Yellowstone vs Grand Teton: Which National Park Should You Visit?

Can’t Decide Between Yellowstone and Grand Teton?

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most well-known and beloved national parks in the United States. Why? Maybe because it was the very first national park in the United States! Known for its bursting geysers, vibrant hot springs, and herds of bison and elk, Yellowstone draws in visitors from around the world.

But just 45 minutes south of Yellowstone is another gem in the national park crown—Grand Teton National Park. With its dramatic peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and incredible wildlife, Grand Teton is every bit as breathtaking as its northern neighbor. Yet, while nearly 5 million people visit Yellowstone every year, Grand Teton National Park only sees half that number!

So… which one should you visit, Yellowstone or Teton?
Honestly? Both.
But if you’re short on time, we’re here to help you decide.

We here at Shaka Guide highly encourage you to include Grand Teton National Park in your Yellowstone planning. We even have an entire Grand Teton audio tour to help you out! But, if you’re still unsure of which park you should visit, here’s a handy guide.

Geography and Landscape

basin in yellowstone emitting white steam Black Sand Geyser Basin, Yellowstone–photo by Rachel Ennis

When you think of Yellowstone, what’s the first big feature that comes to mind? It’s probably Old Faithful, right? Yellowstone National Park is world-famous for its geothermal features, including geysers like Old Faithful.

It’s actually the largest concentration of geysers in the world! The park covers over 2.2 million acres and spans three states—Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho—and among the geysers are also hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles.

mountain on a clear sky Teton Glacier Turnout View, Grand Teton–photo by Jess Conaway

On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park covers only 310,000 acres and doesn’t have geothermal features like its big brother.

However, it is home to the Teton mountain range, and the tallest peak is an impressive 13,770 feet.

The park also offers crystal-clear, pristine lakes, the wild and wonderful Snake River, and lush valleys full of wildlife.

Activities and Hiking

lake with a view of mountain on a clear sky Jenny Lake-Martin Rancourt via unsplash

At Grand Teton National Park, there is no shortage of outdoor activities for every skill level. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

The Snake River offers opportunities for scenic float trips and whitewater rafting.

Visitors can also take a boat tour of Jenny Lake or take the scenic drive along Teton Park Road. In the winter, visitors can ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile in the park.

bridge that crosses a lake on a cloudy sky Fishing Bridge at Yellowstone–photo by Rachel Ennis

Yellowstone National Park offers similar activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching.

Visitors can also see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which is a spectacular canyon carved by the Yellowstone River.

In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe, and take guided snowmobile tours. Check out Yellowstone National Park's itinerary to the full list of activities.

Yellowstone is a hiker’s paradise, with over 900 miles of trails that wind through forests, canyons, meadows, and thermal basins. You can stroll along a boardwalk to gaze into a steaming hot spring, or disappear into the backcountry for days at a time. Just watch your step—sometimes the ground bubbles!

Need-to-Know: Though off-trail hiking is allowed in many areas of Yellowstone, it is never allowed near geothermal areas.

Grand Teton, while smaller, is no slouch in the hiking department. The park boasts more than 200 miles of trails, many of them cutting right through jaw-dropping alpine scenery. Think glacier-fed lakes, wildflower-strewn meadows, and snow-capped peaks that seem close enough to touch. Whether you’re up for a casual lakeside loop or a heart-pumping climb into the high country, there’s something here for every kind of hiker.

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Historical Sites

interior of an historical site in yellowstone with a clock mounted in the wall Old Faithful Inn interior, Yellowstone-photo by Jess Conaway

Yellowstone National Park is the very first established National Park, which means it’s home to some of the most iconic historical buildings in the country—namely the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

These buildings were built specifically to accommodate tourists and are significant examples of the rustic style of architecture that was popular during the park's early years.

old wood barn in a grassland with mountain at the back Moulton Barn, Grand Teton–photo by Jess Conaway

On the other hand, Grand Teton National Park was not originally established for tourism purposes. The valley of the Teton Range was once home to hopeful homesteaders who built farms and ranches here, and some of those buildings remain!

At Grand Teton you’ll have the opportunity to explore the famous Cunningham Cabin, Menor’s Ferry Historic District, and Mormon Row, which is home to Moulton Barn, the most photographed barn in the country!

Accessibility and Accommodations

Both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are easily accessible by car, with major highways leading to the parks. Grand Teton is located just 10 miles south of Yellowstone's southern entrance and can be accessed via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. The park is located approximately 280 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah, and 425 miles from Denver, Colorado.

Man riding a horse CowboyWisdom, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Grand Teton National Park is only a few miles north of Jackson, WY, and this makes for an excellent home base when visiting the park.

Jackson has many hotels, AirBNB options and lodges to fit every budget, and the dining and nightlife options are plentiful, too!

facade of a motel Motel in West Yellowstone–photo by Rachel Ennis

On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park has five entrance gates. The two most popular are West Yellowstone, Montana (West Entrance), and Cody, Wycoming (East Entrance). There are many lodging options here, as well as dining and entertainment, too!

The Bottom Line

Both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most spectacular national parks in the United States.

While they are located adjacent to each other, they offer distinct experiences for visitors.

Yellowstone is known for its geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and hiking trails, while Grand Teton is famous for its high peaks, pristine lakes, and historical buildings.

Both parks offer a range of recreational activities, making them great destinations for nature lovers, families, and adventure seekers.

A visit to either park is a memorable experience that will stay with visitors for a lifetime.

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Can’t Choose? Visit Both!

It’s easy to plan a trip to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton; they’re essentially connected! Grand Teton is about forty minutes south of Yellowstone (south Yellowstone entrance), and the two parks are connected by the John D. Rockefeller Parkway.

You’ll need multiple days (a minimum of two, but the more the better) and you’ll want to base your stay in West Yellowstone which is about 2 hours away from Grand Teton. For more information, check out our handy Yellowstone and Grand Teton Two-Day Itinerary here.

About the Writer:

Jess Conaway is a small-town mom and former theater kid who grew up exploring the Gettysburg Battlefield, and she’s been a history buff ever since. Jess has a passion for preserving our nation’s stories, but she especially loves discovering the human history of the places she visits—the weirder, the better! She’s also not ashamed to admit that she cried the first time she saw the sun rise over the Tetons.

Visiting both parks? Download the Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour Bundle!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

Ready to take a tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tours!

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