Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Everything In Between

Some trips are planned down to the minute. This one was not. It was a loose pact between friends — one of them is currently driving a camper van around the US, and Wyoming was where our paths crossed.

Day 1 — Getting there, settling in

Jackson Hole Airport · Grand Teton NP

There are few airports in the world where the act of landing is itself a spectacle. Jackson Hole is one of them. The runway sits inside the national park boundary, and as the plane descends, the Teton Range fills every window. Grabbed an Uber from the terminal straight into Grand Teton National Park, checked into Jackson Lake Lodge, and met up with everyone.

The lodge has a big terrace facing the mountains, so we just hung out there for the rest of the afternoon. Watched the sunset, which was nice — lots of colour on the peaks. No real plans, just a good first evening catching up with friends.

Day 2 — Yellowstone, Colter's Bay, Jackson town

Yellowstone · Colter's Bay · Jackson Town

Early start and drove north to Yellowstone. The park is worth it just for the drive — bison just wandering by the road, steam coming up from fields, landscape that keeps getting weirder in a good way. We did the geysers, and sure, Old Faithful is cool — but honestly, my favourite was Midway Geyser Basin. We also stopped at Grand Prismatic Spring, which is right there and absolutely worth it — this enormous hot spring ringed in vivid orange and yellow, with deep blue water in the middle. It felt like walking into somewhere otherworldly. Huge pools of vivid blue and orange water, steam drifting over everything, the ground stained all these wild colours from the bacteria. It was quieter than Old Faithful, too, which made it feel more special.

We also stopped at West Thumb Geyser Basin — hot springs right on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, which is a weird and lovely combination. Worth a wander even if just for the views across the water.

Drove back and had lunch at the Pioneer Grill at the lodge. Then went to Colter's Bay, a quieter spot on Jackson Lake. We did the trail along the lake shore, which winds through the trees and opens up onto the water every so often. Nice easy walk, no big elevation or anything, just a pleasant path with good views of the Tetons across the lake.

Evening in Jackson town — headed to the town center, where the famous antler arches at the corners of the square are worth a look if you haven't seen them before. Walked around and ended up in a cowboy pub where my friend tried some of the local beer. Nice town, good mix of outdoorsy and laid-back.

Day 3 — Jenny Lake and a slow evening at the lodge

Jenny Lake · Jackson Hole

Jenny Lake is really pretty — the water is this blue-green color that looks almost too vivid, and on a calm day, the mountains reflect in it. We did a short walk along the shoreline through the pine trees. Not a long hike or anything, just a nice, easy loop with good views.

Spent the late afternoon back at the lodge in the lobby. Big windows looked out at the mountains and plenty of comfortable chairs, so we just sat there, had some drinks, and talked for a few hours. Good way to spend an afternoon.

Dinner at the Mural Room, the lodge's sit-down restaurant. Food was mediocre, but the view was great— felt like a nice way to end the last full day.

Day 4 — Heading home

Back through the park to the airport. Flew home. Wyoming is a pretty good place. Would go back.