A road trip from Denver, Colorado, to Yellowstone National Park is a breathtaking journey through diverse landscapes, historic towns, and incredible natural wonders. This guide covers the best routes, top attractions, where to stay, and road trip tips to make your adventure unforgettable.
🚗 Route Options & Drive Time
📅 Recommended Duration: 7–10 days
🚗 Total Distance: ~800 miles (~1,300 km)
🌟 Best for: Stunning landscapes, wildlife spotting, hiking, and photography
Depending on how much time you have and what you want to see along the way, here are three great routes:
1. Fastest Route (8-9 hours, ~510 miles) – Direct Route
- I-25 N → US-26 W → US-191 N
- This route takes you through Cheyenne, Casper, and Grand Teton National Park before arriving at Yellowstone.
- Best For: Those who want to get to Yellowstone quickly while still enjoying Wyoming’s vast landscapes.
2. Scenic Route via Rocky Mountain National Park (10-12 hours, ~550 miles)
- US-36 W → Trail Ridge Road → US-287 N → US-26 W → US-191 N
- This route includes Rocky Mountain National Park, Medicine Bow National Forest, Jackson, WY, Grand Teton National Park, and Caribou-Targhee National Forest
- Best For: Nature lovers and photographers looking for epic mountain views.
3. Wyoming Wild West Route (10-11 hours, ~580 miles)
- I-25 N → US-20 W → Cody, WY → Yellowstone East Entrance
- Highlights include Buffalo, WY, Bighorn National Forest, and Cody (Buffalo Bill Center of the West).
- Best For: History buffs and those wanting a taste of the Old West.
In this article I will write about scenic route via Rocky Mountain National Park
Denver to Yellowstone National Park Road Trip
📍 Day 1: Denver, CO
Arrival & Exploration
- Stroll around Downtown Denver (16th Street Mall, Union Station)
- Visit the Denver Art Museum or Museum of Nature & Science
- Enjoy craft beer at Wynkoop Brewing Co. 🍻
- Dinner at Root Down (American, farm-to-table)
🏨 Stay in Denver
📍 Day 2-3: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO (~70 miles, 1.5 hrs)
What to Do
- Drive the Trail Ridge Road (one of the highest paved roads in North America)
- Hike Bear Lake Loop (easy) or Sky Pond (challenging)
- Spot elk, moose, and marmots at Moraine Park
- Sunset at Sprague Lake
🏕 Stay in Estes Park or inside the park
📍 Day 4: Medicine Bow National Forest, WY (~110 miles, 2.5 hrs)
What to Do
- Drive the scenic Snowy Range Scenic Byway
- Hike to Mirror Lake & Medicine Bow Peak
- Picnic by Lake Marie
- Explore Laramie’s historic downtown
🏨 Stay in Laramie or Saratoga (hot springs available in Saratoga!)
📍 Day 5-6: Jackson, WY & Grand Teton National Park (~320 miles, 5-6 hrs)
What to Do in Jackson
- Stroll through Town Square (see the famous elk antler arches)
- Ride the Aerial Tram to Rendezvous Mountain
- Enjoy dinner at The Gun Barrel Steak & Game House
Grand Teton National Park Highlights
- Schwabacher Landing (iconic sunrise spot)
- Jenny Lake & Hidden Falls hike
- Oxbow Bend (great for wildlife spotting)
- Signal Mountain Summit Road (panoramic views)
🏕 Stay in Jackson or inside Grand Teton NP
📍 Day 7: Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID (~70 miles, 1.5 hrs)
🌲 Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers
- Hike Darby Canyon Wind Cave Trail
- Visit Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (stunning waterfalls)
- Explore Teton Canyon (great for backcountry hiking)
- Relax at Green Canyon Hot Springs
🏕 Stay in Driggs, ID or near Ashton, ID
📍 Day 8-11: Yellowstone National Park (~60 miles, 1.5 hrs)
Top Must-Sees
- Old Faithful & Grand Prismatic Spring 🌋
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Artist Point)
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Lamar Valley (best place to see bison, wolves, and bears)
- Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb Geyser Basin
🏕 Stay in Canyon Village, Old Faithful Lodge, or West Yellowstone
📍 End of the Trip: Return or Continue Exploring
- Drive back to Denver (~10 hrs) or
- Fly out from Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
Denver to Yellowstone National Park Road Trip map
🏡 Where to Stay in Yellowstone
Lodging Inside the Park
- Old Faithful Inn – Historic and iconic, located near Old Faithful.
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – Great for wildlife viewing in the north part of the park.
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel – Offers stunning views of the lake.
Camping & RV Parks
- Madison Campground – Great for geyser basin access.
- Canyon Campground – Near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
- Bridge Bay Campground – Next to Yellowstone Lake.
🍂 Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June–August) – Best weather, but also the busiest.
- Spring (April–May) & Fall (September–October) – Fewer crowds, cooler temps, and great wildlife viewing.
- Winter (November–March) – Limited road access, but offers unique snow-covered landscapes and guided tours.
🚙 Road Trip Tips
✔ Check road conditions – Wyoming roads can be unpredictable due to weather.
✔ Gas up – There are few gas stations between Casper and Yellowstone.
✔ Pack layers – Even in summer, Yellowstone can be chilly.
✔ Bring binoculars – For spotting wildlife from a safe distance.
✔ Download offline maps – Cell service is limited in many areas.
Final Thoughts
This Denver to Yellowstone road trip is one of the most stunning drives in the U.S., offering a mix of scenic landscapes, historic sites, and outdoor adventure. Whether you take the fastest route, the scenic Rocky Mountain route, or the Wild West Cody route, you’re in for an unforgettable journey!