The Essential Yellowstone
Day 1 — Greatest Hits
7:00 AMEnter the West Entrance (~45 min drive). Stop at Madison Junction for early morning elk/bison
viewing.
8:30 AMOld Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin — Watch the eruption, walk the boardwalk past Morning Glory
Pool.
11:00 AMGrand Prismatic Spring — Walk the boardwalk, then hike to the overlook for the aerial view.
12:30 PMLunch at Old Faithful Lodge or pack a picnic.
1:30 PMDrive to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone via Hayden Valley (watch for bison and grizzlies).
3:00 PMGrand Canyon — Artist Point, then walk to Brink of the Lower Falls if time allows.
5:00 PMDrive back via Madison Junction. Stop at Gibbon Falls and Firehole River swimming area.
7:00 PMBack at the cabin for hot tub and dinner. What a day!
Upper & Lower Loops
Day 1 — Lower Loop (Geysers & Canyon)
7:00 AMWest Entrance → Madison Junction. Morning wildlife along the Madison River.
8:30 AMOld Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin — 2 hours exploring geysers and boardwalks.
11:00 AMGrand Prismatic Spring + Overlook Trail.
12:30 PMLunch, then drive north through Hayden Valley to the Grand Canyon.
2:30 PMGrand Canyon — Artist Point, Uncle Tom's Trail, Brink of Upper Falls.
5:00 PMReturn via Norris Geyser Basin.
Day 2 — Upper Loop (Mammoth & Lamar)
6:00 AMEarly start! Drive to Lamar Valley for dawn wildlife viewing.
9:00 AMTower Fall — a beautiful 132-foot waterfall.
10:30 AMMammoth Hot Springs — Explore the terraces, spot elk.
12:30 PMLunch in Mammoth, then drive back along the Grand Loop.
2:00 PMNorris Geyser Basin or Mystic Falls hike.
4:30 PMReturn to cabin. Hot tub and sunset.
Yellowstone + Grand Teton
Day 1 — Yellowstone Lower Loop
MorningOld Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring + Overlook.
AfternoonGrand Canyon of the Yellowstone — Artist Point, Lower Falls.
EveningHayden Valley wildlife viewing on the drive back.
Day 2 — Yellowstone Upper Loop
DawnLamar Valley wildlife safari.
Mid-morningTower Fall and the Petrified Tree.
AfternoonMammoth Hot Springs terraces + elk viewing.
EveningNorris Geyser Basin on the return.
Day 3 — Grand Teton National Park
MorningDrive south to Grand Teton NP. Oxbow Bend for sunrise reflections.
Mid-morningJenny Lake — boat shuttle, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point.
AfternoonTeton Park Road. Signal Mountain Summit for panoramic views.
Late afternoonMormon Row Historic District — iconic barns with Teton backdrop.
The Complete Experience
Day 1 — Yellowstone Lower Loop West
MorningOld Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin — take your time.
AfternoonGrand Prismatic + Overlook, Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin.
EveningFirehole River swimming area (summer).
Day 2 — Yellowstone Lower Loop East
MorningHayden Valley — prime grizzly and bison territory.
MiddayGrand Canyon — all viewpoints plus Uncle Tom's Trail.
AfternoonYellowstone Lake & West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Day 3 — Yellowstone Upper Loop
DawnLamar Valley wildlife safari.
Mid-morningTower Fall, Petrified Tree, Calcite Springs Overlook.
AfternoonMammoth Hot Springs terraces.
EveningNorris Geyser Basin.
Day 4 — Grand Teton National Park
SunriseOxbow Bend.
MorningJenny Lake boat + Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point.
AfternoonSignal Mountain, Teton Park Road scenic stops.
Late afternoonMormon Row for golden hour photography.
Day 5 — Island Park & Local Gems
MorningMesa Falls Scenic Byway — stunning waterfalls.
MiddayBig Springs — crystal-clear natural spring.
AfternoonHarriman State Park — hike, bike, or spot trumpeter swans.
EveningRelax at the cabin — hot tub, fire pit, stargazing.
The Ultimate Yellowstone & Teton Adventure
Day 1 — Arrival & Island Park
AfternoonArrive and settle in. Explore the property — hot tub, fire pit, deck.
EveningDrive to Big Springs for a short nature walk. Dinner in Island Park.
Day 2 — Yellowstone: Geysers & Hot Springs
Full dayOld Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic + Overlook, Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin.
Day 3 — Yellowstone: Canyon & Lake
MorningHayden Valley wildlife viewing.
MiddayGrand Canyon — all viewpoints, Uncle Tom's Trail.
AfternoonYellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Day 4 — Yellowstone: Mammoth & Lamar
DawnLamar Valley — the best wildlife day.
Late morningTower Fall, then Mammoth Hot Springs.
AfternoonMammoth terraces, Boiling River (seasonal).
Day 5 — Grand Teton National Park
SunriseOxbow Bend or Schwabacher Landing.
MorningJenny Lake boat shuttle + Hidden Falls/Inspiration Point.
AfternoonTeton Park Road, Signal Mountain, Menor's Ferry.
EveningMormon Row golden hour.
Day 6 — Grand Teton: Deeper Exploration
MorningHike Taggart Lake or Cascade Canyon.
AfternoonJackson Hole town square — shopping, galleries, dining.
EveningReturn via Teton Pass or Ashton. Stargazing at the cabin.
Day 7 — Local Island Park
MorningMesa Falls Scenic Byway.
MiddayHarriman State Park — hiking, biking, trumpeter swans.
AfternoonFly fishing on Henry's Fork, or kayaks at Henry's Lake.
EveningFinal night — fire pit, s'mores, stargazing.
