Itinerary
- Day 1
Salt Lake City
You'll arrive in Salt Lake City and pick up your rental car to start exploring. Head to the Utah State Capitol first for views across the city, then spend the afternoon checking out the local food scene and craft beer bars, maybe hitting a rooftop spot or two. If you've got energy left, drive out to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island to see bison and other wildlife before heading back.
Optional Activities
- Visit Utah State Capitol
- Explore rooftop bars and craft beer spots
- Discover local food scene
- Visit Great Salt Lake
- Explore Antelope Island for wildlife viewing (bison, coyotes)
Landmarks Utah State Capitol Great Salt Lake Antelope Island - Day 2
Salt Lake City to Jackson
The drive north from Salt Lake City takes you through some beautiful country on the way to Jackson. You'll stop at Grand Teton National Park to take photos at Moulton Barn and walk around Jenny Lake, then continue into Jackson. Once you arrive, explore the Wild West feel with the old wooden buildings, check out the Antler Arches, and grab a drink at one of the cowboy bars in town.
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Teton National Park
- Photograph Moulton Barn
- Visit Jenny Lake
- Explore Jackson town and Antler Arches
- Visit Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for line dancing
Landmarks Grand Teton National Park Moulton Barn Jenny Lake Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - Day 3
Jackson to Yellowstone
Leave Jackson and head into Yellowstone National Park for your first day there. You'll see geysers, waterfalls, and mud pools scattered throughout the park, plus Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Watch for wildlife like bison, elk, and bears as you drive around and walk the various trails. There's a lot to take in on this first day, so pace yourself.
Optional Activities
- Visit Yellowstone National Park
- View Old Faithful Geyser
- Explore mud pools and steam vents
- Visit Grand Prismatic Spring
- Wildlife spotting (bison, elk, bears)
Landmarks Yellowstone National Park Old Faithful Geyser Grand Prismatic Spring - Day 4
Yellowstone
Spend your full day in Yellowstone hitting different areas. Start at Yellowstone Lake, then make your way to the Lower Falls viewpoint at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and check out Lookout Point. Later, drive toward Tower Junction to spot bison herds, then finish at Mammoth Hot Springs to see the dramatic white limestone terraces. You'll cover good ground today.
Optional Activities
- Visit Yellowstone Lake
- Hike to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Lower Falls
- Visit Lookout Point
- Wildlife spotting for bison herds near Tower Junction
- Explore Mammoth Hot Springs
Landmarks Yellowstone Lake Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Lookout Point Tower Junction Mammoth Hot Springs - Day 5
Yellowstone to Cody
Drive through Yellowstone on your way to Cody, passing more geysers, waterfalls, and bison herds along the route. The Southfork Valley offers nice scenery as you head east. Once you reach Cody, walk around Old Trail Town to get a feel for the area, then head to Chief Joseph Lookout for views of the town. End the day at The Chamberlain bar to soak in the cowboy atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Drive through Yellowstone geothermal features
- Explore Southfork Valley
- Visit Old Trail Town in Cody
- Visit Chief Joseph Lookout
- Experience cowboy vibes at The Chamberlain bar
Landmarks Yellowstone National Park Southfork Valley Old Trail Town Chief Joseph Lookout - Day 6
Cody to Rapid City
Drive from Cody toward Rapid City through Wyoming and South Dakota, taking in the big open landscapes. Stop at Loaf Mountain Overlook to get some perspective on the terrain, then check out Devil's Tower before heading into the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to see Bridal Veil Falls. By evening you'll be in Rapid City exploring downtown with its presidential statues, Art Alley street art, and the Main Street Square.
Optional Activities
- Visit Loaf Mountain Overlook
- Visit Devil's Tower
- Explore Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
- Visit Bridal Veil Falls
- Explore Rapid City downtown and Art Alley
- Visit Main Street Square
Landmarks Loaf Mountain Overlook Devil's Tower Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Bridal Veil Falls Art Alley Main Street Square - Day 7
Rapid City to Black Hills
Start early at Mt. Rushmore and hike the Presidential Trail to get close-up views of the carved faces. After that, head to Badlands National Park and drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway, which winds past rugged canyons and eroded rock formations. Keep your eyes open for bison, prairie dogs, and coyotes as you go. The landscape here is really something different from where you've been.
Optional Activities
- Visit Mt. Rushmore
- Hike Presidential Trail
- Explore Badlands National Park
- Drive Badlands Loop Scenic Byway
- Wildlife spotting (bison, prairie dogs, coyotes)
Landmarks Mt. Rushmore Presidential Trail Badlands National Park Badlands Loop Scenic Byway - Day 8
Black Hills to Cheyenne
You'll drive south through South Dakota and Wyoming with options to stop in the Black Hills or Custer State Park if you want to drive scenic routes and look for wildlife. The prairie opens up as you head toward Cheyenne, and once you arrive, check out the Cheyenne Depot and the giant cowboy boots downtown. The Frontier Days Old West Museum is worth a visit, and you might catch live music with dinner at a local steakhouse if timing works out.
Optional Activities
- Stop in Black Hills or Custer State Park
- Explore Cheyenne Depot
- Visit Frontier Days Old West Museum
- Enjoy steak dinner with live music in a cowboy bar (payable on site)
Landmarks Custer State Park Cheyenne Depot Frontier Days Old West Museum - Day 9
Cheyenne to Rocky Mountain National Park
Drive north from Cheyenne toward Rocky Mountain National Park, where you'll get on Trail Ridge Road for panoramic mountain views that stretch for miles. Stop at Forest Canyon Overlook to photograph the valleys and jagged peaks below. Once in the park, hike the Emerald Lake Trail to reach three emerald green lakes ringed by pine forests. The elevation and views take some people's breath away.
Optional Activities
- Drive Trail Ridge Road
- Visit Forest Canyon Overlook
- Hike Emerald Lake Trail
Landmarks Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ridge Road Forest Canyon Overlook Emerald Lake Trail - Day 10
Rocky Mountain National Park
Get up early for a sunrise at Bear Lake where mountain reflections look like a postcard. Then hike the Fern Lake Trail through dense forest and alongside brooks, making your way to The Pool, a wild river section with big rocks and cascading water. If you've got time and legs left, take a short detour to Fern Falls before heading back.
Optional Activities
- Visit Bear Lake at sunrise
- Hike Fern Lake Trail
- Visit The Pool on Fern Lake Trail
- Visit Fern Falls
Landmarks Bear Lake Fern Lake Trail Fern Falls - Day 11
Rocky Mountain National Park to Denver
Take an easy morning hike on the Lily Lake Trail through Rocky Mountain National Park, walking past reflections and wildflowers with mountain panoramas around you. After that, drive down to Denver and check into your place. Spend the afternoon on the 16th Street Mall with its shops and street artists, climb to the Colorado State Capitol for city views, then finish dinner at Avanti F&B, a hip food hall with skyline views from up high.
Optional Activities
- Hike Lily Lake Trail
- Visit 16th Street Mall
- Visit Colorado State Capitol
- Dine at Avanti F&B
Landmarks Lily Lake Trail 16th Street Mall Colorado State Capitol Avanti F&B - Day 12
Denver
Explore the RiNo Art District with its colorful street art, cozy cafes, and laid-back feel. Grab ice cream at Little Man Ice Cream, then walk over to Confluence Park and spend some time by the water. End the day at Sloan's Lake watching the sunset with Denver's skyline in the distance.
Optional Activities
- Explore RiNo Art District
- Visit Little Man Ice Cream
- Relax at Confluence Park
- Watch sunset at Sloan's Lake
Landmarks RiNo Art District Little Man Ice Cream Confluence Park Sloan's Lake - Day 13
Denver to Moab
Start at Red Rocks Amphitheater with a short hike between the massive sandstone rocks and a look around the legendary concert venue. From there, drive through scenic western landscapes with wide valleys and winding mountain passes into the red desert. You'll arrive in Moab with time to walk Main Street and check out the impressive rock formations nearby, and if you feel like it, walk along the Colorado River.
Optional Activities
- Hike at Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Explore Red Rocks Amphitheater concert venue
- Walk Moab Main Street
- Explore rock formations in Moab
- Walk along the Colorado River
Landmarks Red Rocks Amphitheater Moab Main Street Colorado River - Day 14
Moab
Pack a full day with two national parks. Head to Arches first and hike to Delicate Arch, Utah's most famous rock formation. Then move on to Canyonlands to see Mesa Arch, which frames the canyons in a really cool way. Finish at Grand View Point, which offers one of the most panoramic views in the entire region. It's a lot of driving between spots, but totally doable.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Delicate Arch
- Visit Arches National Park
- Visit Mesa Arch in Canyonlands
- Visit Grand View Point
Landmarks Delicate Arch Arches National Park Canyonlands National Park Mesa Arch Grand View Point - Day 15
Moab to Salt Lake City
Drive from Moab back to Salt Lake City, taking in Utah's vast landscapes one last time as you head west. The open road and scenery will remind you of everything you've seen over the past couple weeks. You'll have time to grab lunch somewhere along the way before arriving at the airport to return your rental car.
- Day 16
Depart Salt Lake City
Head home with memories from an unforgettable road trip across the American West, carrying stories from Salt Lake City through the national parks and back again.
