Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour from Salt Lake City

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Thermal Dynamics & Mud Pots - Yellowstone
3 stops
1
This is a wide open, desolate landscape that looks like the surface of another planet. It is named for the thick, milky white sheets of geyserite that cover the ground like fine porcelain It is the fastest changing basin in Yellowstone. Because the ground is so thin and the water so acidic, new thermal vents can open up and old ones can explode or close literally overnight. You’ll see a kaleidoscope of colors here. Milky blue pools, neon green algae that love the acid, and orange iron rich runoff channels.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
In stark contrast to the open Porcelain Basin, the Back Basin is a forested, winding trail where thermal features are "tucked away" among lodgepole pines. This area is home to deeper, more powerful "plumbing systems". While Porcelain Basin is about shallow pools and steam, Back Basin is about massive power and height. Key Features: * Steamboat Geyser: The main event. It is the tallest active geyser in the world, capable of shooting water 300 feet into the air. Emerald Spring: A deep, 27-foot pool where the yellow sulfur on the walls mixes with the blue water to create a brilliant "Emerald" green. Cistern Spring: A fascinating feature that is physically linked to Steamboat; when the big geyser erupts, this spring completely drains. This is a more intimate, shaded walk that feels like a discovery mission. It’s quieter and more spread out than the Porcelain side.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Artist Point
A favorite for families and photographers alike, this one mile trail leads to a vibrant "laboratory" of color. You’ll walk through a peaceful forest that opens up to reveal over fifty hydrothermal features, most notably the bubbling, pastel colored mud pots. These natural "paint pots" hiss and burp as thick, clay like mud splatters in rhythmic patterns a result of sulfuric acid breaking down the volcanic rock. The short climb to the upper overlook provides a stunning panoramic view of the steaming basin and distant mountain peaks.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Wildlife Safari
2 stops
4
This is a scenic overlook on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It provides the most famous, "postcard-perfect" view of the Lower Falls. It is named "Artist Point" because it was mistakenly thought to be the spot where Thomas Moran painted his famous 1872 depiction of the canyon.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Hayden Valley
Often called the "Serengeti of North America," Hayden Valley is the premier location in Yellowstone for viewing high concentrations of wildlife in their natural habitat. This sprawling sub-alpine valley, once the bed of an ancient reach of Yellowstone Lake, provides lush grazing grounds for massive herds of American Bison. Because the valley is centrally located and wide open, it offers the long-distance visibility required to spot apex predators like Grizzly Bears and Gray Wolves, especially during the "golden hours" of the late afternoon. A "safari" through Hayden Valley is a slow-paced, observational experience. Animals are not always spotted up close, but its the adventure to spot them that is the charm. Beyond the animals, the valley is a geologic marvel, featuring rolling hills of glacial till and unique thermal features like Mud Volcano and Dragon's Mouth Spring.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
The Grand Prismatic & Old Faithful Corridor
3 stops
6
Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. While the boardwalks offer a close-up view, the Overlook Hike is the only way to see the full "rainbow" effect created by heat-loving bacteria (thermophiles). From this elevated vantage point, you witness a deep cerulean blue center surrounded by rings of brilliant orange, yellow, and green. The 1.5-mile roundtrip hike provides the perspective necessary to appreciate the massive scale of this 370-foot-wide hydrothermal masterpiece.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
7
Old Faithful
Old Faithful is more than just a geyser; it is a cultural icon. The highlight is witnessing the thundering eruption that shoots up to 8,400 gallons of boiling water 180 feet into the air. Following the eruption, we transition from natural engineering to human architecture with a tour of the Old Faithful Inn. Built in 1904, it is the largest log structure in the world, featuring a massive 85-foot stone fireplace and a lobby that defines "National Park Service Rustic" style. It is a rare intersection of geological power and historic luxury.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb is one of the most picturesque basins in the park because it sits directly on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-elevation lake in North America. This area is unique for its "lakeside" and "underwater" geysers. You will see deep, jewel-toned pools like Abyss Pool and Black Pool just steps away from the cold, alpine lake water. Historically, this was the site of the famous "Fishing Cone," a geyser where early explorers could catch a trout in the lake and cook it in the boiling spring without ever taking it off the line.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Teton Peaks, Alpine Lakes & Mormon Row
3 stops
9
Mormon Row Historic District
Step back into the 1890s at Mormon Row, where the rugged history of Jackson Hole is preserved against the most dramatic backdrop in North America. Established by Mormon settlers from the Salt Lake region, this historic district features the world-famous T.A. Moulton Barn and the John Moulton Barn—two of the most photographed structures in the world. You’ll explore the Andy Chambers Homestead, the most complete remaining pioneer farmstead in the valley, to learn how these families survived brutal winters and successfully farmed the arid sagebrush flats. It is a powerful testament to human resilience and a premier location for spotting bison, pronghorn, and elk grazing near the weathered timber cabins.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
10
Jenny Lake Trail
Experience the "heart" of Grand Teton National Park with a journey across the crystalline waters of Jenny Lake. This experience begins with a scenic boat shuttle that glides across the glacial lake, offering a front-row seat to the massive Teewinot Mountain and Cascade Canyon. Once on the west shore, you’ll embark on a forested trek to Hidden Falls, a thundering 100-foot cascade tucked away in a rocky gorge. For those seeking the ultimate view, the trail continues upward to Inspiration Point, providing a breathtaking panoramic vista of Jenny Lake and the vast Jackson Hole valley from 7,200 feet.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Snake River Overlook
Snake River Overlook is one of the most culturally significant vistas in the American West, immortalized by photographer Ansel Adams in 1941. This pullout offers a dramatic perspective of the Snake River as it makes a grand, sweeping curve through the valley floor, with the jagged peaks of the Teton Range rising abruptly in the background. It is a location that perfectly captures the "Wild West" aesthetic, showcasing the intersection of powerful river systems and tectonic grandeur. This overlook provides one of the best "big picture" views of the Jackson Hole valley, highlighting the contrast between the flat sagebrush plains and the vertical rise of the mountains.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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