A 9-Day Western National Parks Road Trip: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Twin Falls
/This post contains affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
My Western National Parks Road Trip
Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, and an Idaho Detour
This Western National Parks road trip had been on my bucket list for years, and I finally made it happen. I planned a nine-day loop starting in Las Vegas and driving through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, covering some of the most iconic national parks in the U.S.
My boyfriend Tyrone joined me on this journey, and it was actually his first time ever visiting a national park, which made the trip even more meaningful. Being able to experience places like Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park together for the first time was incredibly special. Watching someone see these landscapes with fresh eyes reminded me why I love national parks so much in the first place.
This post is designed to be both a planning guide and a realistic trip recap, combining logistics, lessons learned, and a detailed day-by-day breakdown of what actually worked.
Road Trip Overview
Total trip length: 9 days, 8 nights
Total Driving Distance: ~2,500 miles
Starting/Ending Point: Las Vegas, Nevada
States covered: Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
Travel Dates: August 23-31
Travelers: 2 adults
Total Cost: $3,059 (hotels, gas, tours, park pass)
Travel style: Road trip with early mornings and flexible afternoons
Best for: Scenic drives, wildlife viewing, short to moderate walks
Important Planning Note: Book everything as early as possible! By early June, all hotels inside Glacier were sold out, all Western Red Bus tours were booked, and vehicle registration passes were gone. Popular tours and accommodations fill up months in advance.
Going-To-The-Sun Road at Glacier National Park
High-Level Itinerary
Day 1: Drive Las Vegas to Jackson, WY (10 hours, 681 miles)
Day 2: Explore Grand Teton National Park
Day 3: Drive to Yellowstone, explore (2 hours, 97 miles)
Day 4: Full day in Yellowstone
Day 5: Drive to Glacier National Park (6 hours, 386 miles)
Day 6: Red Bus Tour at Glacier
Day 7: Boat tour and hiking at Glacier
Day 8: Drive to Twin Falls, ID (8.5 hours, 594 miles)
Day 9: Explore Twin Falls, drive to Las Vegas (7.5 hours, 493 miles)
Where We Stayed
The Rockwell Inn (Jackson, WY)
$505/night, $1,011 total for 2 nights
Charming courtyard motel, free breakfast, walking distance to downtown. Highly recommend.
Kelly Inn West Yellowstone (West Yellowstone, MT)
Paid with Chase points: 57,298 points + $111
Free breakfast, excellent reviews, convenient location.
Sky Eco Lodge (Coram, MT)
$433/night, $1,299 total for 3 nights
Adorable chalet with kitchenette. Having a kitchen was invaluable for early starts.
Holiday Inn Twin Falls (Twin Falls, ID)
Free with 31,000 IHG points
Clean and convenient with plenty of nearby restaurants.
What to Pack for a Western National Parks Road Trip
Packing correctly made a huge difference on this trip, especially with changing weather and early starts.
Essentials to bring:
Refillable water bottles
Packed lunches and snacks (park food is expensive and mediocre)
Hat and sunscreen (minimal shade on trails)
Layers for temperature changes (40s in morning, 80s-90s by afternoon)
Comfortable walking shoes
Small backpack for day use
Portable phone charger
Binoculars and telephoto lens (for wildlife viewing)
Bear spray (highly recommended in Glacier, available for rent)
Don't Forget:
National Park Annual Pass ($85, worth it for this trip)
Reservation confirmations (especially for Glacier)
Download offline maps on phone (cell service is spotty)
Rain jacket (weather changes quickly)
On the road to Wyoming
Quick Highlights At a Glance
Best Photo Spots:
Mormon Row at sunrise (Grand Teton)
Schwabacher Landing (Grand Teton)
Artist Point (Yellowstone)
Grand Prismatic Spring (Yellowstone)
Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier)
Swiftcurrent Lake (Many Glacier)
Best Wildlife Viewing:
Hayden Valley for bison (Yellowstone)
Going-to-the-Sun Road for bighorn sheep and mountain goats (Glacier)
Many Glacier for bears and moose (Glacier)
Best Hikes (Easy):
Schwabacher Landing - 0.5 miles, flat (Grand Teton)
Fountain Paint Pots - 0.5 miles, easy boardwalk (Yellowstone)
Swiftcurrent / Josephine Lakeshore Walking Paths - 2.5 miles, flat (Glacier)
Wildlife Spotted: Bison (including babies!), elk, deer, grizzly bear, black bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats.
Bison at Yellowstone
Day 1: Las Vegas to Jackson, Wyoming
We left Vegas around 6 AM for the 10-hour drive to Jackson, arriving early evening. The Rockwell Inn was charming with a courtyard where you could park right in front of your room. After checking in, we walked to StillWest Brewery & Grill for dinner, which I can't recommend (awful drinks). We salvaged the evening at The Rose, a cocktail lounge that was fantastic.
Enjoying my free warm cookie at the Rockwell Inn
These drinks were terrible at StillWest Brewery😅
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park
Reality Check: We planned to wake up before sunrise, but like most road trips, sleep schedules slipped. Even with a later start, Grand Teton National Park completely delivered.
Mormon Row with the gorgeous Grand Teton mountains
Key Stops:
Mormon Row: One of the most photographed locations in the park. Even without perfect sunrise lighting, the historic barns framed by the Tetons were stunning. We spent over an hour here taking photos and videos from every angle.
Schwabacher Landing: Easy half-mile hike with incredible mountain reflections that look like a painting. Most picturesque spots are right at the beginning.
Snake River Overlook: Nice view of the meandering river but not a "wow" moment.
Oxbow Bend: Pretty, but we got better photos at Schwabacher Landing. Bonus: we spotted distant bison and pet horses along the way.
Schwabacher Landing
By midday, parking lots near Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point were completely full. Instead of forcing it, we pivoted and made a spontaneous stop near Lupine Meadows Trailhead, where open fields and mountain views gave us space to breathe and take photos without crowds.
We ended the day back in Jackson with a late lunch and early dinner at Merry Piglets Tex Mex. We spent time walking around downtown Jackson, which is such a charming little town. There are tons of eateries, cafes, bars, and local shops packed into a very walkable area. It was the perfect place to wind down after a full park day, grab food, and soak in the small-town mountain vibe.
Downtown Jackson
Merry Piglets Tex Mex
Day 3: Sunrise at Mormon Row and Yellowstone Bound
This time, we got it right. We woke up at 4:00 am and made it to Mormon Row before sunrise. The soft light slowly hit the peaks, turning them pink and gold. It was calm, uncrowded, and absolutely worth the early alarm.
Mormon Row at sunrise
After sunrise, we drove north into Yellowstone National Park and by late morning we arrived at Old Faithful.
Yellowstone Sites Visited
Old Faithful was great to finally see in person, but it was a bit underwhelming compared to other geothermal features we encountered later in the park. It is iconic and worth seeing once, but it was not the most exciting geyser for us.
Grand Prismatic Spring completely blew me away and is an absolute must-see. The vibrant colors of the spring are truly spectacular and even more impressive in person than in photos. This was easily one of my favorite stops in Yellowstone.
Fountain Paint Pots was so much fun and surprisingly educational. Seeing the bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and different geothermal features all in one area really helped us understand how diverse Yellowstone’s geothermal landscape is.
Grand Prismatic Spring
After a long day, we checked into our hotel in West Yellowstone and had a late lunch and early dinner at The Buffalo Bar, located near our hotel in downtown West Yellowstone. It was a friendly, relaxed bar restaurant with good food and a welcoming atmosphere, which was exactly what we wanted after a full park day.
The Buffalo Bar
The drinks, food, and service were great at The Buffalo Bar
Day 4: Wildlife and Waterfalls in Yellowstone
This day focused on big views and wildlife. We woke up early again at 4 AM to make the two-hour drive to Lamar Valley from West Yellowstone so we could get there by sunrise.
Lamar Valley: This area is known for wildlife viewing. Bison herds were far out (need binoculars and telephoto lenses). Not great for us without proper equipment, but just as we were leaving, a herd of bison walked right past us making grunting sounds. Two baby calves with them. We were the only ones there!
Herd of bison at Lamar Valley
Artist Point: The views of the Yellowstone River cutting through the canyon are dramatic and expansive, and you really get a sense of how massive the landscape is. This was one of the most impressive viewpoints in the park and did not require a strenuous hike to enjoy.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Hayden Valley: This area was much better for bison viewing during our visit. We saw bison close to the road, making it easy to stop, observe, and take photos. Watching them roam freely through the valley was one of those classic Yellowstone moments.
Lots of bison hanging around Hayden Valley
Canyon Eatery: We stopped at Canyon Eatery for lunch. The food was super average, but better than nothing. They had an Asian food station and fast food options like chicken fingers and burgers.
Mammoth Hot Springs: This was over an hour drive from Canyon Eatery, but I wanted to see it because it reminded me of the travertines at Pamukkale in Turkey. It was cool, but not as grand as what I saw in Turkey. On the drive back, we spotted more bison and steam vents along the road, proving that Yellowstone always has something new around the next curve.
Late Afternoon Swim: We stopped by a river so Tyrone could jump in for a quick swim. The water wasn't as cold as we expected, actually warmer than anticipated.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Day 5: Driving to Glacier National Park
The drive to Glacier National Park took most of the day and was filled with rain. Once we reached Montana, the weather cleared and temperatures rose (high 80s). We stopped for a late lunch at Paul Bunyan Bar and Grill before checking into our cabin near the park.
That evening, we picked up groceries at Canyon Food, just 5 minutes from our cabin. The prices were surprisingly reasonable for being in the middle of nowhere. We bought bacon, eggs, and waffles for breakfast the next few days. This was a great decision since most restaurants don't open before 7 AM, and we wanted to start our days early.
On the road to Montana
Day 6: Glacier’s Red Bus Tour and Going-to-the-Sun Road
Important Glacier Reservation Info: You need reservations to enter Glacier National Park unless you arrive before the park opens or after 3 PM. We learned this the hard way. If you book a tour, you can get in, but we discovered that you need to enter through a specific gate depending on which tour you booked. The website doesn't explain this well.
We tried to enter through the west entrance for our east-side tour, and the park ranger almost turned us around. Luckily, he was understanding and let us through since we wouldn't have made our tour on time otherwise. The alternative route would have taken about 3 hours.
Morning Start: We left at 6:15 AM after cooking breakfast in our cabin. We stopped at Apgar Village to see Lake McDonald. The weather was cloudy and sprinkling, so the water wasn't the vibrant blue you see in photos, but it was still beautiful.
There's a cute gift shop at Apgar Village that opens at 6 AM, with clever gifts like Uno wilderness cards, clothing, pins, postcards, games, and more. There's also a small café inside with coffee and pastries.
Lake McDonald at Apgar Village
Red Bus Tour Experience
Pickup Location: Rising Sun Motor Inn at 10:15 AM (arrive 15 minutes early)
Our Guide: Al, 75 years old, who had been hiking these mountains since his 30s. He was knowledgeable but occasionally forgot what he was saying. He also almost forgot us at the pickup point and when we finally got on, he scolded us for being late, even though we'd been there since 9:45 AM. That was frustrating.
Red Bus Tour at Glacier National Park
Tour Highlights:
The drive through Going-to-the-Sun Road was gorgeous, though it was still raining during the first part. We made several stops:
Wild Goose Island: Quick photo stop while it was still raining. Al shared myths about the island. It's one of the most photographed spots in the park.
Reynolds Creek Fire Area: We drove past burnt trees from the 2015 fire, the park's largest, which burned 2% of the park (almost 5,000 acres).
Logan Pass: Our first restroom stop with 45 minutes to explore. This is the highest elevation reachable by car in the park at 6,646 feet.
Lake McDonald Lodge: Lunch break. We ate at Jammer Joe's for more affordable quick bites instead of the fine dining restaurant, which had a 30-minute wait.
Sacred Dancing Cascade: Named for the way water moves gracefully over rocky ledges. We stopped here again on our way back and walked down closer to enjoy the nature.
Jackson Glacier Overlook: You can walk through the horse tunnel here which was built in the 1930s. This small tunnel was designed to accommodate horse parties traveling from the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets over Piegan Pass to Many Glacier.
Sacred Dancing Cascade
Historic Horse Tunnel
We saw two bighorn sheep during the tour, and Al pointed out the Triple Arches, Going-to-the-Sun Mountain, and other fun facts about the park.
Verdict: Overall, the tour ended up being really fun, and I'd recommend it. You get to see viewpoints and learn history that you'd miss on your own, like the horse tunnel.
The drive back down was beautiful. We pulled over near the bottom to enjoy Sacred Dancing Cascade up close one more time.
Dinner: We cooked dinner in the cabin with groceries from Canyon Food.
Enjoying the nature at Sacred Dancing Cascade
Day 7: Glacier Boat Tour and Hiking
Morning Drama: Planned to hike Hidden Lake Overlook, but thick fog made visibility almost zero. I drove 10 mph up Going-to-the-Sun Road seeing nothing but white clouds. We gave up and headed to Many Glacier Hotel instead.
Grizzly Bear Sighting! On the drive to Many Glacier, we saw our first grizzly bear of the trip. A couple behind us had binoculars and shared them with us so we could get a better look. It was incredible, the first grizzly bear I'd ever seen in my life.
It’s a grizzly bear!
Glacier Park Boat Tour
What to Know:
Pick up tickets 30 minutes prior at the ticket office behind the hotel
Board 15 minutes prior
Last return boat at 5:45 PM
No cell service
Glacier Park Boat Tour
We arrived early and explored the area. We even went rowboating on Swiftcurrent Lake, which was harder than it looks! It took me a good 5-10 minutes to get the rhythm down. Once you figure it out, though, it's really fun. The weather was perfect at 60°F, and we spent about an hour rowing around.
Wait List Success: We originally had a 2 PM reservation but got on the wait list for 11 AM and 1 PM. We didn't make the 11 AM boat (too many people), but we got on the 1 PM boat. The timing worked out perfectly after rowboating and having lunch.
Black Bear Surprise: Right after getting off the boat at Josephine Lake, we saw a black bear swimming in the distance! It ran into the trees up the mountain when it got scared of the boat approaching.
Having a great time learning how to row the boat
Getting Lost Turned Into the Best Moment
After the Glacier Park boat tour, we attempted to hike toward Grinnell Lake, but we missed the correct turn. At first, this was frustrating, but it quickly turned into the best part of the day.
We encountered:
A moose and her baby along the trail
Incredible scenery we would not have seen otherwise
Fellow travelers from Tampa, which felt like such a small-world moment
What started as a mistake ended up feeling like a blessing and became one of my favorite memories from Glacier.
Getting lost on the hike wasn’t too bad
Moose encounter at Many Glacier
Evening at Apgar Village
At the end of the day, we drove back to Apgar Village, where Tyrone went for a swim in Lake McDonald. The weather was much nicer than the day before, and it was a perfect way to end such a full day in Glacier.
Great weather at Apgar Village near sunset
Day 8: Glacier to Twin Falls, Idaho
The 8.5-hour drive toward Idaho included several quirky stops.
Shield Arms & Skald Coffee (Bigfork, MT): Coffee shop + firearms store combo. Wall of semi-automatic rifles, excellent coffee, fresh waffles. Very clean and modern with outdoor terrace. The friendly owner chatted with Tyrone about mountain biking.
Giant Cow Statue (Greenough, MT): At Cow Store 'N More, crossroads of Highways 83 and 200. Quick photo op.
Craters of the Moon National Monument: Eeriest place ever. Miles of black lava rocks from ancient volcanic eruption. Dead silent. No animals, no cars, nothing. We got ringing in our ears from the silence. Reminded me of Iceland.
Shield Arms & Skald Coffee
Our signature pose in front of the cow statue
Loved discovering this area of Idaho
Day 9: Twin Falls Exploration & Return to Vegas
Twin Falls turned out way cooler than expected!
Perrine Memorial Bridge: Incredible Snake River views, but the real attraction is BASE jumpers! I'd never seen BASE jumping in person. Watched multiple jumpers throughout our visit. They're there daily (weather permitting). Even standing on the bridge as a spectator is scary because it rattles. Exhilarating!
Shoshone Falls ($5 entrance): Often called "Niagara of the West." Powerful and impressive, especially when water levels are high. The viewing areas make it easy to take in the falls from multiple angles, and it is well worth the stop if you are in the area.
After exploring, we drove 7.5 hours back to Vegas, gaining an hour with the time zone change.
Perrine Memorial Bridge
BASE Jumpers at Twin Falls
Shoshone Falls
Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
This trip exceeded all expectations. Every moment was amazing, even the mishaps.
Unforgettable Moments:
Wildlife: Saw incredible variety including bison with babies, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose with baby, grizzly bear, and black bear swimming. Most animals I've ever seen on one trip.
Getting Lost at Glacier: Missing Grinnell Lake led to seeing a moose, meeting Tampa locals, and getting great exercise around two beautiful lakes.
BASE Jumpers: Never expected this Twin Falls highlight.
Grand Teton at Sunrise: Mormon Row delivered those iconic mountain shots.
Yellowstone's Hidden Gems: Skip the Old Faithful hype, focus on Grand Prismatic Spring and Fountain Paint Pots.
Glacier's Drama: Even with rain and fog, it was spectacular. Driving through white clouds was scary but unforgettable.
Grand Teton Mormon Row
Essential Tips:
Book months ahead for Glacier (tours, hotels, entry reservations)
Start early (parking fills up by mid-morning)
Be flexible (our best moments came from changing plans)
Pack food (park restaurants are expensive and mediocre)
Download offline maps (spotty cell service everywhere)
Don't skip "boring" stops (Twin Falls was a highlight!)
Stay alert on drives (we saw grizzly bears and goats between destinations)
Bring binoculars (if you want to see the wild animals more up close)
Swiftcurrent Lake Glacier
Total Trip Costs for 2 People (Excluding Food):
This total includes accommodations, park-related activities, and estimated gas costs. Food is not included, since we did not track those expenses closely. We brought a lot of snacks with us and prepped simple meals at our accommodations whenever possible. This helped cut down on food costs and made early park mornings much easier.
Hotels: $2,421
Gas: $300
Glacier Tours: $253
National Park Annual Pass: $85
Total: $3,059
If you're planning a Western National Parks road trip, I hope this helps! This trip was truly unforgettable, and I'm already thinking about when I can go back.
Thanks for reading, and happy travels!
Grand Prismatic Yellowstone
Frequently Asked Questions
-
We spent about 9 days total visiting Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and Twin Falls, Idaho. We were able to see and do almost everything we had planned, but adding an extra day or two in each location would have made the trip even better. More time would allow for slower mornings, weather flexibility, and a few additional hikes or scenic stops without feeling rushed.
-
Late summer worked very well for this itinerary. Most roads and trails were fully open, especially in Glacier National Park, and weather conditions were generally manageable. Summer also offers better access to high-elevation areas, though crowds are heavier during peak season.
-
Yes, Glacier National Park requires timed vehicle entry reservations for certain areas during peak season. There are exceptions if you enter very early, later in the afternoon, or have a qualifying tour reservation like the Red Bus Tour. Rules can change year to year, so it is important to check the official park website before your visit.
-
For this trip, we stayed outside the parks in nearby towns like Jackson, West Yellowstone, and Coram. This gave us more food options, easier logistics, and often better value. Staying outside the parks worked well as long as we started our days early.
-
Yes, Twin Falls was absolutely worth stopping by and ended up being a great surprise. Watching BASE jumpers at Perrine Memorial Bridge and visiting Shoshone Falls were both highlights. It was a refreshing way to break up a long drive and a memorable stop we did not originally expect to enjoy as much as we did.
