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Start your fantastic Yellowstone Loop adventure in Salt Lake City. After checking in to your hotel, head out into the city and explore the surrounding area before enjoying a relaxing meal whilst planning the next day’s activities. The next morning, head on a free missionary guided tour around Temple Square, a peaceful, spiritual spot where you can discover everything about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, see the architectural wonder of Salt Lake Temple and wander around its landscaped gardens. Home to the Red Butte Gardens and the Natural History Museum of Utah, with exhibits dating from the dinosaurs to modern day living creatures, the mountainside offers popular attractions and spectacular views over the city. Both of these amazing attractions are available on the Salt Lake City Connect Pass, a great way to experience multiple attractions and gain exclusive discounts and offers redeemable at participating attractions. With a diverse range of activities there’s never a dull moment, less than an hour from fantastic outdoor adventures, skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and fishing in the summer. National Parks and forests are in abundance, combined with great golf courses, shopping and nightlife this is a win win for all the family.
After a refreshing sleep, it’s time to leave Salt Lake City and continue your travels along the scenic roads to Vernal through the picturesque Wasatch Mountains. Stop at Homestead Crater for a soothing soak in the geothermal spring or visit Park City for an alpine-themed adventure in the Olympic Park. For an adrenaline rush, try the alpine slide and treetop zip line or enjoy a relaxing stroll down Historic Main Street to break up the journey. Near Vernal, stop off at the Dinosaur National Monument, home to over 1,500 dinosaur fossils inside a cliff face In the Quarry exhibit Hall. For a more idyllic way to experience the wild west’s breath-taking landscapes visit Rainbow Park and Island Park, with acres of undeveloped space to explore and see the Fremont petroglyphs at McKee Springs.
The next morning, head out to discover the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, featuring a 91 mile-long reservoir and rugged rock faces that make the perfect postcard-style backdrops for holiday snaps. Stop and admire the scenery or embrace the adventurous setting and go biking, fishing, rafting or boating. A stunning must-see spot is the Flaming Gorge dam, which rises over 500 feet above the Green River. Drive north to Wyoming and, if time permits, take the self-guided Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Route, 24 miles famed for spotting wild horses, pronghorn, elk, deer, rabbits, coyotes, hawks and eagles. Keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready for magical animal encounters. If art is more your forte, stop off at Killpecker Sand Dunes to see Native American rock art and one-of-a-kind rock formations, before arriving in Jackson. Immerse yourself in the wild west cowboy spirit and check out the live music and line dancing at nearby saloons.
Prepare for more spectacular scenery as you head into Grand Teton National Park, home to the 40 mile Tetons mountain range, part of the iconic Rocky Mountains. Explore the park however you fancy- enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the car on the Scenic Loop, visit the Grand Teton National Park Visitors Center, lace up your walking boots and go on a hike, wildlife safari, lake boat trip or a peaceful float ride along the river with unparalleled mountain views and, if you’re lucky, maybe even some bear sightings.
Rise early the next morning to see the nation’s first ever national park- Yellowstone. Famed for its geysers, hot springs and mud puts, Yellowstone is an active geothermal area with 3,000 square miles of magnificent scenery, over 10,000 thermal features and home to hundreds of different animals. The most popular sites include Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake, Lamar and Hayden Valleys and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with unobstructed views of Lower Falls. The next day, continue exploring Yellowstone National Park at your own pace. Departing from Lamar Valley, wildlife tracking tours are the perfect way to experience spotting the wolves and bears of this unique landscape.
Continue your journey through eastern Idaho’s enchanting forests towards the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls’ roar. Outside Rexburg, head to Yellowstone Bear World, a drive-through wildlife park with a selection of native species roaming around, including Rocky Mountain goats, bison, moose, white tail deer and even grizzly bears. Have a calming moment in Lava Hot Springs before getting back on the road to Bear Lake.
The next day, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this area at your leisure. Named the ‘Caribbean of the Rockies’, Bear Lake offers 20 miles of freshwaters perfect for water sports, with everything from water skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and more on the vibrant blue waters. Alternatively, stay on dry land and head on a walk or cycle ride to savour the scenery or soak up the sun on the sandy shores. Continue travelling in the afternoon, taking in Logan Canyon Scenic Byway’s landscapes before stopping in Brigham City to tour Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge or Golden Spike National Historic Site. Finish your day’s travels in Salt Lake City.
Enjoy the final morning of the trip exploring Antelope Island State Park, nestled in Great Salt Lake just 25 miles from the city. Home to herds of bison and antelope, walk, cycle, paddle, kayak or drive around, looking out for wildlife as you go. After one last experience in this idyllic region, head back to the airport to return your hire care and board your late afternoon flight home.
This Yellowstone Loop multicentre trip is the perfect way to immerse yourself in this area’s outstanding natural beauty, from scenery to hundreds of animal species, there’s no better way to experience Yellowstone National Park. Make lifelong memories and capture unforgettable pictures on this stunning trip. Call one of our travel experts to book this Yellowstone Loop adventure today!
