A 3 Day Summer Itinerary Highlighting Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Jackson Hole
3 Days In The Parks + More
In a region abundant with bucket-list summer activities, it can be hard to map the perfect itinerary to take advantage of everything. Our Pathfinders put together a 3 day itinerary for Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks, as well as one flexible day with options for adventure. Whether you stick to this plan or not, be sure and add these options to your upcoming visit and truly make the most of your time with us.
Day 1: Grand Teton National Park
Morning
Start your morning at Jenny Lake, hiking the 2.5 miles around to Hidden Falls and continuing up to Inspiration Point for an unparalleled view that will take your breath away. Gorgeous views and all manner of wildlife can be seen on what we think is one of the most beautiful locations in all of Jackson Hole. The hike around the lake is easy with minimal elevation changes, but you will find some short switchbacks to hike if you decide to add Inspiration Point to the day. Continue around the lake to complete the 7-mile loop or hop on the ferry for the 15-minute boat ride to get right back to the trailhead and continue your day.
Afternoon
Drive up to Dornan’s at Moose Junction for a hearty lunch in the historic lodge, visit the nearby Craig Thomas Visitor and Discovery Center, meet up in Moose Junction for a scenic float down the Snake River. Join our partner National Park Float Trips to enjoy the original Jackson Hole scenic float trip experience entirely within Grand Teton National Park, on the most scenic stretch of the Snake River. Relax and enjoy Grand Teton National Park’s natural beauty while discovering the magic of the Snake River. Your knowledgeable river guide will lead you into a protected sanctuary of pristine wildlife, beautiful wildflowers, sagebrush plateaus, cottonwood and spruce forests, and spectacular panoramic views of the entire Teton Range. Plan for an informative and enjoyable experience. Several departures daily.
Evening
Finish your day with a sunset safari in Grand Teton National Park. Sunrise and sunset in the park are optimal times to view wildlife, and the lighting at these hours typically offers the most photogenic views of the Tetons. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you to breathtaking overlooks and wildlife hot spots, providing many interesting details about the flora and fauna you will find along the way. Observe these majestic animals amidst the beauty and solitude of the changing light across Jackson Hole.
Sunsets are very late in the summer, so return to Jackson and peruse town square, pop into various shops, and enjoy dinner. Round out the evening at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar or the Silver Dollar Bar & Grill to enjoy live music.
Day 2: Yellowstone
All Day
We highly recommend a tour of the “lower loop” of Yellowstone with one of our great partners. Exploring the lower loop shows you the most iconic areas of Yellowstone and also gives your great opportunities for wildlife sightings. These tours are usually 10-12 hours and explores the abundant wildlife of Hayden Valley and the famous other-worldly thermal features in our country’s first national park, including Old Faithful Geyser and the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring.
Other highlights include a breathtaking overlook of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its magnificent waterfalls, walks near other thermal features, and plenty of time for enjoying a picnic lunch in the park.
You could do this yourself in a day, but we recommend joining a small, guided group tour or private tour. This way, everyone can focus 100% on the animals and surroundings. There are many features that the guides have incredible knowledge of to share with you, while handling all logistics of a long day from start to finish for you.
Learn more about available Yellowstone guided tours or exploring on your own from our Pathfinders Team by emailing pathfinders@thecloudveil.com or calling us at 307-249-9152.
Day 3: Guided Fishing OR Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Guided Fishing
Morning & Afternoon
An early morning rise for guided fishing on the Green, Salt, New Fork, or Snake River is a truly unforgettable experience. Our local guides are equipped with their variety of drift boats and high-end fishing gear and all the necessary tackle needed for the day. Half day and full day trips are available depending on conditions and season, and your guide will have those of all skill levels setting hooks and landing in the Snake River Cutthroat Trout that grace our waters. For those wanting to try this wonderful pastime for shorter lengths, walk and wade trips are also available as 2- or 3-hour trips, where your guide will outfit you with waders and boots as you cast along the banks of our rivers and streams. Gorgeous views and fantastic experiences await those up for the adventure!
Evening
Finish the day by heading back onto the town square to enjoy one of the many happy hours our local restaurants offer, while enjoying the shopping and art galleries of the Town Square. Enjoy the old west shootout on the square and enjoy a cocktail at our rooftop bar as the sun sets and the stars emerge over our beautiful skies.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort & Teton Village
All Day
Spend the day at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort partaking in the summertime activities. Start your experience off with a Tram ride to the summit when you arrive for the classic breakfast of specialty waffles at Corbet’s Cabin.
Depending on preferences, you could hike around the trails with commanding views of the valley and beautiful wildflowers, participate in Via Ferrata guided mountaineering/Alpine course, enjoy mountain biking (riding the gondola for repeat access), and check out their ropes course. Riding the Tram to the summit and hiking down to the base of the resort provides great scenery and potential wildlife sightings.
Once done, you can enjoy dining at one of the many restaurants in Teton Village, or you could continue the adventure by renting an E-Bike in Teton Village and riding our bike path back to Jackson, dropping your bike at their in town location before heading off to dinner in Jackson.
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