Yellowstone Day Trip from Jackson Hole: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Jackson Hole makes an ideal jumping-off point for exploring Yellowstone National Park. You get the mountain-town charm, great food, and cozy hotels but without needing to sleep inside the park itself. I’ve done this trip myself, and it’s absolutely doable in a single (long) day. Just start early and plan your route carefully. In general, more days = more better, but only you know how long you can stay.
I still remember the first time I visited Jackson — I actually went for a wedding at the Center for the Arts downtown. Between the ceremony and the mountain backdrop, I was hooked. Ever since, I’ve found excuses to come back, and driving up to Yellowstone for the day has become one of my favorite adventures from here.
When to Go
Yellowstone’s roads fully open between late May and early October. You can technically visit in spring or fall, but snow and road closures are common outside that window. July and August bring the longest daylight (sunrise before 6am, sunset after 9pm) — ideal for a long day of sightseeing. Wildlife tends to be most active early morning and late evening.
If you’re visiting in shoulder season, check the National Park Service road status before you go.
Starting in Jackson Hole
Leave Jackson early — ideally by 6:30am — to make the most of the day. You’ll drive north through Grand Teton National Park, which is worth the small entry fee even if you don’t stop much. Keep your camera handy; it’s one of the most photogenic drives in the U.S.
Tip: Pack a breakfast you can eat in the car and bring plenty of water and snacks. It saves you time and avoids long lines inside the park.
Drive time from Jackson to Yellowstone’s South Entrance is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
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One-Day Yellowstone Itinerary
1. West Thumb Geyser Basin (8:00–8:45am)
Your first real stop after entering the park. It’s smaller and less crowded than Old Faithful, with hot springs right along Yellowstone Lake. Take the short boardwalk loop to stretch your legs.
2. Old Faithful + Upper Geyser Basin (9:15–10:30am)
You can’t skip this one. Check the next eruption time at the visitor center, then explore the nearby geysers like Castle and Grand while you wait. The full boardwalk loop is about 2 miles if you have time.
Grab coffee or a quick snack at the Old Faithful Lodge before continuing north.
3. Grand Prismatic Spring (11:00–11:45am)
Stop at the Fairy Falls parking area for the short uphill walk to the overlook — this gives you the best view of the rainbow-colored hot spring from above.
4. Lunch Stop (12:00–12:30pm)
Pack your own or stop at Canyon Village, which has a few quick options. Picnic tables are easy to find in pullouts along the way if you prefer to eat outside.
5. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (12:45–2:00pm)
Walk to Artist Point for the iconic waterfall view, then drive to the North Rim to see it from a different angle. It’s one of the park’s most impressive sights.
6. Hayden Valley (2:15–3:00pm)
This stretch is prime wildlife territory — bison, elk, maybe even bears if you’re lucky. Bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom.
7. Yellowstone Lake (3:30–4:15pm)
Take a breather here before heading back. Stop at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel for a drink if you have time, or just enjoy the view.
Start heading south by 4:30 or 5:00pm to be back in Jackson around 7:00–7:30pm. This is a tight schedule, and ideally you’d cover it all over a few days, but I set it up like this to make sure that you hit all the highlights in a limited time window.
Where to Eat in Jackson
You’ll be starving after a full day of driving and hiking. A few favorites worth booking in advance:
The Blue Lion – Cozy fine dining with wild game and vegetarian options.
Snake River Brewing – Great beer and casual food, perfect for post-drive refueling. Wyoming’s oldest brewpub!
Persephone Bakery – Ideal for next morning’s breakfast or a sweet treat.
Cafe Genevieve – I’ve only ever done brunch here, but it was absolutely delicious and I honestly wouldn’t even need to look further. Killer eggs benedict.
Where to Stay in Jackson Hole
If you’re doing this as part of a longer Grand Teton–Yellowstone trip, spend at least two nights in Jackson to recover and explore.
Hotel Jackson – Stylish and walkable, right downtown. Fancy, expensive, and central.
Cowboy Village Resort – Cozy cabins with easy parking. Has a rustic log-cabin feel–Feels very “Wyoming”, if you know what I mean!
Anvil Hotel– Modern, affordable, and design-focused. Fantastic location as well!
Check availability early if you’re visiting in summer — rooms book fast.
What to Bring for a Yellowstone Day Trip
You’ll be out all day, with limited food stops and changing weather. A few things that make a difference:
Car organizer – Keeps snacks, maps, and charging cables in one place. I use the one I linked in my SUV. The downside is that everything is in the back, but I like that it keeps the passenger area clear of clutter. Plus, in a place like Yellowstone, you’re stopping all the time, so you do have easy access.
Portable power bank – This one seems self explanatory, but you don’t want to be caught in a remote spot with a dead battery on your car or phone. I actually use an older version of this one, which is pricey but gives you so much peace of mind on roadtrips. It’ll jumpstart your car, has an air compressor to fix a flat, and can charge your electronic devices to boot. I wouldn’t road trip without one of these ever again.
Reusable water bottle – Fills easily at visitor centers. I’ve linked my handy dandy Nalgene here. It’s not insulated, but holds national park stickers like a champ! That’s what it’s all about anyway.
Binoculars – Perfect for spotting wildlife in Hayden Valley. I’ve linked a pair of Vortex binoculars, which again are on the pricey side, but binoculars are one of the few items that you don’t want to skimp on. You’ll see a LOT of wildlife in this itinerary, don’t miss out by using junky gear.
Quick Tips
Start early, end early. Sunrise departures make all the difference.
Expect traffic jams — but they’re usually caused by wildlife, which makes them worth it.
Buy your park pass online through the America the Beautiful Pass if you’ll visit multiple parks.
Gas up in Jackson. Prices inside the park are steep.
Download offline maps before you go — there’s almost no signal once inside.
Keep Exploring
If you love road trips like this, check out my Southwest Road Trip Guide for another epic route through U.S. national parks.
Or if you’re planning another park adventure, How to Plan a National Park Trip breaks down logistics and timing.
For a totally different travel inspiration, see Best Time to Visit the Dominican Republic for seasonal planning tips — whether you’re chasing sunshine or cooler mountain air.