Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier: 12-Day Three-Park Traverse

Fly into Jackson and out of Kalispell, linking three iconic national parks from south to north.

A classic long-haul route through the US Northern Rockies, using a one-way flight path to save you the return drive. The drive from Yellowstone to Glacier is about 630 km; rather than rushing it in a single day, this itinerary breaks the journey up in Bozeman and Missoula before heading north past Flathead Lake. In Glacier National Park, you'll cross the Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike on the east side, and loop back along the park's southern boundary to avoid backtracking. Perfect for travelers with plenty of vacation time who don't mind changing accommodations frequently.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road usually doesn't open fully until late June or July. Visiting between mid-July and early September is highly recommended.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Jackson

Grand Teton & Jackson Hole（Jackson Hole、Million Dollar Cowboy Bar）

It takes about 20 minutes to drive from the airport to town. Spend the afternoon exploring the town center and Town Square with its famous elk antler arches on foot.

Stay: Jackson Town

Day 2 · Sightseeing in Grand Teton

Grand Teton & Jackson Hole（Mormon Row、Schwabacher Landing、Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls & Inspiration Point、Oxbow Bend）

Drive south to north along the park's main road, covering about 100 km for the day. Stay overnight at Colter Bay.

In-park lodging often books out far in advance. If unavailable, look for accommodations in the town of Jackson.

Stay: Colter Bay

Day 3 · Enter Yellowstone & See the Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Teton & Jackson Hole（Jackson Lake & Colter Bay） → Yellowstone National Park（West Thumb Geyser Basin、Grand Prismatic Spring、Fairy Falls Trail & Grand Prismatic Overlook）

Enter through the South Entrance and drive past West Thumb to the Midway Geyser Basin, then continue to Old Faithful (approx. 2.5 hours).

Stay: Old Faithful Area

Day 4 · Old Faithful to Yellowstone Lake & Hayden Valley

Yellowstone National Park（Old Faithful、Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool、Yellowstone Lake、Hayden Valley）

Spend the morning viewing geysers, then drive east over Craig Pass to the Lake Area before heading north to Canyon Village (approx. 2 hours).

Stay: Canyon Village

Day 5 · Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Lamar Valley

Yellowstone National Park（Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone、Tower Fall、Lamar Valley）

Drive over Dunraven Pass via Mount Washburn to Tower Junction, head east into Lamar Valley, and then return to Gardiner (approx. 3 hours).

Bridge construction on the Northeast Entrance road may cause delays of about 30 minutes. Check the latest road conditions before setting out.

Stay: Gardiner

Day 6 · Mammoth Hot Springs & North to Bozeman

Yellowstone National Park（Mammoth Hot Springs、Roosevelt Arch & Gardiner） → Bozeman（Museum of the Rockies、Main Street Historic District）

Explore Mammoth Hot Springs in the morning, then exit through the North Entrance and drive through Paradise Valley to Bozeman (approx. 130 km, 1.5 hours).

Stay: Downtown Bozeman

Day 7 · West to Lewis & Clark Caverns, then to Missoula

Bozeman（Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park） → Missoula

Drive west along I-90 (approx. 340 km, 3.5 hours), stopping to tour Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park along the way.

Stay: Missoula

Day 8 · Flathead Lake to Whitefish

Whitefish（Flathead Lake、Lone Pine State Park、Downtown Whitefish）

Drive north along US-93 through the Flathead Lake area to Whitefish (approx. 220 km, 3 hours).

Stay: Downtown Whitefish

Day 9 · Cross Going-to-the-Sun Road to Many Glacier

Glacier National Park (Montana)（Apgar Village、Lake McDonald、Trail of the Cedars、Logan Pass、Wild Goose Island Overlook）

Enter through the West Entrance early in the morning, drive east over Logan Pass, and continue to the Many Glacier area (approx. 3 hours).

In 2026, private vehicle parking at Logan Pass is limited to 3 hours. Check the regulations for the current year before your trip.

Stay: Many Glacier

Day 10 · Hiking in Many Glacier

Glacier National Park (Montana)（Swiftcurrent Lake、Grinnell Glacier Trail）

Spend the day hiking. You can take a shuttle boat across two lakes to shorten the trail by about 3 km.

Snow conditions and bear activity on the Grinnell Glacier Trail can change rapidly. Always carry bear spray.

Stay: Many Glacier

Day 11 · Two Medicine & Loop Back to the West Side via the South Boundary

Glacier National Park (Montana)（Two Medicine Lake、Running Eagle Falls、Goat Lick Overlook）

Head south to East Glacier, then follow US-2 over Marias Pass back to Whitefish (approx. 4.5 hours).

Two Medicine Road has previously been closed due to culvert construction. Check park advisories before departing.