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Day 2 – Pocatello – Jackson – Grand Teton – Yellowstone National Park

Today, depart Pocatello and journey to the charming mountain town of Jackson. Upon arrival, enjoy a scenic ride on the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Teton Range. Continue to Jackson Town Square, known for its iconic Elk Antler Arches, where you can enjoy free time for lunch at your own expense and soak in the relaxed western atmosphere.

Next, travel into Grand Teton National Park, home to breathtaking alpine scenery. Visit Jenny Lake, where crystal-clear waters reflect the dramatic mountain peaks, and stop at the Jackson Lake Dam Overlook for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.

Continue into Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park and a true geological wonder. Explore West Thumb Geyser Basin, where colourful geothermal features sit along the edge of Yellowstone Lake, and experience the vast open plains of Hayden Valley, one of the best areas for wildlife viewing in the park.

Later, proceed to Canyon Lodge & Cabins for overnight stay inside Yellowstone National Park.

Itinerary:
Pocatello → Jackson → Jackson Hole Aerial Tram (75 mins, tickets included) → Jackson Town Square (75 mins, lunch at own expense) → Grand Teton National Park (75 mins, includes Jenny Lake & Jackson Lake Dam Overlook) → Yellowstone National Park (65 mins, includes West Thumb Geyser Basin & Hayden Valley) → Canyon Lodge & Cabins

Notes:

1. Yellowstone is a geothermal region with boardwalks; comfortable walking shoes are recommended as walking time between attractions is required.
2. The park is at high altitude (~7,000 ft); temperatures can drop to around 4°C even in summer mornings—please bring warm clothing.
3. East Gate of Yellowstone is expected to open on 05/02/2026. Before this date, several attractions including Upper & Lower Falls, Artist Point, Hayden Canyon, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, and West Thumb may be inaccessible.
4. South Gate is expected to open on 05/10/2026; West Thumb Geyser Basin may remain unavailable from 05/02–05/09/2026.
5. Daily timings may be adjusted by the tour guide depending on weather, road conditions, and park traffic to ensure the best experience.

Driving from Pocatello to Jackson
Distance: 150mi  |  Travel time: 2hrs 30min

Drive from Jackson to Grand Teton National Park
Distance: 30mi  |  Travel time: 40min

Drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 30mi  |  Travel time: 40min

Day 3 – Yellowstone National Park

Today, enjoy a full day exploring the breathtaking wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park and one of North America’s greatest natural treasures. Located atop the largest active supervolcano on the continent, Yellowstone is home to more than 10,000 geothermal features, over 200 waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and spectacular landscapes shaped by the forces of nature.

Throughout the day, discover Yellowstone’s most iconic attractions, including the dramatic Artist Point and Upper Yellowstone Falls, where colourful canyon walls and powerful waterfalls create unforgettable scenery. Continue through Lamar Valley, one of the park’s premier wildlife viewing areas, famous for bison, elk, wolves, and bears roaming freely across the grasslands.

Visit the fascinating Mammoth Hot Springs, known for its striking mineral terraces, and explore the bubbling mud pots and geothermal activity at Fountain Paint Pots. Admire the vibrant colours of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, before witnessing the legendary eruption of Old Faithful Geyser, one of Yellowstone’s most famous natural wonders. You will also have time to visit the historic Old Faithful Lodge and other scenic highlights throughout the park.

After a remarkable day immersed in Yellowstone’s extraordinary beauty and wildlife, return to Canyon Lodge & Cabins for overnight stay.

Itinerary:
Yellowstone National Park (Full-day sightseeing including Artist Point, Upper Falls, Tower Falls, Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pots, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, Old Faithful Lodge, and other attractions based on daily conditions) → Canyon Lodge & Cabins

Notes:

1. The East Gate of Yellowstone National Park is expected to open on May 2, 2026. Prior to this date, certain attractions including Upper & Lower Falls, Artist Point, Hayden Canyon, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, and West Thumb Geyser may be unavailable.
2. The South Gate is expected to open on May 10, 2026. West Thumb Geyser Basin may remain inaccessible between May 2–9, 2026.

While you're still reveling in the wonders of yesterday's exciting tour, this morning we'll continue our journey to experience the stunning beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! Surrounded by blue skies and forests, with winding rivers flowing through, it feels like a fairyland! While enjoying this idyllic scenery, you can also enjoy a leisurely hike through the national park! After fully absorbing the magnificent natural landscape, we'll bid farewell to Yellowstone National Park. Next, at Yellowstone Bear World, you can get up close and personal with the diverse wildlife native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This is also the only wildlife park in the United States where visitors can bottle-feed bear cubs. We'll then return to Salt Lake City, concluding this wonderful trip.

Itinerary:

Yellowstone National Park (Tickets included, 1.5 hours, stops at Norris Geyser Basin, Morning Glory Pool, and Geyser Basin. Tour schedule may vary depending on the day's availability, so please refer to the actual itinerary) → West Yellowstone (60 mins, including lunch at your own expense) → Yellowstone Bear World (Tickets included, 75 mins) → Salt Lake City

Yellowstone National Park

Located in the Rocky Mountains, known as the "backbone of America", it is located on the lava plateau between the Northern Rockies and the Central Rockies in the western United States. The geothermal wonders are its hallmark, a primitive landscape of the earth forged by water and fire. The natural landscape in the park is divided into five major areas, namely the Mammoth Area, the Roosevelt Area, the Canyon Area, the Geyser Area and the Lake Area, each with its own characteristics. It exceeds the limits of human art and is the most wonderful and spectacular scenery on the surface of the earth.

Yellowstone Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin, named after an early Yellowstone Superintendent, may be the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. The stark, barren landscape of Porcelain Basin is the result of the acidic environment. Due to the hostile condition plants, algae and bacteria have difficulty in establishing themselves. Instead, the basin derives its colors from mineral oxides, in spectrums of pink, red, orange (iron oxides) and yellow (sulfur and iron sulfates). The largest geyser in the world is located here. Steamboat Geyser has long periods of dormancy, but when it does erupt it sends jets of water nearly 380 feet high in a spectacular display.

Morning Glory Pool

The Morning Glory Pond exhibits a variety of colors due to the thermophilic bacteria living within it. Decades ago, the pond displayed a unique blue hue. However, as tourists frequently tossed coins into the pond for good luck, debris clogged the spring's source, lowering the water temperature and leading to the proliferation of various bacteria and algae. Currently, the central part of the pond is green, surrounded by a yellow hue. The water is emerald green, crystal clear, and edged with orange-yellow rims. The spring water contains various metal ions, which, under low-angle light, make the clear water appear even more azure, and the golden-yellow outer edge even more vibrant, resembling a blooming morning glory flower. Hence, it is named the Morning Glory Pond.

🚌 Drive from West Yellowstone to Yellowstone Bear World
Distance: 90mi  |  Travel time: 1h 30m

Yellowstone Bear World

Yellowstone Park Bear World is located in Rexburg, Idaho. It was built in 1998 and is the only wildlife sanctuary in Greater Yellowstone that can be driven through. The park offers rare animals for visitors to see, such as grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves and other precious North American animals. It is said that there are nearly 100 grizzly bears. There are also shops, tour guides and performances such as feeding bears and other small animals.

🚌 Drive from Yellowstone Bear World to Salt Lake City
Distance: 240mi  |  Travel time: 3h 30m

Airport transfer information:

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), please book domestic flights departing after 8:30 PM and international flights departing after 9:30 PM.