Leave 429 E Pine St, Riverton, WY around 6:00 AM and take US-26 / US-20 east through the Wind River Basin, with an easy fuel or bathroom stop in Shoshoni or Thermopolis before you commit to the long park approach. From Riverton to Fishing Bridge RV Park you’re looking at roughly 4.5–5.5 hours depending on traffic and how long you linger; the last stretch into Yellowstone can slow down fast once you hit the East Entrance, so build in a little cushion and aim to roll in right at your 1:00 PM check-in. When you enter the park, expect a slower, scenic crawl past forest, river, and mountain views—this is one of those drives where the “delay” is part of the experience. Park at Fishing Bridge RV Park first, get the rig settled, and then take a few minutes to orient yourself for the rest of the week.
Once you’re set up, keep the first Yellowstone day simple and local. Walk over to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center for maps, ranger advice, and the latest on wildlife, road conditions, and bear activity; it’s a very practical first stop, and it saves time later in the trip. Then head down to the Yellowstone Lake shoreline for a calm, low-effort stretch of walking and a first look at the water—good for shaking off the drive and letting everyone decompress. This whole area is easy to do on foot from camp, and there’s no need to overplan it; just give yourself about an hour and let the lake set the pace.
For a classic first-night Yellowstone outing, drive south to West Thumb Geyser Basin for a boardwalk loop right along the lake edge. It’s one of the prettiest thermal areas in the park, especially in softer evening light, and the short walk makes it a great “welcome to Yellowstone” stop without draining anyone after travel day. From there, continue to Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room in Lake Village for dinner if you want a proper sit-down meal with old-park atmosphere and lake views; expect about $25–45 per person, and reservations are smart if you can get them in peak season. After dinner, take the scenic drive back to Fishing Bridge RV Park and keep the evening loose—there’s no better first night here than a quiet return under a big Yellowstone sky.
Leave Fishing Bridge RV Park well before sunrise and head west on the Grand Loop Road into Hayden Valley—this is the kind of Yellowstone morning locals get up for. Give yourself about 30–45 minutes to reach the valley, then slow way down: bison often hang right by the road, elk feed in the low grasses, and if you’re lucky you may catch bears moving along the slopes while the valley is still quiet. Plan about 1.5 hours here, with binoculars handy and plenty of patience; the best viewing spots are pullouts, not the shoulder, and early is when the light is best and the traffic is lightest.
From there, continue north to Mud Volcano Area for a short, high-impact geothermal stop. The boardwalk loop is quick—about 45 minutes—and the whole area smells like Yellowstone should: sulfur, steam, and bubbling mud. It’s one of the easiest places in the park to get a lot of geothermal drama without a long hike, and the trail system is straightforward enough that you can move at a relaxed pace while still keeping your day on track.
Keep heading west and then south toward the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, where you can check eruption timing before you wander the basin. In mid-June, Old Faithful is usually running on a pretty predictable schedule, but it’s still smart to verify the next eruption when you arrive. Spend about an hour exploring the surrounding geyser area, then cross over to the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room for a memorable park meal in one of Yellowstone’s most iconic historic buildings. It’s a good place for a slower, sit-down lunch or brunch; expect roughly $20–35 per person, and if you can, peek into the lodge lobby and massive timber work even if you’re not staying there.
After lunch, swing north on the Grand Loop Road to Gibbon Falls for a quick scenic stretch. This is a 30-minute stop, tops, but it’s worth it for the view and for breaking up the drive between geyser country and the more active thermal areas farther north. If you’re moving at a comfortable pace, you should still have enough daylight and energy for one more substantial stop.
End the day at Norris Geyser Basin, which is Yellowstone at its most restless and surreal. This area is busier on foot than the earlier stops, with more walking and a more “alive” feel to the ground—steam, runoff channels, boardwalks, and constantly changing thermal features. Spend 1.5–2 hours here if you can; the loops are easy to follow, and it’s a great way to close out the day without needing a strenuous hike. By the time you head back to Fishing Bridge, you’ll have had a full Yellowstone sampler: wildlife, geysers, waterfalls, and the park’s most famous historic lodge all in one loop.
From Fishing Bridge RV Park, head out early on the Grand Loop Road toward the Canyon area so you can catch Artist Point while the light is still soft. It’s about a 45–60 minute drive depending on wildlife slowdowns and traffic, and that’s exactly why a sunrise-ish departure is worth it here—bison jams, photo stops, and one-lane crawls are part of the Yellowstone experience. Parking at the canyon viewpoints is usually straightforward early in the day, but by midmorning it gets noticeably busier, so go straight to the overlooks first and wander later. At Artist Point, give yourself time to really look: the view over the Lower Falls and the painted canyon walls is the iconic Yellowstone postcard for a reason.
Continue a short hop to Upper Falls Viewpoint, which gives you a different angle on the river dropping through the gorge. It’s only a quick drive and a short walk from the lot, so this is a good “stretch your legs, take a few photos, move on” stop. Between the two canyon overlooks, you’ll get both the drama and the scale without overcommitting the morning. If you’re carrying snacks and water, this is a good place to pause before heading into the more built-up part of Canyon Village.
Swing into Canyon Visitor Education Center next, where you can cool off, use the restrooms, grab updated trail and wildlife info, and get a better sense of what’s open or crowded that day. This is one of the most useful stops in the park if you want to make the rest of the day feel easy instead of rushed. The exhibits are worth a quick look, especially if you want context on the caldera, waterfalls, and how the canyon keeps changing. Budget about 45 minutes here, though you can do it faster if you just need maps, a bathroom break, and a plan for the next leg.
After lunch from your own supplies, head north and east toward the Tower-Roosevelt area for Tower Fall. The drive is scenic and usually takes around 45–60 minutes from Canyon, but factor in wildlife and photo pullouts because this stretch can be slow in the best way. Tower Fall is a classic Yellowstone stop: easy to access, very photogenic, and a nice change of pace after the big canyon views. The viewpoint is close to the parking area, so it’s an easy stop for about 45 minutes without turning the day into a marathon.
Wrap up the day with dinner at Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, which has that old Yellowstone frontier feel that makes the meal part of the experience. It’s casual, hearty, and usually runs about $20–40 per person depending on what you order; in summer, I’d still expect a wait or slightly slower service, so aim to arrive on the early side of dinner if you can. From there, the drive back to Fishing Bridge RV Park is straightforward—plan on roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on what wildlife is on the road and how many pullouts you make. If you leave after dinner, take it slow on the dark park roads and watch for elk, bison, and the occasional elk herd standing exactly where you need to pass.
Leave Fishing Bridge RV Park around 8:00 AM with the day packed up and ready to roll, because the goal is to use this transfer as a last easy Yellowstone morning rather than a race. The route out via the East Entrance on US-20/WY-191 is straightforward, but in June you still want to build in a little buffer for wildlife slowdowns, construction, and photo stops. Your first stretch should be a quick pull-off at LeHardy Rapids, where the Yellowstone River narrows and the water moves fast enough to make a nice final Yellowstone memory without eating much time — plan on 20–30 minutes max, just enough for photos and a short look around.
Keep heading east toward Lake Butte Overlook, which is one of the better “one last big view” stops before you truly leave the park. It’s especially good this time of year because you get the scale of Yellowstone Lake without needing to commit to a long hike. Expect about 30 minutes here; if the weather is clear, this is the kind of stop that feels like the trip’s visual exhale before the drive west into Idaho. From there, continue out through the East Entrance and toward Ashton, aiming to reach Jolley Camper right around 1:00 PM. If you’re running a little ahead, it’s usually better to slow down and enjoy the scenery than force the schedule — June parking at scenic pullouts can be easy if you’re patient, but the road can bunch up near popular viewpoints.
After check-in, keep the rest of the day low-key and local with a stop at the Ashton Pioneer Museum in downtown Ashton. It’s a small, easy visit that gives you a sense of the Upper Snake River Valley and the kind of ranch-and-railroad history that shaped this corner of Idaho. It’s not a long museum visit — think 45 minutes — and it works well after a drive because you can wander at your own pace without feeling like you’re “doing” a major attraction. If you have energy left, this is also a nice time to just drive a few blocks around town and get your bearings for the next few days around Ashton, Driggs, and the Teton side of the trip.
For dinner, head to The Patio Drive-In in downtown Ashton for an easy post-drive meal. It’s the right kind of place after a transfer day: classic small-town comfort food, quick service, and no pressure to dress up or make a reservation. Budget around $12–25 per person, and expect a casual hour or so to eat and decompress. If you want a little extra after dinner, a short evening loop through town or a quiet sit back at your camper is honestly enough — you’ve got bigger days ahead, and this one is mostly about landing smoothly and setting up for the Ashton base.
Leave Ashton early enough to land in Rexburg right as Yellowstone Bear World opens; that usually gives you the calmest drive-through experience and the best shot at seeing the animals before the line builds. Plan on roughly 1 to 1.25 hours on US-20 E, plus a little buffer for parking and tickets. Budget about $20–30 per adult depending on ticket type, and expect the drive-through and walk-around areas to take 2–3 hours if you move at a relaxed pace. Afterward, swing a few minutes into downtown to Rexburg Idaho Temple for a short, quiet stop—it's one of the prettiest landmarks in town, and the grounds are ideal for a quick photo and a breather before you head south.
From Rexburg, continue to Idaho Falls and stop at the Legacy Flight Museum near the airport area. It’s a good indoor change of pace if the weather turns warm or windy, and the collection is easy to enjoy without needing to be a plane buff; most visitors are happy here for 1 to 1.5 hours. Admission is usually modest, around $10–15 for adults, and it’s straightforward to reach by car with easy parking. When you’re done, drift downtown instead of rushing—Idaho Falls has a pleasant, walkable center and the kind of low-key afternoon rhythm that makes road-trip days feel less packed.
For dinner, settle in at SnakeBite Restaurant in downtown Idaho Falls. It’s a reliable stop for a solid sit-down meal after a day on the road, with enough variety that everyone can find something, and you’re generally looking at about $18–35 per person before drinks or dessert. After dinner, take an easy stroll on the Idaho Falls River Walk along the Greenbelt to see the waterfall and riverfront in the evening light—plan 30 to 45 minutes for the walk, and go a little slower if the sunset is good. From there, it’s an easy unwind back toward Ashton if you’re returning for the night, or just keep the evening flexible and enjoy one last quiet stop before heading home.
Leave Ashton early and head over ID-47 toward Driggs via the Teton Scenic Byway; with a calm pace and a few pull-offs, you’re looking at about 1.5–2 hours, and that’s exactly how this drive is meant to be done. The light is best before the valley gets hazy, and if you’re lucky you’ll get those big open views of farm fields with the Tetons rising behind them. Once you’re in town, stop first at the Teton Geotourism Center on the south edge of downtown Driggs—it’s small, free, and genuinely useful for picking trails, wildlife viewing, and the best places to linger without wasting time. A 30–45 minute stop is plenty, and parking is easy right in town.
From there, drift over to Driggs City Park and the Teton River corridor for a slower, more local-feeling break. This is a good place to stretch your legs, let the kids run around if you’ve got them, and just enjoy the fact that you’re not in a rush on a day like this. The walk is easy and flat, and you can spend 30–45 minutes here without it feeling like an “activity.” When you’re ready for lunch, head to Forage Bistro & Lounge in downtown Driggs—it’s one of the best reliable sit-down spots in the valley, with a strong local vibe and a menu that feels worth the stop after a morning on the road. Expect roughly $18–30 per person, and it’s a nice place to take your time without feeling fussy.
After lunch, make your way west toward the Grand Teton Viewpoint on US-26 near the Victor/Driggs valley for that classic wide-open mountain scene without committing to a full park loop. It’s the kind of stop that rewards a slow pull-in, a few photos, and a little time just standing there taking in how close the mountains feel from the valley floor. If you still have energy later, you can add another easy pass through downtown Driggs for coffee or a short browse, but this day is really best when it stays loose. Since you’re overnighting in the Ashton area, aim to leave Driggs with enough daylight to avoid a tired evening drive back over the byway, especially if you’ve had a full day of scenic stops.
Leave Ashton early and make ID-47 South / the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway your first move while the light is soft and the road is still quiet. The drive itself is half the point here: take it slow, watch for elk and deer on the shoulders, and enjoy the stretch of forest and river views without trying to rush. If you’re coming from Driggs, plan on about 1.25–1.75 hours total with a few pull-offs, so an early start keeps the rest of the day relaxed and gives you the best parking at the falls.
At Upper Mesa Falls, spend most of your time on the boardwalks and overlooks. This is the headline stop in the area, and it’s worth lingering for the spray, the thunder of the falls, and the view down into the Henrys Fork canyon. Expect a modest federal recreation fee or pass use, and plan for easy walking rather than a hike; the main viewpoints are very accessible, but the surface can be damp and slippery near the railings. From there, continue a short drive to Lower Mesa Falls for the quieter companion viewpoint — less dramatic, but it gives you the broader river context and feels more tucked away than the main overlook.
After the falls, head back toward town for Henry’s Fork Anglers in downtown Ashton. It’s a very local-feeling stop, especially if you want to sit somewhere casual and see the fly-fishing side of the area instead of another tourist-heavy spot. Figure roughly $10–25 per person depending on what you order, and it’s a good place to rest your feet, grab a snack, and enjoy the small-town rhythm before the afternoon. If you’re not hungry, it’s still worth a quick stop for coffee, ice cream, or a look around the shop and surrounding streets.
Finish the day with some easy time in the Warm River area south of Ashton in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This is the low-key, no-pressure part of the itinerary: a river pullout, a short walk, maybe a bit of fishing or just sitting by the water while the day cools off. If you want one last scenic detour before heading back, this is the kind of place that feels far more remote than it actually is — and it’s a nice way to close out your Ashton base before the drive back to 429 E Pine St, Riverton, WY tomorrow.
Leave Ashton, ID around 6:30–7:00 AM so you can make the long home stretch while the roads are quiet and the wildlife is still mostly tucked away. Aim for US-20 E / WY-789 S with a couple of fuel-and-bathroom stops built in, and don’t try to rush it—this is a very manageable drive if you treat it like a road day instead of a race. Once you’re back in Riverton, parking around 429 E Pine St is straightforward, but if you’re arriving with a lot of gear or a trailer, give yourself a few extra minutes for unloading and backing in calmly.
Break up the drive with a couple of short scenic pauses on the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway as you come down through the Tensleep and Thermopolis side of the route. The canyon pullouts are the kind of stops that only take 10–15 minutes each, but they make the whole day feel less like highway miles and more like an actual Wyoming trip home. This is also the right window to stretch your legs and swap drivers if you have one; expect about 30–45 minutes total for the scenic viewpoints, not a full sightseeing detour.
In Thermopolis, take about an hour at Hot Springs State Park to walk off the drive and reset before the final push home. The terraces, river walk, and steam rising around the mineral pools are easy, low-effort stops, and they’re especially nice when you’ve been in the car for hours. If you want one last proper meal before the finish, Black Bear Café in downtown Thermopolis is a solid road-trip choice for a late lunch or early dinner—expect about $12–25 per person, with comfort-food plates that are quick enough not to throw off your timing.
After Thermopolis, it’s usually a straight finish back to Riverton with just enough daylight left to unload, get organized, and breathe again. If the day runs smoothly, you should land back in town by late afternoon or early evening; the key is leaving Thermopolis with enough margin that you’re not watching the clock the whole last hour.