50-mile scenic drive is the most popular activity in the park and requires a reservation through Recreation.gov. (If you reserve a rental kayak or bike through one of the concessionaires inside the park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will receive a one-day pass). We recommend driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road on your first day to get a sense of the park.
2
Popular HikesCheck out Avalanche Lake and the Highline Trail (not for those afraid of heights!).
3
Lake McDonaldThis 10-mile-long mountain lake near the West Glacier entrance has a lovely lodge, shops, restaurants, campgrounds, and private rentals such as kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Glacier National Park, MT activities

HikingBikingFishingRaftingKayaking, Canoeing, & PaddlingHorseback RidingWildlife ViewingPhotographyStargazing

RV campgrounds near Glacier National Park, MT

Inside the park there are five campgrounds with over 1,000 sites. Some are first-come/first-serve, and others can be reserved ahead of time (like many other National Parks, there are size limits, and reservations often fill up 12 months before). For a private campground, we recommend staying near West Glacier, MT (located at the West Entrance, one of five park entrances). Use AdventureGenie to help you find a great RV park to explore Glacier National Park.

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