Yellowstone and Grand Teton

• Watch Old Faithful geyser erupt and shoot water 130 feet in the air.
• Marvel at the rainbow waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the largest hot springs in the world.
• Gaze down or hike through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and see the beautiful Upper and Lower Falls.
• Drive through the Hayden or Lamar Vallies and watch for wildlife like elk, bison, and grizzly bears. The park is home to the largest group of free-roaming bison in the world.
• Explore Mammoth Hot Spring which has fascinating natural terraces and sculptures.

Within the National Park:

• Canyon Lodge and Cabins: 400+ guest rooms spread across 5 hotel-style lodges, with 100+ cabins being more rustic accommodations.
• Grant Village Lodge: 300 guest rooms spread across 6 two-story, hotel-style lodges.
• Lake Hotel and Cabins: Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.
• Lake Lodge Cabins: 186 cabins.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins: Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.
• Old Faithful Inn: Rustic lodge with hotel room-style accommodations.
• Old Faithful Lodge: Cabin accommodations.
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge: Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.
• Roosevelt Lodge: Cabin accommodations.

Outside the Park:

• Yellowstone Lodge – Great location West of the park with an indoor pool
• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone – Great location West of the park with an indoor pool
• Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone – Nice cabins with kitchenettes in a great location

• Peak: Summer is the peak time to visit Yellowstone so lodging prices will be higher.
• Lodging: Lodging prices can vary widely – from $85 to $350 per night.
• Flying: There are 6 airports relatively close to Yellowstone and some of the prices to fly in during peak times can get outrageous. Make sure you compare prices between multiple airports. The 6 airports are:
  • Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – 3 miles away
  • Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – 50 miles away. Often expensive.
  • Yellowstone Regional Airport – 55 miles
  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – 90 miles away. It’s the closest international airport to Yellowstone National Park
  • Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – 110 miles
  • Billings-Logan International Airport – 125 miles
• Car Rental: You must have a car for this trip, so if you’re flying in you’ll need a rental car. You can price compare rental cars at Expedia.com
• National Park Fee: If vising the park only one day – $20-35 If visiting the park more than one day, buy an annual pass for $70 If visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton (and any other National Parks for a year), buy an America the Beautiful pass for $80
• Meals: There are places to eat in the park ranging from quick bites to elegant meals. You can save a little if you purchase snacks outside the park or stay in a place with a kitchenette. Some hotels include breakfast. Make sure you include food costs when budgeting.
• Timeframe:If you only have a day, one day in Yellowstone is better than nothing! Ideally, I would say 3 days in Yellowstone and 1 at Grand Teton.

• We highly recommend stopping at a store on your way to Yellowstone and having some essentials on hand for snacks and picnic meals.
• The main places to eat are in the Lodges/Villages. These areas are: Canyon Village, Grant Village, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Old Faithful Village. Learn more >
• Most of these village areas will have casual spots that are great for grabbing snacks or lunch, and also dining rooms that are great for dinner but many require reservations, especially during summer.
• Many dining locations are only open May – October (the dates vary). If you are visiting during April for Spring Break for example, your dining options will be very limited!

• Yellowstone is huge so you’ll spend some time in the car driving between destinations. Come prepared with books, tablets, or toys that can keep kids entertained in the car.
• Stop by a visitor’s center or ranger station to pick up a Junior Ranger activity book and a wildlife checklist. These help kids become more interested in looking out the window for animals while you’re driving around and will keep them wanting to explore.
• Keep a bag with you while exploring with snacks, sunscreen, band aids and other essentials
• Bring a stroller or back carrier (or both!) for toddlers and preschoolers. There is a lot of walking! Many of the most popular areas are paved or have smooth walkways for strollers.