On the day you cross from Grand Teton into Yellowstone, the peaks sit in your mirror and the first steam vents appear among the lodgepole pines. Within a few days you'll know the rhythm: geysers before breakfast, wildlife at dusk, and the RV parked inside the park, so you never chase a hotel at night.
Below is the day-by-day version of our Yellowstone & Grand Teton route guide: ten days, nine nights, one RV or campervan picked up and returned in Salt Lake City, with two nights in Grand Teton and five inside Yellowstone. A shorter Bozeman variant is at the end. Campground seasons, booking windows and vehicle rules come from the National Park Service, Recreation.gov and Yellowstone's lodge operator, with the date we checked them. Anything we estimated is marked [A].
Quick answer
- Who it's for: first-timers with 10 days in summer, a campervan or Class C, and two to four people. Salt Lake City usually has more flights and RVs than Bozeman [A].
- Shape: 1 night Salt Lake City → 2 nights Grand Teton → 1 Grant Village → 2 Madison → 1 Canyon → 1 Mammoth → 1 Idaho Falls.
- Season for this exact plan: late June to mid-September. In 2026, Grant Village opened June 26 and Canyon closed September 19 [S1].
- Every Yellowstone campground needs a reservation in summer, on a rolling six-month window [S1]. For 2027, the five lodge-run campgrounds (incl. Madison, Grant, Canyon) move to Recreation.gov [S2]. Grand Teton campgrounds are reservation-only too [S3].
- Drive slowly: the speed limit is 45 mph unless posted, and wildlife jams are normal. Plan 30–60 miles a day inside the park [S4][A].
- No rental drop-offs in the park: RVs may not be delivered to or picked up from Yellowstone campsites [S1].
- Rules checked: 2026-10-27. How the booking windows work: Recreation.gov guide.
- When to go: month-by-month ratings, temperatures and seasons.
Route map
Route at a glance · schematic, not for navigation; positions approximate [A]. ☾ N1 = night 1.
- Day 1: Salt Lake City (SLC): pick up the RV
- Day 2: SLC → Idaho Falls → Jackson → Grand Teton (Gros Ventre or Colter Bay)
- Day 3: Grand Teton: Schwabacher Landing or Mormon Row at sunrise, Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend at dusk; same campground
- Day 4: Grand Teton → Yellowstone South Entrance → Grant Village
- Days 5–6: Old Faithful and the geyser basins, nights at Madison or Grant Village
- Day 7: Canyon area and Hayden Valley, night at Canyon
- Day 8: Lamar Valley and Mammoth, night at Mammoth or Gardiner
- Day 9: Exit West Yellowstone → Idaho Falls
- Day 10: Idaho Falls → SLC, return the RV
- Bozeman option: Fly into BZN, drive to Gardiner (via Livingston) or West Yellowstone the same day
The 10 days at a glance
| Day | Plan | Drive | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land at SLC, pick up the RV, stock up | Airport → depot → RV park, <1 h [A] | Salt Lake area RV park [A] |
| 2 | SLC → Idaho Falls → Jackson → Grand Teton | ~290 mi / 5 h [A] | Gros Ventre or Colter Bay, Grand Teton |
| 3 | Grand Teton: Jenny Lake, Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row; Oxbow Bend at dusk | ~40–60 mi [A] | Same campground |
| 4 | Grand Teton → South Entrance → Grant Village; West Thumb Geyser Basin | ~60–90 mi [A]; South Entrance → Grant Village ~50 min [S4] | Grant Village |
| 5 | Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin | Grant Village → Old Faithful ~40 min, → Madison ~35–45 min [S4] | Madison |
| 6 | Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic), Norris Geyser Basin | Madison ↔ Norris ~30 min each way [S4] | Madison |
| 7 | Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; Hayden Valley at dusk | Madison → Norris → Canyon ~1 h [S4] | Canyon |
| 8 | Lamar Valley at dawn, then Mammoth Hot Springs | Canyon → Tower 50–60 min, Tower → Mammoth 40 min, plus Lamar out and back [S4][A] | Mammoth |
| 9 | Mammoth → Norris → Madison → West Yellowstone → Idaho Falls | ~200 mi [A]; in-park part ~1 h 45 [S4] | Idaho Falls area RV park [A] |
| 10 | Idaho Falls → SLC, return the RV, fly out | ~210 mi / 3–3.5 h [A] | – |
In-park drive times are NPS averages, which "may be significantly longer" because of wildlife, weather and road works [S4]. Distances outside the park are our estimates [A], consistent with the route guide.
Campgrounds on this route (2026 seasons)
| Night | Campground | 2026 season | Fee (2026) | Book through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 | Gros Ventre or Colter Bay (Grand Teton) | Seasonal [A — check dates] | See cost page | Recreation.gov, 6 months ahead; 45 ft max; some electric sites [S3] |
| 4 | Grant Village | June 26 – Sept 26 | $45 + taxes | 2026: lodge operator; 2027: Recreation.gov [S1][S2] |
| 5–6 | Madison | May 1 – Oct 17 | $38 + taxes | 2026: lodge operator; 2027: Recreation.gov [S1][S2] |
| 7 | Canyon | May 29 – Sept 19 | $45 + taxes | 2026: lodge operator; 2027: Recreation.gov [S1][S2] |
| 8 | Mammoth | Year-round | $25 | Recreation.gov; first-come Oct 15 – Apr 1 [S1] |
Need hookups? Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only place in Yellowstone with water, sewer and 50-amp electric; hard-sided RVs only, $94 + taxes a night in 2026 (May 8 – Oct 17) [S1]. It could replace Grant Village on night 4 [A].
Before you book the RV: checklist
Every opening date for this route, in your time zone: What do I book when? →
Every campground on this route, with booking windows and RV length limits: campsite table for Yellowstone & Grand Teton.
- Fix dates inside all the seasons above. For this exact route that means about June 26 to September 19 (2026 dates; 2027 dates may differ) [S1].
- Book the Yellowstone nights the day they open: six months before each night, rolling [S1]. For 2027 the lodge-run campgrounds are on Recreation.gov, "approximately 6 months in advance" [S2]. Sites there are assigned at check-in, and sites that take a combined length of 40 ft or more are limited [S2].
- Book Grand Teton (Gros Ventre or Colter Bay, both up to 45 ft; Signal Mountain and Lizard Creek only 30 ft; Jenny Lake is tents only) [S3].
- Give exact dimensions. Yellowstone's lodge operator won't accommodate you if you arrive with different equipment from what you booked [S2]. Measure the RV including any tow or bike rack.
- Then lock the RV, and check the contract allows Wyoming, Montana and Idaho [A]. Remember that rental companies can't deliver into the park [S1].
- Park passes: Yellowstone and Grand Teton each charge a 7-day vehicle fee; visitors from outside the US pay more unless they buy the Non-Resident Annual Pass. Numbers on the cost page.
Flying in from outside the US? Check driver age, licence/IDP and deposit rules before step 5: renting an RV from abroad.
Day by day
Day 1 — Land in Salt Lake City, pick up the RV
Fly into SLC and do the walk-through slowly: photos of every scratch, tank levels, generator and furnace test (summer nights in the parks can be cold) [A]. Do one big grocery run; stores inside Yellowstone are small and expensive [A].
Sleep: Salt Lake area RV park [A — suggestion].
Day 2 — Salt Lake City → Grand Teton (~290 mi)
Drive north on I-15 to Idaho Falls, then east over Teton Pass or via Swan Valley to Jackson [A — check whether your rental allows steep passes]. Stock up in Jackson; it's the last big town before the parks [A]. Settle in at Gros Ventre (closest to Jackson) or Colter Bay (further north, closer to Yellowstone) [S3].
Sleep: Gros Ventre or Colter Bay Campground [S3].
Day 3 — Grand Teton
Sunrise at Schwabacher Landing or Mormon Row, then Jenny Lake: walk the shoreline or take the boat across to Hidden Falls [A]. Evening at Oxbow Bend, where the photo at the top of this page was taken; moose and elk are common at dusk [A]. Keep your distance from wildlife and store food in the bear boxes provided at the campgrounds [S3].
Sleep: same campground.
Day 4 — Grand Teton → Yellowstone South Entrance → Grant Village
Drive north on US-89/191 through the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to the South Entrance [A]. From there it's about 50 minutes to Grant Village [S4]. Walk the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk on Yellowstone Lake in the afternoon [A].
Sleep: Grant Village (2026: June 26 – Sept 26) [S1].
Day 5 — Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin
Grant Village to Old Faithful takes about 40 minutes [S4]. Check the predicted eruption times at the visitor center, then walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks toward Morning Glory Pool [A]. Stay on boardwalks: the ground around hot springs is thin and the water scalding [A]. Continue to Madison, 35–45 minutes [S4].
Sleep: Madison (2026: May 1 – Oct 17) [S1].
Day 6 — Grand Prismatic and Norris
Morning: Midway Geyser Basin for Grand Prismatic Spring, or the Fairy Falls trail to the overlook above it [A]. Parking at Midway fills by late morning in summer [A]. Afternoon: Norris Geyser Basin, about 30 minutes from Madison [S4].
Sleep: Madison (second night).
Day 7 — Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley
Madison to Norris is about 30 minutes, and Norris to Canyon another 30 [S4]. Walk the rim viewpoints of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Artist Point and the brinks of the falls [A]. In the evening, drive into Hayden Valley toward Lake (Canyon → Lake about 35 minutes) for bison and possibly bears [S4][A].
Sleep: Canyon (2026: May 29 – Sept 19) [S1].
Day 8 — Lamar Valley at dawn, then Mammoth
Leave early: Canyon to Tower Junction takes 50–60 minutes [S4], then continue east into Lamar Valley for wolves and bison at first light [A]. Back via Tower to Mammoth Hot Springs, about 40 minutes [S4], for the travertine terraces [A].
Sleep: Mammoth Campground ($25; 2026: reservable in summer) [S1].
Day 9 — Mammoth → West Yellowstone → Idaho Falls
Mammoth to Norris takes about 45 minutes, Norris to Madison 30, and Madison to the West Entrance 30 [S4]. Then US-20 south to Idaho Falls, roughly 200 miles for the day [A]. Dump and fill at a campground dump station before you leave the park; they're free for all visitors [S2].
Sleep: Idaho Falls area RV park [A].
Day 10 — Idaho Falls → Salt Lake City, fly home
About 210 miles on I-15 [A]. Refuel to the level in your contract, sweep out and return on time. Leave at least 3 hours between the RV return and your flight [A].
The Bozeman variant (6–7 days)
Flying into Bozeman (BZN) cuts the long drives: you're about 90 miles from Gardiner or West Yellowstone [A]. Skip days 1–3 and 9–10, then:
- Day 1: pick up in Bozeman, drive via Livingston to Gardiner and the North Entrance; Mammoth is 15 minutes inside [S4][A].
- Days 2–5: the Yellowstone part of this plan in reverse: Lamar Valley, Canyon, Old Faithful, Madison [A].
- Last day: exit at West Yellowstone and drive back to Bozeman on US-191 [A].
Adding Grand Teton from Bozeman works best as a one-way to Salt Lake City, which usually means a one-way fee [A]. See airport pickup & one-way fees.
Alternatives and the buffer day
- Something different? Our Atomic & Ghost Towns loop starts in Bozeman and swings west of the park in 5 summer days: Virginia City, Bannack, the EBR-I atomic museum and Craters of the Moon, all on paved roads except the last miles to Bannack.
- Need a buffer? Drop the second Madison night and do Grand Prismatic on day 5 [A].
- Want hookups once? Swap Grant Village for Fishing Bridge RV Park (hard-sided RVs only) [S1].
- Driving a large Class C? Check each campground's length limit; Yellowstone's park roads allow RVs up to 75 ft, but many campsites are far shorter [S2][S4]. See Class C vs. campervan.
- Shoulder season (May or late September): Grant Village and Canyon may be closed, and snow is possible; base yourself at Madison and Mammoth instead [S1][A]. Most park roads open mid-April to October 31 [S4].
What it costs
Prices live on one page: What 10 days really cost: Yellowstone & Grand Teton. In short, Yellowstone campground fees on this plan are $25–45 a night plus taxes (2026), and Fishing Bridge with hookups is $94 [S1]. Rental, fuel and park passes are broken down there with sources. Want your own number? Use the trip cost calculator.
Sources and how we checked
All sources opened 2026-10-27. Rules and schedules change; check each park's road and campground pages before you drive. [A] marks our own estimates or suggestions.
- [S1] NPS Yellowstone — Camping (11 campgrounds; reservations required except Mammoth Oct 15–Apr 1; rolling six-month window; 2026 dates and fees by operator; Fishing Bridge only full hookups, hard-sided only; no out-of-park RV delivery or pickup; last updated Feb 25, 2026) — www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S2] Yellowstone National Park Lodges — Camping (2027 reservations through Recreation.gov, ~6 months ahead; sites assigned at check-in; 40 ft+ sites limited; different equipment not accommodated; length-of-stay limits; free dump stations) — www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/stay/camping/ (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S3] NPS Grand Teton — Camping (reservation only on Recreation.gov, up to 6 months ahead; campground list with length limits; bear boxes) — www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/camping.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- [S4] NPS Yellowstone — Directions & Transportation (average drive times between junctions; 45 mph; RVs up to 75 ft; most roads open mid-April–Oct 31) — www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-10-27)
- Not from an official source [A]: drive distances and times outside Yellowstone (consistent with our route guide), road choices, RV park suggestions, sightseeing and wildlife suggestions, and the Bozeman variant.
Before you get quotes
See the full cost breakdownRental, miles, fuel, campgrounds, park passes and fees, with sources
← Back to the route guide: Yellowstone & Grand Teton
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