Northern US National Park RV Road Trip

Day 1: Arrival & Yellowstone Gateway

Morning: Arrive at the West Yellowstone RV Park, settle into your RV, and stock up on supplies for the adventure ahead.

Afternoon: Drive the West Entrance Road to catch your first glimpse of the iconic Old Faithful geyser area.

Evening: Enjoy a sunset view over the Upper Geyser Basin before cooking dinner at the park’s communal fire pits.

Day 2: Yellowstone Highlights

Morning: Explore the Grand Prismatic Spring and take a short boardwalk hike around the vibrant hot springs.

Afternoon: Head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to marvel at the dramatic waterfalls and overlook points.

Evening: Return to the Madison Campground for a relaxing evening by the lake, perfect for stargazing.

Day 3: Yellowstone to Grand Teton

Morning: Drive south through the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway, spotting wildlife along the way.

Afternoon: Arrive at Jackson Hole and set up at the Gros Ventre Campground, then explore the charming town.

Evening: Take a short drive to the Snake River Overlook for a breathtaking sunset over the Tetons.

Day 4: Grand Teton Exploration

Morning: Hike the Jenny Lake Loop, with optional boat ferry to the base of the Hidden Falls.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Jackson Lake Lodge and enjoy panoramic views from the Colter Bay area.

Evening: Return to the campground for a campfire dinner and night wildlife spotting near the lake.

Day 5: Drive to Glacier National Park

Morning: Depart early, traveling north through scenic Idaho, stopping at the Lake Coeur d'Alene for a quick lakeside picnic.

Afternoon: Cross into Montana and arrive at the West Glacier Campground, setting up for the next two nights.

Evening: Take a relaxed drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the viewpoint at Lake McDonald for sunset.

Day 6: Glacier National Park – Going-to-the-Sun

Morning: Drive the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at the iconic Logan Pass for short hikes.

Afternoon: Explore the Hidden Lake Overlook trail and enjoy panoramic mountain vistas.

Evening: Return to the campground, unwind by the fire, and relish the clear night skies of Glacier.

Day 7: Return Journey

Morning: Pack up and take a leisurely drive to the St. Mary Visitor Center for last-minute souvenir shopping.

Afternoon: Begin the drive back south, stopping at Flathead Lake for a scenic lunch break.

Evening: Arrive back at your home base, concluding the epic RV road trip.

Time and Cost Estimates

• West Yellowstone RV Park (2 nights) – 2 days – $70/night = $140
• Madison Campground (1 night) – 1 day – $45/night = $45
• Gros Ventre Campground (2 nights) – 2 days – $55/night = $110
• West Glacier Campground (2 nights) – 2 days – $60/night = $120
• Yellowstone National Park entry – 2 days – $35 per vehicle = $35
• Grand Teton National Park entry – 2 days – $35 per vehicle = $35
• Glacier National Park entry – 2 days – $35 per vehicle = $35
• Fuel (approx. 1500 miles @ $3.70/gal, 10 mpg) – 150 gallons – $555
• Meals & Groceries – 7 days – $40/day = $280
• Park activities & shuttles – $100 total = $100
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,560

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day in Glacier to hike the Highline Trail or explore the Many Glacier area. If you need to shorten the journey, skip the overnight stop in Idaho and drive straight from Grand Teton to Glacier, reducing the itinerary to six days while still hitting the main highlights.