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10‑Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Family Adventure

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Day 1: Arrival in Bozeman & Drive to West Yellowstone

Morning: Land at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, pick up your rental SUV and enjoy a quick snack at the airport café. Car rental agencies like Enterprise and Hertz have convenient shuttle services to the highway.

Afternoon: Drive the scenic 90‑minute route to West Yellowstone, checking into the family‑friendly Gray Wolf Inn & Suites or the historic Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Unpack and relax by the pool.

Evening: Stroll the charming West Yellowstone town square, grab dinner at Wild West Pizzeria, and preview the next day’s park entrance at the Yellowstone National Park Visitor Center.

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Day 2: Geysers & Grand Prismatic Spring (Upper Loop)

Morning: Enter Yellowstone through the North Entrance (Gardiner) and head to Upper Geyser Basin to watch Old Faithful erupt.

Afternoon: Walk the boardwalk to the dazzling Grand Prismatic Spring and explore the nearby Midway Geyser Basin. Picnic lunch at the designated area.

Evening: Return to West Yellowstone for a family dinner at Al’s Steakhouse and early bedtime for the next day’s drive.

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Day 3: Canyon Area & Wildlife Spotting

Morning: Drive to the iconic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, stopping at Artist Point for breathtaking vistas.

Afternoon: Hike the North Rim Trail to Upper Falls, then head to the Hayden Valley for possible elk and bison sightings.

Evening: Check into the comfortable Grant Village Lodge near the lake, enjoy a lakeside dinner at Grant Village Dining Room, and watch the sunset over Yellowstone Lake.

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Day 4: Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb

Morning: Rent kayaks or take a guided boat tour on Yellowstone Lake, the largest high‑elevation lake in North America.

Afternoon: Explore the geothermal features of West Thumb Geyser Basin before heading back toward the park’s south entrance.

Evening: Stay at the rustic Lake Lodge Cabins in the south‑west corner of the park; enjoy a campfire program (season‑dependent) with ranger storytelling.

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Day 5: Travel to Grand Teton – Jackson Hole

Morning: Depart Yellowstone via the South Entrance and drive north toward Grand Teton, stopping at the John D. Rockefeller Memorial for photos.

Afternoon: Arrive in the charming town of Jackson, check into the spacious Snow King Resort or The Lodge at Jackson Hole. Explore the Jackson Town Square and its famous elk antler arches.

Evening: Dine at Snake River Grill and take an evening walk along the Town Square for a relaxing family night.

Find Hotels **Day 6: Grand Teton – Scenic Drives & Jenny Lake** *Morning:* Drive the iconic Oxbow Turnout for panoramic views of the Tetons, then head to Jenny Lake and take the shuttle boat across. *Afternoon:* Hike the Jenny Lake Loop to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, offering spectacular photo ops. *Evening:* Return to Jackson for dinner at Local Restaurant & Bar, then relax at your lodge’s hot tub.

Day 7: Wildlife Safari & Mormon Row

Morning: Join a guided wildlife safari from Jackson Hole Wildlife Tours to spot elk, moose, and possibly wolves in the Jackson Hole Valley.

Afternoon: Visit historic Mormon Row Historic District for iconic barn and mountain photos, then stop at Signal Mountain for a short hike.

Evening: Enjoy a family-style dinner at The Kitchen and optional stargazing at Grand Teton National Park’s Dark Sky Preserve.

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Day 8: Adventure Activities – Rafting & Horseback

Morning: Experience a gentle white‑water rafting trip on the Snake River with Jackson Hole Whitewater, suitable for kids.

Afternoon: After lunch, go horseback riding through the valley with Western Spirit Ranch, offering scenic trails and a chance to learn about local ranching.

Evening: Return to Jackson for a relaxed dinner at Glorietta Bar & Grill, then unwind in your lodge’s lounge.

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Day 9: Return to Bozeman – Relax & Explore

Morning: Depart Grand Teton, drive north on US‑191 back to Bozeman, stopping at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park for a short tour.

Afternoon: Arrive in Bozeman, check into the centrally located Element Bozeman or the family‑friendly Best Western Plus Downtown. Explore downtown shops and the Montana State University Museum.

Evening: Celebrate the trip’s highlights with a dinner at Farmhouse Brewing Company and pack for the flight home.

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Day 10: Departure

Morning: Return the rental SUV at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, using the shuttle service provided by the rental agency.

Afternoon: Catch your flight home, reflecting on the unforgettable family adventure across two of America’s most iconic parks.

Evening: Arrival back home; consider creating a photo album or video montage to share with friends and relatives.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • Car Rental (8 days, SUV) – 8 days – $75/day = $600
  • Yellowstone Entrance Fee (per vehicle) – 1 entry – $35 = $35
  • Grand Teton Entrance Fee (per vehicle) – 1 entry – $35 = $35
  • Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin (park activity) – 2 hrs – $0
  • Grand Prismatic Spring (park activity) – 1.5 hrs – $0
  • Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (viewpoint) – 2 hrs – $0
  • Yellowstone Lake Kayak Rental – 3 hrs – $30 per kayak × 2 = $60
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin (park activity) – 1 hr – $0
  • Jenny Lake Shuttle Boat – 1 round trip – $6 per adult, $4 per child × 8 = $44
  • Jenny Lake Loop Hike – 2 hrs – $0
  • Mormon Row Historic District (photo stop) – 1 hr – $0
  • Snake River Rafting (family package) – 3 hrs – $120 per person × 8 = $960
  • Horseback Riding (2‑hour tour) – $55 per person × 8 = $440
  • Lodging – West Yellowstone (4 nights) – $250/night × 4 = $1,000
  • Lodging – Grant Village (2 nights) – $220/night × 2 = $440
  • Lodging – Jackson (3 nights) – $300/night × 3 = $900
  • Lodging – Bozeman (1 night) – $210/night = $210
  • Meals (average $25 per person per meal) – 3 meals × 10 days × 8 people = $6,000
  • Park Parking (at various trailheads) – $5 per vehicle × 5 = $25
  • Miscellaneous (souvenirs, tips) – Approx. $300
  • Total Estimated Cost: $12,844

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day at Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley for prime wolf and bison viewing, or spend a night at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for summer lift‑ticket adventures. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the rafting day and replace the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone hike with a shorter drive‑through of the park’s northern loop, allowing you to depart a day earlier while still seeing the main geyser basins.

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