Grand Teton & Yellowstone Explorer Tour

From a land built on fire, earthquakes, and other extreme geological forces, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are comprised of two unique ecosystems. Peaks that soar to 14,000 feet, broad valleys teeming with wildlife, glaciers, thermal features, and barren landscapes still recovering from the ravages of volcanic eruptions and forest fires are awaiting you.

Spend eight exciting days exploring and learning about the unique geological and ecological history that continues to shape this region, how it came into existence, and about the plants and animals that call this wilderness home. Your adventure awaits!

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Tour Highlights:

Jackson Hole
Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake boat Shuttle
Yellowstone National Park
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Old Faithful
Mammoth Hot Springs
Lamar Valley
Beartooth Highway
Cooke City
Mesa Falls

Inclusions:

Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director – a professional tour guide
Comfortable transportation
7 nights of hotel accommodations
7 breakfasts
6 lunches
1 dinner – day may change, the guide will let you know
Round Trip Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle
Park entrance fees
Gratuities for included meals and activities
Applicable taxes and fees

Daily Breakdown:

Day 1: Arrive Salt Lake City, UT
Day 2: Salt Lake City to Jackson, WY
Day 3: Grand Teton National Park
Day 4: Jackson Hole to West Yellowstone, MT via Yellowstone National Park
Day 5: Northern Loop of Yellowstone National Park
Day 6: More of Yellowstone National Park
Day 7: West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City, UT
Day 8: Travel home

Visual Itinerary Video:

Coming soon!

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City

You can arrive at any time today. Upon arrival to the airport and picking up your luggage, please find transportation to the hotel on your own and check in for the evening. Once you settle in, feel free to explore Salt Lake City.

Lodging: AC Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT

Day 2: Salt Lake City to Jackson, WY

Jackson Hole

This morning your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 7:00 AM and you will depart for Jackson, WY. Learn about the unique geology and history of Northern Utah, Southeastern Idaho and Western Wyoming on the way to Jackson. Explore the Gros Ventre Slide area, the Jackson Hole Valley and the historic town of Jackson. Dinner tonight will be on your own. There are several fantastic local restaurants in Jackson.

Lodging: Elk Country Inn, Jackson, WY

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton Jenny Lake

Today you will enter Grand Teton National Park and start your day with wildlife viewing and photography opportunities at Schwabacher Landing and Mormon Row. Arrive at Jenny Lake for either a scenic hike around the lake or a boat shuttle ride across it. The shuttle typically begins operating after May 15, weather and ice conditions permitting. From there, enjoy an unguided hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Guided hiking is not permitted in Grand Teton National Park. Next, head north to Jackson Lake and Colter Bay for an afternoon of more hiking and wildlife watching. Return to Jackson for the evening and enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Elk Country Inn, Jackson, WY

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Jackson Hole to Cooke City via Yellowstone NP

Grand Canyon Yellowstone

Drive north through Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park and explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You will then travel over Dunraven Pass and make your way to the Lamar Valley for evening wildlife viewing. Continue along the Scenic Beartooth Highway to the wonderful small town of Cooke City for the night.

Lodging: High Country Motel or similar, Cooke City, MT

Meals: B, L

Day 5: Cooke City to West Yellowstone

Mammoth Springs

This morning you will return to the Lamar Valley for morning wildlife viewing. You will then travel to visit Mammoth Hot Springs and the Norris Geyser Basin for hiking and exploring before traveling through the Madison River Valley to West Yellowstone. Enjoy a free evening to explore this western town.

Lodging: Kelly Inn or similar, West Yellowstone, MT

Meals: B, L

Day 6: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring

Today you will explore the main geothermal area of Yellowstone NP. You will explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, as well as the Old Faithful Lodge. Afterwards continue your way to Madison Junction with stops at Black Sand Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, Firehole Geyser Basin, and other geothermic areas. There will also be some great hikes and multiple opportunities to enjoy watching the wildlife within the park.

Lodging: Kelly Inn or similar, West Yellowstone, MT

Meals: B, L

Day 7: West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City

Mesa Falls

This morning we will explore outside of Yellowstone National Park in Island Park with stops at Big Springs and Mesa Falls. The tour will continue south through the potato fields of Idaho, the Bear River Bird Refuge and then along the shore of the Great Salt Lake with optional stops at Bear River Bird Refuge or Antelope Island time permitting. We will return to Salt Lake City by 6:00 PM.

Lodging: AC Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT

Meals: B, L

Day 8: Travel Home

This morning, if time allows you are free to explore Salt Lake City. When the time comes, you will transfer to the Salt Lake City Airport on your own to catch your flight home.

Meals: B

Tour Details:

Not Included:

Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
Optional activities
Airfare
Airport transfers
Gratuities for the tour director

Arrival / Departure Info:

Arrival Location: Salt Lake City Airport (SLC)
Arrival Time: Any time on Day 1
Departure Location: Salt Lake City Airport (SLC)
Departure Time: Any time after 8:30 PM on Day 7 or Day 8

Physical Requirements:

Clients should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an average of 1 to 3 miles at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 ft throughout the areas visited during this tour. Touring and overnight locations are above 6000 to 8000 ft above sea level

Itinerary Variations:

Times listed are approximate and may change. Tours are usually planned months or even a year or more in advance. Between planning time and operation, we constantly strive to improve each itinerary and add to your convenience and enjoyment. However, should improvements be made and/or unforeseen conditions beyond our control deem change necessary; we reserve the right to do so. This may result in varying itineraries and substitute facilities or attractions of equivalent or better value. In the event of national or local holidays, certain listed features i.e. e. museums, attractions, etc., may be affected or unavailable. If cancellation of a scheduled activity is encountered, we will endeavor to provide a suitable substitute if at all possible.

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Pricing 2025:

Off Season (9/16-5/31)

$3,599.00 USD Per Person Single Occupancy
$3,199.00 USD Per Person Double Occupancy
$2,999.00 USD Per Person Triple Occupancy
$2,899.00 USD Per Person Quad Occupancy

Peak Season (6/1-9/15)

$3,899.00 USD Per Person Single Occupancy
$3,499.00 USD Per Person Double Occupancy
$3,299.00 USD Per Person Triple Occupancy
$3,199.00 USD Per Person Quad Occupancy

Pricing 2026:

Off Season (9/16-5/31)

$3,799.00 USD Per Person Single Occupancy
$3,3499.00 USD Per Person Double Occupancy
$3,199.00 USD Per Person Triple Occupancy
$3,099.00 USD Per Person Quad Occupancy

Peak Season (6/1-9/15)

$4,050.00 USD Per Person Single Occupancy
$3,649.00 USD Per Person Double Occupancy
$3,299.00 USD Per Person Triple Occupancy
$3,199.00 USD Per Person Quad Occupancy

Note:

Southwest Adventure Tours is an authorized permittee of the following parks:

Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park

Day Tours From Salt Lake City

Since your tour begins and ends in Salt Lake City, why not spend one or two more days and go on one of our day tours? We have multiple options to explore this unique metropolitan area. Options include a trip out to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island where you can experience a unique biosphere and body of water that impacts millions of people and is essential to the habitat for thousands of species of animals and birds. Or enjoy exploring downtown Salt Lake City with a historic walking tour or driving tour. You will have the opportunity to learn about the settling of the region, the mixture of different cultures and religions that call Salt Lake Home, and the beautiful and eclectic combination of architecture and history that continues to influence this area even today.

Come enjoy one of these experiences. Your Adventure Awaits!