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3-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Small-Group Tour from Salt Lake City - Jackson, WY

3-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Small-Group Tour from Salt Lake City

Jacksonmoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

3 days

Fitness Level

Light to moderate fitness; able to walk short trails (0.5–2 miles) and handle frequent stops from a vehicle.

Overview

See Old Faithful’s plume, the Grand Prismatic’s colors, and the jagged Tetons in a compact three-day loop from Salt Lake City. This small-group tour balances iconic stops with timed wildlife viewing and local insight—ideal if you have limited time but big ambitions.

3-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Small-Group Tour from Salt Lake City

Bus Tour
Wildlife

On the first morning your minivan eases out of Salt Lake City and the valley stretches open—sagebrush thinning, the road threading toward high country. By mid-afternoon you’re pulling into Idaho Falls to stretch your legs beside the engineered drop of the Snake River, then climbing toward the rim of a landscape that changes from irrigated farms to the hard, volcanic geometry of Yellowstone.

Adventure Photos

3-Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Small-Group Tour from Salt Lake City photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bear safety

Carry bear spray in an accessible holster and know how to use it; your guide will brief the group on animal-distance rules before hikes.

Altitude and hydration

Drink water frequently—Yellowstone’s basins sit around 7,000–8,000 ft—avoid overexertion on steep viewpoints.

Boardwalk etiquette

Stay on designated paths around thermal features to avoid lethal ground and preserve fragile formations.

Early starts for wildlife

Plan to be at valley overlooks at sunrise for the best chance to see elk and bison undisturbed.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Bison
  • Elk

History

This region has long been home to Shoshone and other Indigenous peoples; Yellowstone was established as the world’s first national park in 1872 and the Tetons rose abruptly along the Teton fault.

Conservation

Thermal features and wildlife are fragile—stay on trails, pack out waste, and respect seasonal wildlife closures to protect corridors and ecosystems.

Adventure Hotspots in Jackson, WY

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Layered clothing (base, insulating, waterproof)

Essential

Temperatures swing from cool mornings to warm afternoons, and storms can move in fast at elevation.

Sturdy hiking shoes

Essential

Stable footwear is useful for short hikes, boardwalks, and uneven viewpoints.

Binoculars

A 8x–10x pair brings wildlife and distant hydrothermal features into sharp view without disturbing animals.

Daypack with 1–2L water and snacks

Essential

Keeps essentials accessible during short walks and wildlife stops.