In August 2023, my family took a roadtrip through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana in under 2 weeks! It was an amazing trip full of some of the most spectacular scenes I have ever viewed! Listing everything we did in Wyoming alone would be one long blog post—not to mention overwhelming and exhausting—so I’ve decided to keep it short and sweet and focus on the places I enjoyed the most. The goal is to make this guide so that you can plan your own adventure accordingly! Let’s go!
Where to Stay: We decided to stay in Driggs, Idaho. It was driving distance from both Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons, and we were able to travel through the mountains on the way to the town. I loved this airbnb and would stay here again. Keep in mind that there is no air conditioning (which is like most airbnbs in the area due to the cold temperatures). We slept comfortably even in August!
Airbnb: Driggs, Idaho. “Updated Stylish Luxe Teton Valley Basecamp Escape.”
What to Pack for Jackson Hole:
- Liquid IV – to prevent/help cure jet lag
- Portable phone charger
- Comfortable walking shoes
Grab Breakfast at: Pearl Street Bagels. Great coffee and bagels!
Let’s Go…
This town is western in every way. There are tons of amazing shops, delicious food, and a few things you do not want to miss. Tip: Try to get there as early as possible so that you can find a park! (Trust me, it’s very crowded).
Admire Beautiful Views on the Outskirts:
Grab a Pic at 1 of the 4 Famous Antler Arches:
For some reason, I didn’t realize there were 4 arches until we arrived. They surrounded a cute, family-friendly park.
Shop!
- Jackson Mercantile – great place for clothes and souvenirs
- Shirt Off My Back – best priced clothes that I saw in the town (with good quality)
- Jackson Trading Company – another great clothing option
- Made – Jackson Hole Gifts: I really enjoyed their paper products, cards, etc.
- Snake River Angler – I didn’t go here, but it seemed to be quite popular!
Taking a Stagecoach Ride
This was a super fun, inexpensive, unique experience for the whole family. Tickets ranged from $6-$10
Grab a Cup of Joe
This is a must-visit list in Jackson Hole—just be prepared to wait in the long line. How cute is this cup?
Visit the National Elk Refuge
This is the perfect place for awesome views of the Tetons without the traffic. It’s only 18 minutes from the heart of downtown Jackson Hole, free of charge, and totally worth the visit. Unfortunately, we didn’t see elk here, but we did see beautiful mountains and several bald eagles. I would visit again!
What to Pack for the Grand Tetons:
- Liquid IV – to prevent/help cure jet lag
- Portable phone charger
- Binoculars – I cannot emphasize this enough. Without binoculars, it may be difficult to see wildlife. It’s 100% worth the investment.
- Rain jacket or a poncho for the boat ride
- Waterproof boots for the boat ride
- Water and Snacks
Visit Teton Valley
We came through this valley on the way to our Airbnb right near sunset, and it was gorgeous! It was the perfect way to get us even more pumped for the next day.
Take a Boat Ride on Jenny Lake
Cruising on Jenny Lake is one of the best ways to view the mountains. Make sure to scan the shore for wildlife. We only saw birds and deer in the rain, but elk and bear are common! It’s only $20 per person. I would do this again! Also, shoutout to our great tour guide. Website link here.
We were drenched and cold, but it didn’t matter. We were making memories and having the greatest times of our lives.
Stop at Lookouts Along the Way
The Jackson Lake Lodge has some gorgeous views of the Tetons. You can eat at The Blue Heron or just walk in to visit and see the view from the upstairs lounge.
Visit Mormon Row
As you can see, it was very foggy and a lot of the mountains were hiding behind the clouds, but it was still very beautiful.
I took this picture VERY close to this badger—too close—before I got scared and jogged away. (When it comes to animals, I’m basically Buddy the Elf – HAHA)
(Warning: Don’t do what I did. They can be very aggressive. Keep a good amount of distance away.)
I know I look like “a drowned rat” so to speak in this picture due to our cruise around Jenny Lake, but I wanted to share it, because this is the REAL life version. Maybe it’s not blog worthy—who knows? But this is me in my element, enjoying God’s beautiful creation.
Jackson Lake Dam is another place you may want to stop and see as you pass through.
This national park is huge! We only spent 2-3 days, but one could easily spend 1-2 weeks. So much to see. The great thing about this park is that no matter how much time you have or which part of the park you are in, you will be able to see gorgeous views.
What to Pack for the Yellowstone
- Liquid IV – to prevent/help cure jetlag
- Portable phone charger
- Binoculars – I cannot emphasize this enough. Without binoculars, it may be difficult to see wildlife. It’s 100% worth the investment,
- Bear spray if exploring/hiking
- Camera with a long zoom
- Water and Snacks
Where to Eat:
- Old Town – West Yellowstone in Montana
- Running Bear Pancake House – West Yellowstone: crepes
- Make sure you try Montana Huckleberry Pie!
Where to Shop:
Smith and Chandler General Mercantile and most stores along that strip – West Yellowstone
I’m listing this from south to north so that it’s easier if you’re going to Yellowstone from the Grand Tetons.
Crawfish Creek – Waterfall
This was very close to the Grand Teton Loop. In fact, we visited this place on the day we were touring the Grand Tetons.
Old Faithful Geyser
This is one of those sites most people have at the top of their list. Keep in mind that the geyser only goes off every 35-120 minutes, so you will need to time it right if you don’t want to wait around. Also, make sure to shop at Yellowstone General Store or grab a quick bite inside at the Old Faithful Upper.
Grand Prismatic Spring
This is a stunning place! The steam was bright turquoise and reminded me of the waters in the Bahamas. The railing is very short in most places, so make sure to keep children close by.
Warning: This is not recommended if you have asthma since the sulfur can make it difficult to breathe. (A family member witnessed this firsthand)
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Gorgeous views with very easy access – even wheelchair accessible!
Hayden Valley at Sunset
This was one of my favorite parts of Yellowstone, especially at sunset. It was breathtaking!
Tower Fall
Visit Lamar Valley at Sunset:
This valley is beautiful to visit all times of the day, but if you want to see wildlife, make sure to visit the area around sunset. We were able to finally see a Grizzly!
Roosevelt Entrance (north)
The north view entrance was spectacular. I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was! It reminded me of the rolling hills of Ireland (from what I’ve seen online – lol). This is a must-see.
I saved one of my favorite pictures for last! You can even see several elk in the distance.
If you have extra time:
This was one of the prettiest places on our entire trip! Trust me, you will not be disappointed—travel from the Northside of Yellowstone into Big Sky.
I hope you have enjoyed following along with me on this beautiful adventure. It was an absolute honor to be able to visit these places, so I hope you will be able to use these guidelines to help make your own dreams come to life.
If there’s ONE item I would recommend you bring, it would be really nice binoculars. (The kind that typically costs about $200.) You’re probably thinking “yikes!” like me. But this is super important if you want to see wildlife up close if you don’t already have a really good camera lens. And the reason it’s better to save up and buy a nicer one is because it won’t make you dizzy looking through the glass. It will make your trip a lot more enjoyable!
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