Yellowstone + Grand Teton + Devils Tower — 14 Days
Palo Duro → Rocky Mountain NP → Grand Teton → Yellowstone → Devils Tower → home
Route Map
● Austin (start/end) · numbered stops in order · dashed line shows approximate route
Estimated Trip Cost
Gas estimate assumes 2WD pickup + travel trailer at 10 mpg, 65 mph max, $3.25/gal regular unleaded (approx. national avg). Includes 2280 mi of stops + 365 mi return to Austin.
Trip Highlights
- ▶ Lamar Valley dawn wildlife drive from Madison CG — bison, wolves, bears in their natural habitat
- ▶ Yellowstone booked via yellowstonenationalparklodges.com (not Recreation.gov) — a common planning mistake avoided
- ▶ Outbound via I-25 N through Colorado, return via Cody WY and I-25 S — true loop, no backtracking
- ▶ Devils Tower Belle Fourche CG: first-come $20/nt at the base of the most recognizable rock formation in North America
- Rocky Mountain NP — Moraine Park CG, Estes Park CO (Night 2 transit — 380 mi from Palo Duro; timed-entry vehicle permit required separately on Recreation.gov)
- Rio Grande del Norte BLM, Taos NM (Night 11 transit — 260 mi from Rocky Mountain NP on the return leg)
- Palo Duro Canyon SP, Canyon TX (Night 12 transit — 285 mi from Rio Grande del Norte)
Stop-by-Stop
Day 1: depart Austin 7 AM — 365 miles via US-87 N / I-27 N; arrive ~12:30 PM. Transit night — canyon floor walk at golden hour. The red walls at sunset are a preview of the canyon country ahead.
Day 2: depart 7 AM — 380 miles via I-27 N → I-25 N → US-34 W to Estes Park; arrive ~1 PM. ⚠️ Book timed-entry vehicle permit (May–Oct) on Recreation.gov same day as campsite. Transit night at Moraine Park — elk graze the meadow at dusk. Bear Lake shuttle is free from camp.
Jackson, WY • NPS • $59/nt (no hookup) · $78/nt (electric)
Day 3: depart 7 AM — 350 miles via US-34 W → I-80 W → US-191 N to Jackson; arrive ~12:30 PM. Two nights at Gros Ventre CG with the full Teton Range filling the western horizon. Day 4: Colter Bay (lake kayak rentals), Jenny Lake Overlook drive, Oxbow Bend Turnout at sunrise for moose.
Day 5: depart 9 AM — 60 miles north via US-89/191 to Madison CG; arrive ~10 AM. ⚠️ Book via yellowstonenationalparklodges.com — NOT Recreation.gov. Four full days in the park. Day 6: Old Faithful + Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk). Day 7: Norris Geyser Basin (most active thermal area in the park). Day 8: Lamar Valley dawn wildlife drive — bison herds, wolves, and bears.
Day 9: depart 8 AM — 220 miles east via US-14/16 E through Cody → I-90 E → WY-24 N to Devils Tower; arrive ~11:30 AM. Transit night at the base of the 867-ft columnar basalt monolith. Paved Tower Trail loops the base (1.3 mi) — hike it at dusk when the crowds leave. First-come only, no reservations.
Day 10: depart 7 AM — 360 miles south via I-90 W → I-25 S → US-34 E back to Estes Park; arrive ~1 PM. Second transit night at Moraine Park. Trail Ridge Road (highest continuous paved road in the US) for a final alpine drive if open.
Day 11: depart 8 AM — 260 miles south via US-34 E → US-285 S → NM-68 to Taos; arrive ~12:30 PM. Transit night above the Rio Grande gorge. Taos Plaza lunch stop on the way in.
Day 12: depart 8 AM — 285 miles east via US-64 E → US-87 S to Canyon TX; arrive ~12:30 PM. Final transit night. Canyon floor walk or just rest before the last drive home.