- Destinations
Ultimate 9-Day Glacier & Yellowstone National Park Itinerary (+ Grand Tetons)
If there is one US road trip to do this summer, it is a Glacier National Park and Yellowstone Road Trip, with an optional stop at the Grand Tetons if you have time! As some of the most popular and beautiful parks in the US, this is a must-do vacation.
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most stunning destinations and combining both into one trip allows you to experience the best of the Rocky Mountains, from glaciers and rugged peaks to geysers and vast wildlife.
This itinerary is perfect for those who love hiking, scenic drives, wildlife spotting, and breathtaking landscapes. Below, I’ll explain the best way to explore all three parks in 9 days, with options to adjust based on your schedule.
Built with adventure in mind, you’re in for one of the best week-long experiences on America’s best road trip.
Just a heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
When my mom took me on a 2008 road trip through the United and Canadian Rockies (it was a long, epic road trip), I decided then that I would move out west. And now, almost twenty years later I’ve visited these three parks for weeks at a time individually and as a road trip going north and south.
In the itinerary, you will find a Google Map with all the destinations mentioned in this post. Feel free to save it for later use on your road trip!
Below the itinerary, you will find information on HOW to plan and build your itinerary.
As always, if you have any questions, please leave them as a comment; I would be happy to help.
If all of this sounds good to you, let’s get into it.
Quick Guide to Booking Your Trip
- Park Pass – You will need an America the Beautiful Pass to enter the parks! Purchase Yours Here
- Flights –Aviasales I use to find the best flight prices. Remember this is a one-way itinerary so you will be flying into Glacier International Airport and out of Jackson Hole Airport.
- Travel – Booking a car rental is easy to do on Rentalcars.com
- Best Time to Go? – August has some of the best weather in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons. It is also the busiest time of the year.
- Hotels – My favorite hotels for this trip are LOGE(Glacier National Park), Lake Lodge Cabins (Yellowstone), and The Lodge at Jackson Hole(Grand Tetons).
Have questions while planning your trip? I’m happy to answer them!
Map of Glacier NP & Yellowstone NP Road Trip
Use this map to help find activities, restaurants, and lodging on your road trip!
Day 1: Arrival & Going-to-the-Sun Road
Fly into Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, MT, and drive 23 miles to West Glacier.
There are plenty of other airport options, including Calgary International Airport and Missoula International Airport. Typically, I choose to fly into Missoula so I can spend a couple of days there. Read about my favorite Missoula Breweries here!
Morning: After picking up your rental car, drive towards West Glacier, MT. You can stop at Apgar Village Visitor Center to pick up maps and speak with the park rangers about wildlife spotings and any trail closures.
Drive through the West Entrance of Glacier onto Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is the perfect way to get associated with the park so you can maximize your time in Glacier.
Afternoon: If you want to make the most out of your time on the trail, my recommendations for your first day include Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Lookout, and the Weeping Wall. All three of these trails can be done rather quickly with amazing payoffs.
Evening: There are plenty of pull-offs along Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it would be worth it to watch the sunset up there!
Otherwise, you can head back down to West Glacier for dinner. There are a few dining options in and around West Glacier: Belton Chalet Dining Room, Freda’s, and the Sunflower Cafe & BBQ.
Where to stay
After a long day, you’ll want to stay on the West Entrance side of Glacier for the night.
Options for hotels and lodges on the West Entrance side include:
Belton Chalet – A historic lodge built by the Great Northern Railroad. They have on-site dining and a tap house!
Glacier Guides Lodge – This lodge is run by Glacier Guides & Montana Raft, my favorite company in Glacier for rafting trips and for renting e-bikes. It is an eco-friendly lodge with air conditioning (rare).
Lake McDonald Lodge – One of the most popular places to stay in Glacier, with beautiful views of Lake McDonald.
Apgar Village Lodge – Stay in the village with access to plenty of gift shops, a small grocery store, and restaurants. This is one of my favorite places to stay in Glacier because of its proximity to activities and places to eat!
Camping – There are many camping options within the park. On the West Side there is Fish Creek, Apgar Village, and Avalanche. All of them are great options, but only Avalanche will provide access to Going-to-the-Sun Road without a Vehicle Registration Pass.
Day 2: Iconic Hikes & Lake Views
Day two is one of my favorite days because you have more time to explore some of the longer trails in the park.
One of the most iconic trails you can do in Glacier National Park is the Highline Trail, which begins at Logan Pass. In peak season, the Logan Pass Parking Lot fills up quickly, so consider an early morning to snag a spot. Typically, in the early hours of the morning, you can spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep hanging around the pass.
Morning: As a longer hike, Highline Trail will eat up a chunk of your time if you finish it via the one-way route, however you can see panoramic views from the trail just a short ways in. You don’t have to hike the trail in its entirety for a huge payoff.
Afternoon: After the Highline Trail, you’ll want to start making your way east towards the other side of the park. Continuing on Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can stop at shorter hikes like Baring Falls or Virginia and St. Mary Falls.
Evening: Drive up to the Many Glacier Area of the park so you can maximize your time there on the next day. You can try and catch the sunset at Wild Goose Island Overlook!
Where to Stay
Hotels are more limited out this way so if you’re planning on staying in one of the park lodges, consider booking well in advance of your trip.
Many Glacier Hotel – This hotel is one of the prettiest hotels run by the park with amazing views. You’ll be right at the trailhead for Cracker Lake.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn – One of a few motor inns within the park, it is a great option for a quick overnight. The Swiftcurrent Motor Inn has great cabin options in the Many Glacier area!
Thronson’s Motel – An affordable option with a general store close to the Many Glacier entrance.
Day 3: Many Glacier & Wildlife Spotting
Many Glacier is one of my favorite places to visit in Glacier National Park. In fact, I could probably spend an entire week in this area and still want to stay longer. Since this part of Glacier is so far from the West Glacier area, you’ll find that it is LESS crowded but still very popular.
Here you have some options because there are so many fabulous hikes in this area, but many of them are longer. You will have a great time no matter what you do.
Morning: For your first time in Glacier, consider doing Grinnell Glacier or Cracker Lake. While they are longer trails, the elevation gain is pretty dispersed so there are no significantly difficult parts.
Afternoon: Head to Swiftcurrent Inn for an ice cream before going to Redrock Falls, a short hike, before you turn in for the evening.
Evening: You can choose to stay in Many Glacier for an evening boat ride on Swiftcurrent Lake or drive towards East Glacier for a headstart on your drive tomorrow.
There aren’t many dining options in Many Glacier; there is a small diner called Nell’s, which serves American food. You can also go to the Swiss Lounge or Ptarmigan Dining Hall in the Many Glacier Hotel for a drink and American-style food.
Where to Stay
Depending on where you want to spend the night, because sometimes it is nice to just stay in the same place for a couple of nights!
Many Glacier Hotel – This hotel is one of the prettiest hotels run by the park with amazing views. You’ll be right at the trailhead for Cracker Lake.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn – One of a few motor inns within the park, it is a great option for a quick overnight.
Glacier Park Lodge – This historic lodge is breathtaking. There is an on-site golf course which is one of the main draws to the property.
Jacobson’s Cottages – A small 3-star hotel off the main road. It is secluded with beautiful views of the surrounding area. You can sometimes see moose wandering through!
Day 4: Drive from Glacier to Yellowstone
Before you head down to Yellowstone, grab a pastry at Brownies Bakery! If you’re staying near Many Glacier the night before Kyiyo Mercantile & Bakery has some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. I highly recommend stopping in for a bite to eat before you begin your 6 hour drive to Yellowstone.
Morning: Grab some food to eat at Kyiyo Mercantile & Bakery or Brownies Bakery and begin your 370 mile, 6-hour drive to Yellowstone. One of my favorite things to do on my way through Big Sky Country is stop in Bozeman to visit the Museum of the Rockies. If anyone in your group loves dinosaurs, I highly recommend the stop.
Afternoon: Stop in Gardiner for lunch at Cowboys’s Lodge and Grille or Wonderland Cafe on the main street. Be on the lookout for Elk as you’re driving through, they are townies.
You’ll be entering from the North Entrance where you’ll be greeted with the famous Roosevelt Arch.
Head to Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the main thermal areas.
Evening: You can actually catch the sunset at Mammoth Hot Springs, which is widely considered one of the best places in the park.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay inside of the park, you’ll want to lock down your reservations pretty far in advanced. Here are some recommendations near the north end of Yellowstone.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabin – A beautiful hotel with an on-site restaurant and the opportunity to Roosevelt Elk from your window.
Yellowstone River Motel – Right on the Yellowstone River, this quaint hotel has some beautiful views with comfortable beds.
Travelodge by Wyndham Gardiner Yellowstone Park North – A more traditional hotel, it is a good place to stay for just one night.
Mammoth Campground – One of the twelve campgrounds in the park. I recommend looking at a map if you are planning on camping in the same place for the entirety of your trip. With the size of the park you would want the campground to be rather central to what you have planned otherwise you’ll be spending hours commuting each day.
Day 5: Geysers & Hot Springs
On this day, you’ll see some of the natural beauty of Yellowstone that put the parks name on the map in North America. You don’t need a super early start on this day, since mostof your day will consist of site seeing and quick stops allong the route.
Morning: Start your day at Albright Visitor Center & Museum. Here you will learn the history of the geothermal activity in the park and learn about the wildlife in the park. Head over to the Norris Geyser Basin. The Norris Geyser Basin trail is 2.9 miles, 180 feet of elevation along a boardwalk. On your way to the Grand Prismatic Spring, stop at quicklookouts: Gibbon Falls and drive the Firehole Canyon Rd to see Firehole Falls.
Afternoon: Stop at Morning Geyser and Paint Pot for a quick road stop on your way to the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring in the Midway Geyser basin. There is a short board walk trail through the grand prismatic, however you can also do the Grand Prismatic OVerlook trail which is 1.5 miles, 200 feet of elevation gain. The trail brings you to a lookout point so you can see the top view of the springs.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Make your way to the Upper Geyser Basin. Here you will visit the Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center while seeing the iconic Old Faithful Geyser by following the Observation Point Trail. There is plenty to see in this area and you can walk around for hours looking at the different geysers, springs, and pools. Drive into West Yellowstone to explore the Grizzly & Wolf Discover Center! I loved this little rescue park, especially since you see grizzly bears up close in a safe, protected environment.
Check out one of my favorite attractions in Yellowstone, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center!
Where to Stay
There are a couple of options near the Upper Geyser Basin but most of the main hotel options can be found in West Yellowstone.
Old Faithful Inn – A gorgeous historic hotel within the park. It lacks many of the modern amenities of a standard hotel room, but it is a beautiful place to stay.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge – A modern lodge within the park. One of the big draws for families is that kids 11 and under stay for free. There is also an elevated dining experience available in addition to a grill.
Best Western Weston Inn – The Best Western Weston Inn is an affordable and clean option in West Yellowstone.
The Adventure Inn Yellowstone – The adventure Inn is great for anyone who wants the option to cook their own meals. There is a full kitchen within each suite that makes dinning in possible on the road.
Day 6: Wildlife & Canyon Views
One of my favorite days in Yellowstone is heading out the Lamar Valley for wildlife. It is typically one of the least visited areas in the park because it is further away from many of the populated areas of the park.
Consider booking a Guided Wildlife Tour in Yellowstone for more opportunities to spot some of Yellowstone’s greatest animals like moose, bears, and wolves.
Early Morning: For an opportunity to spot the wolves and grizzly bears in Yellowstone, you’ll want to get an early start to your morning for your long drive to lamar Valley. Lamar Valley is a great place for wildlife spotting so if you have binoculars or a telephoto camera lens, add them to your packing list. I’ll share tips on wildlife spotting below.
Afternoon: Motor over to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone where you will see the grand falls of the Yellowstone River. Here you will walk to Artist Point which is just a short paved path from the parking lot. If you’re feeling up for a challenging you can take the short and steep, Uncle Tom’s Trail to the lower falls.
Evening: Head into Hayden Valley, another popular spot for wildlife viewing! This is also on the way to Yellowstone Lake, a popular place for boating and viewing the sunset.
Where to Stay
There are a couple of options for places to stay in the area, but you could also choose start heading down towards Grand Tetons National Park. Sometimes driving in the evening for a late check in is a great way to save some activity time on your trip.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins – This gorgeous yellow lodge was one of the first on-site lodges in Yellowstone. Known for hosting President Coolidge, you can grab a drink here even if you’re not spending the night.
Lake Lodge Cabins – These cabins are right on Yellowstone Lake, offering breathtaking scenery.
The Lodge at Jackson – A kid favorite with it’s outdoor and indoor pool The Lodge is a fantastic, albeit, pricey option in Jackson.
Flat Creek Inn & Mart – It is likely you’ll stop here for gas, but the Inn is a wonderful & affordable option that overlooks the National Elk Refuge.
Day 7: Scenic Drives & Iconic Views
If you’re continuing onto Grand Teton National Park for your road trip, you’re in for a treat because the first time you drive through Grand Tetons is spectacular. Today is a sightseeing and scenic drive day. The entirety of Teton Park Road is considered a scenic drive.
Morning: Start your day with sunrise at Schwabacker Landing or Mormon Row before heading back into town for coffee and breakfast at Cowboy Coffee. Then, head over to the National Elk Refuge. You can typically see one of the large herds here and learn about the history of the park.
Afternoon: Drive the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive before finding a parking space near Jenny Lake. Hike to Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, and Cascade Canyon. You can also choose to take the Jenny Lake Boat over to Inspiration Point. This area is great for swimming and there is a gift shop with slushies as well.
Evening: Head over to Jackson Lake Lodge for a beer while watching the sunset or take the short walk up Lunch Tree Hill from the lodge parking lot.
Where to Stay
You can drive back to Jackson for a place to stay or you can stay inside the park. All lodging within the park books up relatively quickly, but staying in Jackson can be expensive.
SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole – An all-suite hotel with free breakfast.
Jenny Lake Lodge – This lodge has some beautiful cabins available for rent with close proximity to one of the most popular areas in the park.
Jackson Lake Lodge – Lacking some of the modern amenities, this lodge is the trade-off for proximity to the going-ons of Grand Teton NP and a modern hotel.
Day 8: Adventure in the Grand Tetons
For your last full day of the trip, we’re ending it with a bang! You’ll be seeing some of the best trails on foot with the option of even more adventure via raft or boat. I’ve spent weeks exploring the Grand Tetons, and I can honestly say that these views rival those of my home state of Washington.
Morning: One of the best things to do in Grand Tetons is swim. There are plenty of excellent places to swim in Grand Tetons, but one of my personal favorites is hiking to Phelps Lakes. At phelps lake there is a massive 20ft rock that people love to jump off of into the lake. Swimming not your thang? There is also Taggart Lake and the challenging Delta Lake.
Afternoon: The afternoon can be used as additional time for hiking, or one of the many activities offered in and around the park. One of my personal favorites is rafting on the Snake River, there are full day options and half day options that only take a few hours. You can also do a Boat Tour on Jackson Lake or a wildlife guided tour if you want to see some incredible animals here.
Evening: I suggest spending some time in Jackson Hole. You can’t go out in Jackson Hole without stopping by at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. There are plenty of shops and great restaurants. One thing we loved the last time we visited was going to the rodeo. You’ll see plenty of cowboys walking around Jackson who will be in town for the event. It is a hoot!
Where to Stay
Depending on where you want to fly out from, consider spending the night in Jackson Hole, WY especially if you will be having a late night at the rodeo!
The Lodge at Jackson – A kid favorite with it’s outdoor and indoor pool The Lodge is a fantastic, albeit, pricey option in Jackson.
Flat Creek Inn & Mart – It is likely you’ll stop here for gas, but the Inn is a wonderful & affordable option that overlooks the National Elk Refuge.
SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole – An all-suite hotel with free breakfast.
Day 9: Departure Day
Your road trip has come to an end, but not before you grab coffee and breakfast at Snake River Roasting Company. This is the perfect time to walk around downtown Jackson Hole to see the famous antler arches or start your morning early at Oxbow Bend for sunrise.
Enjoy a relaxed morning before heading to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) for departure. Typically, flights out of Jackson Hole Airport are pricier, so if you want to save some money, you can also fly out of Idaho Falls Regional Airport or Salt Lake City International Airport.
Find the best affordable flights on Aviasales!
6- Day & 9-Day Itineraries for Glacier and Yellowstone
A nine-day trip is perfect for anyone taking five days off work because the weekend adds four additional days. However, you might have more or less time! Here are some other itinerary options for a shorter or longer trip.
Six Day Glacier & Yellowstone Itinerary
Day 1-2: Glacier National Park
- Stay: Belton Chalet, Glacier Guides Lodge, or camping at Apgar Campground.
- Route: Start at Apgar Visitor Center, drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, and explore Lake McDonald.
- Activities: Hike the Trail of the Cedars & Hidden Lake Overlook, visit Logan Pass, and take a boat tour on Lake McDonald.
- Dining: Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts, Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, and Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria.
Day 3: Travel to Yellowstone National Park
- Route: Drive from Glacier to Yellowstone, stopping at Flathead Lake and Missoula for breaks. Get lunch in Missoula and one of their excellent BrewPubs!
Day 4-5: Yellowstone National Park
- Stay: Old Faithful Inn, Canyon Lodge, or camping at Madison Campground.
- Route: Enter through the West Entrance, explore the Lower Geyser Basin, and visit Old Faithful.
- Activities: Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring, hike the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and see Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Dining: Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Canyon Lodge Eatery, and Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room.
Day 6: Optional Grand Teton National Park
- Stay: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, or camping at Colter Bay.
- Route: Drive from Yellowstone to Grand Teton, entering through the South Entrance.
- Activities: Hike around Jenny Lake, take a scenic drive on Teton Park Road, and visit Signal Mountain for sunset.
- Dining: Jenny Lake Lodge Dining Room, Signal Mountain Lodge, and Dornan’s Chuckwagon.
Twelve Day Glacier & Yellowstone Itinerary
Days 1-3: Glacier National Park
- Stay: Belton Chalet, Glacier Guides Lodge, or camping at Apgar Campground.
- Route: Arrive at Apgar Visitor Center, drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, and explore Lake McDonald.
- Activities:
- Hike the Trail of the Cedars & Hidden Lake Overlook.
- Visit Logan Pass and explore St. Mary Lake.
- Hike Grinnell Glacier Trail or Iceberg Lake Trail in Many Glacier.
- Take a boat tour on Lake McDonald or Many Glacier.
- Visit Two Medicine for a scenic drive or hike to Twin Falls.
- Dining: Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts, Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, and Two Sisters Café.
For Glacier, I suggest spending two days in West Glacier and one day on the Many Glacier Side.
Day 4: Travel from Glacier to Yellowstone
- Route: Drive from Glacier to Yellowstone (~7-8 hours). Stop at Flathead Lake and Missoula for breaks.
- Activities:
- Explore Missoula’s historic downtown and grab a coffee at Black Coffee Roasting Co.
- Visit Big Sky Brewing for a quick drink before continuing south.
- Walk along Flathead Lake and enjoy a scenic lunch at Cove Deli.
- Dining: Lunch at Tamarack Brewing (Missoula) and dinner in West Yellowstone.
Days 5-7: Yellowstone National Park
- Stay: Old Faithful Inn, Canyon Lodge, or camping at Madison Campground.
- Route: Enter through the West Entrance and explore key geothermal and wildlife areas.
- Activities:
- Day 5: Explore the Lower Geyser Basin, watch Old Faithful erupt, and walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
- Day 6: Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring, hike Fairy Falls Trail, and explore Norris Geyser Basin.
- Day 7: Explore the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, hike Uncle Tom’s Trail, and visit Hayden Valley for wildlife watching.
- Dining: Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Canyon Lodge Eatery, and Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room.
Day 8: Travel to Grand Teton National Park
- Route: Drive from Yellowstone to Grand Teton through the South Entrance (~2 hours).
- Activities:
- Stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin for a quick walk.
- Take a scenic drive along Jackson Lake and stop at Oxbow Bend.
- Visit the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.
- Dining: Lunch at Leeks Marina Pizzeria and dinner at Signal Mountain Lodge.
Days 9-11: Grand Teton National Park
- Stay: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, or camping at Colter Bay.
- Activities:
- Day 9: Hike to Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake and take a scenic drive on Teton Park Road.
- Day 10: Explore Schwabacher Landing for sunrise photography, drive up Signal Mountain for epic views, and enjoy a float trip on the Snake River.
- Day 11: Visit Mormon Row for historic barns, hike Taggart Lake, and relax at Jackson Lake.
- Dining: Jenny Lake Lodge Dining Room, Dornan’s Chuckwagon, and The Blue Lion in Jackson.
Day 12: Return Travel or Explore Jackson, WY
- Route: Depart from Jackson or spend time exploring the town.
- Activities: Walk around Jackson’s historic downtown and town square, visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, take a gondola ride at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and go to the Rodeo.
- Dining: Persephone Bakery for breakfast and Snake River Brewing for lunch.
Planning Your Glacier & Yellowstone Road Trip
Planning your road trip can get tricky when going to multiple different parks and accounting for travel times and reservation dates. Here is a short guide that should help you plan your best vacation to date!
Booking Hotels and Campsites for Your Glacier Yellowstone Trip
Finding accommodations for your trip to Glacier and Yellowstone requires advanced planning, especially during peak season (June–September). Both parks see high visitation, and lodging fills up months in advance.
Hotels & Lodges
Each park offers in-park lodging, but these book up 6-12 months in advance and can be quite expensive. If staying inside the parks is a priority, make reservations as early as possible through:
- Glacier National Park Lodges
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges
If in-park lodges are unavailable, look at gateway towns just outside the parks:
- Glacier National Park: Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, St. Mary, or West Glacier
- Yellowstone National Park: Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cody, Cooke City, or Jackson
Campsites & RV Parks
Camping in Glacier and Yellowstone is a fantastic way to experience the parks, but reservations are essential. Many campgrounds in both parks are on Recreation.gov and open for booking 6 months in advance.
- Glacier National Park: Most campgrounds require reservations (e.g., Apgar, Many Glacier, and St. Mary). Some, like Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake, remain first-come, first-served but fill early.
- Yellowstone National Park: Some campgrounds, like Madison, Bridge Bay, and Grant Village, require reservations, while others (like Mammoth) are first-come, first-served.
For RV camping, be sure to check size restrictions—some campgrounds have limits on vehicle length.
Alternative Lodging & last-Minute Options
If hotels and campsites in the parks are full, consider:
- Nearby National Forest campgrounds (less crowded and often have availability)
- Private campgrounds & RV parks in gateway towns
- Vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) in nearby cities
- Glamping sites (like Under Canvas near both parks)
Because accommodations fill up quickly, booking early is key to securing your ideal stay. If you’re traveling in peak season and don’t have reservations, be prepared for early mornings to snag first-come, first-served campsites.
Planning for Timed Entry & Park Fees
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park requires a Vehicle Reservation System for certain areas during peak season (typically from late May through mid-September). As of recent years, you need a timed entry reservation to access Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, North Fork, and Two Medicine between certain hours. These reservations are separate from park entrance fees and can be booked in advance through Recreation.gov.
- Booking Windows: A portion of reservations are released 120 days in advance, while additional slots become available the day before at 8 a.m. MDT.
- Workarounds: If you have a lodging, camping, or guided tour reservation within the park, your entry pass is often included. You can also enter before or after the restricted hours (usually before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m.).
Yellowstone National Park
Unlike Glacier, Yellowstone does not currently require a timed entry reservation to enter the park. However, lodging, camping, and certain backcountry permits should be booked well in advance, as demand is extremely high during peak summer months.
If you plan on visiting both parks in one trip, make sure to secure your Glacier National Park reservations early, as it’s one of the few national parks with an advanced entry system in place.
Park Fees
While you can certainly purchase a daily entry pass, with a road trip this long, the America the Beautiful Pass will save you money.
The pass is $80 and can be purchased here. The pass gains you access to all national parks, monuments, and forests for a year.
Pack It Up
A road trip through Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks is a bucket-list adventure that combines stunning landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Whether you have 7 or 10 days, this itinerary ensures you see the best of all three parks while allowing flexibility to adjust to your travel pace.
Don’t forget to plan ahead for timed-entry, advanced reservations for campsites, and visiting during the busy season!
This is one of my favorite road trips in the United States and I can’t wait for you to experience the sheer beautiful of the area.
Let me know if you have any questions or need further itinerary customizations!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
2 Responses
Driving in from Ohio,both retired 73/66 pretty active looking to do all three next Aug/Sep. starting at Glacier. Should we stay at one spot hotel/lodge/vrbo the whole time at Glacier or move locations same question for YS and Tetons. We have approx. 4 days, 5/6 days and 4 days at each which hopefully is enough. This can be changed if need be. Also what towns/ entrances should we be considering. Thanks in advay
Hi Mark! That sounds like an incredible trip! For Glacier, I do believe it is worth staying in different areas of the park. You can spend most of the days in West Glacier so you can see most of park up to Logan Pass. The Many Glacier area is one of my favorites, but it is pretty secluded so staying there at the end of your stay in Glacier would be best. For Yellowstone, I would argue that staying in multiple areas is best because the park is HUGE. If you stay in one spot, you will be spending lots of time in the car each day. From Glacier, you’ll get to the North Entrance of YS first, I’d stay there a night before heading over to Lamar Valley. Each of the main areas in YS, Mammoth, Canyon Village, Yellowstone Lake, and the Geyser area would all be great places to stay. However, moving each night is not always ideal, when I tent camped, I set up home base at Yellowstone Lake since it is pretty centralized to the park. For the Tetons, you can definitely just stay in one area. There are tons of campgrounds in the park, but Jackson is also worth staying in. The drive into the park from Jackson isn’t too long. I would recommend going to the Rodeo in Jackson one of the nights that you’re there. For your day allotment for each of the parks, I think that is perfect. Especially if you’re going to be factoring in the 5/6 days for YS for travel days. You’re going to see a lot of amazing things in those parks with that much time.