Grand Teton & Yellowstone Explorer Tour
The trip at a glance
- Duration
- 8 days
- Activity level
- Challenging
- Group size
- Small group, 2–14
- Departs from
- Several cities — ask us
- Next departure
- Oct 11, 2026
What guests said
- 5 out of 5
“I had such a fabulous trip to Tetons and Yellowstone this summer. The hotels were great and our guide accommodated our requests as to what level of exercise we wanted. Water and bear spray was supplied as well as lunch each day.”
Suzie
- 5 out of 5
“My dad and I had an amazing time in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone adventure! Michelle was amazing as our guide, the tour was well paced and amazing. I took a ton of photos, saw amazing sites, saw a ton of wildlife, and got to experience geology like you only can in these parks!”
Linda
- 5 out of 5
“This tour of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone was my second tour with Southwest Adventure Tours. Sarah, our guide, was excellent and brought experience and a wealth of knowledge to our touring experience. My travel companions and I had a blast seeing all the bison, elk and a few moose and bears. Hiking the waterfalls and seeing all the geysers and other geothermal wonders of Yellowstone was a wonderful experience.”
Lou
From $3,499 / person
ChallengingUp to ten miles a day, real elevation, and full days on your feet.Is this trip right for you? ›
Overview
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!
This trip by season
The same trip. Very different weeks.
Spring
March to May
Rivers running high
Rivers full of snowmelt and the parks ahead of the summer rush. Some high roads and passes open later in the season.
4 spring departures ›Summer
June to August
Everything open
The full itinerary runs and every road and trail is open. These dates are popular, so they fill first.
13 summer departures ›Autumn
September to November
Fall color and wildlife
Aspen and cottonwood turning, wildlife on the move, and quieter trails once school is back.
9 autumn departures ›
Day by day
The whole trip at a glance
1 / 5 
Yellowstone National Park Day 1
Welcome to Salt Lake City, UT
Welcome to Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)—the perfect gateway to your Grand Teton and Yellowstone national park tour. Arrive by late afternoon and arrange your own transportation from the airport to your hotel. Take some time to settle in before the adventure begins.
This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers to discuss the exciting national park journey ahead. Following dinner, you will head to Temple Square to experience the historic 2027 Salt Lake Temple Open House.
Following a massive, five-year renovation to add seismic reinforcements and restore the grounds, this highly anticipated event marks the first public open house since 1893. When the original pioneers completed the temple over a century ago, visitors were allowed to tour it just before its dedication—and now, history is repeating itself.
- Public Open House Dates: April 5, 2027 – October 1, 2027.
- Historical Significance: The first time the general public has been allowed inside the Salt Lake Temple in 134 years.
OvernightSalt Lake City
1 / 6 Day 2
Salt Lake City to Jackson, WY
This morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel at 7:00 am to depart for Jackson, WY. Learn about the unique geology and history of Northern Utah, Southeastern Idaho and Western Wyoming on the way to Jackson, WY. After a hearty western-style cookout along the Snake River, enjoy a one-of-a-kind, 10-mile scenic float trip. (peak season only)
OvernightJacksonMealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
1 / 6 Day 3
Grand Teton National Park
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 and enjoy a boat ride across before a hike to Hidden Falls and/or Inspiration Point. (The shuttle typically begins operating after May 15th and normally closes in late September, weather and ice conditions permitting.) Next, head north to Jackson Lake and Colter Bay for lunch and an early afternoon of more hiking and wildlife watching. After a few hours of rest and an early dinner, you will return to Grand Teton for an evening of wildlife watching and adventure!
OvernightJacksonMealsBreakfast, Lunch
1 / 6 Day 4
Jackson Hole to Gardiner via Yellowstone NP
Enjoy a scenic journey into Yellowstone National Park, beginning with the steaming pools of West Thumb Geyser Basin, the serene shores of Jackson Lake, and the wildlife-filled Hayden Valley. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at Canyon Junction before taking in the dramatic vistas and waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Your day concludes with a picturesque ride to Gardiner, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel to enjoy a free evening in this charming gateway town.
OvernightGardinerMealsBreakfast, Lunch
1 / 4 Day 5
Gardiner to West Yellowstone
Begin your day with early wildlife viewing in the famed Lamar Valley before continuing on to the rugged beauty of the Tower Falls and Roosevelt Areas. After a midday break for lunch, explore the striking terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. Then journey south to take in Gibbon Falls and wander the geothermal wonders of the Norris Geyser Basin. Conclude your adventure with a scenic drive through the Madison River Valley, arriving in West Yellowstone for an evening free to relax and explore this lively western town.
OvernightWest YellowstoneMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Day 6
Yellowstone National Park
Today, along with wildlife watching, you will explore the main geothermal areas of Yellowstone NP, the Old Faithful Geyser Basin, and the Old Faithful Lodge. Afterwards, continue your way to Madison Junction with stops at Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, Firehole Geyser Basin, and other areas. There will be some great hikes and multiple opportunities to enjoy watching wildlife within the park.
OvernightWest YellowstoneMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Day 7
West Yellowstone to Salt Lake City
This morning will be spent exploring just outside of Yellowstone NP in Island Park, with stops along the way at places such as Big Springs and Mesa Falls. Continue south through the potato fields of Idaho, then along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. You will return to Salt Lake City by 6:00 pm.
OvernightSalt Lake CityMealsBreakfast, Lunch
Salt Lake City1 / 6 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.
MealsBreakfast
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.
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!
Is this trip right for you?
ChallengingLevel 3 of 4
- Rough and uneven trail with significant elevation gain. Up to ten miles in a day, with long stretches where turning back early is not simple.
- Sustained altitude, exposure to sun and heat, and days that start early and finish late. Loose rock and drop-offs in places.
- Not suitable for anyone with a mobility aid, a recent joint replacement, or a heart or lung condition without talking to us first.
- Your guide may change or drop a stop for weather, road closures or time. What is walked on the day is their call.
Anything specific — a knee, a hip, a height worry, a wheelchair — is worth one phone call to 800-970-5864. We would rather move you to a different trip than have you on the wrong one.
Tour details
In the price10
- 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
- U.S. Resident National Park entrance fees
- Gratuities for included meals and activities
- Applicable taxes and fees
Not in the price7
- Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
- Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
- Porterage
- Optional activities
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for the tour director
Arrival & departure
- 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
Park permits
Southwest Adventure Tours is an authorized permittee of the following parks:
- Grand Teton National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
Gallery
More from Grand Teton National Park and Wyoming
Departures
Online booking is unavailable for a short while. Tap a date and send us your details, and someone from our office will call you to finish your booking. Nothing is charged until then.
3 dates on this trip have sold out as of Sep 24, 2026. Call us on 800-970-5864 about a date marked sold out — we keep a waiting list, and cancellations do happen.
Pick a season, then tap a date to book it.
Autumn: Mild days and cool nights. Bring layers.
Spring: Mild days and cool mornings, with snow lingering up high. Bring layers.
Summer: Long, warm days with early starts to beat the heat. Bring a sun hat.
Autumn 2026
1 of 2 open
from $3,499
Autumn 2027
7 of 7 open
from $3,899
Spring 2027
4 of 4 open
from $3,899
Summer 2027
13 of 13 open
from $4,399
No spring dates in 2026. Pick another season, or All years.
No summer dates in 2026. Pick another season, or All years.
Dates without a price of their own are from $3,499. The rate for the date you choose is confirmed when you book.
Pricing
2026 season
Peak season(June 1 – Sept 15)
- Double occupancy
- $3,799
- Single occupancy
- $4,249
- Triple occupancy
- $3,499
- Quad occupancy
- $3,449
Off-peak season(Sept 16 – May 31)
- Double occupancy
- $3,499
- Single occupancy
- $3,949
- Triple occupancy
- $3,199
- Quad occupancy
- $3,149
2027 season
Peak season(June 1 – Sept 15)
- Double occupancy
- $4,399
- Single occupancy
- $4,849
- Triple occupancy
- $4,099
- Quad occupancy
- $4,049
Off-peak season(Sept 16 – May 31)
- Double occupancy
- $3,899
- Single occupancy
- $4,349
- Triple occupancy
- $3,599
- Quad occupancy
- $3,549
15% off 2027 guaranteed departures with promo code BIRD27. Applies to guaranteed 2027 departures. Ask us which dates qualify.
Per person unless stated. Rates are those published by Southwest Adventure Tours and are confirmed at booking. A Travel Protection Plan is offered at checkout at 10% of your total: it refunds SWAT-collected tour costs if you cancel by the day before your first activity, and it can only be added at initial checkout. Full terms.
SWAT Trip Protection Plan
The SWAT Trip Protection Plan (TPP) gives you the freedom to cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a full refund of your SWAT-collected tour payments. It’s a simple, transparent cancellation waiver designed to provide flexibility for our guests and clarity in our booking process.
What does TPP cover?
SWAT-collected tour and SWAT-sold add-on payments only.
When must I buy?
At initial checkout, cannot add later.
Can I cancel for any reason?
Yes, up to the day before your tour starts.
Is TPP refundable?
No, the 10% fee never refunds.
Can I move my trip?
Yes, once within 12 months at no extra TPP fee.
Read the full Trip Protection terms — eligibility, how to buy, cancelling, rescheduling and refund timing.
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Close, but not quite this trip?
We build tours to order — the same guides and the same itineraries, rearranged around your group and your dates.
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From
$3,499