Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are iconic destinations with abundant wildlife, hiking trails, scenic drives, and majestic mountains. In just seven days, you can fully explore these parks by RV and find the best things to see and do, without feeling rushed. Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest in America, with historic lodges and geothermal features such as geysers and bubbling mud pots. Grand Teton National Park has stunning mountains, alpine lakes, and many historic sites. Both parks offer wonderful activities such as wildlife viewing, photography, and hiking. Blacksford RV recommends a seven-day itinerary that will guide you on an unforgettable RV adventure to discover the best things to see and do in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
After picking up your Blacksford RV rental (near Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport), travelers will stock up on food and supplies in Bozeman and head south to West Yellowstone, Montana. The two to three hour drive down the dramatic and beautiful Gallatin Road (US-191) passes Big Sky, Montana, a wonderful place to stop if you have extra time. Roadtrippers will travel along the Gallatin River most of the way, before reaching the bustling village of West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park’s most popular West Entrance.
“From West Yellowstone, one can reach Grand Teton National Park two ways,” said Becky Goodell, owner and CEO of Blacksford. “Continue south on US-20 to Jackson, Wyoming, or drive through Yellowstone itself to Grand Teton National Park via the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Either route will take two to four hours.”
Before heading out on an RV adventure, it’s a good idea to make campground reservations for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Campgrounds and RV parks in and around both parks fill up quickly during the warmer months. The National Park Service’s online reservation system allows travelers to reserve in-park campground sites 13 months in advance. Of the 12 RV-friendly campgrounds in Yellowstone, only five accept reservations: Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Grant Village, and Madison Junction. Several in-park Yellowstone campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis.
In Grand Teton, all RV campgrounds require advance reservations and can be reserved at Recreation.gov. The five campgrounds are: Gros Ventre, Signal Mountain, Colter Bay, Lizard Creek, and Headwaters. If connectivity and amenities are a priority, then you may prefer to stay just outside Yellowstone’s West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, and just outside Grand Teton National Park in nearby, upscale Jackson, Wyoming. Both towns offer plenty of shops, restaurants, grocery stores, bars, entertainment, tours, and other services.
“Many first-time RVers are nervous about parking their RV at campgrounds and points of interest inside the park,” said Goodell. “Blacksford’s RVs are easy to drive, much like driving a large SUV or van, and campgrounds make it relatively easy to cautiously park your RV at your campsite.”
Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks have RV parking at various points of interest. Parking for RVs and cars inside the park can require patience during the busy season when parking lots are crowded. Plan to wait a few minutes at popular sites to get a parking spot.
7-day Yellowstone to Grand Teton itinerary:
Day 1 – Bozeman to Big Sky and West Yellowstone
Day 2 – Old Faithful and geothermal features
Day 3 – Wildlife, Lamar Valley & the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Day 4 – Zip-lining, rafting, fishing, rodeos, & museums near West Yellowstone
Day 5 – Drive to Grand Teton National Park
Day 6 – Driving, hiking and rafting in Grand Teton National Park
Day 7 – Final morning in Jackson, Wyoming, and return to Bozeman
