Your Family Guide to Yellowstone & Grand Teton
A summer road trip through Grand Teton and Yellowstone is the kind of adventure your family will talk about for years. Picture geysers erupting, bison crossing the road, and floating down a river before ice cream in a mountain town. If that sounds like your kind of magic, here’s exactly how our Travel Concierge, Devon planned this epic summer vacation for her family. From Jackson Hole to Big Sky, Montana, here are Devon’s thoughts on the trip and a day by day guide.
Day 1: Arrive in Jackson Hole, WY
Fly into Jackson Hole and head straight to Rustic Inn. The creekside cabins are perfect for families that is comfortable, scenic, and close to town but tucked away enough to feel peaceful. “Our kids couldn’t get enough of floating the river and jumping off the bridge right on property.”
Vibe: Old West charm meets mountain town luxury. Jackson is surrounded by the Tetons and filled with art galleries, shops, and outfitters.
Base: Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa
Why We Loved It: Rustic Inn feels like a retreat in the woods even though it's just a short walk to the action of downtown. The creekside cabins are ideal for families - spacious, private, and just steps from a river where our kids floated and played for hours.
Area Overview: Jackson Hole is a high-end, rustic mountain town nestled at the base of the Teton Range. It's known for its cowboy-meets-ski-town feel, with wooden boardwalks, art galleries, wildlife sightings, and access to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Jackson Hole Must-See: Flat Creek - walk down from your cabin and float or wade right into it. “Our kids spent hours here.”
Where to Eat: Hand Fire Pizza - a local favorite set inside a historic theater, fun for families.
Pro Tip: Rent a Suburban one-way in Jackson Hole and return it in Bozeman to avoid backtracking.
Day 2: Explore Jackson & Teton Village
Use this day to get your bearings and enjoy the magic of Jackson.
Area Overview: Teton Village is the base area of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, about 15 minutes from downtown Jackson. It's a great place to explore in the summer, with plenty of hiking, biking, and family activities.
What to Do:
Ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram to 10,450 feet. The summit offers sweeping views of the Tetons and Snake River Valley.
Snow King Mountain (right in town) offers thrill rides like the Cowboy Coaster and Alpine Slide.
Rent bikes and hit the Jackson Hole Pathways—a network of paved trails that wind through meadows and forest, great for all ages.
Must-See: The summit of Rendezvous Mountain—and yes, the waffles at Corbet’s Cabin are worth it.
Where to Eat: Cafe Genevieve is a cozy log cabin downtown serving hearty breakfasts and Southern-inspired comfort food.
Day 3: Grand Teton National Park
Base: Jackson Lake Lodge
Area Overview: Grand Teton National Park is often overshadowed by Yellowstone, but it’s stunning in its own right. With dramatic mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and fewer crowds, it’s an outdoor paradise.
What to Do:
Morning Snake River whitewater rafting trip (great mix of fun and safety).
Scenic drive through the park, stopping at Mormon Row for classic barn + mountain photos.
Ferry ride across Jenny Lake, then hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point—a manageable and rewarding family hike.
Must-See: The back patio at Jackson Lake Lodge. “You’ll see why this view is famous.”
Where to Eat: Pioneer Grill at the lodge. It’s casual and fast, with counter seating and comfort food.
Day 4: Welcome to Yellowstone
Base: Old Faithful Inn
Area Overview: Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, and it shows off with a surreal landscape of geysers, hot springs, and canyons. It’s massive with over 2.2 million acres and home to more wildlife than any other U.S. park.
What to Do:
Explore Lake Yellowstone—rent a boat, go fishing, or just take in the vast views.
Hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook—you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of this rainbow-colored thermal wonder.
Watch Old Faithful erupt, then walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk to see other geysers and bubbling springs.
Must-See: Grand Prismatic Spring, it looks unreal in person.
Where to Eat: Old Faithful Inn Dining Room—a historic lodge meal that hits the spot after a long day.
Day 5: Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon & Wildlife Country
Base: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Area Overview: This is Yellowstone’s northern range. It includes the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, scenic byways, and Lamar Valley, often called the "Serengeti of North America" for its incredible wildlife density.
What to Do:
Drive the South & North Rims of the canyon and take in the towering Lower Falls.
Stop at viewpoints like Artist Point, Brink of the Lower Falls, and Grand View.
Take the scenic loop to Mammoth Hot Springs, with its cascading limestone terraces.
Drive to Lamar Valley in the evening for bison, elk, pronghorn—and maybe even wolves or bears.
Must-See: Lamar Valley at sunset—bring binoculars and snacks.
Where to Eat: Mammoth Terrace Grill—fast and family-friendly, right near your hotel.
Day 6: Float the River & Head to Big Sky
Base: The Wilson Hotel, Big Sky Town Center
Area Overview: Big Sky, Montana is a year-round mountain resort area, popular for skiing in winter and hiking, rafting, and music festivals in summer. It has a charming town center that’s easy to walk and full of shops and restaurants.
Morning: Float the Yellowstone River near Gardiner. “The float was pretty mild and great for younger children”
Afternoon:
Drive ~2 hours to Big Sky
Explore Town Center—plenty of dining options, boutiques, and a splash pad for kids
Attend Music in the Mountains (Thursdays) for free, family-friendly concerts in the plaza
Must-See: Downtown Big Sky at golden hour—grab a picnic table, let the kids play, and enjoy the live music.
Where to Eat: Alberto’s (Mexican Cuisine) and Thai Basil in Big Sky Town Center, both are amazing! One restaurant worth mentioning is Riverhouse bbq - serving up authentic Texas barbecue Montana style.
Day 7: Big Sky Adventures
Area Overview:
Big Sky is known for its dramatic alpine scenery, wide-open spaces, and easy access to adventure without big crowds. In winter it’s all about skiing, but in summer it transforms into a laid-back mountain escape filled with wildflowers, outdoor concerts, and trails galore. It’s surrounded by Gallatin National Forest and not far from the northwest corner of Yellowstone, so wildlife sightings are still common.
There are three main parts to Big Sky:
Town Center: Where The Wilson Hotel is located. This is the walkable, family-friendly hub with shops, restaurants, and seasonal events like Music in the Mountains.
Meadow Village: A few minutes away, where you’ll find more local shops, golf, and residential homes.
Big Sky Resort / Mountain Village: About a 15-minute drive from Town Center, it’s where the zipline, archery, scenic lift rides, and mountain biking trails are based.
Morning Activities at Big Sky Resort:
Nature Zipline Tour: A great beginner-friendly course that still gives you the thrill of flying above alpine trees with sweeping views of Lone Peak.
Archery Lesson: Guided sessions that are perfect for families. You'll learn how to shoot safely and accurately while enjoying a unique outdoor setting.
Scenic Lift Ride: The Ramcharger 8 or Explorer lift takes you to incredible viewpoints, no hiking needed. Great photo op at the top, and often you’ll spot marmots or deer on the way up.
Where to Eat:
Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. for artisan pizzas, pastas, and a great patio
Or for a more casual lunch or dinner: Blue Moon Bakery is a local favorite for sandwiches, soups, and baked treats.
Day 8: Depart from Bozeman
Drive Time: ~1 hour to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Leave early to make your flight—but don’t be surprised if you’re already dreaming about a return trip.
This route makes the most of every stop, blending iconic national parks with fun local towns, short hikes, wildlife moments, and time to simply enjoy being together outdoors. It’s a perfect balance of nature and comfort, and we’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
