There are many wonders of Yellowstone, but its particular attractions, the ones that distinguish it most, can be found in the region of geysers where, one after another, natural spectacles such as calderas, geysers, and multicolored hot springs can be found. Well, today we are going to see an itinerary dedicated to these beauties, following the road that connects Jackson to Cody, two of the main towns in Wyoming.
This Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary crosses 2 National Parks, so, in order to cover it entirely, you will be required to buy entrance tickets (if you visit many parks you may find the America the Beautiful Pass is worth having). Also bear in mind that the route is not feasible during the low season; the roads involved in fact open around the first half of May (here you can find information on the opening of the park roads).
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Who is this 1 day itinerary for?
This road trip is for those who have only 1 day to visit Yellowstone and want to go to the central areas of Wyoming or to South Dakota. For those visiting Yellowstone in a more traditional way, I recommend referring to my Yellowstone itinerary.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary Map
Below you will find the interactive map of the entire itinerary, although nothing prevents you from driving the itinerary in the opposite direction, from Cody to Jackson.
This itinerary can be done in 1 day and requires almost 6 hours of driving, but as the route goes through the heart of Yellowstone Park, it is almost a certainty that you will find traffic and delays (including those caused by bison :)). You will also have to add the various stops necessary to visit the attractions along the way to your travel time. In short, leave Jackson in the morning and, in order to enjoy everything that awaits you, devote almost the entire day to this beautiful drive. As I often say, on a USA road trip, the driving phase is an integral part of the trip’s beauty and this itinerary is a prime example.
From Jackson to Cody in several days
If you have more time available, there is nothing stopping you from spreading out the entire itinerary over more days, for example 2, taking more time to explore the geysers. In this case, however, there are not many accommodation options along the way; those that are strategic and suitable for a stop along the itinerary can be found in our article on hotels in Yellowstone, in the paragraphs dedicated to the area of Old Faithful Area and Lake Yellowstone.
Beware of the timing of Yellowstone’s geysers
Another reason why I urge you to leave in the morning and take your trip relatively slowly is that the geysers erupt at certain times/time intervals. This means that in several cases, to enjoy the eruption live, you will have to factor in some waiting time. To plan your departure efficiently, you can check the times of supposed eruptions on this site.
From Grand Teton to West Thumb Geyser Basin
Leaving Jackson in the direction of Cody, we will immediately encounter a wonderful park, Grand Teton National Park. The main road to get there is US-191, but we take a detour after about twenty minutes. Why? So that we can stop by the most photographed place in Wyoming! I’m talking about Mormon Row, a beautiful plain, set against the backdrop of the majestic peaks of the Tetons. Taking a photo in front of the farm is a must!
After enjoying one of the iconic attractions of any self-respecting Wyoming trip, we turn around and get back on 191, entering Grand Teton Park by paying admission at the Moran Entrance, and then continue straight down the main road, taking the opportunity to take some more memorable photos at another scenic spot, the Jackson Lake Overlook.
Our next stop requires us to continue northwest on 191, cross the South Entrance of Yellowstone Park, and then turn onto US-20, heading east, to find ourselves in front of the first Yellowstone geysers we will encounter on the trip: West Thumb Geyser Basin, an admirable expanse of fumaroles, geysers, natural pools and steaming hot springs. All close to the beautiful alpine Yellowstone Lake, another opportunity to take unforgettable photos (as they say in these cases: “2 birds with one stone!”).
A walk among the geysers: Old Faithful, Grand Geyser, Castle Geyser
When people talk about Yellowstone’s geysers, they mostly think of Old Faithful, which erupts every 78 minutes with an impressive jet of water capable of reaching up to 55 feet. The surrounding concentric benches are there just to help you enjoy the show. To get there, simply take our now beloved US-191, drive for about 30 minutes (traffic permitting!) and take the exit.
After you’ve parked up and stopped at the visitor center (there are also places to eat nearby if you’re hungry…), visit not only Old Faithful but also 2 other surrounding geysers, part of the Upper Geyser Basin. what awaits you is a round-trip walk of about 25 minutes, allowing you to also see Grand Geyser and Castle Geyser. The route to follow is shown on the map below:
If you want to extend the walk, you can also carry on to the beautiful Morning Glory Pool. The round trip takes about an hour and during your journey do not miss Grotto Geyser, with a unique shape of its kind.
The Rainbow of Grand Prismatic Spring
If you think that with Old Faithful, Yellowstone Park has given its best, prepare to be proven wrong. Grand Prismatic Spring is a masterpiece of nature that will take your breath away! It is located just 15 minutes away, heading north. If you haven’t already downloaded your photos, prepare to run out of space on your camera.
Leave your car at the parking lot and follow the fumes from the calderas that will take you to this out-of-this-world place, through the hot springs of Turquoise Pool, Opal Pool, and Excelsior Geyser Crater. These are all juicy previews of the great prismatic spring, approached on a walkway. Get ready for the most surreal walk of your life.
Scenic Drive to Cody
With our eyes full of wonder, it’s time to get back on the road and head towards Cody (going back a short distance along the 191 and then following the US-20 and US-14, eastbound). The beauties of the trip are not over, however, as we can drive along the entire north side of Yellowstone Lake and take a beautiful scenic route, with unique rock formations and the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The video below will give you an idea….
Where to look for accommodation on this itinerary
To search for accommodations in Cody, Jackson, in and around the park, please refer to our article on how to search for a hotel in Yellowstone.
