5-Day Yellowstone Park, Grand Teton, Mt. Rushmore, Independent Rock, Salt Lake City Tour from Salt Lake City

Day 1: Self check in Salt Lake City Hotel

Upon arrival at Salt Lake City Airport, you can choose to check into your hotel independently. Hotel information is as follows:

Name: Clarion Inn Salt Lake City Airport

Address: 5575 W Amelia Earhart Dr Building A, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: +1 8015377020

Alternatively, you can choose our 24-hour paid airport shuttle service. The details are as follows:

Schedule: 10:00-18:00, Price: $120/one way (limited to 4 people or less, price includes driver service fee)

Other schedule: 18:01-09:59, Price: $150/one way (limited to 4 people or less, price includes driver service fee)

• Clarion Inn Salt Lake City Airport / similar

Day 2: Salt Lake City → Jackson → Grand Teton National Park → Yellowstone National Park

Antler Park

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

West Thumb

Old Faithful Geyser

Grand Prismatic Spring

Palette Spring

Today we will leave Salt Lake City and travel to Jackson Wyoming, a famous cowboy town as well as a world’s renowned vacation destination. Be sure to visit the Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches located in the center of Jackson and Grand Teton National Park! Following, we will head over to Yellowstone in the afternoon! Yellowstone is home to world’s largest super volcano and over 10,000 geothermal features. Here you can find everything you expect to see in a national park! Snow covered mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, canyons, meadows, herds of buffalos, elks and the most amazing geothermal features in the world! We will even take a look at the Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful Geyser, West Thumb, and wildlife up close and spend the night in West Yellowstone.

Itinerary:

Salt Lake City → Jackson → Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches (60 mins) → Grand Teton National Park (Mandatory fee, 60 mins) → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory fee, 3 hours, Head to visit West Thumb Geyser Basin, Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Palette, Biscuit Basin and other attractions. The tour guide will be adjusted according to the actual situation of the day, please refer to the actual arrangement.) → West Yellowstone

Notes:

1. The East Gate of Yellowstone National Park is expected to open on 05/02/2026. Before that, the following attractions: Upper and Lower Falls, Artist Point, Hayden Canyon, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, West Thumb Geyser will not be accessible. Please understand.

2. The South Gate of Yellowstone National Park is expected to open on 05/10/2026 Therefore, West Thumb Geyser will not be accessible from 05/02/2026 to 05/09/2026. Please understand.

Transportation: Drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches

Distance: 285KM

Time: 5h

Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches

The park is not big, but there are giant arches made of deer antlers in the four directions of east, west, south and north. The antlers are all sharp, but they are not obtained by hunting. Every winter, a large number of elk come from the mountains to the "National Elk Refuge" in Jackson to spend the winter. In the spring, the antlers fall off naturally and are replaced. After the elk leave, countless treasures are left everywhere.

Transportation: Drive from Jackson Town Square with Elk Antler Arches to Grand Teton National Park

Distance: 5KM

Time: 5m

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park was established on February 26, 1929. There are 300 kilometers of trails in Grand Teton National Park. There are many lakes in the park, including Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake. Most of the area of Grand Teton National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains, and the natural scenery is very magnificent. In addition, Grand Teton National Park also has extremely rich biological resources, including American bison, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, etc.

Transportation: Drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park

Distance: 30KM

Time: 45m

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.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin, located on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, was formed 150,000 years ago by the collapse of the earth's crust. The combination of hot springs and lake water has created a wonderful misty landscape: the misty area is the steam of hot springs, and the green waves are the water of Yellowstone Lake, which complements the blue sky and white clouds in the background, forming a landscape different from other hot spring areas in Yellowstone. This area is equivalent to the bay of Yellowstone Lake, where many geysers gather. The colors of the water outlets vary, some are transparent green, and some are dark black like cement. Many water outlets present a beautiful fantasy.

Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful geyser is named for its consistent and regular eruption. Currently, it erupts approximately every 60 to 110 minutes, and each eruption lasts four to five minutes. The water column is more than 40 meters high, which is spectacular and never stops. The Old Faithful Visitor Center will display the eruption schedule in advance, so you can check the eruption time in advance before visiting with confidence.

The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

Also known as the Seven Color Pool, it is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. It is 75-91 meters wide and 49 meters deep, and it gushes out about 2,000 liters of 71-degree hot water every minute. The amazing thing about the Grand Prismatic Spring is that the color of the lake changes with the seasons. In spring, the lake changes from emerald green to golden orange-red, which is due to the algae and pigment-containing bacteria and other microorganisms living in the mineral-rich water. In midsummer, the chlorophyll content is relatively low, so the lake water appears brilliant orange, red or yellow. But in the cold winter, due to the lack of light, these microorganisms will produce more chlorophyll to suppress the color of carotenoids, so the water will appear deep dark green.

Yellowstone Park Palette Fountain Paint Pot

The Palette is a mud fountain. The mud and rocks contain minerals, which are melted by the acidic hot spring to form mud. Because the muddy water is very viscous, you can clearly see the slow formation and disappearance of bubbles. The mud around the fountain looks like dried oil paint, making the fountain itself look like a pot of water washed with oil paint, just like a painter's canvas, overflowing with colorful seasonings.

• Breakfast(Breakfast Included)
• Yellowstone Country Inn / Dude & Roundup / Travelers Lodge / similar

Day 3: Yellowstone National Park → Rocky Mountain → Gillette

Yellowstone National Park

Norris Geyser Basin

Upper Yellowstone Falls

Artist Point

Mud Volcano

In the morning, we will go to the world's first national park, Yellowstone Park. We will have a whole day to admire the wonders and beauty of Yellowstone. The gifts of nature are fully displayed here. Located on the largest super active volcano crater, Yellowstone has more than 10,000 geothermal phenomena and more than 200 waterfalls. The unique ecological environment has nurtured the best habitat for giant wildlife in North America. In the afternoon, we will cross the Rocky Mountains, the roof of the North American continent. The scenery along the way is breathtaking! Overnight in Gillette.

Itinerary:

West Yellowstone → Yellowstone National Park (4 hours, stop at Yellowstone Norris Geyser Basin, Upper Yellowstone Falls, Artist Point and other attractions. Passing by Mud Volcano Area, Hayden Valley, Fishing Bridge. The tour guide will be adjusted according to the actual situation of the day, please refer to the actual arrangement.) → Gillette

Notes:

1. The East Gate of Yellowstone National Park is expected to open on 05/02/2026. Before that, the following attractions: Upper and Lower Falls, Artist Point, Hayden Canyon, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, West Thumb Geyser will not be accessible. Please understand.

2. The South Gate of Yellowstone National Park is expected to open on 05/10/2026. Therefore, West Thumb Geyser will not be accessible from 05/02/2026 to 05/09/2026. Please understand.

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.

Upper Yellowstone Falls

The Upper Falls is located 400 meters upstream of the larger Yellowstone Falls. The waterfall falls vertically along the volcanic cliff with a drop of 33 meters. The originally uneven volcanic rocks below the waterfall have been eroded by the waterfall for hundreds of years and have become very smooth.

Artist Point

The scenery here is particularly spectacular. The canyon is more than 300 feet deep. The canyon walls are mainly yellow, mixed with black, red and pink, and clusters of green pine trees. These colors are mixed but not chaotic, looking like a peacock's tail, and also like the pointillism of a romantic painter who applied several layers of color in the same place.

Mud Volcano Area

Located in the eastern part of Yellowstone National Park, not far from the northern part of Yellowstone Lake. Most of the fountains here do not spray water, but mud, and every time they erupt, the ground shakes. Next to the mud volcano, there are colorful grasses that look extremely tender and gorgeous.

Transportation: Drive from Yellowstone National Park to the hotel

Distance: 330KM

Time: 6h30m

• Comfort Inn & Suites Gillette near Campbell Medical Center / similar

Day 4: Devil's Tower → Mount Rushmore → Crazy Horse Monument → Casper

Devils Tower National Monument

Crazy Horse Memorial

Today we will head to the world's first national monument - Devil's Tower! Indians call it "the abode of the bear". Devil's Tower rises more than 1,200 feet from the ground, which is extremely spectacular and attracts countless tourists and rock climbing enthusiasts every year. Then we will go to the most famous symbol of the United States - Mount Rushmore! The ingenious carving technology has carved the founding father of the United States, Washington, the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson, the messenger of peace, Roosevelt, and the father of black people, Lincoln on the majestic peak, leaving an immortal masterpiece. After that, we will arrive at the Indian National Heroes Hall - Crazy Horse Boulder, which is the largest statue in the world, in memory of the Indian national hero who fought for the independence of the Indians.

Itinerary:

Gillette → Devil's Tower (Mandatory fee, 90 mins) → Mount Rushmore (Mandatory fee, 90 mins) → Crazy Horse Monument (Mandatory fee, 45 mins) → Casper

Transportation: Drive from Gillette to Devil's Tower

Distance: 65KM

Time: 1h

Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower is considered a sacred place by the local Native Americans. It is awe inspiring when viewed from afar, and amazing when viewed up close! The huge volcanic rock columns have puzzled geologists from ancient times to the present, and the specific reasons for their formation have not yet been determined. We will follow the trail around the tower to appreciate the strange huge stone columns standing in the canyon from a close distance. On the way, you will have the opportunity to see rock climbers from all over the world challenging Devil's Tower here.

Transportation: Drive from Devil's Tower to Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Distance: 130KM

Time: 2h30m

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

President Hill is located in the famous Black Hill area of South Dakota, which is famous for its towering stone mountains and mining history. The President Hill was completed in 1925 and is a huge project with statues of the four presidents of the United States, including George Washington, Thomas Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. We will follow the tree-lined mountain trail to appreciate the President Hill from different angles and commemorate these four great presidents in American history.

Transportation: Drive from Mount Rushmore National Memorial to Crazy Horse Monument

Distance: 16KM

Time: 30m

Crazy Horse Monument

Crazy Horse Mountain is named in memory of Crazy Horse, a young chief of the Sioux tribe and a national hero of the Indians. This westward-facing mountain is carved into the world's largest statue in the image of the legendary Crazy Horse. Going up the Black Mountain surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers, on Crazy Horse Mountain, Crazy Horse's handsome head is gazing westward with a resolute expression. The legend of this monument lies in the precious spirit of the sculptor who built this project and devoted his entire family to this cause, and even more in the determination of the Indians to persevere in maintaining and promoting their own culture.

Transportation: Drive from Crazy Horse Monument to the hotel

Distance: 220KM

Time: 3h30m

• Ramkota Hotel - Casper / similar

Day 5: Independent Rock → Salt Lake City

Utah State Capitol

Temple Square

Today we will begin our journey by driving to the Independent Rock State Historic Site! Independence Rock was a key landmark for pioneers as they picked their way across the American frontier. Hundreds of names have been carved into the hard stone over the years. Following, we will drive to Salt Lake City and visit the Capitol Hill which is also known as the most expensive and magnificent State House the United States! Then, we will take a walk in the State Capitol building to be amazed by the surrounding architecture, sculptures, and the rich historical information. Next up will be Temple Square! We will take a look and follow the Mormon Missionary sisters’ lead to see the virtue kingdom at the LDS church to learn about the history and teachings of the LDS Church.

Itinerary:

Casper → Independent Rock (60 mins) → Salt Lake City → Utah State Capitol (30 mins) → Temple Square (45 mins)

Transportation: Drive from the hotel to the Utah State Capitol and Temple Square

Distance: 410KM

Time: 6h30m

Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol is the house of government for the U.S. state of Utah. The building houses the chambers and offices of the Utah State Legislature, the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the State Auditor and their staffs. The capital is the main building of the Utah State Capitol Complex, which is located on Capitol Hill, overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. The Neoclassical revival, Corinthian style building was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting and built between 1912 and 1916. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Temple Square

Temple Square is a 10-acre (4.0 ha) complex, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), in the center of Salt Lake City. Contained within Temple Square are the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitors' centers. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, recognizing the Mormon achievement in the settlement of Utah.

The tour guide will arrange for you to take light rail or Uber or hotel shuttle to the airport, and it is recommended to book a flight departing after 20:00.

• Breakfast(Breakfast Included)