Grand Teton vs Yellowstone: Which Should You Visit?

Grand Teton and Yellowstone are two stunning national parks in Wyoming. They are home to some of the most beautiful views in Wyoming and should be on every bucket list!

Although they are in the same state, they offer two completely different experiences and landscapes. When I visited these national parks, I was in awe of how different their landscapes were.

So which one should you visit? This guide has everything you need to know about the similarities and differences between Grand Teton vs Yellowstone, so you can know which one should be a priority on your bucket list!

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Grand Teton vs Yellowstone: Park Overviews

Grand Teton National Park Overview

Grand Teton National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, covering over 310,000 acres in Wyoming, and has some of the most dramatic and stunning mountains in the area. The tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park is Grand Teton, which is about 13,775 feet tall and is visible throughout the park.

The best part about Grand Teton National Park is it has something for everyone! You can enjoy miles of beautiful trails or take in the views from easily accessible roadside overlooks. I loved being able to enjoy stunning views from the scenic drive and fun hikes to breathtaking overlooks.

Yellowstone National Park Overview

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest national parks in the United States, covering over 2.2 million acres. There are over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, and over 500 geysers.

According to the NPS, Yellowstone has half of the world’s geysers, which is pretty incredible! Yellowstone National Park offers things to do for everyone, including scenic drives, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, wildlife, and hiking trails.

Grand Teton vs Yellowstone: The Similarities and Differences

Although Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are in the same state, they are not the same in every aspect. Let’s dive into the similarities and differences between Grand Teton vs Yellowstone National Park!

Location and Closest Airport

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are in the Northwestern section of Wyoming and are only a few hours away from each other. Jackson Hole Airport is inside Grand Teton National Park and is the closest airport to fly into when visiting.

The closest airports to Yellowstone National Park are Jackson Hole Airport and Bozeman International Airport. Although Salt Lake City International Airport is about a five-hour drive to either park, it will have the most flight options and sometimes the cheapest.

Entrance Price

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park have a $35 entrance price for each park, which gets one vehicle into each park for seven consecutive days. If you plan on visiting multiple national parks in one trip or a year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass will allow you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year!

Size

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US, covering over 2.2 million acres! Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, is smaller, covering over 310,000 acres.

Landscape

Although Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are only a few hours away from each other, they have different landscapes. Grand Teton National Park has glaciated mountains, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and forests. Yellowstone, in contrast, has mainly subalpine forests and hydrothermal features. Both national parks are unique and stunning!

Crowds

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are among the most visited national parks in the US, with over 3-4 million visitors each year.

Tip: Because Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are busy, I recommend starting your day early to avoid traffic congestion getting into the parks. It will also allow you to see some popular attractions before most people enter the parks.

Where to Stay

Grand Teton National Park Accommodations

Jackson Hole is the most popular area to stay when visiting Grand Teton National Park because it is a short drive from the park entrance and has everything you need for your getaway.

Hotels

Campgrounds

Yellowstone National Park Accommodations

Yellowstone National Park has a few towns where you can find accommodations for your getaway. You can stay inside the national park, but those accommodations are expensive. You can also find accommodations in West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

Hotels

Campgrounds

Park Transportation

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park do not offer shuttles, so the best way to get around the national parks is by car. If you fly into Salt Lake City, you can rent a campervan!

Time Needed

The time you need to spend in each national park depends on what you want to do! If you want to hike, I recommend allocating 3-4 days in each park. If you want to visit roadside attractions and viewpoints, I recommend allocating 2-3 days to each park. You could also spend an entire week exploring Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park because each national park has so much to do and see.

grand teton national park 2-day itinerary

Best Time to Visit

Summer and fall are the best times to visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellow National Park. The summer and early fall months have the best weather, and most roads and facilities are open. Early fall is also a great time to see wildlife! The only downside to visiting in the summer is the crowds are heavy.

Winter and spring are also great times to visit if you do not mind cold and snowy weather. The parks will also be less crowded! The downside to visiting in the winter and spring is some facilities, roads, and trails are closed seasonally.

Activities

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park have something for everyone, including beautiful hiking trails, overlooks, waterfalls, lakes, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are plenty of hiking trails in each park for those who want to spend the day hiking. We spent our days hiking, and it was amazing! Each park has fun trails to breathtaking overlooks.

If hiking is not your thing, there are many roadside viewpoints. Both national parks have accessible areas, allowing everyone to enjoy the beautiful views!

Hiking

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience everything Grand Teton National Park offers. With over 250 miles of trails, it has hikes for all levels! Whether you want an easy walk to a lake or a strenuous hike to the top of a mountain, Grand Teton National Park has something for everyone! Grand Teton National Park also has backpacking options if you want to go on a multi-day hike. If you backpack, you will need a permit.

Grand Teton National Park hikes:

Easy:
- Schwabacher’s Landing - 1.8 miles
- Hidden Falls - 1.1 miles (if you take the shuttle boat)
- Colter Bay Lakeshore - 2.5 miles
Moderate:
- Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake - 6 miles
- Lake of Crags - 5 miles (if you take the shuttle boat)
Strenuous:
- Cascade Canyon - 9.1 miles (if you take the shuttle boat)
- Delta Lake - 7.4 miles
Backpacking:
- Teton Crest - 26 miles

easy hikes in grand teton national park

Yellowstone National Park has over 900 miles of beautiful trails that range from easy to strenuous. No matter how long you want to hike or what you want to see on your hike, Yellowstone National Park has a trail for everyone! The park also has backpacking trails for those looking for a multi-day hike. If you backpack, you will need a permit.

Yellowstone National Park hikes:

Easy:
- Grand Prismatic Hot Spring - 1.5 miles
- West Thumb Geysir Basin - 1 mile
Moderate:
- Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek, and Little Firehole - 3.5 miles
- Yellowstone Falls, Crystal Falls, and Inspiration Point - 6.4 miles
Strenuous:
- Avalanche Peak - 4.4 miles
- Seven Mile Hole - 9.7 miles

Scenic Drives and Overlooks

If you do not want to hike, there are plenty of scenic overlooks in Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Most roads through the national parks are beautiful, so you do not need to go too far to get incredible views. Here are some easy to get to overlooks in each national park:

Grand Teton National Park Overlooks:

Mormon Row
Signal Mountain
Snake River Overlook
Jenny Lake Overlook
Oxbow Bend
Jackson Lake Overlook

Yellowstone National Park Overlooks:

Lookout Point
Old Faithful
Lake Butte Overlook
Tower Falls Overlook
Gibbon Falls

What to Pack

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Which Should You Visit: Grand Teton vs Yellowstone?

So which should you visit, Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park? Hopefully, this guide with the similarities and differences between Grand Teton vs Yellowstone helped you get a better idea of which one you should visit!

If you want to enjoy towering mountains and beautiful lakes, Grand Teton National Park may be for you. If you would rather spend your time exploring geysers and wildlife, Yellowstone National Park may be for you. Both national parks are beautiful and offer many things to do, so you cannot go wrong with either!

If you cannot choose which national park to visit, you can easily visit both in one trip! Since Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are within a few hours of each other, you can spend a week exploring both! We had a lot of fun going on a road trip around Wyoming, so I know you will love planning a trip to both if you have the time.

If you do not know whether to visit Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park, this guide is the perfect starting point. It has everything you need to know about the similarities and differences between Grand Teton vs Yellowstone, so you can decide which you should visit.