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Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Grand Teton: 5-Day Small-Group Yellowstone Adventure - Salt Lake City

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Grand Teton: 5-Day Small-Group Yellowstone Adventure

Old Faithfulmoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

5 days

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness for repeated short hikes and long vehicle days; should be comfortable walking 1–3 miles on boardwalks or uneven trails.

Overview

Sleep inside Yellowstone at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, watch eruptions at dawn and pair geothermal wonders with the jagged skyline of the Tetons on this curated 5-day small-group tour. Practical routing, in-park lodging, and guide-led stops make it a compact way to see the parks without the driving stress.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Grand Teton: 5-Day Small-Group Yellowstone Adventure

Bus Tour
Other
Wildlife

The day begins before most hotels in the valley have brewed their first coffee: fog lifts off meadows, and a Mercedes-Benz van hums east from Salt Lake City, carrying a small group toward a landscape that breathes steam and stone. By late afternoon the road narrows, lodge chimneys puncture the skyline and Old Faithful’s regular heartbeat—an eruption—reminds everyone how close they are to the planet’s plumbing. Sleeping two nights at Old Faithful Snow Lodge gives this run-of-the-park tour a rare advantage: you’re inside the geothermal theater rather than viewing it from the highway.

Adventure Photos

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Grand Teton: 5-Day Small-Group Yellowstone Adventure photo 1

Adventure Tips

Hydrate before high country hikes

Old Faithful sits around 7,300 ft—drink extra water the day you arrive and carry 1–2L on hikes to avoid altitude fatigue.

Layer for rapid weather change

Pack a windproof shell and mid-layer—temperatures can swing 20–30°F between morning and afternoon.

Respect wildlife viewing distance

Binoculars are provided—use them; remain at least 25 yards from wildlife and stay in the vehicle if animals block the road.

Reserve lodge dining early

Dinner at Old Faithful Snow Lodge is limited—book at check-in or bring snacks for late arrivals.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Bison
  • Elk

History

Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the first national park; the Snow Lodge began operation to give visitors an immersive inside-the-park lodging experience.

Conservation

Visitors are urged to stay on boardwalks to protect fragile thermal features; the tour operator follows park rules to minimize human impact and manages group sizes to reduce congestion.

Adventure Hotspots in Salt Lake City

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Sturdy hiking shoes

Essential

Support and traction for boardwalks, muddy paths, and rocky overlooks.

Layered clothing (base, mid, shell)

Essential

Quickly adjust to cold mornings, warm afternoons, and wind at high viewpoints.

Daypack with 1–2L water bladder

Essential

Carry water, snacks, camera, and a light first-aid kit during on-foot stops.

Binoculars

Useful for wildlife in Hayden Valley and scanning distant thermal features from overlooks.