Our Yellowstone Adventure – 3 Day Itinerary
July 31, 2026
In late July, I departed on a five-day road trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with my favorite furry companion, 10-month old Lyla Faye. This blog post documents our Yellowstone Adventure – 3 Day Itinerary.
From Grand Teton to Yellowstone
Today marked the transition from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park. I had last visited Yellowstone in 2021 on a Bechler River backpacking adventure in the southwestern part of the park. However, I hadn’t taken a proper sightseeing trip there since a family vacation many moons ago.
The next three days turned out to be an amazing treat for both Lyla and me. Looking back, there are so many reasons why Yellowstone captured my heart. Yellowstone has in abundance what I value most in life—outdoor nature at its best.
I felt incredibly happy traversing its meadows, vistas, canyons, lakes, waterfalls, geysers, mud pots, and calderas. I even had the opportunity to see elk, bears, bison, and deer up close. Three weeks later, I am still thinking about the trip and already feel ready to return. Perhaps a fall or winter visit is in order?
I certainly had mixed feelings that morning, as leaving Grand Teton was difficult. I had so enjoyed my time exploring its unique grandeur!
From Grand Teton, I headed north along the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. This 24,000-acre protected natural corridor was created by Congress in 1972 and connects Grand Teton to Yellowstone. The parkway honors John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his tremendous conservation work throughout the American West.
Lewis Lake
It didn’t take long to reach Yellowstone’s South Entrance. My heart was singing as I entered the park and drove the first 22 miles through a beautiful forest of lodgepole pines. Lyla and I made our first stop at Lewis Lake.
Lewis Lake immediately impressed me with its stillness and beauty. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 7,800 feet, it is the third-largest lake in Yellowstone. Forest surrounds the lake, with mountains and canyon scenery visible in the distance. Since it was still early morning, it was a place where I simply wanted to linger and take it all in. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to camp nearby!
Grant Village and West Thumb
I reminded myself that we had a long day ahead, so we continued north to Grant Village. Located on the southwest shore of Yellowstone Lake, the village serves as one of the park’s major visitor hubs. It provides lodging, camping, dining, and other services. I stopped to get gas and browsed the General Store, where I picked up a few things.
We continued along the road, stopping to photograph the incredible geothermal features near West Thumb. I read that the West Thumb Geyser Basin is particularly fascinating because it sits directly along the western shore of Yellowstone Lake. The one-mile boardwalk winds among colorful hot springs, mud pots, and other geothermal features, including geysers that emerge right along the lakeshore. Unfortunately, despite our early morning, I had a difficult time finding parking near the boardwalk. Luckily, I spotted geothermal activity right off the park road and grabbed a snapshot!
Lake Village
The 21-mile drive from West Thumb to Lake Village, where we would be staying, was enjoyable. I had Yellowstone Lake in view much of the time, and traffic was relatively light. The refreshing cool morning air was a bonus!
Once we reached Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins, I parked near the lake and went inside to confirm that check-in was at 4 p.m. It was great to get a feel for the property and see where the cabins were located. Immediately, I was happy with my decision to stay there.
Mud Volcano and Through Hayden Valley
From there, we headed north for eight miles, with the impressive Yellowstone River running alongside us. Within minutes, we came upon the Mud Volcano area. I parked and explored Yellowstone’s mud pots and the nearby Sulphur Caldron. Both are among the park’s most dramatic geothermal features. I couldn’t help but notice the very strong sulfur aroma around both!
The drive north took me through the gorgeous Hayden Valley. The valley is one of the two primary areas in Yellowstone where the park’s central bison herd can be found. The other is Lamar Valley in the northeastern portion of the park.
It didn’t take long to see why Hayden Valley is so popular with wildlife watchers. Traffic became congested in a couple of places. People seemed to be everywhere, along the road and on nearby bluffs. With cameras in hand, they were photographing bison in the surrounding meadows.
Then, in one particularly memorable moment, I came across a bison waiting to cross the road. I stopped, and it crossed directly in front of—and alongside—my vehicle!
There was something extraordinary about seeing such a massive animal so close! It was one of those unexpected encounters that makes a trip to Yellowstone feel truly special.
Canyon Village and Beyond
Continuing north, we arrived at Canyon Village, about 12 miles from the Mud Volcano area. The village is located near the center of Yellowstone and is notably adjacent to the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Canyon Village is a major hub within the park, with lodging, cabins, camping, restaurants, stores, and an education center.
I spent some time exploring the village with Lyla before continuing north. I also learned more about the history of Canyon Lodge. It was the first Mission 66 project, an initiative during the 1950s and 1960s to modernize national park facilities in response to the tremendous increase in visitors following World War II. Since Yellowstone was America’s first national park, it seemed fitting that the project would begin here.
I enjoyed looking at displays showing what the village had been like to visit during the 1950s and 1960s. I could only imagine how exciting it must have been for people to visit the park in the years following the war!
From Canyon Village, we continued north and came upon the Washburn Hot Springs Overlook. We didn’t stop, since it provides only a distant view of an active thermal area within Yellowstone’s caldera. I may visit on a return trip.
We gradually climbed in elevation and pulled over at Dunraven Pass to take in the stunning mountain views. The pass peaks at 8,859 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest paved roads in the park. Nearby Mount Washburn rises to 10,219 feet. I did not take the road to its top, but I imagined it must offer some of the best panoramic views in the region.
After a few more miles, we came upon heavily trafficked Tower Fall. I did not stop, but later learned that the 132-foot (40-meter) waterfall is located on Tower Creek and that the tower-like rock pinnacles at its brink were formed by ancient lava flows. Next time!
Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins
As a fan of Theodore Roosevelt, I felt that no visit to Yellowstone would be complete without seeing Roosevelt Lodge and its cabins. Built in 1920, the lodge has a wonderfully rustic appeal. I noted its historic log cabins, family-style dining room, saloon, and famous front porch lined with rocking chairs. The cabins appeared small, and I couldn’t help but notice that they did not appear to have air conditioning.
Since the weather was sunny and very warm, I decided that an ice cream sandwich under the shade of a tree was in order. I shared a bit of the vanilla ice cream with ever-cheerful Lyla. Sometimes, moments like this become part of the best memories of a trip.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
After spending time at Roosevelt Lodge, we began making our way back toward the Lake area. Rather than taking the South Rim drive of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, I chose the North Rim because there had been a long backup of cars along the southern route earlier in the day.
As it turned out, around 2 p.m. seemed to be the perfect time for the North Rim drive. The road was surprisingly uncrowded, allowing me to stop and enjoy the overlooks without the congestion I had seen earlier.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is enormous—approximately 20 miles long, as much as 1,200 feet deep, and up to 4,000 feet wide. Its walls are painted in brilliant shades of yellow, red, and orange. The canyon was created by the Yellowstone River and shaped over time by the area’s volcanic and hydrothermal activity.
Along the North Rim drive, I stopped at Brink of the Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. Each offered a different perspective, and I was happy to spend time photographing the incredible scenery. Lyla cheerily accompanied me in her backpack.
Return to Lake Village
One of the unexpected highlights of the day came when we passed through the Mud Volcano area again. Once more, a bison was walking alongside the road and my car.
What surprised me most was that there wasn’t a backup of vehicles this time. There were no crowds of excited photographers. It was just Lyla and me, the road, and a bison casually making its way along the roadside.
I know there are hundreds of bison throughout Yellowstone, so I have no way of knowing whether it was the same animal I had encountered earlier in the day. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was!
An Evening at Yellowstone Lake
Since it wasn’t quite time to check into our cabin, Lyla and I headed to a Yellowstone Lake beach near the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. We relaxed beside the water for about 20 minutes, enjoying a peaceful break after a long day of exploring.
Around 4 p.m., I returned to hotel, and we checked into our cabin. Given that lodging in the park can be expensive, I was satisfied to find our cabin was both rustic and modern. We had a private bath, a very comfortable bed, and a rotating room fan. I was also pleased to have a coffee maker, along with coffee and tea, a hairdryer, and fresh towels.
After settling in, I made a short drive to the General Store to pick up dinner and something cool to drink.
A bit later, out of curiosity, I took Lyla and drove a couple of miles west to Bridge Bay Marina. This is home to Yellowstone’s main marina, where visitors can take boat tours or rent boats. The area also provides beautiful views toward the Absaroka Range.
We walked around the marina for a short time before it began to sprinkle. As we exited, I noticed a long line of cars waiting to enter the campground for the evening. Even though the day was winding down for us, many others were just beginning their time in the park.
We spent the rest of the evening leisurely walking around the beautiful Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins property.
August 1, 2026
Old Faithful and Yellowstone’s Geothermal Wonders
We arrived at Old Faithful early in the morning. Thanks to impeccable timing, I was thrilled to have a front-row seat and watch it erupt just a few minutes later.
Old Faithful is perhaps Yellowstone’s most famous geyser. It was named in 1870 because of the remarkable regularity of its eruptions. On average, it erupts about every 90 minutes, sending boiling water more than 100 feet into the air.
Feeling very satisfied, I stopped at the Old Faithful Inn’s snack shop to purchase a sausage biscuit and coffee. I had visited Yellowstone with my family back in the 1980s but didn’t have clear memories of the lodge. Being there again gave me an opportunity to appreciate it in a way I couldn’t when I was younger.
The Old Faithful Inn is one of Yellowstone’s most iconic historic structures. It was built during the winter of 1903–1904 from local lodgepole pine and rhyolite stone. The massive log structure is considered a masterpiece of the rustic architecture associated with America’s national parks.
I then stopped at the nearby visitor center before walking over to Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins. I stepped inside and took a few photographs before continuing on to photograph the nearby Old Faithful Lodge Cabins. Each of the lodging options had its own character, so I’m glad I took the time to explore them rather than simply pass through.
Other Geothermal Activity New Old Faithful
After Old Faithful, I drove north for a bit. Given the massive crowds at Grand Prismatic Spring, Lyla and I stopped at Flood Geyser instead. Being the only visitors, we enjoyed peaceful solitude and beautiful views of the surrounding meadows.
Even more spectacular was the Black Sand Basin, with its multiple hot springs and geysers. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds. It was difficult not to photograph all the amazing sights!
Kepler Cascades
On my way back past the Old Faithful area, we stopped at Kepler Cascades. It’s a series of waterfalls along the Firehole River. Located about 2½ miles south of Old Faithful, the cascades drop approximately 150 feet over several tiers.
While I was there, Lyla and I met some very nice people from Florida who were planning to visit Estes Park, Colorado, next. They were kind enough to take our picture in front of the falls.
It was another one of those small interactions that can make traveling such a joy. You arrive somewhere as strangers and, for just a few minutes, share a little piece of the journey with someone else.
Shortly after leaving the falls, a black bear ran across the road in front of our car. I was thankful to have been driving the speed limit. No other cars were nearby, so I quickly pulled over and snapped a photo of the small bear as it disappeared into the woods. It was one of the highlights of my trip!
From there, we continued at a leisurely pace back toward the Lake area.
A Quiet Afternoon at Yellowstone Lake
On our return trip, I scoped out a peaceful spot along Gull Point Drive. Lyla and I spent a couple of beautiful hours there. I appreciated the water views, reading a great mystery book, and simply enjoying Lyla’s company.
Gull Point Drive is a quiet, two-mile, one-way road along the western shore of Yellowstone Lake. It feels removed from the busier areas of the park and provides access to shaded picnic areas and beaches along the lake.
The afternoon became especially interesting when the wind began to pick up. I watched a couple of paddleboarders and a young man in a canoe struggle to return to shore. As far as I know, everyone made it safely back – a wonderful thing!
Eventually, we returned to our cabin, where I left Lyla for a little while. I drove over to the nearby Lake Lodge Cabins and ordered a meal from Wylie’s Canteen to take back with me. On my return, I happily noticed a handsome male elk in front of the Ranger’s station.
It had been another full day, but also a peaceful one—a day filled with geysers, waterfalls, historic lodges, wildlife, and quiet time beside Yellowstone Lake. And once again, I found myself grateful to be experiencing it all with Lyla by my side.
August 2, 2026
Heading Home
I couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy as we departed for home at 6 a.m. Our adventures through the wilds of Grand Teton and Yellowstone had been days of pure joy!
I was delighted to find an entire herd of elk in the fields and on the hillsides surrounding our cabin. As we continued, the rising sun painted the glassy, mist-shrouded surface of Yellowstone Lake in shades of gold and soft pink. The air felt crisp, the park peaceful, as we made our way along the scenic drive east toward Sylvan Pass at 8,530 feet.
The 80-mile drive to Cody, Wyoming, was very scenic. First, we passed through the rugged volcanic Absaroka Range. We continued our drive on the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway through the Wapiti Valley and Shoshone National Forest. Just west of Cody, we drove through the amazing Shoshone Canyon, including three tunnels.
The Shoshone River flows right through the bottom of this steep, rugged canyon. The highlight of this area was Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir. I read that it was one of the first high-arch concrete dams built in the United States. Fascinating!
After filling up with gas and grabbing breakfast in Cody, we traveled about 392 miles along WY-120 and US-20 before joining I-25 near Casper, WY. The scenery included mountains, basins, and rolling plains, and the drive seemed to pass quickly. Despite an uptick in traffic, the last few miles from Cheyenne, WY to home in Colorado seemed to fly by as well.
Lyla Faye sure was happy to arrive home. Admittingly, I was, too. Despite loving our five-day adventure, we will always prefer the comforts of home!
Funny though, we haven’t been home for more than a month, and I am already planning our next road-trip adventure!
Final Thoughts about our Yellowstone Adventure – 3 Day Itinerary
In reflecting on our Yellowstone Adventure – 3 day itinerary, I’ve certainly checked off a bucket list item. However, the road trip with Lyla Faye was so much more! It was an opportunity to explore and understand why Yellowstone National Park became our country’s first national park. It was also cherished time with my adorable puppy Lyla.
If you are looking for an outdoor experience that provides the best nature has to offer, this is the park! For me, a 3 day itinerary was the right about of time to have an incredible experience. It was also enough time to understand how to better plan my next trip there! I know I definitely want to see the parts I missed. These include Madison, Norris, and Mammoth Hot Springs, north of Old Faithful, and the area northeast of Tower/Roosevelt.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about our adventure to Yellowstone National Park. Have you been to the park or are you planning an adventure there? If so, I’d love to hear from you!
If you’d like to read about my other treks in national parks and other fantastic places, please refer to my Destinations or Blog pages.