Yellowstone and Grand Teton 5-Day Tour from Los Angeles

Day 1: Los Angeles - St. George

1. St. George
   Pass by
   Depart from Los Angeles this morning and set out on a scenic journey toward Antelope Canyon. Travel through the vast Mojave Desert, where the stark landscape is dotted with iconic Joshua trees. Arrive in Las Vegas around midday for a brief stop before continuing on to St. George, Utah. Check in and stay overnight in St. George.

Day 2: Lower Antelope Canyon - Horseshoe Bend - Salt Lake City

1. Lower Antelope Canyon
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Located in northern Arizona, USA, Lower Antelope Canyon is a stunning natural wonder shaped over millions of years by the erosion of soft sandstone. Seasonal monsoon rains often bring sudden flash floods that rush through the narrow passageways. The powerful flow of water, intensified by the tight canyon walls, creates strong vertical erosion. Over time, this process has carved the smooth, wave-like corridors at the canyon’s base and the flowing, sculpted edges along its walls.
   
   There is no artificial lighting inside Lower Antelope Canyon. All illumination comes from sunlight filtering through the narrow openings at the top. As the light reflects and refracts off the textured sandstone, it descends into the canyon, creating a mesmerizing display of shifting colors. The hues range from deep, rich tones to soft, glowing shades—vivid, ever-changing, and breathtakingly beautiful.
2. Horseshoe Bend
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Horseshoe Bend is recognized as one of the top ten photography spots in the United States by National Geographic. Along this dramatic stretch of the Colorado River, dense aquatic vegetation on the riverbed gives the water a striking emerald-green glow under the sunlight.
   
   Here, the river makes a dramatic 270-degree curve through towering reddish-brown canyon walls, carving out the iconic horseshoe shape that gives the site its name. Standing at the cliff’s edge, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking contrast of vivid blue skies, shimmering green-blue water, and the warm red rock formations—a truly unforgettable sight.

Day 3: Salt Lake City - Jackson - Yellowstone National Park

1. Jackson Town Square
   1h
   The park itself is not very large, yet it is famous for the impressive arches made of elk antlers standing at the east, west, south, and north entrances. Though the antlers appear sharp and striking, they are not the result of hunting.
   
   Each winter, thousands of elk migrate from the surrounding mountains to the National Elk Refuge in Jackson to spend the season. In spring, the elk naturally shed their antlers as part of their growth cycle. After the herds return to the mountains, these shed antlers remain scattered across the land—nature’s seasonal treasures left behind.
2. Grand Teton National Park
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Established on February 26, 1929, Grand Teton National Park is renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes and diverse wildlife. Visitors may encounter iconic North American species such as American bison, grizzly bears, black bears, and moose, making it a remarkable destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
   
   Several beautiful lakes are found within the park, including Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake. Much of the park lies within the Rocky Mountains, where towering peaks create a truly magnificent natural backdrop.
3. Yellowstone National Park
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Located in the Rocky Mountains, often referred to as the “Backbone of America,” Yellowstone National Park rests on a vast volcanic plateau between the Northern and Central Rockies in the western United States. Its remarkable geothermal features define the park—an ancient and dramatic landscape sculpted by the forces of water and fire.
   
   Yellowstone is generally divided into five distinct areas: the Mammoth Area, the Roosevelt Area, the Canyon Area, the Geyser Area, and the Lake Area, each offering its own unique scenery. From steaming hot springs and erupting geysers to deep canyons and tranquil alpine lakes, the park showcases natural beauty so extraordinary it seems beyond human imagination—one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth.
   
   Our first stop will be the West Thumb Geyser Basin, where colorful hot springs and bubbling geothermal features line the shores of Yellowstone Lake.

Day 4: Yellowstone National Park

1. Yellowstone National Park
   7h · Admission ticket included
   Enjoy a full-day adventure in Yellowstone National Park today as you discover its most iconic natural wonders. Highlights include the vast Yellowstone Lake, the historic Fishing Bridge, the bubbling Mud Volcano area, the dramatic Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, and the breathtaking views from Artist Point. You will also visit the colorful terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs and the remarkable Norris Geyser Basin.
   
   Keep your camera ready as you travel along the Yellowstone River and through Hayden Valley, where you may spot herds of elk, American bison, or even a bald eagle soaring overhead.
   
   Tonight, relax and stay at Grant Village by Yellowstone Lake (complimentary upgrade available on a first-come, first-served basis) or in West Yellowstone. Please note that the order of attractions may be adjusted according to weather, traffic, and park conditions to ensure the best possible experience.
2. Norris Geyser Basin
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Norris Geyser Basin, named after an early Yellowstone superintendent, is considered the hottest and one of the most dynamic geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park. The stark, otherworldly landscape of Porcelain Basin is shaped by its highly acidic environment. Because of these harsh conditions, plants, algae, and bacteria struggle to survive. Instead, the basin’s vivid colors come from mineral deposits—shades of pink, red, and orange created by iron oxides, and brilliant yellows formed by sulfur and iron sulfates.
   
   This basin is also home to the world’s tallest active geyser, Steamboat Geyser. Although it can remain dormant for extended periods, when it erupts, it launches powerful jets of water up to nearly 380 feet into the air, creating an unforgettable and dramatic spectacle.
3. Upper Falls
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Upper Falls is situated about 400 meters upstream from the larger Lower Yellowstone Falls. The waterfall plunges 33 meters vertically along a volcanic cliff, creating a stunning cascade. Over hundreds of years, the originally jagged volcanic rocks at the base have been gradually smoothed and polished by the relentless flow of water, forming a strikingly sleek and sculpted landscape.
4. Artist Point
   30m · Admission ticket included
   The scenery here is truly breathtaking. The canyon plunges over 300 feet deep, with walls painted in rich shades of yellow, accented by streaks of black, red, and pink, and dotted with clusters of green pine trees. The colors blend harmoniously rather than chaotically, resembling the vibrant tail of a peacock or the layered, textured brushstrokes of a romantic painter practicing pointillism.
5. Yellowstone Geysers - Mud Volcano Area
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Located in the eastern section of Yellowstone National Park, just north of Yellowstone Lake, this area is famous for its unique geothermal activity. Unlike typical geysers, most of the eruptions here shoot boiling mud rather than water, and each eruption causes the ground to tremble. Surrounding the mud volcano, vibrant grasses add a delicate and striking contrast, creating a scene that is both rugged and surprisingly beautiful.

Day 5: Yellowstone - Yellowstone Bear World - Great Salt Lake - Salt Lake City

1. Fountain Paint Pot
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The Palette is a fascinating mud fountain. Minerals in the mud and rocks are dissolved by the acidic hot spring, creating thick, viscous mud. The slow rise and burst of bubbles can be observed in detail, giving a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic effect. The mud surrounding the fountain resembles dried oil paint, making the entire scene look like a painter’s canvas—vivid, textured, and layered with colors that seem to spill like a palette of rich pigments.
2. Grand Prismatic Spring
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Also known as the Seven Color Pool, Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. Measuring 75–91 meters across and 49 meters deep, it releases around 2,000 liters of 71°C water every minute.
   
   What makes the spring truly remarkable is its seasonal color changes. In spring, the water shifts from emerald green to golden-orange and red, a result of algae, pigment-rich bacteria, and other microorganisms thriving in the mineral-laden water. By midsummer, lower chlorophyll levels allow brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow to dominate. In winter, reduced sunlight causes microorganisms to produce more chlorophyll, which suppresses the carotenoid pigments, turning the spring a deep, rich green. The ever-changing colors create a breathtaking natural spectacle that is unlike any other.
3. Old Faithful
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Old Faithful Geyser is famous for its remarkably predictable eruptions, which is how it earned its name. It erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes, with each display lasting four to five minutes. During an eruption, the water column can soar over 40 meters into the air, creating a truly spectacular sight. Visitors can check the eruption schedule at the Old Faithful Visitor Center in advance to plan their visit and witness this iconic natural phenomenon with confidence.
4. Yellowstone Bear World
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Yellowstone Park Bear World, established in 1998, is the only drive-through wildlife sanctuary in the Greater Yellowstone area. Located in Rexburg, the park gives visitors the rare opportunity to see iconic North American wildlife up close, including grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves, and other rare species. It is home to nearly 100 grizzly bears, making it a remarkable destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
   
   Shops and other amenities are also available, providing a full, immersive wildlife adventure. (There is no feeding or hands-on interaction with grizzly bears, black bears, or gray wolves)
5. Great Salt Lake
   30m
   Great Salt Lake, located in northern Utah, is the largest inland saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most saline lakes in the world. Fed by the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers, the lake has no natural outlet, causing its size to fluctuate dramatically depending on rainfall, river flow, and evaporation rates.
   
   Situated in an arid environment similar to the Dead Sea, the lake shares chemical characteristics with ocean water. However, its salinity is far higher than that of the oceans because evaporation consistently exceeds the inflow from its feeding rivers, creating a unique and strikingly briny ecosystem.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels