7-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Yellowstone National Park tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaYellowstone National Park travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Tetons Winter Itinerary, incl. Jackson and Mammoth Hot Springs

  Seven days of winter wonder include Old Faithful Snow Lodge stays, snowcoach tours to Fountain Paint Pots, and wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley. Expert guides lead visits to Upper Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Jackson & Grand Teton National Park

    Start your adventure in Jackson, Wyoming where winter transforms this Western town into a snow-covered paradise. Take an early morning sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge on day two. Be sure to dress in layers and bring hand warmers since morning temperatures often drop below 10°F. A recent visitor shared: "Watching thousands of elk gather in the refuge was breathtaking. The sleigh gets incredibly close to these magnificent creatures."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Old Faithful Area

    Take a heated snowcoach from Flagg Ranch into Yellowstone. The 2.5-hour journey to Old Faithful includes stops at West Thumb Geyser Basin. Check with the visitor center for geyser prediction times. Winter eruptions are spectacular when steam meets cold air. Stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and request a ground floor room if mobility is a concern since there are no elevators.

    
  • Day 4

    Canyon Area & Mammoth Hot Springs

    Continue north by snowcoach to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Pack ice cleats or YakTraks for the icy Lower Falls viewing area. In the afternoon visit the striking Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. The steam creates an impressive show against the winter landscape. Stay on marked boardwalks since snow can hide dangerous hot springs.

    
  • Day 5

    Lamar Valley Wildlife Watching

    Visit Lamar Valley early for the best wildlife viewing in what's called America's Serengeti. Animals are most active at dawn. Pack good binoculars (10x42 magnification minimum) and wear very warm clothes since wildlife watching involves standing still. Spend the night in West Yellowstone and visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center for close-up wildlife education.

    
  • Day 6

    Idaho's Teton Views

    Take the less-traveled western route through Idaho for unique views of Grand Teton peak (13,777 feet). The quiet winter roads offer peaceful mountain vistas. Return to Jackson for your final evening and enjoy a hearty meal at one of the local restaurants.

    
  • Day 7

    Jackson Departure

    Book afternoon flights out of Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). Morning winter weather often affects flight schedules.

    

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• 7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary, incl. Bozeman and Jackson

  Yellowstone's grandeur unfolds over 7 days with Old Faithful eruptions, Grand Prismatic Spring walks, and wildlife spotting in Hayden Valley. The tour includes 2.2-mile Mammoth Terraces trail, Fort Yellowstone historic district, and stays at Yellowstone Lodge.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Bozeman, Montana

    Start your trip in Bozeman to get used to the altitude at 4,800 feet. The historic Main Street area puts you within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. Visit the Museum of the Rockies early on day two before 10 AM when the dinosaur exhibits are quietest. The Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton display is particularly impressive.

    
  • Day 3

    West Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin

    It takes about 2 hours to drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone. Get to the park's west entrance by 8 AM to avoid tour buses. When you reach Norris Geyser Basin, take the back loop trail instead of the front loop that most visitors use. You'll get a more peaceful experience of the steaming vents and acidic springs. Bring shoes with good grip since the boardwalks get slippery from geothermal mist.

    
  • Day 4

    Mammoth Hot Springs Area

    Morning light makes the terraced hot springs look their best. Start at the Upper Terrace parking lot and walk down the 2.2-mile Mammoth Terraces Trail. It's less strenuous this way and gives you better views. A recent visitor shared: "The morning light hitting the white limestone terraces creates incredible photo opportunities. We saw elk grazing right beside the boardwalk around 7 AM."

    
  • Day 5

    Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

    Start with the North Rim since it opens earlier than the South Rim. Stop at Artist Point for sunrise views of Lower Falls. You'll see the canyon's red and yellow colors at their most vibrant in the morning light. Pack an extra layer since the viewpoints are often much cooler and windier than the parking areas.

    
  • Day 6

    Old Faithful & Geyser Basins

    Check the visitor center for Old Faithful eruption times and plan your day from there. Visit Grand Prismatic Spring before noon to see its colors clearly without steam. The elevated overlook trail offers better views than the boardwalk. Leave some extra time in your schedule for unexpected geyser eruptions.

    
  • Day 7

    Grand Teton National Park

    Take the South Entrance to Grand Teton early in the day. Stop at Oxbow Bend before 9 AM to see Mount Moran reflected in the calm water. The drive to Jackson takes about 1.5 hours without stops. Book afternoon flights if leaving from Jackson Hole Airport since morning fog often causes delays.

    

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• 6 Day Yellowstone & Grand Tetons Itinerary, incl. Jackson and Lamar Valley

  A six-day tour brings Yellowstone's wonders to life, from Old Faithful to Lamar Valley's wildlife corridors. The route winds through West Thumb Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley, and Upper and Lower Falls, with expert-guided safaris. Activities include horseback riding and choice of Snake River rafting or scenic float.

  

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  • Day 1

    Jackson & Grand Teton Evening Safari

    Plan to arrive in Jackson Hole before 2 PM. The airport transfer to Jackson is quick at 15 minutes. Book an early flight to avoid the typical summer afternoon thunderstorms. Your Grand Teton wildlife safari starts at 4 PM when animals are most active. Pack binoculars to spot moose along Moose-Wilson Road and bison herds in Antelope Flats.

    
  • Day 2

    Grand Teton to Yellowstone Traverse

    Get up early at 6 AM for prime wildlife viewing at Oxbow Bend. The morning light here is perfect for photos. The drive to Yellowstone takes about 1.5 hours. Stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin and Hayden Valley along the way. Visit the Upper and Lower Falls of Yellowstone River in mid-morning before the crowds arrive. You'll spend the night in Cody, Wyoming.

    
  • Day 3

    Cody to Lamar Valley

    Start your day at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody at 8 AM. Take the scenic Chief Joseph Byway to Yellowstone's northeast entrance. Spend your afternoon wildlife watching in Lamar Valley where wolves and grizzlies roam. Pack warm clothes since evening temperatures can drop to 40°F even in summer.

    
  • Day 4

    Geyser Basin Exploration

    Today is all about Yellowstone's geothermal features. Visit Old Faithful early around 7 AM when crowds are thin. It erupts every 90 minutes. Wear shoes with good grip for the Fountain Paint Pots boardwalks. Head back to Jackson in late afternoon between 4:30-6:30 PM depending on wildlife stops.

    
  • Day 5

    Adventure Activities

    Start with morning horseback riding on East Gros Ventre Butte for unique Teton views. Get there 20 minutes early and wear closed-toe shoes. For the afternoon pick either an 8-mile whitewater rafting trip on Snake River Canyon with Class II-III rapids or take a peaceful 13-mile scenic float for photos and wildlife watching.

    
  • Day 6

    Departure

    Check out is at 11 AM. If you have time before your flight explore downtown Jackson. Take photos at the famous antler arches in Town Square. The airport transfer is quick but leave extra time during busy summer months.

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