Geothermal Wonders & Grand Teton Peaks
Geothermal Wonders & Grand Teton Peaks
Big Sky, MT 59716Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Trip overview
Experience the ultimate frontier adventure where geothermal wonders collide with rugged alpine wilderness. This spectacular journey takes you past free-roaming bison herds, bubbling geyser basins, and deep canyons from Bozeman down to the majestic Tetons.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Big Sky
Ousel Falls Trail
A scenic, well-maintained 1.6-mile roundtrip trail that winds through the Gallatin National Forest to a spectacular rushing waterfall.
Ousel Falls Road, Big Sky, MT 59716
Chico Hot Springs Dining Room
Enjoy historic fine dining in a rustic mountain setting, featuring regional delicacies like bison tenderloin and fresh mountain trout.
163 Chico Road, Pray, MT 59065
Wonderland Lodge
A cozy, eco-conscious lodge right at the North Entrance of Yellowstone, perfect for resting before a big park adventure.
506 Scott St, Gardiner, MT 59030
Day 2 — Yellowstone National Park
Lamar Valley
Often called America's Serengeti, this wide-open valley is the premier location to spot wild bison herds, wolves, and grizzly bears.
Northeast Entrance Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Sunlight Creek Bridge Viewpoint
Stop at Wyoming's highest bridge, spanning a breathtaking 284 feet over the rugged Sunlight Creek Gorge.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296), Cody, WY 82414
The Irma Hotel Restaurant & Cherry Bar
Dine in the historic hotel built by Buffalo Bill Cody, featuring a famous cherrywood bar gifted by Queen Victoria and legendary prime rib.
1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414
Chamberlin Inn
A historic boutique hotel in downtown Cody, once hosting Ernest Hemingway, boasting a beautiful courtyard and western elegance.
1032 Beck Ave, Cody, WY 82414
Day 3 — Yellowstone National Park
Artist Point
Experience the most iconic view of the 308-foot Lower Falls plunging into the canyon's yellow and pink volcanic rock walls.
South Rim Drive, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Walk the lakeside boardwalks to see brilliant thermal pools, bubbling mud pots, and geysers that sit directly on the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake.
South Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Trapper Grill at Signal Mountain Lodge
Relax on the deck overlooking Jackson Lake and the Teton Range while enjoying giant plates of wild specialty nachos.
1 Inner Loop Rd, Moran, WY 83013
Day 4 — Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point
Take a scenic boat shuttle across pristine Jenny Lake, then hike past Hidden Falls up to Inspiration Point for panoramic views of the valley.
Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Grand Teton National Park, WY 83012
National Museum of Wildlife Art
Explore a world-class art museum built into a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, featuring works by Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol.
2820 Rungius Rd, Jackson, WY 83001
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Belly up to the bar on real saddle barstools, enjoy live country-western music, and soak in the legendary cowboy atmosphere.
25 N Cache St, Jackson, WY 83001
Day 5 — Grand Teton National Park
Snake River Overlook
Stand in the exact spot where Ansel Adams took his famous 1942 photograph of the winding Snake River against the backdrop of the Teton Range.
US Highway 191, Grand Teton National Park, WY 83012
Bear Lake State Park - Rendezvous Beach
Enjoy the incredibly vibrant turquoise blue water of 'the Caribbean of the Rockies' and grab a famous fresh raspberry shake in nearby Garden City.
1145 N S.R. 30, Laketown, UT 84038
Red Iguana
End your epic road trip at this legendary Utah institution famous for its killer, multi-layered, authentic Mexican mole dishes.
736 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Experiences
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Northern Rockies road trip covers about 876 mi and roughly 20h 5m of driving, comfortably spread across about 5 days.
This itinerary maps out 16 stops from Big Sky, MT 59716 to Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Highlights include Lamar Valley, Artist Point, and Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point.
It begins in Big Sky, MT 59716 and ends in Salt Lake City, UT 84116, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $1,366, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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