Ultimate 5-Day Yellowstone, Grand Teton & National Parks Road Trip Itinerary
If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable National Parks adventure, this itinerary is the perfect way to experience some of America’s most iconic landscapes. Our family road-tripped from Michigan to Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park before making the two-day drive home.
The journey took us nine days total, including two days driving to Wyoming and two days returning home. While it’s a lot of miles, every stop was worth it!
Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a family vacation, or checking National Parks off your bucket list, here’s exactly how we did it. This post may contain affiliate links.
Trip at a Glance
- Starting Point: Michigan
- National Parks/Monuments Visited:
- Badlands National Park
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Devil’s Tower National Monument
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Total Trip Length: 9 Days
- Best Time to Visit: Late June through early September
The Drive from Michigan
Getting to Yellowstone is an adventure all by itself.
We split the drive into two days, making an overnight stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before continuing west the following morning. Breaking up the drive made the trip much more enjoyable and gave everyone a chance to recharge before our first sightseeing day.
Day 1: Badlands, Mount Rushmore & Devil’s Tower
The first sightseeing day packed in three incredible landmarks. You will need a park pass to visit most of these sites, which you can get at this link: National Park Passes
Our morning began with a drive through Badlands National Park. The colorful rock formations, dramatic cliffs, and wide-open prairie landscapes were unlike anything we’d ever seen. Keep your eyes open for prairie dogs! We could have watched them all day.
From there, we drove about 1½ hours to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. While it’s a relatively quick stop, seeing the massive presidential sculptures in person is something every American should experience.
Next, we continued another 2 hours and 15 minutes to Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Rising dramatically above the surrounding landscape, this unique geological formation is even more impressive in person than in photos.
After a full day of exploring, we spent the night at: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Gillette, Wyoming
If you are looking for a guided tour of the national park, memorial, or monument, check out the links below:
Day 2: Yellowstone (North Side)
The excitement really began as we entered Yellowstone National Park through the Northeast Entrance.
Our first stop was Lamar Valley, often called America’s Serengeti. This is one of the best places in Yellowstone to spot wildlife. We saw plenty of bison grazing throughout the valley, and with a little luck you may also spot wolves, bears, elk, or pronghorn.
Next, we visited the beautiful Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces, where mineral-rich water has created incredible white limestone formations that look almost otherworldly.
Before heading to our lodge, we explored Norris Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone’s hottest and most active geothermal areas filled with steaming vents, bubbling pools, and colorful hot springs.
That evening we checked into one of Yellowstone’s most iconic hotels: Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Staying inside the park was one of the best decisions we made because it allowed us to maximize sightseeing time instead of spending hours driving in and out each day.
If you are looking for a guided tour of this beautiful national park, check out the link below:
Day 3: Yellowstone’s Famous Geysers & Hot Springs (West Side)
This day was dedicated to Yellowstone’s incredible geothermal features.
We started our morning watching Old Faithful erupt. Even though it’s Yellowstone’s most famous attraction, it absolutely lives up to the hype.
Afterward, we walked the Upper Geyser Basin Loop Trail, home to the world’s largest concentration of geysers. Along the trail, we visited colorful hot springs, steaming pools, and the stunning Morning Glory Pool.
Lunch was easy at the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, which allowed us to stay inside the park without wasting valuable sightseeing time.
In the afternoon, we visited one of the most photographed places in Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic Spring As the largest hot spring in the United States, its brilliant rainbow colors are unforgettable.
We also explored Lower Geyser Basin before leaving the park briefly to visit the charming town of West Yellowstone.
Dinner at Buffalo Bar was the perfect way to end the day before returning for our second night at Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Day 4: Waterfalls, Wildlife & Yellowstone Lake (South Side)
Our morning started at Yellowstone Lake, followed by a stop at Fishing Bridge and the nearby General Store.
Next, we walked the easy one-mile boardwalk around West Thumb Geyser Basin, where geothermal features sit right along the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. The entire walk took about 30 minutes and was one of the most unique boardwalks in the park.
Later that afternoon we moved to our new accommodations: Lake Lodge Western Cabin. Almost immediately, we were greeted by elk wandering throughout the property. One curious elk even managed to set off our car alarm—a funny memory we’ll never forget!
We continued exploring Hayden Valley, another fantastic wildlife viewing area, before ending the day at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The waterfalls here completely exceeded our expectations. If you’re visiting Yellowstone for the first time, this is one stop you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Day 5: Grand Teton National Park
Although many visitors spend their entire vacation in Yellowstone, we highly recommend setting aside a day for Grand Teton National Park.
The drive from Yellowstone takes about two hours, and the mountain scenery is breathtaking. Our first stop was the Jenny Lake District, one of the park’s most beautiful areas.
We also visited:
- Menor’s Ferry Historic District
- Jackson Lake Dam
- Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose
- Jackson Hole
For dinner, we grabbed pizza at the famous Pinky G’s, which has even been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Before heading back, we rode the gondola at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and treated ourselves to ice cream while enjoying spectacular views of the Tetons.
That evening we returned to our Lake Lodge Western Cabin for one final night inside Yellowstone.
If you are looking for a guided tour of this beautiful national park, check out the link below:
Heading Home
The next morning we began our two-day drive back to Michigan.
Like the drive out, breaking the trip into two days made the long journey much more manageable.
Tips for Planning This Trip
- Stay inside Yellowstone whenever possible. It saves hours of driving every day.
- Enter the park early each morning for the best wildlife viewing.
- Pack layers—even in summer, Yellowstone mornings can be cold.
- Bring binoculars or a zoom lens for wildlife viewing.
- Download offline maps since cell service is very limited.
- Fill your gas tank whenever you have the opportunity.
- Reserve lodging several months in advance.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely!
Yellowstone exceeded every expectation we had. Between erupting geysers, colorful hot springs, incredible waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and the stunning peaks of Grand Teton National Park, this became one of our family’s favorite vacations.
If you’re considering a Yellowstone road trip from the Midwest, we hope this itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable adventure of your own.