Yellowstone + Grand Teton — The 10-Day RV Trip From Jackson
Typical rate: $3,800-$5,000 all-in for two people, 10 days
Yellowstone and Grand Teton sit adjacent to each other in northwest Wyoming. The 10-day combined trip is the classic Northern Rockies RV experience — wildlife, geysers, dramatic mountains, and some of the country’s best stargazing. This guide covers the trip from Jackson, WY (the natural launch).
The trip at a glance
- Length: 10 days
- Launch: Jackson Hole, WY (JAC airport)
- Distance: ~600 miles
- Recommended class: Class C 28-32 ft (fits all NPS campgrounds, comfortable for 10 days)
- All-in budget: $3,800-$5,000 for two people
- Best months: mid-June through August (full park access). May and September shoulder are pleasant but limited services.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Jackson pickup → Grand Teton
- Morning: Pick up RV at Jackson Hole rental (most owners pickup within 15 min of JAC airport, see Jackson guide)
- Drive: Jackson to Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Teton — 10 miles, 20 min
- Afternoon: Set up at Gros Ventre; first Teton viewpoints
- Evening: Mormon Row sunset photography (Moulton Barns)
- Camp: Gros Ventre Campground ($30/night with electric)
Day 2: Grand Teton full day
- Morning: Jenny Lake scenic drive; Hidden Falls / Inspiration Point hike via shuttle boat
- Afternoon: Cascade Canyon hike (4-9 miles depending on turnaround)
- Evening: Schwabacher Landing sunset photography
- Camp: Gros Ventre
Day 3: Grand Teton → Yellowstone South Entrance
- Morning: Final Teton activity — Snake River float trip or Phelps Lake hike
- Drive: Jackson to Yellowstone South Entrance via Grand Teton interior — 65 miles, 1h 30min
- Afternoon: Enter Yellowstone; set up at Grant Village Campground
- Evening: West Thumb Geyser Basin (sunset over Yellowstone Lake)
- Camp: Grant Village ($35/night)
Day 4: Yellowstone lower loop — Old Faithful area
- Morning: Old Faithful geyser eruption + Upper Geyser Basin walk (Castle, Grand, Riverside geysers)
- Afternoon: Black Sand Basin + Biscuit Basin
- Evening: Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring)
- Camp: Grant Village
Day 5: Yellowstone south to Canyon area
- Drive: Grant Village to Canyon Campground — 38 miles, 1h 15min via the Grand Loop
- Stops along the way: Lewis Lake, Lewis Falls, Mud Volcano, Sulphur Caldron
- Afternoon: Set up at Canyon Campground; afternoon at Yellowstone Falls (Upper and Lower)
- Evening: Artist Point sunset
- Camp: Canyon Campground ($35/night)
Day 6: Yellowstone Canyon area full day
- Morning: South Rim Trail to Lookout Point and Red Rock Point
- Afternoon: Brink of Upper Falls; Brink of Lower Falls (short steep hike)
- Evening: Hayden Valley sunset wildlife drive (bison, elk, possibly wolves)
- Camp: Canyon
Day 7: Yellowstone north — Lamar Valley wildlife
- Drive: Canyon to Tower Fall area — 40 miles, 1h
- Stops: Calcite Springs Overlook, Tower Fall
- Afternoon: Drive into Lamar Valley (the “American Serengeti”)
- Wildlife: Bison herds, pronghorn, possibly grizzly bear at distance
- Evening: Return to Mammoth Hot Springs; set up at Mammoth Campground
- Camp: Mammoth Campground ($25/night)
Day 8: Mammoth Hot Springs + Wolf Watching
- Morning: Mammoth Hot Springs terraces (Upper and Lower)
- Mid-morning: Drive back into Lamar Valley for dawn wolf watching (peak season early June, late August)
- Afternoon: Continue Lamar Valley exploration; Lamar River Trail (3-7 miles)
- Evening: Mammoth dinner
- Camp: Mammoth
Day 9: Yellowstone → Jackson via West Thumb
- Drive: Mammoth back to Jackson — 175 miles, 5h via the western/southern interior
- Stops along the way: Norris Geyser Basin, Madison Junction, West Thumb
- Late afternoon: Arrive at Colter Bay RV Park in Grand Teton (treats yourself to hookup night)
- Evening: Colter Bay sunset
- Camp: Colter Bay RV Park ($80/night, full hookups)
Day 10: Final Teton morning → Jackson return
- Morning: Coffee with Teton view; one last short hike (Lakeshore Trail)
- Drive: Colter Bay to Jackson rental return — 35 miles, 1h
- Late morning: Empty tanks at dump station, refuel, return rental
- Afternoon: Departure from JAC
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 10 days, Class C 28-32 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $250/night × 10 nights (peak Jackson rate) | $2,500 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $650-$850 |
| Fuel (600 miles @ 7 mpg @ $3.85/gal — heavier loaded rig) | $330 |
| NPS America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (NPS $25-$35/night × 9 nights; Colter Bay $80) | $305-$345 |
| Snake River float trip (Grand Teton add) | $80-$120 |
| Food, propane, activities, dining (2 people) | $700-$1,100 |
| Total all-in for 10 days | $4,645-$5,325 |
Jackson Hole pricing reflects the premium market — expect Yellowstone/Tetons trips to run $1,000-$1,500 more than equivalent Mighty 5 trips.
Reservation timing
Book NPS campgrounds 6 months ahead. Yellowstone reservations open at 8:00 AM Mountain on the day-6-months-ahead. Popular sites fill within minutes.
- Grand Teton Gros Ventre: opens 6 months ahead at 8 AM MT
- Grand Teton Colter Bay RV Park: books separately via Grand Teton Lodge Company (not Recreation.gov)
- Yellowstone Grant Village, Canyon, Mammoth: opens 6 months ahead at 8 AM MT
- Yellowstone Fishing Bridge RV Park (only NPS site with hookups): books separately via Xanterra Yellowstone
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Reservations sold out: book private RV parks outside the park as backup. Headwaters at Flagg Ranch ($85/night) just south of Yellowstone. Yellowstone Riverside Park ($65/night) just north of north entrance.
- Animal road blocks: bison frequently block roads for 30+ minutes. Patient driving required.
- Cold nights: even July nights can drop to 35-40°F at altitude. Pack warm layers.
- Snow possible any month: especially Trail Ridge Road equivalent passes in Yellowstone. Check NPS for current conditions.
- Bear country food storage: mandatory bear-safe storage at all NPS campgrounds. Cooler with hard cover sufficient; verify rental has appropriate setup.
Variations
From Bozeman MT (saves $50-100/day on rental)
- Reverse the trip: start at Mammoth Yellowstone, work south through Canyon → Grant → Tetons → end at Jackson
- Rental drop-off at Jackson can be expensive one-way; verify pricing
- Bozeman launch saves 20-30% on rental rates
14-day extended version
- Add 2 days at Beartooth Highway (US-212) and Cooke City for Lamar Valley wolf watching
- Add 1 day at Norris Geyser Basin and west side hot springs
- Add 1 day exploring Jackson Hole town before return
Off-season alternatives
- Late September: fewer crowds, fall elk rut, snow possible at altitude
- May (limited): spring wildflowers, some roads still closed, fewer crowds
- Winter: major Yellowstone interior roads closed November-April; only Cooke City accessible
Class choice math
| RV Class | Yellowstone/Teton Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Fits everywhere, cramped for 10 days |
| Class C 26-30 ft | Sweet spot — fits all campgrounds comfortably |
| Class C 30-32 ft | Most campgrounds work, watch Mammoth (30 ft cap) |
| Class A 32-35 ft | Fits Fishing Bridge full hookups, Colter Bay; limited at others |
| Class A 35+ ft | Skip; doesn’t fit most NPS campgrounds |
For most renters, Class C 28-30 ft is the right answer.
Bottom line
The 10-day Yellowstone + Grand Teton from Jackson is one of the best American RV trips. Budget $4,500-$5,000 for two people. Book 6 months ahead. Class C 28-30 ft. Plan for bear country, animal road blocks, and cold nights.
See individual park guides: Yellowstone, Grand Teton. City launch guides: Jackson WY, Bozeman MT.