SLC to Tetons to Yellowstone and back

[soapbox23]

Hi RTA!

Last year I used this place and got some great info on a trip from the Rockies to SF, and the trip turned out to be better than we had planned! I'm hoping to get some nice routes/landmarks/advice for our next trip. We'll be doing a loop from Salt Lake City, to Tetons, to Yellowstone, and then back to SLC to fly home. The trip is from June 1 to June 8. We already booked our lodging (no camping for us this trip unfortunately) so if anyone can give us nice places to go or some nice scenic byways to drive on, it's definitely welcome. Here's our plan:

June 1 - Arriving in SLC at about 9PM. Getting a rental car and staying in BW Cottontree lnn (N. Salt Lake City)
June 2 - Get up early and drive to Grand Tetons and probably check out the park for the day (depending what time we arrive), head to the Angler's Inn in Jackson WY
June 3 - Spend day at Grand Tetons, back to Jackson for the night
June 4 - Maybe check out more of Grand Tetons in the morning, then head to Evergreen Motel in West Yellowstone
June 5 & 6 - Yellowstone (Staying in Evergreen Motel)
June 7 - Head back to SLC
June 8 - Fly home

We're definitely going to do hiking so any trail suggestions in both parks would be great. Also looking for suggestions for the June 7th trip back to SLC. Oh, and if there's any good food places to recommend I'd love it :)

[Southwest Dave]

Hi and welcome back, good to hear you enjoyed your last adventure.

If you read Michaels report here you will get some great tips on Yellowstone.

The National parks site is a good place to get visitor info.

You should be able to drive sections of the spectacular Beartooth highway but the scheduled opening for it's entire lenght isn't until June 14th. More info here.

[AZBuck]

If you really want "nice places to go or some nice scenic byways to drive on" during the drives up to and back from Yellowstone, then you'll have to devote a bit more time than would be required by taking the Interstates most of the way. For the trip north, there's probably no better route than US-89. Returning to Salt Lake City from Yellowstone, you'd do well to leave the park through West Yellowstone and use the Teton Scenic Byway, the Pioneer Scenic Byway, and the Oregon Trail Scenic Byway to join I-15 at McCammon ID for the final run back to SLC.

AZBuck

[soapbox23]

Thanks both for your suggestions! I read all of Michael's thread and there is some awesome info (very in depth). Wish he finished it though haha.

I was planning on taking US-89 up to Tetons. Glad it's recommended. I'll look into those highways going back south.

Anybody have any other suggestions as far as food stops/places or hikes? We were planning at least to do the Cascade Canyon/Lake Solitude in Tetons and I was looking at least seeing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Anyone have any particular recommendations?

[Lifemagician]

Even though the 'official' opening may not be until 14th June, it pays to check when you are there. It was before Memorial Day in 2009 that I was able to drive all of it..... even though it was closed again, two days later. It's a spectacular drive and the views from the top (and along the way) are just as great.

And then there is the Top of The World Store. Make your own Hot Chocolate or Coffee.



Lifey

[Mark Sedenquist]

More information about the Beartooth highway in this route article penned by Peter Thody.

The route from Cody to Fishing Bridge by Peter....

A few more road trip attractions -- in Wyoming

Mark