Perfect Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary for All
Wyoming is a beautiful state located in the American West. It is known for its natural wonders, Old West history and amazing National Parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Overall, Wyoming is a fascinating state to visit and I highly recommend adding Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Cody to your itinerary.
During late September 2020, I did a mini road trip with my cousin in the Western States of Montana, Wyoming and part of Colorado.
We started our Western road trip in Kalispell, Montana and spent two days exploring Whitefish and Glacier National Park. From there, we drove south and explored the National Bison Range along with the cities of Missoula and Bozeman.
Next, we made our way into Wyoming and spent two nights in the charming Western town of Cody while we explored Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
We then ended our trip enjoying the beauty of Steamboat Springs, Colorado before flying home from Denver.
Both my cousin and I had a memorable time exploring the beauty of this part of the country for eight days.
We also had a lovely stay at Chamberlin Inn in the charming Western town of Cody!
Wyoming has so many majestic mountain peaks, glistening rivers, wide-open plains and stunning nature all around to admire.
In this blog post, discover the best itinerary for when you visit Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Cody, Wyoming.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time Wyoming, Chamberlin Inn in Cody hosted me for two nights.
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Getting to Wyoming:
Since my cousin and I started our road trip in Montana, we drove from Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
If you aren’t spending time in Montana beforehand, I recommend you book your flight into Yellowstone Airport in West Yellowstone, Montana and flying home from Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming.
Whether you fly into Montana, Yellowstone Airport, Jackson Hole or anywhere else in the United States, you will need to pick up a rental car for your road trip. (I recommend booking your rental car in advance like we did.)
Of course, if you already live out west and are doing a road trip from your home or if you’re doing a cross-country road trip, you could obviously travel around with your own vehicle.
(Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.)
Staying at Chamberlin Inn in Cody, Wyoming:
One of the highlights of our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary was basing ourselves in the quaint Western town of Cody and staying at Chamberlin Inn.
This lovely boutique hotel is located right off of Cody’s historic main street (Sheridan Avenue) and it features a plethora of beautiful rooms and suites, a courthouse residence as well as a cottage and garden studio apartments nestled within a dreamy private courtyard. Staying here was such a dream!
History at Chamberlin Inn:
Chamberlin Inn features historic elegance because it has been an operating hotel since 1900.
Agnes (Aggie) Chamberlin moved from the state of Kansas to Cody, Wyoming to work for Buffalo Bill at the Cody Enterprise newspaper office. Across the street from the newspaper office, there was a vacant lot that would eventually become the beautiful Chamberlin Hotel that stands there today.
Aggie Chamberlin opened her first boarding house on the lot and then later, it became her husband’s dentist office. The original building gradually expanded over the years as Aggie enlarged her boarding house and then it later became the Chamberlin Hotel. In addition to being a hotel and dentist office, the property also included the original Cody Circuit Judge Court House.
Agnes was a huge influence in the Cody community. The dining room in her hotel hosted the first Cody Club Chamber meeting, she organized the first Buffalo Bill Memorial Association meeting where she was elected as its first president and she also founded the Cody Women’s Club.
Aggie was also a pianist at the Cody Music Club and she helped build the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the city along with the land for the Cody Airport. She lived until 1947.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Chamberlin Hotel was the popular place to stay in Cody, Wyoming. Numerous actors, authors, politicians, opera singers and other famous influences at the time were guests at Chamberlin Inn.
Ernest Hemingway was one of the famous guests who stayed at this stunning boutique hotel! In 1932, while staying at the Chamberlin Hotel, Hemingway just completed the manuscript for “Death in the Afternoon”.
During his time in Cody, he enjoyed fishing in the Clark’s Fork River and socializing with friends at the Irma Bar at night (which is located steps from Chamberlin Inn). You could also stay in the room that Hemingway stayed in as it was restored to reflect his lifestyle.
Staying in Chamberlin Inn’s Garden Apartment:
During our time at Chamberlin Inn, we stayed in the hotel’s lovely Garden Apartment, which is located in the majestic courtyard that is decorated with magical stringed lights.
I truly fell in love with this cozy one-bedroom apartment! There were French glass doors that opened up into a lovely space that included a living room with a sofa bed, television, full kitchen and a closet.
The bedroom itself had a queen bed, desk, closet and television. I loved all of the adorable decorations throughout the apartment! It was such a warm and inviting place. There was also a full bathroom that included luxury European organic bath products.
In addition, Chamberlin Inn is known for its “green luxury”; all of the linens are organic, they use biodegradable and phosphate-free cleaning products as well as certified 100% recycled paper products.
Overall, I loved staying in the Garden Apartment at Chamberlin Inn as it felt like a place of my own. The queen bed was very comfortable and my cousin said the sofa bed was also cozy!
What to Enjoy at Chamberlin Inn:
Chamberlin Inn truly is a peaceful and fun, boutique getaway in the authentic town of Cody.
Not only is the hotel located in the heart of the downtown where you have access to great restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums and more, there is also so much to do at the hotel itself!
When you first enter Chamberlin Inn, there is a cozy library where you could sit down on a rocking chair and read a book or log in digitally to get work done.
There is also a parlour that has a bar and cocktail lounge areas for you to enjoy a drink of your choice, socialize and enjoy some fun board games.
The intimate unique courtyard setting is super romantic and the perfect place to warm up by a fire pit under the stringed lights in the evening and listen to a live music performance.
During one of the nights my cousin and I were staying at the Inn, we got to enjoy some light jazz with a glass of red wine.
Even during the day, I loved sitting in the parlour at Chamberlin Inn. It is a beautiful space that offers a lot of light, gorgeous flowers and beautiful décor.
In addition to all of the amazing amenities, Chamberlin Inn also has a great concierge service, WIFI/high speed Internet access, a balcony terrace that overlooks downtown Cody, conference and meeting rooms as well as space for courtyard weddings. Click here to learn about Chamberlin Inn‘s event space.
**Chamberlin Inn Special Offer**
Chamberlin Inn is offering a special rate for their Classic Queen room (with a free upgrade offered upon arrival, based on availability)!
Also receive a $25 USD gift certificate that is redeemable at the hotel’s cocktail lounge during your stay (one voucher per stay). You also have a choice of either a One-Day Pass to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West OR receive a $20 voucher at Wyoming Trout Guides.
Please use promo code PLAY and click here to get this great package! (This package is available without any minimum, so you could enjoy it all by staying one night or longer.)
Overall, staying at Chamberlin Inn in Cody was absolutely incredible and it is the perfect hotel to choose for your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. I also got to stay at the hotel’s sister properties – The Equus in Honolulu, HI and Hotel Winters in Winters, California.
Things to do in Cody, Wyoming:
When people follow along a Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, they usually resort to staying in the popular Jackson Hole area.
In my personal opinion and from my own experience, if you are looking for the most authentic town to stay in where you could get a true taste of the Wild West, I couldn’t recommend Cody more!
Cody, Wyoming was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. Cody, who is also known as Buffalo Bill. At the time, he was one of the most famous men in the world!
Cody is known as the “Wildwest way into Yellowstone” and it is located 50 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. (It is an hour drive from the East Entrance into Yellowstone National Park and three hours from the North Entrance of Grand Teton National Park.)
Some of the most memorable things to experience in Cody, Wyoming are nightly rodeos, Western gun fight re-enactments, old-time photoshoots, classic cowboy music, local cuisine and Western museums and galleries.
Fun outdoor activities to do in the Cody area are rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, white water rafting and so much more!
Buffalo Bill Center of the West:
One of the top things to do during a trip to Cody, Wyoming is visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This amazing center features five different museums and they will leave you amazed!
The Buffalo Bill Museum includes the history and stories of Buffalo Bill himself and other famous Western figures. It is also a great place to learn about the life of cowboy and cowgirl legends!
Another one of the great five museums to visit in the Center of the West is the Plains Indian Museum where you could immerse yourself in the stories of Plains Indian culture, traditions and triumphs. There are many great artifacts and artwork from Native artists in this museum.
If you are an art lover, definitely check out the Whitney Western Art Museum that features timeless classics from renowned artists like Remington, Russell, Moran and Bierstadt. At this wonderful museum, you could view pieces that feature wildlife, landscapes, Native Americans and legends.
The other two museums at Buffalo Bill Center of the West are the Draper Natural History Museum, which is an immersive, kid-friendly museum to learn all about the diverse ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park as well as The New Cody Firearms Museum, which is the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States.
Where to Eat in Cody:
The below restaurants in Cody should definitely be added to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary:
Proud Cut Saloon: During a trip to Cody, Wyoming, you cannot miss out on experiencing a traditional Western saloon.
On our first night in Cody, after spending the day in Yellowstone National Park, we walked over to Proud Cut Saloon, which featured everything you’d imagine there to be in a saloon.
One thing to note about Proud Cut is that it offers a very meat heavy menu and what I mean by that is there are a lot of burger and steak options.
If you are a vegan, vegetarian or simply don’t eat red meat, it may be difficult for you to find something to eat on this menu. I ended up getting a delicious chicken sandwich with mushrooms and it was delicious! I savored my meal with a local IPA. My cousin got a steak dinner with a wine.
Trailhead Restaurant: A great restaurant that was recommended to my cousin and I from Chamberlin Inn was Trailhead Restaurant.
Usually, it is very difficult to get into this restaurant because it is popular amongst locals and visitors, but we got lucky on our second night, after a full day of hiking in Grand Teton National Park.
Trailhead is a bar, grill and wood fired pizza joint with delicious dishes. They also have a stage where they host local bands.
During our dinner here, we got the house sangria. I savored a Neapolitan pizza, which was delicious, and my cousin had the trout special.
The Beta Coffeehouse: Before heading to Grand Teton National Park on our second day, we grabbed a quick breakfast at The Beta Coffeehouse.
It is a cute coffee shop that has comforting warm beverages and great breakfast items to start your day with. I had a pumpkin muffin and my cousin had the breakfast burrito. Definitely come here during a trip to Cody. It is super cute inside!
Annie’s Soda Saloon & Café: Known as one of the most historic saloons in Cody, Annie’s Soda Saloon & Café was once the former physician’s office in the town. Nowadays, it is a Western café that honors the pioneer doctor who opened Cody Drug and Jewelry Store in 1904.
My cousin and I enjoyed breakfast at Annie’s on our last morning in Cody and it hit the spot before our seven-hour drive to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I enjoyed a delicious vegetable and mozzarella omelet and my cousin had The Caballero bowl (burrito bowl). We also had mimosas, since we visited on a Saturday.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary:
Before I dive deep into our Yellowstone and Grant Teton itinerary, I do want to let you all know that we entered into Yellowstone National Park at the north entrance from Montana.
We left the park through the east entrance in the evening and spent the night in Cody. On our next day, we drove three hours (each way) to and from Cody to Grand Teton National Park.
National Park Passes:
In order to get to Grand Teton, you will need to enter Yellowstone through the east entrance and drive through the park in order to reach the entrance for the Tetons. Please keep your Yellowstone pass on hand. If you accidentally throw it out, you will need to repay to enter into the park.
When planning your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, please note that it costs $35 USD per standard vehicle to get into the big USA National Parks and $10 USD per vehicle for State Parks.
It costs more for commercial vans, buses and tours. The $35 passes are valid for seven consecutive days. If you are doing a road trip where you know you will be seeing a lot of National parks along the way, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 USD. You will definitely save money that way!
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary and Your Safety:
It is also important to know when you plan your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary that it is extremely dangerous and also illegal to go into the hot springs or venture off the manmade walking paths and trails. You could be prosecuted if you do so!
Many people have boiled to death and have been severely injured when they did not follow the rules! Please also be mindful and do not throw anything into the hot springs or geysers. Drones are also strictly prohibited.
During our time at Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the weather ranged from the low 70s to low 60s (Fahrenheit) and it was sunny the entire time. The weather could range vastly during early fall from the low 70s to the low 30s. It rains fives day on average during this time of the year.
In addition, I highly recommend purchasing bear spray for your adventures in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. There are a lot of Grizzlies around the park and there is no guarantee of your safety. (We actually saw a bear from a distance in Yellowstone.)
Bears are extremely wild animals and have unfortunately injured and even killed some visitors within the parks. Bear spray has proven to be effective and it also prevents injury to both humans and the bears.
(Please also watch out for bison! We saw more bison in Yellowstone National Park right off the boardwalks than we did at the National Bison Range in Montana. The saying goes that if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you!)
One Day in Yellowstone National Park:
The most fascinating National Park I have visited through my USA travels is Yellowstone National Park! It is filled with the most unique and astronomical hydrothermal and geologic wonders.
Yellowstone became the first National Park in the United States for all to enjoy in March 1872. It is the 8th largest National Park in the country and you will need at least a full week to discover everything Yellowstone has to offer.
Please ensure that you have a full tank of gas before entering Yellowstone National Park. There are a couple gas stations located in the park, but they are hours apart from each other. You do not want to get stuck in Yellowstone because there is absolutely no service!
What to See in Yellowstone:
Our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary mainly consisted of us discovering the popular wonders along the Grand Loop Road. The only spot we didn’t see that is listed below is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. (Please note that this road is closed from December to April.)
If you are planning to camp in Yellowstone National Park, click here to learn about the rules and regulations and discover which campgrounds would best suit your needs.
Mammoth Hot Springs: (Mammoth is around a 15 to 20-minute drive south from the north entrance of the park.)
The first place my cousin and I saw in Yellowstone National Park was Mammoth Hot Springs. One of the main reasons why you MUST see Mammoth Hot Springs during a trip to Yellowstone is because they are rather unique from the other thermal areas in the park. It features cool limestone and a soft type of rock, making the hot springs look like a cave turned inside out.
Mammoth Hot Springs were formed 600,000 years ago. When you visit, there is an upper and lower terrace boardwalk. The lower boardwalk can be easily accessed from the Grand Loop Road. The two top things to see at the Lower Terraces are Liberty Cap and Minerva Spring.
I was so fascinated by these hot spring formations. When you are here, you will definitely feel like you’re on Mars!
The lower terrace boardwalk links to the upper terrace boardwalk. Once you are at the Upper Terraces, check out Prospect Terrace, New Highland Terrace, Orange Spring Mound, Bath Lake, White Elephant Back Terrace and Angel Terrace.
The Upper Terraces are also epic and I was amazed by all of the natural beauty!
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: (This is optional, since it is out of the way from Grand Loop Road. It is an hour drive south east from Mammoth Hot Springs and 30 minutes east from Beryl Spring.)
One of the most breathtaking spots in Yellowstone National Park is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is 20 miles long, 4,000-feet wide and 1,200-feet deep. There two waterfalls (Lower and Upper Falls) that are stunning to check out.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was once a former geyser basin created by rhyolite lava. The last glacial period melted ice dams at the mouth of the Yellowstone Lake that caused flooding and erosion, leading to the formation of the pink and yellow layers of the canyon.
Beryl Spring: (It is around a 30-minute drive west from Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Beryl Spring. It also takes 45 minutes to drive south to Beryl Spring from Mammoth.)
As you drive along the Grand Loop Road, definitely make a stop at Beryl Spring, which is one of the hottest springs in Yellowstone National Park.
Beryl Spring’s activity was greatly altered by the 1959 earthquake. The violent agitation of the water is due to volcanic gases and the temperature is only a few degrees below boiling – 189 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius) to 192 degrees Fahrenheit (89 degrees Celsius).
Fountain Paint Pot and Red Spouter: (It will take around 20 to 25 minutes to drive south from Beryl Spring to the Fountain Paint Pot trail where you could see the actual Fountain Paint Pot, Red Spouter, Fountain Geyser and Morning Geyser.)
The Fountain Paint Pot trail is a half-mile walk along a boardwalk where you can see a lot of geothermal attractions.
Fountain Paint Pot is the classic mud pot that is made from rain and runoff. The paint pot is the thickest during late summer/early fall, which was when we visited.
The Red Spouter is a spring that was originated with the Hebgen Lake earthquake. It spouts red water and mud and during late summer/early fall, it is a fumarole.
Fountain Geyser and Morning Geyser: (You could see both of these geysers along the Fountain Paint Pot trail.)
The Fountain Geyser is considered an unpredicted geyser that can reach a height of 50 feet and last for 20 minutes.
Morning Geyser seldom erupts, but when it does, it can reach up to 150-200-feet high. It is so awesome to see! Definitely do not miss out on visiting this area of the park in your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary!
Excelsior Geyser Crater: (Excelsior Geyser Crater and Grand Prismatic Spring are located in the same area called Midway Geyser Basin. You can park at the Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot, which is a 3 to 5-minute drive south of Fountain Paint Pot.)
Excelsior Geyser Crater is the first large pool you will pass on the boardwalk at the Midway Geyser Basin. It is a steaming body of teal water that runs into the Firehole River. For a while, Excelsior Geyser Crater was the largest geyser in the world!
Some of Excelsior Geyser Crater’s eruptions were up to 300 feet tall and 300 feet wide, which is almost the size of a football field!
Nowadays, it doesn’t erupt regularly, but it does produce 4,500 gallons of runoff per minute. It is absolutely beautiful to see though and the water is so clear!
Grand Prismatic Spring: (In addition to Excelsior Geyser Crater, you could see Grand Prismatic Spring along the boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin.)
Another must-see at Yellowstone National Park is the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is the most photographed thermal feature in the park because of its amazing bright colors and huge size!
The Grand Prismatic Spring is deeper than a 10-story building and it is considered the third largest hot spring in the world!
Grand Prismatic Spring offers a rainbow of colors such as orange, yellow, green and blue. The multicolored layers of Grand Prismatic Spring get their hues from different species of thermophile bacteria. You can see the spring from atop on the small hill that is accessible from the Fairy Falls Trail.
Old Faithful: (It will take you around 10 minutes to drive from Midway Geyser Basin to Old Faithfull. It is south of all the attractions listed above.)
Yellowstone National Park’s most famous geyser is Old Faithful. It was discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition. Old Faithful has erupted more than a million times since Yellowstone became a National Park.
This frequent and predictable active geyser is located on Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin. Please note that there will be a lot of people in this area trying to see the eruptions.
Overall, Old Faithful will erupt around 20 times a day and will last around 10 minutes. The average time between eruptions is usually between one to two hours.
The average temperature of the water coming out of Old Faithful is around 204 degrees Fahrenheit (96 degrees Celsius) and the steam temperature has an average of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Castle Geyser: (Castle Geyser is located along the Upper Geyser Basin. From Old Faithful, there is a boardwalk you could take to see Castle Geyser, Morning Glory and other small geysers and hot springs.)
Castle Geyser gets its name because it actually looks like a castle! It is one of the major geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin and its eruptions usually take place once a day during daylight hours.
This cool geyser is only a 10-minute walk from Old Faithful and it erupts to a height of 100 feet and can last up to an hour!
Morning Glory Pool: (Morning Glory is also located along the Upper Geyser Basin. It takes around a half hour to walk along the boardwalk from Old Faithful to get to this magical pool. In fact, it is one of the last attractions to see along the boardwalk.)
One of the most fascinating hot springs we saw in Yellowstone National Park before we departed was the Morning Glory Pool.
The original name of Morning Glory was Convolutus, which was titled in 1883 by the wife of an assistant park superintendent. It is a Latin word for the morning glory flower, which the pool’s blue color resembles.
The bright blue water of Morning Glory was created by thermophilic bacteria. Most recently, the Morning Glory Pool has been referred to as Fading Glory because it is losing its brilliant color through ignorance and vandalism. People have tossed objects into this beautiful pool, which has clogged its vents and lowered the temperature.
Unfortunately, Morning Glory’s future is uncertain and all thermal features around the world are at risk. All hot springs and geysers have fragile and complex plumbing that takes centuries to develop. If you see vandalism, anywhere, please report it to a park ranger!
(Other geysers and hot springs to add to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary are Turquoise Pool, Opal Pool, Flood Geyser, Spray Geyser and Imperial Geyser.)
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park:
Located just south of Yellowstone National Park and a little north of Jackson Hole is Grand Teton National Park. It is one of the most stunning National Parks in the United States and it features 310,000 acres of sky-high peaks, lush valley floors, colorful mountain meadows and glistening alpine lakes.
Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge. Earthquakes gave rise to the 40-mile Teton Range, which just so happens to sit on a fault line.
The Tetons are the youngest range in the Rocky Mountains and some of the youngest mountains on Earth.
There are also eight peaks that tower over 12,000 feet above sea level in Grand Teton National Park. The highest peak is Grand Teton itself, which is at 13,770 feet above sea level.
Our day trip to Grand Teton from Cody was an active one. Since we mainly went sightseeing in Yellowstone the day prior, we wanted to do a nice hike in the Tetons.
Below are the best hikes within Grand Teton National Park that I recommend you add to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary:
Jenny Lake: After my cousin and I arrived at Grand Teton National Park, we drove to Jenny Lake where we hiked around the entire scenic loop.
We parked our car on a side road off of Teton Park Road and started the trail from there. Please know that it also doesn’t matter which direction you start the trail. (I recommend putting Jenny Lake into your GPS when you have service. There is service in certain parts of Grand Teton National Park.)
Overall, the hike around Jenny Lake was quite enjoyable. The trail is fairly close to the shoreline and it is mainly forested, flat and includes a few small hills.
Throughout the entire hike, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Grand Teton, Teewinot Mountain, Mt. Owen, Cascade Canyon, Storm Point, Symmetry Spire, Mt. St. John, Rockchuck Peak and Mt. Moran.
Since we visited Grand Teton National Park at the end of September, the foliage was starting to break through. There were numerous aspen trees that showcased its golden color and it was absolutely magical! I loved all of the picturesque spots both in the forest and by the water. It truly was peaceful!
Glacially carved Jenny Lake is the second largest serene lake in Grand Teton National Park. It is also one of the deepest lakes in the park!
Hiking Jenny Lake is well worth your time in Grant Teton. It will take you around four and a half hours to circle around the lake. If you do not want to hike the entire trail, there is a boat that you could take back halfway.
String Lake: If you don’t have enough time to hike around Jenny Lake, but want to get a similar experience, I recommend hiking around String Lake, which is only 3.8 miles round trip.
String Lake is located a little north of Jenny Lake and you could enjoy views of Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton and Mt. Owen.
Overall, hiking String Lake is fairly easy and portions of the trail are paved. You could also continue half a mile past the trailhead and see a gorgeous view of Mt. Moran.
Schwabacher’s Landing: If you travel a little further south, you could reach Schwabacher’s Landing, which is 16 miles north of Jackson.
Schwabacher’s Landing is one of the best photo spots in Grand Teton National Park. You could do a 4-mile round-trip easy hike that features mountain views along the beautiful Snake River. This trail is perfect for spotting wildlife!
Delta Lake: A trail that we really wanted to do but didn’t have the time for was the Delta Lake hike! It is around a 9-mile round trip strenuous hike that goes through the Lupine Meadows Access to Delta Lake, which is a secluded gem in Grand Teton National Park.
During the Delta Lake hike, you will gain 2,400 feet in elevation and please note that there are a lot of unmaintained trails. Once you reach this breathtaking lake, you will know why this hike was well worth the challenge.
Cascade Canyon Trail: A great moderate hike to take during your time in Grand Teton National Park is the Cascade Canyon trail. This 10-mile round trip hike begins at Jenny Lake Trailhead and climbs above Hidden Falls.
Teton Crest Trail: If you are looking to do a trek in Grand Teton National Park, definitely do the Teton Crest Trail, which ranges from 25 to 75 miles, depending on the route you want to take.
During this moderate to difficult trek, you will ascend over 8,000 feet and descent over 7,000 feet. The peak elevation on the Teton Crest Trail is at 10,695 feet.
On the Teton Crest Trail, you will enjoy stunning vistas, catch beautiful sunrises and sunsets, admire breathtaking alpine scenery and view wildlife.
If you decide to do the Teton Crest Trail, you will need to camp. Click here to learn about camping in Grand Teton National park.
Snake River Overlook: Before leaving the park, we stopped at Snake River Overlook to enjoy the astonishing views of the Tetons, Jackson River Valley and all of the beautiful pine-covered landscape!
After our day hiking at Grand Teton National Park, we drove back to Chamberlin Inn in Cody.
If you have more time to spare in your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, definitely check out Jackson Hole!
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary in Wyoming and reading about my stay at Chamberlin Inn in Cody.
If you have any questions please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
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Perfect Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary for All
Wyoming is a beautiful state located in the American West. It is known for its natural wonders, Old West history and amazing National Parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Overall, Wyoming is a fascinating state to visit and I highly recommend adding Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Cody to your itinerary.
During late September 2020, I did a mini road trip with my cousin in the Western States of Montana, Wyoming and part of Colorado.
We started our Western road trip in Kalispell, Montana and spent two days exploring Whitefish and Glacier National Park. From there, we drove south and explored the National Bison Range along with the cities of Missoula and Bozeman.
Next, we made our way into Wyoming and spent two nights in the charming Western town of Cody while we explored Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
We then ended our trip enjoying the beauty of Steamboat Springs, Colorado before flying home from Denver.
Both my cousin and I had a memorable time exploring the beauty of this part of the country for eight days.
We also had a lovely stay at Chamberlin Inn in the charming Western town of Cody!
Wyoming has so many majestic mountain peaks, glistening rivers, wide-open plains and stunning nature all around to admire.
In this blog post, discover the best itinerary for when you visit Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Cody, Wyoming.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time Wyoming, Chamberlin Inn in Cody hosted me for two nights.
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Getting to Wyoming:
Since my cousin and I started our road trip in Montana, we drove from Bozeman to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
If you aren’t spending time in Montana beforehand, I recommend you book your flight into Yellowstone Airport in West Yellowstone, Montana and flying home from Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming.
Whether you fly into Montana, Yellowstone Airport, Jackson Hole or anywhere else in the United States, you will need to pick up a rental car for your road trip. (I recommend booking your rental car in advance like we did.)
Of course, if you already live out west and are doing a road trip from your home or if you’re doing a cross-country road trip, you could obviously travel around with your own vehicle.
(Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.)
Staying at Chamberlin Inn in Cody, Wyoming:
One of the highlights of our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary was basing ourselves in the quaint Western town of Cody and staying at Chamberlin Inn.
This lovely boutique hotel is located right off of Cody’s historic main street (Sheridan Avenue) and it features a plethora of beautiful rooms and suites, a courthouse residence as well as a cottage and garden studio apartments nestled within a dreamy private courtyard. Staying here was such a dream!
History at Chamberlin Inn:
Chamberlin Inn features historic elegance because it has been an operating hotel since 1900.
Agnes (Aggie) Chamberlin moved from the state of Kansas to Cody, Wyoming to work for Buffalo Bill at the Cody Enterprise newspaper office. Across the street from the newspaper office, there was a vacant lot that would eventually become the beautiful Chamberlin Hotel that stands there today.
Aggie Chamberlin opened her first boarding house on the lot and then later, it became her husband’s dentist office. The original building gradually expanded over the years as Aggie enlarged her boarding house and then it later became the Chamberlin Hotel. In addition to being a hotel and dentist office, the property also included the original Cody Circuit Judge Court House.
Agnes was a huge influence in the Cody community. The dining room in her hotel hosted the first Cody Club Chamber meeting, she organized the first Buffalo Bill Memorial Association meeting where she was elected as its first president and she also founded the Cody Women’s Club.
Aggie was also a pianist at the Cody Music Club and she helped build the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the city along with the land for the Cody Airport. She lived until 1947.
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Chamberlin Hotel was the popular place to stay in Cody, Wyoming. Numerous actors, authors, politicians, opera singers and other famous influences at the time were guests at Chamberlin Inn.
Ernest Hemingway was one of the famous guests who stayed at this stunning boutique hotel! In 1932, while staying at the Chamberlin Hotel, Hemingway just completed the manuscript for “Death in the Afternoon”.
During his time in Cody, he enjoyed fishing in the Clark’s Fork River and socializing with friends at the Irma Bar at night (which is located steps from Chamberlin Inn). You could also stay in the room that Hemingway stayed in as it was restored to reflect his lifestyle.
Staying in Chamberlin Inn’s Garden Apartment:
During our time at Chamberlin Inn, we stayed in the hotel’s lovely Garden Apartment, which is located in the majestic courtyard that is decorated with magical stringed lights.
I truly fell in love with this cozy one-bedroom apartment! There were French glass doors that opened up into a lovely space that included a living room with a sofa bed, television, full kitchen and a closet.
The bedroom itself had a queen bed, desk, closet and television. I loved all of the adorable decorations throughout the apartment! It was such a warm and inviting place. There was also a full bathroom that included luxury European organic bath products.
In addition, Chamberlin Inn is known for its “green luxury”; all of the linens are organic, they use biodegradable and phosphate-free cleaning products as well as certified 100% recycled paper products.
Overall, I loved staying in the Garden Apartment at Chamberlin Inn as it felt like a place of my own. The queen bed was very comfortable and my cousin said the sofa bed was also cozy!
What to Enjoy at Chamberlin Inn:
Chamberlin Inn truly is a peaceful and fun, boutique getaway in the authentic town of Cody.
Not only is the hotel located in the heart of the downtown where you have access to great restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums and more, there is also so much to do at the hotel itself!
When you first enter Chamberlin Inn, there is a cozy library where you could sit down on a rocking chair and read a book or log in digitally to get work done.
There is also a parlour that has a bar and cocktail lounge areas for you to enjoy a drink of your choice, socialize and enjoy some fun board games.
The intimate unique courtyard setting is super romantic and the perfect place to warm up by a fire pit under the stringed lights in the evening and listen to a live music performance.
During one of the nights my cousin and I were staying at the Inn, we got to enjoy some light jazz with a glass of red wine.
Even during the day, I loved sitting in the parlour at Chamberlin Inn. It is a beautiful space that offers a lot of light, gorgeous flowers and beautiful décor.
In addition to all of the amazing amenities, Chamberlin Inn also has a great concierge service, WIFI/high speed Internet access, a balcony terrace that overlooks downtown Cody, conference and meeting rooms as well as space for courtyard weddings. Click here to learn about Chamberlin Inn‘s event space.
**Chamberlin Inn Special Offer**
Chamberlin Inn is offering a special rate for their Classic Queen room (with a free upgrade offered upon arrival, based on availability)!
Also receive a $25 USD gift certificate that is redeemable at the hotel’s cocktail lounge during your stay (one voucher per stay). You also have a choice of either a One-Day Pass to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West OR receive a $20 voucher at Wyoming Trout Guides.
Please use promo code PLAY and click here to get this great package! (This package is available without any minimum, so you could enjoy it all by staying one night or longer.)
Overall, staying at Chamberlin Inn in Cody was absolutely incredible and it is the perfect hotel to choose for your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary. I also got to stay at the hotel’s sister properties – The Equus in Honolulu, HI and Hotel Winters in Winters, California.
Things to do in Cody, Wyoming:
When people follow along a Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, they usually resort to staying in the popular Jackson Hole area.
In my personal opinion and from my own experience, if you are looking for the most authentic town to stay in where you could get a true taste of the Wild West, I couldn’t recommend Cody more!
Cody, Wyoming was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. Cody, who is also known as Buffalo Bill. At the time, he was one of the most famous men in the world!
Cody is known as the “Wildwest way into Yellowstone” and it is located 50 miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. (It is an hour drive from the East Entrance into Yellowstone National Park and three hours from the North Entrance of Grand Teton National Park.)
Some of the most memorable things to experience in Cody, Wyoming are nightly rodeos, Western gun fight re-enactments, old-time photoshoots, classic cowboy music, local cuisine and Western museums and galleries.
Fun outdoor activities to do in the Cody area are rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, white water rafting and so much more!
Buffalo Bill Center of the West:
One of the top things to do during a trip to Cody, Wyoming is visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This amazing center features five different museums and they will leave you amazed!
The Buffalo Bill Museum includes the history and stories of Buffalo Bill himself and other famous Western figures. It is also a great place to learn about the life of cowboy and cowgirl legends!
Another one of the great five museums to visit in the Center of the West is the Plains Indian Museum where you could immerse yourself in the stories of Plains Indian culture, traditions and triumphs. There are many great artifacts and artwork from Native artists in this museum.
If you are an art lover, definitely check out the Whitney Western Art Museum that features timeless classics from renowned artists like Remington, Russell, Moran and Bierstadt. At this wonderful museum, you could view pieces that feature wildlife, landscapes, Native Americans and legends.
The other two museums at Buffalo Bill Center of the West are the Draper Natural History Museum, which is an immersive, kid-friendly museum to learn all about the diverse ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park as well as The New Cody Firearms Museum, which is the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States.
Where to Eat in Cody:
The below restaurants in Cody should definitely be added to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary:
Proud Cut Saloon: During a trip to Cody, Wyoming, you cannot miss out on experiencing a traditional Western saloon.
On our first night in Cody, after spending the day in Yellowstone National Park, we walked over to Proud Cut Saloon, which featured everything you’d imagine there to be in a saloon.
One thing to note about Proud Cut is that it offers a very meat heavy menu and what I mean by that is there are a lot of burger and steak options.
If you are a vegan, vegetarian or simply don’t eat red meat, it may be difficult for you to find something to eat on this menu. I ended up getting a delicious chicken sandwich with mushrooms and it was delicious! I savored my meal with a local IPA. My cousin got a steak dinner with a wine.
Trailhead Restaurant: A great restaurant that was recommended to my cousin and I from Chamberlin Inn was Trailhead Restaurant.
Usually, it is very difficult to get into this restaurant because it is popular amongst locals and visitors, but we got lucky on our second night, after a full day of hiking in Grand Teton National Park.
Trailhead is a bar, grill and wood fired pizza joint with delicious dishes. They also have a stage where they host local bands.
During our dinner here, we got the house sangria. I savored a Neapolitan pizza, which was delicious, and my cousin had the trout special.
The Beta Coffeehouse: Before heading to Grand Teton National Park on our second day, we grabbed a quick breakfast at The Beta Coffeehouse.
It is a cute coffee shop that has comforting warm beverages and great breakfast items to start your day with. I had a pumpkin muffin and my cousin had the breakfast burrito. Definitely come here during a trip to Cody. It is super cute inside!
Annie’s Soda Saloon & Café: Known as one of the most historic saloons in Cody, Annie’s Soda Saloon & Café was once the former physician’s office in the town. Nowadays, it is a Western café that honors the pioneer doctor who opened Cody Drug and Jewelry Store in 1904.
My cousin and I enjoyed breakfast at Annie’s on our last morning in Cody and it hit the spot before our seven-hour drive to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I enjoyed a delicious vegetable and mozzarella omelet and my cousin had The Caballero bowl (burrito bowl). We also had mimosas, since we visited on a Saturday.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary:
Before I dive deep into our Yellowstone and Grant Teton itinerary, I do want to let you all know that we entered into Yellowstone National Park at the north entrance from Montana.
We left the park through the east entrance in the evening and spent the night in Cody. On our next day, we drove three hours (each way) to and from Cody to Grand Teton National Park.
National Park Passes:
In order to get to Grand Teton, you will need to enter Yellowstone through the east entrance and drive through the park in order to reach the entrance for the Tetons. Please keep your Yellowstone pass on hand. If you accidentally throw it out, you will need to repay to enter into the park.
When planning your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, please note that it costs $35 USD per standard vehicle to get into the big USA National Parks and $10 USD per vehicle for State Parks.
It costs more for commercial vans, buses and tours. The $35 passes are valid for seven consecutive days. If you are doing a road trip where you know you will be seeing a lot of National parks along the way, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 USD. You will definitely save money that way!
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary and Your Safety:
It is also important to know when you plan your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary that it is extremely dangerous and also illegal to go into the hot springs or venture off the manmade walking paths and trails. You could be prosecuted if you do so!
Many people have boiled to death and have been severely injured when they did not follow the rules! Please also be mindful and do not throw anything into the hot springs or geysers. Drones are also strictly prohibited.
During our time at Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the weather ranged from the low 70s to low 60s (Fahrenheit) and it was sunny the entire time. The weather could range vastly during early fall from the low 70s to the low 30s. It rains fives day on average during this time of the year.
In addition, I highly recommend purchasing bear spray for your adventures in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. There are a lot of Grizzlies around the park and there is no guarantee of your safety. (We actually saw a bear from a distance in Yellowstone.)
Bears are extremely wild animals and have unfortunately injured and even killed some visitors within the parks. Bear spray has proven to be effective and it also prevents injury to both humans and the bears.
(Please also watch out for bison! We saw more bison in Yellowstone National Park right off the boardwalks than we did at the National Bison Range in Montana. The saying goes that if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you!)
One Day in Yellowstone National Park:
The most fascinating National Park I have visited through my USA travels is Yellowstone National Park! It is filled with the most unique and astronomical hydrothermal and geologic wonders.
Yellowstone became the first National Park in the United States for all to enjoy in March 1872. It is the 8th largest National Park in the country and you will need at least a full week to discover everything Yellowstone has to offer.
Please ensure that you have a full tank of gas before entering Yellowstone National Park. There are a couple gas stations located in the park, but they are hours apart from each other. You do not want to get stuck in Yellowstone because there is absolutely no service!
What to See in Yellowstone:
Our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary mainly consisted of us discovering the popular wonders along the Grand Loop Road. The only spot we didn’t see that is listed below is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. (Please note that this road is closed from December to April.)
If you are planning to camp in Yellowstone National Park, click here to learn about the rules and regulations and discover which campgrounds would best suit your needs.
Mammoth Hot Springs: (Mammoth is around a 15 to 20-minute drive south from the north entrance of the park.)
The first place my cousin and I saw in Yellowstone National Park was Mammoth Hot Springs. One of the main reasons why you MUST see Mammoth Hot Springs during a trip to Yellowstone is because they are rather unique from the other thermal areas in the park. It features cool limestone and a soft type of rock, making the hot springs look like a cave turned inside out.
Mammoth Hot Springs were formed 600,000 years ago. When you visit, there is an upper and lower terrace boardwalk. The lower boardwalk can be easily accessed from the Grand Loop Road. The two top things to see at the Lower Terraces are Liberty Cap and Minerva Spring.
I was so fascinated by these hot spring formations. When you are here, you will definitely feel like you’re on Mars!
The lower terrace boardwalk links to the upper terrace boardwalk. Once you are at the Upper Terraces, check out Prospect Terrace, New Highland Terrace, Orange Spring Mound, Bath Lake, White Elephant Back Terrace and Angel Terrace.
The Upper Terraces are also epic and I was amazed by all of the natural beauty!
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: (This is optional, since it is out of the way from Grand Loop Road. It is an hour drive south east from Mammoth Hot Springs and 30 minutes east from Beryl Spring.)
One of the most breathtaking spots in Yellowstone National Park is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is 20 miles long, 4,000-feet wide and 1,200-feet deep. There two waterfalls (Lower and Upper Falls) that are stunning to check out.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was once a former geyser basin created by rhyolite lava. The last glacial period melted ice dams at the mouth of the Yellowstone Lake that caused flooding and erosion, leading to the formation of the pink and yellow layers of the canyon.
Beryl Spring: (It is around a 30-minute drive west from Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Beryl Spring. It also takes 45 minutes to drive south to Beryl Spring from Mammoth.)
As you drive along the Grand Loop Road, definitely make a stop at Beryl Spring, which is one of the hottest springs in Yellowstone National Park.
Beryl Spring’s activity was greatly altered by the 1959 earthquake. The violent agitation of the water is due to volcanic gases and the temperature is only a few degrees below boiling – 189 degrees Fahrenheit (87 degrees Celsius) to 192 degrees Fahrenheit (89 degrees Celsius).
Fountain Paint Pot and Red Spouter: (It will take around 20 to 25 minutes to drive south from Beryl Spring to the Fountain Paint Pot trail where you could see the actual Fountain Paint Pot, Red Spouter, Fountain Geyser and Morning Geyser.)
The Fountain Paint Pot trail is a half-mile walk along a boardwalk where you can see a lot of geothermal attractions.
Fountain Paint Pot is the classic mud pot that is made from rain and runoff. The paint pot is the thickest during late summer/early fall, which was when we visited.
The Red Spouter is a spring that was originated with the Hebgen Lake earthquake. It spouts red water and mud and during late summer/early fall, it is a fumarole.
Fountain Geyser and Morning Geyser: (You could see both of these geysers along the Fountain Paint Pot trail.)
The Fountain Geyser is considered an unpredicted geyser that can reach a height of 50 feet and last for 20 minutes.
Morning Geyser seldom erupts, but when it does, it can reach up to 150-200-feet high. It is so awesome to see! Definitely do not miss out on visiting this area of the park in your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary!
Excelsior Geyser Crater: (Excelsior Geyser Crater and Grand Prismatic Spring are located in the same area called Midway Geyser Basin. You can park at the Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot, which is a 3 to 5-minute drive south of Fountain Paint Pot.)
Excelsior Geyser Crater is the first large pool you will pass on the boardwalk at the Midway Geyser Basin. It is a steaming body of teal water that runs into the Firehole River. For a while, Excelsior Geyser Crater was the largest geyser in the world!
Some of Excelsior Geyser Crater’s eruptions were up to 300 feet tall and 300 feet wide, which is almost the size of a football field!
Nowadays, it doesn’t erupt regularly, but it does produce 4,500 gallons of runoff per minute. It is absolutely beautiful to see though and the water is so clear!
Grand Prismatic Spring: (In addition to Excelsior Geyser Crater, you could see Grand Prismatic Spring along the boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin.)
Another must-see at Yellowstone National Park is the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is the most photographed thermal feature in the park because of its amazing bright colors and huge size!
The Grand Prismatic Spring is deeper than a 10-story building and it is considered the third largest hot spring in the world!
Grand Prismatic Spring offers a rainbow of colors such as orange, yellow, green and blue. The multicolored layers of Grand Prismatic Spring get their hues from different species of thermophile bacteria. You can see the spring from atop on the small hill that is accessible from the Fairy Falls Trail.
Old Faithful: (It will take you around 10 minutes to drive from Midway Geyser Basin to Old Faithfull. It is south of all the attractions listed above.)
Yellowstone National Park’s most famous geyser is Old Faithful. It was discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition. Old Faithful has erupted more than a million times since Yellowstone became a National Park.
This frequent and predictable active geyser is located on Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin. Please note that there will be a lot of people in this area trying to see the eruptions.
Overall, Old Faithful will erupt around 20 times a day and will last around 10 minutes. The average time between eruptions is usually between one to two hours.
The average temperature of the water coming out of Old Faithful is around 204 degrees Fahrenheit (96 degrees Celsius) and the steam temperature has an average of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Castle Geyser: (Castle Geyser is located along the Upper Geyser Basin. From Old Faithful, there is a boardwalk you could take to see Castle Geyser, Morning Glory and other small geysers and hot springs.)
Castle Geyser gets its name because it actually looks like a castle! It is one of the major geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin and its eruptions usually take place once a day during daylight hours.
This cool geyser is only a 10-minute walk from Old Faithful and it erupts to a height of 100 feet and can last up to an hour!
Morning Glory Pool: (Morning Glory is also located along the Upper Geyser Basin. It takes around a half hour to walk along the boardwalk from Old Faithful to get to this magical pool. In fact, it is one of the last attractions to see along the boardwalk.)
One of the most fascinating hot springs we saw in Yellowstone National Park before we departed was the Morning Glory Pool.
The original name of Morning Glory was Convolutus, which was titled in 1883 by the wife of an assistant park superintendent. It is a Latin word for the morning glory flower, which the pool’s blue color resembles.
The bright blue water of Morning Glory was created by thermophilic bacteria. Most recently, the Morning Glory Pool has been referred to as Fading Glory because it is losing its brilliant color through ignorance and vandalism. People have tossed objects into this beautiful pool, which has clogged its vents and lowered the temperature.
Unfortunately, Morning Glory’s future is uncertain and all thermal features around the world are at risk. All hot springs and geysers have fragile and complex plumbing that takes centuries to develop. If you see vandalism, anywhere, please report it to a park ranger!
(Other geysers and hot springs to add to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary are Turquoise Pool, Opal Pool, Flood Geyser, Spray Geyser and Imperial Geyser.)
Hiking in Grand Teton National Park:
Located just south of Yellowstone National Park and a little north of Jackson Hole is Grand Teton National Park. It is one of the most stunning National Parks in the United States and it features 310,000 acres of sky-high peaks, lush valley floors, colorful mountain meadows and glistening alpine lakes.
Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge. Earthquakes gave rise to the 40-mile Teton Range, which just so happens to sit on a fault line.
The Tetons are the youngest range in the Rocky Mountains and some of the youngest mountains on Earth.
There are also eight peaks that tower over 12,000 feet above sea level in Grand Teton National Park. The highest peak is Grand Teton itself, which is at 13,770 feet above sea level.
Our day trip to Grand Teton from Cody was an active one. Since we mainly went sightseeing in Yellowstone the day prior, we wanted to do a nice hike in the Tetons.
Below are the best hikes within Grand Teton National Park that I recommend you add to your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary:
Jenny Lake: After my cousin and I arrived at Grand Teton National Park, we drove to Jenny Lake where we hiked around the entire scenic loop.
We parked our car on a side road off of Teton Park Road and started the trail from there. Please know that it also doesn’t matter which direction you start the trail. (I recommend putting Jenny Lake into your GPS when you have service. There is service in certain parts of Grand Teton National Park.)
Overall, the hike around Jenny Lake was quite enjoyable. The trail is fairly close to the shoreline and it is mainly forested, flat and includes a few small hills.
Throughout the entire hike, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Grand Teton, Teewinot Mountain, Mt. Owen, Cascade Canyon, Storm Point, Symmetry Spire, Mt. St. John, Rockchuck Peak and Mt. Moran.
Since we visited Grand Teton National Park at the end of September, the foliage was starting to break through. There were numerous aspen trees that showcased its golden color and it was absolutely magical! I loved all of the picturesque spots both in the forest and by the water. It truly was peaceful!
Glacially carved Jenny Lake is the second largest serene lake in Grand Teton National Park. It is also one of the deepest lakes in the park!
Hiking Jenny Lake is well worth your time in Grant Teton. It will take you around four and a half hours to circle around the lake. If you do not want to hike the entire trail, there is a boat that you could take back halfway.
String Lake: If you don’t have enough time to hike around Jenny Lake, but want to get a similar experience, I recommend hiking around String Lake, which is only 3.8 miles round trip.
String Lake is located a little north of Jenny Lake and you could enjoy views of Teewinot Mountain, Grand Teton and Mt. Owen.
Overall, hiking String Lake is fairly easy and portions of the trail are paved. You could also continue half a mile past the trailhead and see a gorgeous view of Mt. Moran.
Schwabacher’s Landing: If you travel a little further south, you could reach Schwabacher’s Landing, which is 16 miles north of Jackson.
Schwabacher’s Landing is one of the best photo spots in Grand Teton National Park. You could do a 4-mile round-trip easy hike that features mountain views along the beautiful Snake River. This trail is perfect for spotting wildlife!
Delta Lake: A trail that we really wanted to do but didn’t have the time for was the Delta Lake hike! It is around a 9-mile round trip strenuous hike that goes through the Lupine Meadows Access to Delta Lake, which is a secluded gem in Grand Teton National Park.
During the Delta Lake hike, you will gain 2,400 feet in elevation and please note that there are a lot of unmaintained trails. Once you reach this breathtaking lake, you will know why this hike was well worth the challenge.
Cascade Canyon Trail: A great moderate hike to take during your time in Grand Teton National Park is the Cascade Canyon trail. This 10-mile round trip hike begins at Jenny Lake Trailhead and climbs above Hidden Falls.
Teton Crest Trail: If you are looking to do a trek in Grand Teton National Park, definitely do the Teton Crest Trail, which ranges from 25 to 75 miles, depending on the route you want to take.
During this moderate to difficult trek, you will ascend over 8,000 feet and descent over 7,000 feet. The peak elevation on the Teton Crest Trail is at 10,695 feet.
On the Teton Crest Trail, you will enjoy stunning vistas, catch beautiful sunrises and sunsets, admire breathtaking alpine scenery and view wildlife.
If you decide to do the Teton Crest Trail, you will need to camp. Click here to learn about camping in Grand Teton National park.
Snake River Overlook: Before leaving the park, we stopped at Snake River Overlook to enjoy the astonishing views of the Tetons, Jackson River Valley and all of the beautiful pine-covered landscape!
After our day hiking at Grand Teton National Park, we drove back to Chamberlin Inn in Cody.
If you have more time to spare in your Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary, definitely check out Jackson Hole!
I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary in Wyoming and reading about my stay at Chamberlin Inn in Cody.
If you have any questions please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
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46 Comments
This is a great blog post, Taylor! I have never heard of the Grand Teton National Park, but after reading your post and looking at your beautiful pictures, I am definitely adding it to my list of places to visit in the US 🙂
Wow, Wyoming is a stunning state ~ the gorgeous photos of Yellowstone and Grand Teton were breathtaking ~ your amazing photography brought it all to life. Love that beautiful boutique hotel you stayed at @chamberlaininn in the quaint town of Cody ~ love all the fabulous photos of you ~ so beautiful ~ I just put WY on my bucket list ~ love you, mom xoxo 😘💕
It has been a LONG time since I have been to this area. I am hoping to make it to this area this year and I will definitely be referring to this guide. The trails in the Grand Tetons look amazing, especially the Jenny Lake trail.
Oh wow it looks like you had such an epic road trip Taylor! Your photos are simply beautiful and Chamberlin Inn looks like such a cool place to stay 🙂
Wow Taylor! So incredible. Yellowstone has been on my bucketlist forever.
I absolutely adore your photos, Taylor, and the Chamberlin Inn is right up my alley! What an absolutely charming property. I also love how you provided specific information for the trails, that’s so helpful!
What amazing photos! How nice to stay in such a lovely boutique hotel, but still explore the great outdoors!
My husband is desperate to visit Yellowstone and I can see why! The place looks gorgeous and so picturesque. I love the look of the diners and cafes nearby in Cody too! Saved for future travels!
What a beautiful place! Your photos are amazing and I’m really disappointed to hear about the vandalism. The full tank of gas was a great tip!!
Oh my goodness, what a thorough post and beautiful photography! But the unexpected star of this blog post was the Chamberlin Hotel. I want to visit these national parks just so I can stare at that gold ceiling!!!
Loved reading your post and looking at all the great photos. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are definitely on my bucket list, can’t wait to go someday 😀
So fun to walk in Hemingway’s footsteps! And beautiful photos 🙂
I absolutely adored reading about your road trip. I’d never even heard of Cody but you’ve definitely convinced me that I need to stay there. I really hope to be able to get over to the US soon and plan a trip out to Wyoming. The Chamberlin Inn sounds so fascinating, I love boutique places with a bit of history. That’s so cool the Ernest Hemingway stayed there. All the trail info is so useful too – thanks for such a comprehensive guide, I’ve got it bookmarked for when I can get over to Wyoming 🙂
Great post! Your photos are amazing…. that Morning Glory is otherworldly. Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful & thorough post! I had heard of Cody, but it looks so beautiful. I love those old U.S. town. I saved your post so I remember to book at the Chamberlin Inn.
Looks like we need to visit Cody! We did most of what you did at Yellowstone and Teton but also would like to see the Bison Range you mentioned.
Your photos from Yellowstone are so beautiful! I would love to visit the area and do some of the hikes you recommend.
yellowstone has been on my bucket list for so long, but it looks like i would enjoy the food as much as the landscapes!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I finally got to visit Grand Teton properly last month and loved it. Good to see you got to visit Steamboat too – one of my favorite Colorado mountain towns 🙂
I always love your articles as they are so informative and your photos are always so beautiful. I would love to be travelling right now but sadly we are on full lockdown here in wales. I’ve pinned this for some future travel inspiration. xx
I have always wanted to visit Wyoming and Yellowstone! It’s so beautiful and rugged. Thanks for the amazing advice and beautiful pictures
This is such a great itinerary and I absolutely love your photos! I’m dying to go back to Yellowstone! Especially now seeing all your photos!
Amazing post Taylor!! Your photos are stunning. Cody looks like such a quaint town and a great place to stay when exploring Yellowstone. It is so heart breaking to hear that people are having a deliberate impact on something so beautiful! I hope to when travel restrictions ease we are able to visit the US, the more I am reading about the US the more I want to visit!! Your blog will definitely be my go to resource!!
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This is a great blog post, Taylor! I have never heard of the Grand Teton National Park, but after reading your post and looking at your beautiful pictures, I am definitely adding it to my list of places to visit in the US 🙂
Thank you so much Cristina! It’s such a stunning park, you totally have to go when you do a trip out west. 🙂
Wow, Wyoming is a stunning state ~ the gorgeous photos of Yellowstone and Grand Teton were breathtaking ~ your amazing photography brought it all to life. Love that beautiful boutique hotel you stayed at @chamberlaininn in the quaint town of Cody ~ love all the fabulous photos of you ~ so beautiful ~ I just put WY on my bucket list ~ love you, mom xoxo 😘💕
It really is a gorgeous state with so many natural wonders. I loved staying at Chamberlin Inn too! Thank you mom, love you too! 🙂
It has been a LONG time since I have been to this area. I am hoping to make it to this area this year and I will definitely be referring to this guide. The trails in the Grand Tetons look amazing, especially the Jenny Lake trail.
It’s so fascinating! I never wanted to leave! Also Jenny Lake was amazing. 🙂
Oh wow it looks like you had such an epic road trip Taylor! Your photos are simply beautiful and Chamberlin Inn looks like such a cool place to stay 🙂
I really did Alina! I never wanted to leave lol. 🙂 Also thank you so much and Chamberlin Inn really was amazing!
Wow Taylor! So incredible. Yellowstone has been on my bucketlist forever.
Thank you so much Nicola! You totally have to get out to the American West once the borders open. 🙂
I absolutely adore your photos, Taylor, and the Chamberlin Inn is right up my alley! What an absolutely charming property. I also love how you provided specific information for the trails, that’s so helpful!
Thank you so much Elena! I loved staying at Chamberlin Inn and could totally see you staying there as well. 🙂
What amazing photos! How nice to stay in such a lovely boutique hotel, but still explore the great outdoors!
Thank you so much Shannon! Yes, I loved it so much! 🙂
My husband is desperate to visit Yellowstone and I can see why! The place looks gorgeous and so picturesque. I love the look of the diners and cafes nearby in Cody too! Saved for future travels!
You guys totally have to go! It’s so fascinating with its natural wonders! 🙂
What a beautiful place! Your photos are amazing and I’m really disappointed to hear about the vandalism. The full tank of gas was a great tip!!
Thank you Heather and yes, it is so sad how some people could be so ignorant.
Oh my goodness, what a thorough post and beautiful photography! But the unexpected star of this blog post was the Chamberlin Hotel. I want to visit these national parks just so I can stare at that gold ceiling!!!
Thank you so much Catherine and yes, the Hotel was awesome. I really loved this trip and I know you would too. 🙂
Loved reading your post and looking at all the great photos. Yellowstone and Grand Teton are definitely on my bucket list, can’t wait to go someday 😀
Thank you so much Sara and you will love it when you eventually make your way there. 🙂
So fun to walk in Hemingway’s footsteps! And beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you so much Marguerite! 🙂
I absolutely adored reading about your road trip. I’d never even heard of Cody but you’ve definitely convinced me that I need to stay there. I really hope to be able to get over to the US soon and plan a trip out to Wyoming. The Chamberlin Inn sounds so fascinating, I love boutique places with a bit of history. That’s so cool the Ernest Hemingway stayed there. All the trail info is so useful too – thanks for such a comprehensive guide, I’ve got it bookmarked for when I can get over to Wyoming 🙂
Thank you so much Sophie! I know you will love it when You eventually make your way to the American West. It sure is a fascinating area. 🙂
Great post! Your photos are amazing…. that Morning Glory is otherworldly. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Carley! Everything I saw at those parks were incredible. 🙂
What a beautiful & thorough post! I had heard of Cody, but it looks so beautiful. I love those old U.S. town. I saved your post so I remember to book at the Chamberlin Inn.
Thank you so much Shelley! You will totally love Cody when you visit. 🙂
Looks like we need to visit Cody! We did most of what you did at Yellowstone and Teton but also would like to see the Bison Range you mentioned.
Yes, you totally have to! It is so incredible! The Bison Range is definitely a cool spot to drive through. 🙂
Your photos from Yellowstone are so beautiful! I would love to visit the area and do some of the hikes you recommend.
Thank you so much Elina! You totally have to go. It’s awesome. 🙂
yellowstone has been on my bucket list for so long, but it looks like i would enjoy the food as much as the landscapes!
It’s such an amazing National Park! Also the food in Cody was delicious. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I finally got to visit Grand Teton properly last month and loved it. Good to see you got to visit Steamboat too – one of my favorite Colorado mountain towns 🙂
Thank you so much Katie! Also, yes, Steamboat is my favorite place in Colorado so far!
I always love your articles as they are so informative and your photos are always so beautiful. I would love to be travelling right now but sadly we are on full lockdown here in wales. I’ve pinned this for some future travel inspiration. xx
Thank you so much Portia. That means a lot! Also I hope things get better soon. 🙂
I have always wanted to visit Wyoming and Yellowstone! It’s so beautiful and rugged. Thanks for the amazing advice and beautiful pictures
It’s such an amazing place to visit! You would love it. 🙂
This is such a great itinerary and I absolutely love your photos! I’m dying to go back to Yellowstone! Especially now seeing all your photos!
Thank you so much Bettina! You totally have to go. It is amazing. 🙂
Amazing post Taylor!! Your photos are stunning. Cody looks like such a quaint town and a great place to stay when exploring Yellowstone. It is so heart breaking to hear that people are having a deliberate impact on something so beautiful! I hope to when travel restrictions ease we are able to visit the US, the more I am reading about the US the more I want to visit!! Your blog will definitely be my go to resource!!
Thank you so much Fiona! That means a lot to me. You will seriously LOVE all the National Parks in the USA. Also yes, I hope people start respecting our planet more. 🙂