Wyoming, USA
Yellowstone National Park: The South Entrance is approximately 60 miles (1 hour) north of Jackson Hole. Travel with your own vehicle or join a guided bus tour. Consider organized tours for simplicity, handling driving and navigation, and for expert commentary. Independent travel offers greater flexibility, permitting your own pace and focus. A full day (10-12 hours) works for major highlights of the Lower Loop; consider an overnight stay for deeper exploration.
Grand Teton National Park: Within Jackson Hole, exploring different sections of Grand Teton is a dedicated outing. Easy access from Jackson and Teton Village. A rental car is highly recommended for mobility. The START bus connects to some trailheads. Suggested routes: Northern Loop (Colter Bay, Jackson Lake Lodge, Oxbow Bend, Signal Mountain) or Southern Loop (Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, Schwabacher Landing, Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center).
Venture into the surrounding natural areas for different perspectives and activities.
Located west of Jackson, accessed via the challenging Teton Pass (WY-22). Approximately 30-45 minutes drive to the Idaho side.
About an hour's drive southwest of Jackson.
For travelers with more time, multi-day trips broaden your exploration of the American West.
Dedicate 2-3 full days to Yellowstone. This covers both the Lower and Upper Loops thoroughly. Self-driving is suitable for comprehensive exploration. Drive north from Jackson Hole. Spend 1-2 nights within Yellowstone, perhaps at park lodging or camping. Then, continue north to explore Glacier National Park, or return to Jackson.
A logical continuation for those with more time. Allow 3-5 days. This destination involves significant driving (8+ hours from Jackson to Glacier). Drive north from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park.
Combine Grand Teton and Yellowstone for a 7-10 day trip. This presents a thorough national park journey. Spend 3-4 days in Jackson Hole/Grand Teton. Then, drive north to spend 3-4 days in Yellowstone, exploring different park areas.
For Yellowstone and other longer trips, an organized tour simplifies logistics.
For those who prefer a self-guided experience, independent travel brings greater freedom.
