Attractions in Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park Travel Blog VIEL UNDERWAY

Wyoming is the least populated state in America - so what makes it so attractive? The answer is clear: its nature! The oldest national park in the USA is located here, featuring hot springs, geysers, and waterfalls. Just when you think you've absorbed all the diversity and impressions, you encounter the impressive Teton Mountains, inviting you to hike and climb. While Wyoming may not boast large cities, its landscapes provide a cinematic experience.

Recommended Route to the National Parks

View of the Wyoming Rocky Mountains — photo by viel-unterwegs.de

I entered Wyoming from the east, coming from South Dakota. The landscape along Route 90 is initially flat and agricultural, but just beyond Buffalo, you can already spot the mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains, and from then on, the stunning scenery captivates you.

I recommend crossing the Rocky Mountains via Route 16, which will take you through the Big Horn National Forest, leading you through beautiful mountain landscapes until you reach Cody. From the western town of Cody, be sure to take Route 20 into Yellowstone National Park; it's by far the most scenic route. Within the park, you can indulge in the upper and lower loops to your heart's content before exiting south, almost stumbling into Grand Teton National Park. Here, definitely set aside time for a hike.

You can then leave Wyoming heading west toward Idaho and drive down to Salt Lake City.

Attractions in Wyoming

Wyoming clearly has two main attractions, and they are both national parks. What many don't know (myself included) is that there are five more national parks in the state that are also stunningly beautiful. The parks receive almost 7.5 million visitors each year - yet only about 300,000 of those venture into the lesser-known areas.

Yellowstone National Park: Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, Artist Point, and Old Faithful are just a few of the famous names you should remember for Yellowstone. There are sights and activities for days, so definitely plan enough time for America's oldest national park!
Grand Teton National Park: Hiking against a backdrop of 4,000-meter mountains - a true paradise! Whether you prefer to stay near the lakes below or aspire to be a summit climber, Grand Teton has something for every difficulty level.

Yellowstone National Park

In a way, Yellowstone National Park is like the father of all American national parks, as it was the first established in 1872. As you drive through the park, you'll quickly see why it deserves this status: fascinating waterfalls, bubbling mud pits, steaming springs, and more than 60% of the world's geysers are located in Yellowstone National Park!

General Tips

There are five entrances to the park, and several visitor centers where you can stock up on maps and informational materials about the national park. Many of the roads are only temporarily open (usually from April to October), so make sure to check on current conditions if you're traveling outside the main season. You must also be sure to arrange accommodations in advance - there are plenty of options in the park, but demand can be high. In summer, around 30,000 people visit Yellowstone National Park daily!

I entered the park from the east and would recommend this approach. This way, you drive along the shores of Yellowstone Lake until you reach Lake Village and continue to Canyon Village. Here, you can choose between the upper and lower loops through the park. They are completely different in terms of scenery, so I definitely recommend both to fully experience the diversity of Yellowstone National Park. Moreover, they can be excellently connected to form the 'Grand Loop', but you will definitely need two days to complete the entire route.

Northern Loop

From Canyon Village, you'll head north straight to the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. From here, you'll continue to Tower-Roosevelt, crossing a plateau where you may frequently encounter bison, elk, and, with a bit of luck, even grizzlies. Over the fascinating terraced formations of the Mammoth Hot Springs, you'll finally reach Norris. Here, you can either finish the loop back to Canyon Village or switch directly to the lower loop through the national park.

Length: 113 kilometers
Time: pure driving time approximately 2.5 hours - however, if you want to take all the stops and do a bit of hiking, I would recommend the northern loop as a day trip.

Grand Canyon and Waterfalls

Yellowstone National Park photo by viel-unterwegs.de

North of Canyon Village, you should turn onto the South Rim Drive, which leads you to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the entire national park: Artist Point. Due to the high number of visitors, the crowds can be large, but I still enjoyed the view of the cascading waterfall immensely.
Along South Rim Drive, there are numerous stopping points where you can admire the Lower and Upper Falls, which plunge over 300 meters into the canyon of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Additionally, there is a well-developed trail network if you want to explore the canyon area on foot.

Hiking and Wildlife

Bison in Lamar Valley photo by viel-unterwegs.de

A popular (albeit challenging) hike leads up to Mount Washburn at 3,122 meters - the highest point in the park. The trail is about 10 km long (round trip), rewarded with a fantastic summit panorama, and is a great option if you want to escape the crowds.
The route to Tower-Roosevelt is popular for wildlife sightings, and you are very likely to spot bison or wolves. Particularly, Lamar Valley east of Tower-Roosevelt is famous for wildlife sightings. When we were there, people even spotted a grizzly.

Mammoth Hot Springs

At first glance, the former US Army station seems out of place in the park. It was established to curb poaching and vandalism, and somehow this tiny location has retained its military appearance.
However, as soon as you reach the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, this little blemish is forgotten. Hot water flows over the sinter terraces at 70 degrees Celsius, and thanks to various algae and bacteria, the water shines in a multitude of colors. But beware: the permanent sulfur smell emanating from the springs is not for everyone!
The best way to explore Mammoth Hot Springs is via the nearly 3-kilometer trail that leads you between the terraces.

Southern Loop

From Norris, follow the park road to Madison and continue to the visitor center at Old Faithful. Here, you can excellently inform yourself about the predicted eruption times of the geysers and take a walk between the geysers. After that, drive to West Thumb at the lower end of Yellowstone Lake. From here, you can either go north to Lake Village and Canyon Village to complete the loop, or you can exit the national park southwards.

Length: 155 kilometers
Time: pure driving time approximately 3 hours - but I would recommend a full day for the southern loop as well, to have the time for a hike through the geyser landscape and possibly wait for eruptions.

The World of Geysers

In many ways, the entire national park is a huge supervolcano. However, the concentration of heat and geologic activity is most intense between Norris and Old Faithful - this is where you'll find all the geysers.
Take your time for a walk between the geysers! It's impressive to see the thick plumes of steam rising from the road, but it's even more fascinating up close.
The most famous geyser is Old Faithful, located at the same-named visitor center. Here you will also find the day's eruption predictions for the various geysers. The intervals vary greatly - Old Faithful erupts most frequently (about every 1-1.5 hours, so predictions can be made fairly accurately), while others only erupt every 7 hours or have been inactive for several years.

Grand Prismatic Spring

It's THE photo opportunity in Yellowstone National Park: the colorful waterhole of the Grand Prismatic Spring is well-known and considered a highlight of the park by many.
The spring has a diameter of 113 meters and is 37 meters deep, making Grand Prismatic Spring the deepest and largest spring in the park.
An 800-meter loop on wooden walkways brings you close to the spring. Please make sure to stay on the paths; there's a reason they were created!

Personal Tips

Prismatic Spring Yellowstone photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Morning Glory Yellowstone photo by viel-unterwegs.de

I actually didn't find it that impressive to stand right below the Grand Prismatic Spring, as I think you can't fully appreciate the colorful diversity from that close. It's much better from above: drive a little along the Grand Loop Road until you see a bridge off the road. There you can park and follow a path of about 1.5 kilometers that leads to a viewpoint above the spring.
Even more impressive than Grand Prismatic Spring, I found Morning Glory: you can walk there from the Old Faithful Visitor Center through the steaming geyser landscape in about 3 kilometers and will be rewarded with the best play of colors.

Grand Teton National Park

It only takes about an hour to get from West Thumb at Yellowstone Lake to the viewpoint at Jackson Lake. And just as quickly, you have changed national parks.

Grand Teton is just as popular as Yellowstone, and even though the two national park giants are geographically so close together, they could not be more different. Just moments ago, you were immersed in the sulfur smell and apocalyptic vibe of Yellowstone, and the next moment you find yourself in front of crystal-clear mountain waters and the colossal mountain landscape of the 12 Teton peaks.

Driving Through the Park

There are two roads running through the national park: US Highway 26, which runs past Jackson Lake to Moran and then south to Jackson, and Teton Park Road, which runs closer to the trailheads over Jenny Lake and Beaver Creek. Both roads definitely have their charm and offer different views of the mighty Tetons!

Along the Main Road (US 26)

Oxbow Bend: this viewpoint is perfect for wildlife observation. And even if no moose, bald eagles, or American white pelicans hop in front of your lens, the reflection of Mount Moran in the water is still worth a photo.
Mormon Row: a short distance off the highway, you can visit Mormon Row: it's said to be one of the most photographed scenes of the national park. The old barns of the Mormons from the 1890s are indeed impressive against the dramatic mountain backdrop - although I personally wouldn't call it the most beautiful motif.

Teton Park Road

Just before you would reach Oxbow Bend on US 26, you can turn right onto this alternative road through the park. It first takes you along the shore of Jackson Lake, where you should stop for a photo at the chapel 'Chapel of the Sacred Heart.'
Further along, you have numerous options for detours and parking for hiking opportunities. Popular spots include Leigh Lake, Jenny Lake, Lupine Meadows, and Taggart Lake. You can return to the parallel Route 26 at Moose.

Hiking in Grand Teton National Park

A 400-kilometer long network of trails speaks for itself - Grand Teton National Park is a paradise for hikers! Yet, climbers and anglers will also find plenty to enjoy, and in winter, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe.

The best address for routes and information is the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center between Jenny Lake and Jackson. Here, you can also get a 'Backcountry Permit' if you're planning an overnight hike.

Jenny Lake

A popular hiking area is Jenny Lake - here you can easily park your car and lace up your hiking boots. The entire loop around the lake is about 12 kilometers long - along the way, you'll pass the Hidden Falls waterfall and enjoy the panorama from Inspiration Point.

Death Canyon Trail

The most spectacular landscape you'll experience on this hike: It leads you up to the Phelps Lake Overlook and then down into Death Canyon, which you will follow. After that, you'll climb up to 3,289 meters, where a gigantic panorama awaits you. Length: approx. 20 km round trip

Accommodation Options

I visited Wyoming as part of my Panamericana trip and was able to sleep in my camper. You can easily find potential camping spots spread throughout the entire state. Of course, there are also official campgrounds equipped with sanitary facilities.

Tip:

Campsite in Grand Teton National Park photo by viel-unterwegs.de

If you plan to travel with a motorhome, I recommend the free app 'iOverlander.' It's like its European counterpart 'Park4Night' and is the absolute go-to for all camper needs in the USA. You'll find paid and free camping spots and can filter by all relevant travel criteria like fresh water, gas stations, supermarkets, Wi-Fi, etc.

In the national parks, boondocking is naturally not allowed. However, there are twelve campgrounds available in the park - seven of which are fairly basic (and thus cheaper), while five are a bit more luxurious and also have sanitary facilities and water. However, the prices can be shocking! We ended up at the Fishing Bridge RV Park - a plain asphalt lot where you're packed in close together, and they charged us nearly $100 for that.

Our visit was relatively spontaneous, and all the other campgrounds were either already closed or fully booked. Therefore, it's genuinely recommended to make your reservations for the national parks well in advance and to note the short season from June to September.

In addition to campgrounds, there's of course a selection of hotels and cabins in the park.

Since Yellowstone National Park is so large, it might make sense to plan one night in the northern town of Gardiner, another within the park itself, and then target the southern town of Jackson as a base for Grand Teton.

No matter how you decide: the most important thing is that you book early, as both national parks are among the most well-known and popular in America.

Useful Travel Tips for Wyoming

No people, but impressive nature - that's a short summary of Wyoming. The least populated state in the USA boasts its imposing mountain ranges and extreme geological diversity. There are only two towns with more than 50,000 inhabitants: the capital Cheyenne and Casper. The only university in Wyoming is located in Laramie.

Overview of the State

Wyoming has about 587,000 residents, the state is approximately 253,000 km² in size.
The capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne.
Wyoming is the ninth-largest state in the USA - and almost twice the size of Greece. Additionally, it is, at an average elevation of 2,040 meters, the second-highest state in the USA, narrowly beaten by Colorado (2,073 meters average elevation).
The highest point in Wyoming is Gannett Peak (4,207 meters) in the Rocky Mountains.

Climate and Best Travel Time

Wyoming has a continental climate. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on which region of the state you're in - in the heights of the Rocky Mountains, the thermometer can quickly drop to -12 degrees, while it remains warm longer in the plains. The Rocky Mountains are often referred to as a weather divide. Wyoming is a very low-precipitation state, and many sunny days are expected in summer. The season is relatively short, so the best travel months are the summer months of July and August - though you can hardly avoid crowds at that time, and accommodations are well booked.

The months of May or September are recommended, as the national parks are open and temperatures are still above freezing.

Traveling to Wyoming

There are no direct flights to Wyoming, so you'll definitely have to make a stopover. The cities closest to the national parks in western Wyoming are Cody and Jackson. Both are served from Denver and Salt Lake City. From Frankfurt am Main, for example, you can reach Cody in about 14 hours via Denver. To Jackson, you can expect about the same travel time.

Alternatively, you can also fly directly from Frankfurt to Salt Lake City (about 11 hours) and rent a car there to explore the area. Generally, a car is the best and most uncomplicated way to get around Wyoming. Additionally, flight prices to the international Salt Lake City are considerably cheaper than to the smaller airports in Wyoming.

Here you can find tips on how we book flights. Use the flight search engine Skyscanner to find out which airlines offer the best connections.

Recommended Wyoming Travel Guide

I personally prefer the guidebooks by Lonely Planet, as they contain a lot of information and are quite detailed.

I recommend the complete edition 'USA' or, if you plan to stay only in the western USA, the specific version 'USA West'.

There is also a Lonely Planet for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but it is only available in English.

USA: General Travel Information

Visa for the USA (ESTA)

If you are planning a trip to the USA, you should apply for your ESTA online in advance. You can read how to do this in our step-by-step guide to ESTA for the USA.

With the ESTA, you may stay in the country for 3 months. If you plan to travel the Panamericana, I would recommend applying for the so-called 'B Visa' at the American embassy. The process is somewhat involved, and you should definitely start applying in good time - once you have the visa in your passport, you may stay for 6 months in the USA, which is a tremendous relief for your travel plans along the Pan-American Highway.

Entrance Prices vs. National Park Pass

Wyoming's most famous attractions are managed by the National Park Service, and there are entrance fees for each. Currently (as of 2023), entry to Yellowstone is $35 per vehicle, and the same for Grand Teton. The entry is valid for each park for 7 days.

Depending on how much time you plan to spend in America and how your trip continues, it may quickly pay off for you to acquire the 'America the Beautiful' pass. This covers all national parks and national historic sites across the country - instead of having to pay entrance fees separately each time, you have all entries included in one pass.

Cost: $80, valid for 12 months
With it, you gain entry to more than 2,000 national parks and recreation areas in the USA.
You can purchase the pass on-site at any national park. It is also possible to buy online, though you will need a U.S. address. More information can be found at https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes

Do you have any questions or additional travel tips for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks? Feel free to leave them in the comments!

If you want to further prepare yourself with my personal travel report, check out my private blog (www.chasingmemories.de) or visit me on Instagram (www.instagram.com/chasingmemories.de).

Do you have more questions about Wyoming? Have you been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton?

We look forward to your comment at the end of the article.

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Wyoming

Tips for Wyoming's Most Famous Attractions