🏔️ Yellowstone 2026
Family: David, Molly, Oscar (3yo)
Home base 1: Silver Gate Lodges — Jun 28 (Mon) to Jul 1 (Thu) — 3 nights
Home base 2: Old Faithful Inn — Jul 1 (Thu) to Jul 4 (Sun) — 3 nights
Fly into: SLC (borrow car from Molly's parents in Summit Park, UT)
Trip at a Glance
A 7-day Yellowstone trip split across two very different parts of the park:
| Base | Dates | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Valley / Silver Gate | Jun 28 – Jul 1 | Remote, wildlife-rich, uncrowded. Northeast corner for animal viewing. |
| Old Faithful Area | Jul 1 – Jul 4 | Classic Yellowstone. Geysers, boardwalks, iconic inn. |
Getting There
Fly into SLC → drive 30 min to Summit Park (Molly's parents). Spend 1–2 days, borrow their car, then head north.
Route Options to Silver Gate
⭐ 2-day scenic (recommended): Summit Park → Jackson → overnight in Grand Teton area → drive through Grand Teton into Yellowstone → Silver Gate. Breaks the drive into kid-friendly chunks.
1-day Idaho route (fastest): Summit Park → I-15 N → Idaho Falls → West Yellowstone → drive through park to Silver Gate. ~6 hrs driving.
See yellowstone-itinerary for the full day-by-day plan.
Key Drive Distances
| Route | Time |
|---|---|
| Summit Park → Jackson | 4.5 hr |
| Jackson → Silver Gate (via Grand Teton) | 4–5 hr |
| Summit Park → West Yellowstone (Idaho) | 5 hr |
| Silver Gate → Old Faithful (moving day) | 2–2.5 hr |
| Old Faithful → SLC | 5.5 hr |
Explore These Pages
| Page | What's in it |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight Research | SFO→SLC flight options, pricing, best times |
| 📋 Itinerary | 7-day day-by-day plan + packing + tips |
| 🐻 Lamar Valley & Silver Gate | Wildlife viewing, Slough Creek fishing, Trout Lake, Beartooth Highway |
| 🌋 Old Faithful Area | Geyser basins, Grand Prismatic, Firehole River fishing, hikes |
Lodging
Silver Gate Lodges (Jun 28 – Jul 1)
- Tiny town just outside the Northeast Entrance — quiet, rustic cabins
- Right next to Lamar Valley — best wildlife viewing in the park
- ⚠️ Limited dining — stock up on groceries before arriving
Old Faithful Inn (Jul 1 – Jul 4)
- Historic 1904 lodge, massive stone fireplace, iconic architecture
- Steps from Old Faithful geyser and the Upper Geyser Basin
- On-site restaurants, deli, and general store — convenient for meals