My girls and I have a goal of visiting all the states and the major national parks. We recently took an epic trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
These three national parks are easy to do in a few days. We took ten days, drove 2,200 miles, hiked, rafted the Snake River and checked off three more states. It was an amazing trip, and I highly recom- mend it to anyone who loves the outdoors. So, if you’re planning an upcoming vacation, why not consider this trio of national parks?
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Alpine vistas, gorgeous lakes, wildlife…Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is a great place to visit, especially for lovers of the
Old West. See herds of buffalo graze on the untouched, wide-open lands of the beautiful American countryside. The park is over 300,000 acres, and its tallest mountain reaches 13,775 feet. There’s plenty to do here including scenic hikes, drives, and bike trails. Go fishing, horseback riding, or even mountaineering.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The world’s first national park and arguably its most famous, Yellowstone is beloved for its incredible wildlife—including thousands of buffalo—and many geysers. In fact, Yellowstone contains more than half of the geysers in the world, including the famous Old Faithful which erupts approximately every 90 minutes.
The Yellowstone River has two waterfalls within a quarter mile known as the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. Both are spectacular, but the Lower Falls is the most stunning in our opinion. The Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River is the largest waterfall in the Rockies, in terms of water volume, and at 308 feet, it stands almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. Watching this thunderous cascade
of water pour into the canyon below is truly incredible.
Landscapes aside, Yellowstone is also known for its wildlife. On its northern edge, the Lamar Valley is dubbed ‘America’s Serengeti’ thanks to its bison, bears and wolves — the latter reintroduced in 1995 in what’s come to be regarded as one of the US’s greatest conservation success stories. Overhead, it’s possible to see ospreys and bald eagles wheeling through the air.
JACKSON HOLE
While you’re enjoying Yellowstone, make sure to check out the nearby town of Jackson Hole, which is a great stop for shopping. There are lots of places to find great souvenirs. This quaint small town also includes a beautiful tram/gondola ride, the infamous “Million Dollar Cowboy Bar,” and the “Jackson Hole Shootout” show every evening except Sunday. Make sure you stop by Judge
Roy Bean’s for old timey photos of your family dressed up like the Wild West.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
The rugged icy mountains of Glacier National Park stand on the boundary between the United States and Canada. The park’s million acres are home to 700 miles of trails, countless lakes, and unique species of plants and animals. If your family loves the outdoors and nature tourism, this is the perfect place to go. One of the best highlights is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most beautiful driving trails in the world, passing forests, waterfalls, and glacial lakes. Along the road, you’ll find the one-mile Trail of the Cedars. This raised boardwalk will take you through a beautiful red cedar forest and provide incredible views. And don’t forget to stop by the largest lake in the park, Lake McDonald, a central hub of the park with lots of activities.
St. Mary Lake is located on the east side of Glacier National Park along the Going-to-the- Sun Road. The 10-mile long lake offers a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities including elk, mule deer and both grizzly and black bears. Just past the East Entrance, the St. Mary Visitor Center provides opportunities to meet staff rangers, learn about the park and see “the Backbone of the World” (as it’s called by the Blackfeet) through eyes of the Native Americans who call Glacier home.
The Lake Color: The silt is created when rocks underneath the surface of the ice are grinding from the movement of the glacier. The rock flour is very light and stays suspended in the lake water for a long time. The sunlight that reflects off these particles is what gives the lakes their spectacular turquoise blue or green color.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is an amazing and beautiful drive. It opened at midnight the first day we arrived and still had lots of snow. If you plan to go, check online to make sure the road is open. It normally opens in June or July for the summer. Make sure to check out Logan’s Pass, the highest part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the highest elevation in the park that’s accessible by car. As you travel on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you have numerous opportunities to see Jackson Glacier.
LOGAN PASS
At 6,646 feet, Logan’s Pass is the highest elevation in the park reachable by car. As such, it’s a very popular destination and may be crowded, so get there early. Not only does it offer great views, but it’s also near the start of the Hidden Lake Trail and the Highline Trail.
Logan Pass is located along the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, in the U.S. state of Montana. It is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The pass is named after Major William R. Logan, the first superintendent of the park.
Many Glacier Hotel is located along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake inside Glacier National Park. The Great Northern Railroad built this historic hotel in 1915 to accommodate the many tourists passing through Glacier National Park. This quaint hotel provides world-famous scenery, with panoramic views of nearby Grinnell Point and Mt. Henkel. Many Glacier makes the perfect setting for fireside socializing, reading, and writing postcards. Many Glacier Hotel was built in 1914 and 1915 and is the largest hotel inside the park with 214 rooms. Its unique design was modeled after the Swiss chalets and the Swiss theme is carried throughout the hotel. The hotel was partially renovated in 2016.
