a TRIP ESSENTIALS Wyoming s National Parks & the Salt Lake City Route solutions tions Logan Canyon Scenic Drive, Utah Overview #THISISMYROUTE This trip takes you in a loop that will start and end in Salt Lake City, Utah. The trip takes you through some of the best untravelled small towns in the Mid Rocky Mountains as well as some of the more famous destinations like Jackson and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. You will travel through the outdoor Utah towns of Layton, Ogden and Logan before crossing the border into Wyoming to hit Afton, Jackson, the National Parks and the ranching town of Kemmerer, before crossing back into Utah and visiting the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City. The trip will end in Salt Lake City, and we would recommend spending a few days here to soak up the city s culture before heading back home. Share your experience with us! Prepared by: James States: Utah & Wyoming Start: Salt Lake City, Utah End: Salt Lake City, Utah Total miles: 730 Suggested days: 14 Type: scenic rural/urban road trip including national parks, cities & small towns Recommended for: road trippers, motorcycles, honeymooners, families Suggested season: May - November The Great Salt Lake, Utah GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com TEMPLE SQUARE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 5 Salt Lake City, Utah In 1847, when Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, LDS Church president Brigham Young selected a plot of the desert ground and proclaimed, Here we will build a temple to our God. Attracting 3 million to 5 million visitors a year, Temple Square is the most popular tourist attraction in Utah, bringing in more visitors than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. Contained within Temple Square are the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitors centers. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square has a rich history, gorgeous gardens and architecture, vivid art and culture that pulls you in, you ll be sure to have an unforgettable experience. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK 4 JACKSON 3 AFTON 2 LOGAN BEAR LAKE 9 KEMMERER 10 SALT LAKE PARK CITY CITY Trip Details We recommend at least 14 days to accomplish everything there is to do in the trip. This trip takes you through two states and you will have a lot of driving. The bigger towns are well worth the stops and can offer you many opportunities for nightlife, but the smaller towns have a western charm to them that is well worth an overnight stop and will add a uniqueness to your trip. This itinerary is full of suggestions of some of the best places to stop, especially during your longer days on the road. So plan your trip accordingly so that you can experience the places that spark your interest the most. These areas can be crowded in the summertime, and for good reason. There are multiple events and the weather is beautiful. If you want to avoid crowds we suggest traveling at the end of spring or the beginning of fall. If you can t make that happen then we suggest visiting the smaller towns on the weekends and the National Parks and bigger towns on the weekdays. Wintertime is still beautiful in these places, however, many roads are closed and you cannot drive into some of the parks. OUR #1 TRIP RECOMMENDATION: Yellowstone National Park teems with wildlife. Our recommendation to you would be to plan into your trip the drive to Lamar Valley. Located in the northeastern portion of the park, this wildlife rich area teems with pronghorns, wolves, bears (both black and grizzly), bison and elk, among other critters. When viewing these animals, remember that they are wild. Stay near your car and never approach! Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 2
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com DAY 1: Arrival in Salt Lake City, Utah (1.5 hours/86 miles) Salt Lake City is a great town, and one that we would recommend spending some time in, but not today. That will come at the end of the trip. For the start of your trip, we would recommend landing in SLC, gathering your bags and getting your car. After this head up north on the 15 to the northern suburbs of Layton and Ogden, before reaching your overnight stop in Logan. Both Layton and Ogden are full of great little restaurants and shops and we would recommend taking the time to stop for a few hours in each one. It s a great chance to acclimate yourself to the American West before heading out onto the road. When you arrive in Logan, don t just make it a one night stop Stay through the next day and enjoy the Bear River Mountains. Best short hike-layton: Adams Canyon Trail Best local Winery-Layton: The Hive Winery Best shopping-layton: Layton Hills Mall Best place to grab a quick bite-layton: Cafe Sabor Best short hike-ogden: Ogden River Parkway Best place to take the kids-ogden: Ogden High Adventure Best stroll-ogden: 25th Street Historic District Best place to grab a quick bite-ogden: Union Grill Best quirky and fun hotel-logan: Logan Anniversary Inn Best dinner-logan: The Bulls Head Grille Best night out-logan: Funk and Dive DAY 2: Logan Downtown Logan, Utah Logan, Utah is an amazing place to spend some time. From the outdoor adventures to be had to the great downtown experiences, you can have any kind of experience you want in this amazing town nestled at the foot of the nearly 10,000-foot high Bear River Range, Logan s setting is beautiful in any season. There are many places to fuel up for the day, but a breakfast in Logan wouldn t be complete without a trip to Angie s. It is the classic American breakfast menu, done with great food and great service all in a downtown locale. From there, pick your fancy. You can head up into White Pine Lake trail system or check out the unsurpassable Wind Caves and Crimson Trail in Logan Canyon. Or stay in town and visit the local history with a downtown tour. Stop in at the Cache Valley Visitor s Bureau for more information about all the things to do both in-town and out. Logan, Utah Best scenic drive: Logan Canyon Scenic Drive Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 3
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com A great place to stop and stretch your legs is Bear Lake State Park. After that head to LaBeaus Drive Inn for a Raspberry Shake. You won t regret it. After Garden City, Hwy 89 will cut through a corner of Idaho before entering Wyoming. In Wyoming you will enter the Bridger-Teton National Forest, one of the most beautiful National Forests in the US, eventually ending up in the Star Valley and Afton. Afton is a great place, and we recommend staying the night in this quintessential western town. Best place to grab a quick bite: Jack s Wood Fired Oven Best place to see a wolf: Zootah at Willow Park Best place to cool off: Logan Aquatic Center Best place to get a little history: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum Wind Caves, Logan, Utah Bear Lake through Logan Canyon. Logan Canyon is a National Scenic Byway and has plenty of great photo ops. About 40 miles into your drive you will hit Garden City and Bear Lake. Well worth a stop to stretch your legs, Bear Lake is known as the Caribbean of the Rockies for its unique turquoiseblue color, which is due to the refraction of limestone deposits suspended in the lake. Best hike: World s largest Intermittent Spring Best local shopping: Mountain Valley Gallery Best sugar fix: Star Valley Chocolates Best local tour guides: Upstream Anglers and Outdoor Adventures Best place to stay: Kodiak Mountain Resorts Best one-hour hike in Sequoia National Park: Congress Trail Best taco: La Chispita Bakery Best local burger and beer: The Beehive Grill DAY 3: Logan to Afton (2 hours 18 minutes/117 miles) This is going to be a short driving day but packed with a bunch of activities along the way. The first thing you are going to need is coffee. Head to Cafe Ibis to get a healthy start to your day and in-house roasted coffee. Afterward hop in your car and get ready for some beautiful scenery. The route to Afton, takes you up Hwy 89 to Bear Lake, Utah Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 4
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com Best place for dinner: Rocky Mountain Seafood Best place to shop for old clothes: Forget Me Not Thrift Store Best after hours fun: Cowboy Bar Best place to people watch: Jackson Town Square DAY 4: Afton to Jackson, Wyoming Best place to take a picture under an arch made of elk antlers: Jackson Town Square (1 hour 23 minutes/69 miles) Our recommendation for Jackson is to find a place to stay and head out to see the sights. There is so much to do in this western town, you will not be let down. Best place to eat farm to table: Local Best place to shop for new clothes: Vintage Jackson Hole Best place to have a drink while sitting on a barstool shaped like a horse saddle: The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar Best Sushi in the state: King Sushi Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming DAY 6, 7, 8 & 9: Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Wyoming (2.5 hours/98 miles) You can t come all the way to Wyoming and not spend at least four days exploring these two amazing parks, there is so much to do and see, to try to do it in one day would be depriving yourself of a truly grand experience. Grand Teton National Park From Jackson head north for a more relaxed experience in Grand Teton National Park. You really aren t prepared for the beauty until you actually experience these mountains up close. Today you are going to explore crystal clear lakes, flowing rivers, and great spots for photography all with the rugged Grand Tetons next to you. If you really want to enjoy Grand Teton National Park you can avoid the crowds and bike on the many trails throughout the park. We have attached a map below of the park so you can plan your trip to its full potential. After you have been blown away by the Grand Tetons, keep heading north into Yellowstone Downtown Jackson, Wyoming Can t miss it: Jackson and Jenny Lakes Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 5
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com Summer Thunderstorm, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Best road for photographers: Signal Mountain Summit Road Best scenic drive: Jenny Lake Scenic Drive Best short hike: Colter Bay Lakeshore (2 miles) Best water activities: Rent a boat or go on a scenic float trip Yellowstone National Park Once you reach the Southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park don t forget to grab a park map. In that map you will be able to see anything and everything that may spark your interest during your park journey. Remember, Yellowstone covers a huge area of land. If you want to get the best experience without a lot of driving we suggest staying one night within Yellowstone National Park. Can t Miss It: Lake Butte Overlook Fishing Bridge Visitor s Center Yellowstone Lake Mud Volcano Sulpur Caldron Virginia Cascade Beryl Spring Best iconic American Landmark: Old Faithful Best thermal: Grand Prismatic Spring Best overlook: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone DAY 7: Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming (4.5 minutes/241 miles) With Yellowstone in your rearview mirror, It s time to take a trip into Wyoming s pre-history. Kemmerer, Wyoming exits today on what is essentially the bed of an ancient tropical sea. Not only is the town itself a great pace to spend some time, right outside of town is the phenomenal Fossil Butte National Monument. Some of the world s best preserved fossils are found in the flat-topped ridges of southwestern Wyoming s cold sagebrush desert. Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 6
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com Fossilized fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals are exceptional for their abundance, variety, and detail of preservation. After your trip through the ancient world, head back into Kemmerer for a little modern-day fun. Kemmerer is a great little town on the western plains, with a vibrant downtown and a number of parks and green spaces just aching for a picnic. Best hike through Precambrian history: Historic Quarry Trail-Fossil Butte Best place to see a fossilized crocodile: Fossil Butte Visitor s Center Best green space for a picnic and a dip: Archie Neil Park-Kemmerer Best place to grab a bite: The Ham s Fork Grill Best after hours fun: Anywhere on Triangle Park Best place to stay overnight: Antler Motel DAY 8: Kemmerer to Park City, Utah (2 hours/112 miles) From Kemmerer you will cross back into Utah below Evanston, Wyoming and keep heading south to Park City, Utah. Park City is a fun place. That s just the truth of it. There is so much to do in this little town, but the best thing about Park City is its dedication to the outdoor world. This was the place of the 2002 Winter Olympics after all, and the outdoor activities are extensive. But Park City has a great city-centric activity level too. In Park City is realistic to be browsing through one of the numerous art or history museums in the morning and lacing up your boots to hike one of the numerous trails just outside the town. The best place to start any time in Park City, though, is the Park City Visitor s Center. Not only will it have all the information you need, but its also a really cool place, with some of the best coffee in town accompanied by a nice little breakfast and lunch cafe. Best way to get up the mountain: Park City Mountain Resorts Best way to get down the mountain in Summer: Alpine Coaster Best way to get down the mountain in Winter: skis or snowboards Best place to burn some calories: Utah Olympic Park Best way to see the town and get fed: Park City Food Tour Best night out: Egyptian Theatre Best shopping: Tanger Outlets Best people watching: Park City Main Street Historic District Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 7
GET IN TOUCH: info@visitusaparks.com visitusaparks.com DAY 8: Salt Lake City, Utah (2 hours/112 miles) Get ready for some city life. But first, you need to get there. There are two ways to get to SLC from Park City, but the one we recommend is taking Hwy 224 to Hwy 190 over Guardsman Pass. Total drive time (one way) is about one hour, but you ll probably want to take longer, to stop for photos and perhaps a picnic along the route. On top of the mountains the country opens up and you ll have majestic views in all directions. At the pass the elevation is about 9,700 feet above sea level. However, this road is not open in the winter. Upon arrival in Salt Lake City, the first you are going to want to do is find a pace to stay. There are plenty of options, but our suggestion is to head downtown and stay at one of the great hotels. From there, Salt Lake City is your oyster. SLC is a great town, and there are thousands of things to do here, so after getting your hotel, you should head to the Salt Lake Visitors Center in the Salt Center. The people there are friendly and eager to make your visit the best it can be.. Best museum: Natural History Musuem Of Utah Best way to see the city: Trolley Tour of Salt Lake City Best downtown nightlife: Broadway District Best shopping: City Creek Center Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah Best place to buy local: The Downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market Coolest place to catch a live show: Anywhere on Triangle Park Can t miss restaurant: Valter s Osteria Best Mexican Food in Utah: The Red Iguana Can t miss outdoor experience: Great Salt Lake State Park or Big Cottonwood Canyon Best Chance to see a ghost: Old Town Tour Wyoming s National Parks and Salt Lake City TRIP ESSENTIALS 8