Grand Teton and Yellowstone

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from SLC

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone RV Road Trip

North from Salt Lake City to Jackson and the Tetons, then into Yellowstone's geyser basins.

Photo: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain)

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone by RV is about 409 miles and about 9½ hours of driving (with a stop at Grand Teton on the way). This round trip covers 731 miles in 7 nights (8 days): Grand Teton (2 nights), then West Yellowstone (3 nights), then back to Salt Lake City. Best months: Jun–Sep. Off season now · best Jun–Sep.

At a glance

Trip length
7 nights · 8 days
Route
Salt Lake City → Grand Teton → West Yellowstone → Salt Lake City · 731 mi · about 15 hours driving
Longest driving day
About 5½ hours
Arrive and depart
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
RV pickup and return
Salt Lake City area (rental listings around Salt Lake City)
Overnights
Malad City, ID → Grand Teton → West Yellowstone → Salt Lake City (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Jun–Sep

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

Loading map…
  1. Day 1 Malad City, ID · about 2 hours
  2. Day 2 Grand Teton · about 4½ hours
  3. Day 3 Grand Teton (night 2)
  4. Day 4 West Yellowstone · about 3 hours
  5. Day 5 West Yellowstone (night 2)
  6. Day 6 West Yellowstone (night 3)
  7. Day 7 Salt Lake City (near the airport and RV return) · about 5½ hours
  8. Day 8 Fly home from SLC

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Salt Lake City and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at SLC, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 2 hours · 98 mi to Malad City, ID. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 1 night

    Along the routeCrazy Cow Farm AdventureMalad City, ID · about 25 min to Malad City, ID (estimate)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; lists RV sites up to 45 ft.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Along the routeThird Creek Group SiteClifton, ID · about 30 min to Malad City, ID (estimate) · 4.0★ (6)Site length not listed: ask the campground
    • Along the routeMountain Top GetawaysPreston, ID · about 45 min to Malad City, ID (estimate)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits

  2. Day 2 Drive to Grand Teton

    Experience

    Two nights below the Tetons: Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend and a short drive to Jackson.

    Getting there

    about 4½ hours · 214 mi

    Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 4)

    Close to Grand TetonFireside Buffalo Valley RV ParkMoran, WY · about 10 min to Grand Teton (estimate)Why stay here: About 10 minutes to Grand Teton, the closest of these suggestions (estimate); lists RV sites up to 60 ft; full hookups listed.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Close to Grand TetonSignal Mountain CampgroundMoran, WY · about 10 min to Grand Teton (estimate) · 4.0★ (716)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Nearby alternativeLizard Creek CampgroundMoran, WY · about 30 min to Grand Teton (estimate) · 5.0★ (343)Lists sites up to 25 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Nearby alternativeGros Ventre CampgroundKelly, WY · about 35 min to Grand Teton (estimate) · 4.0★ (2450)Lists sites up to 51 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Grand Teton

    From Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park: about 10 minutes to Grand Teton by road (estimate).

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Grand Teton; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

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    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  3. Day 3 Grand Teton: explore

    Experience

    Two nights below the Tetons: Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend and a short drive to Jackson.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Drive to West Yellowstone

    Experience

    Three nights for Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

    Getting there

    about 3 hours · 97 mi

    Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 7)

    Inside the parkIndian Creek Campground (Wy)Mammoth, WY · inside the park · 4.0★ (220)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 49 ft; 4.0★ from 220 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds

    Getting around West Yellowstone

    From Indian Creek Campground (Wy): you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for West Yellowstone; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  5. Day 5 West Yellowstone: explore

    Experience

    Three nights for Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Indian Creek Campground (Wy) · same site, no packing up

  6. Day 6 West Yellowstone: explore

    Experience

    A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a third night at Indian Creek Campground (Wy) · same site, no packing up

  7. Day 7 Drive back toward Salt Lake City

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 5½ hours · 322 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportSun Outdoors Salt Lake CityNorth Salt Lake, UT · about 5 min from the RV return area · 4.0★ (50)Why stay here: About 5 minutes from the RV return area; site length not listed (ask the campground); full hookups listed; 4.0★ from 50 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportSalt Lake City KOA HolidaySalt Lake City, UT · about 5 min from the RV return areaSite length not listed: ask the campground
    • Near the airportGreat Salt Lake State ParkMagna, UT · about 25 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits

  8. Day 8 Return the RV and fly home from SLC

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Salt Lake City area. Day 1 allows time to get from SLC to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Malad City, ID. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 731 miles.

RV rentals near Salt Lake City airport

Before you go

  • Most Yellowstone roads close to cars from early November to mid or late April; park campgrounds open roughly late May to September.
  • Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground in Yellowstone with full hookups.
  • Book campgrounds early for July and August.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone by RV: common questions

How far is it from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone?

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone is about 409 miles, roughly about 9½ hours of driving without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 731 miles.

How many days do you need for Salt lake city to yellowstone by RV?

Plan on 7 nights (8 days): Grand Teton (2 nights), then West Yellowstone (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 5½ hours.

When is the best time to go?

Jun–Sep. Most Yellowstone roads close to cars from early November to mid or late April; park campgrounds open roughly late May to September.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Grand Teton and Yellowstone include Fireside Buffalo Valley RV Park, Signal Mountain Campground, Lizard Creek Campground, Indian Creek Campground (Wy). Inside the park: Indian Creek Campground (Wy). Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Salt Lake City International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Salt Lake City. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Yellowstone National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Salt Lake City to Yellowstone
7 nights · round trip