Two National Parks in Three Days

When I discovered $96 direct flights from Nashville, Tennessee to Bozeman, Montana (thanks to following BNA Cheap Flights), I finally convinced my family to take a mak-on-the-move style vacation with me over the Easter break.

Here is how it went:

Day 1: Classic YellowstoneWe kicked off our adventure entering Yellowstone through the West Entrance—perfect for hitting the highlights quickly. First stop: the fountain paint pots. These were mini hot springs of all different colors! Just remember - don’t touch! 

Next we headed to Grand Prismatic Spring, the iconic multicolored pool is the largest in the United States and the third largest in the world! 

TIP: Hike Fairy Falls Overlook Trail for an aerial view of the rainbow-colored hot spring.

Next, we made our way to Old Faithful. It’s every bit as fascinating as you imagine. We  checked the visitor center for timing and made it right in time for the next eruption. Old Faithful is the most reliable geyser in the park, going off every 70-90 minutes, making it the easiest for visitors to plan around. It’s a must-do during your visit. 

We ended the evening with dinner at The Buffalo Bar —a cozy, rustic spot with hearty comfort food in West Yellowstone. Of course we had to try the Buffalo chili and burgers. It was a filling way to end a long day! 

Day 2: From Park to Town

The next morning we got an early start to make the two hour trek to Grand Teton National Park. 

During the Idaho portion of our drive we pulled over for a potato pit stop. A sign for $1 Idaho baked potatoes lured us in to see if they did, in fact, taste different than any other kind of potato. The results varied in our group so I’d recommend trying it for yourself. 😉

Once we reached the party we entered through the Moose Entrance, veering left towards Mormon Row. The iconic barn with a mountain backdrop was definitely on my list of photo ops but the road was unfortunately closed due to the snow and ice. We did, however, stop by the Chapel of Transfiguration which is open the the public. The 100 year old chapel, which once served cowboys and settlers, had a large window with a perfect view of the Tetons. It was a peaceful place to pray and reflect on our beautiful surroundings. 

We drove on to a popular scenic spot, the Snake River Overlook, for my personal favorite view of the mountain range. From the viewpoint you could see the river below with the mountain behind. We continued on to Jackson Lake (Jenny Lake was also closed for the season) where we ventured out onto the icy surface. As someone who grew up in a warm climate - rarely experiencing snow or ice - this was a new and exciting experience. We built a tiny snowman (also an uncommon activity for my family) and called it a day. 

After the park, it was time to explore Jackson, Wyoming —a charming mountain town full of art, western flair, and boutique shops. Once we purchased our fill of souvenirs in the town square, we grabbed a family photo under the iconic antler arches and headed to The Bistro for a delicious French-inspired dinner. We rounded out the day the best we know how - with sweet treats from Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream. 

NOTE: Most businesses are closed in March and April for a spring break before the busy season. Make sure to call or check the hours of restaurants or stores you want to visit. 

Day 3: Canyons and Cascades

Our final day was spent chasing waterfalls. The main destination for the day was the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, my favorite view of the trip. 

To get there we drove along the North Rim, stopping along the way to watch bison graze and play. We soaked in the views along the way, still in awe of the nature around us. We stopped at the lower and upper falls view points. My favorite spot was Artist 's Point where many artisans have spent time admiring and depicting the view over the last century.   

Dinner was at Wild West Pizza, a rustic pizza place recommended by our Airbnb host. We wrapped things up with one last ice cream stop at Eagle’s Store—a classic end to a wild western adventure.

While this was a fast and furious trip during the region’s off season it was full of family fun! We definitely want to return in the later spring or summer to check out some of the experiences we missed out on due to snow.